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lucy-ashton · 3 days
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Good Traits Gone Bad
Exploring good traits gone bad in a novel can add depth and complexity to your characters. Here are a few examples of good traits that can take a negative turn:
1. Empathy turning into manipulation: A character with a strong sense of empathy may use it to manipulate others' emotions and gain an advantage.
2. Confidence becoming arrogance: Excessive confidence can lead to arrogance, where a character belittles others and dismisses their opinions.
3. Ambition turning into obsession: A character's ambition can transform into an unhealthy obsession, causing them to prioritize success at any cost, including sacrificing relationships and moral values.
4. Loyalty becoming blind devotion: Initially loyal, a character may become blindly devoted to a cause or person, disregarding their own well-being and critical thinking.
5. Courage turning into recklessness: A character's courage can morph into reckless behavior, endangering themselves and others due to an overestimation of their abilities.
6. Determination becoming stubbornness: Excessive determination can lead to stubbornness, where a character refuses to consider alternative perspectives or change their course of action, even when it's detrimental.
7. Optimism becoming naivety: Unwavering optimism can transform into naivety, causing a character to overlook dangers or be easily deceived.
8. Protectiveness turning into possessiveness: A character's protective nature can evolve into possessiveness, where they become overly controlling and jealous in relationships.
9. Altruism becoming self-neglect: A character's selflessness may lead to neglecting their own needs and well-being, to the point of self-sacrifice and burnout.
10. Honesty becoming brutal bluntness: A character's commitment to honesty can turn into brutal bluntness, hurting others with harsh and tactless remarks.
These examples demonstrate how even admirable traits can have negative consequences when taken to extremes or used improperly. By exploring the complexities of these traits, you can create compelling and multi-dimensional characters in your novel.
Happy writing!
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lucy-ashton · 7 days
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How to show emotions
Part IV
How to show bitterness
tightness around their eyes
pinched mouth
sour expression on their face
crossed arms
snorting angrily
turning their eyes upward
shaking their head
How to show hysteria
fast breathing
chest heaving
trembling of their hands
weak knees, giving in
tears flowing down their face uncontrollably
laughing while crying
not being able to stand still
How to show awe
tension leaving their body
shoulders dropping
standing still
opening mouth
slack jaw
not being able to speak correctly
slowed down breathing
wide eyes open
softening their gaze
staring unabashingly
How to show shame
vacant stare
looking down
turning their head away
cannot look at another person
putting their head into their hands
shaking their head
How to show being flustered
blushing
looking down
nervous smile
sharp intake of breath
quickening of breath
blinking rapidly
breaking eye contact
trying to busy their hands
playing with their hair
fidgeting with their fingers
opening mouth without speaking
Part I + Part II + Part III
If you like my blog and want to support me, you can buy me a coffee or become a member! And check out my Instagram! 🥰
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lucy-ashton · 7 days
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So many ideas of fanfictions that I let go…
Countless stories that slipped away because I didn’t think I could handle them. For, when I finally dive into a project, I owe it to both myself and my readers to see it through. Such a flood of ideas… which tells me one thing: a writer's inspiration knows no bounds. This "writer's block" may seem like a looming threat, but really, it's just a temporary hiccup in one particular and individual project's journey. Think about it: as a writer, you never run out of ideas, your imagination never stops running wild for thousands of other projects that you may never start. There are endless stories waiting to be told in your mind, each bursting with potential. Sure, writers hit rough patches, but they're fleeting.
Being a writer means finding inspiration in the unexpected, in those moments that catch you off guard—that's the real beauty of it all.
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lucy-ashton · 9 days
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Ways to Skip Time In Your Stories
Finding ways to skip time in stories can feel challenging. Writers often worry it’ll make their work feel too amateur or negatively affect their pacing. 
The truth is that every author includes ways they skip time to maintain their pacing and plot. Check out a few ways to do it with confidence. 
1. Start a New Chapter
Yes, it’s really that simple. Go back to your favorite books and note how each chapter ends. You’ll likely find a few of these tricks that transition the story in ways that match the story’s flow.
Ideas to End a Chapter
The protagonist goes to sleep (likely overused, but practical)
The characters end a conversation
One character informs another of a plot twist
Unexpected action occurs, like a car crash
2. Emphasize the Season
You don’t need to tell the reader exact dates or hours to pass the time. You could mention the season instead.
If a scene or chapter ends in the summer and you need your plot to start in winter, make your protagonist mention something about the leaves changing color and giving way to snow before your action picks up again. It will only take a sentence or two, so it’s also an effective method for short stories.
3. Visualize a Movie Montage
Imagine watching a movie about a character who goes on a summer adventure. They backpack through Europe, but they have to take a flight to get there. 
You likely wouldn’t see them standing in airport security lines, napping in a terminal or watching a full movie on their flight to their destination. Instead, you’d get a montage of them driving to the airport with a shot of their plane cruising over the open ocean.
Writers can do the same thing, minus the soundtrack in the background. Describe how your character got to their destination when a new chapter or scene starts. Your readers will get the general idea and appreciate getting straight to the plot that made them pick up your story in the first place.
Here are a few ideas to do this in just a few sentences:
One delayed flight and a bad airplane dinner later, I was walking out of the Amsterdam-Schiphol Airport with an aching back and excited heart.
My trip began with the perfect flight. I got an entire row of seats to myself, which made napping through the trip much easier. A flight attendant roused me awake when it was time to land. I couldn’t believe how fast I’d arrived in Athens that quickly.
My flight was just long enough to catch up on the movies I’d been missing over the last year. The landing gear bounced along the runway in Rome just as the Barbie credits started flashing across my iPad.
4. Showcase Some Confusion
Sometimes we aren’t aware of what time it is. We only know time has passed. That might be the best way to make time pass in your story if your protagonist gets confused, caught by surprise, or otherwise discombobulated.
These are some examples:
I woke up with a bad taste in my mouth. The sun was already peaking in the clear blue sky. How long had it been since my explosive video call with my ex the night before?
The time machine landed with a thud that knocked me to the ground. The control panel exploded in shimmering sparks. What year was it?
Working a double shift always left my brain spinning. I left work, walking across the parking lot with only the stars watching my back. I could feel the hours aching in my feet, but didn’t care what time it really was. I just needed to sleep.
5. Employ a Phrase
There are many quick phrases you can use to make your time jumps immediately clear. Consider using a few of these when you feel creatively stuck:
Later that morning
A few weeks later
After months of trying
Six hours later
The following week
As the store closed for the night
-----
There are many other ways to make time pass in a story. Starting with these could help you figure out the best way to move your story forward without disrupting its pacing. 
Remember, you’re in control of your story at all times. There’s always a way through creative challenges if you take a deep breath and try something new.
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lucy-ashton · 12 days
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I’m a simple man who enjoys simple things: fantasy, politics, battles, Byzantine history, and wresting control from the rich and powerful, who continually prove that they do not have our best interests at heart. Naturally, I wrote a novel about all of that, The Abbess Rebellion, and it only took five years! Oh boy. 
One reason it took so long is the beta-reading process, which was as difficult as it was necessary. A particular thorny issue was what to do when the readers were split on whether something was a problem or not. Let me tell you about one such occurrence that turned just a few of my hairs gray!  
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lucy-ashton · 12 days
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You know, it's true.
I've had loads of people reading my fics, I can see it in the stats. But the thing is, hardly anyone leaves comments or gives kudos.
It's a bit of a bummer, honestly. Sometimes folks judge a fic based on those little kudos and comments, and that's a shame because you could miss out on a really great story just because it didn't get a bunch of notes.
comments on fanfics
I thought about writing this post for a long time and decided, fuck it, I'm gonna write this.
All over my dash I see people being disappointed because nobody is leaving comments on ao3 anymore/rebloging things on tumblr.
And the only thing I can think about this is: it's so true.
Two weeks ago I posted the epilog of my 60k words fanfic (I've been writing on it for almost a year and got some positive feedback on it) and I got ZERO comments, or kudos on the epilog.
I can see that people kicked on it, but I have no idea whether they liked it or not. (And I used to get a comment on my story now and then)
Last week I posted the first extra chapter (I planned three of these) and also got no reaction.
No I'm just sitting here, wondering if my writing is just true shit.
This is also the reason I was hesitate to post this. Maybe it's not the people and just that shithole of a story I've been writing.
Things like are just running around my head now and must say that the motivation to even finish those extra chapters is gone.
GUYS, IF YOU LIKE A FANFIC PLEASE LET THE AUTHOR KNOW, IT MEANS SO MUCH TO THEM.
So if you read a good story, not some bullshit like mine, write that comment.
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lucy-ashton · 15 days
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listen, i'm not one for confrontation, but a few of my friends and i have been receiving really mean-spirited, entitled messages for creating the fandom art we want to create at the pace we want to create it and i'm honestly so sick of it. so, a couple of reminders:
fandom is meant to be fun for everyone, so don't be a dick. it's just that easy.
fandom creators, especially writers, are often creating art for free. they are sharing it with you, not creating it for you. they're under no obligation to update to your time schedule, only create within the sphere of things you personally like, or only create for your fandom.
if you feel there's not enough of what you like in fandom, go out and make it! it's the easiest way to get fandom stuff that caters directly to your tastes. it's far more effective than harassing creators for creating what they want to create.
honestly, some people make fandom so exhausting and it really doesn't have to be.
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lucy-ashton · 18 days
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Dialogue Responses Masterlist
"Where do we go from here?" (x)
"You tell me."
"I wish I knew."
"Why do you ask me?"
"I honestly don't know."
"The only way is forward."
"Hopefully to a better place."
"Back to where we came from."
"We need to leave the past behind."
"Oh, but I'm horrible with directions."
"Doesn't matter, as long as we're together."
"I miss you." (x)
"I miss you too."
"It's just temporary."
"I wish you were here."
"We'll see each other again."
"Well, that's too bad for you."
"Just a few more days, I promise."
"One day, I won't have to leave again."
"The truth is, I don't miss you anymore."
"I'm sorry, I can't change that right now."
"This wasn't the last time we've seen each other."
"It doesn't matter." (x)
"Maybe not."
"It matters to me!"
"Maybe not to you."
"But you do matter!"
"It used to matter to you."
"You just don't know it yet."
"But it will matter, believe me."
"Well, I would say it does matter."
"You can't hide behind this facade forever."
"Don't you see that there are people who care?"
“How are you?” (x)
“Fine.” (A lie)
“I’m fine.” (Honest)
“I have been better.”
“Not that bad actually.”
“Why would you even care?”
“I’ve been feeling worse before.“
"I feel like I should ask you that.”
“Well, it’s so nice of you to ask…”
“I’m doing quite well at the moment.”
“Probably a lot better than you look like.”
"I need your help." (x)
"Where's the body?"
"What's the problem?"
"You never ask for help."
"You can always count on me."
"Tell me what to do and I'll do it."
"You know I will always help you."
"Why does that sentence scare me?"
"That's a sentence I have heard before."
"Why do I feel like this is more than a small favour?"
"It seems to be important, if you are willing to ask me."
“What do you need?” (x)
“You.”
“A hug.”
“Motivation.”
“I just don’t know.”
“Fresh air to breathe.”
“Some tissues, please.”
“Nothing you could give me.”
“Just a very small favour, I promise.”
“A small moment to just be by myself.”
“Silence, but that seems too much to ask for.”
“I have a plan.” (x)
“Finally!”
“Tell me what to do.”
“Alright, let’s hear it.”
“Can’t make things worse.”
“Hopefully it’s a good one.”
“I’m scared to find out what it is.”
“Does it involve staying unharmed?”
“Great, now we’re even more screwed.”
“Why do you sound so happy about that?”
“Great timing, because we desperately need one.”
“There is something I wanted to tell you…” (x)
“I’m listening.”
“And here we go…”
“Don’t even bother.”
“Let’s get it over with…”
“Stop being so ominous.”
“You’re making me nervous.”
“I already know. And I do too.”
“Psst. You don’t need to say it.”
“Why do you look at me like that?”
“I think I already know where this is going.”
“What is wrong with you?” (x)
“It’s a long story.”
“Very good question.”
“Oh, so many things.”
“Too many things to count.”
“Well, thank you for asking…”
“I’m tired of defending myself.”
“Don’t act like I’m the problem!”
“How much time do you have?”
“Do you really want to find out?”
“Nothing, but what is wrong with you?”
“Do you feel better now?” (x)
“A tiny bit.”
“I feel worse.”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Surprisingly yes.”
“Not even a little bit.”
“Would you feel better?”
“I don’t even know anymore.”
“Actually yes, I do feel better.”
“Yes, but stop laughing at me.”
“I don’t think I will ever feel better again.”
“I feel like I’m losing you.” (x)
“I will never leave you.”
“You need to let me go.”
“It’s not losing, it’s evolving.”
“I will always be here for you.”
“I don’t want go, but I have to.”
“You’ve already lost me a while ago.”
“What am I supposed to answer you?”
“And you are still not fighting to keep me.”
“A little late to realize that you want me around.”
“You’re not losing me, I was never yours to be lost.”
“What are we?” (x)
“Probably stupid.”
“Lost. And desperate.”
“I don’t know anymore.”
“Why do you ask me that?”
“Tough question to answer.”
“What would you like us to be?”
“Human. At least I hope we still are.”
“Not the right time for that question.”
“I would like us to be more than friends.”
“Nothing anymore. We are nothing to each other.”
“Jealousy doesn’t look good on you.” (x)
“You know you love it.”
“Shut up, I’m not jealous.”
“Then don’t make me jealous.”
“Everything looks good on me.”
“Jealous? Over you? Oh, please.”
“Really? It looks great on you, though.”
“Jealousy? That word is not in my vocabulary.”
“There is no reason for me to be jealous, right?”
“As if I would be jealous over you. I mean of you.”
“You’re right, it does suit you much more than me.”
“I think you are in love.” (x)
“Oh, hell no.”
“Is that what it is?”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“And what do I do now?”
“This is so embarrassing.”
“Shit. I’m in love with them.”
“Don’t say a word to anyone!”
“Definitely not. Doesn’t sound like me.”
“In love? I don’t have time to be in love.”
“But I hate them. I am in hate with them.”
“Can we talk?” (x)
“Sure, what’s up?”
“That would probably help.”
“What is there to talk about?”
“Oh, so now you want to talk?”
“You’re making me nervous now.”
“Not right now. Later I’ll be all ears.”
“You’re scaring me. Is everything ok?”
“This is not the right moment for this.”
“Actually no. I don’t want to talk right now.”
“I think we’ve all said what we wanted to say.”
“Are you afraid of me?” (x)
“You wish.”
“Sometimes.”
“Why would I?”
“Should I be afraid?”
“Nah. You’re a big softie.”
“Do I look like I am afraid?”
“I will never be afraid of you.”
“Would that change anything?”
“Yeah. I mean, kinda. Definitely.”
“Do you want me to be afraid of you?”
If you like my blog and want to support me, you can buy me a coffee or become a member! And check out my Instagram! 🥰
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lucy-ashton · 21 days
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Tumblr media
Akira Toriyama has passed away... May he rest in peace. Thank you so much, sir. For everything.
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lucy-ashton · 27 days
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How to show emotions
Part IV
How to show bitterness
tightness around their eyes
pinched mouth
sour expression on their face
crossed arms
snorting angrily
turning their eyes upward
shaking their head
How to show hysteria
fast breathing
chest heaving
trembling of their hands
weak knees, giving in
tears flowing down their face uncontrollably
laughing while crying
not being able to stand still
How to show awe
tension leaving their body
shoulders dropping
standing still
opening mouth
slack jaw
not being able to speak correctly
slowed down breathing
wide eyes open
softening their gaze
staring unabashingly
How to show shame
vacant stare
looking down
turning their head away
cannot look at another person
putting their head into their hands
shaking their head
How to show being flustered
blushing
looking down
nervous smile
sharp intake of breath
quickening of breath
blinking rapidly
breaking eye contact
trying to busy their hands
playing with their hair
fidgeting with their fingers
opening mouth without speaking
Part I + Part II + Part III
If you like my blog and want to support me, you can buy me a coffee or become a member! And check out my Instagram! 🥰
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lucy-ashton · 29 days
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Hi, Tumblr. It’s Tumblr. We’re working on some things that we want to share with you. 
AI companies are acquiring content across the internet for a variety of purposes in all sorts of ways. There are currently very few regulations giving individuals control over how their content is used by AI platforms. Proposed regulations around the world, like the European Union’s AI Act, would give individuals more control over whether and how their content is utilized by this emerging technology. We support this right regardless of geographic location, so we’re releasing a toggle to opt out of sharing content from your public blogs with third parties, including AI platforms that use this content for model training. We’re also working with partners to ensure you have as much control as possible regarding what content is used.
Here are the important details:
We already discourage AI crawlers from gathering content from Tumblr and will continue to do so, save for those with which we partner. 
We want to represent all of you on Tumblr and ensure that protections are in place for how your content is used. We are committed to making sure our partners respect those decisions.
To opt out of sharing your public blogs’ content with third parties, visit each of your public blogs’ blog settings via the web interface and toggle on the “Prevent third-party sharing” option. 
For instructions on how to opt out using the latest version of the app, please visit this Help Center doc. 
Please note: If you’ve already chosen to discourage search crawling of your blog in your settings, we’ve automatically enabled the “Prevent third-party sharing” option.
If you have concerns, please read through the Help Center doc linked above and contact us via Support if you still have questions.
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lucy-ashton · 29 days
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I really think everyone needs to truly internalize this:
Fictional characters are objects.
They are not people. You cannot "objectify" them, because they have no personhood to be deprived of. They have no humanity to be erased. You cannot "disrespect" them, because they are not real.
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lucy-ashton · 1 month
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Alright.
Instead of whispered, consider:
murmured
mumbled
muttered
breathed
sighed
hissed
mouthed
uttered
intoned
susurrated
purred
said in an undertone
gasped
hinted
said low
said into someone’s ear
said softly
said under one’s breath
said in hushed tones
insinuated
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lucy-ashton · 1 month
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on the topic of not using AI for research, also be aware of using automatic Google results because they rely on AI too and don't ACTUALLY know what they're talking about
case in point: oh let's Google what flowers are safe for cats!
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Google: lilies! source? trust me bro
Lilies?
You mean perhaps the most poisonous plant for cats there is? that can cause sudden Organ Shut Down and Death? Thanks Google! Good thing I can rely on your handy suggestions so I don't have to click on any actual websites and read to make sure your information is correct! (Also tulips and daffodils will also definitely Smite your cat but I'm not sure about the other flowers)
remember just because Google or an AI is telling you something confidently doesn't mean it actually knows what it's talking about
I trust no seasoned writer or researcher does this but this is more a message to newer or younger writers or anyone with less experience with Google and how it works
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lucy-ashton · 1 month
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I had a tattoo client ask if I ever used AI to design tattoos for me. Man I spent the better part of a decade doing shitty bit work as a graphic designer and now that I have the space to do whatever I want, I'm gonna let the computer generate random garbage for me? What next should I have a computer that eats my dinner and fucks my wife?
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lucy-ashton · 1 month
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I don’t think the character-driven vs plot-driven framework is useful. However, I’ll explain what it is first, and then describe its limitations.
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lucy-ashton · 1 month
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This might be unpopular but I’m not going to use simpler vocabulary in my writing if it’s out of character for the narrator. If my POV character is a botanist, he’s going to call a plant by its name. If you don’t know what it is you can either Google it or move on just knowing it’s a plant of some sort.
I don’t like this trend of readers being angry that not everything is 100% understandable for them. I want my characters to be believable as people and sometimes people use words people outside of their field will not understand. That’s not a bad thing.
You don’t have to understand every word to get the gist of what’s happening. I’m not going to slow down an action scene to describe every weapon because someone might not know them by name. They can just assume it’s a weapon because that makes sense in the context of the scene.
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