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emipon · 2 years

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💫The Eye💫

#fanart #star wars #andor #cinta kaz #tv: andor #idk how people are tagging this series #Holy shit though #Everyone watch this show omg #The writing the acting the pacing the suspense #The lesbians !!#the Diego Luna……….#The….Marxism….#The everything #lmfao

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writergeekrhw · 1 year

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25 THINGS I’VE LEARNED IN 25 YEARS IN TV WRITING

Well, it’s actually been 30 years now, but here’s a spew I did 5 years ago on the bird app to commemorate my 25 years as a TV writer.

I’ve edited it a bit for clarity. Hopefully some of you will find it useful.

1. In TV writing (and writing in general) there is only one unbreakable rule: Thou shalt not be boring.

2. Write characters people want to hang out with for an hour or so once a week for years to come. Even if they're bad people, make them interesting, engaging bad people.

3. If your lead is a bad person, make them funny and/or sexy. Direct most of their bad behavior toward other bad people or themselves. Make them well motivated. Maintain rooting interest.

4. What makes a character special should be intertwined with what makes them struggle. Perfect people are boring.

5. Characters should complement/conflict with each other. No two characters should serve the same purpose/have the same backstory/have the same voice.

6. Cast the best actor, adjust the character to suit.

7. Give your leads the best lines/moments. No one is tuning in to watch the funny guest star. Like Garry Marshall said back on HAPPY DAYS, “I’m paying Henry Winkler $25,000 an episode. Give the Fonz the jokes.”

8. Your characters, good & bad, should reflect the reality of our wonderful, diverse world. White male shouldn’t be the default.

9. Avoid stereotypes. Stereotypes are boring.

10. If all your POV characters know some secret, the audience should know it too.

11. If your show hinges on a big mystery, know more or less what the truth is from the beginning. You can change it later if you need to, but write to a specific.

12. If your story doesn’t test your characters mentally, physically, psychologically, emotionally, or spiritually, you don’t have a story.

13. You can start by figuring out the Beginning, the Middle, or the End, but you don’t have an episode until you have all three.

14. Big suspenseful act outs (the last moments before the commercials) aren’t just a gimmick. They’re a good way to structure an hour of entertainment to make sure the audience is invested and your pacing is solid.

15. Every scene should be a consequence of the previous scene or a refutation of it.

16. A scene also needs a Beginning, Middle, and End. The end should propel the characters and/or audience into the next scene.

17. Every scene is a negotiation/confrontation between two or more characters who want different things or have different ideas on how to solve the same problem.

18. A good action scene is still a character scene. With punching. (This applies to sex scenes too, but you know, with sex.)

19. A crap page is better than a blank one.

20. It’s easier to cut than to add.

21. Good things rarely happen in the Writers Room after dinner. Go home, get some rest, write pages at home if you have to, start fresh in the morning. Writers who have a life outside the writing room are better writers. Beware the showrunner who doesn't want to go home to their family. That said…

22. Script by day one of Pre-Production. No matter what.

23. You’re a writer first. Almost nothing happening on set or in post is more important than the writing. Delegate when possible.

24. Make an extra effort to surround yourself with writers who are different from you (background, race, gender, orientation, etc). Listen to their perspectives, especially on experiences alien to you.

25. And in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make. In TV writing and life in general.

PART TWO HERE:

https://at.tumblr.com/writergeekrhw/25-things-in-25-years-part-2-25-things-ive/okjzwofyiq6i

#tv writing #tv #showbiz #writing #screenwriting #advice

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slayingfiction · 1 year

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Questions to ask your alpha/beta readers

I thought I would put together a master list of all the questions to ask your alpha and beta reader to help you improve your story.

You can choose to ask questions every chapter, every few chapters or after the whole book. This list of questions will be more generic and all encompassing for you to tailor to your needs.

Reminder: Beta readers typically receive a completed and polished version of your story. They give feedback on any last improvements based on the reader’s perspective. Alpha readers read your story or manuscript before it’s completed, usually a rough draft. Alpha readers are best if they also have some writing experience to give reader and writer feedback.

Choose some of the following questions to ask your readers:

Start:

When did you first feel the story was truly starting?

Do you like how the story started? If not, why?

Do you find characters were introduced slow enough to learn them all?

Did you find settings, different languages, and cultural differences were introduced slowly enough to not be confusing or overwhelming?

Were there any moments you found yourself going back over old exposition just to understand what was happening?

When, if at all, did you find yourself being pulled into the book?

Did the first sentence grab your attention?

Did the first few pages draw you into the story?

Did you find the opening paragraph/page interesting enough to continue reading?

Characters:

What do you like about the MC? What don’t you like? Can you name at least one relatable trait between yourself and the MC?

How did you feel about the character(s)’s growth from the start to finish of the story? Did you find there was enough? Was it believable?

Are the MC’s motivations and goals clear and strong enough?

Did you feel the MC’s fears, hopes, excitement, passions, etc.?

Did you get confused between the characters?

Were the characters believable?

Are there any characters you wish were more interesting? Why and how?

Do you feel each supporting character had their own motivations and contributed to the plot?

Are there any characters that seem cliché, underdeveloped, or stereotypical? If so, why?

Were the character relationships believable?

Did the romantic relationships build naturally, or did it feel forced?

Are there any character names that were too difficult to read or sounded too similar to others?

Were there any parts where the characters seemed to be acting out of character?

Who was your favorite character?

Which character, if any, did you wish was more present?

Which character do you care for the least?

What are your thoughts/feelings on the MC’s character arc?

Do you feel like the antagonists and/or villain is just as fleshed out and relatable as the MC?

If you had to remove one character, who would it be, and why?

Which character would you like to meet, and why?

Did you hope or dread any character relationships?

Are there any characters you found annoying and frustrating?

What are your general thoughts and feelings about the MC or supporting characters?

Which character did you find least developed?

Plot:

Which moments in the book did you find the most suspenseful?

Were there any moments in the book you found boring, lagging, or uneventful and unnecessary?

Did you find the pacing to suit the story well? Are there any areas you found moved too fast or too slow?

Was there ever a time you felt like you weren’t excited or intrigued enough to want to continue?

Did you find any plot holes? Any discrepancies in timeline, characters, descriptions, or other details?

Were there any scenes you found did not further the plot at all?

Are there any scenes or events you found to be too long or too short?

Did you find all explanations and revelations came out naturally and at appropriate times?

What was your favourite scene in the book? Why?

What was your least favourite scene in the book? Why?

Are there any chapters you found lacked conflict?

Did the action scenes make sense as you read them? Did you understand how they came to that action scene (or did they feel random)?

Where there any moments or scenes that made you feel emotional? Happy, sad, cringy and disgusted, etc.

Do you find the plot moved logically and naturally between scenes and chapters?

Are there any moments you felt detached or pulled out of the story? When and why?

Are there any events or scenes you found confusing? Either what was happening or how the characters came to that point?

Where you surprised by the plot twist?

Settings:

Which setting in the book was the clearest for you to visualize? Which do you remember the best?

Did you find the setting interesting, with vivid and real description?

Were there any scenes you thought lacked description?

Were there any moments you thought there was too much exposition, or not enough?

Did you find there were moments you didn’t know where the characters were unless stated?

Do you find the culture and historical events are realistic and add depth to the story?

Is there any exposition you found unnecessary? Are there any moments you wish you had more exposition?

Did all technology and science, or magic, make sense or seem believable?

Was there ever too much or too little description?

Dialogue:

Did you find that each character had their own personal voice when speaking?

Are there times where you couldn’t figure out who was talking solely based on how they spoke?

Is there any dialogue that sounded unnatural?

Could you see what the characters were doing and where they were while talking?

Was there any dialogue that seemed to not fit well with the story?

Was there any dialogue that you thought had too much exposition or explanation?

Did you find the dialogue kept your interest?

Ending:

Did you find the ending to be satisfying and emotionally fulfilling?

Are there any questions you had left after the story ended? (Mostly for stand-alone)

What did you hate most about the ending?

Did you find the ending believable?

Did you feel the tension building to the climax?

Was the climax worth the read, or did it feel weak?

Do you feel the ending came on naturally, or did it feel forced or rushed?

Did the book feel too short or too long?

General:

Were there parts where you found yourself skimming?

Which parts of the story did you find it easy to put the book down?

At what moment did you decide you wanted to finish the book? (If not DNF)

What are some of your favourite lines/quotes from the book?

Do you have any predictions for what you think will come next? (Good for chapters or end of book)

Is there something you hope will happen?

Is there anything you hoped would happen and was sad when it didn’t?

Did you find the map and glossary helpful? Is there anything you think would be beneficial to add, such as terms or names?

Are there any moments or scenes you found ethically and socially problematic and unacceptable.

Were there any moments in the story that made you stop and think?

Were you able to identify the story themes? Did you find the themes well developed throughout the story?

Did you think about the story when you weren’t reading it? If so, what were your thoughts?

Were there times during the story where you felt description was told instead of shown?

Does this book make you feel the same as other books in the genre when reading?

Is there anything you really enjoy from this genre that you found lacking in this story?

Did you find the story kept your attention with enough action, conflict, intrigue, and tension?

Do you find the story or writing style like other books you have read?

Are there any moments you found confusing, irritating, annoying or frustrating?

Are there any moments in the story you thought, “this could/would never happen”?

Did you have any questions after reading the book?

What are your general thoughts and feelings about the story?

Is there anything you wish there was more or less of?

What do you think were the best/ strongest aspects of this book?

What do you think were the worst/ weakest aspects of this books?

How would you describe this book to a friend?

Would you recommend this story to someone?

How likely/ eager are you to read the next book in the series?

Chapter specific

On a scale from 1-5, how much did you enjoy this chapter?

On a scale from 1-5, how eager are you to read the next chapter?

What predictions do you have for the next chapter?

What do you hope will happen next?

Please keeping in mind: Don't let another writer tell you what to change or how they would write it. You are the writer, and any changes are your decision. This feedback is only to give you an idea on which areas to improve.

*Alpha and Beta readers should be readers in the same genre that you write. People who mostly read mystery will not be good a/b readers for a romance novelist, or any mismatch. If you write romance, find a/b readers who love to read romance. Otherwise, any advice they give may not be as valuable or useful as you hope.*

If you have other questions you think would be useful to ask your readers, message me or add them in the comments so our list is comprehensive.

Happy Writing!

#writing community #writing advice #beta reader #alpha reader #writing reference #long post #creative writing #tumblr writers #writing tips #writer #female writers #wip stuff #writblr #fiction #writing process

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pendragonsclotpole · 1 month

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hi i just started watching that 911 show in the background while working thinking it would be a basic cop show/procedural drama i could play for white noise to boost my productivity like i did with all six seasons of SWAT (shout out to shemar moore’s overly passionate pecs and BECAUSE SWAT IS FAMILY speeches and that one ryan and shane cameo for getting me through my job onboarding months ago) and avoid the attention issues i get with british legal and cop dramas (shout out to the current loml rupert penry jones on silk and whitechapel, his roles as clive reader and di chandler are iconic)

and like yes. 911 is exactly that. so cringey. so feel warm-y and trite in the worst ways possible, filled with random monologues, oddly paced and placed one-liners, random quote intros that desperately try to replicate the word bangers of criminal minds, unnecessary flashbacks interspersed in the worst episode arcs ever and completely destroying the suspense, and with the weirdest combination of over-acting and under-acting in the entire fucking world that i have ever seen, and some entire scenes i just cannot stand to watch but do anyway because of how unrealistic and ridiculous they are but oh my god when this show hits its high points, it hits them

i need angela bassett’s athena grant to come and railroad my life. i want her to point her finger in my face and threaten to cuff me to my bed like she did that boyfriend in that season one episode (and yes THAT HAPPENED THANK GOD THE BUCK CENTRIC SEXY SCENES DID NOT LAST AS LONG AS SOME OTHER SHOWS COUGH SWAT COUGH BUT WHY NO MORE ATHENA?) you my friends have not lived until you’ve seen her on the other end of a huge tv screen raising her eyebrow and acting like she’s about to beat you up with nothing more than her commanding tone.

and also like all the other fucking characters.

i watched this show hoping to have inane drama and dialogue watching over me while i send emails and plan. i did not watch this show to bite my nails over maddie buckley’s psycho ex husband storyline, nor to swoon over the romance between to her and chimney (howard han i would die for you, your bg episode was so sad but so beautiful and if you had died i wouldve been so sad, yours were the flashbacks that won me over), nor to fangirl over ROBERT FUCKING NASH AND HIS GUILT COMPLEX (I LOVE YOU BOBBY), or to have my heart grow three sizes with the fucking tsunami episode

like you guys, i was on the edge of my seat, eating my dinner and actually wondering if they were about to kill off christopher diaz and break my heart and buck’s heart and ruin everything and like they didnt but now evan buckley’s character growth is such an inspiration and i just dont want him to fuck it up by trying to go back to work early and ahhhhhhhhhhh this was supposed to be a casual watch but now im writing this so im gonna have to find something else or worse go back to watching silk or whitechapel in the bg and be enraptured by rupert

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celestie0 · 5 days

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ellie's writing tips

hellooo this is just a lil masterpost for the writing tips i have collected over my time writing since it's a question i get often!! this way it's all in one place <3 this is also for my own reference to look back on when i forget them lol

tips for specifically writing long fics

on coming up with a main storyline.

planning out a general idea & premise at the beginning of the fic that helps two characters get closer to one another, such as a forced proximity, some sort of mutual agreement, a mission to complete, etc. is a great way to get the ball rolling on a fic and can create environments between characters that feels connected and necessary rather than forced

on coming up with secondary storylines.

after laying down the main groundwork, building some side storylines adjacent to the main one that will give you options down the line to play with narratively (you don't need to figure out exactly what you want to do with secondary plotlines up front, but having them in place can create flexibility in your story to pivot towards some ideas if you'd like to later in the story)

on planning chapters & scenes.

it's wise to have a general idea for your series, but it's also okay to scrap those ideas if ultimately they don't work. there will be scenes that do not make sense or fit in the way you thought they would've, and making last minute decisions is okay and totally normal. sometimes better answers will find you along the way, and it's only a testament to how well you're getting to know your own story and also your own characters. it's also okay to plan multiple path ideas for your story, and choose whichever one fits best once you get to that point. it's not necessary to have a scene-by-scene in order to start writing! planning is useful, but writing is more important

on finding motivation to continue long fics.

having certain "key" scenes planned out in the very early stages of writing that you know you will look forward to writing can help with finding motivation. it will also help you find momentum to write during points where you might have some writer's block. also, one of the best tips i have seen for writing chaptered fics, is to end your chapters when you still have a little bit left planned. so cutting it like 10% short so that you have an immediate jumping off of point that you can start with for the next chapter

my general writing tips

inspiration. starting off w a concept or idea that you already know you like from a tv show or book works really well for fanfiction! for example if you like spiderman, then you can write a canon-adjacent spiderman au w your fave character from an anime or something. and then maybe once you start writing, your own original ideas start to come into play and you go off of those. i think in the fanfic community, people adore spin-offs & mainstream concept ideas

dialogue. my biggest tip for dialogue would be to just write all of your dialogue for a scene completely stripped down. none of the “he says” & “she says” or action verbs in between, just write it all out like it was a simple text convo w quotation marks. that way the words will sound realistic because you’re only picturing a convo in your head, rather than also trying to juggle all the descriptive prose. then, you can go back in to fluff things up. if it’s meant to be comedic or a fast-paced argument, keeping it relatively stripped down is the way to go, but if it’s something intense or suspenseful then fluffing it up may be the better choice. also, i find dialogue becomes easier the more you write for a specific character, so if it’s not flowing right away, don’t worry!! their words will find you eventually once you get to know the character better :)

on choosing conflicts. characters won’t always act perfect, but i think a great way to make conflict seem realistic is for them to act in character but with flaws, rather than out of character with flaws. maybe make a list of what that character’s good qualities and how those qualities could also work against them, and use the latter to brainstorm realistic conflict that those qualities could put them in (ex: a character is self-sufficient, but that causes them to rely on ppl less when they need it -> they fail to reach out for help in timely manners and leads to mistakes/regrets)

pacing. when starting off a story, don’t be afraid to just jump straight into it! or jump straight into the dialogue and then build the scene gradually as it progresses, rather than [big block of text in beginning of scene that reader must drag their eyes through] and then get to the dialogue. make sure the pacing fits the scene (romantic -> longer paragraphs more focused on subtle details, comical -> short paragraphs n dialogue heavy w simple n relatable diction, etc)

for tone and mood. to get words flowing for different scenes, it can be really useful to get into the environment of those scenes while you’re writing, such as listening to a song that fits the vibe of the scene prior to/during writing, or if its a scene at night, write it w the lights off, or watch a youtube vid w scenery that matches. may sound silly, but it could help!

read more. this is sort of a miscellaneous one but a good way to subconsciously get better at writing is to just read more! your brain kinda learns how to write on its own when you read. also, when i’m reading, if i see words i really like i jot them down in my notes app so i have my own lil vocabulary of words that i know i would like to use in my writing

on writing insecurities. be proud of your writing!! your first draft does NOT have to be perfect. some days the words will flow, but on some they won’t, and that’s okay. don’t get too into your head about “i wonder what readers will think of this plot point or this character action” etc, i think having faith in your own process but also in your readers will bring you a lot of peace as you write :) create what you want to create and the rest will follow!! at the end of the day it’s just a hobby and you should be writing what YOU want to write!! and just get started! ☺️ that’s the easiest way to write—is to just write 🫶🏼💕

use chatgpt. looool ai can be useful in writing too! i usually only use it after i'm completed with a draft, and i just plug select paragraphs into it to see if it can come up with some better words for me to use. it's also useful to come up with logistical details for aspects of your stories for world-building etc

#writing tips #writing advice #writing #writers on tumblr #creative writing #fanfiction #writing fanfiction #just writer things #writing pointers

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circuit-if · 9 months

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I love everything about this, your writing is so good!!! The pacing through the race was on freaking point, I really felt the suspense and knowing the choices we make during races is going to affect things is so cool! All the ROs sound super interesting, I can't wait to meet everyone.

I'm also a sucker for a shared history kind of RO, I just want to grab Roman by the shoulders and shake him, so you've definitely written a compelling character there XD. What do you mean bestie doesn't want to go on an epic road trip esque racing competition circuit across the world with me? :( But I didn't know they were going to add me, I'm as surprised as you are! More even, you found out before I did! :((( I am so so excited for any future confrontation scenes even though I know I (irl) would cry in such situations lol.

Seriously though, if the roles were switched, I'd be ecstatic there turned out to be another free spot my bestie got (... even if there were potentially questionable means... we all gotta have our secrets ;) ), and I don't think I'd jump to the conclusion of cheating/some sus af sketchy deals because paperwork and logistics are beyond me :') My dumb ass would think I misheard the open spots available or some other racer dropped out lol. I'm going to hang onto that Roman friendship like a leech, I'm just imagining so much angst potential for an MC that's all puppy dog eyes, just standing in the background of Roman's interviews like 'We're still friends, right? Or if I didn't get a spot to join the circuit, would you have left without another look back and forgotten about me entirely? Maybe it's better things turned out this way, because even if you hate me, at least you're still in my life.'

Sorry this got so long, I just love this so much, your writing is seriously incredible!!

Hmm, to make this an actual ask, what would you say are the ROs giving and receiving love languages?

Thanks for the support my friend! As always, it feels great to have put so much work into the racing scene and have it pay off with just the feeling I was trying to portray.

As for that last ask at the end as well as the ask above...

Nicholas/Nadine - Words of affirmation & quality time. As in just sitting together and being able to chat somewhere for hours, just the two of you.

Roman - Quality time & physical touch. As in being able to sit together and do your own thing while occasionally leaning in for a kiss on the cheek or to lean against one another.

Sadie/Spencer - Acts of service & quality time. S. is a hard worker, so they love to treat you to little favours and insist it really isn't a big deal. They enjoy taking you on stupid dates, too <3

Carmen - Words of affirmation & acts of service. Carmen's the type to value doing little things for one another in passing that make your lives just a touch easier.

#circuit #interactive fiction #interactive novel #if #interact-if #interactive game #interactive fiction wip #circuit-if #ask #ros #roman #carmen #s.#n.

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tehaxo · 1 year

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Sweet Birthday.

rushed one shot for tighnari’s bday </3 happy bday my favorite fox boy💕

pairing: tighnari x gn!reader

warnings: none

A/N: this was really rushed… I really need to stop writing last minute. i’m not proud of this at all but i hope you enjoy it! P.S. i have requests open! dont be afraid to request pleaseee id really appreciate it :3

His birthday… It was his birthday. The day you promised yourself that you would confess your true feelings to him. Presents were prepared beforehand and a handwritten letter of your feelings for him, they were all in your bag.

You stood at the entrance to his room and observed Tighnari. His back faced you as he did whatever he was doing, perhaps some experiment to do with plants. You held on tight to the strap of your bag and gulped deeply, the ounce of confidence was long gone from your body. The fear had set in and prevented you from making any movements.

Tighnari had already heard your quiet footsteps but said not a word. He was curious as to why you were trying to be discreet.

“Master Tigh- Oh, It’s you! What are you standing here for? Go inside!”

You jumped and turned around frantically, it was Collei. She had noticed you standing there for a bit from away and guessed you were up to something. She decided to give you a hand because she couldn’t stand you being such a scaredy cat.

Tighnari also now faced the two of you, “Hello Collei, I see you’ve come back from patrol. Is there something you need?” he asked. He glanced at you, then set his gaze back on Collei. “Well, there was, but I remembered something I have to do so see you later Master Tighnari!” She waved to the both of you before running off.

You cursed to yourself and took note of her sneaky wink at you, she knew. You blushed a bit but brushed it off, you had to thank her later for this. Tighnari cleared his thought which made you look at him, “You’re smart enough to guess what I’m going to ask you,” he said playfully and raised an eyebrow.

You awkwardly laughed and placed your hand on your nape rubbing it, “I can guess, but uh…” Your other hand fiddled with the strap of your bag while you looked down at your feet in embarrassment.

He smiled at your shy behavior, he hasn’t seen this side of you a lot. He found it cute. “What’re ya stutterin’ for? Spit it out already. The clocks ticking,” he said as he crossed his arms and tapped his foot.

You walked closer to him and now stood in front of him, “Happy birthday… I know you seem a little too busy to celebrate it at the moment but I just wanted to wish you,” you said and stared into his eyes with a bright smile.

He blinked and his smile grew. Such a simple act of kindness had his heart radiating with warmth. “Thank you a lot. I appreciate that you took time out of your day to wish me, I’m usually busy on my birthday but I don’t mind. I take time for myself at the end of the day to enjoy,” he exclaimed and pat your head.

Your heart paced at his gesture. It was so sweet and it made your stomach fill with butterflies. You then quickly shook it off then decided to show the presents you got.

You walked over to his desk and he followed. He was about to speak before he watched your hand reach into your bag and pull out the gifts placing them one by one on his desk.

“I Uhm, got these for you. Flowers from Liyue and Inazuma. They reminded me of you a bit, and they were pretty so I figured you’d like them. And working gloves I made myself with the best material I could find too. They aren’t the most extravagant, but I hope you like them. I put a lot of thought into them,” you showed off the gifts to him and didn’t realize you had also placed the letter on the table.

It was the first thing he noticed and grabbed it, quickly skimming over it. You continued to explain the other little gifts you got all while he read the letter. Your gaze was away from him and you were finished explaining. You then waited for him to say something in suspense, praying he’d like the gifts.

But he stayed silent, it was silent for a bit which scared you a little. You prepared yourself and then looked at him expecting to see him disappointed but you were mistaken. His eyes were wide, and soon yours were too.

You saw the letter in his hand and you panicked. You quickly reached for the letter in his hand but he dodged it. The panic in your system turned into sadness as tears formed in your eyes, you were now embarrassed and scared.

“You like me..?”

You stepped back from him and your breath hitched, you were speechless. “I’m sorry..” were the only words you managed to say. Your fight or flight responses were now active and were telling you to run for it, but he stopped you from doing so, with a hug.

A tight embrace as he nuzzled into your shoulder, his ears squished against your face but he didn’t care. Your body froze and you stopped breathing for a few seconds. You’ve never felt so many emotions in one day, the constant shock was sure to bite you in the ass later.

“I don’t understand feelings quite well, but I know well enough that I feel the same for you. I always have. I always thought you were just some other clumsy forest ranger like Collei, but once I got to know you well, I fell for you. Others told me it was obvious, but it seems to be a different case for you.” Tighnari explained as his fingers traced slow circles into your back and his tail wagged happily.

You wasted no time wrapping your arms around him and let out a sob of relief, you felt the happiness explode within you. He caressed your back as you cried, you tried to speak but what came out were jumbled words instead.

He laughed at your struggles and hushed you, “I can’t understand a word you’re saying, you dunce.”

“I love you so much.” You choked out between your sobs, you couldn’t have ever been happier. The rollercoaster of emotions was worth it because now, you have the man you thought you were pining for months.

He sighed pretending that he was annoyed, “I love you so much too, now please stop crying. I get you’re happy but I don’t want my precious sweater stained with tears and snot.”

He was now stuck with you because you had no intentions of leaving him. It’s not like he wasn’t thinking the same as well. You were stuck with each other, stuck in love.

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romirola · 1 month

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Good morning, Dr. Romi~ I hope you’re having a magnificent day 💕 I wanted to ask about numbers 5, 17, and 26 for Balancing Act, please and thank you, to celebrate Ostara 💕

-Lexi Sun ☀️

Hello, @weightedblanketjoyfriend! Thank you so much for these wonderful asks about Balancing Act. <3

5. Where did you write this fic? Is that your favorite place to write?

I wrote this fic mostly on my couch! It's definitely the place I typically write fanfic. It's a nice, cozy spot. I usually have my hot water all set next to me. Sometimes a snack. I like writing there because it signals to me I can be focused solely on the story. I would say the "prep work" of a story takes place in the more metaphysical space of inside my head. That happens all the time, anywhere, everywhere. I can be out and about, but still keep the blorbos in the back of my mind.

17. What was the hardest scene to write?

Ooh, this was a very hard question! I'm going to go with the scene featuring Professor Starlight, which is found in Chapter 7. This scene was hardest to write because it narrates the Exchange Ritual to both the characters (David, Milo, and Marie) as well as the reader. I felt a lot of pressure to make sure the lore/world-building was sensical and well-explained, but also to make sure that it was disclosed in a way that fit the story and never became an info-dump. Info-dumps are lovely IRL when your friend is talking about something they love, but embedded into a story? Ugh, a total energy killer. So I wanted to get that pacing correct. Additionally, I needed to have the Exchange Ritual mapped out well so that it was understandable, created conflict, allowed the plot to move forward, but I also needed to keep it vague enough so it would be believable that David had not heard of it and thus, did not prepare his pack for the magical process. I also didn't want Starlight to have every single answer because *mystery drama suspense* and because I don't see them as necessarily being a shifter-specialist as a scholar. So, it was a lot of stuff to juggle in that scene! And I hope that it gave readers a grasp of the Exchange Ritual but also an interest in continuing with the story.

26. Wild Card! A fun fact about the fic!

Fun fact: The flashback scene of the Pack Anniversary Party in Chapter 18 was not originally planned to be part of the fic, but David had felt so badly about not knowing about the Exchange Ritual from his father, I decided to give him a little moment where Gabe kinda-sorta was prepping little pup-David for his alpha duties, including the Exchange Ritual. It was never that Gabe kept the secret from him; he was waiting until David was ready to hear it and to understand.

#redacted asmr #redacted audio #redactedverse #redacted fanfiction #redacted power swap #thank you!#que be doo be doo #redacted shaw pack #redacted starlight

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wutheringmights · 2 months

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After feeling like an absolute clown when I saw The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes movie in theaters, I figured it was time I sat down and read the original novel for myself. Unsurprisingly, I really enjoyed the book. It's definitely my favorite Hunger Games novel.

I should leave a disclaimer real quick. So I read the original trilogy a few years before the movies were released. I liked them well enough, but I always struggled to love them. Unfortunately, my biggest problem is Katniss. She's a great character. I do not like being stuck in her POV. I wish this was an ensemble story so that every side of the conflict is explored. In that way, the movies almost work better for me. I say almost, as I have such a bone to pick with Catching Fire throwing Katniss back into the arena, but that's another rant for another time.

My point is that I have never been passionate about the series, and I have not read the books in many, many years.

Yet, I still feel fairly confident calling this the best book in the series. I like exploring stories from the wrong perspective. Seeing the games from the eyes of the Capitol is genuinely interesting. I love the chapters where the students debate the philosophy of the games. I love watching Coriolanus justify his own decisions. I am obsessed with how this man thinks.

I cannot give enough praise for how Collins write Coriolanus's point of view. Here, the limited perspective works flawlessly. Seeing the world filtered through his eyes is interesting-- though I wonder why she chose to write this novel in limited third person? Did she want the veneer of objectivity that comes with third person POV, or is the first person POV trend in YA over?

I am not saying this book is perfect. It's goofy in one too many places, and there are a few plot points that just feel very immature to me (mainly, Coriolanus having to save Sejanus from the arena-- only a YA novel would make that justifiable).

My biggest problem is the loss of tension after the second act. As important as it is for the story to take Lucy Gray and Coriolanus out of the Capitol and the games, that third act really drags. There needed to be one more plotline carried over from the first two acts to help keep the suspension building. Collins really could have shaved 100 pages off this book, or made that third act into a second novel entirely.

With that in mind, I think I still like the movie better, if only for all the ways it condenses the story and fixes some of the pacing.

What really upsets me is how many people on Good Reads hate this book. I saw one review decrying the concept of this novel as ill-conceived-- something about trying to humanize the Hunger Games' Palpatine. That takes me back to how hung-up I am at the concept of a Hunger Games fandom. These books are so committed to their message and themes that it's always weird to see people talk about ships and stuff. I guess I just don't see the appeal.

When I was in high school, English teachers were just allowing the first book to be read and analyzed for class. According to a teacher friend of mine, the book is now an official part of the curriculum. I think that's a little unwarranted too. But if kids studied The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes in school... yeah, I would be okay with that one.

#i tried to stay on topic about the actual book i read but this turned into a rant about my complicated feelings about thg #i want to love the hunger games but man... they're just good and really nothing more #me rambling #me reading #the ballad of songbirds and snakes #the hunger games

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highfunctioningflailgirl · 1 year

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I’m sighing with d’Artagnan here, because I was so ready to love the new movie and then… didn’t.

I felt like the film didn’t quite know what it wanted to be - a period drama, a mystery, an adventure story? Political or funny? Suspenseful or a slow build?

The pacing felt uneven, the changes they made to the novel were, imho, not making the story better, and they left out some iconic scenes that needed to happen. (The Wine Cellar Incident™️!)

Some of the casting choices weakened the movie and erased a good amount of chemistry between several characters.

The action scenes were confusing because everyone looked alike, dressed in indistinguishable brown. (Whatever happened to the iconic blue in the Musketeer uniforms? Just a splash would have made such a difference!) I did like the very feathery hats, though.

Eva Green didn’t get the right moments to shine. She may still get a chance when she plays off Vincent Cassel in part 2, but so far I’m underwhelmed by her performance.

Aramis looked like an aging gigolo who smells of horse dung and bad teeth, and while that’s certainly authentic, this version of him has nothing to do with Dumas’ Aramis in the novel. The fact that they put guyliner on him mellows my grudge a bit.

Athos? Looks like he’s in his sixties and Vincent Cassel, too, couldn’t really showcase the full force of his acting skills. The writing simply didn’t allow for that.

Porthos gets an okay from me. I really liked his energy, his positive attitude, and I was very surprised and fully agree with the writers’ decision to make him snack both men and women. He’s a man with an appetite, and I am here for it!

D’Artagnan was my favorite in the movie. He has a sparkle to him, and a youthful headstrongness that is very book!d’Art. His love story with sweet, self-confident Constance was the best part of the movie for me.

They tried a bit too hard to make the film more political-historical. Would’ve been a good idea if they’d executed it well. But again: the pacing is off, sometimes it all drags, and except for creating a good action scene in the cathedral, it didn’t work for me.

I did like that they fleshed out Milady’s backstory in terms of how she became a criminal, and I hope they will use the changes they made to make her character more ambiguous in part two.

And the musical score? I don’t know. I can’t remember a single note. Nothing stuck. Nothing swelled. That’s not how it should be, is it?

That’s the short of it: The whole movie simply wasn’t compelling.

There are worse ways to spend an evening, and there are worse movies, but this is a French adaption of “Les Trois Mousquetaires”, and I really and wholeheartedly had expected something to come out of it that was more than acceptable average.

I’ll watch part two, because I’m still curious how they’ll wrap it up, and I still hope it’ll draw me in. But until then I’ll remain sadly underwhelmed.

#Les Trois Mousquetaires: d’Artagnan #the three musketeers: d’artagnan #the three musketeers 2023 #les trois mousquetaires 2023 #review #meh #no competition for our bbc boys

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literaphobe · 3 months

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[while speaking i'm pacing the room and walking up the walls and ceiling like a spider] i'm obsessed with the way you so successfully and compellingly create sexual tension. it's truly insane how good you are at creating that dense atmosphere, and i'm just scrolling my phone peeking and reading line by line waiting for the bubble to pop. you've heard of sexual tension you can cut with a knife, now get ready for "sexual tension so palpable that you need a diamond drill to even make a dent." that is tvl to me. you have to have a master's degree in yearning with a concentration in pining to write something half as magnetic as this. your brain is so big. reading this fic is like watching a beyblade battle, watching the two of them spin around each other in rapid circles at mach speed, like you KNOW it's going to end but how messy will the final blow be??

i also really appreciate how the majority of this fic is from adrien's pov! i feel like i don't see a lot of that (in the fic i'm finding anyways), so to find one with it, and one so well written and well characterized at that, is like striking gold. every line has me going "they WOULD fucking say that !" i also love how you make sure to specify that though alya, out of love, pushes marinette out of her comfort zone, she stops it all once she gets the sense that marinette is genuinely uncomfy. bc they r besties!!! and alya cares about marinette more than proving that she knows what's best for her!!

im showering you in flowers and giving u the big bouquet cn gave lb except you can keep all the flowers mwah!!!!!!!

anon I need you to know… this ask blew me away in ways that are barely comprehensible like just WOW. WOW!!!!!! thank you so much and also you have SUCH a way with words this is SUCH high praise but it’s also being delivered so eloquently and I am just SO CHARMED

thank you thank you THANK YOU so much for real. ive reread this ask multiple times and I know i will continue to do so in the future, along with all the amazing anons ive been getting recently 🥺🥺🥺

it’s genuinely SO nice and heart wrenching to know that all the love and yearning and tension and emotions and complicated feelings I put into tvl can be felt this palpably… thank you for understanding and FEELING and seeing my vision… gives u a diamond ring

also HEHEHE im so glad ur enjoying the adrien pov!! for tvl i just felt like it was apt and also i like the adrichat pov ^_^ its fun and cozy and silly! also functionally tvl!maribug has far more secrets and Knows more so having the audience spend more time w adrichat makes it easier to maintain the suspense HEHEHEHEH also im so glad u are enjoying the characterization!!!!! and also tvl alya’s nuance. i wanted to make it very clear that while she’s been acting up and scheming and unwinding -> because she’s being kept in the dark about a bunch of stuff too!! and as we know it DRIVES HER INSANE when marinette keeps secrets from her… still. i wanted to show that when push comes to shove she’s able to take a step back and protect marinette…

#ask #tvl #anon let’s get married #I mean um what haha #adrienette fic #ladynoir fic #tvl ch4 #spider anon

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mirageofadesert · 7 months

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C-Drama Review: My Journey to You

Broadcast: iQIYI, 2023, 24 Episodes Genre: Romance, Wuxia

My Rating 7/10

A beautiful show with a promising premise, ultimately disappointing with a poorly realized asynchronous story-telling and unsatisfactory ending.

Acting: 6/10 World-building: 7/10 Production: 9/10 Storytelling: 4/10 Pacing: 7/10 Re-watch Value: 6/10 Bonus: for Jolin Jin's and Tian Jiarui's characters. One of my favorite big sister and little brother!

Summary with minor spoilers: My Journey to You tells the story of two assassins, Yun Weishan (played by Yu Shuxin) and Shangguan Qian (played by Lu Yuxiao), who are sent to infiltrate an enemy sect territory, the Gong residence, disguised as potential brides. However, their respective objectives are in conflict with each other, and so are their targets. They encounter two very different young masters and their respective families. Young Master Gong Ziyu (played by Zhang Linghe) surprisingly attains the title of Sword Wielder of the Gong family, but faces accusations about the legitimacy of this status and title. Only by completing three challenges can he prove himself and take up his family's legacy. He falls in love with Yun Weishan early on, meanwhile Shangguan Qian future husband Gong Shang Jue (played by Cheng Lei) distrusts his new bride. In a balancing act, she must win his trust without revealing her true intentions. Thus begins a dangerous game, wherein the lines between friend and foe are blurred. The price? Freedom from the oppressing employers - and their own survival.

My review - spoilers ahead!

The show started out incredible promising: A captivating premise, a darker tone in both cinematography and theme, beautiful sets and costumes, decent special effects and a different voice for Esther Yu. And while the show had great moments, it overall failed to deliver what it promised. So what went wrong?

The short version is that the show suffered from the typical shortcoming: mediocre acting, misguided directing and bad writing.

Esther Yu and Zhang Ling He never stood out to me as particularly great actors, and this holds true in this show as well. However, I don't think the problem with My Journey to You can be blamed on their unconvincing acting, but is rather a product of the direction the writing took them.

The tension arcs get boring really fast: Again and again the female leads are in danger of being exposed (or better: exposing themselves), but by the third time it doesn't feel exciting anymore. The other major plot line is the conflict surrounding the succession of the sword wielder title, which I was never able to care about. I think a different story-line for the ML would have greatly benefited the drama. Trying to make the audience care about him by putting a lot of emphasis on his hard childhood early on in the show, didn't work, because it felt so irrelevant compared to the backstories of the other characters. It didn't give him depth, it actually took it away. Therefore, the dynamic between the main couple wasn't working either - she was too cold, he was too immature for them to create any interesting chemistry.

The second couple not only had the better written characters, their storyline had more suspense. I have seen mainly Esther Yu being criticized for this drama, so my potentially controversial opinion is, that it's actually the fault of the dull main storyline and the bland ML.

The other big problem are the poorly build-up plot twists. Some of these plot twists themselves were great, like the switch of the medical document and the death of the little sister. While these were great plot points, the narrative build-up wasn't. In retrospect, it made sense we got so much information about the MLs unhappy childhood and complex relationship with his parents, because that build-up both to the medical record swap and the betrayal of the older brother, however... it was just done in such an annoying way, that it made the ML look unnecessary whiny and the storyline boring.

As the show progressed, they increasingly used the element of time-jumps and flashbacks to tell the story. There should have been a better way to deliver tension and twists, than constantly making jumps in order to catch the audience off guard. Part of the fun in mysteries like this is to make guesses while watching, but that only goes so far, when it is all in the editing and crucial information is simply being withheld. And what made this even worse, it that the final plot twist (e.g. the brother coming back) was so predictable, all the asynchronous story-telling wasn't even necessary!

Worst of all was the ending: A twin sister out of nowhere? A villain that was poorly build up? No resolution for the second couple? A cliffhanger for a next season that does not fit the tone of the first 23 episodes and is unlikely to ever happen? Frustrating.

It wasn't all bad: The supporting cast was great. Ryan Cheng, Jolin Jin and Tian Jiarui were amazing! The dynamics between all the other couples were engaging as well. Gong Zishang was my favorite comic relief in any cdrama, and she gave the whole show such a unique vibe! Tian Jiarui's character was right done my alley - I just love my twisted little psychopath in emotional turmoil!

Just one last thought ... please no more Chen Duling? She has been in most shows I have watched this summer and has failed to charm me every time. She is a decent actress, but the type casting of "sad, whiny girl" isn't doing her any favors.

Overall, I think this was a decent drama. I still would recommend you to watch this show, especially if you value intriguing characters over plot!

#my journey to you #cdrama #cdrama review

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checkoutmybookshelf · 7 months

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Ok y'all, we gotta talk about precision in language for a second, because I'm noticing a trend in book spaces (mostly but not exclusively reviewer spaces) that is irksome AF. Reviewers have this weird tendency to say variations on "I expect my suspension of disbelief to be maintained" before saying something that honestly has less to do with suspension of disbelief than actual poor writing or pacing.

I have two issues with variations on expecting your suspension of disbelief to be maintained.

First: We need to talk about what suspension of disbelief is and whose responsibility it is. To paraphrase Geoffrey Tennant (from the criminally underappreciated Slings and Arrows) paraphrasing Samuel Taylor Coleridge, drama and storytelling functionally IS the willing suspension of disbelief for the moment. The word "willing" tends to get dropped from the understanding of suspension of disbelief these days, which opens authors (and other creators, but I fucking hate broadband terms like "creator" so for the purposes of this post, we're talking authors) to holding the entireity of the responsibility for suspension of disbelief.

This is incalculably stupid and not how anything works.

Authors have the responsibility of creating worlds, characters, and narratives. That's pretty much it. They build the sandbox, and we as readers play in it. But here's the thing: If we agree to play in the sandbox, then we also agree that "willing" is part of the deal. That means that we as readers have to meet authors AT LEAST halfway, and honestly I think it's more like 3/4 of the way where suspension of disbelief is concerned. Authors aren't in your heads, and they aren't going to tailor a book directly to what you believe, so you have to be willing to suspend the disbelief. You as a reader have to do at least half of that work.

Now having said that, I'm not about to say that there aren't immersion-breaking things in books sometimes or that there is no such thing as a bad book; none of that is true. But there is something so cynical and frightened of looking dumb in assuming that if an author isn't doing 100% of the work to suspend YOUR disbelief, then the author is in the wrong that it actually takes my breath away. Take responsibility for your part in the act of reading.

Second: Don't bitch about a lack of suspension of disbelief when what you actually mean is that you have a very legitimate complaint about the pacing or the writing or an incongruous use of language or a deus ex machina that you didn't like. Get specific with the problem you have with a book, and be precise about the issue and how it impacts the narrative. Quality and reading experience don't necissarily line up. I have THOROUGHLY enjoyed reading objectively poor-quality books, and I have found objectively high-quality texts an absolutely hideous experience to read (see every time I tried to read To the Lighthouse).

Very often when people say "I expected my suspension of disbelief to be maintained," they're eliding the reading experience with their assessment of the textual quality. Stop doing that. Be precise.

#literary criticism #talking about books #suspension of disbelief #books #book reviewing

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mediaevalmusereads · 6 months

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The Disenchantment. By Celia Bell. Pantheon Books, 2023.

Rating: 3/5 stars

Genre: historical fiction

Series: N/A

Summary: In 17th century Paris, everyone has something to hide. The noblemen and women and writers consort with fortune tellers in the dark confines of their salons, servants practice witchcraft and black magic, and the titled poison family members to obtain inheritance. But for the Baroness Marie Catherine, the only thing she wishes to hide is how unhappy she is in her marriage, and the pleasures she seeks outside of it. When her husband is present, the Baroness spends her days tending to her children and telling them elaborate fairy tales, but when he's gone, Marie Catherine indulges in a more liberated existence, one of salons in grand houses, forward-thinking discussions with female scholars, and at the center of her freedom: Victoire Rose de Bourbon, Mademoiselle de Conti, the androgynous, self-assured countess who steals Marie Catherine's heart and becomes her lover. Victoire possesses everything Marie Catherine does not--confidence in her love, and a brazen fearlessness in all that she's willing to do for it.

But when Victoire's passion results in a shocking act of murder, she and Marie Catherine must escape from the tight clutches of Paris' eager chief of police. As they attempt to outwit him, they are led to the darkest corners of Paris and Versailles. What they discover is a city full of lies, mysticism, and people who have secrets they would also kill to keep.

***Full review below.***

Content Warnings: blood, violence, spousal abuse, miscarriage, abortion

Overview: I picked up this book on a whim at a local bookstore, where it was featured prominently on a queer lit bookshelf. I'm always up for some queer historical fiction, and I was excited for this novel because I haven't read a whole lot set in 17th century France. Overall, there was a lot about this book that I liked; Bell's prose is atmospheric and captivating, and I loved the complex portrait of a wlw woman trapped in an unhappy marriage, using stories as escapism. While there were points at which the pace seemed to drag, I did enjoy this novel, so it gets 4 stars from me.

Writing: Bell's prose is incredibly evocative and, at times, lyrical. It contains a lot of figurative language and the metaphors Bell uses are sensual. There was often a phrase that made me pause because of how utterly captivating it was, so if you like that kind of prose, this book might work for you.

But there are a few things that made the book as a whole more difficult to read. For one, Bell's pacing can be extremely slow, and while I didn't always mind, there were times when I wanted the action of the plot to progress. For two, Bell's does a lot of "head hopping" - changing perspective within the same chapter without something like a section break to signal a new POV. Though the entire book is in third person, Bell will occasionally switch perspectives and give us the thoughts and feelings of a different character, right in the middle of a scene. While I could generally follow the switches, it did make for more disorienting narration and interrupted the flow.

Plot: The plot of this book primarily follows Marie Catherine, a thirty-something year old baronne trapped in an unhappy marriage during a period of intense paranoia about witchcraft and murder by poison in late 17th centry France. Marie Catherine tells original fairy tales to her children and keeps a female lover named Victoire to escape from her husband's controlling behavior. But when the Baron is brutally murdered and suspicion falls on her, Marie Catherine must put together a tale that will protect her and the ones she loves from the law.

Personally, I didn't feel that this plot was infused with much urgency or suspense, and I can't quite tell if Bell meant it to be more of a character study. There isn't any mystery as to who killed the Baron, and I never felt that Marie Catherine, her children, Victoire, or anyone else for that matter were in any serious danger due to the chief of police (LA Reynie) or the historical setting. Scenes also didn't quite build on one another in a way that gave shape to what one might expect from a thriller, mystery, or historical fiction plot; instead, the narrative wandered and lingered on things that were more character-focused than anything, so I had to wonder if Bell was less interested in plot and more interested in character.

But even if that was so, it was difficult to be fully drawn into the way the characters inhabited their world because their motivations felt fairly obscure. Marie Catherine and Victoire's relationship didn't feel very passionate or emotionally intimate - they were apart more often than not, so it was hard to see them as a couple. Jeanne, Marie Catherine's maid, seemed at once loyal to her employer but then seemed to cut her losses and run, which made me question how loyal she really was and for what reason.

But perhaps my biggest disappointment was that Marie Catherine's storytelling skills weren't woven into the larger narrative very well. The fairy tales themselves were phenomenal, but they seemed to be dropped into the scenes without much ceremony, and neither the themes of the tales nor Marie Catherine's knack for tale-telling seem to be major drivers of the plot.

Characters: Marie Catherine, our protagonist, is sympathetic in that she's trapped in an unhappy marriage and later, is trapped by the law's suspicion of her and her household. I liked that her tale-telling was figured as a method of escapism and that she seemed to be genuinely warm and kind, however, it was difficult to really get into Marie Catherine's head because her relationship with Victoire was perhaps the least interesting influence on her character. This isn't me saying that I don't like wlw stories - I very much do. But I don't think this one presented a very compelling relationship, which meant the main motivation for so many character actions felt a little underdeveloped.

Victoire, Marie Catherine's lover, is interesting in that she's impulsive and acts without fear of repercussion. I liked that shebwas presented as this wild, convebtion-flaunting courtier whose entire being is shaken by the death of the Baron. I do wish we had gotten more into Victoire's head, though, because as it stands, I felt like the book kept her at more of an arm's length than it did other characters.

Jeanne, Marie Catherine's maid, was perhaps the most complex in that she has a jaded past and an interesting connection with the Parisian underworld. I loved the moments when Jeanne felt pulled between her loyalty to the baronne and her desire to atone for her past, and I think her character arc involved the most tension. However, I also think Jeanne's motivations weren't as clear as they could have been, so a little more scaffolding would have gone a long waynwith this character.

Other characters - such as Lavoie the painter and La Reynie the chief of police - are compelling due to their complexity, but again, their arcs tend to fall a little flat because their motivations are a bit underdeveloped. La Reynie's arc was perhaps the most clear in that he was motivated by truth and justice, even if it was a little unpopular with the upper crust. I liked the idea of Lavoie, and his attraction to Marie Catherine was multi-faceted and intriguing; but I didn't fully understand why he would act as he did, even if he didn't like the Baron and fancied his wife. Overall, it seemed like Bell wrote a lot of characters with a lot of great personalities, but didn't quite give them anywhere to go.

TL;DR: The Disenchantment is notable for its lyrical prose, historical setting, and cast of complex characters with quirks that make them memorable; however, this book doesn't quite give readers a clear sense of direction, withholding character motivations and sending us meandering towards the denouement to the detriment of what would have otherwise been a very clever, unique story.

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celestie0 · 2 months

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hi, love! how are you today? are you doing well? is work treating you good?

i hope you are doing well! flowers 💐 for my favourite girlie ✨

also have you got any tips for new writers? like i’ve been tryna write this fanfic but i cannot really understand how to keep it flowing without forcing it out, and i’m hoping you can help us out. its absolutely fine if you’re busy or cannot for any reason. no pressure truly🥹

🫶💌

hellooo i’m doing well thank you 🥺💕 work is well i just got home, its rainy where i live so i made some hot cocoa and im just in bed now. i hope you’re feeling better i know you said you were sick <3 🌤️🌤️ some sunshine for you!

ohhh to be asked for writers tips is so flattering! i tried to think of my top few, and i have them below the read line :”) hope they help in some way and if you do end up posting your works don’t hesitate to tag me i would love to read them <3

my writing tips ₊˚⊹ ᰔ

dialogue. this one is toughhh bc i feel like a lot can ride on dialogue. my biggest tip for dialogue would be to just write all of your dialogue for a scene completely stripped down. none of the “he says” & “she says” or action verbs inbetween, just write it all out like it was a simple text convo w quotation marks. that way the words will sound realistic because you’re only picturing a convo in your head, rather than also trying to juggle all the descriptive prose. after you’ve got the dialogue, then you can go back in to fluff things up. if it’s meant to be comedic or a fast-paced argument, i think keeping it relatively stripped down is the way to go, but if it’s something intense or suspenseful then fluffing it up may be the better choice. also, i find dialogue becomes easier the more you write for a specific character, so if it’s not flowing right away, don’t worry!! their words will find you eventually once you get to know the character better :)

on choosing conflicts. this can be harddd because sometimes you just want the story to exist in happy land haha. but just like you said so beautifully in the sweet kickoff ch8 review you gave me, characters won’t always act perfect, but i think a great way to make conflict seem realistic is for them to act in character but with flaws, rather than just randomly out of character with flaws. maybe make a list of what that character’s good qualities and how those qualities could also work against them, and use the latter to brainstorm realistic conflict that those qualities could put them in (ex: a character is self-sufficient, but that causes them to rely on ppl less when they need it -> they fail to reach out for help in timely manners and leads to mistakes/regrets)

pacing. the biggessstt most important thing in my opinion for writing i believe is nailing the pacing. especially for fanfiction where people may be more interested in specific niche scenes rather than all of the stuff built around it. when starting off a story, don’t be afraid to just jump straight into it! or jump straight into the dialogue and then build the scene gradually as it progresses, rather than [gigantic block of text in beginning of scene that reader must drag their eyes through] and then get to the dialogue (im sooo bad w this myself lmao i fluff things up too much). in a world where attention spans are decreasing (rip), a lot of the times less is more. make sure the pacing fits the scene (romantic -> longer paragraphs more focused on subtle details, comical -> short paragraphs w simple n relatable diction, etc)

creating characters. with fanfiction this can be easy since you already have fleshed out characters from shows/books to work off of, but a good way to characterize is to just include little details that give them personality! not only is it a way to allow the reader to resonate with the character, but also it gives other characters in the story an opportunity to notice those lil quirks and create bonds over them as well. i just picture my friends or family in my head, the things i love about them, and incorporate it (i know nothing about film photography but my friend is a film major n thats where i got the idea for mc in kickoff)

for tone and mood. i think to get words flowing for different scenes, it can be really useful to get into the environment of those scenes while you’re writing, such as listening to a song that fits the vibe of the scene prior to/during writing (i blasted tgif by katy perry while writing the party scenes in ch6 of kickoff lol), or if its a scene at night, write it w the lights off, or watch a youtube vid w scenery that matches. may sound silly, but it could help! if i write something angsty in a really bright sunshine environment it’s hard for me to get the words

read more. this is sort of a miscellaneous one but a good way to subconsciously get better at writing is to just read more! your brain kinda learns how to write on its own when you read. also, when i’m reading, if i see words i really like i jot them down in my notes app so i have my own lil vocabulary of words that i know i would like to use in my writing

on writing insecurities. be proud of your writing!! your first draft does NOT have to be perfect. some days the words will flow, but on some they won’t, and that’s okay. don’t get too into your head about “i wonder what readers will think of this plot point or this character action” etc, i think having faith in your own process but also in your readers will bring you a lot of peace as you write :) create what you want to create and the rest will follow!! when i first started posting kickoff i was overthinking sooo many things that ended up being received just fine by readers in the end, so just stick to your plan 🫶🏼💕

use chatgpt. looool ai can be useful in writing too! i usually only use it after i'm completed with a draft, and i just plug select paragraphs into it to see if it can come up with some better words for me to use. it's also useful to come up with logistical details for aspects of your stories for world-building etc (no clue anything ab professional collegiate soccer games i've never been to one but i used chatgpt to come up with the scenes)

woooow i wrote way more than i thought i would haha but i hope this helps!! ive never given tips before so idk if these only make sense to me 💀 but hopefully they can be applied to what you’re looking to write as well :)

#asks #writing tips #just writer things

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everythingwritingg · 1 year

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Pacing your story

@everything.writing on IG

Pacing a book can be tough, especially because the book sometimes has more than 300 pages. How on earth do you make it so that each event happens at the right point in the book? Not to mention, you’ve read different books with different pacing.

Not every book is intended to be paced the same way. This largely depends on the genre you’re writing. A thriller will inevitably move more quickly than a slow burn romance. The key is to be consistent with pacing throughout the story. Consider the length of your book as well, longer books are usually paced slower than shorter books.

Use a story act structure. Some people use the three, five, or seven act structure to pace their books. Usually this structure begins with a hook, builds up action, goes to the climax and eventually arrives at a resolution. This can help provide a rough structure for how your story should be paced.

Balance your story with high and low action scenes. High action scenes (eg fight scenes) are intended to excite your reader and can do a lot to keep a reader interested. However, the reader needs time to breathe and recover in between, which is where lower action scenes come in. These can be romance scenes or dialogue-heavy scenes, and these are a wonderful opportunity to develop relationships and character arcs.

Balance the main plot and subplots. You want to have some subplots to add depth and dimension to your story, but you don’t want to distract too much from the main plot. The more subplots you add, the slower your story moves. Use this to your advantage!

Use dialogue to control pacing. Often, adding more dialogue slows down the pacing, such as when the protagonist and antagonist confront each other. Before they press the trigger on the gun, there’s often a conversation (full of taunts and insults) between the two of them to build up suspense.

Be mindful of sentence length. Individual sentences may not seem so important in a grander scheme of a 400-page novel, but the general sentence structure can set the pacing. Paragraphs with many long sentences will slow the pacing of your novel down. Use sentence structure to convey your pacing. However, you shouldn’t be too strict with every sentence, because it’s essential to vary your sentence length.

Outline to make it easier to pace yourself. With a rough outline, you can get an idea of the pacing you want and when to add the inciting incident, midpoint, climax, and resolution. This can give you a lot of flexibility if you look at the outline and you don’t like the way it’s paced, so you don’t have to rewrite a lot of stuff.

Don’t worry about getting it right the first time. Focus on getting the words down in the first draft. Later, read it through once without any editing. Make notes of what you like and don’t like about the pacing, and know that you can always make edits in later drafts.

Longer post today, because finals week is officially over and we’re entering the second semester. I really enjoyed that I can sit down and write a proper quality post with research and thinking about personal experience.

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