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3 Under-Discussed Writer’s Block Busters
You all know me as an artist, but my first love will always be writing. And writer’s block is REAL.
So I thought I’d throw out a few of my moderately unusual writer’s block busters to help my fellow authors.
Of course, the most common “answers” to writer’s block are:
Just keep writing, even if you don’t want to. (Something is better than nothing.)
Write now, edit later. (Leave your perfectionism at the door.)
Find what makes you most creative. (Play music, write during the same time of day, find good snacks, write in the right setting, and so on).
These are definitely helpful tips—things you 100% want to do whether you have writer’s block or not, but they’re not much use against more stubborn forms of creative constipation.
That’s where my three failsafe fix-its come in. They have always worked for me, no matter the situation.
1. Change your writing method.
Story time! I haven’t been able to write for personal prodjects on a computer for four years—about as long as I’ve been writing and editing for my career. I associate my computer with business—even now that I’m between jobs.
My creativity freezes up whenever I try to work on one of my stories, and I get really distracted. Eventually I end up down a rabbit hole looking up limnic eruptions or different types of crocodiles, having only written a paragraph of a completely unrelated story.
I swapped to hand-writing stuff just after my son was born, and that worked for a long time. I filled several notebooks with some great content (that will eventually be ready for you to read). But then my kid started walking, and I became his favorite chair.
If I have a pen, my kid wants it. And he won’t take a decoy pen. He specifically wants the pen in my hand, so writing when he’s awake is kind of out of the question. (I can only draw when he’s awake because I can balance my tablet on the back of our sofa.) Plus, those of you with munchkins know that you’re generally doing other responsible adult things when the kiddo is asleep, making writing then rather difficult.
I learned I can get a lot of writing done on my phone in the Apple Notes app. It sure beats doom-scrolling Tumblr and is a vast improvement over my retro minesweeper game when I’m spending some quality time in the bathroom. It’s also something I can write with when standing up, sitting on the couch, or hiding behind the baby gate on our stairs.
Can’t get the words out on Google Docs? Switch to Microsoft Word. Getting distracted on your computer? Handwrite your story—in a notebook or even on colorful construction paper. Don’t be afraid to experiment, even across the same story.
2. Get a second opinion.
I have a character floating around my WIPs who’s an absolute blast to write (I can unleash my full punning arsenal), but he’s also an ENFP, meaning we see the world in completely different ways. I often find myself stuck on how he would get out of the really nutty situations he often gets himself into. Thankfully, my ESFJ husband has really strong Extroverted Intuition (an ENFP’s dominant Jungian function), so I can often turn to him and ask, “What would be the dumbest could-work way you’d fix this problem?”
Asking for a second opinion is surprisingly low on most writer’s block fix-it lists, but it is by far one of the most helpful. I’ve been my mom’s developmental story consultant since I could read, and it’s been a great way for her to really churn out the novels. (It’s also a great motivation to finish your story because at least one person will be wanting to read it when you’re done.)
Even if you don’t take someone’s advice, it might still spark something that’ll propel your story forward.
3. Change your story’s direction.
Adapted from The Writing Life by Annie Dillard
Writing, in many ways, is a lot like digging a silver mine. As you rummage around your own head for precious nuggets (those really impactful scenes readers remember forever), you’re setting up a sturdy narrative shaft, using exposition and rising action to fortify walls so your story doesn’t collapse on itself.
Experienced miners know when a shaft isn’t structurally sound. They won’t willingly enter or work on a mine that could cave in on them, gauging the safety of the mine through small clues—clues their demanding boss is completely blind to.
Your creative subconscious is a miner, and you, its employer. While not always, writer’s block could be an early sign that your story is about to collapse. Perhaps you’ve accidentally let a plot hole grow too large to fill with easy edits, or maybe the way you’re taking your story will fall flat, leaving you and your readers unsatisfied. Sure, you can force your creative subconscious to continue, but you’ll end up with a lot of unusable content in the end.
If you think you’re in a mine shaft writer’s block scenario, go back several plot points and start writing in another direction. If that doesn’t work, go back a few more plot points. While doing so may temporarily upset the plans you had for the novel, it will let you continue writing in peace and produce a better finished product.
#lemme know if you want more writing wisdom from a professional editor#hope this is helpful#writers block#writing#writing tips#writers block tips#creative tips#story writing#creative writing#creative process#writing help
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Finding clarity through distortion..
🎶✨🖤💃
instagram
#Musician's life#experimental music#Audacity#Creative tips#making music#samples#sample music#reverse#music edit#by the sea#Instagram
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you can't apply the concept of Good and Bad to good literature. YOU CAN'T APPLY THE CONCEPT OF GOOD AND BAD TO GOOD LITERATURE.
Humanity is complicated. Humans are complicated. A decently written multi-faceted character is not going to be capable of exclusively making selfless unproblematic choices. That's not even possible! even if they, the characters themselves, believe that they are following a good positive moral code, they're still going to make self-centered or potentially harmful decisions despite their intentions!
We are complicated creatures and our strongest characteristic is perspective and understanding— it's empathy! So if you want to write a decent piece of literature or create a good story, then you have to ditch your ideas about right or wrong and adopt a more complicated understanding of empathy and perspective and the whys of human behavior. Think about the people you care about! Think about the societal issues that you have strong feelings about. Think about the last time someone said you hurt their feelings! Ask yourself why!
All my favorite stories have the most complicated characters and consequences to even the most noble of actions because it makes me feel human and it reminds me why I love being human and having humanity in my life.
#wuthering heights#disco elysium#silent hill#dan vyleta#kj parker#toni morrison#shakespeare#emily Brontë#writing tips#creative tips#writers on tumblr#writeblr
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Creative Tip: "Keep it Simple, Stupid," the Importance of Personal Convenience
Lemme give you a piece of advice: no one cares how much effort you put into something, if it's not "good enough" nor "appealing enough" for their personal standards. So, if putting in the most tediously high quality effort doesn't really do squat, make things easier on yourself!
Is a character's design cool, but too much of a pain for you to constantly draw and all? Well, that "cool design" probably won't put your character on the map, but making enough and easier content of them would.
Is it a pain to draw images for your stories you post online? Well, they do say visuals can be eye-catching, but people probably aren't going to give much mind to your writing because it's "too original" (not based on something already with an audience) or they'll avoid something they don't like the written content/style of. So, just keep it to text. I mean, Harry Potter and the Fazbear Fright series seemed to do fine enough as just written words.
Over all, please don't stress yourself to where creation isn't fun any more. Sometimes, higher effort and quality just won't be appreciated; but that's okay, it just means you can make things at your own convenience-- your choice on colored/B+W, your choice on how "animated" your videos/gifs are and so on!
Remember: the best way to make your work noticed is to make too much and spread it too far around (ex: multiple social media accounts) for it to possibly be ignored, and you can't do that if it's too stressful and tedious to make content.
#creative tips#artist tips#writing tips#author tips#life tips#advice#offered help#suggestions#do what's best for you#keep it simple stupid#KISS#how to avoid burnout
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They say when you start a new project or endeavor, "you have to love the process" or it won't be sustainable in the long run.
For some reason, my ADHD squirrel brain has never been good at listening to that advice.
But what has been working for me lately is asking myself "Do I want to put in the work, or do I just want the results?"
Example 1: I get an idea for a cool new animation with my OC. I get about and hour and 10 keyframes in and get impatient and give up. Then I spend the rest of the day beating myself up over not accomplishing my goals. I don't really like animating and I never have, I just wanted a cool animation at the end.
Example 2: I get a cool new idea for a tool in Google Sheets to code for myself to streamline something or other in my life. I don't even really know what the final result will look like I just sit down and start messing around. Every time I get a new formula to work correctly my brain is flooded with dopamine, which usually happens every 10-30 minutes. I love putting in the work as much as I want the final result, I don't even care if I finish or if it doesn't turn out how I initially planned.
Do you want to put in the work? Or do you just want the final result?
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Rest is writing. Reading is writing. Sleeping is writing. Outlining is writing. Editing is writing. Writing is so much more than the physical act of putting words on the page. The creative process is all-encompassing, and even the smallest, most mundane daily task can be the breakthrough your manuscript needs. Sometimes, the best thing you can do... is nothing.
#writing#writing post#writing tips#creativity#book blog#books#bookblr#booklr#j.d. cunegan#indie authors#support indie authors#creative tips
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2023 will be a great year for Living A Life Of Creativity!
Not just for me personally, but I have so much more to give and share after leaning so much about my own creative journey in 2022!
Here are a few of the categories you can anticipate and opt to join in on next year!
Creative Group Session (In-Person)
Creative Group Session (Google Meet)
Journaling
Routines
Craft/Art Tutorials
Bookclub
Craft/Art Workshops
Creative Resources
#subscribe#email list#email#journaling#routines#artsandcrafts#craft tutorial#craft workshops#creative tips#how to be creative#creative class
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Winter Restoration Tip: Gather energy until it's time to act. Only act in divinely aligned inspired action!
#tips#winter#rest#reset#women entrepreneurs#entrepreneurship#entrepreneur#quotes#business tips#action#aligned#alignment#divine feminine#rest is productive#nap#biztips#creative tips#creativity
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After taking a long break from wordpress, I decide to come back
After taking a long break from wordpress, I decide to come back
Photo by Vie Studio on Pexels.com In the past months, I kept writing. Not strictly consistently, not 500 words every day, but frequent enough to keep me in the flow. The reasons why I left were simple. I was too distracted by the notification button whenever I came up here. I wanted to know how my pages “performed”, how many people visited my site, and how many left some words behind them. And…
View On WordPress
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Stuffing this into my pocket for future reference.
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
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a list of 100+ buildings to put in your fantasy town
academy
adventurer's guild
alchemist
apiary
apothecary
aquarium
armory
art gallery
bakery
bank
barber
barracks
bathhouse
blacksmith
boathouse
book store
bookbinder
botanical garden
brothel
butcher
carpenter
cartographer
casino
castle
cobbler
coffee shop
council chamber
court house
crypt for the noble family
dentist
distillery
docks
dovecot
dyer
embassy
farmer's market
fighting pit
fishmonger
fortune teller
gallows
gatehouse
general store
graveyard
greenhouses
guard post
guildhall
gymnasium
haberdashery
haunted house
hedge maze
herbalist
hospice
hospital
house for sale
inn
jail
jeweller
kindergarten
leatherworker
library
locksmith
mail courier
manor house
market
mayor's house
monastery
morgue
museum
music shop
observatory
orchard
orphanage
outhouse
paper maker
pawnshop
pet shop
potion shop
potter
printmaker
quest board
residence
restricted zone
sawmill
school
scribe
sewer entrance
sheriff's office
shrine
silversmith
spa
speakeasy
spice merchant
sports stadium
stables
street market
tailor
tannery
tavern
tax collector
tea house
temple
textile shop
theatre
thieves guild
thrift store
tinker's workshop
town crier post
town square
townhall
toy store
trinket shop
warehouse
watchtower
water mill
weaver
well
windmill
wishing well
wizard tower
#worldbuilding#setting prompts#writer resources#writing inspiration#writing prompts#scene settings#writing reference#writing ideas#prompt list#creative writing#writing community#writer prompts#writing tips#world#fantasy world#fantasy worldbuilding#high fantasy#world building#epic fantasy#writing fantasy
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How to show emotions
Part V
How to show grief
a vacant look
slack facial expressions
shaky hands
trembling lips
swallowing
struggling to breathe
tears rolling down their cheeks
How to show fondness
smiling with their mouth and their eyes
softening their features
cannot keep their eyes off of the object of their fondness
sometimes pouting the lips a bit
reaching out, wanting to touch them
How to show envy
narrowing their eyes
rolling their eyes
raising their eyebrows
grinding their teeth
tightening jaw
chin poking out
pouting their lips
forced smiling
crossing arms
shifting their gaze
clenching their fists
tensing their muscles
then becoming restless/fidgeting
swallowing hard
stiffening
holding their breath
blinking rapidly
exhaling sharply
How to show regret
scrubbing a hand over the face
sighing heavily
downturned mouth
slightly bending over
shoulders hanging low
hands falling to the sides
a pained expression
heavy eyes
staring down at their feet
Part I + Part II + Part III + Part IV + Part VI
If you like my blog and want to support me, you can buy me a coffee or become a member! And check out my Instagram! 🥰
#writeblr#writing prompts#how to show emotions#show not tell#creative writing#writing help#writers on tumblr#how to write#writing advice#writing tips
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The Not-So-Instagram-Perfect Reality of Pattern Design
You know those perfectly curated design process videos where everything flows smoothly and the artist just magically creates something beautiful? Yeah, that's not us. 😅
We're here to spill the tea on what ACTUALLY happens behind the scenes at Design2Repeat (spoiler alert: it involves a lot of coffee and paper tornados).
Here's the thing: we're two pattern designers living in different time zones, trying to create cohesive collections while one of us is having breakfast and the other is probably in their pajamas already. And somehow... it works?
Some highlights from our totally-not-perfect creative process:
That time inspiration struck while cutting a red cabbage (yes, really)
Our walls covered in so many sticky notes they look like contemporary art
Spending an entire day perfecting ONE curve (we're not even exaggerating)
The "what if" game that turned our boring floral into a bestseller
Our legendary 15-minute sprints that usually turn into 2-hour design sessions
Want to see how we actually make things work? We just dropped a super honest blog post about our entire creative process - the good, the bad, and the "maybe we should start over" moments.
Because let's be real - we're all just figuring this out together, one pattern at a time. 💫
#design process#artist life#creative process#pattern design#surface pattern design#design resources#artist problems#creative block#design tips#creative life#artist struggles#design inspiration#pattern designer#creative community#art advice#wip#behind the scenes#studio life#digital art#design journal#artists on tumblr#designers on tumblr#art tips#creative tips#designspiration
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I feel this.
This hit home, and I think it will resonate hard with all my creative friends, here. You are amazing and brilliant and I BEG YOU to keep creating!! ❤️❤️❤️
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🧠💡 We explore a powerful way to harness your creativity in our latest issue—Magazine Issue 6.
To download Creativables Issue 6
To read Creativables Issue 6 online, visit: https://bit.ly/cm-6-online
#creativables#creativity#creativity journey#creative inspiration#emagazine#creativity magazine#free magazine#inspiration#personal growth#artist life#brainstorm#creative tips#strategic thinking#creativables magazine#creativables magz#unlock your potential#brainstorming#writers block#unleash creativity#creativity unleashed#share your creativity
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🌸Describing Scents For Writers 🌸| List of Scents
Describing aromas can add a whole new layer to your storytelling, immersing your readers in the atmosphere of your scenes. Here's a categorized list of different words to help you describe scents in your writing.
🌿 Fresh & Clean Scents
Crisp
Clean
Pure
Refreshing
Invigorating
Bright
Zesty
Airy
Dewy
Herbal
Minty
Oceanic
Morning breeze
Green grass
Rain-kissed
🌼 Floral Scents
Fragrant
Sweet
Floral
Delicate
Perfumed
Lush
Blooming
Petaled
Jasmine
Rose-scented
Lavender
Hibiscus
Gardenia
Lilac
Wildflower
🍏 Fruity Scents
Juicy
Tangy
Sweet
Citrusy
Tropical
Ripe
Pungent
Tart
Berry-like
Melon-scented
Apple-blossom
Peachy
Grape-like
Banana-esque
Citrus burst
🍂 Earthy & Woody Scents
Musky
Earthy
Woody
Grounded
Rich
Smoky
Resinous
Pine-scented
Oak-like
Cedarwood
Amber
Mossy
Soil-rich
Sandalwood
Forest floor
☕ Spicy & Warm Scents
Spiced
Warm
Cozy
Inviting
Cinnamon-like
Clove-scented
Nutmeg
Ginger
Cardamom
Coffee-infused
Chocolatey
Vanilla-sweet
Toasted
Roasted
Hearth-like
🏭 Industrial & Chemical Scents
Metallic
Oily
Chemical
Synthetic
Acrid
Pungent
Foul
Musty
Smoky
Rubber-like
Diesel-scented
Gasoline
Paint-thinner
Industrial
Sharp
🍃 Natural & Herbal Scents
Herbal
Aromatic
Earthy
Leafy
Grass-like
Sage-scented
Basil-like
Thyme-infused
Rosemary
Chamomile
Green tea
Wild mint
Eucalyptus
Cinnamon-bark
Clary sage
🎉 Unique & Uncommon Scents
Antique
Nostalgic
Ethereal
Enigmatic
Exotic
Haunted
Mysterious
Eerie
Poignant
Dreamlike
Surreal
Enveloping
Mesmerizing
Captivating
Transcendent
I hope this list can help you with your writing. 🌷✨
Feel free to share your favorite scent descriptions in the replies below! What scents do you love to incorporate into your stories?
Happy Writing! - Rin T.
#creative writing#writing#on writing#thewriteadviceforwriters#writing tips#how to write#writers block#writers and poets#writers on tumblr#writeblr#aspiring author#authors of tumblr#author#writer#book writing#women writers#writerscommunity
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