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vyxythepixie · 2 days

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I've noticed that people take writing advice way too literally and then get really mad about it, so here's a quick guide of what the typical "bad' writing advice is actually trying to tell you.

[Note: you don't have to take literally any piece of advice. It's just there for your consideration. If you hate it, leave it and do things the way you want. But the reason all of this advice is regurgitated so often is because it has helped a lot of people, so it's okay if it's not for you, but it may still be life changing for someone else.]

Write Every Day

"Write every day" is NOT supposed to be a prescriptivist, unbreakable rule that dictates anyone who doesn't write literally every day isn't a real writer. It's supposed to be a shorthand way of saying "establish a writing routine. Get used to writing at certain times or in certain places or in certain patterns, both so that you can trick yourself into writing even when you don't feel like it by recreating certain conditions, but also because if you only write "when you're in the mood", you may never get around to finishing a project and you likely won't be able to meet publishing deadlines if you decide to pursue publication."

The point of this advice is basically just to get used to seeing writing as part of your daily routine, something that you do regularly. But if you decide you can't write on Tuesdays or weekdays or any day when you have certain other activities, that's literally fine. Just try to make it a habit if you can.

2. Show Don't Tell

"Show don't tell" DOES NOT AND HAS NEVER meant "never state anything plainly and explicitly in the text". Again, "show don't tell" is a shorthand, and its intended message is "things tend to feel a lot more satisfying when your reader is able to come to that conclusion on their own rather than having the information given to them and being told they just have to accept it." It's about giving your reader the pieces to put the puzzle of your book together on their own rather than handing them a finished puzzle and saying "there. take it."

So if you have a character who's very short-tempered, it's typically more satisfying that you "show" them losing their cool a few times so that the reader can draw the conclusion on their own that this character is short-tempered rather than just saying "He was short-tempered". Oftentimes, readers don't want to take what you tell them at face value, so if you just state these sorts of details, readers will push back against that information. People are significantly more likely to believe literally any information they are able to draw conclusions on without being told what to believe, so that's where this advice comes in.

3. In Medias Res

This one is so often misunderstood. "In medias res" or "start in the middle", DOES NOT MEAN to literally start halfway through your plot. It also DOES NOT MEAN that you should start in the middle of an action packed scene. It just means that when you start your story, it should feel like the world and the characters already existed before we started following them. It shouldn't feel like everything was on pause and the world and characters only started acting the moment the story begins.

This is why starting with a character waking up or something similar can feel jarring and slow. We want to feel instantly compelled by your character, and the most efficient way to do that is [typically] to have them already doing something, but that something can be anything from taking a shower to commuting to school to chopping off a dragon head. We just want to feel like the story is already moving by the time we enter.

4. Shitty First Drafts

The idea that you should let your first draft suck and not revise it as you go is a tip presented to combat the struggle a lot of people have with not being able to finish a draft. If you find you've been working on the same first draft for five years and barely gotten anywhere, you might want to try this advice. The point is to just focus on getting to the ending because finishing a draft can give you renewed energy to work on the book and also makes it easier to get feedback from readers and friends.

That said, if your story is flowing fine even as you go back and make edits, then don't worry about this. This is advice specifically designed to target a problem. Likewise, this doesn't mean that you can't clean up typoes when you see them or even make minor edits if you want to. It just means not to let yourself get completely bogged down by making changes that you never move forward.

A "shitty first draft" also doesn't mean that your story has to be completely illegible. It just means that you shouldn't let perfectionism stop you yet. I see a lot of people say "well, I can't keep going until this first part makes sense", and that's totally reasonable! Again, the point of this advice is just to get you out of that rut that keeps you from making progress, but if you spend a couple weeks editing and then move on or you find the book is still making forward strides while you edit, then you're fine. You don't need this.

5. Adverbs

The idea that you "shouldn't use adverbs" DOES NOT MEAN that any time you use an adverb, you're ruining your story. It just means that you shouldn't *rely* on adverbs to carry your story, namely in places where stronger verbs or nouns would do a lot more heavy lifting.

For instance, you can write "she spoke quietly", but generally speaking, that "quietly" there is a lot weaker than just subbing out this clause for "she whispered". You probably have the word "spoke" all over your draft, so subbing out one instance of it here for a stronger verb in place of the same verb + an adverb makes for stronger prose. This doesn't mean that you'll never want to use the phrase "spoke quietly" over the word "whispered". For instance, if I write, "When she finally spoke, she spoke quietly, like that was all the volume her weakened lungs could muster." In this case, I'm using "spoke quietly" specifically *because* it echoes the previous spoke earlier in the sentence, and it evokes a certain level of emotion to have that repetition there. I also used it because she's not actually "whispering", but trying to speak at full volume only to come off sounding quiet.

So when people tell you to cut adverbs, they're saying this because people often use adverbs as a crutch to avoid having to seek out stronger verbs. If you're using your adverbs intentionally, having considered stronger verbs but ultimately deciding that this adverb is what does the job properly, then there's nothing wrong with using them. This is just a trick to help you spot one common weakness in prose that a lot of authors don't even realize they have.

6. Write What You Know

This is potentially the single worst-underestood piece of writing advice. "Write what you know" DOES NOT MEAN to write only what you know or that you have to put all of your life's knowledge on the page. It just means that drawing from your own experiences and already there knowledge will help you craft a better story.

So, for instance, being an eye doctor doesn't mean you have to write a story about an eye doctor. It doesn't even mean you need to write a story that directly deals with any eye knowledge. It just means that there are likely things you've experience as an eye doctor that can help inspire or inform your story. Maybe you remember a patient who always wore the same yellow shoes, and so you include a character who does exactly that. Maybe you spent a lot of hours dealing with insurance so you decide to write about insurance agents. Maybe your practice was located next to a grocery store so you decide to write a zombie apocalypse story that takes place in a location inspired by that shopping center.

The point is that, as people, our lived experiences allow us to relate to other people and craft more believable worlds. So don't limit yourself to your lived or experience or feel obligated to only write the things you've done, but when you find yourself wondering what to write about next or how to give a character more depth or how to describe this random location, pull things from your life and let what you already know bring a certain level of unique you-ness to your writing.

And the MOST important advice I can give you is to stop looking at writing advice as some holy, unbreakable rules passed down by the gods that you cannot ever deviate from. And if a piece of advice sounds totally bonkers, do some research on it. There's a good chance that whoever's passing it to you has no idea what they're talking about. But even if every other writer swears by a certain piece of advice, you absolutely do not need to take it. Try it on if you want, and throw it away if you don't, but stop making yourselves miserable by letting random internet people dictate your life. Most people giving advice on the internet aren't where you want to be anyway, so don't expect them to be able to guide you somewhere they've never been.

Everything's made up, and nothing matters. Write what you want.

#writing #tips

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vyxythepixie · 5 days

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Amendments (Chapter 6)

Pairing: Loki/Tony Stark Rating: T (Teen) Word Count: 15,827 (total so far) Warnings: None Summary: When Tony is about to make the ultimate sacrifice, a man who is supposed to be dead saves his life. The future is unwritten and it just got complicated.

READ IT ON AO3 HERE

Whatever was going on in Happy’s earpiece drew him back toward the press hall. Amid the distractions, Tony heard a beckoning hiss behind him. He turned to see Loki standing in front of one of his orange doors, offering a hand.

“Stark, come with me.”

“I can’t. I gotta go explain to everyone, including your brother, why you were dancing on my balcony.”

“No one will know you’re gone. I’ll bring you back exactly at the time you left.”

“Tony, don’t even think about it.” Rhodey had caught on.

He shouldn’t. He really shouldn’t. But there was always that little rebellious soul in him, and when Doctor Loki offered you time and space...

#frostiron #tony stark #loki #fanfiction

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vyxythepixie · 16 days

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My constant struggle when writing PWP

#sfdiughsus it's me #writing

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vyxythepixie · 22 days

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this is advice I've given friends directly before and I've probably also posted it but I really like giving it so here it is potentially again: do not create something for an imaginary bad faith reader.

there will always be someone who finds fault in your work. there will be people who read the messages on it wrong. there will be people who will take every compelling aspect about your work off of it so they can put in their own.

you cannot make art for these people.

you will never write a story that is free from criticism. you will never draw a piece that everyone finds appealing. you will never compose a song that everyone enjoys hearing. you cannot, fundamentally, set out to create something and only think of how you can avoid someone not liking it.

because, and this is key, there will be someone who sees every angle of your story and feels its intent in their heart and gushes to their friends about it. you will draw someone's favorite art and they will make it their phone wallpaper because they want to see it every day. someone will fall in love with your song and loop it on their way to work because it gets them through the day. and THOSE are the people your work is for. THOSE are the people you have to care about, because they love what you make for what it is - because it's itself.

if you set out to create something and file off every sharp edge, prune every thorn, you will be left with something fragile and weak, and it will be fragile and weak for the sake of someone who does not exist but that you were scared of anyway.

sharing art is complex and tangled and powerful, and anything you care enough to create deserves to flourish as itself. get sillay.

#yesss #writing

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vyxythepixie · 28 days

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Juvelen Av Trollmenn (Chapter 7)

Pairing: Loki/Stephen Strange Rating: M (Mature) Word Count: 2270 (Total in fic so far 20,427) Warnings: Explicit Language (a few F-bombs), mild horror elements, sexual themes, bodyswapping, mild sex scenes Summary: Saving the world comes at a price. Loki and Stephen Strange, who are certainly not together, find themselves suddenly parents. Can they reach an agreement on what this will mean for the future or will something sinister tear apart their lives as they know it?

READ IT ON AO3 HERE

“Listen to me,” Loki hissed. “You have to stop. That ward is protecting us from him.”

Whether his warning was about to be heeded, he never found out. As the general turned back, the white-hot sigil burst. For an instant, the whole host of symbols flickered into view and then they vanished.

The room paused for breath.

Stephen’s eyes snapped open.

All three of them.

#strangefrost #stephen strange #loki #fanfiction

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vyxythepixie · 1 month

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What is the biggest disappointment in fanfic?

#I picked mischaracterisation #but when authors are absolute assholes about characters I like or don't even like but don't agree with their opinion is a massive moodkill #I want to kick the 15% of you disappointed in fics being unfinished #we have lives yanno mates #we're not paid for this #sometimes we come back after years and return to them

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vyxythepixie · 1 month

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#ffff #it me

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vyxythepixie · 2 months

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A COMINT !!

#they're not wrong

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vyxythepixie · 2 months

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#cries in truth

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vyxythepixie · 2 months

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First Line Fic Game

stole it from: @mareebird

tagging: Anyone writing fanfic who sees this! I'm also gonna take liberties with 'lines' where if it's dialogue it won't always be one sentence.

rules: don't reblog the first one, make a new post! look at the first lines of the last ten (10) stories you published. look to see any patterns you notice yourself, and see if anyone else notices any.

“And I… am… Iron Man.” Amendments (Loki/Tony Stark)

“It’s been a really long day. I sure as hell could use some sleep and, you know, I think you could do with remaining alive. That’s optional, by the way. My associate here is more okay with the killing you thing but, honestly, the shit you tried to pull, doing it myself wouldn’t weigh all that heavy on my conscience.” Juvelen Av Trollmenn (Loki/Stephen Strange)

This journey was becoming as taxing as the rest. The Deepest Circle (OC/Jack Sparrow)

Not since being a small child on Asgard had a door been so intimidating. Where He Belongs (Loki/Thor)

“You need to accept the truth, Fitz. He doesn’t care, about us, about anything.” Snakes On The Plane (Fitz/Loki)

It was done. The Chthon Is A Lie ("Hunter"/Various)

The stalemate broke the instant the spell ended. Superior (Stephen/Loki/Tony Stark)

The air seemed to ripple in the corner of the TARDIS's hub, drawing the Doctor's curious attentions. Today (10th Doctor/Rose Tyler)

"Doctor." 4023 (10th Doctor/River Song & 11th Doctor/River Song)

The old man still looked up at the sky. Not Remotely Important (11th Doctor & Wilf)

I seem to like to start with dialogue or quotes in my Marvel stuff. The Doctor Who things are a bit of a 'cheat' publish as they're old and from ff.net, recently re-published on good ol' AO3. They seem to start with a few 'the's, not that there's anything wrong with it, but it's less creative XD I'm noting characters starting off feeling tired, which could be a reflection of my own psyche???

#writing games #first line fic game

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vyxythepixie · 2 months

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Amendments (Chapter 5)

Pairing: Loki/Tony Stark Rating: T (Teen) Word Count: 12281 (total so far) Warnings: None Summary: When Tony is about to make the ultimate sacrifice, a man who is supposed to be dead saves his life. The future is unwritten and it just got complicated.

READ IT ON AO3 HERE

Tony sighed. “I don’t know. Why do I have to be in the middle of your redemption arc or whatever the hell this is?”

“You chose to help me.”

“Like it was much of a choice.”

“There is always a choice. I’ve learnt that now.”

“Fine. But, look, you gotta understand. I’ve just opened enough of a can of worms without everyone dealing with the fact you’re here.”

“It’s a little late for that.” Loki gestured out of the window.

He’d been too distracted to hear it. Iron Man turned to see the news chopper hovering across from the Tower, cameras trained upon their unheard discussion.

“Ah, crap.”

#frostiron #loki #tony stark #fanfiction

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vyxythepixie · 2 months

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What the actual fuck. I just had to mark this comment I got on a random chapter of my fanfics as spam:

It's framed like someone educating me about being rude about someone's fanfiction but I'm pretty sure I have never informed someone their characterisation made me angry and only ever told friends in private if I read something that ticked me off. It looks like a poorly veiled plug to get people to go and read whatever the heck fic they're mentioning is, which for all I know has some dodgy link on it or whatever, and I have definitely never read.

Watch out folks, I guess??? Yet another pointless bot/spam on AO3 sigh.

#fanfiction #writing #ao3

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vyxythepixie · 2 months

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Do not underestimate my power to update a fanfiction 6+ years later. Assume no update only when I'm dead.

#fanfiction #writing #honestly I've picked up old fanfics and continued them before #I want to leave nothing incomplete ideally #we'll see what life allows me #and yes this includes things I abandoned decades ago

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vyxythepixie · 2 months

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I've gone back and forth on whether or not I want to find one because part of me feels *bad* because I write really long stuff.

#honestly no #ride or die #I respect people who use them and treat fanfic more professionally #but I'm personally if I may say so VERY GOOD with my SPAG and wordcraft #sure there are occasional flaws in my structure and there are mistakes here and there #but one of my toxic bitch traits is that my shit turns out pretty damn good undiluted #I only use betas for non fanfic work I intend to publish for profit

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vyxythepixie · 3 months

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Reblog and put your rare pair in the tags/comments! I want to see the depths people will go to create, for the most random two characters in the most obscure media.

#Loki/Moon Knight #or Loki paired with any of the system #pretty much 3 or 4 fics tagged with this

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vyxythepixie · 3 months

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Reblog if you’re over 20 and still read/write fan fiction.

I’m curious!

#I want to know who the fuck stops writing after 20 #I'm nearly 40 like jesus christ #who hurt you into not reading it or writing it beyond baby 20?

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vyxythepixie · 3 months

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Reading a Terry Pratchett book is literally just: Here's a funny little joke Here's something that you can tell is a joke but don't get and will only figure out five years later Here's a surprisingly cool fantasy concept Here's a unique and well written simile Here's a lil guy Here's something that has aged depressingly well into the modern day Here's something that has aged remarkably queer into the modern day Here's a character that you can barely understand what he's saying Here is the most terrifying and deeply disturbing concept you have ever heard, casually mentioned Here is the dumbest fucking pun you've ever heard but in the best way Here is a quote so profound that it makes you view morality and the world in a different way Here is a plot twist that you can't tell if it's genius or stupid Congratulations! You've finished the book! It has fundamentally changed you as a person and you will never be the same!

#terry pratchett #writing

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