Friendly Reminders To My Fellow Rvb Writers:

Friendly reminders to my fellow rvb writers:

A “sniper” is a job, a “sniper rifle” is a category of gun, of which there are many models.

When the trigger of a gun is pulled, the hammer hits the primer on the base of the bullet cartridge currently inside the barrel - cartridge being the word for the casing and bullet together. The primer ignites the gunpowder inside the casing which propels the bullet forward, out of the casing and muzzle and hopefully into the target. The empty casing is then ejected from the barrel to make room for the next cartridge.

A magazine is loaded into the gun, and a clip is a tool to load bullets into the magazine before it’s put into the gun. Some guns have fixed magazines that are attached to the body of the gun and require clips to be carried separately, but all guns we’ve seen on the show that have magazines have removable magazines that can be swapped with another pre-filled one of the same type after being emptied. Characters are most likely to be carrying magazines (”mags” like when Wash is talking to himself in S12: “Last mag, Wash, make it count.”) that were loaded with clips in the armory before they left, not clips by themselves. Sometimes the clip stays in the magazine after the cartridges are loaded, sometimes it acts more like a shoehorn and is taken out once the cartridges are in place. It depends on the gun. 

A clip by itself cannot feed cartridges up to the barrel as the gun is fired, but a magazine contains a spring so that each cartridge is lifted up to take the position of the last after the casing is ejected. For guns that do not have magazines, they may have belts (turrets, etc.) or require the user to insert cartridges by hand (shotguns, etc.). A bandolier is a wearable storage device for individual cartridges, and is not a feeding device like a magazine or belt.

(In smaller sim trooper outposts like Blood Gulch, it’s likely that either pre-loaded magazines and belts would be dropped in with other supplies, one soldier would be responsible for preparing magazines and belts for the whole squad, or each individual soldier would be responsible for preparing magazines or belts for their own weapons.)

And lastly “Four Seven Niner” is numerically written “479″ - the “r” on the end of “nine” is to make it easier to tell the difference between 5 and 9 when spoken out loud, especially over a radio.

Things That May Be Causing Your Writer's Block- and How to Beat Them

I don't like the term 'Writer's Block' - not because it isn't real, but because the term is so vague that it's useless. Hundreds of issues all get lumped together under this one umbrella, making writer's block seem like this all-powerful boogeyman that's impossible to beat. Worse yet, it leaves people giving and receiving advice that is completely ineffective because people often don't realize they're talking about entirely different issues.

In my experience, the key to beating writer's block is figuring out what the block even is, so I put together a list of Actual Reasons why you may be struggling to write:

(note that any case of writer's block is usually a mix of two or more)

Perfectionism (most common)

What it looks like:

You write one sentence and spend the next hour googling "synonyms for ___"

Write. Erase. Write. Rewrite. Erase.

Should I even start writing this scene when I haven't figured out this one specific detail yet?

I hate everything I write

Cringing while writing

My first draft must be perfect, or else I'm a terrible writer

Things that can help:

Give yourself permission to suck

Keep in mind that nothing you write is going to be perfect, especially your first draft

Think of writing your first/early drafts not as writing, but sketching out a loose foundation to build upon later

People write multiple drafts for a reason: write now, edit later

Stop googling synonyms and save that for editing

Write with a pen to reduce temptation to erase

Embrace leaving blank spaces in your writing when you can't think of the right word, name, or detail

It's okay if your writing sucks. We all suck at some point. Embrace the growth mindset, and focus on getting words on a page

Lack of inspiration (easiest to fix)

What it looks like:

Head empty, no ideas

What do I even write about???

I don't have a plot, I just have an image

Want to write but no story to write

Things that can help:

Google writing prompts

If writing prompts aren't your thing, instead try thinking about what kind of tropes/genres/story elements you would like to try out

Instead of thinking about the story you would like to write, think about the story you would like to read, and write that

It's okay if you don't have a fully fleshed out story idea. Even if it's just an image or a line of dialogue, it's okay to write that. A story may or may not come out of it, but at least you got the creative juices flowing

Stop writing. Step away from your desk and let yourself naturally get inspired. Go for a walk, read a book, travel, play video games, research history, etc. Don't force ideas, but do open up your mind to them

If you're like me, world-building may come more naturally than plotting. Design the world first and let the story come later

Boredom/Understimulation (lost the flow)

What it looks like:

I know I should be writing but uugggghhhh I just can'tttttt

Writing words feels like pulling teeth

I started writing, but then I got bored/distracted

I enjoy the idea of writing, but the actual process makes me want to throw my laptop out the window

Things that can help:

Introduce stimulation: snacks, beverages, gum, music such as lo-fi, blankets, decorate your writing space, get a clickity-clackity keyboard, etc.

Add variety: write in a new location, try a new idea/different story for a day or so, switch up how you write (pen and paper vs. computer) or try voice recording or speech-to-text

Gamify writing: create an arbitrary challenge, such as trying to see how many words you can write in a set time and try to beat your high score

Find a writing buddy or join a writer's group

Give yourself a reward for every writing milestone, even if it's just writing a paragraph

Ask yourself whether this project you're working on is something you really want to be doing, and be honest with your answer

Intimidation/Procrastination (often related to perfectionism, but not always)

What it looks like:

I was feeling really motivated to write, but then I opened my laptop

I don't even know where to start

I love writing, but I can never seem to get started

I'll write tomorrow. I mean next week. Next month? Next month, I swear (doesn't write next month)

Can't find the time or energy

Unreasonable expectations (I should be able to write 10,000 words a day, right????)

Feeling discouraged and wondering why I'm even trying

Things that can help:

Follow the 2 min rule (or the 1 paragraph rule, which works better for me): whenever you sit down to write, tell yourself that you are only going to write for 2 minutes. If you feel like continuing once the 2 mins are up, go for it! Otherwise, stop. Force yourself to start but DO NOT force yourself to continue unless you feel like it. The more often you do this, the easier it will be to get started

Make getting started as easy as possible (i.e. minimize barriers: if getting up to get a notebook is stopping you from getting started, then write in the notes app of your phone)

Commit to a routine that will work for you. Baby steps are important here. Go with something that feels reasonable: every day, every other day, once a week, twice a week, and use cues to help you remember to start. If you chose a set time to write, just make sure that it's a time that feels natural to you- i.e. don't force yourself to writing at 9am every morning if you're not a morning person

Find a friend or a writing buddy you can trust and talk it out or share a piece of work you're proud of. Sometimes we just get a bit bogged down by criticism- either internal or external- and need a few words of encouragement

The Problem's Not You, It's Your Story (or Outline (or Process))

What it looks like:

I have no problems writing other scenes, it's just this scene

I started writing, but now I have no idea where I'm going

I don't think I'm doing this right

What's an outline?

Drowning in documents

This. Doesn't. Make. Sense. How do I get from this plot point to this one?!?!?! (this ColeyDoesThings quote lives in my head rent free cause BOY have I been there)

Things That Can Help:

Go back to the drawing board. Really try to get at the root of why a scene or story isn't working

A part of growing as a writer is learning when to kill your darlings. Sometimes you're trying to force an idea or scene that just doesn't work and you need to let it go

If you don't have an outline, write one

If you have an outline and it isn't working, rewrite it, or look up different ways to structure it

You may be trying to write as a pantser when you're really a plotter or vice versa. Experiment with different writing processes and see what feels most natural

Study story structures, starting with the three act structure. Even if you don't use them, you should know them

Check out Ellen Brock on YouTube. She's a professional novel editor who has a lot of advice on writing strategies for different types of writers

Also check out Savage Books on YouTube (another professional story editor) for advice on story structure and dialogue. Seriously, I cannot recommend this guy enough

Executive Dysfunction, Usually From ADHD/Autism

What it looks like:

Everything in boredom/understimulation

Everything in intimidation/procrastination

You have been diagnosed with and/or have symptoms of ADHD/Autism

Things that can help:

If you haven't already, seek a diagnosis or professional treatment

Hire an ADHD coach or other specialist that can help you work with your brain (I use Shimmer; feel free to DM me for a referral)

Seek out neurodiverse communities for advice and support

Try body doubling! There's lot's of free online body doubling websites out there for you to try. If social anxiety is a barrier, start out with writing streams such as katecavanaughwrites on Twitch

Be aware of any sensory barriers that may be getting in the way of you writing (such as an uncomfortable desk chair, harsh lighting, bad sounds)

And Lastly, Burnout, Depression, or Other Mental Illness

What it looks like:

You have symptoms of burnout or depression

Struggling with all things, not just writing

It's more than a lack of inspiration- the spark is just dead

Things that can help:

Forget writing for now. Focus on healing first.

Seek professional help

If you feel like it, use writing as a way to explore your feelings. It can take the form of journaling, poetry, an abstract reflection of your thoughts, narrative essays, or exploring what you're feeling through your fictional characters. The last two helped me rediscover my love of writing after I thought years of depression had killed it for good. Just don't force yourself to do so, and stop if it takes you to a darker place instead of feeling cathartic

Happy Pride Month!

I had hoped to have a teaser trailer ready this month, but since that didn’t pan out I have something else for everyone

✨Behind-the-scenes✨

QC Intro first draft (no studio equipment or bg instrumental)

Performed by Nis Monet, Lyrics by RysingSun and Nis Monet

-

QC title screen rough layout (dw it's going to be colorful)

Art by RysingSun

To see more complete versions of these, head to Queer Canyon’s Patreon

As of June 1, the Patreon has:

- Progress updates for April and May 2023 ($1 tier)

- Blue team and Red team screenshot reveals ($5 tier)

This month I will add:

- End-of-month progress update for June 2023 ($1 tier)

- Queer Canyon Intro first draft AND two demo versions, one with additional instrumental ($5 tier)

- Queer Canyon title screen progress screenshots ($5 tier)

The final versions of the QC Intro and title screen are not yet ready, so please note that they are unlikely to be included in the aforementioned June posts (maybe later this summer ;) )

Sardoyles

CATS VS DOGS!!!!!!

^ doing this to locus and calling him pocus (pink locus) is the funniest fuckinhg shitty joke i have made for this so far. hes pocus now. no he's not locus that guy like killed people. this is pocus. he doesnt do that.