mimsky

[mimsky]

Don't wait to write. Just start.

Don’t wait until your idea feels “good enough” to start writing. There is no such this as the perfect idea, or the perfect time.

The best stories often begin as messy, uncertain thoughts. Just a note in the margin of a notebook.

Start before you’re ready. The process of writing is how you figure out what you’re really trying to say. Clarity comes through the process, not before it.

[mimsky]

(via Home / X)

[mimsky]

How to Write a Character Who Feels Like Throwing Up

When fear, dread, or guilt gets sickening—literally—your character is consumed with a gut-clenching feeling that something is very, very wrong. Here's how to write that emotion using more than the classic "bile rose to the back of their throat".

Start with the Stomach

This isn’t just about discomfort. It’s about a complete rebellion happening inside their body.

Their stomach twists like a knot that keeps pulling tighter

A cold sweat beads on their neck, their palms, their spine

Their insides feel sludgy, like everything they’ve eaten is suddenly unwelcome

They double over, not from pain, but because sitting still feels impossible

Add Sensory Overload

Vomiting isn’t just a stomach reaction—it’s the whole body.

Their mouth goes dry, and then too wet

Their jaw tightens, trying to contain it

A sudden heat blooms in their chest and face, overwhelming

The back of their throat burns—not bile, but the threat of it

Breathing becomes a conscious effort: in, out, shallow, sharp

Emotional Triggers

Nausea doesn’t always need a physical cause. Tie it to emotion for more impact:

Fear: The kind that’s silent and wide-eyed. They’re frozen, too sick to speak.

Guilt: Their hands are cold, but their face is flushed. Every memory plays like a film reel behind their eyes.

Shock: Something just snapped inside. Their body registered it before their brain did.

Ground It in Action

Don’t just describe the nausea—show them reacting to it.

They press a fist to their mouth, pretending it’s a cough

Their knees weaken, and they lean on a wall, pretending it’s just fatigue

They excuse themselves quietly, then collapse in a bathroom stall

They swallow, again and again, like that’ll keep everything down

Let the Consequences Linger

Even if they don’t actually throw up, the aftermath sticks.

A sour taste that won’t leave their mouth.

A pulsing headache

A body that feels hollowed out, shaky, untrustworthy

The shame of nearly losing control in front of someone else

Let Them Be Human

A character feeling like vomiting is vulnerable. It's real. It’s raw. It means they’re overwhelmed in a way they can’t hide. And that makes them relatable. You don’t need melodrama—you need truth. Capture that moment where the world spins, and they don’t know if it’s panic or flu or fear, but all they want is to get out of their own body for a second.

Don't just write the bile. Write the breakdown.

[mimsky]

How to Make Your Characters Almost Cry

Tears are powerful, but do you know what's more impactful? The struggle to hold them back. This post is for all your hard-hearted stoic characters who'd never shed a tear before another, and aims to help you make them breakdown realistically.

The Physical Signs of Holding Back Tears

Heavy Eyelids, Heavy Heart Your character's eyelids feel weighted, as if the tears themselves are dragging them down. Their vision blurs—not quite enough to spill over, but enough to remind them of the dam threatening to break.

The Involuntary Sniffle They sniffle, not because their nose is running, but because their body is desperately trying to regulate itself, to suppress the wave of emotion threatening to take over.

Burning Eyes Their eyes sting from the effort of restraint, from the battle between pride and vulnerability. If they try too hard to hold back, the whites of their eyes start turning red, a telltale sign of the tears they've refused to let go.

The Trembling Lips Like a child struggling not to cry, their lips quiver. The shame of it fuels their determination to stay composed, leading them to clench their fists, grip their sleeves, or dig their nails into the nearest surface—anything to regain control.

The Fear of Blinking Closing their eyes means surrender. The second their lashes meet, the memories, the pain, the heartbreak will surge forward, and the tears will follow. So they force themselves to keep staring—at the floor, at a blank wall, at anything that won’t remind them of why they’re breaking.

The Coping Mechanisms: Pretending It’s Fine

A Steady Gaze & A Deep Breath To mask the turmoil, they focus on a neutral object, inhale slowly, and steel themselves. If they can get through this one breath, they can get through the next.

Turning Away to Swipe at Their Eyes When they do need to wipe their eyes, they do it quickly, casually, as if brushing off a speck of dust rather than wiping away the proof of their emotions.

Masking the Pain with a Different Emotion Anger, sarcasm, even laughter—any strong emotion can serve as a shield. A snappy response, a bitter chuckle, a sharp inhale—each is a carefully chosen defence against vulnerability.

Why This Matters

Letting your character fight their tears instead of immediately breaking down makes the scene hit harder. It shows their internal struggle, their resistance, and their need to stay composed even when they’re crumbling.

This is written based off of personal experience as someone who goes through this cycle a lot (emotional vulnerability who?) and some inspo from other books/articles

[mimsky]

hey pamela i have trouble sticking with stories so i end up abandoning them whats your advice?

Jumping between projects is a common experience for writers, but it can leave you feeling frustrated when all you have to show for all your hard work is a collection of unfinished manuscripts rather than completed stories.

Why we abandon projects

The exciting rush of a new story idea is one of the biggest reasons for procrastination, because the new idea is almost always going to be more exciting than the current project which has entered the “work” phase of drafting. Understanding why we tend to abandon projects can help us refine strategies to stick with them.

Being drawn away by the allure of a shiny new idea that seems more exciting than our current work may be the biggest culprit, but it’s certainly not the only one. We might hit difficult plot points or a writing block the feels insurmountable. Self-doubt also frequently creeps in about the story’s worth, especially as the initial excitement for a project wears off. Sometimes we can even lose sight of where the story is going, or life simply gets in the way and we lose momentum.

All these reasons are real. And all these reasons are valid. The biggest challenge we face is not letting these challenges affect our self-worth as writers. We need to decide for ourselves when to stick with a story and when to let it go.

Why it’s sometimes OK to let go

First, let’s acknowledge that not every project needs to be finished. It’s perfectly valid to recognise when something isn’t working and needs to be shelved.

Some partial projects serve best as learning experiences, and will provide valuable lessons even if you never finish them. You might find yourself taking elements from abandoned projects and incorporating them into new works that better serve your vision as a writer.

As writers, we’re constantly learning and improving, so as we grow and develop, it’s natural to outgrow certain story ideas. Sometimes the most valuable thing you can do is practice writing without the pressure to complete everything. So when deciding to stick with a project, it’s important to keep this in the back of your mind. Some projects are worth the work, and some serve a different purpose.

Strategies for sticking with your project

With all that said, if you’ve taken the time to really question your project and decide whether it’s worth pursuing, here are song strategies that can help you stick with it.

Create a plan

Yes, I know that many of you reading this will be anti-plan, but I’m going on all in on this advice, anyway. If you’ve got to the point of questioning whether a project is worth pursuing, it means you’ve already lost the momentum that pantsing your project requires. You’ve moved past the point of telling yourself the story, and you’re going to need the structure that a plan provides to keep you moving forward.

You don’t need a detailed beat-by-beat plan, but you do need a clear roadmap for your story. This means taking the time to outline, even roughly, so you know where you’re heading. Think of it like setting goals and milestones. A plan will let you break your story into smaller, manageable chunks that feel less overwhelming.

Stay connected to your story

Check in with yourself periodically and remind yourself why you love writing this story. It’s one of the best ways to ensure long-term commitment.

I have a project journal where explore all the ideas that come up during writing. It’s a repository of everything that has inspired me and why, and it keeps me connected to what I’m writing. I can work through blocks, and talk to myself about story points I’m not sure about, and also fantasise about story elements that might never make it into the finished product. The point of it is to keep myself immersed. I also find it useful to regularly revisit my story’s core theme. Why did I want to write this and why was I originally excited about it?

Creating character profiles or mood boards can help also help immerse you in your narrative. Imagining things visually helps you engage another sense and can help with reference when you need inspiration. This also works in tandem with aesthetic isolation. Reading similar books, theming your music choices, or watching films and tv shows that share similarities with your work can also really help to keep you in the right headspace. It can also provide inspiration and fresh perspectives!

Keep yourself motivated

Successful completing a writing project often comes down to maintaining steady motivation. It’s the self-care part of writing that we often let fall by the wayside.

Set yourself goals and make them achievable. Then, make sure you reward yourself for meeting those milestones. That could be anything from a word count goal to finishing a challenging scene. Just make sure they’re actionable and achievable. And I can’t stress the achievable part enough. Ephemeral goals, or goals that are too difficult mean you’re setting yourself up for failure. Smaller targets that you manage to hit regularly will give you that little endorphin kick you need to keep going. You’ll feel good about the process instead of being overwhelmed.

Joining writing groups or finding an accountability partners is also a good way to keep up motivation. It can give you an external structure and support system you need to keep going, because all of a sudden you’re accountable to someone other than yourself.

Know how to handle common obstacles

When you’ve been writing for a while, you’ll quickly learn what your demotivation triggers are. And when you know what they are, it’s the first step in engaging strategies that will help you move past them.

I know that a common block of mine is transition scenes. I can write the scenes individually but can’t always see the way to get from one scene to the next. When I first started writing, I’d spend days and days on the ending of one chapter trying to come up with the perfect way to get to what I knew was going to happen in the next one. The result was that I just never got to the next one.

My strategy now is just to stop trying and move on to the next chapter. Usually the transition I come up with on the fly is “good enough” for a first draft, and once I have the full context of my story, I can usually see exactly what has to happen to improve it. By trying to get it right the first time, I was creating a block that stopped me every moving forward. By the task I struggle with becomes exponentially easier on revision.

If you’re stuck on a particular scene, try skipping ahead to one you’re more excited about. You can also keep a “story problems” document where you can work through issues without derailing your main writing sessions. I do fast-drafting, so if I want to change something or am moving on because of a block, I’ll leave myself a comment or note in the text and then just move on. Because there’s no such thing as a perfect first draft and it’s way too easy to get stuck.

Your techniques and obstacles will be unique to you, so the next time you feel demotivated or want to give up on your project, ask yourself why. Is it a common time for this to happen? And if so, why? What can you do to either overcome or skip this problem entirely?

Make a commitment

While there are strategies that can help you overcome the desire to give up on a project, the ultimate thing that will make the difference is just to make a commitment. Sometimes you just have to sit yourself down and say, “I’m going to get this done!”

Take some time to reflect on why you wanted to tell this story. What do you want to say with it? Do you still think this is important? And if not, why not?

Consider how you’ll feel if you never finish it. If it’s relief, then it might be time to move on to another project. If you’re sad, then you just have to decide to keep going. You can even identify a minimum daily effort needed to move forward if you want to be dispassionate about it.

Every finished book started as an idea that someone chose to stick with. The difference between writers who have finished a project versus one who hasn’t isn’t down to talent – it’s persistence.

Whether you choose to stay with your current project or move on to something new, make it a conscious choice rather than letting your passion fade. Sometimes the story you need to tell isn’t the one that came easily, but the one you fought to finish.

[mimsky]

Found in the Internet Archive by AnitaNH

[mimsky]

Once a hero, always a hero🦾

[mimsky]

Moon-reads

[mimsky]

This is the guy who made the first genetically-engineered babies (a horrific ethics violation that landed him 3 years in prison) and his tweets are so unhinged that I genuinely can't tell if he's trying to be funny or is 100% serious

[mimsky]

Medieval Scooby

[mimsky]

Free Manual Wheelchair Reference Models

ID: A banner with grey 3D models of 5 kinds of manual wheelchairs in a line in front of the disability pride flag and text that reads "Manual Wheelchair References" /End ID

For disability pride month, I decided to release a pack of 3D manual wheelchair models.

The pack includes 5 wheelchairs:

2 Active urban-style chairs (one of which includes a smart drive)

1 off-road active chair

1 children's wheelchair

and 1 standard "hospital" wheelchair).

All the wheelchairs are based off either wheelchairs I or friends of mine have used

Downloadable here!

or on the Clip Studio Paint Asset Store (ID 2097442) (there's been an issue with the CSP version, but the models in the download folder can be imported into clip studio paint until I can fix it)

More info about the download contents below:

The first download link includes the original .Blend file with all 5 chairs, as well as individual .obj or .fbx files the chairs (All but 1 have an .obj file, as they're only meshes. The chair with the smart drive is rigged, which is why it has an .Fbx file instead so it will retain that information) as well as a "read me" file that explains in more depth what kind of disability/character/lifestyle each chair is made for (These are just what I had in mind when I designed them, they are usable by other characters who don't fit the suggestions for the most part!) I wanted to include the Read Me contents in the CSP Asset Store listing, but CS said it was too long lol.

Also, as the title says, these files are free to use! While it's not mandatory, I would appreciate credit if you use them (or even just a tag so I can see the cool art you make with them!!)

I actually made these ages ago, the original plan was to use them in a series of posts then release the pack, but I never got around to making the series and so they've just been sitting here. I took a day off from art fight attacks to clean them all up and get them ready to post. If you experience any issues, let me know and I'll try to fix it up.

I had a couple more that were supposed to be in the pack including a sports (basketball/Tennis) wheelchair and some different styles of wheelchair, but I think the files corrupted so once I fix (or remake) them, I'll probably make a second pack.

If you have any issues, please let me know!

[mimsky]

An orphan develops the habit of talking to the moon as if it were a parent—just telling it about their day, and occasionally announcing milestones in their life, like their admission to college. Unbeknownst to them, the moon has been listening all along, and it's so very proud.

[mimsky]

If your writing makes you smile, write it.

If your writing makes you think, write it.

If your writing keeps you up at night because you can't get it out of your head, write it.

If your writing turns you on, write it.

If your writing makes you sweat, write it.

If your writing makes your heart race, write it.

You don't need anyone's permission to enjoy writing something. You don't need to cater to an audience you don't already have. Or even one you do have. You don't need to keep to a specific niche because you know your readers like it.

Is that new genre calling out to you but you've never written it, so you're uncertain how it'll turn out? Write it.

Challenge yourself. Have fun. Create create create.

The only one that matters in the end is you. Audiences come and they go. People may be upset if you change what you do, but in the end, do you like it more? Then keep at it.

What you do should make you happy. You'll find a new audience. There'll be an audience for your new writing. Just keep pushing forward.

[mimsky]

DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN 1.05 'With Interest' (2025 - )

[mimsky]

Is there a process for writing a novel, or does everyone just figure out what works for them? I feel like I’m making it up as I go and wondering if that’s normal.

This is a question that writers, especially new writers, ask across the board. Is there a process, a right way of creating the story, and am I doing it the best way possible?

If you’re interested in efficiency, you might hate the idea of moving full steam ahead on a project without knowing whether you’re using the best process for writing. So many writers provide “helpful” tips like “write every day.” When you think about it, that’s rather a worthless bit of advice, isn’t it? So what if I write every day? Am I writing in the right order? Will it all flow together in the end? What if I write every day, but none of it makes sense?

Well……

I’ve read a lot of books about writing and tried a lot of different processes. I’ve come to the conclusion, based on both research and practice, that there is no specific process for writing a novel. The number of workable processes is as abundant as the number of novels that exist. 

But this is no reason to get discouraged!

We can still glean some wisdom from other writers who have finished novels and use their knowledge to help us finish our own. I love reviewing the details, however great or small, that other writers give to offer glimpses into their personal writing processes. These are some of the quotes that have helped me create my own personal process. I tend to operate in a more intuitive style than a direct, organised approach, feeling personally that a story must unfold naturally in order to flow in a way that makes sense to me. And I personally love the sandbox imagery! It makes the idea of a process seem more playful and far less serious and rigid.

What we can learn from other writers

The beauty of writing is that every author’s journey is unique, yet we can all learn from each other’s experiences. Some of the most insightful wisdom about the writing process comes from those who have walked this path before us. These writers don’t just tell us what to do, they share their personal relationships with the process, their struggles, and their moments of revelation.

What’s particularly striking about these perspectives is how they embrace the messiness and uncertainty of the creative process. Rather than prescribing rigid rules, they offer metaphors and frameworks that can help us understand our own approach to writing. Here are some particularly illuminating quotes that capture different ways of thinking about the writing process:

“I’m writing a first draft and reminding myself that I’m simply shoveling sand into a box so that later I can build castles.” —Shannon Hale

“I long ago abandoned myself to a blind lust for the written word. Literature is my sandbox. In it I play, build my forts and castles, spend glorious time.” —Rabih Alameddine

“I write just about everything piecemeal…It’s effective because it works; I’m never held up stewing about What Comes Next— I don’t care what comes next, I just care about something I can see happening. The order of the happening has a logic to it (often, more than one), and that will become clear to me as I work.” —Diana Gabaldon

“I think there are two types of writers, the architects and the gardeners. The architects plan everything ahead of time, like an architect building a house. They know how many rooms are going to be in the house, what kind of roof they’re going to have, where the wires are going to run, what kind of plumbing there’s going to be. They have the whole thing designed and blueprinted out before they even nail the first board up. The gardeners dig a hole, drop in a seed and water it. They kind of know what seed it is, they know if planted a fantasy seed or mystery seed or whatever. But as the plant comes up and they water it, they don’t know how many branches it’s going to have, they find out as it grows. And I’m much more a gardener than an architect.” —George R. R. Martin

Common writing processes

While there’s no “right” way to write a novel, there are several common approaches that writers tend to gravitate toward. Understanding these can help you find or develop a process that works for you:

The Plotter

Creates detailed plot outlines before writing.

Develops character profiles and backstories.

Maps out story beats and major plot points.

Researches extensively before drafting.

Works from a structured chapter plan.

The Pantser

Starts with a basic premise or character.

Lets the story unfold organically.

Discovers the plot through writing.

Makes notes about story elements as they emerge.

Revises extensively after the first draft.

The Plantser

Combines planning and discovery writing.

Creates loose outlines that allow for flexibility.

Plans major plot points but discovers the connections as they write.

Develops some characters fully while letting others evolve organically.

Adjusts the outline as the story develops.

Finding your process

The key to developing your own writing process is experimentation. Try different approaches and take note of what works best for you:

Start small

Test different methods on short stories.

Try writing scenes both with and without outlines.

Experiment with different planning tools and software.

Practice different prewriting techniques.

Observe your natural tendencies

Notice when you feel most productive.

Pay attention to what blocks your progress.

Identify your preferred writing environment.

Recognise your natural storytelling style.

Adapt and combine methods

Take elements from different approaches.

Modify existing processes to suit your needs.

Be flexible and willing to change methods.

Create hybrid systems that work for you.

Remember, your writing process can and should evolve as you grow as a writer. What works for one project might not work for another, and that’s perfectly fine. The goal is to find methods that help you tell your stories effectively and enjoyably.

[mimsky]

"your love is like loneliness - angsty dialogue for a dying couple

a prompt list by @novelbear

"there's someone else, isn't there?"

"so what, that's it? you're just going to walk away?"

"whatever, do what you want."

"i can't believe i wasted five years of my life on you. on this."

"i don't need this."

"when was the last time we had a proper conversation?"

"everyone is noticing..."

"you always have something to say, don't you?"

"go! see if i care!"

"aren't you tired of fighting?"

"there's no helping this."

"don't you walk away from me!"

"you hang up and it's over."

"enough with the empty threats. you're bluffing."

"i hate the person you're turning me into."

"i never have these problems with anyone else." "then go talk to everyone else! why are you still here?"

"we're not happy. look at us."

"has it ever occurred to you that maybe we're just not meant for each other?"

"you wouldn't fight for us?" "what is there to fight for?"

"i don't understand why you always have a problem with me."

"oh go to hell."

"now you care?"

"no. i got it. i'll do it myself."