#Life of a writer

[marmota-b]

"# that is entirely true #characters can and will do that #and it's best to just go with it because they know what they're doing better than you do #and it's best to just go with it because they know what they're doing better than you do #most of the time"

Yeah!

My Narnia/Star Wars crossover got invaded by Anansi. He wasn't supposed to be there. He just showed up one day, and that was it.

Tolkien wrote like that rather a lot, I think. Aragorn also just showed up, and Tolkien didn't even know who he was. And look what he became.

Also, trying to explain Tom Bombadil takes away all of his power. Do Not Do. (This was the rough shape of an admonishment I recently received from my sister, and the explanation I was gearing up to was pretty non-explanatory. She did have a point.)

Actually I love that Tolkien decided to include Tom Bombadil. What an amazingly unhinged decision. Literally 5 minutes out of the Shire Merry & Pippin almost get eaten by a sentient evil willow tree but there's just Some Guy who's In Charge of the trees and tells it to let them out. He's older than elves and the river is his wife. Also he's immune to the ring, the thing that the preceding 120 pages and following 800 pages are entirely about and he literally never shows up again. Everyone's like "oh he's God" and Tolkien was like NO he's not God he's literally just a Guy and I don't know what he's doing there either he just wants to be. Incredible. No notes.

[oatmilk-vampire]

Always the writer, never the reader.

[conphusedredpandaa]

Never forgotten but...never finished.

[uwudonoodle]

[daddiesdrarryy]

Me writing

[angelscovee]

𝐿𝑢𝑐𝑘𝑖𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑔𝑗𝑟𝑙

🝮🝮🝮🝮🝮🝮🝮🝮🝮🝮🝮🝮🝮🝮🝮🝮🝮🝮🝮🝮🝮🝮🝮🝮🝮🝮

ʀᴇǫᴜᴇsᴛ ☞ ᴄᴀɴ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡʀɪᴛᴇ sᴏᴍᴇ ꜰʟᴜꜰꜰ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴘᴀɪɢᴇ x ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ? ᴍᴀʏʙᴇ ʏᴏᴜᴛᴜʙᴇʀ ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ sʜᴇ ᴠʟᴏɢ ᴅᴀʏ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʟɪꜰᴇ

⇝ ᴘᴀɪɢᴇ ʙᴜᴇᴄᴋᴇʀᴇ x ʏᴏᴜᴛᴜʙᴇʀ!ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ

⇝ ꜰʟᴜꜰꜰ

⇝ ᴍᴀsᴛᴇʀʟɪsᴛ

🝮🝮🝮🝮🝮🝮🝮🝮🝮🝮🝮🝮🝮🝮🝮🝮🝮🝮🝮🝮🝮🝮🝮🝮🝮🝮

"hey y'all!! so today i'm doing a day in my life cause its been a while since i did one of those." i set my camera down on my vanity as i sat down to do my makeup.

i started doing my makeup as i talked about the things i had to do today. i was blending my foundation when the door to my room opened. i smiled as i looked at the camera.

"we have a special guest today ya'll!!" i said as i turned my camera towards paige as she waved at it.

"today im gonna be having my girlfriend join me today in todays vlog for the first time ever." i said with an exaggerated gasp.

once i finished my makeup i changed into my outfit as i gave the camera a full look at it.

"im wearing a shirt that i got from hot topic, i thrifted these jorts, and i'm wearing some black converse." i spoke to the camera not noticing the way paige was blatantly staring at me.

as i walked back up to my camera to pick it up i could see paige looking at me through my mirror, i turned around with a smile as i stared at her.

"do i have something on my face?" i asked with a raised eyebrow knowing shes probably been looking at me like that for a while.

"nah you just look.. really beautiful." she said looking at me admiring how i looked as i shook my head with a smile looking away from her a blush rising to my face.

"okay anyway, today is gonna be a sort of chill day, i just have a few errands to run not to much like last time." i said talking to my camera as paige and i walked to her car.

i set down my camera in front of me as i got inside the car.

"alright ill see ya'll when we get to target bye!!" i said as i shut off the camera buckling in and storing the camera in my bag.

"when you're about to post the video tell me so i can be the first one to watch and like it." i turned my head towards paige with a smile on my face.

paige has always supported my youtube career since we started dating. everyday im thankful i have someone that actually supports me.

"don't worry i will, ill watch it with you too, i heard theres gonna be a cute blonde in the video." i said with a grin as i could see a smirk start to form on her face.

"oh yeah? guess we'll have to watch it then, heard that this really pretty girl is doing a day in the life vlog." she stated as she kept her eyes on the road.

my eyes were completely focused on her though, the way her eyes focus on the road, the way her eyebrows slightly furrow when shes concentrating.

gosh shes perfect. i don't know what i did to deserve someone like her but in glad i did it.

i really am the luckiest girl aren't i. i kept on staring at her as if shes the last thing i was ever gonna look at. after about five minutes i finally spoke up.

"i'm the luckiest girl, with a girl like you." i said catching paige off guard as i saw her blush.

i can't wait to spend the rest of my life with her. the love of my life.

[oliolioxenfreewrites]

it’s time for a new writeblr intro

my name is oliver or oli; whatever’s clever!

hi there if you haven’t come across my page already 🫶🏾

my characters are messy, queer as fuck, haunted by their future… or their past, respectfully. they're constantly walking the line between ‘right’ and ‘wrong.’ my ocs not here to save the world—they’re mostly trying to survive it, one brutal decision at a time. and honestly?

so are the readers i want to connect with.

my linktree has all of my creative writing links: ao3, substack, & my ko-fi where i upload my in-depth fantasy world-building templates! you can use the qr code below and access it!

my wips are under the cut; don't hesitate to dive in and experience my cherished worlds and characters.

wips:

novaxiom: my world of sonoric sorcery, sound wave based magic. 🔊

the tryskelion prophecy; triplets born under the trinal moon, burdened with the responsibility of maintaining balance as a trio, their intertwined powers over dreams, memory, life, and death are key to this outcome, but their personal conflicts and unresolved karmic debts threaten to unravel everything.

osi’s midnight masquerade; a theatre troupe of queer vampires who play by their own rules.

[vishnavishivaa]

Their eyes, still gazing at each other, were conveying the words of the heart, reaching them to their respective souls.

"So you did it, hmm?"

"I did," she said. "And now, I know why you advised me against it when we were together."

"Why did I?" Govardhan's eyes, fond and loving, made Ramaa blush, and she looked away partially, her pink cheeks endearing to him. She felt his fingers very lightly touch them before pulling away, and she turned to look at him with a pout, about to argue. However, she paused.

They used to argue like this, because he always only lightly touched her, till she pouted and grumbled at him.

"You wanted me to gain independence from the restrictions of my elder brothers by myself, and not to try and balance our relationship," Ramaa wrote said softly. "But love.. I mean, Vardhan, our relationship was and memories of it still is my highest motivation. You taught me to grow personally, you gave me everything. You are everything."

"As you are mine," he said gently, his eyes holding tears when she called him love. It was her favourite term of endearment, and just seeing him had opened up all that.

*****

A snippet for an OS I wrote, with the character aesthetics up! These aesthetics WILL be expanded into a full story eventually, but for now, enjoy them with the OS’ I will keep posting.

@ahamasmiyodhah @mahi-wayy @yehsahihai @theramblergal @krsnaradhika @ramayantika @achyutapriya @thegleamingmoon @nidhi-writes @houseofbreadpakoda @hum-suffer @kanhapriya @kaal-naagin @krishna-priyatama @willkatfanfromasia @celestesinsight @arachneofthoughts @idllyastuff @mahaswrites @braj-raj @krishna-sangini @krishna-premi @chaliyaaa @tripurantaka @writersiya @ambidextrousarcher @zeherili-ankhein @rang-lo @nushkiespeaks What do you all think?

[writingprompt-ledgers]

Crafting a Fantasy Language: 25 Writing Prompts for World-Builders and Storytellers

Creating a unique language for your fantasy world is one of the most exciting and immersive ways to bring depth and authenticity to your world-building. It can shape how your characters interact, define their culture, and influence their history and magic systems.

But where do you start?

Below are 25 writing prompts to help you build a prosperous, culturally embedded language that feels as alive as the world you create.

Root Words and Origins

Start by developing core root words. For example, words like “life,” “death,” or “magic” are central to the culture. How do these root words evolve into other terms? Are they tied to mythology or historical events?

Phonetic Rules

What does your language sound like? Decide on familiar sounds and patterns. Do certain phonetic combinations carry spiritual or cultural significance? For instance, soft sounds are for peace, and harsh sounds are for power.

Honorifics and Titles

Design a system for titles and respect. Is there a specific way to address elders, warriors, or magical beings? Do different regions or classes use distinct honorifics?

Grammar Rules

Create unique grammar rules. How does your language handle sentence structure, tense, or gender? Is time expressed differently, or does your language have an untranslatable concept?

Cultural Influence on Language

How does culture shape the language? Does it have specific words for rituals, nature, or emotions that don’t translate directly into our languages? How do spiritual beliefs influence everyday speech?

Language Evolution Over Time

Write a brief history of how the language evolved. Did it splinter into dialects or undergo drastic changes? How does the ancient version of the language differ from the modern one?

Idioms and Metaphors

Create idioms reflecting the culture’s beliefs. What do they say to describe someone wise, foolish, or lucky? How do natural elements like mountains or storms influence these expressions?

Magical Incantations

Develop a system of magical language. Are there special words or sounds that must be used for spell-casting? How does the culture perceive these words—sacred or dangerous?

Formal vs. Informal Speech

Establish formal and informal registers in your language. How do characters speak to authority figures versus friends? Is formal speech more flowery or simply more rigid?

Writing System

Does your language use runes, symbols, or an alphabet? Is writing reserved for the elite or magical classes? The activation of certain words might require inscribing them on stone or parchment.

Emotion in Language

Examine how the language conveys emotions. Does it have words for nuanced feelings, like a specific term for unrequited love or a parent’s pride?

Sound Symbolism

Consider how the sound of a word reflects its meaning. For example, long vowel sounds might be used for beauty or calm, while short, sharp sounds are reserved for urgency or anger.

Names and Naming Conventions

Create naming traditions. Are names passed down or chosen based on events or personality traits? Does a name hold magical power, shaping one’s destiny?

Dialect and Regional Variations

Imagine how different regions or social groups speak. Does one region speak in a formal tone while another uses a clipped, more casual dialect? How do these differences cause misunderstandings?

Proverbs and Wisdom

Develop proverbs or sayings that reflect cultural wisdom. What does the culture say about offering advice or warning against danger? How are these proverbs tied to religion or folklore?

Cursing and Insults

Craft curse words or insults. What offends people in this culture? Are insults based on personal bravery, family honor, or physical appearance?

Historical or Dead Language

Create a dead language that was once widely spoken but only used in rituals. How does it influence the current language? Is it studied by scholars or magicians?

Gestures and Body Language

Does the culture rely on body language alongside speech? What gestures complement or emphasize words? Are there specific hand movements or bows tied to certain phrases?

Language and Religion

Explore the relationship between language and religion. Are there sacred words only spoken by priests or during rituals? Does the language invoke gods or magical forces?

Borrowed Words

Create words the language has borrowed from neighboring cultures. How have they been adapted, and what tensions exist between the borrowing and original cultures?

Linguistic Taboo

Are there forbidden words or phrases? How is breaking this taboo viewed—does it bring misfortune or divine wrath? Are these taboos tied to ancient magic or politics?

Wordplay and Riddles

Develop a tradition of wordplay or riddles. How do these reflect cultural values? Is wordplay used for humor, or does it hold deeper, more philosophical meaning?

Poetry and Song

Write a poem or song in your fantasy language. How does the structure of the language shape its poetic forms? Are certain sounds or words reserved for religious or ceremonial songs?

Powerful Words

In some cultures, words are believed to hold power. Write a scene where a character uses a single word to summon magic or change someone’s fate. What makes this word so powerful?

Silent Communication

Create a silent form of communication—hand signs or gestures used for secrecy, combat, or ritual. Who uses it, and why was it developed? How does it interact with spoken language?

Building a fantasy language isn’t just about creating a cool set of sounds or words—it’s about breathing life into your world. Every phrase, idiom, and root word carries cultural, historical, and magical weight, giving depth to your world’s characters and lore. Use these prompts to develop a language that feels alive and connected to the people who speak it.

Have you crafted a unique language for your world? Reply and tell me about the most exciting aspect of your creation.

[queer-sloth]

[sparxaf]

Let's talk about s*x baby...

Or more specifically, let's talk about sex scenes. I spent all day yesterday binging some stories on my favorite terrible book app that I won't name. They're mostly very bad, but highly entertaining. I read one that was actually good, even the sex scenes (which is usually where even the decent stories falter). But it was odd. Despite being well-written, the end of every steamy scene fell flat. After the third one, I realized the problem. Every sex scene ended with a sparsely detailed orgasm and someone climbing off the other and putting on their underwear. There was no emotional break between the act of sex and the next action/dialogue. The writer completely neglected the afterglow. Think of something similar to this:

His thrusts sped and he tightened his grip on her hair, as a harsh growl ripping from him as he came. He rolled over and reached for his underwear and she sighed contentedly as he slid them on and headed for the bathroom.

It was so fucking abrupt, I was like, wait what? No amount of well-placed similes or delicious dirty talk can save a scene that doesn't leave you with an emotion, and that's what was missing. The author didn't get that the details of sex aren't as important as the emotions they invoke. Every romantic sex scene should (ideally) have an emotional purpose. It should either push the relationship forward or further apart. Love scenes are really just emotional catharsis disguised as someone getting their back blown out.** So we need a moment. A space to breathe and feel something before the scene moves on:

His thrusts sped and he tightened his grip on her hair, as a harsh growl ripped from him and he came. He breathed heavily against her neck, his body quivering with aftershocks, his world tilted sideways from the feel of her shaking beneath him. After catching his breath, he pressed kisses to her neck and she giggled. Then, he rolled over and reached for his underwear.

It's not a huge thing. I didn't make the afterglow a super deep and profound moment, but I put a space there, a single emotional reaction between the orgasm and the aftermath, so the reader can catch their breath. He recognized how good it felt and then, they shared a little cuddle. If you want to take it further, you can add a tiny bit of banter.

His thrusts sped and he tightened his grip on her hair, as a harsh growl ripped from him and he came. He breathed heavily against her neck, his body quivering with aftershocks, his world tilted sideways from the feel of her shaking beneath him. After catching his breath, he pressed kisses to her neck and she giggled. "Wow," she said. "Mmm," he rolled over and reached for his underwear before pulling her back to him and kissing her soundly. "Give me twenty minutes and we can do that again."

That's not great, but hopefully you get the idea. I feel like this advice still works for non-romantic smut as well. Even if the sex is rough or antagonistic, you should put an emotional beat in between the orgasm and the transition.

There are few things worse than unfulfilling sex and the same is true for sex scenes. In many ways, they're the same thing. If you want it to be good you have to pay attention to pace and rhythm, appreciate the moment, and don't get up and put on your underwear immediately after coming, like your partner is a video game NPC you're done engaging with.

Happy writing!

**I kept visualizing sex scenes as a singular emotion wearing a trench coat and hat, like the three kids in a coat on Bojack Horseman. Which made me snort laugh, but I couldn't figure out a way to incorporate that description into the post itself. So you get it here. You're welcome.

[ineffably-good]

Tumblr peeps! After three very long years of work, three manuscripts, approximately four million rejection letters, and lots of blood, sweat, and tears, this is me signing a contract for publication for my YA novel, The Last Road-trip. My story of how a sheltered Iowan farm girl teams up with an imp to search for her missing brother before the end of the world is full of humor, hope, and heart. I’m so thrilled it’s found a home with small press Wild Rose Press in their YA division!

I am GETTING PUBLISHED!

The book will come out sometime in 2025, and I will definitely be sharing info about that process for anyone who is interested!

[oatmilk-vampire]

My readers making connections and going crazy with the deep lore of my writing

Me who planned nothing and just typed out whatever random string of words my brain whispered to me today

[conphusedredpandaa]

The true struggle of a writer...especially one who writes as a hobby.

[t1ck-tick-b0om]

writing :)

Trying to write: *gets hit with the most intense wave of writer's block*

Trying to sleep: *a million different prompts and storylines accumulating with full character descriptions, an organized plot, and every single detailed sorted out* shit...

[daddiesdrarryy]

Me when I finish writing something: