Cozy Nights

Cozy Nights <3

What not to care about while writing

Writing can be difficult.Here are some basic things i learned to NOT give a fuck about while writing your first draft!

Grammar and spelling in your first draft.

What others might think of your story.

The length of your story; it can be short or long.

Writing every detail - leave room for the reader's imagination.

Whether your story aligns with current trends or popular genres.

Overthinking the title or cover art at the beginning.

Perfect pacing in the initial draft.

The order in which you write scenes - you can rearrange later.

Trying to make every character likable or relatable.

Writing the perfect first draft; let your first draft be really messy.#

Dialogues to Kick-start your Chapter/Writer's Block

"Excuse me?"

"Why?"

"Where?"

"How?"

"When?"

"What?"

"No."

"Yes."

"Hell no."

"Hell yes!"

"Fuck off!"

"Fuck me!"

"In what world!"

"Which time?"

"Are you sure?"

"I don't think so."

"Not really,"

"Maybe, if you think about it—"

"What the fuck."

"Okay, catch this (insert ridiculous proposition)"

"So, I'll meet you at 6?"

"For the millionth fucking time—"

"Ya think?"

"This is it, then?"

"Come to my place. Now."

"She's called you. Right now."

"Oh, we're so screwed!"

"Hey."

"Don't do that."

"You've lost it. Completely lost it."

"What were you thinking?"

"I am confident that you belong in an asylum."

"I think you should get some help."

"Shove it up your ass!"

"Piss on it."

"I have a list and you're the top 5."

"I'd never do that."

"I'd definitely do that."

"It does sound like something I'll say, but I didn't say it. I swear!"

"Do you have any idea how hard it is?"

(as a response to the above dialogue ^) "Not harder than me for sure." / "It's not hard. Or else you wouldn't be doing it at all."

"Maybe I just need a little alcohol."

"Smells like jealousy to me."

"Lord, please."

- ashlee

If it's not too much trouble, could you share how you write your first drafts/outlines for your stories/fics?

You seem to have so many fascinating ideas, and you manage to word them in ways that almost seem cinematic and summarize your plots so efficiently. So, as someone struggling to summarize all my ideas into an outline to begin writing my stories, I wanted to ask you if you had any tips on that particular issue?

I will admit that I do have a peculiar work ethic when it comes to typing up outlines for my stories, but I find it's something that helps me more than just typing up a list of bullet points on what happens in a scene. I will also add an example from the current Batfam fic I am working on to better show you what I mean, but first some theory:

When I write a first draft/outline, I write it in the format of a movie script.

Writing outlines in the form of a movie script is incredibly effective because it forces you to focus on showing, not telling, by emphasizing visuals and action.

It tightens dialogue, ensuring every line has impact, while also honing scene structure and pacing. Script format reveals character through behavior and subtext, making emotional undercurrents clear without relying on exposition.

It drives conflict through concise, tension-filled dialogue and helps you create scenes with immediate emotional impact.

By stripping away unnecessary details, scriptwriting makes storytelling efficient, clear, and easy to visualize, naturally sharpening your narrative and maintaining momentum.

As an example, I offer you an outline written like this from a fic that I am currently writing:

EXT. JASON TODD'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

The sky opens up, rain pouring in sheets. TIM DRAKE stands outside a rundown apartment building, shivering as the cold bites at him. His clothes are soaked, clinging uncomfortably to his skin. He takes a deep breath, his body shaking, his eyes locked on the chipped, weathered door in front of him.

The door swings open.

JASON TODD stands there, casually leaning against the frame. A cigarette hangs loosely between his lips, smoke curling up around his face. His emerald green eyes take in Tim’s drenched, disheveled appearance. A beat passes, then Jason blows a cloud of smoke directly into Tim’s face. Tim coughs, looking irritated but unsurprised.

JASON (deadpan) “You look like shit.”

Tim laughs bitterly, tugging at his soaked clothes, trying to pull them away from his skin. The wet fabric clings to him, suffocating. His frustration is evident.

TIM (mutters) “Thanks. Are you gonna let me in?”

Jason smirks, flicking the ash from his cigarette onto the ground, eyes sharp as they study Tim. He leans against the doorframe, casual but predatory.

JASON (mocking) “Let me guess—His Highness finally replaced you?”

Tim barely flinches, but Jason notices. He always notices. Those green eyes catch every small twitch of vulnerability, every crack in Tim’s resolve. Jason grins, and it’s infuriating—like he’s been waiting for this moment.

Jason takes another slow drag of his cigarette, turning his head to exhale away from Tim. His voice drips with sarcastic sympathy.

JASON “Finally threw you away, huh? Gotta make room for the new, shiny model in his collection?”

Tim's shoulders hunch, his face contorting into a mix of hurt and frustration. Jason’s words hit too close to home, and that self-satisfied grin plastered on Jason’s face only makes it worse. The unspoken ‘I told you this would happen’ lingers in the air between them like a challenge.

TIM (hissing through clenched teeth) “Just let me in, asshole.”

Jason flicks his cigarette to the ground, crushing it under his boot. He steps aside, the grin still lingering, but there's a flicker of something else in his eyes—something unspoken.

Tim hesitates for only a moment before stepping inside.

And Cut!

Now, you have a wonderful and imaginative draft to work off of. It does take a bit of getting used to, but thinking of your writing as establishing shots in a movie generally helps with getting into the flow of what you are writing.

List of 40 character flaws

Stubbornness, Unyielding in one's own views, even when wrong.

Impatience, Difficulty waiting for long-term results.

Self-doubt, Constant uncertainty despite evident abilities.

Quick temper, Excessive reactions to provocations.

Selfishness, Prioritizing one's own needs over others'.

Arrogance, Overestimating one's own abilities.

Trust issues, Difficulty trusting others.

Perfectionism, Setting unreachable high standards.

Fear of change, Avoiding changes.

Haunted by the past, Old mistakes or traumas influencing the present.

Jealousy, Envious of others' successes.

Laziness, Hesitant to exert effort.

Vindictiveness, Strong desire for revenge.

Prejudice, Unfair biases against others.

Shyness, Excessive timidity.

Indecisiveness, Difficulty making decisions.

Vulnerability, Overly sensitive to criticism.

Greed, Strong desire for more (money, power, etc.).

Dishonesty, Tendency to distort the truth.

Recklessness, Ignoring the consequences of one's actions.

Cynicism, Negative attitude and distrust.

Cowardice, Lack of courage in critical moments.

Hotheadedness, Quick, often thoughtless reactions.

Contentiousness, Tendency to provoke conflicts.

Forgetfulness, Difficulty remembering important details.

Kleptomania, Compulsion to steal things.

Hypochondria, Excessive concern about one's health.

Pessimism, Expecting the worst in every situation.

Narcissism, Excessive self-love.

Control freak, Inability to let go or trust others.

Tactlessness, Inability to address sensitive topics sensitively.

Hopelessness, Feeling that nothing will get better.

Dogmatism, Rigidity in one's own beliefs.

Unreliability, Inability to keep promises.

Closed-offness, Difficulty expressing emotions.

Impulsiveness, Acting without thinking.

Wounded pride, Overly sensitive to criticism of oneself.

Isolation, Tendency to withdraw from others.

What to give a fuck about,while writing your first draft!

I`ve posted a list about things you don´t need to give a fuck about while writing your first draft. Here are things you NEED TO CARE about! (in my opinion)

Your Authentic Voice: Don't let the fear of judgment or comparison stifle your unique voice. I know it´s hard,but try to write from your heart, and don't worry about perfection in the first draft. Let your authenticity shine through your words.

Your Story, Your Way: It's your narrative, your world, and your characters. Don't let external expectations or trends dictate how your story should unfold. Write the story you want to tell.

Progress Over Perfection: Your first draft is not the final product; it's the raw material for your masterpiece. Give a fuck about making progress, not achieving perfection. Embrace imperfections and understand that editing comes later.

Consistency and Routine: Discipline matters. Make a commitment to your writing routine and stick to it.

Feedback and Growth: While it's essential to protect your creative space during the first draft, be open to constructive feedback later on. Giving a f*ck about growth means you're willing to learn from others and improve your work.

Self-Compassion: Mistakes, writer's block, and self-doubt are all part of the process. Give a f*ck about being kind to yourself. Don't beat yourself up if the words don't flow perfectly every time. Keep pushing forward and remember that writing is a journey.

Remember, the first draft is your canvas, your playground. Don't bog yourself down with unnecessary worries.