vonnlune

[vonnlune]

Still a WIP but I really like how the lines turned out (⁠ ⁠ꈍ⁠ᴗ⁠ꈍ⁠)

[vonnlune]

Is this a problem?

[vonnlune]

sometimes you need dialogue tags and don't want to use the same four

[vonnlune]

wanna draw... but I also wanna write... unfortunately I end up doing neither 😔

[vonnlune]

@ fic authors what do you personally consider a successful fic? What’s the bar?

[vonnlune]

So... I found this and now it keeps coming to mind. You hear about "life-changing writing advice" all the time and usually its really not—but honestly this is it man.

I'm going to try it.

[vonnlune]

Show, don’t tell

"Show, don’t tell" means letting readers experience a story through actions, senses, and dialogue instead of outright explaining things. Here are some practical tips to achieve that:

1. Use Sensory Details

Tell: "The room was cold."

Show: "Her breath puffed in faint clouds, and she shivered as frost clung to the edges of the window."

Tell: "He was scared."

Show: "His hands trembled, and his heart thudded so loudly he was sure they could hear it too."

2. Focus on Actions

Tell: "She was angry."

Show: "She slammed the mug onto the counter, coffee sloshing over the rim as her jaw clenched."

Tell: "He was exhausted."

Show: "He stumbled through the door, collapsing onto the couch without even bothering to remove his shoes."

3. Use Dialogue

What characters say and how they say it can reveal their emotions, intentions, or traits.

Tell: "She was worried about the storm."

Show: "Do you think it'll reach us?" she asked, her voice tight, her fingers twisting the hem of her shirt.

4. Show Internal Conflict Through Thoughts or Reactions

Tell: "He was jealous of his friend."

Show: "As his friend held up the trophy, he forced a smile, swallowing the bitter lump rising in his throat."

5. Describe the Environment to Reflect Mood

Use the setting to mirror or hint at emotions or themes.

Tell: "The town was eerie."

Show: "Empty streets stretched into the mist, and the only sound was the faint creak of a weathered sign swinging in the wind."

6. Let Readers Infer Through Context

Give enough clues for the reader to piece things together without spelling it out.

Tell: "The man was a thief."

Show: "He moved through the crowd, fingers brushing pockets, his hand darting away with a glint of gold."

7. Use Subtext in Interactions

What’s left unsaid can reveal as much as what’s spoken.

Tell: "They were uncomfortable around each other."

Show: "He avoided her eyes, pretending to study the painting on the wall. She smoothed her dress for the third time, her fingers fumbling with the hem."

8. Compare to Relatable Experiences

Use metaphors, similes, or comparisons to make an emotion or situation vivid.

Tell: "The mountain was huge."

Show: "The mountain loomed above them, its peak disappearing into the clouds, as if it pierced the heavens."

Practice Example:

Tell: "The village had been destroyed by the fire."

Show: "Charred beams jutted from the rubble like broken ribs, the acrid smell of ash lingering in the air. A child's shoe lay half-buried in the soot, its leather curled from the heat."

[vonnlune]

🌸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.

[vonnlune]

I hope every writer who sees this writes LOADS the next few months. Like freetime opens up, no writers block, the ability to focus, etc etc you're able to write loads & make lots of progress <3

[vonnlune]

Really annoyed right now because I'm getting a huge burst of inspiration to write (when I've been having writer's block for months) during exam week when I really need to study.

[vonnlune]

Excerpt of "Master of My Fate" - Chapter 2

A hundred different things went through Harry’s mind just then. If he were to attend Hogwarts, he could learn magic and meet the characters from the game. He could meet Tom. The thought of that alone sent shivers down his spine. For all that he loved the character, Tom Gaunt was still the villain in the game. Harry needed to remember that Tom was a dangerous character and could very well kill him if Harry as Hadrian didn’t kill him first. But Harry would rather it not come to that. The best thing he could do was lay low and live a normal wizarding life. But it wouldn’t do him any good to go into this situation head first without thinking things through. So first things first, get his bearings in order and get as much information as he can. With the System around, it’s made easier for him. Before Harry could even ask the System anything though, there was a knock on his door. He barely had time to make himself look more put together when a woman in blue dress robes holding a tray entered the room. She gave Harry a kind smile when she saw he was awake. “Good morning, young man. It’s good to see you up and about,” she said putting the tray down on the table next to his bedside before pulling a stick—wand—pulling a wand from her sleeve. Harry tried not to stare too much when she drew open the window curtains with only a single flick. Because that was magic, she was using magic. ”You gave us quite a fright last night when you wouldn’t wake up.” Harry tried to speak but no words would come out. His voice seemingly caught in his throat. What the..? When Harry didn’t answer she turned to face him with a worried look. “Here, drink this. It helps after encountering a Dementor.” She held out a glass from the tray she brought when a new window screen shimmered to life in front of him. 『 1. What have you done to me?! (Attack her) 2. (Slap the glass away) 3. (Eye the glass suspiciously) 』 Hey—Hang on, what’s happening?! 『 User is currently undergoing the tutorial mode. Certain actions and content will be restricted for the duration of the trial. 』 What! And you’re only telling me this now? 『 User is encouraged to work hard and level up to unlock more features! 』 The woman was starting to frown when Harry still didn’t respond. He hastily chose [Option 3] in his mind for the dialogue since that was the least hostile one.  The effect came instantaneously. Like a marionette with its strings pulled here and there, Harry’s body moved all on its own. His shoulders were hunched up as he faced her fully. His eyes squinted at the drink, expression shifting to one that Harry guessed was of wariness. Nothing on Harry’s face seemed to give away his internal panic as the woman softened. “It’s alright, dear. It’s just chocolate.” the woman said gently. “I promise you’ll feel better after.” 『 1. Don’t lie to me! (Slap her) 2. As if I’d drink whatever poison you’ve prepared. 3. (Take the drink) 』 Seriously, what kind of choices are these?

[vonnlune]

Vonn here! Don't freak out!

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