#hopefully obviously

[fixyourwritinghabits]

Listen, I know we all have stuff to do and summer is coming up and aaaaaaaargh, but in the name of Optimus Prime I'm begging y'all to shed the habit of using descriptors like 'the shorter one' or 'the blond one' instead of using proper names.

This is a very common trope in fanfiction, and I get it, it gets so boring to write the character names over and over again. I also know it will be so hard to unlearn, don't ask me about the pain and suffering I have endured. But you have to break yourself out of this habit, because all it's doing is making your stories harder to follow and losing your readers.

Let's say you're writing an Avengers fanfic, and you've got Captain America, Iron Man, and Thor in the room together. The following scene might go a little something like this:

"We must stop Unicron," the blond one said, flexing his muscles.

"Indeed," the dark-haired one replied. "If only he weren't so handsome for a metal monster."

"Thou is speaking nonsense," the bearded man said, subtly flexing his biceps harder. "Also, who is speaking right now?"

(Yes, I did write Unicron instead of Ultron like I'm pretending not to be a nerd, shut up.)

The actual dialogue tag indicators above are nonsense, pure gibberish, and those exaggerated for effect, wouldn't it just be easier to follow if you just used names? Also, sometimes Tony's goatee is more beard-like so it's even less helpful in figuring out who's talking. Depends on what era of comics you're reading.

ANYWAY, Who is doing what is one of the most important things you need to convey. In a busy dialogue scene, in a high action scene, especially in a romance scene between two people of the same gender, clarity is key. It feels boring to write, I know. It will be a better scene in the end.

So when should you use character descriptors in your writing?

When you need to reiterate an important character feature that is either relevant to how the main character views them or how they view themselves. Example: Her brother, the soldier, the Hobbit, etc.

When you need to reiterate an important character feature to the plot. Example: The god of thunder, the stowaway, the white witch, etc.

When you have a minor character who is better defined by their job or role than there name. Example: The second mate, the boatswain, the cook, etc.

When appropriate to the scene. This one is harder to define, but if you have a quiet moment where the main character reflects on the scoundrel he has a crush on, long paragraphs of just using the name Alex might be better peppered descriptors of his personality or notable features, or - depending on your character - 'that cocky asshole.'

When shouldn't you use character descriptors? When they are boring, unhelpful, and not distinctive. Referring constantly to someone as "the taller man" or "the blonde" will come back to haunt your ass years down the road, believe me. Break free from this prison before you snap awake at 3am, haunted by the one stupid scene you can never unwrite.

[coldgoldlazarus]

Pride: Rundas, Raven Beak

Envy: Gandrayda, Mother Brain

Gluttony: Dark Samus, Ridley

Lust: Gorea, SA-X

Greed: Emperor Ing, Biologic Space Labs

Wrath: Ghor, Kraid, Sylux(?)

Sloth: Queen Metroid, Other M Adam

[lansplaining]

can everyone tag their YQY posts with “lansplaining are you sure you want to read this you’ll be unhinged for the rest of the day” thnx

[carcharadroid]

man

I thought I was big brain for a moment, using speak with animals and then speak with dead on some worryingly incredibly dead critters I found

but alas, can't use speak with dead on beasts u_u

[rjalker]

Do you know how hard it is to type coherent sentences when your keyboard Will not let you use S or w? So many of the synonyms for the word I'm looking for requires at least one of them so it's just like well I guess I can't convey that concept then

[domesticated-whores]

he awake, now I just get to wait until he let's me go home, lol.

[vampsvitae]

my mom just got like $160 from gambling ❤️ we're rich

[embervoices]

I am deeply offended by this costume set.

There should be TWO graham crackers! This should be for a poly quad!

MumblegrumbleOT3supremacymumble.

polyamory W from walmart??

[abyssalzones]

low lays the devil in me

*if you tag as ship it's an insta-block. not what this is. thanks

[coyotesinew]

I don’t frequent the TikTok therian community much, but I really do enjoy the idea of a “therian summer camp” that I see posted about on there. There’s something so fun and sweet about it.

Cabins for housing all the kinds of animals that come, you could stay with your own species or be with all different kinds of animals you would’ve never met otherwise

Birds nesting in the top bunks, foxes and rabbits creating their dens in the bottom bunks

Activities that teach how to cook and add new species-appropriate dishes to your diet

Lots of hiking and time in nature, reflective meditation time out in the trees or water for those who want a peaceful activity

Being able to behave naturally without feeling bad or weird, because everyone there is an animal! Everyone would see it as normal when/if you were to respond with barks or squeaks or yips or meows or whatever your instinct is

Drawing and trading little portraits of your fellow camp mates, going to arts and crafts activities and making friendship bracelets and tie dye T-shirts or gear like masks and ears

Music and dance done by community members, poems read and art shared with each other

The last night could be held on a full moon, with everyone coming together for performances and food and play under the moonlight 🩶

It’s so fun to think about

[shepscapades]

Your highness… I don’t feel so good

[loust4t]

THIS ONE’S FOR ALL MY MEAN GIRLS

[squeakadeeks]

hello cookierun nation here are all of the cookie cosplays i humbly offer to ye that ive done so far. love those lil dudes

[umblrspectrum]

being grounded from devices means nothing when you have a robot boyfriend

[yellowvixen]

week 4: being ill is so sucks

[craigularory-joe]

Day 1