#writer's craft

[midnightfreedom]

"I have enough memories to drink coffee all by myself in a cafe so empty yet so crowded with the ghosts of those who have left but always stayed."

~Mahmoud Darwish

[turanga4]

First Lines

ZOMG it has been absolute ages since @indigo-scarf was so very kind as to bless me with this tag.

Rules: List the first line of your last 10 (posted) fics and see if there's a pattern!

Geminio: The tea smell suffuses her as Ginny leans in to stroke her mum’s hand—earth and malt and cream. 

A Little To The Left: When the Death Eaters leave them, the men re-set the wards.

Decorum: “You’ll behave, won’t you?”

When It's Cold and There's No Music: The lamb’s tail had broken containment again, with green vines and pricks of snow-white flowers spilling out of the pot and down over Neville’s bookshelf.

Parables: The evening post made her mother cry and she understood it right that instant.

Beginnings: You begin in a war that’s been over for a week before you’re first carried outside.

Bellflowers: I would have buried you in Godric’s Hollow, you think.

Feather: The night sky above the Burrow garden was still and nearly empty, just a handful of bright stars and a thin curling shard of almost-gone moon. 

Other Equipment: He’d let Hagrid buy the owl without thinking it through properly.

Pensieve: She says “Potter” out loud, but he is Harry in her head.

A pattern? Hmm....I don't think so? I think I usually go for an opening that's "in media res", where the reader starts off a little unsure of where they are and what's happening (except I didn't really do that in "Feather"). I'd deluded myself to expect PUNCHY first lines, but...that actually doesn't seem to be a known turangaquality (reckon I may do that more consistently at the end of the fic). Interesting to explore, though--thanks thanks for the tag!

Passing it on to....@sophie-hatter-jenkins @greenhousethree @nena-96 @sleepstxtic and truly, anyone who wants to play!

[urne-buriall]

your fics are always where i turn to when i want a heartfelt pickmeup because the atmosphere is always so vivid and real but also the boys are very in-character. do you prefer to write dean or cas, or do you find one of them easier to write? how do you get in theri headspace, is it just music or do you think of/research certain things, create moodboards, rewatch certain seasons or episodes..? i'm so glad you write destiel. i'd probably read your original fic but i'm so gad we have you 💕💕

thank you so much! these words mean a lot 💖

staying true to character is one of the things I strive for with fanfic. we want to feel like it's really them, like this fic was a secret, unreleased episode that satisfies that itch we have for the fabled "spn that exists in our heads"

when it comes to writing, Dean is easier, hands down. there's something in his mental mechanics that allow a lot of latitude when you write him. however, the fact that Cas is a challenge is exactly why I like writing him. as a reader, I can withstand a wide variety of Deans, but Cas has to be just right. he's not actually that formal, there are many things he intuitively or emotionally understands even if many everyday "human" preoccupations are foreign to him, and he has his own motives and his own pride that sometimes get overlooked. whenever I write him, I think hard about what his wants are, where he will stick in his heels. what does he think of his past actions, where does he see himself standing? I love "The Man Who Would Be King" for giving us some flavour, Cas bearing guilt and thinking about his sins while justifying his story to us/himself

when it comes time to write I have images/setting/atmosphere in mind and usually do research concurrent with the writing that guides the scene. many times while doing research I'll come across little nuggets that sweeten the tension and get put to use right away. I don't tend to listen to music because I can seldom focus on two things at once. if there is sound, it's either post-rock or a white noise generator because lyrics or even the musical narrative that comes out of many classical pieces is too much for me. if I'm really into my writing, I wouldn't even hear the music because all my senses are absorbed by the story I'm putting down, and then I resurface and realise an hour has passed and I've been completely out of touch with my surroundings

and I do a targeted rewatch of episodes sometimes depending on what I'm writing, and I frequently consult transcripts so that I can echo a line from the show or make sure that a side character is using a phrasing or an epithet that they have used before/would believably use. the time has come today series began pretty quickly after I first mainlined all 15 seasons of the show. I watched most of it at 1.3-1.5 times the actual speed, but slowed down to original speed for every single Cas scene. I think this is why the series has a pretty boppy pace, hahah

[astrosouldivinity]

𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧-𝐎𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧! 🎉✨👸🏿

As we enter the holiday season, let’s uplift and support the amazing and talented Black women-owned businesses in our communities. Each purchase not only helps give back but also celebrates the incredible creativity and resilience within the community.

🔗 Share websites, social media, or shop links! Feel free to reblog and spread the word. Let’s build a space where we can support and uplift one another. ☺️

🌟𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐩 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥, 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐩 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞🌟

From handmade crafts to unique gifts, if you’re searching for the ideal holiday gift this season or the perfect present for your loved ones or treating yourself, you’re in the right place.

I’ll start, my name is Kiki. I’m an astrologist, psychic, healer & artist. From personalized birth chart readings to beautiful art pieces, each creation is infused with love and intention. 💜✨

My shop is open now! You can browse my Etsy shop here: https://divinesoulvisions.etsy.com.

Also, feel free to check out my website: https://linktr.ee/DivineSoulVisions.

𝙿𝚊𝚒𝚍 𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜: 🔮✨📖 (𝙾𝚙𝚎𝚗)

𝐌𝐲 𝐀𝐫𝐭 ~

𝐌𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬: 𝚗𝚎𝚌𝚔𝚕𝚊𝚌𝚎𝚜, 𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜, 𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜, 𝚋𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚝𝚜, 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜, 𝚜𝚙𝚎𝚕𝚕 𝚓𝚊𝚛𝚜, & 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚎!

𝚃𝚒𝚙 𝙹𝚊𝚛 🫙🙏🏿

𝚂𝚙𝚎𝚕𝚕 𝙹𝚊𝚛𝚜

𝙼𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚝

[thewriteadviceforwriters]

Villains vs. Antagonists (Guide For Writers)

Hey there, fellow writers and wonderful members of the writeblr community! 📚✍️ It's Rin here and...

Today, we're diving into a topic that's close to many writers' hearts: villains and antagonists. These characters often steal the show, driving our plots forward and giving our heroes something to push against. But here's the thing – while these terms are often used interchangeably, they're not quite the same. So, let's unpack this, shall we?

First things first, let's break down the difference between a villain and an antagonist. It's a distinction that can really elevate your storytelling game!

An antagonist is simply a character (or force) that opposes your protagonist. They're the obstacle, the challenge, the thing standing in the way of your main character achieving their goal. Here's the kicker: an antagonist doesn't have to be evil. They could be a rival love interest, a stern parent, or even nature itself.

A villain, on the other hand, is a specific type of antagonist. They're the bad guy, the evildoer, the character with malicious intent. All villains are antagonists, but not all antagonists are villains. Mind-blowing, right?

Let's look at some examples to make this clearer:

In "Romeo and Juliet," the feuding families are antagonists, but they're not villains. They oppose the protagonists' desire to be together, but they're not evil.

In "Harry Potter," Voldemort is both an antagonist and a villain. He opposes Harry (making him an antagonist) and he's also evil (making him a villain).

In "Cast Away," the island and the challenges of survival are the antagonists. There's no villain in sight!

Now that we've got that sorted, let's dive deeper into how to create these characters and use them effectively in your writing.

Creating Antagonists:

Define their opposition: What specifically does your antagonist do to oppose your protagonist? This could be physical, emotional, or ideological opposition.

Give them a reason: Why are they standing in your protagonist's way? Even if it's not justified, there should be a reason that makes sense to the antagonist.

Make them strong: Your antagonist should be a worthy opponent. They need to pose a real challenge to your protagonist to keep things interesting.

Consider their perspective: Remember, your antagonist is the hero of their own story. Try writing a scene from their point of view to understand them better.

Create contrast: Your antagonist should in some way contrast with your protagonist. This could be in values, methods, or personality.

Creating Villains:

Establish their evil: What makes your villain "bad"? Is it their actions, their beliefs, or both?

Develop their backstory: How did they become evil? A compelling villain often has a tragic or twisted history.

Give them dimensions: Pure evil can be boring. Give your villain some complexity – maybe they love their cat or have a soft spot for classical music.

Create a strong motivation: What drives your villain? Greed? Revenge? A twisted sense of justice? The stronger and more relatable the motivation, the more compelling your villain will be.

Make them smart: Your villain should be clever enough to pose a real threat. They should be able to anticipate and counter your protagonist's moves.

Now, let's talk about how to use these characters in different genres. Because let's face it, a villain in a romance novel is going to look very different from one in a fantasy epic!

In Romance: Antagonists in romance are often rivals for the affection of the love interest, or perhaps societal norms or family expectations standing in the way of true love. Villains are less common, but when they appear, they might be abusive exes or manipulative friends trying to sabotage the relationship.

Tip: In romance, make sure your antagonist's motivations are clear and relatable. We should understand why they're opposing the main relationship, even if we don't agree with their methods.

In Fantasy: Fantasy is ripe for both antagonists and villains. You might have a Dark Lord seeking to conquer the world (classic villain) or a rival magic user competing for the same goal as your protagonist (antagonist).

Tip: In fantasy, world-building is key. Make sure your antagonist or villain fits logically into the world you've created. Their powers, motivations, and methods should all make sense within the rules of your fantasy realm.

In Mystery/Thriller: In these genres, your antagonist is often the perpetrator of the crime your protagonist is trying to solve. They might not be evil (maybe they committed a crime of passion), or they could be a full-fledged villain if their crimes are particularly heinous.

Tip: In mysteries, your antagonist needs to be clever enough to challenge your detective protagonist. Leave subtle clues about their identity or motives, but make sure they're smart enough to almost get away with it.

In Literary Fiction: Here, antagonists are often more abstract. They might be societal expectations, personal flaws, or even time itself. Villains in the traditional sense are less common, but morally grey characters who oppose the protagonist are frequent.

Tip: In literary fiction, focus on the nuances of your antagonist. They should be as complex and flawed as your protagonist, with their own rich inner life.

In Sci-Fi: Science fiction offers a wide range of possibilities for antagonists and villains. You might have alien invaders, oppressive governments, or even well-meaning scientists whose creations have gone awry.

Tip: In sci-fi, make sure your antagonist or villain is consistent with the technological and social aspects of your imagined world. Their methods and motivations should make sense within the context of your sci-fi setting.

Now, let's dive into some tips to make your antagonists and villains the best they can be in your novel:

Make them believable: Whether you're writing a mustache-twirling villain or a morally grey antagonist, their actions and motivations should make sense within the context of your story and their character.

Give them a personal connection to the protagonist: The conflict becomes much more engaging when it's personal. Maybe your antagonist and protagonist used to be friends, or they're fighting over the same goal.

Show their impact: Don't just tell us your antagonist is a threat – show us the consequences of their actions. Let us see how they affect your protagonist and the world of your story.

Give them wins: Your antagonist or villain should have some successes along the way. If they're always failing, they won't seem like a credible threat.

Humanize them: Even if you're writing a truly evil villain, give them some humanizing traits. Maybe they have a pet they dote on, or a tragic backstory that explains (but doesn't excuse) their actions.

Make them adaptable: A good antagonist doesn't stick to one plan. When the protagonist foils them, they should be able to come up with new strategies.

Give them their own character arc: Your antagonist or villain should grow and change throughout the story, just like your protagonist does.

Use them to highlight your protagonist's strengths and weaknesses: Your antagonist should challenge your protagonist in ways that force them to grow and change.

Consider their presentation: How do other characters react to your antagonist? How do they present themselves to the world versus who they really are?

Don't forget about henchmen: If you're writing a villain, consider giving them some underlings. This can add depth to their character and provide more challenges for your protagonist.

Remember, whether you're crafting a dastardly villain or a complex antagonist, these characters are crucial to your story. They're the ones who push your protagonist to grow, who raise the stakes, and who often drive the plot forward.

But here's a gentle reminder: while it's important to make your antagonists and villains compelling, be mindful of the impact your writing might have. If you're dealing with heavy themes or traumatic events, handle them with care and sensitivity.

Now, I know we've covered a lot of ground here, and you might be feeling a bit overwhelmed. That's okay! Writing complex characters is a skill that develops over time. Don't be afraid to experiment, to try different approaches, and to revise and refine your antagonists and villains as you go.

One exercise I find helpful is to write a short story from your antagonist's or villain's point of view. This can help you understand their motivations better and ensure they feel like real, three-dimensional characters.

Another tip: watch movies or read books in your genre and pay special attention to how they handle antagonists and villains. What works well? What doesn't? How can you apply these lessons to your own writing?

Remember, there's no one "right" way to create these characters. What matters is that they serve your story and engage your readers. Trust your instincts, and don't be afraid to push boundaries or subvert expectations.

As you work on your antagonists and villains, keep in mind that they're not just there to make life difficult for your protagonist. They're an integral part of your story's ecosystem. They shape the plot, influence character development, and often reflect themes or ideas you're exploring in your work.

And remember, writing is a journey. Your first draft of an antagonist or villain might not be perfect, and that's okay. The beauty of writing is in the revision, in the gradual sculpting of characters until they leap off the page.

Lastly, don't forget to have fun with it! Creating antagonists and villains can be some of the most enjoyable parts of writing. Let your imagination run wild, explore the darker sides of human nature, and see where your characters take you.

I hope this deep dive into antagonists and villains has been helpful and inspiring. Remember, you've got this! Your unique voice and perspective will bring these characters to life in ways no one else can.

Happy writing! 📝💖 - Rin. T

Before you go, why not join us at The Write Right Society? We're a supportive Tumblr community where writers lift each other up. Whether you're a newbie or a pro, we'd love to have you! Share your work, get feedback, and connect with fellow wordsmiths, writers and aspiring authors. 

[rachelamberish]

i love dragon age because consistently in every game it has allowed me to be a slut for doomed by the narrative romances. Sure you can have a happy ending if thats what youre into but if you want to romanticize existential dread, martyr complexes, the clock running out and falling in love with god bioware sees your freak and matches it

[cowboysprayer]

i hate generative art being used for depictions of Jesus, like. you care for Him that little? i promise you a child's stick figure drawing in red crayon looks more like God than whatever slop a computer vomits out. a person has the ability to know God, a computer never will

[mumblesplash]

the universe doesn’t want to hurt you, but it will

(inspired by an au by @droidofmay and @definitelynotshouting)

[witchthewriter]

@dream-bee-baby.

[griveotesi]

[writingwithfolklore]

6 Ways to Develop Your Writing Intuition

Read broadly—articles, genres you normally wouldn’t, authors or writers you’ve never heard of, work from your classmates or friends

Try several versions of each scene—add things, take away things, experiment and explore with your stories and scenes, try things you don’t think will work, or take inspiration from prompts to change your scene in new ways

Get feedback—without colouring your feedbacker’s opinion, ask people what their impressions are of your work, listen to them

Write things you normally wouldn’t—if you always write from a female POV, try a male or non-binary one (or other). If your settings tend to be rural, try urban. Explore creative non-fiction if you’ve always written fiction, or poetry, etc.

Watch movies, student films and plays��see if there’s a film fest in your city, or a student show, or a small theatre production. Don’t just limit yourself to blockbusters.

Write reviews for different media—even if you don’t post them anywhere, by thinking critically about the media you consume you can begin to develop your sensibility for what a good story or characters look like versus ones that fall flat for you.

[midnightfreedom]

"Writing is not life,

But I think that sometimes it can be a way back to life."

~ Stephen King

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

[turanga4]

14, 21, 25 please!

You have written like 96,000 glorious words since sending me this ask, but we move. Sorry sorry delayed delayed thanks thanks!

Ask game here.

14. If you could see one of your fics adapted into a visual medium, such as comic or film, which fan fic would you pick? Hmmm...I don't actually have an interest in that--I would not personally want any of the fics I most enjoy READING to become visual media. But it could be fun to see the food fight from Feast Of Chaos actually represented in pictures, not words.

21. Have you ever deleted an entire scene after spending hours laboring over it? If so, why? No, I have not, because, while my first drafts are in fact shitty (🚫) I am truly unable to spend hours writing DOWN a thing I then delete--the words simply don't come out in the first place. I cannot just put them on the paper and then massage or delete them: every sentence I write passes through enough internal filters first that, once I have a collection of sentences in a scene, I'm very likely to keep that scene, unless I completely yeet the entire fic because I don't think it's worth publishing. And I never spend hours at a time on a fic: a few sentences claw their way out of brain onto document, and that's typically exhausting enough that I'm done for awhile. I truly envy people with different processes, but that's mine.

25. Have you ever upset yourself with your own writing? That's a really interesting question! I was upset with myself once when I drafted an item about a thing I don't know much about that's very personal to many, because I realized, shit, I need to learn a lot more before I try that again. In the past, I have found it both upsetting and important for me to engage with reader feedback about the things I write about, and how I seem to hone in on difficult, painful stuff. Why is that? Do I truly LIKE to make characters suffer? Am I actually TRYING to bum readers out? I remember really angsting about the details I used to represent Harry's experience in the graveyard in my short Wormtail POV fic, Sentimental , because I personally (though DLDR and no moral high ground claimed here) don't like the idea of leaning into, um, whump for its own sake. But I think that exploration has been important for me, and I'm comfortable, on an ongoing basis, with the choices I make: my personal intention as a writer is to not shy away from difficult things, but to show that those experiencing them have agency and dignity and the possibility of hope.

[succulentsiren]

THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING YOUR CRAFT PRIVATE

[darth-kote]

hell nah star wars got me researching military tactics for creative purposes (fanfiction)