writing-and-roses

[writing-and-roses]

One of the best writing advice I have gotten in all the months I have been writing is "if you can't go anywhere from a sentence, the problem isn't in you, it's in the last sentence." and I'm mad because it works so well and barely anyone talks about it. If you're stuck at a line, go back. Backspace those last two lines and write it from another angle or take it to some other route. You're stuck because you thought up to that exact sentence and nothing after that. Well, delete that sentence, make your brain think because the dead end is gone. It has worked wonders for me for so long it's unreal

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i don't care if monday's bleak

tuesday matches wednesday's freak

thursday mispronouncing steak

it's friday, i'm in love

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goddamn it.

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sometimes being a writer is scary actually because something will happen that leaves you sobbing on your bedroom floor—really sobbing, a complete loss of control like you haven’t felt in years—then suddenly you’ll stop mid-sob, go stone-faced and think, “this ties so well into the themes of my story. the symbolism alone would be next level” and then you’re frantically writing out notes planning the integration of a scene about this into your story and you can’t help the rising feeling of excitement because it’s just so perfect but now you feel like a sick fuck for getting joy out of a terrible thing

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Writing Description Notes:

Updated 17th July 2024 More writing tips, review tips & writing description notes

Facial Expressions

Masking Emotions

Smiles/Smirks/Grins

Eye Contact/Eye Movements

Blushing

Voice/Tone

Body Language/Idle Movement

Thoughts/Thinking/Focusing/Distracted

Silence

Memories

Happy/Content/Comforted

Love/Romance

Sadness/Crying/Hurt

Confidence/Determination/Hopeful

Surprised/Shocked

Guilt/Regret

Disgusted/Jealous

Uncertain/Doubtful/Worried

Anger/Rage

Laughter

Confused

Speechless/Tongue Tied

Fear/Terrified

Mental Pain

Physical Pain

Tired/Drowsy/Exhausted

Eating

Drinking

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12 Character Archetypes

The Innocent

Goal - Happiness

Flaw - Too trusting

Fear - Punishment

The Orphan

Goal - Belonging

Flaw - Cynical

Fear - Exclusion

The Hero

Goal - Change the world

Flaw - Need to fight

Fear - Weakness

The Caregiver

Goal - Help others

Flaw - Martyrdom

Fear - Selfishness

The Explorer

Goal - Freedom

Flaw - Wandering

Fear - Entrapment

The Rebel

Goal - Revolution

Flaw - Crime

Fear - No Power

The Lover

Goal - Connection

Flaw - People pleaser

Fear - Isolation

The Creator

Goal - Realize vision

Flaw - Perfectionist

Fear - Mediocrity

The Jester

Goal - Levity and fun

Flaw - Wasting time

Fear - Boredom

The Sage

Goal - Knowledge

Flaw - No action

Fear - Deception

The Magician

Goal - Alter reality

Flaw - Egotistical

Fear - Unintended results

The Ruler

Goal - Prosperity

Flaw - Authoritarian

Fear - Overthrown

Source - www.nownovel.com

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The Writer's Workbook:

Writing

Additional Advice

Things to keep in mind while actually writing:

The 1st Draft:

A very common mistake many people (me included) fell for was not finishing the first draft immediately. And I mean by that stopping in the middle and going back to change or edit things.

It's always better to continue through the first draft until the end, keep notes of what to change or revise later then leave it for the second draft. It's always easier to build off an existing text later on.

2. Drafts

On the other hand, what other people fall for is the lack of revision. The first draft is a start, but it's not everything. Books go through rounds after rounds of editing and reviewing before you get tired enough to just publish it, since in might never be perfection. But it will be something.

Don't rush it.

3. Keeping up with ideas:

Having an outline or skeleton to the plot that you can follow is extremely useful. If you've used the snowflake method then you might reach a point from which each sentence can be made into a plot point, then writing each one out will be much easier.

Similarly, it's good to keep tables and/or written concepts of characters/world to follow. There have been multiple instances of writers accidentally changing something about a character halfway through. Having a database of these things can help avoid that.

Main Post

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Writing Advice: Writing Out Of Character

No, this time I am not going to trash bad examples of characters being "out of character". Instead I am going to explain to you what seperates a good character who is behaving differently and a bad character who is behaving illogically.

Question 1: Why Is The Character Behaving Like This?

When we writers put our characters through the ringer we often see our characters change in drastic and "unexpected" ways. This is an example of "good character arc" and not "out of character" because if you supply justification for why your character is changing things up and doing different things then it's character development!

Virtuous Character A, in a desperate bid to stay alive and after being repeatedly pushed to the brink by these harrowing cirumstances, kills Character B? That is good character development!

Intelligent and prudish Character C suddenly starts acting like they're staring in a smut fic towards Character D as their "body betrays them" due to horomones they should've learne to control in their teens? That is out of character!

Has this writer(me) been writing informative yet argumentative works but has tried to start offering a softer and less confrontational side in order to appeal to more people? That is character development!

Question 2: Have You Given Your Character Enough Time To Evolve?

Unlike what love stories try to convince you, it takes a pretty long while for people to change their behaviors and mindset!

Has your normally stoic character who has been practicing understanding their emotions finally expressing some emotion? That's character development!

Have I been slowly adding more informative perspective and softer actions throughout my rants? Then it's much more believeable that I would express a softer side towards this issue!

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I'm sorry but I have one draft that I never finished but I laugh every time I see it

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Soft Gestures for Comfort

Bringing them a blanket when they’re curled up on the couch.

Whispering, "It’s okay, I’m here," when they wake up from a bad dream.

Stroking their hair gently when they’re lying on your lap.

Running a warm bath for them after a tough day.

Holding them close and saying, "I’ve got you," when they’re upset.

Preparing their favorite comfort food when they’re feeling low.

Turning off their alarm and letting them sleep in when they’re exhausted.

Reading their favorite book to them before bed.

Playing their favorite soothing music to help them relax.

Just sitting in silence with them, letting them know your presence is their safe space.

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Tips for writing those gala scenes, from someone who goes to them occasionally:

Generally you unbutton and re-button a suit coat when you sit down and stand up.

You’re supposed to hold wine or champagne glasses by the stem to avoid warming up the liquid inside. A character out of their depth might hold the glass around the sides instead.

When rich/important people forget your name and they’re drunk, they usually just tell you that they don’t remember or completely skip over any opportunity to use your name so they don’t look silly.

A good way to indicate you don’t want to shake someone’s hand at an event is to hold a drink in your right hand (and if you’re a woman, a purse in the other so you definitely can’t shift the glass to another hand and then shake)

Americans who still kiss cheeks as a welcome generally don’t press lips to cheeks, it’s more of a touch of cheek to cheek or even a hover (these days, mostly to avoid smudging a woman’s makeup)

The distinctions between dress codes (black tie, cocktail, etc) are very intricate but obvious to those who know how to look. If you wear a short skirt to a black tie event for example, people would clock that instantly even if the dress itself was very formal. Same thing goes for certain articles of men’s clothing.

Open bars / cash bars at events usually carry limited options. They’re meant to serve lots of people very quickly, so nobody is getting a cosmo or a Manhattan etc.

Members of the press generally aren’t allowed to freely circulate at nicer galas/events without a very good reason. When they do, they need to identify themselves before talking with someone.

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One of the best writing advice I have gotten in all the months I have been writing is "if you can't go anywhere from a sentence, the problem isn't in you, it's in the last sentence." and I'm mad because it works so well and barely anyone talks about it. If you're stuck at a line, go back. Backspace those last two lines and write it from another angle or take it to some other route. You're stuck because you thought up to that exact sentence and nothing after that. Well, delete that sentence, make your brain think because the dead end is gone. It has worked wonders for me for so long it's unreal

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One of my favourite attacks so far on alicia_a, including both of her characters Regulus and Dorian. Both characters are inspired by the theme this year and sound so cute together!

Link to both mine and alicia_a's artfight under the cut, come attack us!

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I finally managed to find the time to attack ly first victim on this 2024 Artfight :^)

Here's Vieno, @mareuseu-art character !

I love warlocks u_u

I hope he'll please you, ty for lending me your char !

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Thank you so much for this my boy is beautiful in your artstyle ❤️

⚔️ Revenge! ⚔️ @writing-and-roses’s Matthias ap Amlodd!

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I'm super proud of this friendly fire attack for artfight. This is Lawrence, a bg3 oc belonging to @pomegranate-juice-art. I immediately fell in love with them and had to draw this. If you like the art and/or the OC, go check out both of our artfight pages. ❤️

(links under the cut)