Apocalypsewriters - I Think I’m Lost

i feel obligated to explain why i keep disappearing, but it’s really quite simple. adhd

suffice to say, i have been attempting nanowrimo this november and not doing great but i do have a new wip i will be working on an intro for. my other blorbos will show up again but they are being pushed to the backburner in favor of the new characters. i can’t wait for you all to meet them!

a queer story doesn’t suddenly stop being a queer story just because it has no romance in it

Making smart characters interesting

There’s more to smart characters than just being…smart. They have personalities, and I want to explore some ideas and feelings I had ;-;

Smart character personality ideas:

The self-absorbed smart character. Actually smart, and definitely knows it. Everyone refuses to acknowledge the good ideas because it’ll only add to their ego.

The goofy, passionate smart character. Nerd. Knows a lot of stuff and wants to share it with others. 

The quiet smart character. Has a lot of good ideas, but doesn’t say a lot of them. When they do, everyone is really impressed and since the ideas usually work, they go with their suggestions. 

The smart character that can’t articulate their thoughts. How do you get the idea in your brain out into the brains of others??? So no one really gets it, and their intelligence feels like it’s wasted. Might talk a lot or only a little. 

The quick-thinking smart character that only seems to come up with good ideas when put under a lot of pressure. 

Combine them, or give them additional traits. 

For example, that goofy and passionate character who wants to share facts might be really shy and terrified of judgement, so doesn’t share. 

That self-absorbed character might have a truly good heart, and gets frustrated when no one sides with them because they’re seemingly ego-driven when, in reality, they want to help. 

Maybe a smart character with the ability to learn and remember new things doesn’t want to learn because they’re lazy. 

Totally up to you. Be creative and combine weird ideas. 

Different ways to be intelligent:

Creative and innovative. Thinks outside the box. Loves to explore new ideas, abstract concepts, and weird scenarios. Others might judge or think the ideas are unbelievable. Might not notice the little things that could make one of their ideas go horribly wrong because they’re too focused on the big picture and on the uniqueness. 

Analytical. Good at analyzing patterns, numbers, and the little details in a scenario. Very detail-oriented. Often extremely organized. They…well, analyze things. Might not be very creative at all. Jigsaw puzzles and math?

Quick-thinking, especially under pressure. When put in a situation of life-or-death, or maybe under a lot of stress due to that upcoming exam, can push through and make calm, smart decisions. 

Good memories and lots of “brain space.” A character could have a really good memory, and recall the details of a memory that no one else recalls. They have plenty of room in their brain for seemingly useless things that just might come in handy. 

Musically intelligent. Rhythm, notes, tone, etc. come easily to them, and they might even be able to pick up on sounds and beats that no else can.

Philosophical. Comes up with big questions that others normally wouldn’t. Also outside-the-box thinkers and might get some weird looks.

Language. Linguistics are their own branch of intelligence. Might be very quick at picking up new languages and learning new words, and also is good at communicating ideas through words.

the struggle is so real y’all 😩

I want you to remember something. Writing is not an innate talent that people are born with. I've read /so many/ things where people who are old enough to know better, decide to "write a book" because they felt like it, without any knowledge on how to actually write a book, then think they're shit is the best and doesn't need a rewrite or edits.

And I'm not talking about aspiring writers, either. Aspiring writers are people who actually want to learn how to write. We all start somewhere. It takes time and practice. I'm talking about the idiots who think they can wake up one day and write Shakespeare without any kind of preamble work up to actually making that first draft and think it's publishable.

Writing takes Time, Effort, Dedication, and Practice. It's like any other profession: you can't learn it over night. But people drive me insane thinking they could 'do my job' without any kind of experience in it.

Next time you writers - actual writers that day dream about your stories, write fan fiction, make original stories in your head as you go to sleep, anything that's any sort of preamble to actually writing - think that your writing sucks? Stop and remember this. Writing is a skill you learn. You've just gotta work that muscle until it's strong.

Some of you are stronger than you think.