Tag: writing

fuckyourwritinghabits:

emptymanuscript:

aetherial:

theinformationdump:

Body Language Cheat Sheet for Writers

As described by Selnick’s article:

Author and doctor of clinical psychology Carolyn Kaufman has released a one-page body language cheat sheet of psychological “tells” (PDF link) fiction writers can use to dress their characters.

This is something I have always encouraged people to consider when writing. If you can afford it, and you have one in your area – TAKE A BODY LANGUAGE CLASS.  It will open your eyes to a whole new world of subtleties you never knew existed. SO worth it as a “Real Life” skill and for all those times when you’re writing and you need your character to react nonverbally.

There is also, in addition to these others, the writer resource book: The Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi

This is how you show, not tell what your character is feeling.

Source: archetypewriting.com

Transition Words For Your Essays

jamblasian:

savageapprentice:

soniastudyblr:

Transition Signals:

Transitions are words and phrases that connect ideas and show how they are related.

To repeat and ideas just stated:

  • In other words,
  • That is,
  • To repeat,
  • Again,

To illustrate an idea:

  • For example,
  • For instance,
  • In particular,
  • To illustrate,
  • In this manner,
  • Thus,

To announce a contrast, a change in direction:

  • Yet,
  • However,
  • Still,
  • Nevertheless,
  • On the other hand,
  • In contrast,
  • Instead of,
  • On the contrary,
  • Conversely,
  • Notwithstanding,
  • In spite of this,

Time:

  • At once,
  • In the interim,
  • At length,
  • Immediately,
  • At last,
  • Meanwhile,
  • In the meantime,
  • Presently,
  • At the same time,
  • Shortly,
  • In the end,
  • Temporarily,
  • Thereafter,

To restate an idea more precisely:

  • To be exact,
  • To be specific,
  • To be precise,
  • More specifically,
  • More precisely,

To mark a new idea as an addition to what has been said:

  • Similarly,
  • Also,
  • Too,
  • Besides,
  • Furthermore,
  • Further,
  • Moreover,
  • In addition,

To show cause and effect:

  • As a result,
  • For this reason,
  • Thereafter,
  • Hence,
  • Consequently,
  • Accordingly,

Conclusion:

  • In short,
  • To conclude,
  • In brief,
  • On the whole,
  • In summary,
  • To sum up,

Important

Reblogging again bc I need this at the moment

SYNONYMS FOR WORDS COMMONLY USED IN STUDENTS’ WRITINGS

writeworld:

by larae.net

  • Amazing– incredible, unbelievable, improbable, fabulous, wonderful, fantastic, astonishing, astounding, extraordinary
  • Anger– enrage, infuriate, arouse, nettle, exasperate, inflame, madden
  • Angry– mad, furious, enraged, excited, wrathful, indignant, exasperated, aroused, inflamed
  • Answer– reply, respond, retort, acknowledge
  • Ask– question, inquire of, seek information from, put a question to, demand, request, expect, inquire, query, interrogate, examine, quiz
  • Awful– dreadful, terrible, abominable, bad, poor, unpleasant
  • Bad– evil, immoral, wicked, corrupt, sinful, depraved, rotten, contaminated, spoiled, tainted, harmful, injurious, unfavorable, defective, inferior, imperfect, substandard, faulty, improper, inappropriate, unsuitable, disagreeable, unpleasant, cross, nasty, unfriendly, irascible, horrible, atrocious, outrageous, scandalous, infamous, wrong, noxious, sinister, putrid, snide, deplorable, dismal, gross, heinous, nefarious, base, obnoxious, detestable, despicable, contemptible, foul, rank, ghastly, execrable
  • Beautiful – pretty, lovely, handsome, attractive, gorgeous, dazzling, splendid, magnificent, comely, fair, ravishing, graceful, elegant, fine, exquisite, aesthetic, pleasing, shapely, delicate, stunning, glorious, heavenly, resplendent, radiant, glowing, blooming, sparkling
  • Begin – start, open, launch, initiate, commence, inaugurate, originate
  • Big – enormous, huge, immense, gigantic, vast, colossal, gargantuan, large, sizable, grand, great, tall, substantial, mammoth, astronomical, ample, broad, expansive, spacious, stout, tremendous, titanic, mountainous
  • Brave – courageous, fearless, dauntless, intrepid, plucky, daring, heroic, valorous, audacious, bold, gallant, valiant, doughty, mettlesome
  • Break – fracture, rupture, shatter, smash, wreck, crash, demolish, atomize
  • Bright – shining, shiny, gleaming, brilliant, sparkling, shimmering, radiant, vivid, colorful, lustrous, luminous, incandescent, intelligent, knowing, quick-witted, smart, intellectual
  • Calm – quiet, peaceful, still, tranquil, mild, serene, smooth, composed, collected, unruffled, level-headed, unexcited, detached, aloof
  • Come – approach, advance, near, arrive, reach
  • Cool – chilly, cold, frosty, wintry, icy, frigid
  • Crooked – bent, twisted, curved, hooked, zigzag
  • Cry – shout, yell, yowl, scream, roar, bellow, weep, wail, sob, bawl
  • Cut – gash, slash, prick, nick, sever, slice, carve, cleave, slit, chop, crop, lop, reduce
  • Dangerous – perilous, hazardous, risky, uncertain, unsafe
  • Dark – shadowy, unlit, murky, gloomy, dim, dusky, shaded, sunless, black, dismal, sad
  • Decide – determine, settle, choose, resolve
  • Definite – certain, sure, positive, determined, clear, distinct, obvious
  • Delicious – savory, delectable, appetizing, luscious, scrumptious, palatable, delightful, enjoyable, toothsome, exquisite
  • Describe – portray, characterize, picture, narrate, relate, recount, represent, report, record
  • Destroy – ruin, demolish, raze, waste, kill, slay, end, extinguish
  • Difference – disagreement, inequity, contrast, dissimilarity, incompatibility
  • Do – execute, enact, carry out, finish, conclude, effect, accomplish, achieve, attain
  • Dull – boring, tiring„ tiresome, uninteresting, slow, dumb, stupid, unimaginative, lifeless, dead, insensible, tedious, wearisome, listless, expressionless, plain, monotonous, humdrum, dreary
  • Eager – keen, fervent, enthusiastic, involved, interested, alive to
  • End – stop, finish, terminate, conclude, close, halt, cessation, discontinuance
  • Enjoy – appreciate, delight in, be pleased, indulge in, luxuriate in, bask in, relish, devour, savor, like
  • Explain – elaborate, clarify, define, interpret, justify, account for
  • Fair – just, impartial, unbiased, objective, unprejudiced, honest
  • Fall – drop, descend, plunge, topple, tumble
  • False – fake, fraudulent, counterfeit, spurious, untrue, unfounded, erroneous, deceptive, groundless, fallacious
  • Famous – well-known, renowned, celebrated, famed, eminent, illustrious, distinguished, noted, notorious
  • Fast – quick, rapid, speedy, fleet, hasty, snappy, mercurial, swiftly, rapidly, quickly, snappily, speedily, lickety-split, posthaste, hastily, expeditiously, like a flash
  • Fat – stout, corpulent, fleshy, beefy, paunchy, plump, full, rotund, tubby, pudgy, chubby, chunky, burly, bulky, elephantine
  • Fear – fright, dread, terror, alarm, dismay, anxiety, scare, awe, horror, panic, apprehension
  • Fly – soar, hover, flit, wing, flee, waft, glide, coast, skim, sail, cruise
  • Funny – humorous, amusing, droll, comic, comical, laughable, silly
  • Get – acquire, obtain, secure, procure, gain, fetch, find, score, accumulate, win, earn, rep, catch, net, bag, derive, collect, gather, glean, pick up, accept, come by, regain, salvage
  • Go – recede, depart, fade, disappear, move, travel, proceed
  • Good – excellent, fine, superior, wonderful, marvelous, qualified, suited, suitable, apt, proper, capable, generous, kindly, friendly, gracious, obliging, pleasant, agreeable, pleasurable, satisfactory, well-behaved, obedient, honorable, reliable, trustworthy, safe, favorable, profitable, advantageous, righteous, expedient, helpful, valid, genuine, ample, salubrious, estimable, beneficial, splendid, great, noble, worthy, first-rate, top-notch, grand, sterling, superb, respectable, edifying
  • Great – noteworthy, worthy, distinguished, remarkable, grand, considerable, powerful, much, mighty
  • Gross – improper, rude, coarse, indecent, crude, vulgar, outrageous, extreme, grievous, shameful, uncouth, obscene, low
  • Happy – pleased, contented, satisfied, delighted, elated, joyful, cheerful, ecstatic, jubilant, gay, tickled, gratified, glad, blissful, overjoyed
  • Hate – despise, loathe, detest, abhor, disfavor, dislike, disapprove, abominate
  • Have – hold, possess, own, contain, acquire, gain, maintain, believe, bear, beget, occupy, absorb, fill, enjoy
  • Help – aid, assist, support, encourage, back, wait on, attend, serve, relieve, succor, benefit, befriend, abet
  • Hide – conceal, cover, mask, cloak, camouflage, screen, shroud, veil
  • Hurry – rush, run, speed, race, hasten, urge, accelerate, bustle
  • Hurt – damage, harm, injure, wound, distress, afflict, pain
  • Idea – thought, concept, conception, notion, understanding, opinion, plan, view, belief
  • Important – necessary, vital, critical, indispensable, valuable, essential, significant, primary, principal, considerable, famous, distinguished, notable, well-known
  • Interesting – fascinating, engaging, sharp, keen, bright, intelligent, animated, spirited, attractive, inviting, intriguing, provocative, though-provoking, challenging, inspiring, involving, moving, titillating, tantalizing, exciting, entertaining, piquant, lively, racy, spicy, engrossing, absorbing, consuming, gripping, arresting, enthralling, spellbinding, curious, captivating, enchanting, bewitching, appealing
  • Keep – hold, retain, withhold, preserve, maintain, sustain, support
  • Kill – slay, execute, assassinate, murder, destroy, cancel, abolish
  • Lazy – indolent, slothful, idle, inactive, sluggish
  • Little – tiny, small, diminutive, shrimp, runt, miniature, puny, exiguous, dinky, cramped, limited, itsy-bitsy, microscopic, slight, petite, minute
  • Look – gaze, see, glance, watch, survey, study, seek, search for, peek, peep, glimpse, stare, contemplate, examine, gape, ogle, scrutinize, inspect, leer, behold, observe, view, witness, perceive, spy, sight, discover, notice, recognize, peer, eye, gawk, peruse, explore
  • Love – like, admire, esteem, fancy, care for, cherish, adore, treasure, worship, appreciate, savor
  • Make – create, originate, invent, beget, form, construct, design, fabricate, manufacture, produce, build, develop, do, effect, execute, compose, perform, accomplish, earn, gain, obtain, acquire, get
  • Mark – label, tag, price, ticket, impress, effect, trace, imprint, stamp, brand, sign, note, heed, notice, designate
  • Mischievous – prankish, playful, naughty, roguish, waggish, impish, sportive
  • Move – plod, go, creep, crawl, inch, poke, drag, toddle, shuffle, trot, dawdle, walk, traipse, mosey, jog, plug, trudge, slump, lumber, trail, lag, run, sprint, trip, bound, hotfoot, high-tail, streak, stride, tear, breeze, whisk, rush, dash, dart, bolt, fling, scamper, scurry, skedaddle, scoot, scuttle, scramble, race, chase, hasten, hurry, hump, gallop, lope, accelerate, stir, budge, travel, wander, roam, journey, trek, ride, spin, slip, glide, slide, slither, coast, flow, sail, saunter, hobble, amble, stagger, paddle, slouch, prance, straggle, meander, perambulate, waddle, wobble, pace, swagger, promenade, lunge
  • Moody – temperamental, changeable, short-tempered, glum, morose, sullen, mopish, irritable, testy, peevish, fretful, spiteful, sulky, touchy
  • Neat – clean, orderly, tidy, trim, dapper, natty, smart, elegant, well-organized, super, desirable, spruce, shipshape, well-kept, shapely
  • New – fresh, unique, original, unusual, novel, modern, current, recent
  • Old – feeble, frail, ancient, weak, aged, used, worn, dilapidated, ragged, faded, broken-down, former, old-fashioned, outmoded, passe, veteran, mature, venerable, primitive, traditional, archaic, conventional, customary, stale, musty, obsolete, extinct
  • Part – portion, share, piece, allotment, section, fraction, fragment
  • Place – space, area, spot, plot, region, location, situation, position, residence, dwelling, set, site, station, status, state
  • Plan – plot, scheme, design, draw, map, diagram, procedure, arrangement, intention, device, contrivance, method, way, blueprint
  • Popular – well-liked, approved, accepted, favorite, celebrated, common, current
  • Predicament – quandary, dilemma, pickle, problem, plight, spot, scrape, jam
  • Put – place, set, attach, establish, assign, keep, save, set aside, effect, achieve, do, build
  • Quiet – silent, still, soundless, mute, tranquil, peaceful, calm, restful
  • Right – correct, accurate, factual, true, good, just, honest, upright, lawful, moral, proper, suitable, apt, legal, fair
  • Run – race, speed, hurry, hasten, sprint, dash, rush, escape, elope, flee
  • Say/Tell – inform, notify, advise, relate, recount, narrate, explain, reveal, disclose, divulge, declare, command, order, bid, enlighten, instruct, insist, teach, train, direct, issue, remark, converse, speak, affirm, suppose, utter, negate, express, verbalize, voice, articulate, pronounce, deliver, convey, impart, assert, state, allege, mutter, mumble, whisper, sigh, exclaim, yell, sing, yelp, snarl, hiss, grunt, snort, roar, bellow, thunder, boom, scream, shriek, screech, squawk, whine, philosophize, stammer, stutter, lisp, drawl, jabber, protest, announce, swear, vow, content, assure, deny, dispute
  • Scared – afraid, frightened, alarmed, terrified, panicked, fearful, unnerved, insecure, timid, shy, skittish, jumpy, disquieted, worried, vexed, troubled, disturbed, horrified, terrorized, shocked, petrified, haunted, timorous, shrinking, tremulous, stupefied, paralyzed, stunned, apprehensive
  • Show – display, exhibit, present, note, point to, indicate, explain, reveal, prove, demonstrate, expose
  • Slow – unhurried, gradual, leisurely, late, behind, tedious, slack
  • Stop – cease, halt, stay, pause, discontinue, conclude, end, finish, quit
  • Story – tale, myth, legend, fable, yarn, account, narrative, chronicle, epic, sage, anecdote, record, memoir
  • Strange – odd, peculiar, unusual, unfamiliar, uncommon, queer, weird, outlandish, curious, unique, exclusive, irregular
  • Take – hold, catch, seize, grasp, win, capture, acquire, pick, choose, select, prefer, remove, steal, lift, rob, engage, bewitch, purchase, buy, retract, recall, assume, occupy, consume
  • Tell – disclose, reveal, show, expose, uncover, relate, narrate, inform, advise, explain, divulge, declare, command, order, bid, recount, repeat
  • Think – judge, deem, assume, believe, consider, contemplate, reflect, mediate
  • Trouble – distress, anguish, anxiety, worry, wretchedness, pain, danger, peril, disaster, grief, misfortune, difficulty, concern, pains, inconvenience, exertion, effort
  • True – accurate, right, proper, precise, exact, valid, genuine, real, actual, trusty, steady, loyal, dependable, sincere, staunch
  • Ugly – hideous, frightful, frightening, shocking, horrible, unpleasant, monstrous, terrifying, gross, grisly, ghastly, horrid, unsightly, plain, homely, evil, repulsive, repugnant, gruesome
  • Unhappy – miserable, uncomfortable, wretched, heart-broken, unfortunate, poor, downhearted, sorrowful, depressed, dejected, melancholy, glum, gloomy, dismal, discouraged, sad
  • Use – employ, utilize, exhaust, spend, expend, consume, exercise
  • Wrong – incorrect, inaccurate, mistaken, erroneous, improper, unsuitable

Writer’s Syndrome

writing-the-words:

If you are a writer, or the friend of a writer, Writer’s Syndrome is definitely something you should be aware of. Every writer, at one point in their life, experience Writer’s Syndrome, if they haven’t already. There are many symptoms of this syndrome:

  • Thinking everything you’ve written is garbage
  • Having no idea what to do next
  • Feeling as if your characters have turned against you
  • Loss of interest or motivation in your work
  • Difficulty focusing or staying on target
  • Unusual and out of place character deaths or actions

Many writers refer to Writer’s Syndrome as “The Wall”, “Writer’s Block”, or describe their situation as being “stuck”. Other writers might talk about wanting to go back and restart their book, or revise it. Some might want to trash their work all together. One of the most dangerous forms of Writer’s Syndrome is one of having too many ideas, and feeling as if you are putting aside your current work for a better idea that you’ve had.

You are most susceptible to Writer’s Syndrome when you are about three-quarters of the way through your work. If you or someone you love has been affected by Writer’s Syndrome, don’t worry, there is a cure!

Writer’s Syndrome has one real effect that makes it such a dangerous and difficult syndrome to tackle: this syndrome stops your productivity in its tracks. The key to overcoming Writer’s Syndrome is simply continuing.

The reality is: every good writer is going to reach a point where they think their writing sucks. If you think you are a perfect writer, then you will never improve, and you will never actually be any good at all. A good writer has to be willing to adapt and change as they age and learn, and as the world changes. This doesn’t mean to stop what you’re doing and revise everything you have so far. The way Writer’s Syndrome works, you often run into three scenarios.

Scenario 1: “My work is garbage and I quit.”

image

Scenario one is when you press delete on everything you have, shut your computer, down a bottle of whiskey, and listen to your significant other complain about how writing was never a real career choice and you need to go find “a real job”.

The solution to scenario one is accepting, “yes, maybe this is a little shitty”, and then continue going. Let the shit swell and stink and spread – but actually finish what you are doing. When your work is complete, and you have a full novel beginning to end, that is the time to figure out whether or not you really did write  a terrible story.

Of course, the next question is “This is actual shit. Now what?”

Now you have two options. Your first draft, is most likely, going to actually be shit. Sorry. It happens, no one is perfect on their first try. You probably didn’t know your characters as well then, you didn’t know exactly where your plot was going. Now, you’re better. Now is the time to start revising and make it better.

There is an alternative, when you realize that what you wrote is absolutely the worst thing ever written, and there is no saving yourself from it or going back. It is irredeemable, revision will do nothing. From here, your best bet it to show the work to a close friend. Someone who can read it and say, “No way, dude, this is really good!”, but someone who is also honest enough to say, “What were you smoking when you wrote this? This is crap.” If you get a good review, revise. Take some time to work on other things first, so that you distance yourself from this “my work is crap” phase, but revise eventually. If your friend says your work sucks, then that’s a different story. At that point, you go into a stage of mourning. Take some personal time to grieve for the lost time you spent, and the caffeine addiction you now have to overcome. When you feel alright, SAVE YOUR WORK. Save everything. Back it up, email it to yourself, whatever you normally do. Do not press delete. Chances are there is something in those thousands of words that isn’t shit. There is something worth saving. It might be one minor character, or just one plot point, or it might be an entire section of the work itself. Nothing is ever worth deleting. Ever.   

Scenario 2: “I should go back and edit everything right now”

image

In scenario two, you are typically a good portion of the way though your work, when you realize you made mistakes. Probably huge mistakes. That first person perspective you thought was working? It’s not. Third person POV time. That really cute couple you wrote? Yeah, one of them is gay. Too bad they’ve been main character’s your entire story and you just realized it now. These things happen.

How do you fix it? Make a note: “JUST REALIZED ANNA IS GAY, HER AND JAMES ARE JUST GOOD FRIENDS” and continue writing from there, as if that was the truth the whole time. Whatever big mistake you made, just make a note, and write the rest of your story as if it was correct the whole time.

The danger in revising too early, before you finish, is that you never actually finish. You get 75% though the book, realize you made a huge error, go back and revise 40% of the way through before realizing another big mistake. Mistakes are everywhere. Just make a note, finish, and you’ll fix it in your revision.

Scenario 3: “Ah…I’m halfway done with this but…this new idea is way better…I’ll come back to this one later!”

Scenario three is the kind of scenario that has you up at three am with your fifth cup of coffee sitting empty on your desk. You are really into your one plot, but at the same time, another plot has begun to grow. Well, you don’t want to lose it, do you? You’d better write it now, while you’re passionate. After all, you’ve put way to much work into this first story to forget about it, you’ll come back soon.

If you’re the type of writer who has 6+ unfinished manuscripts / first drafts saved on their computer, this is probably you. This problem is a difficult one, because you really don’t want to lose the passion you have for either story. My advice? Stick to the story you were already working on, but don’t be afraid to open up a new word document and write a 1-2 page synopsis of your other idea. Having ideas is never going to be a bad thing, but you need to finish what you started the first time.

 Scenario 4: “I have absolutely no idea what I am doing”

image

Scenario four is that very special time in a writer’s life when they develop that passionate and personal hatred of that blinking black line on a word document. It is when you spend more time staring out the window that actually writing. 

For help with this, you can see the “Getting Started” post, but mainly, the best way to go is just to go. Brainstorm ideas, allow your characters to lead the way, even if it is a little off-plot. Going for it is your best bet, don’t worry about how it turns out! 

image

Best of luck and happy writing,

Marina Montenegro

So You Want To Make a Character..

findingee:

kannibalprinceref:

I’ve got a few generators you can use.

Need some clothes?

Try Here

Need an Appearance idea?

Humanoid generator? check

Need some details and shit like that?

Bam

You thought I was done? Nope.
Motha. Fuckin. Names.

So many fuckin names

Plant Names

Just search ur ass up some names man

Items. Yeah. You heard me.

Medicine? got it

Other shit.

Wow

Yep
Plots
More writing stuff
This site has everything so fucking go for it
Need AUs?
How the shit did these two meet?
Fanfic plots. you bet your ass. (tag me in the shit u write i wanna see what you get)
What does it do thing (you come up with a better name for this one. fuckin fight me.

You bet your ass I will continue to update this. If you’ve got something I should add to this hmu. Now, go forth! Make characters and live yo life.
UPDATE: Added more shit everywhere.

reblog to save a life

thequeen117:

Some links I have found in various Tumblr Posts that I have saved on my computer. I do not take credit for collecting all these links. Unfortunately, I did not have the mind to save/note where these various links come from. Thank you to whoever compiled these links together.

General Writing Tips, Guides and Advice

How to be Confident in Your Writing
Start Your Novel Already!
Why First Chapters Matter
How to Outline a Novel
Incorporating Flashbacks
Word Building 101
Common Mistakes in Writing
Tips on Getting Started
What Not to Do
7 Tips to Become a Better Writer from Stephen King
How to Use Reading to Become a Better Writer
Why Writers Must Read
How to Finish What You Start: A Five-Step Plan for Writers
31 Ways to Find Inspiration for Your Writing
10 Tips to Write Fanfiction
Writing a Blurb
10 Writing Tips
Perfecting Description
Point of View
Speed Up Your Writing
Recieving Bad News
Useful Writing Apps
Avoiding Clichés
Writing Lessons
Finding Inspiration

Plot and Conflict

What is Conflict?
Where’s Your Conflict?
Adding Conflict to Your Scenes
Guides for Using Inner Conflict That Makes Sense
Plotting Your Novel
Internal and External Conflict
The Top Ten Plotting Problems
The Elements of Plot Development
Plot Help
Writing a Plot Your Own Way
Plot Development
Develop a Plot
Tension and Conflict
Your Plot, Step by Step
Plot vs. Exposition
Plot and Conflict

Character Development

How to Describe the Body Shape of Female Characters
Character Apperance Help

Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar

Placement of Speech Tags
Grammar and Spelling

All About Names

List of Names
100 Most Popular Names

Genre Based

20 Tips to Writing Love Scenes
On Love And Sex

Other

Word Count
Story Starters & idea Generators