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strawberrywinter4 · 13 days

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Just found out today that my friend posts fanfiction as well.

She told me, nervously, that she posts her writing. And I was like oh! me too!

And her eyes lit up, I’m saying, LIT. UP.

She was like… what do you write?

I was like… fanfiction.

And she was like girl…

ME TOO!

I asked where she posts her writing.

She whispered “Ao3.”

Girl…

ME TOO.

The duration of our conversation included giggling and talking about our fandoms like maniacs.

The best feeling is when you’re able to invite a friend into your secret world of fandoms and fanfiction.

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underleveledjosh · 6 months

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I feel like the issue of female characters being portrayed as weak/vulnerable has been overcorrected in mainstream media. Nowadays, "tough badass female character" has been turned into a boring stereotype, and now those characters can barely have any vulnerable moments and inevitably create marry sues now. Sorry, I don't want the female leads only personality traits as being badass and/or tough. I want her to have human emotion.

#writing #female characters #writers #writer #write #tv #television #movies #movie #gaming #characters #writer thoughts

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novlr · 7 months

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“Writing- the profession in which you stare at a computer screen, stare out the window, type a few words, then curse repeatedly.” ― Drew Goodman

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hayatheauthor · 1 year

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How to Develop a Memorable Antagonist

Antagonists are one of the most important characters in your book. Without an antagonist, writers wouldn’t have a story to write in the first place. They bring the action, drama, trauma and many other factors that are often the reason for a book’s success. However, their pivotal role in the book is often why antagonists can come across as poorly-written one-dimensional characters.

From stereotypical backstories to a lack of humanisation, authors often make simple mistakes that can result in a cliche or boring antagonist. Are you struggling to create a compelling antagonist for your WIP? Here are some tips to help you get started.

Give Your Antagonist A Clear Motive

People don’t just wake up one day and decide they want to fundamentally alter society and possibly end the world. Or, maybe they do, but their idealogy starts somewhere. Voldemort wanted to change the wizarding world because he loathed muggles due to his parents, Hannibal’s tragic past triggered his cannibalistic tendencies.

Every antagonist has a reason for their crimes, and it's important to understand your antagonist’s motives and goals in order to create a compelling villain. Start with your antagonist’s backstory.

Did they have a tragic childhood? Did they desperately want to achieve a certain goal but failed and were driven insane? Are they following someone? Are they being manipulated? There is an endless list of possible reasons you can choose from in order to create a compelling motive for your antagonist.

Make Your Antagonist Multi-Dimensional

Once you have established their initial reasoning it’s time to go into more detail. I would start by taking their dynamic with the other characters into consideration. Why do they despise the protagonist? Do they want to simply remove the obstacles in their way or do they have a personal vendetta?

It’s also important to consider the other characters. Is there a mentor figure in your book who the antagonist has a personal vendetta against? What about their allies and henchmen? How did they meet them? Did the antagonist start off alone or have they worked with the same group of people since the start?

Your readers don’t necessarily need to know every single detail of your antagonist’s past, but having a clear understanding of their motives and dynamics can help you create a clear image of the antagonist. For example, they could be particularly spiteful towards the protagonist’s best friend because she is the daughter of the antagonist’s ex-ally. This could make for an easy subplot or come in handy if you need to distract the antagonist in a fight scene.

Make Your Readers Empathise With Them

When developing a motive authors should always look for a way to make their readers empathise with the antagonist. Show us why we should feel sorry for them, tell us they could have had a promising future if it weren’t for an unjust moment in their lives. When you make your readers feel conflicted about your antagonist they become more than just a character on the page.

Your readers begin to question whether their tragic past justifies their actions, some might root for them, others might dislike them more and regard them as apathetic. However, the goal is to make your readers view your antagonist as more than just the person causing issues for your protagonist.

Give Them Strengths And Weaknesses

Everyone hates a Mary Sue protagonist, but the same can be said for an antagonist. Think of it this way—if your antagonist is an all-powerful flawless villain who could destroy the world if they wanted to, then why haven’t they already won? Why do they have to fight the protagonist?

The good vs bad, protagonist vs antagonist dynamic only entices readers if they can’t tell who is going to come on top at the end of it all. This is why it’s essential to give your antagonist appropriate strengths and weaknesses.

Here’s an example of an antagonist with appropriate strengths and weaknesses: a main antagonist is an all-powerful witch who wants to destroy the protagonist’s home country but she lost most of her power in a fight against the mentor and can’t gain them back without a special artefact.

This example shows your readers how big of a threat the antagonist is while also providing her with appropriate strengths and shortcomings. This can look a little different depending on the genre you write for. Maybe the antagonist in a romcom wants to get the love interest married off to a side character and has the leverage to do so but the main character is introduced to the love interest’s family to try and sway the antagonist’s plans.

You don’t need to create a comprehensive list of all of your antagonist’s strengths and weaknesses, but it’s important to have a proper understanding of what puts them in a position to easily combat your protagonist and what stops them from outright winning.

Showcase Their (Negative) Impact On The Story

An antagonist can only be labelled as such if they actively do things to hinder or harm the protagonist. Simply saying your antagonist is a bad person isn’t enough, you need to show your readers this too.

When you start reading Harry Potter it is made clear that Voldemort was an all-powerful wizard who severely damaged the wizarding world during the first war, however, his bad deeds aren’t only reserved for the past. He was also just as evil in the present and was out to harm Harry from the first book itself.

From small confrontations with the protagonists to entire fights, it’s important to create a range of situations and chapters that can showcase your antagonist’s ‘true colours’.

Keep Their Personality Consistent

Just like every other character, it is important to ensure you have a consistent personality type for your antagonist. An antagonist regularly spotted in a suit known for their professional and calculative plans wouldn’t casually joke around with the protagonists during a showdown. The way they contradict the protagonist should also be reflective of their personality.

You should also take their personal history into consideration and how that could impact their dynamics with certain characters. For example, a character like Tom Riddle who despised both of his parents would likely be spiteful whenever they see the protagonist with their mentor figure and could even target the mentor out of spite.

The only time an antagonist’s personality should change is during a pivotal point in the book’s plot. Maybe the put-together antagonist shows off their frustrated side when the protagonist outwits them, maybe they let out maniacal laughter when the protagonist asks them about their motives.

It’s important to treat your antagonists like humans and consider how a person with that personality would realistically react to the situations they are in.

Avoid Creating A Stereotypical Antagonist

Nobody likes an overdone cliche. When writing your antagonist try to avoid creating stereotypical villains. Here are a few examples of stereotypical antagonists and how to avoid them:

The Evil Mastermind: Instead of making the antagonist an all-powerful villain with no weaknesses, give them flaws and limitations that can be exploited by the protagonist. Make the antagonist's motives more complex than just wanting to take over the world, and consider giving them a personal connection to the protagonist or a sympathetic backstory.

The Brainwashed Henchman: Rather than having the antagonist control their minions through brainwashing or mind control, make the henchman have agency and free will. Consider making the henchman conflicted about their role, or have them question the antagonist's motives and methods.

The Vengeful Ex-Lover: Instead of making the antagonist a scorned lover seeking revenge, consider giving them a different motivation for their actions. For example, the antagonist might be seeking revenge for a perceived betrayal, or they might be trying to protect someone they care about.

The Unfeeling Machine: Rather than making the antagonist a cold, calculating machine with no emotions, consider giving them a personal stake in the conflict. The antagonist might be acting out of fear or desperation, or they might be struggling with moral dilemmas related to their actions.

The Crazy Cult Leader: Instead of making the antagonist a stereotypical cult leader with a group of brainwashed followers, consider giving them a more nuanced personality. The antagonist might genuinely believe in their cause and be able to convince others to follow them, or they might be struggling with doubts and conflicts within their own ideology.

Avoid ‘One Man Armies’

Let’s be honest, one evil wizard cannot destroy your protagonist’s entire world by themselves. Just like protagonists have mentors, allies, coworkers, friends and sidekicks your antagonists need to have allies too. Voldemort didn’t conquer the entire wizarding world by himself right after graduating from Hogwarts, he instead built his troops and only fought Dumbledore once he was ready.

When worldbuilding for your novel it’s important to create some semblance of character development for background antagonists as well as the lead antagonists.

I hope this blog on how to develop a memorable antagonist 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.

Looking For More Writing Tips And Tricks?

Are you an author looking for writing tips and tricks to better your manuscript? Or do you want to learn about how to get a literary agent, get published and properly market your book? Consider checking out the rest of Haya’s book blog where I post writing and marketing tools for authors every Monday and Thursday

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mikariin · 3 months

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To be Reminded of Her

Chapter 01 Summary: After Sabo’s death, Ace felt like they relied heavily on one another, Luffy for his last brother and Ace for the last thing keeping him from just removing his cursed existence. Luffy still didn’t understand everything that was going on with him, but he knew that he was one of the last things tethering him to this world and made it his personal goal to let Ace know he adored and cared for him.

He thinks he once heard Dadan call it an unhealthy coping mechanism, but what did that old hag know? Nothing, that’s right.

This piece of work that is coming to the papers after waiting almost three whole months of being done couldn't have happened without some key components and major help in the production part of it!

The Idea was given by @arielxlazarus, Beta read by @lerya-fanfic and Art by @madbunsy! Thank you all for the help in this behemoth of a story!

#ao3 writer #fanfic writer #one piece #writer thoughts #writer things #writerscommunity #writerscorner #ace one piece #marace #whitebeard pirates one piece #collaboration #art collab #someone else's art in my story xD #writer and artist collab #asl trio #sabo one piece #monkey d luffy

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wingsofdawn-if · 1 month

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Wings of Dawn (WIP)

In a world where wings are everything, you are the only one born without them. You grow up in a modest village under the wing of your father until one day you are forced to flee from a mysterious attack on your village.

Travel through the three unique nations of Askgard to find out the secret of your own birth. Along your journey, you may meet, befriend, and even romance shady merchants, runaway nobles, knights with a hidden past—and fight your way through the looming shadows threatening to engulf Askgard beside them.

Be careful, for there are threads of conspiracy spun just outside of your sight; things may not be as they seem. In the end, you may be the only one who has the power to save Askgard from ruin.

Currently writing the demo. The demo is intended to release with an intro + the first 2 chapters. Planned ROs are 2 male, 2 female, 1 nonbinary.

I will provide weekly updates on the word count, which is sitting around 6k as of now excluding commands.

This is my first time writing an interactive novel AND my first time using Tumblr, so apologies if there are any mistakes on my part.

I’ll make another (official?) intro post once I’m done with the demo.

Scheduled demo release: April 30, 2024 (Date may change according to progress)

#fantasy #hosted games #interactive fiction #choice of games #interactive novel #if wip #writer thoughts #choicescript #i have no idea how tumblr works

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ladylilithprime · 3 months

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To all the readers out there who have seen a story summary for a fandom or pairing you aren't familiar with or never thought about and decided to check it out: thank you. Especially if you ended up liking it, extra especially if you left a comment saying so. You might not realize the gift you've given that writer, knowing that something they wrote inspired you to take a chance and find joy in something new and unfamiliar. We treasure those gifts, rejoice in knowing that we've created something that's made a difference to someone else. So thank you, from all us writers hoping we've touched your hearts. We appreciate you.

#to my readers #writer thoughts

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strawberrywinter4 · 1 month

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What?

Oh, nothing.

Just thinking about Loki finally finding comfort in Mobius’s arms.

Just thinking about the way if Loki were to discard his responsibilities of being the God of Stories and he and Mobius could just be with each other.

Just thinking of the way Mobius would comfort Loki, would repeat in whispers, “I know, honey, I know,” as Loki would grapple onto him for unneeded leverage when finally reuniting with him, when finally realizing that maybe he could live the life he desires without conflict with the man he loves.

Their kiss would be so passionate, both of them trying to grasp onto the thought that they’re with each other.

I feel like Loki would shed tears, definitely. All the burden of glorious purpose that was previously weighed on his shoulders now dissipating slowly as Mobius holds him closely, securely.

It would be an overwhelming moment that Loki wouldn’t know how to take it in. But Mobius would be there, shushing him softly, because he knows, he knows.

Yeah… just thinking how Mobius is such a significant asset to Loki’s character.

Thank you for coming to my rant.

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escapedaudios · 27 days

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I cannot overstate my loathing of retellings of stories from the villain's point of view where they are just misunderstood victims who don't do any villainy. I can't even tolerate when they're well-intentioned but use evil means. Give me some actual evil, some villainy. Infantilized adults with zero media literacy love the "actually the villain was justified and misunderstood" angle because they feel uncomfortable with the thought of finding a fictional villain enjoyable to watch, and they can't cope unless they spin it so that actually they were the good guy all along.

Harley Quinn and The Joker are two of the worst to get hit with this whack ass trend. Joker as a sad little guy who doesn't understand why society is so mean to him is so fucking stupid. If I'm seeing something from his POV, I want to see him be an evil mastermind. Joker in Joker (2019) is a little pissbaby with no goons, no evil schemes, and no motives other than being a misunderstood victim.

Harley Quinn got an even worse treatment. I can't believe all the pearl-clutching over the fact that she was in a toxic relationship with an evil bad guy. Yeah no shit, that's the whole point. Not only is she not allowed to have evil intentions anymore, she's not even allowed to have bad taste in men. The toxicity is what made her interesting, it was cool and unique that her motives and path to villainy were rooted in fascination and a corrupting, romantic obsession with a terrible person. It was something different that stood out from usual motives of power or base cruelty. This whole angle got flushed because it was incompatible with her status as a girlboss role model protagonist. Abysmal.

Give me EVIL! Give me VILLAINY!!! I want them to be selfish, I want them to be cruel, I don't need to find every character morally agreeable to find them compelling or entertaining. If I'm going to see a story about a villain, they had better actually be a god damn villain.

#media literacy #villains #tropes #harley quinn #joker #writing #writer thoughts

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whatthehellami · 6 months

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The problem with certain men is that they simply cannot be bothered enough to care about women. A few minutes ago, I was watching a video where the man explained that women have more brain cells in the gray matter which makes them more analytical, technical and capable of better multi- tasking. The men in the comment section, of course, were pressed. They commented repetitive comments like, "cook, clean, wash"; "go to the kitchen" "women☕"; "yet most of the inventions are by men".

It aptly proves the point of the man in the video since the men in the comment section acted like smooth-brained humans.

The culture of actively putting down mothers, housewives and household chores is extremely toxic. There is no problem in cooking, cleaning or any household chores but these actions have been degraded by men to the point that these chores are looked down upon. These are the basics of living and surviving. You can't live if you don't cook, clean or wash? Then why the degradation of these actions? And why would they only limited to women?

In the modern age when women have proved to be as compatible as men, then what is the need for putting them down? In the original video, no man was put down, only stastics were stated, yet many men felt the need to put down women.

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wisefoxluminary · 1 month

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As someone who loves to get immersed in fanfiction, I always feel drawn towards mlm ships because of the angst they bring to the table. I like male characters who are vulnerable. The way we just see them struggle with their feelings for each other and try to get past their emotional walls is just so compelling to me. It's like taking the red pill from the Matrix but it's two male characters who feel out of place in the narrative of the societal norm they've been put in and how they find that one person that gives them meaning. Men are stubborn when it comes to confessing what they truly want and that makes the drama just hit harder. I like healthy relationships but I want to see m/m relationships who are bad at feelings and who have to go through a boatload of pain before anything gets better. Because that is what paves the way for happiness and love in the future. Call me masochistic but I just love angst and pain with all my heart. I could read fanfics like that for hours and never get bored.

#m/m #mlm #fanfiction #destiel #stolitz #malec #arizacrow #blackbonnet #noirlander #byler #stucky #johnlock #sterek #hannigram #i just love pain #angst is the best genre of fanfic #male ships have the best chemistry #writer thoughts

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a-crumb-of-whump · 7 months

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Sometimes when I get a surge of motivation, I like to just sit with it and enjoy it instead of opening the document I want to work on because I know that as soon as I do, all that motivation is going to disappear lol.

#not whump #writer things #writer thoughts #writing things #writing thoughts #writer problems #writing problems #writers on tumblr #writeblr #writing

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fizzyxcustard · 2 months

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All I can think about is Thorin being jealous and insecure. And you have to do everything you can to reassure him. 😍😍😍😍😍

And him saying to you, in that deep, demanding voice, as he rests over you on the bed, “You’re mine!”

🔥

#thorin oakenshield #richard armitage #the hobbit #my love #my beautiful dwarf king #writer thoughts #jealous Thorin fuels me!#I eat this shit up!

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