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theeccentricraven · 8 hours

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OC Questionnaire (warning, long post!)

Thank you @willtheweaver @kaylinalexanderbooks @buffythevampirelover @winglesswriter @drchenquill for the tags! I've wanted to do this for ages, but I was so busy. I figured out how to kill two birds with one rock by using these as character sheets for my Camp NaNoWriMo project. All of the characters mentioned below are from my WIP The Keeper of Maralla, which I describe as a nontraditional epic fantasy. Sorry the post is so long. I hoped to capture as many of the posts I had been tagged in as possible and limited to four characters. I hope I didn't give away too much.

1. Do you like the company of others?

Juva - If you mean in the company of animals, yes. If you mean what I think you mean….I’d rather be in the corner reading a book.

Maralla - I love to be around people. I bring them joy. I make them laugh. I see the good in everyone.

Jorem - I can put up with people so long as they don’t give me crap.

Mrs. Terila - A day cannot go by without my visiting a friend, giving counsel to someone who asks, or addressing the people under my charge.

2. What do you like to do in your down time?

Juva - Ride horses on my farm, read a good book, listen to the radio, go watch a movie with my dad, ride tractors, and watch a good TV show.

Maralla - Sing, dance, ride horses, explore forests, go shopping, and play outdoor games, pick flowers, and try on new clothes.

Jorem - Learn new spells

Mrs. Terila - I don’t have much spare time, but when I do, I’m having conversations with dear friends and practicing my magic.

3. Do you believe in ghosts or the supernatural?

Juva - Our people believe that the dead join with the Higher Beings in the Otherworld. Ghosts are the result of when necromancers trap their souls on earth. That’s why necromancy is evil.

Maralla - I’ve glanced Afterlife by visiting the Fay in the Otherworld. I have seen where the dead go.

Jorem - I’m a necromancer. What do you think?

Mrs. Terila - As a mage, I know how the forces of evil fight to control souls. I know that happiness awaits the free souls.

1. What does the perfect day look like?

Juva- Pastry breakfast, visiting the most beautiful places in the colony, riding horses, watching a concert, and doing something fun with my dad.

Maralla- A festival with lots of songs and dancing, running in a race, and visiting a sacred site.

Jorem- Learning a wave of new spells, casting them to gain the control of more souls, and growing in power. Winning a fight would make the day better.

Mrs. Terila- Sitting in a chair and reading a good book.

2. What time of day is your favorite?

Juva- Dawn. I love the sunshine, the birds singing, the cool air, and the fairy dust before it fades.

Maralla- Late morning. Not too early, but bright.

Jorem- Night. When everyone else is asleep, it’s my “me” time.

Mrs. Terila- Dawn. I have to start at dawn for everything or else I’ll never get anything done during the day.

3. If you were granted one wish, what would it be?

Juva- To see my mother again.

Maralla-To see my parents again.

Jorem-Bring back my family, our home, and the life we used to have.

Mrs. Terila- Peace for our country.

1. What is your favorite game/sport?

Juva- Horseback riding

Maralla- Racing

Jorem- Competitions for who is the best sorcerer

Mrs. Terila- Hide and seek, believe it or not!

2. Do you prefer day or night?

Juva- Day. I get scared in the dark.

Maralla- Day, though I love to make beautiful songs either way. Oh, I rhymed. When you have spent as much time with the fairies as I have, you will rhyme a lot.

Jorem- Night. Best time for necromantic spells and there’s no one awake to bother me.

Mrs. Terila- Day, when I’m most active and productive.

3. How would you react if someone close to you betrayed you?

Juva-I was betrayed by someone close to me. It feels like the end of the world to me. No one hurt me so much. No one stole so much from me. I was cursed, too. I thought I was worthless. I would have given up on life if it wasn’t for Maralla.

Maralla-I was betrayed by someone I thought could be trusted. The best I could do was press forward and continue to fight to survive.

Jorem- If a friend betrayed me, I would make them miserable. I would not rest until they regretted it.

Mrs. Terila- I would remind myself that corruption can haunt any soul, run to a friend for protection and comfort, and summon the fairies to guide me.

1. Did you have any formal education? If so, what was it like?

Juva- I am fourteen years old and still a student. I’m homeschooled like many of the colonial clan members. Mrs. Terila is my teacher.

Maralla- Back in my day, I would have been able to earn admittance into a prestigious academy. Circumstances caused my mother to need to homeschool me.

Jorem- Before I lost my family, my home, and our whole town, I was an ace student in the academy. I earned the best grades in every subject. My parents were so proud.

Mrs. Terila- I was trained by the brightest scholars of the clans. When I was young and foolish, I didn’t like school. When I realized my full potential and what I could do in the world, I became a dedicated student.

2. What is your stance on friends and friendship?

Juva- I love friends, though it’s hard when I feel so nervous talking to people. I try to spend as much time as I can with the few friends I have because I feel the most comfortable with them and don’t want to lose them.

Maralla- Friends are the best, second to family. It’s even better when they know how to have fun.

Jorem- You never know if friends could go away someday, whether they ditch you or die on you. Just show that you’ve earned respect. That matters most.

Mrs. Terila- I can never have too many friends. They are everywhere. I politely request them to respect my busy schedule.

3. How would you describe your relationship with your family?

Juva-I love my dad more than anyone in the world. I work beside him, eat with him, pray with him, and laugh at the TV with him. I miss my mom. She was so beautiful. She was the kindest person in the world. I don’t understand why she was taken away from us. She must be happy in Paradise.

Maralla- I was small, but I still have fond memories of my father. I was close to my mother while she raised me with the help of the sons of Moras. I miss them.

Jorem- The images of my mother, my father, and my sister still linger in my mind, impossible to scrape out of my head. Of course I loved them. Of course we lived a wonderful life. They were good people in a world where we have almost none.

Mrs. Terila- I love my husband, sons, daughters, and grandchildren. I wish times were like how they used to be, before my work had to call me away.

1.Where do you wish you were at this very moment and why?

Juva- On the farm because I love the horses and love being with my dad.

Maralla- I wish I was back in Faeryland because it’s the best place to be.

Jorem- I wish I was with my mentor Zorik because I enjoy learning necromancy from him.

Mrs. Terila- With my husband because I miss him.

2.What's something you wanted as a child that you have/have done now and how has this impacted your life's path?

Juva- Visiting the beautiful city of An Lurska. It’s a city of magic that demonstrates the power of the Fay. I’ve heard you're never the same after you visit. They’re right. Walking the streets with the magic around me made me feel like I walked on the air.

Maralla- I wanted the fairy’s kiss when I was young because it is known for being the greatest boon that the Fay may grant. I was given it when I was fourteen. I was given more than I dreamed of. I will never touch death.

Jorem- I had wanted to learn magic since I was young. Ever since I learned necromancy from Zorik, I have felt a power and fulfillment like I never had before. I’m not going to let the past control me. I control my future.

Mrs. Terila- I wanted a husband and a family. My married life and motherhood were happy and fulfilling. Now that the forces of the demons have gotten in the way, I regret that I can’t enjoy that life again.

3. How do you take your tea?

Juva- With whipped cream

Maralla- With sugar

Jorem- I don’t drink it. I use the tea bags for spells.

Mrs. Terila- Iced

1.How good are you with people?

Juva- I’m so quiet around them, they get frustrated by how quiet I am. I can’t tell someone to do something because it feels wrong.

Maralla- I talk to them, ask them to do something and they follow with a smile, sing to them, and get them to join in games.

Jorem- So long as people aren’t stupid, I can tolerate them.

Mrs. Terila- Anyone who knows me knows I’m patient and a good leader, but I don’t let troublemakers get away easily.

2. How would you function in a group project?

Juva- I would listen to the group leader and follow their instructions.

Maralla- I would bring flowers and cookies to everyone.

Jorem- I would tell people how it’s done and remind the stupid people of how easy it is.

Mrs. Terila- I would be the leader, give everyone their task, emphasize on expectations, and offer my helping hand to any who ask.

3. What's your most valuable possession?

Juva - My mother’s locket.

Maralla - Love

Jorem - My diary

Mrs. Terila - My husband’s ring.

1. Which color do you hate?

Juva- Black. It’s the sign of all that is unknown, evil, and frightening.

Maralla- I’m actually quite fond of all of the colors, though red reminds me too much of blood.

Jorem- Brown. It’s boring.

Mrs. Terila- Gray. It doesn’t look good on me.

2. If all the sounds in the world ceased to exist, which sound would you miss the most?

Juva- Birdsong

Maralla- Laughter

Jorem- My voice.

Mrs. Terila- All singing

3. What is the first rule you learned as a child?

Juva- The Fay are above us and the Higher Powers are above them. We must respect the Higher Beings who created this world and the faeryland. We must show that we are purehearted and good in nature to earn a place in the Otherworld.

Maralla- Obey Mother and Father and never stop hugging.

Jorem- Life is all about being happy. When Mom and Dad tell you to not touch a mad dog, they just don’t want you to get bit.

Mrs. Terila- Follow the example of the Order of Elders.

1.What would you say to yourself from the past?

Juva- I would tell myself to keep closer to Koti in hopes of preventing her from turning to the dark side. I would also tell myself to never break the oaths of my clan.

Maralla- I would tell myself to be braver.

Jorem- I would tell myself to study magic sooner and spend more time practicing.

Mrs. Terila- I would tell myself to not waste my time when young as well as to not work so hard I burn out.

2. If you could send a message to your future self, what would it be?

Juva- Don’t break your oath.

Maralla- Keep spreading happiness.

Jorem- Great as it is to be a sorcerer, don't forget about the other precious moments in life.

Mrs. Terila- Don’t give up on hope.

3. If you could redo your life, is there a moment, an event, that you would never change?

Juva- I would never change taking the oath to be Maralla's keeper.

Maralla- I would never change the friendships I made with my keepers.

Jorem- I would never change becoming a necromancer.

Mrs. Terila- I would never change marrying the man I loved.

1.What's your deepest regret?

Juva- That I didn’t realize how upset Koti was. I feel like I failed her as a friend.

Maralla- I couldn’t save my mother or my father.

Jorem- I was the only one who survived when my family and neighbors died in the fire caused by a dragon.

Mrs. Terila- Failing to catch the sorcerers who followed the demoness Arsha.

2.What's your secret wish that nobody knows about?

Juva- To marry my crush.

Maralla- For everyone to visit the Faeryland.

Jorem- Make poison that could kill dragons. And…okay, I denied it, but it’s true. I would like to have a girlfriend.

Mrs. Terila- Go hide out as a hare again.

3. If you were an animal, what would you be?

Juva- A horse, running and jumping elegantly.

Maralla- An ox. I admire how strong they are.

Jorem- A wolf. The teeth and claws would be handy.

Mrs. Terila- A hare. In fact, I have experience….

Tagging (No Pressure, and open!): @tryingtowritestuff24 @revenantlore @fairy-tales-of-yesterday @gottestod-writes @distortedsense @infinnative @primroseprime2019

Your Questions:

Are you good at telling jokes?

What do you believe is the worst crime someone could ever commit?

How do you decide what to do on a given day?

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theeccentricraven · 1 day

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My most recent WIP was 209,000 words. According to my NaNoWriMo profile, I have more than....drumroll, please 🥁 777,000 words! And that’s only including my NaNoWriMo projects. The number will be way bigger when you add my other WIPs.😳🤯

what is your current wip word count? talking total of all the wips in your folder.

mine is: 86,746 😶‍🌫️

#writing #writers #writeblr #writers on tumblr #current wip #novel wip #my wips #my writing #am writing #novelist #novel writing #words

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theeccentricraven · 3 days

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OC song tag

Thanks for the tag @willtheweaver I know this was from a while ago, but I had to do it out of my love of music.

Here’s the rules: share a song to describe your character and a song they’d love

Songs for Juva from The Keeper of Maralla

A song to describe her: I Am A Poor Wayfarin’ Stranger (traditional Appalachian hymn)

A song she’d love: “You’re Still You” Josh Groban

Tagging: @mrallnight57-blog @talesofsorrowandofruin @badluck990 @revenantlore @penofglen @screamingatanemptyroom @cowboybrunch

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theeccentricraven · 4 days

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Writing Share Tag

Thank you for the tag @willtheweaver!

Rules: Share some of your writing.

Excerpt from The Blood Cleaners, Chapter 2

“Mama, I have something to tell you.” Ellen’s weary eyes looked at Justin. “Now’s the time,” he said. “For what?” “When the assessments come back, if they say I qualify, I’m going to apply to the blood cleaners.” Ellen slammed her palm to the table. “This again!!” “I’ve made up my mind.” “Justin we can get by just fine without you throwing your life away!” “I’m not throwing my life away! When I did the physical, I was better than everyone else. Seriously, Steve was in a fetal position crying. I can do this.” “There’s a reason why most blood cleaners began as factory workers or quarry workers. Already know they are strong enough. Already willing to die.” “It’s not like our work is all that safe.” “Justin we are fine as we are!” “Fine until the next tunnel fire!” “DON’T YOU DARE SAY THAT!” Ellen stepped away from the table and sat on the chair, the day weighing on her. Justin stood in front of her. He frowned and lowered his head. “Mama, I’m sorry but I want to do this for us. I think Deirdre would have wanted it, too.” “Justin.” Tears flowed down Ellen’s face. “I’ve done enough to endanger you…” “Don’t talk like that Mama! It’s not your fault what happened to Deirdre!” “But the least I can do is keep you safe. What we have is us. Our family. I wouldn’t trade the finest room in the Steel for you. Same with Miriam.” Ellen stood up. She stepped up to the shelf on the wall - the one with the five urns. The urn for Justin’s mother. The urn for Justin’s father. The urn for Ellen’s husband. The urn for Ellen’s boy who died at two years old. The urn for Deirdre. Deirdre’s was empty because her remains couldn’t be found. They filled the urn with an empty ink pen, her favorite one and testament of her love for writing. Justin knew that he had to understand Ellen’s point of view. All that she lost. She couldn’t lose more. She loved him. He loved her. Both of them were doing what they thought was best out of love. “Mama,” he said softly. “If you care for me, you know that I can’t live this life anymore.” “I know,” she said with a sob. “But being a blood cleaner isn’t the answer. The aptitude should show you fit in well with other jobs. You have potential, Justin.” “None of them will be the same.” Ellen breathed in deeply. “When I saw your real mother die before me in the hospital with the rashes covering her, I silently promised to care for you to keep her alive in you.” Justin knelt in front of her. “Mama, I love you. I wouldn’t do this to hurt you. I feel that doing this would have made my real mama proud. Would have made Deirdre proud, too. I know you want what’s best for me. If you do, you’ll respect this.” Ellen slowly stood up. “It’s not like I can do anything about it. I can’t stop you Justin. You can’t make me happy about this. I just hope you think about this.” “I know. You’re not going to lose me, Mama. I’ve made up my mind. This will be for the better for us.”

Tagging: @rickie-the-storyteller @wyked-ao3 @faeriecinna @talesofsorrowandofruin @toribookworm22 @infinnative @tildeathiwillwrite @mrallnight57-blog @imastoryteller

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theeccentricraven · 8 days

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Five things I like about writing

Thank you @kaylinalexanderbooks for the tag!

Rules: Title says it all 💜

I love to follow in the footsteps of my favorite authors. I've read so many good books in my life. I admire how authors put a lot of hard work and effort into the writing. I love how their stories impacted me. I want to do the same.

I love making my quirky ideas come to life. My mind is constantly brewing ideas. What if this? What if that? How about this? How about that? My mind is storming with so many ideas, I need to get them down. I love seeing those ideas on paper.

I love expressing emotions and pain. I've gone through a lot of pain in my life. My characters go through painful experiences as I did. I like to get deep into their emotions. It helps me heal and persevere.

I like to come up with imaginative settings. I've created worlds after thinking, "I've seen some cool worlds in other fantasy and sci-fi, but I haven't seen this yet." I create places that I would love to visit. I often create places I wish were real. Even when writing in our contemporary world, I like to find ways to use the setting. I like to imagine amazing events happening in ordinary places. The setting is like a character.

I like doing a project that's worth doing. Even if I write 300,000 words of trash, it's still worth it. I've made something. I've accomplished something. I'm a creator holding my creation. I am spending my time on something that requires a lot of brains, perspiration, and determination. I am keeping the craft of writing alive in our generation. I inspire myself. I hope to inspire others.

Tagging (No Pressure): @selenekallanwriter @americanfemcel @melpomene-grey @talesofsorrowandofruin @faeriecinna @tildeathiwillwrite @ad-wills and anyone who wants to join!

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theeccentricraven · 8 days

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Person: What's your book about?

Writers:

I'm both somehow 🙃

#writers on tumblr #writeblr #writing #writing memes #writer memes #writer mood #writer problems #am writing #writer musings #writer life #writing life #writers life #writing humor #writer humor #writing meme #relatable memes

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theeccentricraven · 8 days

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Grrr, sorry I deleted my reblog after I realized I misread your question. I guess it depends on what you mean by better? There's books for all character and reader ages. It depends on story goals and your target audience. I would say the more mature the content is, the older the characters and target readers should be. I myself am writing a YA with 16 year old characters and my target audience is 16 year olds and older teens because the content wouldn't be appropriate for younger teens.

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theeccentricraven · 12 days

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#writing #writing memes #writers #writers on tumblr #meme #writer memes #relatable memes #book memes #memes #writblr #writers life #writing life #writers community #tumblr writing community #writing community #writer community #writeblr community #author community #writer

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theeccentricraven · 14 days

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YALL. Holly Black has a list of resources she's used for writing her books on the fair folk. I'm OBSESSED. I love her work and world building. it's so true to the heart of faeries

#writing #writing resources #worldbuilding #fairy tales #fantasy writer #fantasy writing #fairies #faerie #faery #resources for writers #fantasy #fantasy worldbuilding

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theeccentricraven · 15 days

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#readblr #readlr #reading in 2024 #reading memes #reading #writers and readers #readers of tumblr #bookworm #book memes #bookblr #books #booklover #books and reading

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theeccentricraven · 15 days

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Out of Context Line Tag

Thank you for the tag @buffythevampirelover

Rules: post a line out of context from your WIP! Here is one from The Blood Cleaners.

ELLEN: Justin, what’s that red X on your head?

Tagging (no obligation, no pressure): @acmartin @badluck990 @lavenderro @bml1997 @drchenquill

#writing #writers #writeblr #writers on tumblr #author community #writers community #tumblr writing community #writing community #writer community #writeblr community #writer tag #open tag #tag game #tagging #writer stuff #tumblr writers #writers corner #writerscommunity

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theeccentricraven · 16 days

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ngl, the ideas I get in the shower are the best ideas that often save my story!

#writing #writing memes #writers #writers on tumblr #writing humor #meme #writer memes #writers life #writing life #author problems #writers problems #writer problems #writing problems #ideas are cheap #story ideas #writing ideas

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theeccentricraven · 16 days

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Rewrite Line

Thank you @kaylinalexanderbooks for the tag here.

Rules: rewrite the given line in your voice, then provide a line from your WIP for others to rewrite!

Kaylin Alexander’s: The girls hurried through their dinner, small talk too awkward. “Happy Birthday” was always awkward, but tonight, Ash sensed her friends were not in the mood. What they’d experienced was bizarre and eventful, frankly insane. Lexi found herself uncomfortable. Why couldn’t they just enjoy their evening? Why did there have to be a looming cloud over everyone?

My version: The girls didn’t speak a word as they ate their food quickly, not taking a moment to cherish or enjoy their time. “Happy Birthday” was awkward enough, but Ash took the hint from her friends’ silence and dim expressions. Their experience lingered in her mind, too stubborn to scratch out.

Lexi felt like a rain cloud loomed above, unfairly ruining their evening.

My excerpt for those tagged: Justin felt a ripple go up his spine that felt like a thousand knives stabbing him. He curved his back and cried as he felt a burning sensation reaching into every corner of his body. Deep inside his thighs, in his stomach, in his elbows, feet, chest, and knees, he could feel something eating inside him. It was like millions of worms crawling inside him and eating every inch of his body inside and out.

Tagging (no pressure): @buffythevampirelover @winterandwords @somethingclevermahogony @poethill @distortedsense @screamingatanemptyroom @rickie-the-storyteller @faeriecinna

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theeccentricraven · 16 days

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Yes, pansters/discovery writers and plansters can struggle with worldbuilding as I know well. I work on some worldbuilding before I write, but then discovery write the rest of the worldbuilding. Here's a few to add to the list:

16. Arts and Entertainment

17. Language and Dialect

18. Gender roles

19. Clothing and fashion

20. Traditions, culture, and customs

21. Architecture

22. Landmarks

23. Local History and World History

24. Occupations

25. Economy

26. Secrets and mysteries about the world

World Building Checklist

Have you ever started writing a story and realized your world has a bunch of unexplained shit and you have to fill in the gaps as you go? Me too, buddy. Me too. Here’s a checklist so that you can fully flesh out your world to the max. (I’m dying)

How does Time work? (Minutes, hours, days, the daylight cycle, years, ect.)

Species (if Fantasy. Will probably make another post on this.)

Countries, Nations, Tribes, ect. (nationalities/ races. Will probably make another post on this.)

The geography of the world (draw a map. Doesnt have to be good. Just for a general idea.)

Rivalries between races (includes prejudice, racism, ect.)

Religions

Technology

The Magic system. (Will probably make a whole other post on this.)

animals, plants, ect.

The sky: Sun, Moon(s), Stars, Constellation, Are there rings? (If the planet has rings)

Educations system

Government system

Politics

Methods of transport (Vehicles)

Medicine

Can’t really think of anything else. If you have more to add then reblog and add to the list! :) bye bee

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theeccentricraven · 17 days

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writing tips/inspo/help

Character Movements #1

Punctuating Dialogue

50 WORDS TO USE INSTEAD OF “SAID”

traits turned sour

DESCRIBING THE PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES OF CHARACTERS:

Vary your language with synonyms to use instead of "said"

WEBSITES FOR WRITERS

Descriptions in Between Dialogue

switch up your verbs (part one) ~

words to use when writing

writing resources - smut

Writing Resources: References

Writing Resources: Advice and Motivation

Writing Resources: Basics

Writing Resources: Characters

Writing References: Narratives

words to use when writing

writing perfect betrayal

toxic traits

words to use instead of...

fight scene

how to create a supermarket setting

kissing vocab

#writing #writers #writeblr #writers on tumblr #creative writing #writing advice #write #writing tips #on writing #advice for authors #writing tips and tricks #resources for writers #writing resources #tips for writers

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theeccentricraven · 17 days

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If a scene feels flat and you can't figure it out, ask yourself:

• What can MC smell? Is there an ocean breeze, sweat, a cinnamon roll fresh out the oven?

• What can MC hear, besides the dialogue? Is a bird singing, river flowing, a car speeding, clock ticking?

• Can they taste something, even if they're not eating? Previously drunk alcohol or juice, aftertaste of a cigarette, smog, too instense perfume?

• Can they feel something on their skin? Rough clothes or delicate material, blowing wind, an allergy or a rash, grass that theyre laying on?

• What does the character see, besides other characters? Is the room dark or is sunlight coming in nicely? Are the colours vibrant or dull? Are there any plants?

• What's the weather? Is it snowing and the cold is making goosebumps appear on their arms? Is it hot and sweaty and clothes are clinging to their body?

• HOW DOES IT MAKE THEM FEEL? To any of the above.

Do they like the smell of cinnamon rolls or are they weirdos (I'm a weirdo, I don't fit in).

Does the clock ticking calm them down or annoy them?

Do they enjoy the aftertaste of a cig and like how dirty it makes them feel?

Are they sensitive to touch and how their clothing feels on their skin or are they indifferent?

Would they enjoy the scenery more if it was more sunny out, because they're afraid of the darkness?

Do they like it snowy or are they always cold and hate winter?

Come on, give them persoanlity, likes and dislikes, don't be scared to make them people and not only likeable characters.

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theeccentricraven · 18 days

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Hollywood seems to think they need to make the perfect warrior woman to avoid sexism. Ironically, they make Mary Sues that reinforce the stereotypes

Let's talk about strong female characters.

And, more specifically, the problem with them. Don't get me wrong, I am all for a fierce leading lady who can hold her own in any situation. Inspiring, intimidating, capable. All-around badass. But it seems like lately, every other female character we meet is cut from the same warrior cloth, and it's starting to feel a bit predictable.

First, let's give credit where credit is due. The influx of strong, capable, and independent female characters in recent media is undeniably empowering. Seeing women take charge, wield swords, and save the day sends a powerful message to audiences young and old: girls can do anything. And that's a message worth celebrating.

However, there's a flip side to this trend that's worth examining. In the rush to break away from the tired old tropes of delicate damsels in distress, it seems like some writers have swung too far in the other direction. How many recent female protagonists can you name who aren't strong and independent? Who have weaknesses that they aren't afraid of showing, or aren't able to hide? We're seeing a lot of new male leads with these characteristics, which is great, but it's like we've traded one stereotype for another.

All this results in a lot of one-dimensional female characters. I want to see girls who are witty, goofy, immature, sensitive, cocky. While it's great to see women kicking ass and taking names, it's also important to remember that strength comes in many forms.

One of the things that makes characters truly compelling is their complexity. Sure, it's empowering to see a woman single-handedly lead or defeat an army, but what about her flaws? Her insecurities? Her moments of vulnerability? Those are the things that make her relatable, that make her human. That makes her resonate with readers.

Take the classic "strong female character" archetype and add some depth to her. Maybe she's a skilled warrior, but she's also quick with a sarcastic quip. Or perhaps she's fiercely independent, but she's also afraid of being vulnerable with others. Or maybe she's not. Maybe she's not strong or independent or fierce at all. Maybe her strength lies somewhere else. Give her layers, give her contradictions, give her flaws.

And let's not forget about the other roles that female characters can play. The witty sidekick, the comic relief, the immature goofball, the sensitive soul—these are all valid and important character types, and they deserve to be represented just as much as the badass warrior woman.

So, to all the writers out there: by all means, keep giving us strong female characters. But let's make sure they're more than just stereotypes. Let's make them human. Let's give them depth and complexity and nuance. Because in the end, that's what makes a character truly unforgettable.

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