#nmjackson

[nmjackson]

Choose Your Warm Up

Below are lists dedicated to helping you get into the habit of writing creatively. The lists are generalized and more themes will be added as time goes on. *A special note for the Love list. This list incorporates words from Greek, Hebrew, Arabic and Japanese.

Happy writing! ✌︎︎♡⃛

Random

Love

Fantasy

Mystery

Sci-Fi

[nmjackson]

[nmjackson]

Sabotage! ୧(๑•̀ᗝ•́)૭ | Self- Doubt and Comparison

This one right here? Yeah, this one's got me feeling like Sisyphus every time I have a project I'm working on. Which unfortunately boils down to more often than not. While I still don't have a fool- proof way of getting preventing this, I do have some tips I've learned to help work through it if this is what's causing your writer's block.

Put it down.

Does your favorite book or author make you feel like your story is trash? Does it make you feel like you'll never write anything that isn't short of a dumpster fire? Does it make you feel like a curled up ball of worthlessness? Yeah, same. ૮(˶╥︿╥)ა

Put it down and work on your story. I'd like to think that the person who wrote/writes your favorite thing(s) would be terribly sad to find out that they're the reason you don't write anymore. So, take a deep breath and put those things away until you've at least finished the first draft.

There is nothing new under the sun.

I didn't know that this saying is part of a biblical quote. But it makes me feel better knowing that somebody knew this at least a few thousand years ago. If you're thinking your story sucks because it's been done before, sure. It's been done before. The real question is, has it been done by you? Don't sell yourself short, kid. ദ്ദി´ ˘ `)✧

Breathe. ( ゜◎゜) ༄

Your inner critic is loud. Breathe, and then tell it politely to shut up. If it gives you sass, let your inner critic know that it will be much more helpful in the editing process, but that there won't be an editing process if your draft isn't written. Carrot and stick principle.

It will never be perfect.

A perfect manuscript does not exist. (DM me if I'm wrong, I acknowledge my mistakes.) While perfectionism isn't my reason for writer's block, I know that it is for others. IT WILL NEVER BE PERFECT. So, give yourself some grace and get to writing. ‧₊˚❀༉‧₊˚.

Hope this helps! Happy writing! ✌︎︎♡⃛

Click here to find out which of the 7 potential reasons for writer's block you may have.

[nmjackson]

It's not you, it's me...૮(˶ㅠ︿ㅠ)ა | Lack of Emotional Connection to Your Story

I think this a point that all writers and authors reach at least one time in their writing careers. You started this wonderful idea but what was once shiny and new is now dull and rusting. It really does happen to all of us. I am that convinced. So, Marie Kondo this shit and ask yourself, "Does writing this still bring me joy?"

If starting with this question doesn't help much, here are four follow up asks to get to the heart of what's blocking you from writing your magnum opus. ✎ᝰ.

Why did I start this? ( •̀ - • )

What made this story exciting in the first place? Was it a specific scene playing in your head? A character you created and wanted to share with the world? Revisit why you started this project to bring back the initial motivation of writing your story in order to write the rest of it.

2. Where did it go stale? (·•᷄‎ࡇ•᷅ )

Go through what you've written so far to find that "sagging middle". Wherever that is, my advice is just to scrap it. Don't worry too much about deleting all your hard work. It's obviously not helping you out here. Start over with that exciting portion of why you started your story at the forefront of your mind. Chances are that's all you'll need to do to get the pen flowing again.

3. Could I come back to it? (╭ರ_•́)

Taking a break from a project is fine as long as you have the mind to come back to it. Coming back with fresh eyes does wonders to quieting your self- criticism and re-focusing on your story again, but I don't recommend taking off more than a week. It's like school or the gym, once you stop going, it's hard to come back.

4. Is there anything salvageable? (｡•́︿•̀｡)

If the first three questions didn't work, it's time to hit the panic button. YOU ARE NOT A FAILURE IF YOU HIT THE PANIC BUTTON. Okay, you are a failure, but it's okay. We all fail at something. I've personally failed, and have published failures, multiple times within my writing career. That includes my current project. The best thing you can do is pick up the pieces and move on. Find your favorite parts of your story and store them away or immediately try to re-home them into other projects. Completely starting over is good too. But if that's not possible, keep your ideas. You're ideas are still good, don't abandon them.

Hope this helps! Happy writing! ✌︎︎♡⃛

Click here to find out which of the 7 potential reasons for writer's block you may have.

[nmjackson]

[nmjackson]

Bad writing is an occupational hazard.

[nmjackson]

Start Here!

♛ House Rules ♛:

» This is a SAFE space.

» Reblogs are fine, unless otherwise stated. (Just credit and we cool.)

» Healthy critique is always appreciated.

✧ Current News ✧:

(Updated 01.17.2025)

» It's late, but my heart goes out to all the victims of the recent California fires. I was close enough to get an evacuation warning, but I'm very blessed that it didn't become a mandate. I'm sharing this fundraiser for those that have been affected. However, if you cannot donate, please just keep sharing this link.

» Also late in putting this up, but January's posts are going to be focusing on writer's block. Writer's block isn't a diagnosis, but a symptom of something else that may be holding you back. Check out this flow chart to find out what might be causing your writer's block.

» Fanfic is on hold while TP2 is coming together. I was hoping to flip flop between the two, but I am not a multi-project-tasker™

♗ Masterlists ♗:

» Teasers

» Choose Your Warm Up

» Word Count Bingo

» Writing Prompts (Currently Closed)

♡ Books ♡:

» Amazon

» AO3 (Fanfictions)

❀ Socials ❀

» Pinterest

[nmjackson]

Wow, so, apparently a shiny new book idea could be the motivator to get you through your current project.

[nmjackson]

Running in circles ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ | Fear of Imperfection

I'll be honest. This one I don't quite understand. Not writing your wonderful idea because "it needs to be perfect first" is like spending 26 hours doing hair, makeup and wardrobe only to end up running a marathon. In 2 feet in diameter circles. Under torrential downpour.

(˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶) ？

Writing is a long and messy process. If this is what's got you blocked in your writing process, here are some things to keep in mind.

Just #@$%ing do it.

Like, seriously.

The first draft is for messing around.

Doesn't matter if you're hearing this as a beginner or a pro, don't sweat the first draft. Getting your story from point A to point B is the main goal. That's not to say you can't' have fun writing your draft. All I'm saying is that getting it out of your brain and onto your paper of choice is what you should be focusing on.

Write an outline.

Maybe you're worried you'll leave out really important, silly, mysterious, romantic, xyz bits of your story. Write an outline. Having an outline is a great tool to use anyway because you're less likely to have huge plot holes by the end of your draft. Just don't make it too detailed because getting lost in the sauce could be your future if you're not careful.

You'll have your chance to perfect it during the editing process.

If it really bothers you, just remember that you will have multiple chances to get your story just right in the editing process. If you're thinking that having it perfect first means you'll have to edit less later, you've got another thing coming. Editing is a much different beast. Not to mention having nothing to edit isn't proving your point very well, now, is it?

Just #@$%ing do it.

At least give yourself a chance, okay?

Hope this helps! Happy writing! ✌︎︎♡⃛

Click here to find out which of the 7 potential reasons for writer's block you may have.

[nmjackson]

𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐈𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰

*TLDR: This year has been incredible to my writer ego. If that even makes any sense...

Phew! At the risk of sounding incredibly cliché , what. a. year. I’m not gonna lie, I had no idea how popular the “Choose Your Warm Up” series (?) of PDFs were going to be. I’m beyond excited to see that people do like them. Not that I intended for them to be disliked, I merely have a recurring fear that everything I create is complete and utter garbage. Having some external validation is majorly appreciated while I’m working on the internal stuff ( ˶ˆᗜˆ˵ ). I had a mini vlog planned for this post, but I never got around to recording because holiday season stress~ (⁠人⁠⁠´⁠∀⁠｀⁠)⁠｡⁠ I do have a finished script though! And it all basically boils down to this:

#1- That fear where I feel like everything that comes from me is trash? Comparison trap. I found myself scrutinizing over everything I created because it wasn’t as good as anything that came from the people I admired. This year I finally understood, and came to terms with, the fact that all roads are different. Acknowledging my hard work isn’t going to stop me from trying to get better in my work. And looking up to my heroes shouldn’t stop me from trying to do anything at all.

#2 - After I got over the comparison trap (for the most part)? I just went for it. Didn’t think too hard about the “what if’s” and just went for it. That’s not to say I still don’t struggle with that. I am hoping to keep up with this mindset to see where it takes me in 2025.

And that’s my year in review! The end of the year holds a lot of emotion for everyone, so, I sincerely wish you a wonderful new year. This has been fun! See you later ✌︎︎♡⃛

[nmjackson]

To all my good ideas

Shit. I knew I should've written it down...

[nmjackson]

𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢 𝐕𝐥𝐨𝐠: 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧

*Credit to The Line on YouTube for "Cosy Anime Fireplace"

Bingo sheets ↴

[nmjackson]

𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢 𝐕𝐥𝐨𝐠: 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞

*Credit to The Line on YouTube for "Cosy Anime Fireplace"

[nmjackson]

𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢 𝐕𝐥𝐨𝐠: 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐤 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫

*Credit to The Line on YouTube for "Cosy Anime Fireplace"

Transcript below ↴

Hello! It’s good to see you! Hope you’ve been doing well. So, this is what I was working with before the desk makeover.

It worked for what I do, but since I spend a lot of time here and I thought it’d be nice to set it up a little prettier.

I bought everything from SHEIN because I couldn’t afford it otherwise.

If you’re interested in any of these items, just ask. I don’t have the energy to hunt for links right now, but I might later. Who knows.

The theme here is cottage core, I guess? Honestly, it all started because of this wall paper right here. I loved it so much I just went with things that would make it pop.

You can kind of see the seams… Right here, when you look at it hard enough, but I’m okay with it. I think it looks nice.

And I do eat at my desk, so I bought a clear vinyl covering for that.

I put a warm wood wall paper on the desk riser because I didn’t want it to be this standard white that it comes in.

I think it looks nice. I have some little details that I could probably touch up later. But, that’s for later.

Oki doki! And it’s done! As an aside, I did not get my [art] pieces from SHEIN. I do hope to add on more in the future, but yeah! This is it for now. It’s been fun! I’ll see you later~

[nmjackson]

[nmjackson]