nightlylaments - Tumblr blog

nightlylaments · 1 month

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oc asks: not-so-nice edition

alone: How does your OC deal with loneliness? Have they ever been completely alone before? How do they act when there's no one around to see them?

betrayal: Has your OC ever been betrayed by someone they thought they could trust? Has your OC ever betrayed someone who trusted them?

bound: Has your OC ever been imprisoned or captured? What happened? How did they get out? Did the experience leave any scars?

break: What would cause your OC to break down completely? What do they look like when that happens? Has anyone ever seen them at their lowest?

desire: What's one thing your OC wants more than anything in the world? Are they open with that desire? Why or why not? What would they do to fulfill it?

failure: What's your OC's greatest failure? Have they been able to move past it? Does anyone else know about it?

fear: What is your OC's greatest fear? What do they do when confronted with it? Are they open with their fear, or do they hide it away?

future: What's the worst possible future for your OC? Are they taking steps to avoid that outcome? Are they even aware it's a possibility?

ghost: Who or what haunts your OC? What happened? How do they live with their ghosts?

guilt: What is your OC guilty about? How do they handle their guilt? Do they try to avoid guilt, or do they accept it?

hate: What does your OC hate? Why? How do they act towards the object of their hatred?

heartbreak: Have they ever had a relationship that ended badly? Experienced some other kind of heartbreak? What happened?

hide: What does your OC hide? Why do they hide it?

hunt: Who or what is your OC hunted by? A person, a feeling, a past mistake? Is your OC able to let their guard down, or are they constantly alert?

mask: Does your OC wear a mask, literally or figuratively? What goes on beneath it? Is there anyone in their life who gets to see who they are under the mask?

midnight: What keeps your OC up at night? Do they have nightmares? Fears? Anxieties? What do they do in the small hours of the morning when they should be sleeping?

mistake: What's the worst mistake your OC ever made? What led to them making it? Have they been able to fix it? How have they moved on?

monster: Is your OC monstrous in any way? Is there something that makes them monstrous? Are they aware of their own monstrosity? Do they accept it or reject it?

nightmare: What does your OC have nightmares about? How do they deal with their nightmares? Do they tell people, or keep it to themself?

pain: What's the worst pain your OC has ever felt? Do they have a high pain tolerance?

secret: What's one secret your OC never wants anyone to know about them?

skin: How comfortable is your OC in their skin? Do they grapple with anything that lives inside them—a beast, a curse, a failure, a monster? How do they face the smallest, weakest, most horrible version of themself? Are they able to acknowledge it at all?

torture: Has your OC ever been tortured? Would your OC ever torture someone else?

wound: How does your OC handle being wounded? Are their wounds mostly physical? Mental? Emotional? What's the worst wound your OC has ever experienced?

#oc ask game

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nightlylaments · 3 months

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WIP Teaser

Title: Of Harlequins and Heartbreak*

Tagline: Alice in Wonderland meets Harley Quinn

Genre(s): romance, Afro futurism, post-dystopia (fusion of dystopia and apocalyptic),

Tropes/Themes: lovers to enemies, revenge arc,

Target Word Count: TBD

Status: planning

Summary: In the year 2099, food is the greatest resource. Ever since the cataclysmic events of Overload Day 30 years prior, the global south has been cut off from the global north in many ways, the most serious being food distribution. After many periods of unrest and instability, three culinary families took control of the former island territories and formed the Confederation, ruling it with an iron fist and a spotless butcher knife. Allison Chambers is an inquisitive journalist trying to maintain some order in her chaotic life. Her longtime boyfriend David Flowers is an engineer in the service of the Lestairs, the most powerful and influential of the three families. When she discovers their motives behind hiring David and other engineers, she sets out to create the biggest expose of the 21st century. Having caught wind of her activities, the furious Lestairs give David an ultimatum: eliminate his girlfriend or lose his job. With a heavy heart and guilty conscience, he chloroforms hers and throws her body in the harbor. His efforts were not successful and Allison manages to survive and swim back to shore. She now has two goals: stop the Lestairs’ plan and get revenge on her ex-boyfriend. Easier said than done. How far will Allison go to uncover the truth? And why was it ever buried in the first place?

Developing Tag List (ask to be added): @toribookworm22 @briannaswords @avocado-frog @nightlylaments @mjparkerwriting

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nightlylaments · 3 months

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WTW RELATIONSHIPS WEEK ↳ protagonist & antagonist

Nezi'a Vasily

Nezi'a was a Kimena in Mundanus clothing. Living two lives, both as tragic as the other. As she’s grown older and seen the worst of the world, she found that the stars are the only constant. They are always there when she needs them, always twinkling and shining. She hates them, and she loves them, but at least they never leave her.

Sadad Hael

Sadad is driven by want. As a prince, his every wish was granted until he met a girl immune to his charm. Driven by hate that he thinks is love, he takes and takes from her until she is a shell of her former self, weak and trembling under his stare. In his mind, she belongs to him, and he will do whatever it takes to keep her trapped in his golden cage.

taglist @bikaribechic

send an ask to be +/-

psd template by @notoriousaesthetics

#WTWEVENT #WTWCOMMUNITY #w.swot #c.events #wtw relationship week #oc: nezi'a #oc: sadad

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nightlylaments · 3 months

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GAME (coming early 2024) | PINTEREST | SPOTIFY

Misfortune begets misfortune; evil will prey upon itself. Just as how the fox cannot live without the rabbit, the predator must understand what rises will fall.

Long before you were born, the Great Calamity, a calculated effort by Magyo cultists nearly wiped out the entirety of the Jungpa sects. If not for the noble sacrifice of the peerless Sword Saint of the Mount Hua Sect: the Divine Blade, Yeo Jinhu, demonic forces would have rent the heavens and the earth asunder.

Despite his triumph, nothing would ever be the same – the losses were staggering, the task of rebuilding the sects to their former glory seemed to prove an insurmountable challenge. Yet nearly two decades after his death, peace returned to the land once more.

After the death of your parents, you lead an ordinary, if not monotonous, life as the playmate of the spoiled young master of the Mount Hua Sect. However, all is not what it seems. Following the mysterious arrival of an amnesiac with strange abilities, whispers of a plot brewing in the shadows start to surface, and the world as you know it begins to fall apart around your feet.

Suddenly confronted with the uncertainty of the future, you must unravel the tragedy of what truly conspired all those years ago before you risk losing all you hold dear.

tosahobi (18+) is a muhyeop choose-your-own adventure game centered around elements of korean folklore and taoism in a tale of family, grief, and heritage.

play as a customizable main character: choose their physical appearance, gender, pronouns, sexuality, and more.

explore different relationships: from platonic to romantic to familial, build a variety of relationships with the cast (and hopefully make more friends than you do enemies.)

choose from different skill sets: pick between medicine, weaponry, tactics, and hand-to-hand combat. each field comes with its own advantages and disadvantages that affect multiple scenarios as the story progresses.

choice-driven story: with several routes and (many) choices, fail or succeed and find your way to an ending (whether it be happy or not.)

something is incredibly wrong: can you feel it too?

THE YOUNG MASTER

Yeo Jinwol of the Mount Hua Sect, is the youngest son of the sect leader. Contrary to his charming public demeanor, he has a childish side and can be extraordinarily stubborn. Having grown up in the shadow of his elder brothers he is fiercely protective of those he considers precious to him and struggles to measure up to the expectations placed on his shoulders. Assigned his playmate at a young age, whether you consider it fortuitous or not the two of you have been stuck together for years.

THE ENIGMA

Yul is your sajae, a disciple under the same master as you. Despite their amnesia, they're preternaturally talented at whatever they set their mind to. With strange yet unexplainable abilities that seem to stretch far beyond the scope of their powers, their missing memories may be the key to unlocking the answers you seek. Reclusive yet dedicated you'd almost think they were far, far older than their age if not for their intense sweet tooth and their tendency to follow you around like a very clingy second shadow.

THE PRODIGY

Baek Iseul, the Frozen Blade, is the rising star Emei Sect and has long been hailed as the next Sword Saint. Contrary to her cheerful personality you've never met anyone with a sharper gaze before. Hailing from obscurity, her power rivals even those who have trained for years and years, and has amassed an ever-growing collection of heroic feats under her belt. Popular and well-liked with a mischievous streak, you're really not sure why someone with such a promising future has taken a liking to you.

???

if to transcend means to leave the world behind, bind me to the soil so even long after my death, long after my body has turned to dust, i can find you once more.

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nightlylaments · 4 months

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WTW PRESENTS OUR 37TH EVENT!

To ring in the new year, WelcomeToWriteblr invites you to take part in another of our prompt events—this time shining the spotlight on the relationships between our dearly beloved supporting characters!

From JANUARY 25TH TO JANUARY 31ST create something in response to that day’s prompt and post it. You’re welcome to do absolutely anything for the prompt of the day, whether it be a drawing, an excerpt, a playlist, or a moodboard. This event is aimed to get everyone involved and we will accept all submissions!

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

Tag your posts as #WTWEVENT and #WTWCOMMUNITY

Format your posts like this: WTW RELATIONSHIPS WEEK - CHOSEN PROMPT

Wait for your post to be added to the queue.

NSFW content will not be posted to the blog.

OPTIONAL: Join our discord server if you would like to ensure your post makes it onto the blog! Tumblr’s tagging system can be unreliable and we want to make sure everyone’s creations are shared! Please note, you must be 15 OR OLDER to enter our server!

PROMPT LIST

Day 1 - Protagonist & Antagonist

Day 2 - Side Characters

Day 3 - Foils

Day 4 - Love Interest

Day 5 - Friends

Day 6 - Family

Day 7 - Wildcard

HAPPY NEW YEAR, JOIN OUR SERVER HERE! (discord.gg/earlgrey)

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nightlylaments · 4 months

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— nightlylaments. a writeblr reintroduction.

heyy, writeblr! it's been a while since I joined the community, and i've been pretty inactive, so I thought I should reintroduce myself. also, since I have more than one wip now, I thought it was time for me to make a master list even though three of them don't have any posts yet. all of my works will contain black mc's, other poc characters, and mentions of mental health. i mainly write fantasy, but i want to get into mysteries and poetry. i am also tag and ask friendly. i love talking about my wips so pls don't hesitate to ask questions. carrd | pintrest | spotify

about me.

my name is Tee, she/her, 22, and I am an African American from tx.

I'm a recent college graduate with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice

I enjoy writing fantasy, magical realism, and mysteries

in my free time, I like to read, cook, and paint. I also enjoy playing games, photography ( I have two film cameras), and listening/finding new music

my wips.

she who owns tragedy | a na dark fantasy.

a girl made of destructive magic and a boy made of shadows. their fates are tied together by prophecy, and they can either save or end the world. [ introduction ] . [ tag ] send an ask to be +/-

midnights in ebondvalley | na fantasy romance with a hint of mystery and horror.

twilight meets nacy drew in louisiana with southern gothic vibes.

the anatomy of a heart | magical realism.

romeo and juliet retelling that follows a girl from a family whose women are cursed to lose pieces of their hearts after heartbreak. chronicles the boys and men who have stolen pieces of her.

untitled | horror and magical realism.

think Jennifer's body and ginger snaps, but the mc is the token black girl, and it explores black feminine rage.

ungodly hours | gothic romance tinged horror and murder mystery.

a girl is raked with grief when her best friend is found dead, his brother wants nothing but vengeance. when the police refuse to help, he takes the case into his own hands, forcing him to make a deal he's not sure he can keep. [ introduction ] . [ tag ] send an ask to be +/-

✧ will be updated as i post/update wips ✧

#writeblr reintro #black writblr #wtwcommunity #writblr intro #looking for mutuals #writeblr friends #writeblr community #tag games #took me a month to make this.#im gonna be active this time.

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nightlylaments · 5 months

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WTW PRESENTS OUR FIRST EVER ZINE!

WelcomeToWriteblr proudly presents our very first zine, with the theme of "cycles". The zine is completely free in its entirety for anyone to read, as our wish was to highlight the amazing talents of the community we've built up over the last three and a half years. To all of our contributors, editors, designers, and readers, we sincerely thank you! The link to the zine can be found here and also in the source of this post!

BEGIN THE CYCLE ANEW, JOIN OUR SERVER HERE! (discord.gg/earlgrey)

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nightlylaments · 5 months

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Let’s pay attention to what’s happening in the Congo.

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nightlylaments · 6 months

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Writing With Color – Featured Description Posts

Some of our most useful posts on describing People of Color, all in one place.

Words to Describe Hair

Words to Describe Skin Tone

Describing Asian Eyes

Describing Wide Noses

Describing Undead & Sick Dark Skin

Describing POC and Avoiding Caricatures

Describing Unnatural Skin Tones: Green

Describing Unnatural Skin Tones: Jaundice

Indicating Race of Characters (FAQ Questions #3-4)

Not Indicating Race at All – Note: You Probably Should

Praising Beauty Without Fetishizing

Describing Characters Without Othering

Olive Skin, Race and Ethnicity

Specific Description Posts

Describing Skin as Swarthy (Spoiler alert: it’s sketchy)

Describing East Asian Skin as Porcelain (Spoiler alert: it’s also sketchy)

Describing Skin as Russet (Spoiler alert: it’s alright)

Describing PoC as Exotic (SA: it’s othering)

Describing Skin as Ebony (SA: it’s cliche)

Describing Natural Hair as Cloud-Like (SA: it’s cool)

Describing Black Hair as Unkempt (SA: it’s offensive)

Describing Black Hair as Kinky (SA: it depends)

Describing Skin as “Dark as Night” (SA: it also depends)

Describing Skin as Like Dirt or Soil (SA: See above)

Describing Skin as just “Dark.” (SA: it’s vague)

Describing Black Hair as “Nappy” (SA: it ain’t recommended)

Describing Skin With Food (SA: it’s a no-no)

–WWC

#if: writing resources #writing resources

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nightlylaments · 6 months

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Me when people make me mad:

Me at the slightest inconvenience:

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nightlylaments · 6 months

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WIP INTRO: NaNo project

"Your eyes look like tiny Moons: you are missing your pupils, and although the irises are still there, they are... iridescent. Which sounds pretty, but it makes you look dead. This was a misfire, uh?"

GENRE: Fantasy

AUDIENCE: Young adult / New adult

STATUS: Drafting

COMPS: Cottage core Over the Garden Wall meets The Owl House but the main character is blind.

TROPES: Found family, long lost twin, magical creatures, whimsical scenery, red herrings, elemental powers, the power of love, grief, self-worth, learning to accept one-self...

AESTHETIC: Light pouring through the leaves, walking barefoot, the chirping of birds, the tinkling of stars, the smell of incense and candles, ink and books, whispered spells, butterflies stuck in spiderwebs, refraction in water and glass, flowers blooming on ashes, breath in, nature is telling its secrets.

TAGS: #wip: june, #ghost gala (for a WTW event I joined).

After losing her sight due to a failed spell, Juniper almost gives up her dream of winning the Witch Trials and becoming a Sun Sage. However, there might be a solution: she could find the Wildfire Hollyhock, a powerful flower said to cure any kind of ailment and that may be able to bring her sight back. Accompanied by her friend Cináed, her not-so-friend Amaya, and her little fae familiar, she departs the Dawn Grove and ventures into a dangerous journey.

SYNOPSIS:

However, when she finds a wounded boy in the woods and learns she's not the only one searching for the Hollyhock, June discovers there may be higher stakes at value: new friends, new foes, and a sudden quest to defeat the darkness lurking in the forest. June might be the key to defeating the curses roaming free, and stopping the night from sinking the Dawn Grove into the shadows. That, if she can learn to control her powers, of course.

CHARACTERS:

Juniper: the blinded witch. Her failed spell sets off the plot, and messes with the balance of the world. For her, healing her eyes is more important than fixing what she broke.

Amaya: the healer with no powers. Living in a world where everyone can reach out to the magic energy, she feels pretty out of place, but she would never admit it.

Cináed: the fiery shapeshifter. Found as a baby in the forest, during the worst Wildfire ever seen, and taken in the Coven for protection. His sense of belonging is a little crooked.

Athame: the vampiric guide. A mysterious individual that, as a payment for being healed, offers to guide the group through the cursed lands. Hides many secrets and knows more than what it seems.

Grian: the fae familiar. They are a support for June during her trip, a light, a beacon. Happy to be here, but has some underlying insecurities.

Elowen: the long lost twin. Communicates with June through dreams, but has an agenda of her own. Probably a ghost.

DISCLAIMER:

I'm a plantser and anything could change at any given moment. Let's hope not, but if it happens, I will update this~

#others writing

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nightlylaments · 6 months

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GRACES TO THE GRAVE ⤳ aka GANG WIP; a nano '23 reintroduction

Looking at Ruth Granville, Juliette cannot help but be consumed by the desire to be simply human. To be loved for who she is and nothing more.

GENRE; alternative historical fantasy

AUDIENCE; new adult

STATUS; draft 2

COMPS; twelfth night meets the folk of the air

TROPES; enemies to lovers, gang rivalries, trio of best friends and their shenanigans, victorian era!steampunk world building, secret identities, marriage of convenience, "who did this to you?" but subverted

AESTHETIC; pomegranate juice slipping down your chin, blood on a knife, dancing in the moonlight, stolen kisses, hatred that consumes you, love that makes you cannibalistic

WARNINGS; violence, kidnapping, murder, adult content, swearing, gore and blood, cannibalism metaphors

LINKS; main tag (x) | excerpts (x)

SYNOPSIS;

Victorian London is on the precipice of destruction.

As civil war breaks out between the city’s most formidable gangs, Juliette Edevane finds herself with a daring mission: kill the leaders of the Bonellis and secure her position as heir to London’s underworld. But orchestrating the deaths of Ruth and Cassius Granville is not as simple as it may seem.

Juliette is swept into a world of murder, magic, and marriage - where a wedding between her and a long-time rival may signify the line between success and failure in her mission. Armed with such an alliance, she must navigate the dangerous waters of a London built on the blood of gang rivalries, where betrayal and death hides around every corner. And yet, with her own heart on the line, she must confront where her true allegiances lie: with her gang, with her husband, or with those she once thought to be her greatest enemies.

CHARACTERS;

juliette edevane. she/her. the jinx. a half-fae born into the night.

misty lygon. she/her. the jinx. a banshee made of death.

lun qi. he/him. the jinx. a warrior built from blood.

isaac farley. he/him. the bronze vipers. a criminal founded in sanguinity.

ruth granville. she/her. the bonellis. an assassin bathed in poison.

cassius granville. he/him. the bonellis. a wolf in sheep's clothing.

taglist under cut!

gang wip taglist: @worldsfromhoney @seasteading @lasbrumas @ikilledmyocs @redbloodprose @serpentarii @atelierwriting @moariin @socialmediasocrates @sourrcandy @anarchyandroses @halleyuhm @nightlylaments @cheshawrites @akiwitch @veneritia @n1ghtcrwler

reblog or send an ask to be added/removed!

#other people's writing

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nightlylaments · 6 months

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when lana del rey wrote "nobody's son, nobody's daughter," so i wrote a book about a girl abused by those who claim to love her and a boy whose father made him a monster being fated mates, but she hates him and he is completely obsessed with her.

#w.swot #writeblr #oc: nezi'a #oc: zyon #rant #i cant wait to start writing their romance.#she has valid reasons to hate him.#he literally snaped her neck.

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nightlylaments · 6 months

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WorldBuilding Ask Game

Here is a little ask game for WorldBuilding in your WIP to pad out one country or all of them! Use it for yourself or ask a friend and spread some love. Focus on a particular section and have fun!

Geography

What does your world look like? What's the biome? Are there different ones?

Are there any oceans? If so, are they accessible? Are they a reliable source of travel and food?

Are there any rivers in your world? Any lakes? What's the longest river? Deepest lake?

Is there a safe supply of drinking water? If not, why not?

Are there mountains in your world? What's the highest one?

What is the weather like? How does this effect life?

What animals inhabit the world? What animals are indigenous or considered exotic?

What are some natural features your world is famous for? Is your world considered beautiful?

How many countries in your world?

How are countries divided? By natural lines or by agreements?

Population

What's the population like? Is it large or sparse?

Is there any factors in population density? Do more people live in a certain area more than elsewhere? Why is that?

Are there different peoples living in your world? If so, how do they get on?

How important is nationality? Are foreigners tolerated? Or are they unwelcome?

What countries get on? What countries hate one another?

Are there any important cities? Why are they important?

What's the architecture like? Are there any outside influences?

What's a typical building material? What's considered an expensive feature to include?

What is infrastructure like? Are roads and railways in good condition?

Is there public transport? Is it reliable?

Government

What system of government does your world adhere to? Is it popular?

Where is the seat of government?

Are there different governmental agencies?

Are there political parties? If so, what are their goals?

How much control does the government have over the average person?

Can your people vote? If not, why not? If so, who has/hasn't the right to?

Are there any parties or organisations that oppose the government?

How does the government crack down on sedition?

Are people allowed to criticise the government? If so, how? If not, how do they get around it?

How are laws made? Who makes them?

Is there any odd laws in your world?

What are some punishments to crime? Are they considered fair?

What crimes are unfathomable for the people?

Who handles justice? Is justice obtainable for all?

Are there any police? What's their reputation?

What role does the military play in your world?

Who controls the army? Head of state or government as a whole?

Is it considered a good career path?

Who can join the army? Are there any restrictions?

What is your world's stance on war? Are there any neutral parties? Or particularly warlike ones?

Commerce and Trade

How is trade done?

Is currency universal or dictated by region?

How is your economy going? What effects it?

What trade is your world known for?

What are some exports? What must your world import?

Are any goods considered luxurious?

What services are available in your world? What services are niche?

What sort of work is common? Is work readily available?

Who is expected to work?

Are workers treated fairly or unfairly?

Are there any ways workers are protected? If not, what are some consequences?

Is your world more reliant on technology or on labour?

Is agriculture possible in your world? If so what can your people grow?

How big is industry? What goods can your people make?

What resources can your country exploit?

What are some barriers to trade and commerce?

Is your nation known for quality? Or Quantity?

Who does your country trade with most often? Who do they boycott?

Are there any major ports in your country?

Are there any banned goods? If so, is there a black market for their purchase?

Society

How society expect one to behave in public? Are there different expectations for different people/genders/ranks?

Is there a social order? Can one move up the ranks?

Is there any considerations made on account of rank, gender, age or position?

What is considered a social faux pas?

Are there any gestures or actions that are considered rude or socially unforgivable?

What would utterly shock somebody to see somebody do?

What are some opinions that are normal for your world but can be considered subversive in real life?

How can one rise up the status ladder? Is there much trouble to do so?

What denotes a person's place in society?

How is life different in cities compared to life in the countryside?

Daily life

Where would someone go to buy their weekly shop? Is food easy to come by?

What would be the daily routine of the wealthy? The common man?

How is hygiene handled in your world? Where does one go to spruce up?

What would be some day to day tasks one might face?

What is the favoured means of travel?

Are there any problems in your world that could effect a daily routine? Potholes? Gigantic spiders? Acid rain?

What ammenties would an average person expect to have access to?

Where would one go if they are injured or ill? What's healthcare like?

Do people feel safe where they live? Are there any places somebody might face danger?

How do people communicate? Is it difficult? Why?

What do people do for fun? What's considered normal fun versus hedonistic?

What pastimes are common? What kind aren't?

Is education valued?

Is there access to education? If so, for who?

Are the population educated? If so to what extent?

Family Life

What is the typical family set up?

Is extended family important?

Who can be considered family? Who can't be?

Is marriage considered a duty? Or is it more of a personal choice?

Is divorce possible?

Can people adopt children?

What happens to orphaned children?

Are children important? If not, why not? If so, why?

What are some typical toys children play with?

What are some games children play with one another?

How is in charge of household chores?

Is there a hierarchy in families?

Are children expected to take on certain roles?

What is the living situation like between the different ranks? Are the roles different?

What's considered the proper way to raise a child?

Culture and Languages

Are there multiple cultures in your world? How do they differ? Do they mesh well together?

How are cultures similar? How are they different?

Are there any traditions in your world? How important is tradition?

What are some rituals your culture undertakes?

Are there any special days? Events?

What are some traditional values in your world? Does it effect daily life?

Are there traditional clothes for your world? Are they something somebody wears on a daily basis or just on occasion?

Are there any rules around what people can wear?

What would be considered formal dress? Casual dress?

What would happen if somebody wore the wrong clothes to an event?

What languages are spoken in your world? If so, how do they sound?

Are there any dialects? If so, how do they sound?

Are most people monolingual? Or bilingual? Or multilingual?

Are there any languages that are closely related?

What is considered a universal language?

Religion

Is religion a thing in your world?

Is religion a staple of life or just a small part?

Does religion affect politics, personal lives and affiliations?

Is your world sectarian? Or ruled by religion?

What are some influences religion has on daily life?

What sort of religion is it? Monotheistic? Polytheistic?

What are some myths your people believe in?

What common rituals does one undertake on a day to day basis?

How does one please a deity?

Where do your people pray? How do they?

What symbols would denote a follower of a certain belief system to a stranger?

What places or objects are considered sacred?

Are there religious orders? If so, who can join?

Is there tolerance or violence over religion? If so, between which faiths?

Food and Drink

What are some traditional dishes in your world?

What would be a basic diet for the common man?

What's considered a delicacy?

Is there a societal difference in diet? What are the factors that effect diet between classes?

Is there any influence from other cuisines? If not, why not? If so, to what extent?

What would a typical breakfast contain?

What would lunch be?

What would be a typical dinner?

What meals are served during the day?

What's considered a comfort food or drink?

Are there any restrictions on who can eat what or when?

Are there any banned foods?

What stance does your world take on alcohol? Is it legal? Can anybody consume it?

Are there any dining customs? Are traditions?

Is there a difference in formal meals or casual meals? If so, what's involved?

Are there any gestures or actions unacceptable at the dinner table?

How are guests treated at meals? If they are given deference, how so?

Are there certain rules about how one can prepare food?

Are there any restrictions on eating with certain people?

How is food generally prepared by?

History

Who are some notable figures from history?

Who founded the country?

Is history looked back on with fondness? Or do your people rather forget?

Are there any heroes in history? Any villains?

What are some highpoints in the history of your land?

What are some points of history nobody likes to speak about?

Does history effect your land, people, culture, language in the present? If so in what ways?

What historic monuments are still around in the present day? What has been lost?

How do people learn about history? Do they learn the truth? Or just an abridged version?

What's a historical event that is important to the story?

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nightlylaments · 6 months

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let the world never forget that it’s AMERICAN weapons being used to wipe out Gaza. that it’s AMERICAN tax money funding this genocide while the AMERICAN president and AMERICAN leaders support this mass murder of innocent people. let the world never forget America has Palestinian blood on its hands

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nightlylaments · 6 months

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Everything You Need To Know About Writing Stab Wounds

Stab wounds are a daily occurrence for a writer. They're a common factor we constantly encounter when writing fight scenes, thrilling action sequences, and moments of intense conflict. However, let's be honest, most authors don't have personal experience with such wounds which can make their descriptions fall short without adequate research.

I'm sure you could find a variety of blogs with advice on how to write stab wounds, but here is my take on everything you need to know about writing stab wounds.

Types Of Stab Wounds

Each type of stab wound possesses unique characteristics that can significantly influence your narrative. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for crafting an authentic and engaging portrayal.

Puncture Wounds

Puncture wounds, often inflicted by sharp, pointed objects like knives or ice picks, hold a hidden danger within their seemingly modest appearance. These wounds are narrow, deep, and frequently feature a small entry point. Writers may use puncture wounds to create an element of surprise, as they can be challenging to detect, both for the victim and the reader.

Puncture wounds typically draw less blood externally due to their small entry point. However, they can cause significant internal bleeding if vital organs or major blood vessels are affected. While puncture wounds may seem less severe, their danger lies in the potential for internal damage. They can be life-threatening if a vital structure is compromised.

Puncture wounds can be challenging to identify and treat promptly. Their severity depends on the depth, location, and organs involved.

Incised Wounds

Incised wounds, often caused by slashing or cutting actions, create longer and shallower injuries compared to puncture wounds. Writers use incised wounds when they want to emphasize the emotional intensity of a scene. These wounds tend to bleed more profusely, creating a dramatic visual.

Incised wounds can result in significant external bleeding due to their larger size. The bleeding can be life-threatening if a major artery is severed. While incised wounds are often considered less dangerous than puncture wounds, the extent of damage depends on the depth and location. A deep incised wound can be severe.

Stopping the bleeding from incised wounds can be challenging, especially if a major blood vessel is affected. Immediate medical attention is crucial.

Penetrating Wounds

Penetrating wounds involve an entry and exit point, making them particularly potent in storytelling. The weapon or object not only enters but also exits the body, potentially causing severe damage as it passes through. Writers often use penetrating wounds to add a sense of urgency and criticality to a scene.

Penetrating wounds can cause substantial external bleeding due to the two entry and exit points. Internal damage can also be extensive. Penetrating wounds can vary in severity depending on the organs or structures affected. They are often considered serious due to the potential for significant internal damage.

Treating penetrating wounds can be challenging, especially if the wound involves a complex body area. Surgery is often required to address internal damage.

Sensory Description and Variations

Incorporating sensory details is essential when depicting stab wounds in your writing. Readers engage more deeply with your narrative when they can vividly imagine the sensations and emotions experienced by the characters. To add depth to your descriptions, it's essential to consider the sensory aspects and how they might vary based on the type of stab wound, weapon used, and individual factors.

Puncture Wounds

Puncture wounds often strike with an element of stealth, making them the silent intruders of the injury world. While these wounds may not result in dramatic external bleeding, they carry an inherent sense of surprise and discomfort. Writers can convey this surprise through their characters' experiences.

Puncture wounds can create sensations of initial pressure or discomfort as the weapon breaches the skin and underlying tissues. There's often a delayed realization of the injury. Characters who experience puncture wounds may feel shock, disbelief, or confusion. The absence of immediate, visible bleeding can lead to a sense of unease.

Incised Wounds

Incised wounds, with their propensity for profuse external bleeding, bring a dramatic and painful element to your storytelling. These wounds can evoke intense sensations and emotions.

Incised wounds may produce sharp, burning pain as the weapon slices through skin, muscle, and blood vessels. The character may also feel the warmth of their own blood. Characters with incised wounds often experience immediate pain, fear, and a heightened sense of vulnerability. The visible bleeding can be a source of distress.

Penetrating Wounds

Penetrating wounds, due to their dual entry and exit points, introduce shock and complexity into your narrative. Characters who endure these wounds face a range of sensory experiences.

Penetrating wounds can cause a combination of sharp, entry-point pain and a feeling of hollowness as the weapon passes through. The character might feel blood flow from both ends of the wound. Individuals with penetrating wounds often confront shock, disbelief, and a sense of their injuries being beyond their control. The complexity of treating such wounds adds to the tension.

Anatomy of a Stab Wound

To authentically portray stab wounds in your writing, understanding the anatomy of these injuries is essential. This knowledge helps you describe the injuries accurately, enabling your readers to visualize the impact on your characters. Let's delve into the key components of a stab wound.

Epidermis and Dermis: The outermost layers of the skin are the epidermis and dermis. When a weapon pierces these layers, it often results in bleeding and, depending on the depth and type of wound, visible trauma.

Subcutaneous Tissue: Below the skin lies subcutaneous tissue, which includes fat and connective tissue. Stab wounds that reach this layer may cause more significant bleeding and potentially affect underlying structures.

Muscles: Beneath the subcutaneous tissue, muscles come into play. Stab wounds that penetrate muscles can be painful and may impair the character's movement, depending on the location and severity of the injury.

Blood Vessels: Blood vessels, including arteries and veins, run throughout the body. Stab wounds that damage these vessels can result in severe bleeding, making them life-threatening.

Organs and Vital Structures: Deeper in the body, you'll find organs and vital structures. Stab wounds that reach this level can cause severe internal injuries, often requiring surgical intervention.

Understanding the anatomy of a stab wound allows you to craft more realistic and compelling scenes.

Medical Assessment and Treatment

In your writing, it's crucial to accurately portray how stab wounds are assessed and treated in a medical context. This not only adds realism to your narrative but also guides your characters' actions and reactions. Here's what you should know about the medical aspects of stab wounds:

Assessment:

Medical professionals follow a systematic approach when assessing stab wounds:

Primary Survey: This initial assessment focuses on vital signs like airway, breathing, and circulation. It helps determine the character's overall condition and whether the wound is life-threatening.

Secondary Survey: In this more detailed examination, medical personnel assess the wound itself, checking for the depth, entry, and exit points, and any potential damage to internal structures.

Treatment:

The treatment of a stab wound depends on various factors, including the wound's type, location, and severity. Common steps include:

Hemorrhage Control: Stopping bleeding is a priority. This might involve applying pressure, using dressings, or even tourniquets in extreme cases.

Wound Cleaning: Thoroughly cleaning the wound is essential to prevent infection. This is often done in a medical setting.

Surgical Intervention: Some stab wounds require surgical exploration to assess and repair internal damage. This could include repairing damaged blood vessels or organs.

Antibiotics: Infections are a concern, especially with deep wounds. Antibiotics might be administered to prevent or treat infections.

Pain Management: Stab wounds can be painful. Pain relief measures, from local anaesthetics to strong pain medications, are considered.

Psychological Support: Characters who have endured a stab wound may experience psychological trauma. Medical professionals might provide initial psychological support, but long-term counselling could be necessary.

Understanding the medical assessment and treatment process allows you to depict your characters' experiences more authentically. It also provides insight into the potential challenges and emotional responses your characters might face.

Psychological Impact

Stab wounds not only inflict physical harm but also leave lasting psychological scars. In your writing, it's essential to delve into the emotional and mental repercussions of such traumatic experiences. Here's what you should consider:

Immediate Responses:

Shock: Characters who sustain a stab wound might initially experience shock, characterized by disorientation, numbness, and a sense of unreality.

Fear and Anxiety: The threat of death or severe injury can trigger intense fear and anxiety. Characters may relive the traumatic event in their minds.

Pain: Physical pain, especially in the immediate aftermath, can be overwhelming and dominate a character's thoughts.

Long-term Effects:

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Some characters may develop PTSD, characterized by flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety triggered by reminders of the event.

Depression: The experience of a stab wound can lead to depressive symptoms, including sadness, loss of interest, and changes in sleep and appetite.

Anxiety Disorders: Characters might develop generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, or specific phobias related to knives or violence.

Survivor's Guilt: If other characters were injured or killed during the same incident, survivors might experience profound guilt and emotional turmoil.

Change in Personality: A character's personality and behaviours can change after experiencing a traumatic event. They might become more withdrawn, irritable, or hypervigilant.

I hope this blog on Everything You Need To Know About Writing Stab Wounds will help you in your writing journey. Be sure to comment any tips of your own to help your fellow authors prosper, and follow my blog for new blog updates every Monday and Thursday.

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