#write your own novel

[fixyourwritinghabits]

Happy September everybody, NaNoWriMo has decided to go "no YOU'RE the baddies" because no one likes their AI-ridden sponsor, lmao. In other news, multiple authors are suing OpenAI for copyright infringement.

[harmonyhealinghub]

Unleashing Your Inner Author: A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Write a Book

Shaina Tranquilino

November 9, 2023

Writing a book is often seen as an arduous and intimidating task, reserved only for the literary elite. However, with the right mindset, approach, and guidance, anyone can embark on this fulfilling journey of self-expression and storytelling. In this blog post, we will explore practical tips and strategies to help you bring your ideas to life and write a compelling book.

1. Define Your Idea: The first step towards writing a book is to identify and clarify your idea. Ask yourself what story or message you want to convey through your work. Brainstorm, jot down notes, and refine your concept until it becomes clear in your mind.

2. Outline Your Plot (For Fiction): If you're writing fiction, creating an outline will serve as a roadmap for your story. Develop your main characters, their motivations, conflicts they encounter along the way, and how these elements intertwine to form a captivating narrative arc.

3. Research Thoroughly: Regardless of genre, conducting thorough research is essential. Whether it's historical events for a historical novel or scientific theories for a non-fiction work, accurate information adds depth and credibility to your writing.

4. Set Writing Goals: Establishing achievable writing goals helps maintain momentum throughout the process. Determine daily or weekly word count targets that suit your schedule and gradually build up towards completing your manuscript.

5. Create a Writing Routine: Consistency is key when it comes to writing a book. Designate specific times during the day dedicated solely to writing; this routine will train your brain to be more productive during those periods.

6. Embrace First Draft Imperfections: Remember that the first draft doesn't need to be perfect; instead, focus on getting words onto paper without worrying about grammar or structure at this stage. The primary goal is to get the story out of your head and onto the page.

7. Seek Constructive Feedback: Once you've completed your first draft, it's time to share it with trusted friends or writing groups for feedback. Embrace constructive criticism as a means to refine your work, strengthen weak areas, and enhance overall storytelling.

8. Revise and Edit: The revision process is where the magic happens. Reread your manuscript multiple times, addressing plot holes, refining character development, improving dialogue, and ensuring consistency in style and tone. Pay attention to grammar, spelling errors, punctuation, and sentence structure during this stage.

9. Polish Your Prose: Craft compelling sentences by using vivid imagery, evocative language, and powerful metaphors. Develop strong narrative voices that resonate with readers and engage their emotions on a deeper level.

10. Consider Professional Editing: For professional quality assurance, consider hiring an editor who specializes in your genre. Their expertise will help polish your book further and provide valuable insights for improvement.

11. Prepare for Publication: As you approach the final stages of completing your book, start considering options for publication—whether traditional publishing houses or self-publishing platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). Research each avenue thoroughly before making a decision.

Writing a book is undoubtedly a challenging endeavour that requires dedication, discipline, and creativity. However, armed with the right mindset and following these practical steps outlined above, you can embark on an exciting journey of literary creation. Remember to be patient with yourself throughout the process; Rome wasn't built in a day! So unleash your inner author and let your words come alive on paper—an adventure awaits!

[circuseyesofgod-if]

DEMO (prologue) | my substack (for free, non-IF writing), KOFI 🎈🎠 Circus : Eyes of God is a horror interactive fiction story with dark fantastical elements. It is written with an 18+ audience in mind due to heavy themes and topics such as body horror, non consensual use of drugs, swearing, violence, sexual content etc.

The Circus doesn’t come in town often. Never, really. Only when it needs to be fed.

On the outskirts of a decaying town, a mysterious circus arrives overnight. It seductively whispers of never-seen-before acts, and ardently promises healing for those that are desperate enough to bind themselves to the Circus as performers.

That sounds right up your alley, doesn’t it? Well, They know what happened to you as a child, why you keep your face hidden from the world. You remember too, don’t you? The darkness, the shadows, a voice as old as time asking you to follow it, and clawing at your face when you refused.

They think that you have kept your sweet face hidden under those veils for long enough. They will heal you, they will heal your scars. They will let you take the veils off. But They won’t do it out of the kindness of Their heart, no. You must give Them something in return. They want to know—what are you willing to sacrifice for it, for taking your veils off? For healing? For beauty?

You just need to whisper it, and They will give it to you. They will know. Because the Eyes of God are always watching.

Customizable MC (including name, gender, pronouns, sexuality, physical appearance, personality etc).

Create relationships with one of three eclectic characters : one male, one female, one … fish? mermaid? siren? oh, come on!

Hone your contortionist skills to perfection. Remember, you have to put on a good show! Otherwise, They will have to pay you a visit.

Lots of uncanny masks and always-smiling faces, too many mirrors, and … wait, is that guy juggling with an eyeball?

Discover the secret of the Circus and the secret of your childhood incident. Could they be connected?

H̸̬̖͔̮̻͉̪̲̾̌̋̽̿̾̿̕͘E̴̯̥͕̓A̸̡̺̳̮̫̬͊̀̉̑́̈ͅL̷̡̡̛̺̄̈́̽̈́̎̀̋ ̶̢͎̪̘̹̱͊̔́͜Ḫ̷̩̼͚̤͂Ḗ̸̙̰̭̲͖̯̪̝̬̯̉̎̈́A̷̖͙͎̘̱̣͇̱̒̄̅̅͘L̸͔̟̮̣͘ ̸̛̫͎͇͚͚̪͇̞̋͌̆͠͝ͅH̴̛͚́̔̀̕Ẹ̶̣͙̪̖̀͆̅̍̉̋͆̃̚͠A̶̱̙̽̂͐͑̑͜L̴̛̖͌̀̆̈́̓̏̉

THE RINGLEADER — Pharo's face is the first one you see as you step inside the Circus, lit by bright and colorful lights. He doesn't need all that, though. His skin dark, his teeth sharp — it's all gleaming on its own, glitching, barely holding Pharo at the seams. He sees all, he knows all. And his smile gets wider and wider with each secret he learns.

THE BURLESQUE DANCER - Odessa's red lips, with a cigarette between them always, ache with demands every time she opens her mouth. Yet no one is able to keep their eyes off of her when she is on stage, moving like water on land and between thin and hanging fabrics. Odessa doesn't seem keen on talking about anything before the Circus, but she will make sure to get you talking about it soon enough.

THE ATTRACTION - Vesper is the newest addition to the Circus, one that has never been seen before. Or you haven't seen anything like it, at least. Vesper is quiet, almost unnervingly so. The tail and gills and twisted arms with sickly green-grey skin are to make a profitable attraction for sure. Just ... don't ever lift up its tank's lid.

ros details.

[deimosatellite]

like idk it just seems actually nefarious to take one of the very few widely known instances of queerness in older history being a symbol to show queer people that we've always existed and aren't alone for CENTURIES and taking away the queerness from it. like. i know some people say that ''the queerness isnt important in the book" which i mean in my opinion i could go off for 10k words in an essay as to how basil's love for dorian is integral to the story BUT EVEN APART from that its really just. having a real explicitly queer character in such an old and widely regarded classic novel is HUGE for queer history and this is just. literally like. its 2024. why are you doing queer erasure to DORIAN GRAY

[thebarontheabyss]

The Abyss Beckons Once More.

The Bar on the Abyss 2.0 Update is Here!

Start your afterlife anew with new mechanics, expanded content, and deeper choices that will shape your MC's journey in the Abyss and beyond.

READ HERE

What’s New in 2.0?

50K+ Words of New Content!

Choose Your Grief Path: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, or Acceptance—select the emotional journey that fits your MC and explore how it shapes their afterlife.

36 Career Backgrounds: Deepen your backstory with various career paths that unlock additional choices and provide unique perspectives on events unfolding around you.

A New And Improved Skill System!

Your Spirit Gift: Choose from six mythical artifacts that enhance your abilities and open new ways to approach challenges.

Detailed Death Choices: Define the circumstances of your character’s death—was it a tragic accident, a deliberate act, or something darker?

Bug Fixes and Improvements: Enjoy a smoother reading experience with numerous bug fixes, text-flow improvements, and better formatting.

How You Can Help

Thank you for reading The Bar on the Abyss, I’d love your thoughts on the new update!

Your feedback is more important than ever— suggestions for more choices, ideas for how your character should react, and thoughts on the latest content; I’m all ears and eyes, like some biblically accurate angel!

Based on your feedback, this update will continue to evolve, with a few “patches” while I work on the next chapter.

So don’t be shy—I want to hear both the good and the bad!

I’m so proud to have brought this update to life. This year has been so hard, but writing this game and connecting with all of you has been truly the best experience.

Thank you for reading The Bar on the Abyss and sharing this eternal journey with me. I wouldn’t change a thing.

See you in the Abyss!

[cashweasel]

Some of you really need to get a grip and stop with this hypercritical bullshit on pb and associates I’m sooooo sick of it.

“The new candlelight project sounds just like the elementalists, nothing about this concept is original :/“ aren’t you the same ppl begging for a fantasy story and the old choices back?

[ruanbaijie]

我马上带你们回家，带你们回家……

SNOWFALL 冰雪谣 (2024) 1.13

[dollypopup]

And we shall dance on the day of her [Lady Whistledown's] demise

[dalekowrites]

Would you save your younger sibling by falling back into a life of crime you desperately wanted to escape?

Or would you rather let your past stay buried and risk losing them forever?

[siena-sevenwits]

Trespass

She was used to seeing all manner of people fishing in grander folks’ purses. Her father had taught her to look the other way, and refresh her promise never to do it herself. “Never judge anyone you see doing it,” he told her over a campfire and a seething pan of trout. “You don’t know what might have brought them down. And for all blessed sake, never rat them out. But don’t ever let your own fingers get wandersome in somebody’s pocket. White bugs will bite them. And give you blood rot. You’ll never get your fingers back.”

“But what if something brought us down?” Noemie  asked, holding the tip of a coppery hair from her own head close to the fire, just to watch it curl up and turn black.

“Nothing can bring us that far down,” her father said, staring into the bluest part of the fire.  “You and I, we’re knights of the road. The difference between us and them is we know how to find our way onward,  no matter how bleak it gets. So we’ll never have a need, and never an excuse.” 

“But we slept in someone’s chicken coop last night,” she pointed out, throwing away the hair, which had melted into a tiny knot,  “and you said a judge would call it  burglary. And we just took this trout straight out of the king’s river.”

Her father took the whittled wooden spoon in hand. “The law has nothing to do with it. It’s about what’s right. Sleeping in a coop isn’t burglary. It’s trespass. And God never outlawed trespass. As for the trout,” (he flipped as much of the fish over with the spoon as didn’t stick,) “He made it, not man, and put it on this earth that anyone might have it.”

Noemie settled in for an argument of it, just for sport. “But he made the horse too - so it’s all right to just take a horse?”

Her father gave a long whistle. “Well, he did make it - but man did an awful lot more helping make the horse than the trout, so no.”

“Then it’s worse to steal a book than a horse?”

“Loads worse. That’s why no one ever does it.”

Something had changed in Noemie’s moral code that night. She had never even picked up a quarter penny from the road after that. It was why now, even with the prison’s looming deadline for debt repayment, and her father on the other side of those iron bars, she had never even considered pinching the last few coins to make up the sum.

He would find out if she did. He'd whittle the truth out of her. And she’d never have her fingers back.

[morbethgames]

April 12th, 2024 Update - First Route is done!

Hello everyone here on tumblr, it's been a while! First thing's first, I pushed through this week and got the first route of the... second route, I guess, of Chapter 4 Part 4 done! It feels so good to be able to get that under my belt, and I can feel myself even now getting better at coding as I go on. Only two more to go and, honestly, I think I'll have this next part out by the end of the month.

After that, I'll work on some of the side stories for the time skip, get those out, get Kris's flsahback scene out, as well as a couple of other scenes that need written for the time skip, then it's on to the final chapter! I'm a bit proud at how fast this chapter has been going, considering all of the different routes that one can take with it.

If you'd like to see even more of my work though, I'd highly suggest going onto the PATREON BY CLICKING THE LINK HERE and supporting me there. I recently did a short story of a work I'm planning in the far future called Nameless Legends, which is going to be kind of a mix between the Fate/Zero series and Soul Eater series. There's also an AU short story of Team Leader Hawks and the PC of them being Supernatural Hunters! Even more than that, you can listen to an Audiobook Reading of The Bureau and, soon, I will be started an Audiobook reading of Defiled Hearts! (Given permission by the author, of course).

Just a small update to let you all know where things stand, and a reminder that having people on the Patreon is the easiest way for me to keep this going, and continue getting you guys the steady stream of updates that have been happening these past couple months. Thank you all so much for your support.

Stay Brilliant,

-Vi

🛡️Patreon | Forum Page | Demo Link🛡️

[frumfrumfroo]

The sooner people realize that Reylo is not just a ‘ship’ but rather a trope or concept. The better they will move on. DLF wants nothing to do with this concept except until they realize how monetarily valuable it is. Which shocking they have no clue of despite the NYT best sellers the community has been cranking out the last 3 years. Only then will they revisit this trope.

They won’t give us Ben Solo back, but they’ll use the Reylo trope for Lord only knows what. So I highly suggest to all of the people who are still holding out hope of Ben’s return. To just accept his senseless lazily written death and pretend that he got Sailor Moon’d into another universe where he gets to be loved and so that he heals.

I wouldn't say it's 'a' trope, it's a few dozen tropes. I call it 'The Dynamic' because I have a lot of ships which fit into a rough framework of similar themes, but they're all tonally different and have different storytelling concerns or occupy different genres. The kind of psychological complexity plus innocence, intimate emotional realism plus grand mythological symbolic splendour that Reylo has is extremely rare. There aren't stories being told like that very often. This was a generational opportunity to make something that would last, a defining pop culture moment.

Whereas The Dynamic is extremely popular and does pop up fairly often, it's VANISHINGLY RARE for it to be a) in a story with the balls to fulfil it and have it be redemptive/healing with both characters surviving b) for it to be both intentional and earnest on the part of the writers, not an accident or some cautionary tale bullshit or simply depicted as inevitably a tragedy.

Women write this story with an affirming ending all the time, but it mostly stays in the romance ghetto. When it pops up in the mainstream everyone loses their minds, so you'd think we'd have had someone realise by now it's a money printing machine but lol misogyny. Just like Hollywood has completely stopped making romcoms and no one wants to cater to the female audience despite the female audience being the biggest movie-going demographic and romance being the most profitable genre in publishing by a huge margin.

Disney are cowards who seem increasingly terrified of romance and I doubt they will do anything with the dynamic unless they happen to hire a real artist who wants to do it and they just stay out of the way. Which seems unlikely given how things have been going.

[tcfactory]

This is fully a personal preference thing honestly, but I've been turning it around in my brain why I don't like BingQiu specifically when I'm at worst neutral on almost literally any other ship and I think it boils down to this: it's really important to me that in a ship that's supposed to be lasting and stable at least one character can say "I see you for what you are and I accept you for all there is to you". And that's just not a thing with BingQiu.

Binghe literally can't know a huge part of Shen Qingqiu - the part that is Shen Yuan, the part that wears the scum villain as a mask that it can never even take off completely - because of the transmigration and the System. He also idolizes his Shizun and at the same time puts on mask after mask so that he can be Shen Qingqiu's lovely white lotus which also don't help.

And Shen Qingqiu's head is full of so many bees, so much denial and self-delusion that we watched him actively think himself in circles rather than admit that Binghe might be interested in him for three whole books. I don't trust him to have a reasonably realistic idea of himself, much less of someone else. Especially not Binghe. He will make up a picture in his mind about how things are supposed to be and it has to be an act of divine intervention for him to budge from it. He will deny reality if he has to, so he's incapable of seeing Binghe as anything other than the Perfect Protagonist.

I don't often see Binghe shipped with others (he's so singularly No Thoughts Head Empty Only Shizun that it's hard to put him with anyone else. Shen Jiu sometimes I guess, but he is shipped more with Bingge which feels like a distinctly separate thing to me and anyway, it's usually predicated upon the realization that they are both similar kinds of monsters, even if Bingge outdoes his scum villain by several orders of magnitude) but Shen Yuan has a few choice ships that either challenge his expectations enough that his denial and delusion breaks down eventually (Liu Qingge, Shen Jiu, etc.) or ship him with Airplane who knows him for what he is because he's also a transmigrator and he's familiar with Cucumber bro's acerbic inner self.

Other ships too. QiJiu/LiuJiu/QiJiuLiu any variations of these three tbh thrive on clearing up their misunderstanding and starting to see each other clearly again. MoShang get together once they start to properly pay attention to each other and their respective needs. Airplane in general has just an impossible understanding of whoever he's shipped with as only Author and his creations can have. Tianlang-jun's weird charm comes from it that he can't (or possibly refuses to) pretend to be anything than who and what he is beyond the most superficial disguise.

And BingQiu just doesn't have that. They are both too obsessed with an idealized version of each other to ever see things clearly and that's what makes their dynamic not very fun to me personally.

[thebarontheabyss]

Hey patrons! 💗

So, what did you all think of the short stories collection?

Did any of them stand out to you? What worked or didn’t? Is there else anything you’d love to see more of in the future :D

Also, exciting news: I've begun working on Chapter 5—we’re moving forward!

After the new chapter's update, I'll dedicate the following to overhauling some of the game's romance aspects, sort of a 3.0 update.

Thanks for reading. As always, your feedback means the world to me—please let me know what you think!

Catch you all soon in the Abyss!

[ahb-writes]

Almost productive.

(from Disenchantment S1E18: "In Her Own Write")