3hks
3hks Writing~
Just a young, aspiring author who loves anime, games, cats, and more! I'm still learning as a writer, but I am always open to help and give advice from my personal experience! If you ever need something, (doesn't have to be writing related) feel free to tell me! Doing this for fun! :D
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Writing Character CHANGE
Character development is absolutely CRUCIAL to a story, but having spent more time thinking about this topic, I came to the realization that I misunderstood a lot of points other people have made when teaching how to write character development.
There are a lot of factors that play into character development, but in this post, I'll cover some overall, but the main thing concerns any change to your character! (Which is also a huge part in development, really.)
So with this post, I'll be teaching you MY personal tips regarding this subject!
*The Basics*
Before we really get into the developmental stage, there are some things you want to establish, in which I'll explain later!
A couple of flaws.
How your character views themselves at first.
Your character's morals/ideals and how they think.
These things may vary, but you want your readers to be able to at least roughly predict how your character will act during specific events!
*Change*
Character development is just about how your character changes throughout the story. I like to say that there are several different ways one may change, (we'll get into that later on) but your character should NOT stay the same as the same person during the exposition and during the resolution!
"During character development, your character should grow."
This is a common piece of advice; your character needs to grow. And while I've assumed for the longest time that I understood what it meant, it never truly clicked.
While they will use words such as grow, what they really mean is that your character should mature. By the end of your story, your character may not always end up as a better person. When I say mature, I mean that they have reflected back on their life and have understood the consequences that came with their actions (if any) or how they could've done things differently.
Your character will not always end up as a better, fixed person, but they should understand their world and themselves better.
*Negative/Passive Change*
Alright then, so how does a character develop if they don't necessarily change for the better? Well, I'll get into that!
No matter what, your character should have learned a lesson through their experience. Even if they haven't exactly improved as a person, there should be a moral they can learn from what they have gone through.
If not, then did they really grow?
Additionally, how did their qualities negatively impact themselves? If they are bad traits, then it needs to be clear. And the best way to achieve this is by demonstrating how it hurts your character! However, it is rather uncommon for a character to undergo little to no change after a story!
*Positive Change*
Let's circle back to the basics, real quick. Remember how I said that before any development takes place, your character should be anything but perfect? That same thing applies to after the change.
Do NOT create a flawless character by the end of your story. Instead, focus on one or two flaws that get fixed as the story continues. These don't have to be huge, life-changing imperfections, but they can be minor ones that still shape their life in one way or another.
"Fixing" too many shortcomings can make your character seem, well, out of character, producing a character development that's more forced. The same thing applies if you're attempting to FULLY alter a fault that's just too big. The change will be too noticeable.
What am I talking about? Here's an example!
Imagine a character who's incredibly closed off to other people, wanting to ensure that he never gets too close to others.
That's a pretty sizable flaw, no? By the end of your story, you do not want to completely change because you need to preserve character, but you can change it a bit. Does he have a few friends now? Does he understand that there are some people worth trusting?
He may still be closed off to majority of people, but at least it's not everyone, and that's a realistic change.
*Different Changes*
As I continue to read more stories and watch more shows, I have realized that character development is not always about fixing flaws or personality, but it can extend far past that line.
So listen up, because I feel like no one really talks about this.
Your character can change their IDEALS, MORALS, and how they VIEW THEMSELVES.
Hear that? If your character has strong morals, they will hardly stay the same as they reach the end. Remember the requirements I mentioned at the beginning?
See how it connects now? There is SO much more to character development than changing a few imperfections. Like I said in the start, your character needs to grow and mature. Things like new morals or ideals assist with that!
*SUMMARY*
In order to start character development, you need a couple of flaws, an idea of how your character looks at themselves, and their morals. This is because those are the main parts of you character that may change through time.
Growth = Maturing (gaining a better sense of who they are and the world they live in.)
NOT ALL CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT IS POSITIVE!
For negative or passive change, make sure to clarify how their imperfections affected or hurt them and have some sort of moral that follows.
YOUR CHARACTER SHOULD NOT BE PERFECT!
They should not be perfect in the beginning, and not perfect in the end! Do not 'fix' too many traits because you want to preserve character.
I think that's all! It's quite the post for something so simple, eh? But hey, character development is absolutely PIVOTAL to a story so I hope I at least explained the 'change' part of that well!
Happy writing~
3hks <3
#writing#writeblr#writerscommunity#writing tips#creative writing#writing inspo#writing advice#character writing#writing characters development#character development#character change#writing characters change#character building#tips on character development#tips on character building#advice on character building#advice on character development
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Honestly? Just my opinion <3
I feel like a lot of ppl don't rlly like fandom theorists bc they're "looking too deep into things" and whatnot, but honestly, I kind of admire that.
Like, not everyone has the observance to notice what you saw. Not everyone can piece it together like you can. Yes, some are stretching it and absolutely driven by delulu but it's just SO impressive in my opinion!!
The way you all notice the colors, how things were written, drawn, word choice, etc, is JUST SO BEAUTIFUL.
Idk, I honestly just want to create something one day that can get all of these theories so I can smile knowing that I purposefully added that scene, and that your theory is ON POINT
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"Goodbye" Prompts
~Heartwarming Goodbyes~
"You're the best thing that ever happened to me."
"I'll find you again."
"We'll find our way back, I promise."
"The best day I ever had was when I met you."
"I'm grateful you gave me a chance."
"I'll treasure our memories forever."
"Let's keep in touch, yeah?"
"I'm... I'm going to miss you."
"Fate is cruel, huh?"
"This won't be the end."
"Nothing can keep us apart."
"Let's meet back here, okay?"
"I'll be waiting for you everyday. Don't disappoint me."
~Sad Goodbyes~
"Let's not see each other again."
"Leave me alone please."
"You're right. This just wasn't meant to be."
"Let's make things easy and end this, alright?"
"We're done."
"You broke your promise."
"Isn't this what you wanted?"
"You knew this was going to happen eventually."
"I'm sick of you."
"I wish I never met you."
"I don't need you anymore."
"You've changed..."
"This is the second time, (name). The second time." (Feel free to insert whatever number you want!)
"This wasn't how it was supposed to end."
~Emotionally Subjective Goodbyes~
"I'm sorry..."
"Don't forget about me."
"Maybe in another world things would have ended differently."
"Well, until next time, I suppose."
"It was nice meeting you."
"This is where things end, I guess."
"You're free now, (name)."
"Let's end on a good note."
"This is for the best."
"Hey... Don't cry, it'll be okay."
"You can live without me. I know you can." (This one is VERY dependent on context!)
"Forget me and move on, alright?"
"Any last words?"
"It's not over." (Also context-dependent! Depends on what is considered "not over.")
Small and short goodbye prompts! Just a clarification, I consider the ones "emotionally subjective" based on the context used and emotions applied for your characters! In my opinion, I think that the saddest goodbye is an inside quote or joke!
Happy writing~
3hks :)
#writing#writeblr#writerscommunity#creative writing#writing inspo#goodbye prompts#ideas for goodbyes
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Flaws to Give to Characters II
When I first posted "Flaws to Add to Characters," it gained a lot more popularity than I thought it would! And since you all loved it so much, here's another one!
>>> Selfishness - When one becomes too focused on themselves, they start to ignore those around them who've helped along the way.
>>> Indecisiveness - When one can't make a decision, ultimately, they are stuck and unable to progress.
>>> Self-Centered - Self-centered people are often too consumed with themselves to worry about anything else. Sometimes it's similar to selfishness, and other times it's not. They may be too vain or too busy victimizing themselves to care about others.
>>> Gullibility - A seriously gullible person is easy to trick, manipulate, and hurt.
>>> Skepticality - People that are just too skeptical can be difficult to deal with because they seemingly have to question every action. There's always a motive behind kindness, right..?
>>> Bluntness - Though honesty is the best policy, bluntness is something else. Being too honest can be quite hurtful depending on the situation.
>>> Pushover - Not being able to say "no" when one wants to makes it difficult to be able to advocate for themselves. Additionally, they can get taken advantage of and used.
>>> Easily Offended - This person will absolutely take EVERYTHING personally. Those around them have to be careful about their words, actions, or even behavior because they will look too deep into the most non-meaningful actions. This is usually a result of insecurity.
>>> Overthinking - We all have our moments with this one. Overthinking can often lead to indecisiveness, ensuring that a decision won't be made in the future.
>>> Impulsivity - Sometimes it's better to just think things through. Being too impulsive can lead to unideal situations, events, and outcomes.
Whaddya think? Were these helpful? I'm thinking about continuing these series, but what do you think? (Not gonna lie, these posts help me get my ideas and thoughts in order too.)
Happy writing~
3hks <3
#writing#writeblr#writerscommunity#writing tips#creative writing#writing inspo#character flaws#writing characters#writing characters flaws#examples of character flaws#character flaws examples#writing ideas#character flaws ideas
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How to Avoid "Talking to The Reader"
A lot of people will often tell you to avoid talking to the reader, but why? How? And what does it mean? "Talking to the reader" is a technique used by an author when they want to specifically address the reader directly. Depending on your writing level and style, there could be several drawbacks to using this, such as a sense of informality and sudden awkwardness. However, I'm not saying that you shouldn't talk to the reader, because how you write is ultimately up to you!
But if you're genuinely looking for some tips on how to avoid talking to the reader, then I absolutely got you! As both a frequent reader and writer, I have advice based on experience and knowledge! These simple tips can seriously elevate your writing (especially if you're pretty new), or at the very least, make you aware of certain things and offer new ideas!
Replacing the 'you' with...
A VERY common factor in talking to the reader is using the word 'you' to reach out to your reader (dialogue from characters don't count). Although you should avoid this when you're trying not to talk to the reader, there is something behind it. Majority of the time, we include this word in a story when asking a rhetorical question. This creates a certain effect that reaches out to the reader while making them think, which can't be exactly duplicated.
Okay, so how do we fix this? Well, my advice is to simply replace 'you' with the word 'one'! Let's go a bit into depth, shall we? When dealing with a rhetorical question, the first step is to rephrase and reform the inquiry into a statement that answers what you're asking. Remember that this is a rhetorical question, meaning that there IS technically a right answer that you're looking for! Next, remove the 'you' and slap the 'one' on top of it! The replace-you-with-one method also works when you're not including it in a question, but instead a statement! Let's look into some examples, shall we?
Prompt: A lot of people will often tell you to avoid talking to the reader, but why?
Let's examine this example that I took from the top of this post, shall we? While this sentence is indeed in the format of the question, I am not directly asking you to give me an answer and there isn't really just one right answer. So how do we fix this? Replace 'you' with 'one' and boom! Done!
Fixed: A lot of people will often tell one to avoid talking to the reader, but why?
Alright, how about a much more direct question?
Prompt: The king's way of ruling was incredibly biased and unfair, wouldn't you agree?
For this prompt, we can see that 'you' is in "wouldn't you agree?" so it's pretty clear that we are seeking for an answer from the reader. In this type of context, the answer is almost always "yes," so we will have to take the longer route of rewording the sentence.
Fixed: The king's way of ruling was incredibly biased and unfair, one might argue.
As you can see, the phrase "wouldn't you agree" got altered into "one might argue." Why did I choose this? Well for starters, the sentence is now a statement, not a question, and it does indirectly answer our questions of "wouldn't you agree?" because it distinctly demonstrates that they agree with the opinion that the king's rule was unjust. Now, why did I choose "might argue"? Our previous question may have been rhetorical, but not everyone is going to say "yes, the king was unfair," so adding "might" and "argue" helps include the fact that it is indeed, an opinion!
Now that we have gotten the 'you' part out of our system, let's talk about another thing that can really help you improve on your writing (while avoiding talking to the reader)!
Stop Using...
Stop starting the sentences with "he/she is or has" (including past forms) when describing someone. I can safely say with first-hand experience that repetitive use of the sentence starter can feel a bit unnatural and too straightforward. In other words, you can most definitely do better!
When writing one's attributes, instead of starting with "he is" or "she is," try starting out with a possessive form of the pronoun, such as "his" or "her"! After that, it'll work itself out; let's look at an example to clarify!
Prompt: She had long, luscious, brown hair that fell over her shoulders in waves.
Fixed: Her long, luscious, brown hair fell over her shoulder in waves.
Simple, right? There may seem to be hardly any change, but this can seriously improve your writing when used correctly! Of course, continuous use of "his," "her," or "their" will also sound repetitive, but it's a good place to start! As experience follows, you'll get the hang of creating more varied sentence styles! Let's look at an example!
Prompt: He was new to the school. He didn't know how to interact with those his age because he was homeschooled his whole life. He was nervous even when thinking about his classmates and didn't know how he was going to survive.
Does it sound choppy? Too direct? Let's fix that!
Fixed: He was new to the school. Having been homeschooled his whole life, he struggled to interact with those his age, and even thinking about his classmates made him anxious. He had no idea on how he was going to survive.
Look at the second sentence; that's the most major change. As I combined a few different parts of the other sentences and rearranged them, it should seem much smoother now!
Be creative with how to form your sentences--that's all there really is to it! Experience will be your biggest guide and best friend when it comes to this!
Did this help? Keep in mind that my advice won't work with every sentence because a lot of it mainly depends on context! Happy Easter Sunday!
Happy writing~
3hks :)
#writing#writeblr#writerscommunity#writing tips#creative writing#writing advice#writing inspo#how to not talk to the reader#avoiding talking to the reader#avoid being too direct#talking to the reader#tips on avoiding talking to the reader#tips on not talking to the reader#advice on avoiding talking to the reader#advice on not talking to the reader#thank you
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Just a reminder :)
This is to all the writers with writer's block, the ones struggling to continue their story, the ones who feel like they're not skilled enough at writing, the ones who think that their work is cringe or bad, and the ones who simply feel zero motivation because "oh my god, what did I just create?"
Guys, your stories don't have to ever see the light of day. They don't have to get published, they can stay in the comfort of notebooks and word documents. Just forget your goals for a second. Forget that you do want to publish it. Forget that you want to share your writing to the world because we need it.
Instead, focus on improving. Does your first draft suck? And your second one? And your third one even after all that editing?
It's okay.
Continue writing because that's the MOST EFFECTIVE way to get better. Continue writing so you can develop something that's WORTH publishing. Something that's WORTH sharing to the world. It won't happen overnight, but it will happen if you just don't give up.
Thank you all so, so, so, so, so much for 300 followers <3
#writing#writeblr#writerscommunity#writing tips#creative writing#thank you#writing inspo#the support is crazy#I never imagined getting here already#I don't even know what to say#actually thank you so much
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Hello. What kind of AI cover generators do you use for stories? Are they free?
Hi! Thank you for asking! These are the a couple ones that I use/recommend:
^ This one is rather simple but super efficient; and like it states, there is no sign-up needed and it's completely free! There are tons of different art styles including tattoo designs, manga, and pixel art!
^ There are a couple of limits on this site; you must sign up and if you don't want to pay (like me) you can generate 5 images per day. However, I would definitely consider this one much more complex compared to the preceding recommendation! (You can not only use text-to-image, but there's also image-to-image, pose-to-image, face swapping, and real time AI painter)
^ Not sure if some of you guys know, but Canva actually released an AI art generator! Since it's Canva, I believe you must sign-up, but the first fifty tries are completely free! I used up all my tries a year ago, so things may have changed (but I doubt they have).
^ Also no sign-up or pay needed! I haven't experimented with it much, but it seems to run pretty smoothly!
^ Saw this recommended somewhere on social media, but when I attempted to try it, I got told that it was down due to updates and would be back up later. Feel free to check it out! (Says there's no sign-up or pay needed, either).
As of right now, these are all that I got! Please keep in mind that using AI art as a cover should only be utilized online, but other than that, I hope these were what you needed!
Happy writing~
3hks :)
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Substitutes For "Dead Parents"
Okay you guys! I mentioned this in a past post, but when it comes to family, some of ya'll are just... not creative. And don't get me wrong, having deceased parents is deep, dark, and hard, but at this point, a lot of readers simply overlook that because it's just that common. Not to mention, a lot of you guys aren't doing nearly enough with that information! So, for this post, I'll give some new examples relating to "family struggles!"
>> Neglect: Neglectful parents often don't give their child enough attention, time, or care. They don't always hate their kid; quite the opposite, really, they can still love their offspring and are simply unaware that they are being neglectful. This happens for a multitude of reasons: all their attention is focused on a different child, they're busy, or they're just uninterested in their kid's activities.
>> Abuse: Abuse is rather straightforward; it can be physical, mental, or even both. Even if it's only physical abuse, it can heavily damage the child's mental health and make them question their self-worth.
>> Fighting: I think that a lot of us have endured our parents fighting, and I'm fully confident that none of us enjoyed it. It's incredibly difficult for a kid to listen to their parents fight without knowing how to stop it, being stuck in the middle, and even worse, being the center of the argument. As it escalates, the child may even feel neglected, because their parents are only focused on each other.
>> Absence: Like neglect, these parents don't devote nearly enough attention and time to their child. However, this is because they are hardly present in the household to begin with. Normally, it's their career that keeps them away, leaving their kid to raise themselves.
>> Controlling: Oftentimes, controlling parents are found in, believe it or not, more successful households. Kids who have parents that own a successful business or are powerful in general are sometimes raised to follow those footsteps regardless if they want to or not. If they don't want to, as a result, they are kept on a tight leash. Controlling parents can also be found in stricter households.
>> Toxicity: Toxicity, a form of emotional abuse, can come in many forms, gaslighting, demeaning words, constant criticism, comparison, etc. Frequently, the child is unaware that their parents are being toxic until a third party points it out to them. This is because they've only known their parents acting in toxic manners; thus, it becomes their norm. However, it's also entirely possible for the parent to be oblivious to the fact that they're being toxic.
>> Distant: Being distant doesn't always have to be because of some crazy reason; they might've been a very happy and close family once, but as time passes on, they just simply start drifting in their separate ways. It's not the same as neglect or an absence; the child is usually able to adjust to it easier, and it might've even been their choice to be distanced from their parents.
>> Child Responsibility: This is a scenario where the kid acts more like a parental figure--they have to take care of both themselves and their family. In some situations, they also have to work in order to supply their family with enough money to be able to pay for life necessities. This normally happens when a/the parent(s) are out of commission and struggle to provide for their family. If the household is poor, the child might be working alongside their parents in an attempt to make their lives easier.
Did I miss anything? Let me know what you guys think about these substitutes!
Happy writing~
3hks :D
#writing#writeblr#writerscommunity#writing tips#creative writing#writing inspo#writing backstories#backstories prompt#substitutes for dead parents#writing family struggles#family struggles prompts#writing advice#prompts for family issues#writing family issues#family issues prompts#prompts for family struggles
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5 Writing Tricks That I ABUSE
Okay, listen up fellow writers! Here is a simple list of a few things I found out when it comes to writing that I ABUSE. And yes, this is for both the new and experienced writers; some may already know these things, but some might not! So let's get into it!
Using a Thesaurus: Most people will probably already know/use this, but a thesaurus is like dictionary, in which instead of looking for definitions, it brings up synonyms (and sometimes antonyms) for your word! It's honestly a LIFESAVER because it's so MUCH easier to find a more sophisticated substitute when using one!
Control + F: If you spend quite some time on PDFs or whatnot, there is a good chance that you know this trick! Control + F allows you to type in a key word/phrase and the document will tell you 1) how many times the word/phrase appeared, and 2) allow you to immediately locate them! This is great when reading because you can quickly find quotes in the book just by typing in a word! However, this is also a GREAT tool when it comes to writing, because as writers, repetitive words are a no-no; but luckily, by using this keybind, you can speedily tell how many times you've used a certain word/phrase!
Control + Backspace: I just recently found this by myself, but I can assure you, it's now instinct for my fingers to jump to the 'control' button whenever I want to delete something! What does this keybind do? Well, instead of deleting one letter at a time, it deletes words at once! It's so much more convenient and accurate than holding down backspace, trust me!
AI Cover Generator: When publishing a work online, you often need a cover to go with your story. However, if you're just like me and cannot draw on your life and/or refuse to use online images because the internet just doesn't have what you need or because of copyright purposes, then AI art generators might be what you're looking for! There are quite some free ones online that you can use--some without even needing to sign up!
Of course, AI art is far inferior to actual, man-made art, but sometimes, what works, works. Despite that, please do not use AI art when trying to paper-publish your work; I only use this when I absolutely NEED a cover in order to upload a story. (Thank you @catfayssoux!)
Note: PLEASE let me know if using AI for this purpose is wrong. I'm not super up-to-date with the do's and don't's regarding artificial intelligence, and I don't want to be spreading out wrong information. This is something that I simply discovered and found useful.
Online Name Generators: Name generators are incredibly useful when you just can't think of a name for something! It doesn't even have to be for a person, but it can even be for a location! If you are writing a fantasy setting and want some unique names, these generators got you covered! And honestly, there are these types of sites for a ton of different purposes and though they aren't perfect, you're bound to eventually find something noteworthy!
As of right, now, these are all that I got! Feel free to share any tips that you might have to your fellow writers! (That would be greatly appreciated!)
Happy writing~
3hks ;]
#writing#writeblr#writerscommunity#writing tips#creative writing#writing advice#writing tricks#writing tricks I abuse
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How to Write REALISTIC and SMOOTH Dialogue
In a story, dialogue is quite important, it helps the readers paint a picture of what's happening and the characters themselves. However, it can be difficult to avoid the unnaturalness and choppiness that comes with a lack of experience. But luckily, I have put together A LOT of advice on how you can get over that rockiness and improve!
*** KEEPING YOUR DIALOGUE REALISTIC, AND PACING ***
>> Keep your characters in character:
Dialogue is a remarkably quick way for readers to determine your character's personality. Thus, you want their speech patterns to remain fairly consistent so the audience won't get confused. If your character is more serious, then they will use less slang and perhaps a more impressive vocabulary. If your character is more relaxed, they will use more slang and compress the words. (such as "dunno," "kay," "y'know," etc.)
Basically, you want their tone to match their traits so the way that they talk is more realistic and personlized to themselves. If the way all your characters speak is the same, there's something wrong. A strong tip is to put yourself in your character's shoes and imagine how they would respond!
>> Take the situation into consideration:
This is another part of keeping your characters in, well, character. Different emotional situations will have a different effect on separate people, so make sure that you have an idea of how your character will act during stressful, irritating, and sad times.
If your character is normally cold, they will struggle if it comes to comforting other people because they have less experience in that field.
>> Don't take too long with their words:
Unlike when narrating something, most people talk just to get the idea across. They will be more specific and quicker with what they say. (This excludes any character who likes to talk a lot.) Unless it's on purpose, they won't dance around the topic. Think of when you casually chat with your friends; you're pretty unlikely to use certain words and/or phrases that might be common to use while narrating.
If you want to explain something complicated, instead of writing out a paragraph of just one person talking, use a question-and-answer prompt! This is where another character continuously asks related questions that get answered by another person, so you can indirectly reveal your explanation.
*** HOW TO WRITE A SMOOTHER CONVERSATION AND DIALOGUE TAGS***
>> Having a variety of dialogue tags:
This is a pretty basic thing to look out for if you're new to writing conversations. Using words like "said," every other sentence can easily make it feel choppy and robotic. Instead, use words like "murmured," "smirked," etc. to paint some emotion into their words. Additionally, vary the location of the dialogue tags! They don't all have to go after the statement, you can include something in the beginning or even the middle, too!
Examples:
Beginning - She tilted her head, "What are you talking about?"
Middle - "Oh," he blinked, "I actually never thought about that."
End - "Wait up!" She exclaimed loudly, waving her hands around.
>> Using no dialogue tags to create a smooth conversation:
Having too many tags can also overwhelm your reader--remember, sentence variety is a crucial part of writing--so you can always drop them if they're unneeded. This applies when your characters (two is the suggested amount) are talking back and forth in a pattern straightforward enough for the reader to understand who's talking without it having to be labeled.
Dropping dialogue tags in these moments can create a smoother atmosphere during the conversation because the reader only has to focus on the talking present.
*** USING SLANG, STUTTERS, FILLER WORDS, AND PAUSES ***
Human speech is often not perfect; when talking, we often make mistakes such as filler words, grammatically incorrect phrases, etc. Hence, for more natural-sounding dialogue, it's important to incorporate some of these.
>> Pauses and stutters:
When reading dialogue, we read it at a steady pace unless it's written otherwise. However, that steady pace can soon get too robotic and too smooth. Luckily, there are several ways to change this! You can use dialogue tags, (ex: she quickly spoke) commas, and ellipsis (...). These are often integrated when the character is hesitant, nervous, answering something, or when they need to admit something. The same idea applies to stutters--they're mainly used to demonstrate anxiousness, which can be found in varying situations.
>> Filler words and slang:
Filler words can really just be used where you see fit. They may be used in the situations I previously mentioned (because it shows someone stumbling over their words) but it's ultimately up to you!
Slang, just like everything else, should not be used too often, or it will seem forced and exaggerated. The point is to sound natural, and increasing amounts of repetitiveness can ruin it. It's also important to remember that in real life, our conversations move slower; when someone speaks, another person usually doesn't respond quite literally, right after. However, in writing, dialogue can actually often seem that way, which is why using tags and these imperfections of speech is pivotal for building a realistic conversation!
*** CONCLUSION ***
Lastly, a key point when writing dialogue is to ALWAYS read the conversations! Whether it be in your head or out loud, it can often help you catch anything that seems off! Additionally, like I mentioned at the very beginning, write dialogue from your character's perspective! Imagine yourself as them and how they/you would talk. Try to keep your dialogue tags, sentences, and word use varied to create a natural conversation!
If you were struggling before, I hope that this (extra) long guide was able to really offer you some insight and useful tips! If you read this far, thank you!
Happy writing~
3hks <3
#writing#writeblr#writerscommunity#writing tips#creative writing#writing advice#writing inspo#dialogue#writing dialogue#writing dialogue tips#dialogue tips#how to write dialogue#how to write smooth dialogue#how to write natural dialogue#tips on writing dialogue#tips on writing smooth dialogue#tips on writing realistic dialogue#how to write realistic dialogue
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Hi, I keep thinking about writing some things. I found your perspective about doing it, very intuitive. Hope you don't mind if I follow your posts. Have you thought about using AI? I put in some characters and plot summations and the thing took off with a story that could be modified.
Hello! Of course I don't mind you following my posts, I'm very happy about it, as a matter of fact. Thank you! (idk anyone who wouldn't be happy lol) To answer your question, I have thought about writing using AI; however, I believe that the product won't be as genuine as a human's. It's like art, though AI is getting increasingly impressive at creating art, it's really just not the same as the works that real artists create. If you have ideas about writing something, I think that instead of using AI, you should give it your own shot and see how it plays out! As cringe as it may sound, writing is more than a finished product--it's a process. Thank you for reaching out, hope this was able to help in some way!
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Tips on Writing a Romance Novel
Romance is a pretty popular genre, but most of the time, it is used as a subgenre for the characters. So how do you write a complete romance novel, where it's the center of the story? Well, here are some tips!
Note: these may seem like advice for more stereotypical books of this genre. However, you are not asked to use all of them, and these tips don't only have to be used when romance is the core of the story!
>> Make sure that the romance involved is connected to the conflict. What does this mean? While some books include romance, not all of them actually impact the plot. They add some stuff, sure, but the novel could definitely continue without it.
To fix this, create a conflict that can be at least partially resolved by someone, while love follows. Basically, the significant other helps resolve any physical issues (if present), while their presence and relationship help fix any internal struggles that the main character may have. And sometimes, the conflicts are caused by the love interest, but a similar idea applies--someone (can be the same or different person as the love interest) interjects to help. Overall, the solution to the problem cannot be solved by the main character alone, which is why a significant other is needed to assist in resolving the issue on hand.
Here are some examples!
The (main) character feels unwanted and struggles against their feelings of loneliness.
The (main) character is overcoming a conflict with their family and/or friends and feels unsupported.
The (main) character is having a difficult time overcoming a loss and finds themselves going in circles without said person.
See? Even with these simple, emotion-related examples, having another person around can help solve some of the problems present! Now, if you want to, just add a physical conflict on top of that!
>> Make sure the romance involved is connected to the characters. Romance itself does little for the characters; it can come from anyone. The magic comes from the love interest themselves, and romance is just the whipped cream on top of the sundae. However, that does differ from character to character and from book to book--for some books, a relationship will have a stronger effect on the plot, while that won't be true for other stories. Still, the love interest must have some noticeable impact on the main character.
That being said, the love interest and/or romance in your book needs to inspire a positive change in--at the very least--the protagonist and/or themselves. This could be a change in personality, thinking, self-view, actions, or even how they live their life.
>> Keep an eye on the pacing. I'm sorry to say this, but no matter how fast you want your favorite characters to get together, do not rush the process. Yes, a character can most definitely fall in love at first sight, but there are two people in a relationship and at first, the second will more than likely not feel the same way. Take some time to build up their connection before they establish a relationship so it feels more realistic.
Additionally, characters who are uninterested in love, distant from people, or struggle to grasp the idea that they could be loved will need more time regarding romance.
On the flip side, however, you also do not want to drag the story out for no reason. This will make your readers lose interest and is pointless to your plot.
>> Keep the relationship realistic. When two people start dating, there are two main changes: they are able to physically and verbally demonstrate their affection, and they are more open with each other. With that being said, your characters should not suddenly switch personalities, if the characters aren't the type to be all lovey-dovey, then they aren't going to suddenly be all over each other in a relationship.
Having a couple that seems 'too good to be true' to the reader can make them doubt if they're being completely honest and real with each other. A beautiful relationship can most definitely exist, but it must be correctly suited to the characters. Keep in mind that not all people's love language is verbal. Some of them are small actions, gifts, and/or spending time together.
>> Tie up all the loose ends. When your story is coming to an end, make sure you have cleared up everything. Verify that you have confirmed their relationship and any problems between them need to be resolved through some sort of communication and action. This way, you can show that their relationship is healthy and will last quite some time!
Boom! These are my tips regarding this genre! Make sure that the romance is connected to the plot and characters, be careful with your pacing, keep the relationship realistic, and tie up all the loose ends! Hopefully, this was able to provide some sort of guide to help those who struggle with writing these things! Thanks for checking this out!
Happy writing~
3hks <3
#writing#writeblr#writerscommunity#writing tips#creative writing#writing advice#writing inspo#romance#how to write romance#romantic genre#how to write the romance genre#tips on writing romance#tips on writing a romance novel
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How to Get Better at Writing Without Actually Writing
Are you looking to improve your writing without needing to write? I'll admit, I am definitely that kind of person--I have the hardest time even finding something interesting to write--despite that, I have noticed that my writing has vastly improved over the past year or two when it was hardly a hobby, and here's how I did it!
ANALYZE DIFFERENT WORKS
Yes yes, everyone tells you to READ, READ, and READ, even I will agree. However, unlike what some people tell you, you don't actually have to read all those classics like Heart of Darkness or The Hobbit. Of course, those books are very beneficial, but if you find no interest in those types of books (like me), then don't read them!
If you prefer reading casual stories posted by online authors, whether it be a fanfiction or their own, original story, it still qualifies as reading! As long as you are able to find a work that you particularly enjoy, that's all you need!
When reading, the key to improving at writing is to always study the story. Take a moment to look at certain words or phrases that stick out to you. How does the author use them? What do they mean? Keep track of the characters' development and how it affects them. Additionally, note things like powerful scenes, dialogue, and more to have an idea of how you can create something just as impactful. For example, if a text made you cry, think about how and why you reacted like that. This can actually help you re-create events that hold the same effectiveness, if not more!
To add on, if you really dislike reading just that much, then you can always analyze things like shows, movies, etc. However, this will prove to be less efficient because you often don't get access to the text behind the shows. Still, it's a good way to study the plot, characters, character developments, dialogue, and relationships!
2. PROOFREADING
No, I'm not saying that you should be an editor; this actually ties back to my first tip. Remember how I said that if you don't want to read classics, then don't? Well, this is because forcing yourself to read them is completely unnecessary (unless you like them or want to write like the author, of course). As a matter of fact, reading poorly written stories can be very helpful for improvement!
When we read books or novels that have obvious grammar errors, repetitive words, and choppy sentences, we will realize these mistakes and point them out to ourselves. Being able to scout out faults means that we are able to learn from them and grow! Noticing these things will also help prevent you from making the same or similar mistakes!
3. STUDY TIPS ONLINE
I used to go search up websites on Google whenever I wanted help with a certain topic. Of course, not all of the sites are reliable and/or helpful, but some point out good ideas that a couple of us just need! This can be especially useful regarding the things that we are unfamiliar with when writing. They can offer a base foundation and tips on how to start and finish!
They can also serve as a great inspiration for fresh ideas and new perspectives!
Yes, these three tips are pretty simple; however, I have found that they work very well for me! People vary from person-to-person, so it can't be guaranteed the same effect, but this is the best I got! HAPPY VALENTINES DAY! <3
Happy writing~
3hks :)
#writing#writeblr#writerscommunity#writing tips#creative writing#writing advice#improve at writing#improve at writing without writing#writers on tumblr#writer tips#get better at writing#get better at writing without writing
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Foreshadowing II - Dialogue Prompts
This is part two of my Foreshadowing I post! As promised, these are only dialogue prompts!
"Don't forget my name, (name). Soon, we'll meet again."
"You're gonna be the death of me!"
"Y'know, if you keep (name or verb), it's going to be the reason for your demise."
"You should quit while you're ahead, it only gets worse."
"I promise that..."
"If you ever left me, I think that I would die."
"I don't think it could get any worse."
"The way things are going now, in the future, you're gonna..."
"I'll never leave you."
"Later on, you'll regret doing this."
"Don't worry 'bout it! I'll protect you, even if it's the last thing I'll do."
"Your fortune says..."
"You know, you should consider doing/being (an occupation, hobby, etc.)
"Do you ever just wanna... leave? Like, quit?"
"Hmmm, who do you think would die first?" "You." "Absolutely not! I can't believe that's your response!"
"Don't go, I have a bad feeling about this..."
"Everything's gonna come to an end some day. You have to accept that."
"There are consequences to this, y'know. You sure you still want to risk it?"
"You can't help everyone, (name), and at this rate, you can't even help the ones closest to you."
"I don't mind dying if I die to you."
"I wish that..."
#writing#writeblr#writerscommunity#writing tips#writing inspo#creative writing#writing advice#angst#foreshadowing#foreshadowing dialogue examples#foreshadowing examples
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What do you think you need most help with? (Writing)
Hi! On Jan 31st, 2024, we hit a pretty major (In my humble opinion lol) follower milestone! I personally feel that it'd be much more appropriate to celebrate a milestone with a different post! Hence, I'm hosting a poll to see what you all want tips for the most!
#writing#writeblr#writerscommunity#writing tips#writing inspo#creative writing#writing advice#thank you#writing poll#poll
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Angst Tip 2: Dealing With a Loss (The 5 Stages of Grief)
When writing a loss, it is very important to know how to do it right, because they are a great prompt for angst! A poorly-written one won't have the intended effect, and the audience won't feel the emotion nor impact of the event. And as brutal as it is to say this, when writing depressing scenes, the ultimate goal is to make your reader cry.
So, in this post, I'll explain the 5 stages of grief and the foundation for a character going through a loss! Note that this does not always have to apply to one's death; this could mean one losing their job, or getting a terminal illness. Furthermore, these are not necessarily my personal tips, but mine do fall into certain places of the stages! Lastly, I'm not a professional on this topic, and this is not for psychology, but I did research on this!
First stage: Denial. The shock that comes with losing something can have a great impact on a character. Following that is typically denial. Their reluctance to accept reality often has the character living in their own delusion; where they never actually lost anything in the first place, and that it'll be fixable. Normally, their wake-up call comes from another person, or just a sudden realization.
Second stage: Anger. Anger comes in different forms for different individuals, but in the end, the emotion is still somewhere present. Depending on the situation, the anger could be directed towards other people, the one they lost (if said person made a bad mistake that was the reason for their demise), and/or themselves. Self-blame often comes last, and is the transition for the second and third stage!
Third stage: Bargaining. This stage consists of the character slowly, but not fully, accepting the loss. Now, they're not only aware of what happened, but are also aware of how they could've avoided it. During this time, their mind is often flooded with hypothetical "ifs," and how it could've prevented the event from happening. Self-blame and over-examining their mistakes are the key here.
Fourth stage: Depression. As realization sinks in, so does the mourning and grieving of the cycle. By now, the character should be fully aware of what happened, and that it is hardly fixable. Because of this, they normally fall into some sort of depression. It will look different for different characters--some might feel miserable, some might feel numb--but in the end, it's still their form of grief.
Fifth stage: Acceptance. Lastly, the fifth stage is acceptance. This doesn't always mean that they've moved on, it simply means that the character has come with terms with what happened. More often than not, the event will still have a lasting impact on your character. It can be positive, negative, or both. Either way, some sort of change should be present.
There you have it! The 5 stages of grief: Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance! Each stage should now be clear, and if you were ever struggling to create a realistically sad death or event, this should be of some help! Now, tell me, do you think that there's 5 stages of grief, or 7?
#writing#writeblr#writerscommunity#writing tips#writing inspo#creative writing#writing advice#how to write deaths#angst tips#angst#how to write sad events#grief#stages of grief#5 stages of grief#writing the stages of grief#writing the 5 stages of grief#writing angst#writing depressing stuff#sad
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7 Ways to Hook Your Readers
How do you start a story? Why, you start it with a hook! A hook is something that intrigues the reader and has them enthralled. Sometimes, the first sentence is the hardest one to form, so here, I'll give you some examples on how to hook your audience into your story!
>>> A question: This is a pretty well-known tactic: starting off with a question for your reader has them thinking how they'd answer; hence, pulling them further into your work. If you want, your character can answer the question too! However, the question must be relevant to your story.
>>> A idiom/quote/saying: Sayings are commonly used, though one can find them controversial at times. Regardless, the majority of people understand what the meaning behind them are; and because of that factor, along with its popular usage, proverbs quickly attract readers' attention while giving some insight to your character.
>>> One-word starter: This one is pretty simple, and if you really don't have any ideas, maybe give this one a shot! The hook is simply one word (or even a short phrase) that portrays a strong part of your character. Its out-of-context and vagueness trigger interest in your reader.
>>> Starting action: Like the one-word starter, this hook seems contextless, but it's a quick way to captivate your reader and have the suspense emerge! Example: "Blood covered the ground like a thin blanket, staining the once-clean quartz with a shade of scarlet. A pair of depthless eyes seemed to burn a hole into the last person in the room; a messy, pitiful, scrambling figure."
>>> Dialogue: By now, it should be obvious that your hook should be enthralling and evoke interest in your reader. Opening with compelling dialogue can help introduce the plot and characters of your story!
>>> Interesting Introduction: Is there something special about your character? Introductions can be difficult to sneak in, but not when it's a hook! Make a short description consisting of several defining traits of your character, and be sure to add the special thing about your character as a twist to snag your reader's attention! Additionally, you can be creative with this! An introduction doesn't have to come from your main character, it can come from another character describing the protagonist!
>>> Setting: Does the setting have a strong influence on the story? Even if it doesn't, beginning with a descriptive setting can slowly captivate your audience!
Alright! These are seven ways to hook your reader: a question, a saying, one-word, action, dialogue, an introduction, and a setting! Of course, there are many more ways, so explore around!
Happy writing~
3hks :)
#writing#writeblr#writerscommunity#writing tips#writing inspo#creative writing#writing advice#thank you#types of hooks#hook your reader#how to hook your reader#ways to hook your reader#starting a story
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