Niigo Kaito Meets Tsukasa And Sense Something About Him

Niigo Kaito meets Tsukasa and sense something about him 🙂

10 outline techniques for writers

With this post I listed 10 outline techniques to help writes move their story from a basic idea to a complete set of arcs, plots, sequences and/or scenes. Or to simply expand whatever you have in hands right now.

If you have a vague story idea or a detailed one, this post is for you to both discover and organize. A few technique will work perfectly. A few won’t. Your mission is to find the one that works best for you. That said, I advice you to try out as many techniques as possible.

So, are you ready? Open your notebook, or your digital document, and let’s start.

1. Snowflake method: Start with a one-sentence description of the novel. Then, develop this simple phrase into a paragraph. Your next step is to write a one-page summary based on the paragraph, you can write about characters, motivations, goals, plots, options, whatever you feel like. From this point on, you can either start your book or expand the one-page summary into four pages. And, at last, four pages into a brief description of known sequences of scenes. Your goal is to make the story more and more complex as you add information, much like a forming snowflake.  

2. Chapter by chapter: List ten to twenty chapters, give each chapter a tittle and a brief description of what should happen. Then, break each chapter into three to five basic sequences of scenes. Give each sequence a title, a brief description and a short list of possibilities (possibilities of dialogues, scenarios, outcomes, moods, feelings… just play around with possibilities). From this point on, you can either create the scenes of sequences with a one-sentence description for each or jump straight to writing. Your goal is to shift from the big picture to a detail-oriented point of view.

3. Script: This might sound crazy, but, with this technique, you will write the screenplay of your story as if it’s a movie. No strings attached to creative writing, just plain actions and dialogues with basic information. Writing a script will take time, maybe months, but it will also enlighten your project like no other technique. Your goal is to create a cinematic view of your story. How to write a script here. 

4. Free writing: No rules, no format, no step, just grab a pen or prepare your fingers to write down whatever idea that comes up. Think of possibilities, characters, places, quests, journeys, evolutions, symbolisms, fears, good moments, bad moments, clothing, appearances. Complete five to ten pages. Or even more. The more you write, the more you will unravel. You can even doodle, or paste images. Your mission is to explore freely.

5. Tag: This technique is ideal if you have just a vague idea of the story. Start by listing ten to fifteen tags related to the story. Under each tag, create possible plots. And, under each plot, create possible scenes. Grab a red felt pen and circle plots and scenes that sparkle your interest.

6.  Eight-point arc: With this technique you will divide your story into eight stages. They are Stasis, Trigger, Quest, Surprise, Critical Choice, Climax, Reversal and Resolution. The Stasis is the every-day-life of your main character. Trigger is an event that will change the every-day-life of your character (for better or for worse). Quest is a period of your main characters trying to find a new balance, a new every-day-life (because we all love a good routine). Surprise will take your character away from their new found every-day-life. Critical Choice is a point of no return, a dilemma, your character will have to make the hardest decision out of two outcomes, both equally important. Climax is the critical choice put to practice. Reversal is the consequence of the climax, or how the characters evolved. Resolution is the return to a new (or old) every-day-life, a (maybe everlasting) balance.

7. Reverse: Write down a description of how your story ends, what happens to your characters and to those around them. Make it as detailed as possible. Then, move up to the climax, write a short scenario for the highest point of your story. From there, build all the way back to the beginning. 

8. Zigzag: Draw a zigzag with as many up and downs as you want. Every up represents your main character moving closer to their goal. Every down represents your main character moving further from their goal. Fill in your zigzag with sequences that will take your character closer and farther from the goal.

9. Listing: The focus of this technique is exploring new ideas when your story feels empty, short or stagnated. You’ll, basically make lists. Make a long list of plot ideas. Make another list of places and settings. Make a list of elements. And a list of possible characters. Maybe a list of book titles. Or a list of interesting scenes. A list of bad things that could happen inside this universe. A list of good things. A list of symbolism. A list of visual inspiration. A list of absurd ideas you’ll probably never use. Then, gather all this material and circle the good items. Try to organize them into a timeline.

10. Character-driven: Create a character. Don’t worry about anything else. Just think of a character, their appearance and style. Give them a name. Give them a basic personality. Give them a backstory. Develop their personality based on the backstory. Now, give this character a story that mirrors their backstory (maybe a way to overcome the past, or to grow, or to revenge, or to restore). Based on your character’s personality, come up with a few scenes to drive their story from beginning to end. Now, do the same thing for the antagonist and secondary characters.

So, when is it time to stop outlining and start writing?

This is your call. Some writers need as many details as they can get, some need just an basic plot to use as a North. Just remember, an outline is not a strict format, you can and you will improvise along the way. The most important is being comfortable with your story, exploring new ideas, expanding old concepts and, maybe, changing your mind many times. There’s no right or wrong, just follow your intuition.  

yeah

[Repost] Aventurine finding and getting jealous of the insane amount of plushies his lover made of him

Warning : Fluff, Aventurine showing his true feelings because he trust the reader enough to expose his inner self 😞, kissing

As you can see, Aventurine is a quite busy man and if he gets to know that you can somehow cope without his presence, he will be delighted. At first he found you making a plushie resembling his form utterly adorable. You spent your free time in your shared house customizing a doll resembling his form. His pink eyes, his fluffy blonde locks, even their outfit matches his in a simplified form!

It started at one plushie. He didn’t really pay attention about how many plushies there are, but seeing you happy with it makes him content. Sometimes you’re sending him an update of what you’re currently doing with your plushie and he thinks that he’s endearing. He’ll respond with a lighthearted text such as “You seem to have a lot of fun,” or “Should’ve been me!!”

With this in mind, he could leave you alone for one week in peace. You did tell him that you’re going to miss him so much, but being the IPC executive he is he can’t possibly cancel his scheduled business trip. Along his trip you keep sending him your daily activity along with those little versions of him. He noticed that their face or type changed frequently yet he paid no mind. Maybe it’s the lighting. He did give you his card info so you probably upgrade your plushie from time to time. The only thing he wants while he’s away for work is that he badly wants to go home and reunite with you. 

And that’s how it hit him. 

Finally he is able to come home safely, only to find a cat plushie with his color scheme resting on top of his shoe rack. Something is definitely off. Aventurine sneaked his way to your shared room. Are you sleeping? Usually you’re the one who’s the most ecstatic about the date where he came home, but to his surprise he didn’t get the greeting he was expecting. He quietly opens the door. There you are sleeping so peacefully while being surrounded by the unholy amount of plushies that looked like him. You’re hugging the biggest one there, half of your face stuffed on its face. 

An ugly green monster forms inside his heart. How dare they?!

Aventurine pouted at the sight, marching his way to the bed. As much as he despises these plushies now, he managed to patiently put them away from bed knowing you put a lot of effort into making or ordering these dolls of him. He had eventually cleaned the plushies out of your bed and he moved to the last one. The one you’re hugging so tightly. He tried to move your hand away from it, only for you to unconsciously hug it tighter. Aventurine’s frown got bigger. The doll’s beady eyes somehow mock him by how it smiles so tauntingly, just like how he always smiles in victory. It did win your attention though. 

With renewed determination, Aventurine managed to pull your humongous plushie from your embrace. You whined in your sleep at the loss of contact. He quickly replaces the spot with himself, hugging you tightly. His pout is clearly visible since the haunting face of the doll is still clear inside his head. You woke up at the unfamiliar feeling, only to find the real thing is now replacing the fluffy one. 

“Oh? Welcome back,” at first you’re confused at his unamused face but then the moment you realize that all of your plushies are no more on top of your bed, it clicks. You snickered at the thought of him putting away your plushies. 

“Is there anything bothering you?” 

“I don’t like my attention divided.”

“You’re away for so long, I need them to fill up the void!”

“Well now I’m here so you wouldn’t need them anymore,” He hugs you protectively. You found his jealous form cute, as he should. 

“The moment you’re away I’ve been kissing them you know, it’s your fault for not staying here-” Aventurine shushes you by kissing your lips. He’s really jealous alright. 

“Using my credit to have you kissing other men seems unethical, doesn’t it?” 

“They’re just a bunch of colored cotton, Aventurine”

“In a shape of a man,”

“And the man is you” he gives you a long face, earning a hearty laugh from you.

“Well at least I have the real thing to kiss now,” You tried to calm him by kissing his forehead. It seems to work as his expression is now softened and a faint pink appears on his cheeks. 

“We need to put those guys away,”

“NO!!!”

This one was a request but somehow it didn't make it to the Aventurine tag so I reposted it because I love this one :(( Thank you for reading~

Okay so I was chatting with @maririna and we both talked about how Veritas Ratio would have a strict sleeping schedule and WILL scold his darling if they were to stay up late doing random or questionable things. 

“What did I tell you about how a proper sleeping time will nourish your body and mind? You really should fix your sleeping schedule or your body will deteriorate faster and you’ll finally become a true idiot.”

“You can work on that tomorrow. Where were you this whole day? You could’ve done it earlier rather than wasting your chance to rest properly at night.”

But at times he will also feel so intrigued at an unsolved formula to the point Ratio himself would forget his usual routine while he’s tinkering around his studio and messing around his blackboard trying to crack the code. The one time his darling can actually sleep on time, he’s right there groaning and scoffing at the task at hand.

Excuse my messy drawing, I was giggling a lot 😭

8:13 am - s.akito

Shinonome Akito doesn't and hasn't loved.

He adores and loves his mother of course, and she reciprocates full heartedly. Him and Ena may constantly argue but they both know very well that they'd die for each other. But in an romantic context he's absolutely repulsed.

Akito doesn't want it. Music is above everything and everyone. Relationships can't compare to the fleeting moments of the spotlight during a show—nor the exhilarating satisfaction of noticing improvement after excruciating hours of practice.

It's such an ugly concept too. His father only hurts his sister, almost singlehandedly ruining her art career and being the sole reason she can't believe in herself anymore— all while justifying his actions with the excuse of love.

Akito doesn't want love either. The only enticing desire that ever came to visit him were self improvement. It's a satisfactory way of living. Unlike others he never suffered from pining for another nor struggling to pick up the pieces of his own heart— it can't happen if he doesn't open it up to anyone at all.

It was futile thought, no matter how much he tried to follow that philosophy, or how long he's been able to abide by it— because right next to him lies the disruption in his peace.

Sunlight bleeds through the curtains, illuminating your sleeping expression, Akito observes the gentle rise of your chest, entranced with your gentle breathing.

Romance is stupid. So is love, trivial and useless, if it hurt his family then why should he bother luxuriating in it. It's foolish, an utter waste of time, something only an idiot would bother pursuing.

Yet he finds himself here, remaining in bed just to stare at someone, despite the fatigue itching behind his eyes.

Even with your hair in a mess and your face lazily squished against a pillow, it's one of the most ethereal sights he's ever laid his eyes on. A sight only for him. Akito always adores how you look no matter what, but something about seeing you at full peace makes him smile a bit harder.

He hated it, loathed how you were the bane of his existence, the fault in his once flawless discipline. Akito always prioritises practice. He doesn't spend money unless it was for the sake of his performances. And he abides his strict sleep schedule constantly.

But here he is, hours past the time he usually wakes up, admiring the person he's probably spent almost tens of thousands of yen on, even if there's a bit of drool accumulating on their bottom lip.

Akito can go on about how much he hates you. Ever since you stepped into his life, he found himself skipping practice to hang out with you. Prize money went to buying you your favourite books, and the time reserved for picking out song lists went to binging all of your show recommendations. One of his solo shows were entirely forgot by him; all because he felt the urge to blurt out his feelings for you.

You're a flaw. A weakness. A falter in what he calls control.

Initially, he thought he lost it. With how he was constantly reminded of his infinite adoration for you, it didn't take long to accept.

Every detail of you is imprinted in his mind. Your rambles sooth his stress; you could be complaining about someone and it'd still be music to his ears. The way you express yourself is so sweet to him, as smooth as honey and saccharine like the summer air. Your touch is warm, a comforting spring night that flushes his face red every single time.

Being loved was just as addictive. No one's ever bought him flowers, or written him poetry or little love notes during class. He'd never kissed someone until you, nor laughed so hard until he gasped for air.

Through half lidded eyes he notices movement in your body, with a yawn your arms reach out to Akito, though not quite enough to pull him closer. He obliges to your motions, muscular arms wrapping around you as he plants a kiss on your forehead.

"Mornin'."

You respond with incoherent murmurs, burying your face into his warm chest, pressing against his now racing heartbeat. He stifles a laugh after seeing your reaction, patting your head.

A glimpse at the time and he knows he should probably go home soon. His mum must be worried after he stormed out of the house late at night, almost breaking down from hearing another argument invade the comfort of his room.

"I need to go." Raspy and careful, he whispers into your ear. "I'll see you at school." His movements halt as you cling onto his wrist.

"Stay. Please."

As if second nature Akito complies. His body obeys before he can even process your words mentally, returning to your initial position with him. He takes it as an opportunity to throw your blanket back onto you.

"Are you sure...? Didn't you have a morning shift today?"

"I wanna stay here with you."

And I would stay here with you forever, if I could. "I'll be here for as long as you'd like then." Another kiss. This time on your cheek.

"Can't go to work anyways." He asks why, mumbling with his face against your neck. "'m sick."

Akito withdraws. "Really?" Urgency wards off lethargy. Was he out of it? He didn't notice you cough or sneeze, and your breathing seemed stable too.

You nod, wearily. "Yeah. Lovesick." Akito flicks your forehead, almost instantaneously.

He ignores your complaints. "Idiot. Don't worry me again." He scolds you as if a smile wasn't tugging at his lips. "C'mon, sleep more. We stayed up late last night."

"Worry about yourself more. You literally carried me to my room because I fell asleep on the couch."

He shrugs it off. "You're not heavy."

In return, you scoff. "Still would've been more convenient to sleep there."

"You say that as if I wouldn't shoulder the weight of the world for your sake." His lithe finger poke your cheek. "One more hour. Sleep just that and I'll buy you lunch later."

"As if you ever let me pay."

Akito shrugs again, he'd do anything for you, that included making sure your wallet was never empty. His father was rich, might as well make the most of it even if he loathes him. "Bookstore as well, then."

You give in, surrendering to his deal. "Fine. Since you're so insistent."

And so he grins at his victory, tucking you in again and joining you. He intertwines his fingers with yours, calloused thumb stroking your knuckles as he whispers sweet nothings into your ear. Akito feels so relax that it finds it unsettling, it's as if he never broke down from hearing his family argue— as if said struggles never existed in the first place.

Love is still poison to Akito, only you seem to make it appear so intoxicating— if it's you he'll allow himself to indulge in said venom, even if it puts his fragile heart at risk.

taglist (send an ask to be added) : @yuzurins, @chigirizzz (not a proper fic but take a drabble in the mean time)