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hayatheauthor · 1 year

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How To Write And Create A Subplot

A subplot is an essential aspect of any book. It helps drive your story forward and hook your readers in with a compelling narrative. A good subplot raises the stakes for the main character by introducing side characters, creating plot twists, adding another dimension to the story or revealing information from the past or future.

However, if executed incorrectly subplots can overshadow your main plot and deviate from the heart of your story. Unsure how to create and execute a subplot? Here are some helpful tips to get you started!

Why Are Subplots Important?

A subplot is a narrative thread that supports the elements of your main plot. They often build conflict or shed light on a secondary character’s story. Subplots help you create multilevel narrative arcs and build complexity and depth.

Your readers certainly don’t need to know what your antagonists were doing while the protagonist underwent secluded training, but adding this subplot builds tension, heightens the stakes and easily portrays personality traits and character flaws. This is especially true for genres such as SFF or horror where your characters often don’t know their enemy’s plan until the last moment.

Subplots are often what make your readers connect with your characters and world-building. To put it simply, if Harry Potter was written without any subplots Rowling could have wrapped up the entire series in one book.

Types Of Subplots

It’s important for authors to branch out and implement more than one subplot in their manuscript. Sticking to one subplot can often result in a poor portrayal of an important moment or make an interesting arc fall flat. A simple way to avoid this is by combining different subplots when working on your manuscript.

Mirror Subplots

Mirror subplots are essentially a subplot that mirrors what your protagonist or antagonist is going through in order to illuminate their personality traits and how they dealt with said situation. A great example of a mirror subplot would be Sophie and Agatha’s dynamics during the first book of A School For Good and Evil.

Sophie and Agatha both start off with essentially the same introduction to characters like Tedros, the faculty, their roommates, etc. but while Sophie uses a negative outlook to harm those around her Agatha focuses more on a problem-solving approach.

Contrasting Subplot

A contrasting subplot is when a smaller character faces the same situation as your protagonist/antagonist but handles the situation differently. For example, a protagonist allowed themselves to be injured in order to safely evacuate a nearby citizen but an antagonist in a similar position used the civilian to shield themselves from the attack.

Contrasting subplots cannot exist unless both characters undergo the same situation, which is why it is important to plan this subplot out before executing it.

Complicating Subplot

Complicating subplots are the most common subplot used in literature. They’re pretty self-explanatory and involve a secondary character creating complications for the protagonist. This can be as simple as your love interest’s sister spreading gossip about the protagonist, or as complicated as a grand political scheme created to turn the protagonist’s allies against them.

Romantic Subplot

Romantic subplots are often confused with romance written as a subgenre. The difference between the two is simple—a book with romance as a subgenre simply includes romantic themes, however, a romantic subplot uses romance to deviate from the main plot.

For example, if your protagonist left their usual environment to attend an event with your love interest for a couple of chapters, that counts as a romantic subplot. However, a character simply having a romantic moment does not constitute as a subplot.

Things To Keep In Mind When Creating A Subplot

Now that I’ve divulged all of the facts associated with writing a subplot, here are some personal tips writers should take into consideration when creating a subplot.

A Subplot Is NOT Its Own Story

This is an important factor many writers often forget when creating a subplot. Subplots are meant to tie into the main plot and move the story forward. They are supposed to be an arc in your story, not a story of their own.

Subplots are a great way to foreshadow events, drop hints, reveal character traits, etc. however, you need to consider whether or not your manuscript needs to have these characters. Your deuteragonist’s tragic past with the antagonist might make for a good story, but you could probably summarise those events within one chapter.

The same can be said for past love interests, ex-friends, training arcs and backstory arcs for minor characters. These factors would all propel your plot forward, however, incorrectly implementing them can ruin your reader’s immersion and deviate from the actual plot.

If you’re unsure whether or not your subplot should be included in your novel, take the time to consider these few questions:

Does your subplot help your protagonist accomplish their main goal? Or does it drastically deviate them from their initial purpose?

Does this subplot introduce a new character, a new side to an old character, or the ‘true’ version of a seemingly good/bad character?

Would your character be unable to attain their long-term goal without this subplot?

Would your world-building, character development, or a certain aspect of the main plot feel confusing if not for this subplot?

If your answer to these was yes, then you probably have a valid subplot on your hands. If not, then you should genuinely consider questions and take into account why you want to include this subplot, to begin with. If your answer is something along the lines of ‘it has so and so scene/dynamic which I really enjoyed or think the readers will like’ then your manuscript would probably do better without that subplot.

Create Conclusive Arcs

Unlike your main plot, subplots are supposed to have a start and finish. They need to have a complete arc and some semblance of a conclusion.

For example, if you were writing a contrasting subplot where the side character decided to abandon another character in order to save themselves, you need to consider what happens once you write out this scene. How do the other characters react to it? Does this impact your side character’s position in the story? And most importantly, how does this impact the rest of your plot?

You need to know where you’re going to go with your story once you have concluded your subplot, and figure out a way to tie your subplot into your main plot.

I hope this blog on how to create and execute a sub plot 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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ninasdrafts · 1 year

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I hope I’ll find you in the end. After the fighting, once the fire’s been doused, the flames have died, the ash has cooled. I hope you’ll still be in the place where I told you to meet me should it ever come to this. Do you remember the old birch tree? We held hands beneath it. We traded secrets - we didn’t know their value back then, didn’t know we could never take them back and make them unheard. When I trail my fingers down the bark, it's familiar like the back of your hand. I can feel the last months beneath my fingertips. The last few years. We never changed, not really, and yet here we are on different sides of the field, weapons lifted. We used to watch the sun set and we were so sure it would rise the next day. When one day it didn’t, it wasn’t something we’d ever thought to expect. Some endings are unfathomable. Some endings don’t seem possible until it’s too late and we can’t return to the beginning anymore. I hope I'll find you in the end. Beneath the debris, above the noise, I hope I can pull you out by the legs and ask you if you remember.

birch / n.j.

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jacquelynlscott · 1 year

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🥉 Three Elements for Writing the Setting of Your Story

🔑 The setting of a story is where and when your book happens. Your book setting is important because almost everything your character does will be affected by when and where they do them.

The three elements for how to write your story setting are time, location, and environment.

⌛ Time

Time is the when of your story. When thinking about your book, consider these when’s:

📅 What year? Your time period affects everything about your character. What clothes they wear, the technology and language they use, and their ability to move and interact in the world. A person in 1700 Europe isn’t going to use a cell phone to call someone, just like a person in 2023 United States isn’t going to speak Middle English.

🍁 What time of year? Is it winter, spring, summer, or fall? A character living in a Canadian winter isn’t going to spend time outdoors in a t-shirt and shorts. A person visiting Arizona in the middle of summer likely isn’t going to walk around in a jacket and jeans, no matter how stylish.

⌚ What time of day? This is more significant for scenes than the book as a whole. You can use the time of day to create a particular mood, such as nighttime for a feeling of danger or mystery. You should also consider the time of day for what your character is about to do. For example, someone likely isn’t going jewelry heisting at noon on a Monday.

⏳ Is time passing? Pay attention to how time is unfolding throughout your scenes and story as a whole. You have to account for any time that passes between scenes, when characters travel, or when you insert a flashback. Make sure your reader knows when your scene is happening, or they’ll be lost.

🗺️ Location

The location of your story is as broad as the country and region and as specific as the neighborhood or house. Like the time period, the location of your setting will affect your characters in all aspects of their lives: what they wear, how they speak, if they walk or drive or take the bus, etc.

If your book is fantasy, you will need to do some very detailed world-building work. A fantastic resource for this is The World Building Leviathan from Kittyspace.

🌲 Environment

The environment of your manuscript includes the physical world and social, political, and cultural influences of the time and location.

Take into consideration the environment’s climate and how it impacts your characters. For example, a character living in the tropics will have a vastly different life than someone living in the mountains of North Carolina.

What is the cultural, political, and social environment like in your character’s time period and hometown? These aspects can impact what your character believes in and the different values they hold dear. Societal norms vary across time and place, and it will take a lot of research to make sure you’re getting it right.

🙅‍♀️ Setting Don’ts

Newer authors often think they need a lot of exposition about the setting up front. This is called a “data dump,” and they are often very difficult to read. You don’t want to bore your readers with a lot of information about your world upfront. Rather, allow your setting to reveal itself slowly, either through your character or short bits of exposition throughout.

If you’re writing a fantasy or historical novel, avoid treating everyday objects as novelties. Even if that object is unique to you, it would not be unique to your character. If something is supposed to be ordinary to your character, treat it like it’s ordinary.

Check out jacquelynlscott.com for a free downloadable setting worksheet to help you think through the setting of your book or scene.

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home-ward · 1 year

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May 9, 2023 | 🏛️

My writing corner today, starting the third chapter of my novel

🌅 found out my latest short story is being published soon

#writing corner #educhums #study inspo #writing #lehramt #writeblr #mine #study motivation #study tips #journal #light academia #light indie #aesthetic places #studyinspo #studying #academia aesthetic #chaotic academia #litblr

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novlr · 9 months

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A beta reader is someone who will read your novel in its entirety and provide feedback on what they liked about the story or characters, and what they didn’t like or found confusing. Think of a beta reader as a test reader — someone who will give you honest feedback from the viewpoint of your ideal audience.

Here's a sneak peek from today's post, which you can read in its entirety in the Reading Room at Novlr.org:

How to work with beta readers

Make it clear what type of feedback you are hoping they will give. You don’t want an editor at this stage, just overall feedback on the story, the characters, and the pacing. Ask them to keep track of anything they found unbelievable or confusing.

There are different reasons to do beta reading, so if you’re looking for feedback on something specific, make that clear when you ask someone to read it. Want to improve your narrative? Want to improve how your book plays to a certain audience? Want to improve the pace of your book? Communicating a clear vision is essential.

Let them know how many pages or words you are asking them to read and if you have a deadline that needs to be met to set expectations early.

Send them a sample of three chapters before they commit to reading the whole novel to see if it’s going to be of interest to them. If it’s not their cup of tea, they won’t offer feedback that is valuable to you as they are not your target audience.

If they are regular beta readers and offer great feedback, it’s nice to mention them in your acknowledgements and offer them a free copy of the book when it is published.

Be open to their feedback, but don’t rush in and make changes until you have sat with their suggestions for a while. I find that I often need a week or two to process people’s suggestions in a meaningful way.

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whimsical-blood-fairy · 3 months

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new blog for a new year of totally epic writing :P

hello!!! welcome to my new blog!!! im currently undertaking a year-long journey of making some Proper Headway into my story Loneliness on the Long Road Home (placeholder name, for now) and im aiming to have 200 pages by the end of december (which, as my bio says, is around 4 pages a week), 150 if things with uni are too hectic lol.

im like . really obsessed with the 1920s AND vampires, so obviously that's what this book is about. it's been stewing around in my head for years now (i have a whole notion site for it and everything!), and ive written short fics that i have posted over on wattpad, but im finally trying to make it a cohesive storyline.

i'll post more about my characters at some point, plus the backdrop of which this book takes place, mood boards, etc, etc, all that good stuff. im doing a lot of reading at the moment (currently half-way through the goldfinch by donna tartt) so i'll post my thoughts in regards to that too!

if any of that sounds interesting, give me a follow <3 i want to find other writers!!!!!! id love to support anyone on their writing journey!!!

and i guess, most importantly, follow me on wattpad @_sunshine_flowers_23 or on ao3 at choochie to read my story as it progresses ˶ᵔ 3 ᵔ˶

#writing #writers on tumblr #writer stuff #creative writing #writeblr #writer #books #bookblr #reading #1920s #vampires #writing community #original characters #writing corner

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noveljoys · 1 year

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sound off :)

#writing corner #writers of tumblr #tumblr writers #booktok #bookblr #books on tumblr #wip tag #novels #fiction #authors #spotify #apple music

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asclxve · 6 days

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Two Faced

So this is a small short story I wrote for a class, thought I'd share it here :3

It's not a light-hearted story, it gets dark and gruesome. This is your only warning.

✦

Beep.

Be-

Thud.

A bronze hand flew out from under the mountainous covers, smacking the nightstand rather lazily until the alarm that destroyed the peaceful morning sleep was silenced and pierced the ears of the sleeping Half-Fae. Soon after, a soft groan and some rustling filled the air, and not long after, Klara Callia sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes and the dull feeling of a jackhammer pounding in her temples. Perhaps the extra margarita was not the best of choices now, but at the time she was simply celebrating closing one of the more difficult cases she and Emric had for the last year, among the hundreds that scampered across her desk.

The Viper Killer, a rather fit man sired from an ancient line of Greek Gorgons, had finally been caught just the morning before, though not alive by Emric’s hand. He had left behind a dreadful amount of bloodied, petrified bodies, 28 to be exact. She had gotten quite lucky that her ability allowed her to memorize the features of the vicious serial killer and create a sketch. When his face was matched in the database, off she and Emric went to gather a team to capture the man. The chase only ended after the killer ran into the busy street and was met with a heavy charter bus.

The Viper Killer was now a thing of the past, and that warranted a night of dance and margaritas with her team.

Despite the dull aches of her temples, she got herself up and out of her safe, cozy cocoon of blankets and padded over to her bathroom and get herself ready for a new day: shower, skincare, do her hair, and light round of makeup. 30 minutes and she found herself standing in front of her closet, choosing a more business casual outfit than she normally would wear: a soft, blue, satin blouse with fitted black slacks and a pair of comfortable yet work-appropriate boots, not to mention her gun and holster and her FBI creds. When all was said and done, Klara reached for her bag, wallet, and keys, and off she went to her favorite cafe, Miss Taffy’s Coffee and Diner.

Miss Taffy was an Unseelie Fae, and a kind but stern one at that. It was quite rare to find full-blooded Fae that weren’t immediately red flags walking, especially ones like Miss Taffy who made it her business, literally speaking, to create a safe space with food everyone would enjoy. And Klara was most definitely a loyal customer.

Her morning was just about as routine as it could’ve been as soon as Klara stepped foot inside the cafe, the smell of fresh elderberry croissants and blueberry muffins wafting through her nose. It reminded her of her Papa’s homemade elderberry pastries in a way. Miss Taffy stood behind the counter, stocking the display window when Klara walked in, the first customer of the day as usual.

“Klara Callia, my sweet, good morning. Your aura is glowing today, have you got good news for me?” Miss Taffy asked, her mixed Welsh-British accent soft and elegant.

“Good morning, Miss Taffy. I do, The Viper Killer is officially gone from the streets,” Klara replied, smiling kindly as she stood before the register.

“Ah, that is splendid news! Would you like your usual order or something more rewarding?” Miss Taffy exclaimed, clasping her hands together as she joined Klara at the register.

“My usual coffee please, but throw in one of the elderberry croissants please,” Klara asked, smiling warmly.

“Of course, my dear. Now, how are you and Mr. Emric?” Miss Taffy hummed, ringing Klara up while she put together her order.

“Oh, Miss Taffy, I’ve told you before, Ric and I are just partners. Would I lie to you?” Klara mused, chuckling softly. Klara couldn’t lie even if she wanted to, her Irish Fairy side made it impossible.

“Like you could even if you wanted to,” Miss Taffy snorted, handing her a steaming cup of coffee and a bag with two elderberry croissants. “Send my love to Emric, would you?”

“Always, Miss Taffy, have a good one!” Klara replied, turning to the door and bumping into someone. “Oh, I’m so so-”

Screaming. Pain-filled, torturous screaming.

Let me go!! Please let me go!!

Blood splattering, cries of anguish, and raw-fire-searing pain in the shape of a lunar crescent with an arrow.

Please, I won’t tell anyone, PLEASE!!

Hello, Klara Callia. Come find me. Come find ME.

✧

Her hands shook as she came out of her car, parked at a dead body scene in the parking lot of the club they were at just the night before. Never has a memory of another shaken her up so horribly. Most don’t even know of that kind of ability, let alone actively acknowledge her inside of it. She couldn’t shake the sound of the raspy, distorted voice. Couldn’t shake the sight of the cloaked figure where the only thing she could see was how tall the figure was. It wasn’t normal. No one ever sought her out, no one ever-

“K.C., over here!” Klara was pulled from her spiraling thoughts, putting an impassive expression on her face as she walked quietly over to Emric, who stood with a pair of fresh blue gloves.

“Might want to put them on now. Victim has Elven blood, and I know it doesn’t exactly feel great to Fae skin if memory serves correctly,” Emric hummed, amusement in his tone despite the seriousness of his expression.

“It was my first month, I liked the short-sleeved blouse I had on, and you had yet to inform me of the victim’s species race if I recall correctly,” Klara deadpanned, shaking her head while tugging on the blue gloves. She still had the scar of where the dead Elf’s blood had burned her arm. “What do we know?”

“Victim’s name is Eldra Poppet, she was missing for two weeks before her discovery today by Mr. Hendrik. Remember him?” Emric replied, studying Klara’s expression. Of course, she remembered him, she wasn’t fond of him. He kept trying to infuse Fae Grape Wine into her margaritas the night before to “loosen her up,” despite knowing the effects it would have.

“Of course. You interviewed him yet?”

“Not yet, wanted to survey the scene first before that. Reeks of metal though.”

“Know what kind?”

“Best guess? Iron.” Klara was afraid of that. She took a slight step away from the body.

“Hope you brought that Epi-pen from hell.”

“Haha. Just means I can’t touch the body, Ric.”

“Sure you can, you got the gloves.” Klara rolled her eyes at the teasing smirk on her partner’s face, the brat.

“Not how that works. You don’t hear me telling you how to turn into Wolfy now?” Klara shot back jokingly.

“Thought we agreed not to call my wolf side Wolfy?” Emric huffed, shaking his head. He crouched down beside the body, scanning it and cocking his head slightly to the right. “K.C., there’s a branding here.”

“What kind?” Klara peered over his shoulder to try and get a better look.

“It looks… like…a lunar crescent with an arrow through the middle.” All the color left Klara’s face.

Blood splattering, cries of anguish and raw-fire searing pain in the shape of a lunar crescent with an arrow.

“K.C.? Hey, what’s wrong?” Emric stood up, immediately trying to get a read on her. “You’ve seen this before? Where?”

“Just…just before I got here today, I went to Miss Taffy’s. I bumped into someone and got…got a memory that wasn’t mine. A girl, Half-Fae like me, tortured to hell being branded on her thigh with that exact branding,” Klara said weakly, glancing up at Emric with a worried expression. She could see his eyes, could see his heart drop.

“Did I just bump into the killer, Emric?”

✧

Klara pinned the last red string to her board, having connected Eldra Poppet to a two-month-old case, the death of Licissa Henry, who was a jaguar shifter that was so scarred and burned (with what Emric later smelled was silver) that she was hardly recognizable anymore. Among the scars and burns was a very familiar lunar branding that they had failed to notice at first. Klara swore every Spanish cuss word when she spotted the branding, wondering how she hadn’t noticed it before.

Emric went over the details of each case, trying to get a read on their killer’s behavior, but it was erratic to not just Emric and Klara, but to their team as well. It didn’t make sense.

Licissa was doing grocery shopping for her family when she disappeared, with only an email that she was going on a weekend getaway with her mate. Licissa’s mate, Julian, was overseas in Japan, leading a huge design conference.

Eldra never went out unless necessary. She even had her groceries delivered. According to her mother, she had massive trust issues to the point of even working from home. And yet when her parents went to visit her, her home was clean and she had vanished into thin air, with no note or email. Just poof.

The only thing these girls had in common was their age. Both were 26 years old, just like Klara.

She would’ve sat down to pour over the files if she didn’t get a call from Emric to meet her by the old warlock warehouse by the river. That made her heart drop into her stomach. She didn’t need to hear him say there was a body, she could just tell by the tone of his grave voice.

Twenty minutes later, she stood before the very girl she witnessed being tortured in that memory. Iridescent eyes that once sparkled were now cloudy, and dull. Pale, clear skin was now marred by iron burns, slashes across her torso, the lunar crescent branding on her thigh, and…

And on her arm, when Klara crouched down and carefully turned the girl’s wrist in a gloved hand, read in Fae Runes: See you soon, my dear Klara Callia.

“K.C., what does it say?” Emric asked, studying her expression and spotting the subtle signs of recognition in her golden eyes.

“Fae Runes. Irish Fairy ones to be specific,” Klara swallowed. “It says ‘See you soon, my dear Klara Callia.’” She was expecting swearing or even a sigh. She wasn’t expecting the harsh snarl and to be yanked up by her arms to her feet and tugged away from the body as if it were ablaze.

“You mean this psycho is targeting you now? Tell me the rest of that memory, Klara, now.”

“What’s her name?”

“What?”

“Her name, Ric.” Klara nodded to the victim who lay before them.

“Myra Lily Blackwell. Why?”

“Because Myra was in the memory.” Emric let Klara go, studying her expression again with his Adam’s apple bobbing.

“Everything, Klara.”

“A few weeks ago, I bumped into someone while leaving Miss Taffy’s. I got hit with… by this figure, cloaked from head to toe, the only thing I could discern was his height. He had her chained to the wall with iron shackles, slashing her, whipping her, branding her… it was one of the worst memories I’ve ever gleaned from someone by far, Ric.”

“Do you remember who you bumped into?” Emric asked, cupping her face with gloveless hands to get her to focus on him. He could see her eyes dulling as she spoke.

“No. No, they were gone before the memory was even done playing out,” Klara swallowed, looking at him. “But it was Myra Lily in that memory, Ric. I saw him torturing her. And at the end…”

“What, K.C.? What did he do?”

“Not what he did, what he said. He told me to come find him.” Emric frowned, pulling away to look back at Myra Lily’s body.

“Right. You’re going back to the office, I can do the interviews.”

“Ric, I can do this!”

“You’re called out by name by this fool, K.C., I’m not taking any damn chances. Go back to the office, look for more patterns, and write the memory down. I’ll do the interviews and meet with you there, okay?”

“I’m fine-”

“Your eyes are glazing over on me. Go.” K.C. studied his expression silently before reluctantly doing as told, and heading back to the office.

Yet, she felt as though someone was watching her the whole time.

✧

A slow descent into madness. Into obsession, they called it. But Klara wouldn’t call it an obsession. She’d call it determination…

…Though she wouldn’t say it aloud.

Myra Lily was from a High Fae Court family, the Nature Court from Greece, despite only being Half-Fae, Half-Dryad specifically. Klara had a rather uncomfortable discussion over the phone as she was the only Fae in the department capable of communicating with them. Mama’s insistence that she learn most of the different Fae languages was paying off in this instance.

After promising she’d find who caused their daughter such a painful death, she hung up, tacking her memory description to the wall under Myra Lily’s picture alongside interview notes Emric had passed her three weeks earlier the day after they discovered Myra Lily’s body.

A blunt person who was an absolute busybody was what they could gather from the interviews. Myra Lily deemed herself someone who must know everything just to use it against other people, according to her parents. She was a snake according to her roommate. And yet…

Klara had seen her room. The small affirmations taped to her mirror signaled the self-esteem issues she had. The extensive journals in different shelves based on their use: the top shelf was for food tracking, the middle shelf was for personal diaries, bottom shelf was for tracking her moods and her day-to-day schedules; they all told Klara she needed to be the one in control. The writings of her diary were filled with rants, some of the pages stained with tears, that was not a person who would purposely blackmail others, that would be a snake of some kind.

Klara noted all of that as she stared at the board. She could only see two similarities among the victims: all of them were 26 and branded with that mocking, horrid branding of a lunar crescent with an arrow…

Frustrating, infuriating, tiring.

That’s all Klara could think of when she viewed this case. Even if she took a break from it to give consults to other cases, she kept thinking of this one…

…

Tick.

Tock.

Tick.

Tock.

Screaming. Pain-filled, torturous screaming…

Let me go!! Please let me go!!

Blood splattering, cries of anguish and raw-fire searing pain in the shape of a lunar crescent with an arrow…

Please, I won’t tell anyone, PLEASE!!

“Hey, K.C., I brought food…K.C.?”

Screams. Pain-filled, terror-raising screams…

Please, please let me go!! I won’t tell anyone, please just let me go!!

Gargled gagging turning into spitting…

Flailing arms…

“K.C., can you hear me?”

Stabbing, slashing, gargling and spitting…

Pain screaming turning into weak cries…

“Earth to K.C.”

Hello, Klara Callia, come find ME!

“Klara!” The memory fizzled out and in came the vision of her partner staring at her worriedly, holding food with…a pale man standing behind him matching his worried expression.

“Ah, sorry Ric, didn’t hear you come in. Who’s your friend…?”

“Ah, this is Sean Washington. The vampire CEO is helping us with that vampire coven killing case. Here,” Emric explained, setting a cup of coffee in front of her. “Miss Taffy says hi, by the way.”

“Oh- I’m so sorry, Mr. Washington, I completely forgot you were coming,” she apologized, sipping the coffee to give her some energy.

“Nonsense, Agent Fuentes, you were preoccupied,” Sean said warmly, smiling as his sharpest canines gleamed in the light. “Agent Kingston said you two had a moment to get my statement?”

“Yes, of course, let me get a pen and paper. I believe I have some blood candies in my drawer if you’d like one?”

“That’s alright, dear, I had my batch this morning. Miss Taffy makes the most lovely bloody tea,” Sean chuckled. His accent was nice to listen to, Klara found. She must be really out of it today.

They spent twenty minutes getting his statement before she noticed his eyes. They were bright, resembling the sky in the intensity of the blue within them. And they felt familiar somehow…

“Well, that should be everything. Thanks for coming down, Mr. Washington,” Emric announced, snapping Klara out of her stupor.

“No, thank you, Agents. I despair at the thought of not being able to help keep trust and keep the community safe,” Sean replied, shaking his hand firmly.

Klara didn’t shake his hand at first, and at his confusion, she said kindly, “It’s your rings, sir. They’re made of iron, I’m quite allergic to them and any residue they leave behind.”

“Ah, of course, my apologies. Have a blessed day, Emric, and Klara Callia,” Sean nodded, smiling as he soon left. She liked a little too much the feel of the name from his mouth, but…it still felt familiar.

✧

“You’re obsessed!”

“I am not obsessed with wanting to find the psychopath responsible for these deaths!” Klara was standing toe to toe with Emric, staring furiously into the eye of her partners. Her golden eyes glowing with fury, while his brown eyes were filled with frustration.

“You have not looked at another case properly in weeks, Klara! You’re losing sleep, and barely eating! We are nowhere near solving this one, and you’re driving yourself mad trying to piece together things that don’t make sense!”

“I am not!”

“Maybe we should pass it off.”

“No. No! We are not passing off something that took almost four months of work, Emric!”

“You’re obsessed with this psycho! Need I remind you of his sadistic ways?!” Emric jerked an arm pointed at their board, with a new victim on it. Kelsey Jones, a vampire discovered by her mother, Lydia, and Sean Washington, who had consoled Lydia and looked positively green at the sight of Kelsey.

Shortly after, he asked Klara on a date, which she had kept postponing. Klara knew she was growing obsessed with this killer, whom the media dubbed Thanatos for his many methods of torturing and killing his victims. Klara hated that nickname. This killer was far from a Greek God, especially one known for collecting people after they had passed. It was distasteful.

“Obsessed with a sadistic psychopath that leaves his victims like this?!” Klara practically shrieked, her nails sharpening and hair growing longer for a split second before she took a deep breath. “What, pray tell, do you propose then?”

“We need a break before we claw each other’s eyes out over this case,” Emric said sternly. Klara narrowed her eyes in silence at him, Emric staring at her back. Silence descended…

“I’m not obsessed.”

“I taught you how to profile, Klara. You’re obsessed.”

✧

“I was getting worried we’d never meet,” Sean chuckled, sitting across the table from Klara, looking delicious in a tight-fitted blue dress shirt and slacks. Klara chuckled, her dark red dress matching the color of wine in her glass as she took a sip.

“Work troubles. More gruesome than you’d like to hear, no doubt,” Klara admitted.

“Ah yes, I’ve been meaning to ask, have you found any leads on Kelsey? Lydia has just been so melancholy, I’d love to be able to tell her something,” Sean asked, sipping his Bloody Mary.

“I can’t discuss details of a case with you, unfortunately. What I can say is it’s been a difficult one to follow,” Klara admitted with a sad smile.

“Pity…though I supposed your hands are tied,” Sean chuckled. Klara tilted her head at him.

“Odd choice of words, Sean.”

“Are they?” he mused, sipping his drink with a warm smile. “It was a quip. I remember seeing the board. You work yourself too hard, luv.”

“...I guess I have. Ric thinks I’m obsessed..”

“Are you?” Klara felt defensive almost immediately, but…Sean wasn’t asking to mock. He seemed genuinely curious.

“I…suppose I am,” she said finally. Sean set his glass down and leaned slightly against the table, giving her his full attention.

“What made you so intrigued?”

“How…erratic and yet so consistent this person is. The torture is different across the board and yet the only pieces that align are the brand marks and the ages. At least for the first three, I’m not quite sure how vampire aging works.”

“Born vampires age as everyone else does. Turn vampires have two ages, the international age if you will, and the age they have from the moment they are turned. Say a 15-year-old was turned, then they’d have 15 years of age internationally, but be considered a mere fledgling, a toddler almost in that sense amongst the vampire community,” Sean explained.

“And Kelsey?”

“Was a born vampire.” Klara mulled it over in thought, smiling softly. They changed the topic eventually, moving on to Sean’s work while they ate and refilled their drinks. Klara felt warm, though she chalked it up to the wine she had drank through the night.

When their evening was over and the bill was paid (by Sean of course), Sean held his arm out, walking her to the parking lot that was sparsely populated at best.

“I must say, I had a splendid evening, dearest,” Sean mused. Klara smiled, though the warmth through her began to feel sort of… fuzzy.

“Yes, I had a wonderful time. We ought to do this more often,” she replied. The sight of her car felt rather far…and hazy…

“Yes, but it’s a shame we won’t be able to, my dear Klara Callia.” Huh?

“Wu…what?” This feeling, she’s felt it before. She thought back to the wine… Fae Grape Wine. She grasped onto his hand, weaker than she would’ve liked, and the memory of Myra Lily bombarded her senses yet again, then of Kelsey… Only her words were different. Oh no…

“Sean… Sean, what is this?” She asked.

“Oh but it’s not Sean, Klara Callia,” he said sweetly, but his face unfocused in her vision as she stumbled over her feet. “What was it that sweet Kelsey called me?”

“Tha…Thanatos, you’re not..not ge…” Klara couldn’t get the words out, losing her balance and slowly beginning to lose consciousness. Sean caught her, smirking down at her finally.

“Sweet Klara Callia, my name is Blair Blayney. And I do believe I have you.”

✧

Ache. Ache seeped through to her hands, her feet, her muscles, bones, down to the very core of her soul.

She strained her ears to listen, her eyes uncooperative. I hate Fae Wine…

She never drank it. To anyone with an inkling of humanity, it’s no better than a date rape drug. To full-blooded Fae, it’s no better than a beer on a Saturday night.

“Klara Callia, I know you’re awake, my dear.” Sean’s sultry voice floated over her ears. “I can hear your little heartbeat quickening ever so slightly.”

She swallowed quietly as she finally got to pry her eyes open…to a guest room. A guest room?

Her arms weren’t tied down. Her head felt like she was just fighting off a hangover. She felt…okay. Except you’re not okay.

Sean…No, Blair sat across from her bed, smirking with his arms crossed. “Welcome home, Klara Callia.”

“Sean…” she said slowly, mouth feeling like cotton as she struggled to sit up.

“Tsk tsk. Memory failing you already?” The vampire shook his head, standing over her and bending down just close enough to her face. “That’s not my name, darling. What’s my name?”

“..’s…It’s Blair. Blair Blaney.” She managed to get her words together, more coherent…But why? Why did he do this?

“Excellent, very well done. I typically don’t use Fae Wine. It’s sticky, too sparkling, like the Twilight vampires.” Blair stood up, smiling at her sweetly, kindly. Like the day he gave his statement. Like how he smiled last night earlier in the date…

“You’d be the only person to ever see my home, darling. Your little…what did your partner call it? Ah yes, obsession. Your little obsession with me caught my eye, Klara Callia,” Blair continued, his kind, warm smile starting to feel sinister.

“It wasn’t an obsession,” she argued weakly, but it only made him throw his head back, carefree laughter falling from his full lips as if she simply made a joke. But this wasn’t funny…

“Tell me, Klara Callia, that seeing my masterpieces didn’t send a rush through your spine. That you weren’t frustrated that you couldn’t connect me to the bodies. That Myra Lily’s screams don’t paint your every thought?” Blair’s voice was smooth as he approached her. He watched her every move with amusement. He watched her swallow, watched gold eyes watching his every move. Breathe… just breathe…you can make it outside...

“Oh sweet Klara Callia. You’re not going anywhere.”

She watched the Cheshire cat grin form, and her heart dropped. She had only heard rumors but…

“Yes, my dear.” He tilted her head up gently by the chin, his thumb trailing from her cheek to her lips.

“I can hear every. little. thought,” he whispered, smiling warmly as the color drained from her face.

✧

Tick.

Tock.

Tick.

Tock.

“Shut up.”

Tick.

Tock.

Tick.

Toc-

“Shut up.”

Tick.

To-

Klara flung the closest object in reach to the nearby clock, breaking the glass and knocking it off the wall. Time lost all meaning to her by now, and the incessant tick-tock frayed what little sanity she had.

Blair would come in, sweet-talk her as though he hadn’t laced her drinks with Fae Wine, feed her elderberries grown directly from the Unseelie gardens, and watch her struggle to wrap her mind around him. He’d cup her face and watch her eyes glaze over as the memories of Myra Lily, of Licissa, of Kelsey flood her brain until she blacked out. He’d watch her anxiety and fear build until she’d shut down, then tuck her back into bed. And they’d do it over again. And again. And again.

But…it was a pattern just for her. She picked up on it. He’d do so in the evening, always before she had to sleep. In the morning, he’d dress her up in the softest dresses, feed her proper meals that wouldn’t drug her, and let her roam the house and read. He treated her kindly.

And yet that didn’t change the psychological torture she endured every night. Didn’t change that her service was dead so Emric couldn’t ping her phone. Didn’t change the fact that he still managed to outsmart her and now she was here.

Sitting across from him at the dining room table.

Watching his smirk as he sipped a wine glass full of blood while hers was a simple sparkling cider.

Swallowing a gulp of the drink as he studied her blank expression, every movement, her every thought.

“Klara Callia, you are to be quite a long-time guest of mine,” he finally spoke, setting his wine glass on the table. She mimicked the actions, holding his gaze.

“And what, pray tell, could you possibly tell me that would make me not wish to throw myself out the first given window?” she retorted, crossing her arms.

“Well, for starters, dearest, the windows are coated in iron, so you wouldn’t last very long,” Blair replied wryly, enjoying the irritated look on Klara’s face that turned into one of wariness. “And you’ll come to see that what I’m doing is more fun than wasting before a board of victims.”

“I highly doubt that you torturing them and then branding their dead bodies as if they were cattle. Blair, you think I’d ever be like you? A falsely good man?” she sneered back at him. It was the truth, and yet her tongue prickled like she had just eaten a pair of Fae-grown berries.

Blair stood and walked to her with each step. His bright blue eyes reminded her of being on the other side of a predator shifter. Then again, Blair was a kind of predator, but the worst kind of predator out there. “I think, little Klara Callia, that you will be at my side. That you will turn in those credentials and watch as I torture them as you put it.”

“I’d rather live off Fae Wine the rest of my damn life,” she growled at him.

“That, Klara Callia, can be arranged.”

✧

“Stop!! Stop it!!” Klara broke, the memory of the most recent victim, Millicent Leroy, bouncing through her skull like a ricochet of bullets. Blair grinned maliciously, dark clothes bloody, some of it smeared across her cheek.

“Oh but we’ve only just begun, darling,” he sneered back, gripping her chin. Not forcefully, never forcefully.

“You rip more and more of my sanity away, you make me-”

“Enjoy it? Am I feeding your obsession with my work?” he interrupted. I am not obsessed. I am not obsessed. I am not obe-

“Technicalities don’t make good lies, Klara Callia,” he tutted, booping her nose.

“But I’m not obsessed!”

“And yet here you are. Unrestrained, letting me use your power against you,” Blair replied, smirking again.

“I don’t enjoy it. I am not obsessed with…with…”

“If you’re not upset, say it. Ver. Ba. Tim.”

Klara couldn’t do it. She couldn’t force the words out. Because you know he’s right.

No. No, he’s not right. I am not obsessed.

“Pity. We could’ve ended this session early,” he murmured, degloving his hands, cupping her face, sending her headfirst into the blood-curdling screams of Millicent Leroy once again.

✧

I am not obsessed.

He’s torturing them for fun.

For games.

I am not obsessed.

I am not obsessed…

The daily mantra, as she was forced to watch news of her disappearance, did little to ease her anxiety. The daily mantra, as she went through the motions of her new routine, did little to make her fully believe the opposite.

The daily mantra, Klara realized, was slowly starting to become more difficult to repeat to herself. That terrified her more than the psychotic vampire holding her hostage within what she gathered was his private estate.

He gave her enough free rein to watch the news, but the phones had iron residue, preventing her from calling anyone. She could cook, but only from the pantries that didn’t have clovers or iron residue. Otherwise, it was the daily getting up, brushing her teeth, dressing, eating, lying in boredom or watching TV, eating, going back to her room, showering, then enduring hours upon hours of her ability forcing her to relive the violent memories that she could only escape from in her sleep.

It was infuriating.

It was exhausting.

It was…

Klara wasn’t sure how it was anymore.

✧

“Say it. Word for word, say it,” Blair growled against her, Klara was pinned to the ground under him as she tried to fight him. Her nails had grown and left sharp, jagged scarring across his cheek and nose.

“I won’t give you the satisfaction! I’m not ob…I’m not…argh!”

In a moment of fury, she managed to shove him off, her dark curls lengthening, her nails sharpening, appearing to be so angrily ethereal to Blair. He barked out a laugh.

“Tell me the truth, Klara Callia Fuentes-Sweeny! Tell me the truth!” he howled in crazed laughter.

“I’m not ob- I’m not-”

“Fae can’t lie, no matter how much humanity resides in you,” he mocked. Klara was seeing red now, swiping and adding another cut to his face. It only encouraged his mocking.

“Tell me the truth,” he commanded, eyes flashing with mirth, his hands catching her claws, restricting her again. “Irish Fairy, I forbid you to outfox me!”

That little sentence sealed her fate. The words bubbled out before she could even try to swallow them back down.

“Your sessions intrigue me. You…You feed my obsession in ways I didn’t know,” she grunted out, trying so hard to make them go back into the forbidden box that she deemed dangerous.

“And?” he prodded, giving a malicious grin.

“And you…you making me see the kills over…and over…”

“Only makes that obsession grow larger than your control,” he finished for her, watching her features return to normal as the tears filled her eyes out of frustration.

“You broke me.”

“Oh no, Klara Callia. I never broke you.” He bent down to her ear, relishing in her body involuntarily stiffening.

“I released you.”

#writing corner #writers on tumblr #creative writing #writing #short story #writing assignment #please enjoy :)#writerscommunity #college writing #fiction story #fantasy story

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sugar-petals · 2 years

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realistic writer tip: it’s ok to accept that the most fleshed-out scene in your head is more frustrating and often impossible to bring to paper than an approximate concept you’re just starting out with. some of the hyper-detailed stories are meant to stay in your head for your own entertainment. vague ideas about an au can develop into great stories. unless you’re a writer who needs everything pre-imagined, highly indistinct thoughts are the real practical starting point and easier to roll with on the go. because they are made to be developed on the keyboard, not in your mind.

#writing #writing tips #fic writing #writing corner #writers on tumblr #stories #writeblr #i consider them different mediums lol

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andileighwrites · 1 year

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Novel Writing: Day 20

My manuscript is at 21,742 words! I'm almost at my halfway point. I was really close to not writing anything today but I managed to open up my laptop and get to work. I'm not going to let myself fall behind on this novel project. I'm making good progress!

#blog update #writing blog #blog post #writer #story writing #writing community #writing corner #writer community #writers community #writers on tumblr #writers of tumblr #writers life #andileighwrites #andi leigh writes

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hayatheauthor · 20 days

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How To Write Vampires With An Original Twist

Mythical creatures are an essential part of the fictional scene, but the same creatures have been used so many times that these creatures now often seem redundant and boring in fiction. This is why I've started a new blog series: How To Create Original Mythical Creatures. I'm kicking off this series with vampires!

Join me as we dive into the world of vampires, from their mythical beginnings to their modern-day interpretations, and learn how to write them effectively in your own narratives.

Origins of Vampires

Vampires have a rich and diverse history rooted in ancient folklore and legends. Across various cultures and civilizations, tales of bloodsucking creatures have emerged, each with unique characteristics and behaviors.

One of the earliest known vampire myths comes from ancient Mesopotamia, where stories of blood-drinking demons known as Lilitu or Lamashtu date back to around 3000 BCE. These entities were believed to prey on humans, particularly targeting children and pregnant women.

In ancient Greece, the Lamia was a mythical creature often depicted as a female vampire who lured and devoured children. Similarly, in Roman mythology, the Strix or Strigoi were vampiric entities that fed on blood and flesh.

Moving forward in history, Slavic folklore introduced the concept of the Upyr, a vampire-like creature that rose from the dead to feed on the living. These early depictions of vampires often portrayed them as revenants or undead beings with a thirst for human blood.

Modern-Day Vampires: Where Were They Originated?

The modern concept of vampires, as we commonly know them today, took shape during the European Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Legends of vampires emerged in Eastern Europe, with notable figures like Vlad the Impaler contributing to the folklore. Vlad's reputation for cruelty and his association with impaling enemies on stakes led to the creation of the vampire archetype, inspiring Bram Stoker's iconic character, Count Dracula.

From ancient Mesopotamia to medieval Europe, vampire lore has evolved and adapted, weaving its way into popular culture and literature. Understanding the origins of vampires provides writers with a rich tapestry of mythology to draw upon when crafting their own bloodsucking creatures.

I wanted to go into more detail regarding the Lamashtu and Lamia since they’re not as well known as their Slavic and European counterparts, but unfortunately, that would deviate from the purpose of this blog.

The Evolution Of Vampiric Appearances

Before we proceed with this section, it's crucial to clarify that the mythical creatures and beings discussed in this blog are not direct representations of ancient vampires. Instead, they serve as inspirations for the concept of vampires and share certain attributes with our modern-day depictions, including blood-feeding, pale skin, human-like appearance with some animalistic features, and so on.

Vampiric Creatures In Mythology

In ancient mythology, vampiric entities were not always depicted as the suave, charming figures we see in modern vampire tales. Instead, they often embodied primal fears and monstrous traits.

Lamia: In Greek mythology, Lamia was a terrifying creature depicted as a woman with a serpentine lower body. She was known for her insatiable hunger for children, often depicted as a child-eating monster. Lamia's appearance combined elements of human and serpent, emphasizing her monstrous nature and predatory instincts.

Lamashtu: In Mesopotamian mythology, Lamashtu was a malevolent demon who preyed on pregnant women and newborns. She was depicted with a fearsome appearance, often described as having the head of a lion, the body of a donkey, and bird-like talons. Lamashtu's grotesque features and destructive tendencies reflected ancient beliefs about the dangers of childbirth and infancy.

Lilitu: In Mesopotamian and Jewish folklore, Lilitu or Lilith was often associated with nocturnal demons or spirits. She was depicted as a seductive, winged demoness who preyed on men and newborns. Lilitu's appearance varied across different myths but often included features like wings, long hair, and sometimes talons, emphasizing her otherworldly and dangerous nature.

Strix: In Roman and Greek mythology, the Strix was a bird-like creature or vampiric owl associated with dark omens and death. It was believed to be a shape-shifting creature that could transform into a woman or an owl. The Strix's appearance combined avian and human features, instilling fear and dread in those who encountered it.

Strigoi and Upyr: In Eastern European folklore, Strigoi and Upyr were blood-sucking undead creatures similar to modern-day vampires. Strigoi were believed to be restless spirits or revenants that returned from the dead to torment the living. Upyr, on the other hand, were vampire-like beings with sharp fangs and a penchant for drinking blood. Both creatures were depicted as pale, gaunt, and often with elongated canines, reflecting their predatory and undead nature.

Medieval Depictions: Shift in Appearance

During medieval times, the depiction of blood-sucking mythological creatures underwent a transformation, shifting from monstrous and terrifying to more humanoid and relatable appearances. This change in portrayal can be seen in various aspects of their physical features:

Teeth: Originally depicted with long, sharp fangs or talons for blood-drinking, medieval depictions often featured more subtle fang-like teeth or no visible teeth at all, aligning with the concept of vampires being able to blend in with humans.

Skin: While ancient vampires were often described as monstrous and otherworldly, medieval vampires were portrayed with paler skin to signify their undead nature but without extreme deformities or monstrous features.

Appearance: Medieval vampires were often depicted as more human-like in appearance, with regular clothing and a less monstrous demeanour. This shift allowed for more nuanced storytelling and exploration of themes like temptation, desire, and the struggle between humanity and monstrosity. This is also what birthed the romanticization of vampires.

Mythological Vampire vs Modern-Day Vampire

Mythological vampires, rooted in ancient folklore and mythology, were often depicted as malevolent spirits or creatures with supernatural powers. These creatures varied widely across different cultures, from the Lamia and Lilitu in Mesopotamian mythology to the Strix in Roman and Greek folklore, and the Upyr in Slavic tales.

These ancient vampires were not always the suave, charismatic beings we see in modern media. Instead, they were often portrayed as terrifying and monstrous, with features that reflected their otherworldly nature. For example, the Lamia was described as a demonic woman with the ability to transform into a serpent, while the Lilitu were associated with storm demons and fertility spirits.

In contrast, modern-day vampires, especially those popularized in literature and film, have undergone significant transformation. They are often depicted as sophisticated and alluring, with a penchant for romance and drama. Authors and filmmakers have humanized vampires, giving them complex personalities, tragic backstories, and even moral dilemmas.

While modern vampires still retain some traditional attributes such as a need for blood and sensitivity to sunlight, their portrayal has evolved to include a wide range of characteristics and abilities. This shift has allowed for more diverse and nuanced storytelling, exploring themes of immortality, love, redemption, and the eternal struggle between good and evil.

Which Option Is Better For Your Novel?

When deciding which type of vampire to incorporate into your story, consider the tone and themes you wish to explore. Mythological vampires offer a darker and more primal essence, rooted in ancient fears and superstitions. On the other hand, modern-day vampires provide a canvas for exploring human emotions, relationships, and societal issues through a supernatural lens.

Ultimately, the choice between mythological and modern vampires depends on the narrative direction and atmosphere you want to create. Both types offer unique storytelling opportunities, allowing you to craft captivating tales of mystery, romance, horror, or even philosophical introspection.

Research and Resources

Writing about mythical creatures like vampires requires a solid understanding of folklore, mythology, and literary traditions. Here are some resources and research methods to help you delve into the world of vampires and other mythical beings:

Books and Literature

Start by exploring classic works of literature that feature vampires, such as Bram Stoker's "Dracula," Anne Rice's "The Vampire Chronicles," and Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" series. These novels not only showcase different interpretations of vampires but also delve into the cultural and historical contexts surrounding these creatures.

Mythology and Folklore

Dive into ancient myths and folklore from various cultures to uncover the origins of vampire legends. Look into Mesopotamian, Greek, Roman, Slavic, and other mythologies to discover different vampire-like entities and their characteristics.

Research Journals and Articles

Academic journals and articles can provide valuable insights into the evolution of vampire folklore, the psychological aspects of vampirism, and the cultural impact of vampire mythology. Explore journals in folklore studies, literary analysis, and cultural anthropology for in-depth information.

Online Resources

Utilize online platforms such as mythology databases, folklore websites, and literary forums to gather information and engage in discussions about vampires. Websites like The Vampire Library, Vampire Empire, and Vampire Rave offer a wealth of resources for vampire enthusiasts and writers.

Historical Research

Delve into historical records, archival documents, and historical accounts related to vampire hysteria, vampire burials, and vampire folklore in different regions. Understanding the historical context can add authenticity to your portrayal of vampires.

Interviews and Expert Opinions

Consider reaching out to folklore experts, historians, and scholars specializing in vampire mythology for interviews or consultations. Their insights and expertise can provide valuable perspectives on vampire lore and storytelling.

Creative Exploration

Don't hesitate to let your imagination roam while exploring vampire mythology. Experiment with creating your own vampire mythology, incorporating unique traits, powers, and origin stories for your vampires.

By combining thorough research with creative exploration, you can develop rich and compelling portrayals of vampires in your writing. Remember to stay open to diverse interpretations and adaptations of vampire folklore, allowing room for innovation and originality in your storytelling.

I hope this blog on How To Write Vampires With An Original Twist 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 publishing tips for authors every Monday and Thursday! And don’t forget to head over to my TikTok and Instagram profiles @hayatheauthor to learn more about my WIP and writing journey!

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