oitreewrites

[oitreewrites]

Feels like ages since I got to participate in one of these. Here are my files:

Afterthought (party goer unknowingly rants about a boring party to the host himself)

Dancing in the dark (childhood besties to enemies; knight x knight of enemy nations)

icarus x apollo (retelling of the fall of icarus)

And here is the snippet from Afterthought, enjoy!

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Right? 

Nah, wrong. Emil believes in when life gives you a head, get a headache. More like that’s what he has to believe at this point, no thanks to college, but yeah whatever.

Every reader knows better than to go to a party at somebody’s insistence, those never end well. Emil knows too. Yet, this once, he's too close to giving in.

It’s just too much, a bit too stressful, a tad too overwhelming. What you ask? Well, college and graduation, the job hunt, the pandemonium that his personal life is. So, to answer your question, just about everything.

Well, life happens. You go get drunk.

WIP Wednesday Game

It’s WIP Wednesday, time for a little accountability, sharing your work, and getting a kick in the pants.

Here’s how it works:

In a reblog of this post (so people can find you in the notes) or new thread (w/ rules attached) if you want to play on your own, post up to five (5) filenames of your WIPs; not titles, file names.

Post a snippet from one of them. Snippet must be words you wrote in the last 7 days. We’re posting progress here. If you haven’t made any, go make some and come back to play!

After you’ve posted, people can send you an ask with one of your file names. You must then write 3 sentences in that file. If the filename is one you can't share from (for example, an event or gift fic), write 3 sentences on it anyway, and then 3 more on another to share.

That’s it! You can invite others to join in, or just post. I’ll be searching the reblogs to find people to send asks to!

If you’re reading this, you’re invited!

If you see someone posting a WIP Wednesday Game snippet, send them an ask! Make them write.

Requested/Friend event mentions under the cut! If you'd like to be pinged next week, let me know!

@fiore-della-valle @redbirdblogs @greenbergsays @idkfandomwhatever @luckyspike

@obaewankenope @mad-madam-m @anonymousdandelion @geometricfractal @prettybirdy979

@eriquin @aparticularbandit @madnessfromthemountains @makeroftherunes @1attheedge

@whimsicalmeerkat @kidsomeday @lizhly-writes @skyderman @adhdavinci

@owlbearwrites @anachronismstellar @anyctibius @rilannon @lazinesswrites

@zyrafowe-sny @dreaminghour @blue-eyedbeta @candyskiez @dreamerking27

@kalira @virgulesmith @i-want-delfeur @selkies-world @exceedinglygayotter

@oitreewrites @post-and-out @writingattheedge @qqaba @ykthefancyclamwiththepearlinside

@princescar @tigerdragon1001 @@agent-p-writes

[oitreewrites]

Spring

Dancing on the wings of wind, flowers rain down from trees. Clouds float on the ocean called sky, set sail across the seas.

The room is dark, but for stray rays of sun that slide in though the blinds, illuminate the little cots.

A new month has begun. Spring wonders.

Cries were heard, Not one, but two. Happiness eases out worry.

Spring wonders.

[oitreewrites]

I traverse the world in an armour, the world before me is a haze. Sometimes, the haze shifts. I am forever aware of my beating heart.

I do not remove it, my armour, not until I am safe back home. The moon looks at me with drowsy eyes, Darkness is my friend.

And then, when I least expect it, metal pierces my flesh. Words are sharper than swords, faster than arrows.

Spears dig into my back, I am a withering mess.

I try to escape, wanting not to wound the hand that stabbed. A hand known too well.

But when that fails, when the darkness creeping into the corners of vision seems friend no longer, desperation surges through me.

My spear moves in frantic swings, strikes true.

Thereafter, we go our separate ways, assaulted by emotions and pain.

Nobody knows the harm they dealt. Yet, hurt we all are.

The armour sits upright where I left it, a cruel, cruel mockery. A reminder of misjudgement.

On such nights, I cry and cry until tears turn to blood.

I am no Evangeline; they are raised on fairytales and kindness. But, the Archer? The Archer I could be.

Silent sobs wreck my body, Coughs constrict my gut. Amongst all the pain, I find my friend again. Darkness wraps around me like a shawl.

Later, when all tears have been spent, have seeped through my cheeks, my face, I can taste them at the back of my throat.

I lie on my back, with darkness lying by my side, and wonder.

What is it that hurt me most? Their spears? Or mine?

13.03.2024

[oitreewrites]

“how did you get into writing” girl nobody gets into writing. writing shows up one day at your door and gets into you

[oitreewrites]

And it's wednesday again! I got a hell lot of writing done last week thanks to this. Let's get some done this week too :)

Filenames (same as last week)

Dancing in the dark

Shelley's heart

Snippet from Dancing in the dark

They have carried these weights for too many years. They fight for so long passion seeps into strategy.

Faces burning, the robes stick to their bodies, restrict mobility. They parry nonetheless, eyes brighter than the moon.

So many questions between them, unanswered. They swell to fill the trench called time.

They are tired, their limbs are tired. Their hearts are tired too.

WIP Wednesday Game

It’s WIP Wednesday, time for a little accountability, sharing your work, and getting a kick in the pants.

Here’s how it works:

In a reblog of this post (so people can find you in the notes) or new thread (w/ rules attached) if you want to play on your own, post up to five (5) filenames of your WIPs; not titles, file names.

Post a snippet from one of them. Snippet must be words you wrote in the last 7 days. We’re posting progress here. If you haven’t made any, go make some and come back to play!

After you’ve posted, people can send you an ask with one of your file names. You must then write 3 sentences in that file. If the filename is one you can't share from (for example, an event or gift fic), write 3 sentences on it anyway, and then 3 more on another to share.

That’s it! You can invite others to join in, or just post. I’ll be searching the reblogs to find people to send asks to!

If you’re reading this, you’re invited!

If you see someone posting a WIP Wednesday Game snippet, send them an ask! Make them write.

Requested/Friend event mentions under the cut! If you'd like to be pinged next week, send me a message to ask!

Friends @fiore-della-valle @redbirdblogs @greenbergsays @idkfandomwhatever @luckyspike

@obaewankenope @mad-madam-m @anonymousdandelion @geometricfractal @prettybirdy979

@eriquin | Requests @aparticularbandit @madnessfromthemountains @makeroftherunes @1attheedge

@whimsicalmeerkat @kidsomeday @lizhly-writes @skyderman @adhdavinci

@owlbearwrites @anachronismstellar @anyctibius @rilannon @lazinesswrites

@zyrafowe-sny @dreaminghour @blue-eyedbeta @candyskiez @dreamerking27

@kalira @virgulesmith @i-want-delfeur @selkies-world @exceedinglygayotter

@oitreewrites @post-and-out

[oitreewrites]

"Dancing in the dark" for WIP Wednesday please!

They have carried these weights for too many years. They fight for so long passion seeps into strategy.

Faces burning, the robes stick to their bodies, restrict mobility. They parry nonetheless, eyes brighter than the moon.

[oitreewrites]

Dancing in the dark for the WIP Game please!

Riyaz attacked with the passion of a lover. Hriday defended with the strategy of war. Yet, Riyaz wouldn't think of himself in love with the other man, not in a million years.  And Hriday would never wage war against him.

[oitreewrites]

Dancing in the dark for WIP Wednesday!

And then, metal strikes metal, wind cries.

Drawing weapons, especially against folk of the other nation, without the command of the kings may be illegal but when has law ever outstood history? Unsaid warnings often go unheard. As they say, all is fair in love and war.

Which of the two was this?

[oitreewrites]

Dancing in the dark for WIP Wednesday, please!

The storm is creeping no longer.

It comes on fast like a tiger on a hunt, brave and bold. Swords are drawn.

The night is cold, yet the air around froths with building tension, moves in circles like the knights in a sort of dramatic ritual.

[oitreewrites]

"Dancing In The Dark", if you're still taking asks for WIP Wednesday?

I love asks, never am i not going to take them :)

Reminiscences float in the air, making it hard to breathe. They cloud the present, colour the past. A storm is brewing in the distance.

Slowly, the wind takes up speed. Leaves and twigs fly around, swirl up into the sky. Dark clouds are taking shape, the moon hides in their shadow

[oitreewrites]

WIP Wednesday Time!

Dancing in the dark

Wind brings with itself the sound of mirth, of celebration. They do not suit, however; the garden is a graveyard of memories.

The knights stand opposite, feel opposite. At the centre, blacks and whites merge into grey.

[oitreewrites]

Dancing in the dark for wip wednesday!

sorry, I'm late. Life happened sigh. But here it is :)

Yet could not rid himself of his. How could he? It is in his name, the essence of his identity.

He could not rid himself of his heart. Neither could he rid himself of its feelings.

[oitreewrites]

Dancing in the dark for WIP Wednesday, please!

The mask covers his face, his expression. But Hriday sees it anyway, in the silver of his eyes. Anger gives them a lighter hue, his glare sharper than his sword.

Weapons are not allowed in festivals of peace but swords hang at their hips nonetheless. They are knights afterall. And what use are guards and soldiers without their blades?

Arms they need, they must have. Hearts? Not so much.

[oitreewrites]

the problem with reading and writing leading to a strong vocabulary is that you tend to know the vibe of words instead of their meanings.

if I used this word in a sentence, would it make sense? absolutely. if you asked me what it meant, could I tell you? absolutely not.

[oitreewrites]

Dancing in the Dark, please!

They face each other like they once did. Nobody speaks, nobody moves, nobody blinks; around them time rolls to a stop. The crowd is a distant rumble, an earthquake waiting to happen.

Slowly, it comes, but when it does, it comes strong. It courses through Riyaz with the intensity of pent up rage, shakes his body most uncharacteristically.

“You..!”, is all he can utter. Yet, for thirsty ears it is nectar.

[oitreewrites]

[oitreewrites]

Things That May Be Causing Your Writer's Block- and How to Beat Them

I don't like the term 'Writer's Block' - not because it isn't real, but because the term is so vague that it's useless. Hundreds of issues all get lumped together under this one umbrella, making writer's block seem like this all-powerful boogeyman that's impossible to beat. Worse yet, it leaves people giving and receiving advice that is completely ineffective because people often don't realize they're talking about entirely different issues.

In my experience, the key to beating writer's block is figuring out what the block even is, so I put together a list of Actual Reasons why you may be struggling to write:

(note that any case of writer's block is usually a mix of two or more)

Perfectionism (most common)

What it looks like:

You write one sentence and spend the next hour googling "synonyms for ___"

Write. Erase. Write. Rewrite. Erase.

Should I even start writing this scene when I haven't figured out this one specific detail yet?

I hate everything I write

Cringing while writing

My first draft must be perfect, or else I'm a terrible writer

Things that can help:

Give yourself permission to suck

Keep in mind that nothing you write is going to be perfect, especially your first draft

Think of writing your first/early drafts not as writing, but sketching out a loose foundation to build upon later

People write multiple drafts for a reason: write now, edit later

Stop googling synonyms and save that for editing

Write with a pen to reduce temptation to erase

Embrace leaving blank spaces in your writing when you can't think of the right word, name, or detail

It's okay if your writing sucks. We all suck at some point. Embrace the growth mindset, and focus on getting words on a page

Lack of inspiration (easiest to fix)

What it looks like:

Head empty, no ideas

What do I even write about???

I don't have a plot, I just have an image

Want to write but no story to write

Things that can help:

Google writing prompts

If writing prompts aren't your thing, instead try thinking about what kind of tropes/genres/story elements you would like to try out

Instead of thinking about the story you would like to write, think about the story you would like to read, and write that

It's okay if you don't have a fully fleshed out story idea. Even if it's just an image or a line of dialogue, it's okay to write that. A story may or may not come out of it, but at least you got the creative juices flowing

Stop writing. Step away from your desk and let yourself naturally get inspired. Go for a walk, read a book, travel, play video games, research history, etc. Don't force ideas, but do open up your mind to them

If you're like me, world-building may come more naturally than plotting. Design the world first and let the story come later

Boredom/Understimulation (lost the flow)

What it looks like:

I know I should be writing but uugggghhhh I just can'tttttt

Writing words feels like pulling teeth

I started writing, but then I got bored/distracted

I enjoy the idea of writing, but the actual process makes me want to throw my laptop out the window

Things that can help:

Introduce stimulation: snacks, beverages, gum, music such as lo-fi, blankets, decorate your writing space, get a clickity-clackity keyboard, etc.

Add variety: write in a new location, try a new idea/different story for a day or so, switch up how you write (pen and paper vs. computer) or try voice recording or speech-to-text

Gamify writing: create an arbitrary challenge, such as trying to see how many words you can write in a set time and try to beat your high score

Find a writing buddy or join a writer's group

Give yourself a reward for every writing milestone, even if it's just writing a paragraph

Ask yourself whether this project you're working on is something you really want to be doing, and be honest with your answer

Intimidation/Procrastination (often related to perfectionism, but not always)

What it looks like:

I was feeling really motivated to write, but then I opened my laptop

I don't even know where to start

I love writing, but I can never seem to get started

I'll write tomorrow. I mean next week. Next month? Next month, I swear (doesn't write next month)

Can't find the time or energy

Unreasonable expectations (I should be able to write 10,000 words a day, right????)

Feeling discouraged and wondering why I'm even trying

Things that can help:

Follow the 2 min rule (or the 1 paragraph rule, which works better for me): whenever you sit down to write, tell yourself that you are only going to write for 2 minutes. If you feel like continuing once the 2 mins are up, go for it! Otherwise, stop. Force yourself to start but DO NOT force yourself to continue unless you feel like it. The more often you do this, the easier it will be to get started

Make getting started as easy as possible (i.e. minimize barriers: if getting up to get a notebook is stopping you from getting started, then write in the notes app of your phone)

Commit to a routine that will work for you. Baby steps are important here. Go with something that feels reasonable: every day, every other day, once a week, twice a week, and use cues to help you remember to start. If you chose a set time to write, just make sure that it's a time that feels natural to you- i.e. don't force yourself to writing at 9am every morning if you're not a morning person

Find a friend or a writing buddy you can trust and talk it out or share a piece of work you're proud of. Sometimes we just get a bit bogged down by criticism- either internal or external- and need a few words of encouragement

The Problem's Not You, It's Your Story (or Outline (or Process))

What it looks like:

I have no problems writing other scenes, it's just this scene

I started writing, but now I have no idea where I'm going

I don't think I'm doing this right

What's an outline?

Drowning in documents

This. Doesn't. Make. Sense. How do I get from this plot point to this one?!?!?! (this ColeyDoesThings quote lives in my head rent free cause BOY have I been there)

Things That Can Help:

Go back to the drawing board. Really try to get at the root of why a scene or story isn't working

A part of growing as a writer is learning when to kill your darlings. Sometimes you're trying to force an idea or scene that just doesn't work and you need to let it go

If you don't have an outline, write one

If you have an outline and it isn't working, rewrite it, or look up different ways to structure it

You may be trying to write as a pantser when you're really a plotter or vice versa. Experiment with different writing processes and see what feels most natural

Study story structures, starting with the three act structure. Even if you don't use them, you should know them

Check out Ellen Brock on YouTube. She's a professional novel editor who has a lot of advice on writing strategies for different types of writers

Also check out Savage Books on YouTube (another professional story editor) for advice on story structure and dialogue. Seriously, I cannot recommend this guy enough

Executive Dysfunction, Usually From ADHD/Autism

What it looks like:

Everything in boredom/understimulation

Everything in intimidation/procrastination

You have been diagnosed with and/or have symptoms of ADHD/Autism

Things that can help:

If you haven't already, seek a diagnosis or professional treatment

Hire an ADHD coach or other specialist that can help you work with your brain (I use Shimmer; feel free to DM me for a referral)

Seek out neurodiverse communities for advice and support

Try body doubling! There's lot's of free online body doubling websites out there for you to try. If social anxiety is a barrier, start out with writing streams such as katecavanaughwrites on Twitch

Be aware of any sensory barriers that may be getting in the way of you writing (such as an uncomfortable desk chair, harsh lighting, bad sounds)

And Lastly, Burnout, Depression, or Other Mental Illness

What it looks like:

You have symptoms of burnout or depression

Struggling with all things, not just writing

It's more than a lack of inspiration- the spark is just dead

Things that can help:

Forget writing for now. Focus on healing first.

Seek professional help

If you feel like it, use writing as a way to explore your feelings. It can take the form of journaling, poetry, an abstract reflection of your thoughts, narrative essays, or exploring what you're feeling through your fictional characters. The last two helped me rediscover my love of writing after I thought years of depression had killed it for good. Just don't force yourself to do so, and stop if it takes you to a darker place instead of feeling cathartic