[ : .. Writing Related & Shit . ] - Tumblr Posts
๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ โ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ โ ๐๐๐๐
In the heart of the cluttered streets of Lagos lies a secret society known to those who dare to whisper its name: โ The New Republic. โ Comprised of cutthroat gangsters, bitter misfits, and corrupt mobsters, their sole dedication is to preserve Najjaโs riches and its very lucrative underground market. They navigate the treacherous landscape of modern politics, rival gangs, and crooked greed.
Their identities are hidden behind masks, various tattoos, and cloaks, and their loyalty to him is unwaveringโฆ Who is he? At the center of their ambitions and every action hailing from a world outside of their own, is Christopher. Their new crown jewel warriorโฆ [ xx ]
โomg youโre so creative. how do you get your ideasโ i hallucinate a single scene in the taco bell drive thru and then spend 13 months trying to write it
โ See, the problem isโฆ Iโve had these characters in my head for two going on three years, writing for my own enjoyment. My inspiration comes and goes in sporadic bouts, leading to phases of intense investment followed by periods of inactivity. When you write, you inevitably infuse parts of yourself into your work, which brings a sense of vulnerability. All my shit is deeply personal to me. Graphics, writing, whatever it is, itโs me. I have gotten so comfortable in my own โ delusion โ and my own world building and connections for this specific body of workโฆ creating and doing it for the consumption of others means dealing with peopleโs selfishness, things not resonating or being received how they should be, and all aroundโ accepting the fact that people might not appreciate the effort and personal connection behind it.
Like yeah people will support a story, theyโll engage, some might be vultures and steal, whatever it is, but to them these are just stories. For me itโs specific memories tied to a lot of these scenes, chapters, paragraphs, whatever you wanna call it. I donโt know if Iโm ready to give up the escapism I find in just doing shit for me. I like the exclusivity because I can be raw, imperfect and honest without all the trouble or extra noise.
ALSO WANT TO ADD: Nowadays, itโs even more challenging to write FOR AN AUDIENCE because peopleโs attention spans are fried and their selfishness means they seldom invest time in reading anybody elseโs work anymore. You canโt make people care about your characters like they used to because they are too preoccupied with their own books and tryna write shit for themselves. The writer to reader ratio is fucked a lil bit.
โ Itโs not more so the engagement for me, itโs just that lately Iโve found myself torn between keeping my work private and the exhausting effort of trying to capture an audienceโs attention, or make sure everythingโs โ perfect โ or โ quality โ for the enjoyment of others. Thatโs why these writing platforms are so dead too, people lack the attention span or interest in anything they didnโt create themselves. People arenโt truly reading to read anymore; theyโre merely consuming other peopleโs shit to regurgitate it and call it their own. Like nobody wants to read for the love of it anymore because they wanna be โ writers โ and self-important with their own engagement, nothing wrong with a surge of writers or people wanting to tell a story, everybody got one but the ratio being so off has become a big road block.
Itโs been like that for a little while now and the shift makes it harder to make readers care about a story and its characters the way that the author does, you get me ? Itโs like, why would I put all this effort and time into doing this for reception, or engagement when I can just do this shit for myself without the pressure and the headaches ? I wanna write and put things out because people really do support it when I do but at the same timeโฆ I donโt want to do thatโฆโฆโฆ.. at all anymore because itโs kinda fried and burnt out for me personally.
And itโs not to say that NOBODY AT ALL READS ANYMORE TO SUPPORT OTHERS OR FOR THE ENJOYMENT BECAUSE THATโS NOT TRUE WHATSOEVER, but once you get so comfortable with partaking in things simply for your own love of it and your own escapismโ itโs hard to go back to doing it for the consumption of others. When itโs just been you and the time youโve invested into your drafts, world building, planning, character development, chapters and drabbles, whatever it isโฆ itโs like your baby at this point.
Like hell nah I donโt want this to be taken away from me or undervalued by somebody else. Thatโs what sucks the fun out of it. When you insert the stress of consumption and other peopleโs input or lack thereof . When you do things for you, itโs vulnerable, itโs sacred atp.
โ See, the problem isโฆ Iโve had these characters in my head for two going on three years, writing for my own enjoyment. My inspiration comes and goes in sporadic bouts, leading to phases of intense investment followed by periods of inactivity. When you write, you inevitably infuse parts of yourself into your work, which brings a sense of vulnerability. All my shit is deeply personal to me. Graphics, writing, whatever it is, itโs me. I have gotten so comfortable in my own โ delusion โ and my own world building and connections for this specific body of workโฆ creating and doing it for the consumption of others means dealing with peopleโs selfishness, things not resonating or being received how they should be, and all aroundโ accepting the fact that people might not appreciate the effort and personal connection behind it.
Like yeah people will support a story, theyโll engage, some might be vultures and steal, whatever it is, but to them these are just stories. For me itโs specific memories tied to a lot of these scenes, chapters, paragraphs, whatever you wanna call it. I donโt know if Iโm ready to give up the escapism I find in just doing shit for me. I like the exclusivity because I can be raw, imperfect and honest without all the trouble or extra noise.
ALSO WANT TO ADD: Nowadays, itโs even more challenging to write FOR AN AUDIENCE because peopleโs attention spans are fried and their selfishness means they seldom invest time in reading anybody elseโs work anymore. You canโt make people care about your characters like they used to because they are too preoccupied with their own books and tryna write shit for themselves. The writer to reader ratio is fucked a lil bit.
โ Like I have created whole ass Pinterest boards for these characters, have built them up so much through all this time, they have families and background life stories, they have real depth, through all the time and creativity Iโve invested and poured into them, and the various storytelling elements into not just them but the plot and these draftsโฆ why would I want to risk the sentimentality I have with this for the next person to take it, ignore it, or not see it the way I do?
You legitimately have to make people care enough to step outside of themselves to give a shit about your work, a damn about your characters and anything youโre trying to doโฆ doing that can be so daunting and stressful for no reason. Why would I want to when I can work for me, on my own time, for my own entertainment ?
if you start reading books again. you will feel at least a little better. I promise
thank you for all of the feedback on the snippet i posted. i want to do the book. my only problem isโฆ i do not feel like dealing with having to set the book up or do a cast page and things that go into the book but i know that i have to because other wise.. i think a lot of it is going to be lost on the reader. SO, i might have to cave and do one. setting books up is a damn job but the prologue is finished, if i wait to publish i could also have chapter one ready to go too since the chapters are relatively short, me thinks.
words to use instead of ______
"Very"
Mild: clearly, decidedly, distinctly, markedly, considerably, notably, largely, recognizably, especially, indubitably Moderate: especially, surprisingly, substantially, uncommonly, chiefly, incredibly, obviously, unmistakably, considerably, awfully, wonderfully, particularly Bold: profusely, unequivocally, strikingly, astonishingly, exceedingly, absolutely, exceptionally, extremely, unquestionably, vastly, incontestably
"A Lot" (time)
Mild: often, oftentimes, sometime Moderate: frequently, usually, various, generally Bold: regularly, recurrent, persistent
"A Lot" (size)
Mild: many, much, several Moderate: numerous, bountiful, considerable Bold: multitude, profuse, vast
"Big"
Mild: sizable, ample, large, considerable, great, above average, important Moderate: ponderous, significant, crucial, vast, copious, magnificent, substantial Bold: enormous, immense, colossal, extensive, endless, paramount, boundless, prodigious, imposing, gigantic, voluminous, limitless, essential
"Small"
Mild: slight, limited, trivial, minor, light, puny, superficial, undersized, dinky, negligible, faint Moderate: scant, petite, inconsiderable, microscopic, dwarf, unsubstantial, minimum, miniature, tiny Bold: insignificant, minute, meager, infinitesimal, ineffectual, undetectable, inconsequential
"Good"
Mild: acceptable, favorable, agreeable, pleasing, satisfactory, satisfying, super, able, relevant, accomplished, efficient, reliable, ample, useful, profitable, adequate, adept Moderate: great, honorable, admirable, commendable, sound, splendid, superb, valuable, wonderful, worthy, clever, proficient, qualified, apt, skillful, thorough, wholesome Bold: excellent, exceptional, gratifying, marvelous, reputable, stupendous, superior, exemplary, virtuous, expert, solid, advantageous, flawless, extensive, perfect
"Bad"
Mild: cheap, dissatisfactory, faculty, off, mean, wrong, unpleasant, unwell, low, grim, sour, regretful Moderate: careless, defective, inferior, imperfect, deficient, rough, ill-suited, inadequate, unsatisfactory, delinquent, sinful, unruly, wicked, rancid, grave, harsh, terrible, downcast Bold: awful, unacceptable, corrupt, dreadful, putrid, erroneous, detrimental, ruinous, vile, villainous, diseased, adverse, evil
10 Ways to Add Sizzle to Your Boring Writing
Writing that sizzles captures the reader's attention and keeps them engaged from start to finish. Whether you're an experienced writer or just starting out, there are several techniques you can use to make your writing more exciting and dynamic. Here are ten detailed ways to add sizzle to your boring writing:
1. Use Vivid Descriptions
Vivid descriptions bring your writing to life by creating a rich, immersive experience for the reader. Instead of relying on generic or bland language, use specific details that appeal to the senses. Describe how things look, sound, smell, taste, and feel to paint a vivid picture.
In Detail:
Visual Descriptions: Use color, shape, and size to create a mental image. Instead of saying "The car was old," say "The rusty, olive-green car wheezed as it pulled into the driveway."
Sound Descriptions: Incorporate onomatopoeia and detailed sound descriptions. Instead of "The music was loud," say "The bass thumped, and the high notes pierced through the night air."
Smell and Taste Descriptions: Use sensory language. Instead of "The food was good," say "The aroma of roasted garlic and herbs filled the room, and the first bite was a burst of savory flavors."
2. Show, Don't Tell
"Show, don't tell" is a fundamental writing principle that means revealing information through actions, thoughts, dialogue, and sensory details rather than straightforward exposition. This approach makes your writing more engaging and allows readers to experience the story.
In Detail:
Actions Over Exposition: Instead of telling the reader "Jane was scared," show her fear through her actions: "Jane's hands trembled as she fumbled with the lock, her breath coming in shallow gasps."
Dialogue: Use conversations to reveal character traits and emotions. Instead of "John was angry," show his anger through his words and tone: "John's voice was a low growl as he said, 'I can't believe you did this.'"
Internal Thoughts: Reveal characters' inner worlds. Instead of "Emma felt relieved," show her relief: "Emma let out a long breath she didn't realize she was holding and sank into the chair, a smile tugging at her lips."
3. Create Relatable Characters
Relatable characters are crucial for keeping readers invested in your story. Characters should have depth, including strengths, weaknesses, desires, and fears. When readers see aspects of themselves in your characters, they're more likely to care about their journeys.
In Detail:
Character Flaws: Give your characters realistic flaws. A perfect character can be boring and unrelatable. Show how these flaws impact their decisions and relationships.
Character Arcs: Ensure your characters grow and change throughout the story. A well-crafted character arc can turn a good story into a great one.
Background and Motivations: Provide backstories and motivations. Why does your character act the way they do? What drives them? This adds depth and makes them more three-dimensional.
4. Add Dialogue
Dialogue can break up large blocks of text and make your writing more dynamic. It reveals character, advances the plot, and provides opportunities for conflict and resolution. Ensure your dialogue sounds natural and serves a purpose.
In Detail:
Natural Speech: Write dialogue that sounds like real conversation, complete with interruptions, pauses, and colloquial language. Avoid overly formal or stilted speech.
Purposeful Dialogue: Every line of dialogue should have a purpose, whether it's revealing character, advancing the plot, or building tension. Avoid filler conversations that don't add to the story.
Subtext: Use subtext to add depth. Characters might say one thing but mean another, revealing their true feelings through what they don't say directly.
5. Use Strong Verbs
Strong verbs make your writing more vivid and energetic. They convey action and emotion effectively, making your sentences more powerful and engaging.
In Detail:
Action Verbs: Choose verbs that show precise actions. Instead of "She went to the store," say "She dashed to the store."
Avoid Weak Verbs: Replace weak verbs and verb phrases with stronger alternatives. Instead of "He was walking," say "He strode."
Emotionally Charged Verbs: Use verbs that convey specific emotions. Instead of "She was sad," say "She wept."
6. Vary Sentence Structure
Varying sentence structure keeps your writing interesting and prevents it from becoming monotonous. Mix short, punchy sentences with longer, more complex ones to create a rhythm that engages readers.
In Detail:
Short Sentences for Impact: Use short sentences to create tension, urgency, or emphasize a point. "He stopped. Listened. Nothing."
Complex Sentences for Detail: Use longer sentences to provide detailed descriptions or explain complex ideas. "As the sun set behind the mountains, the sky transformed into a canvas of oranges, pinks, and purples, casting a warm glow over the serene landscape."
Combine Different Structures: Mix simple, compound, and complex sentences to maintain a natural flow. Avoid repetitive patterns that can make your writing feel flat.
7. Introduce Conflict
Conflict is the driving force of any story. It creates tension and keeps readers invested in the outcome. Without conflict, your story can become stagnant and uninteresting.
In Detail:
Internal Conflict: Characters should struggle with internal dilemmas, fears, and desires. This adds depth and relatability.
External Conflict: Introduce obstacles and challenges that characters must overcome. This can be other characters, societal pressures, or natural forces.
Resolution: Show how conflicts are resolved, leading to character growth and plot progression. Ensure resolutions feel earned and satisfying.
8. Use Metaphors and Similes
Metaphors and similes add creativity and depth to your writing. They help readers understand complex ideas and emotions by comparing them to familiar experiences.
In Detail:
Metaphors: Directly state that one thing is another to highlight similarities. "Time is a thief."
Similes: Use "like" or "as" to make comparisons. "Her smile was like sunshine on a rainy day."
Avoid Clichรฉs: Create original comparisons rather than relying on overused phrases. Instead of "busy as a bee," find a fresh analogy.
9. Create Suspense
Suspense keeps readers on the edge of their seats, eager to find out what happens next. Use foreshadowing, cliffhangers, and unanswered questions to build tension and anticipation.
In Detail:
Foreshadowing: Drop subtle hints about future events. This creates anticipation and a sense of inevitability.
Cliffhangers: End chapters or sections with unresolved tension or unanswered questions to compel readers to keep going.
Pacing: Control the pace of your story to build suspense. Slow down for crucial moments and speed up during action scenes.
10. Edit Ruthlessly
Great writing often emerges during the editing process. Be willing to cut unnecessary words, tighten your prose, and refine your sentences. Editing improves clarity, pace, and overall readability.
In Detail:
Cut Redundancies: Remove unnecessary words and repetitive phrases. "In my opinion, I think" can be reduced to "I think."
Focus on Clarity: Ensure each sentence conveys its intended meaning clearly and concisely.
Proofread: Check for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors. A polished manuscript reflects professionalism and attention to detail.
Writing Description Notes: Eye Contact/Eye Movements
Updated 26th May 2024 More description notes
Three sets of eyes honed in towards him.
Everyone collectively shifted their gazes towards him.
His eyes widened like they were about to burst.
His eyes widened like saucers.
Humor was twinkling in his eyes at the irony of the situation.
Emotionless eyes contrasted with charged words.
His gaze parted from hers.
She caught his gaze with hers
He glared daggers.
Her eyes were fierce, but still reflected compassion.
Her hilariously wide eyes.
Ensnared by a pair of eyes.
Jane bore down on her friend with her sharp eyes, but surprisingly the glare had no effect.
A flash of frustration creased her brow and sparked in her eye, letting him know that his sound wasn't appreciated.
Their eyes trained on each other and silence swept over them.
His golden eyes dissected her, seeming to examine every quirk of her expression.
He could feel her gaze cutting into him.
Once again, he turned back to her, and was rewarded with just a small smile and her warm eyes.
His sky blue eyes veiled towards the large window claimed by the freezing temperatures.
His eyes burned into her, the fire intent on destroying whatever it could catch but she was ready for it this time.
His eyes scoped out the make-shift battle ground searching for something, anything that could help him out.
Their stares remained interlocked, neither of them making a move to look away.
His golden eyes shone in the dim light, reflecting every insecurity within him.
Amusement danced in those green eyes.
Her gaze flitted between their blanket and him.
Shielding her eyes on instinct, Jane recovered with wary blinks.
Red optics bore into her widened, watering eyes.
He gave John a sidelong stare.
His optics settled on Jane as she raised her fist with cheer.
The stare was of one hurt and buried, as if they feared being vulnerable more than the cold reality they had manufactured and serviced.
His stare was as uncomfortable as a chorus-girl corset and had the same effect on Janeโs breathing, constricted and shallow. There was no life behind those eyes. Every move he made betrayed his intentions and none of them were noble.
His eyes searched hers, looking to find some shred of... emotion in them.
He rolled his eyes, a nonverbal expression of exasperation.
it be writing help this, writing help that โฆ where the beta readers at ?! the people thatโs gonna read and give feedback before it officially hits the streets ? thatโs where the real help comes from.
recently found an old story i wrote on my first laptop when i was about 10(the old, broken one my parents got me for christmas just so i could write on it) that i completely forgot about. didn't remember writing it, didn't remember anything about the plot, it had just been rotting on there for almost a decade. and it was GOOD. i was reading through it at record speed, it was like, wow, this dude knows EXACTLY what i like.
and then it ended. abruptly. i guess because i gave up, just thought it's stupid anyway and no one would ever bother to read it. present-me was LIVID. i wanted to strangle that little shit.
so i guess. that's motivation. write for your future you who stays up late reading your novel. finish it for them
marion's writing tip of the day (#4) !!
be willing to change the path of your writing
not every story will remain the same throughout your writing process, and honestly, i don't think it should. you are constantly changing, so why wouldn't your writing change alongside you?
just be sure not to get too attached to your story at any point during the drafting process because that could end up holding you back. i'd recommend to be willing to change anything (unless it's a very core part of the story), so that your writing can be the absolute best!
thanks for reading!
You want to learn to write better dialogue? Become a bitch who has whole conversations and debates in her mind all the time and you'll become a natural.
write unpublishable things. it's good for you.
Writing really goes one of two ways:
1. Write 3k words in 30 minutes
2. Takes 3 hours to write 3 sentences
There is no in between
lowkey guys, remember to write for yourself too. i abandoned my favorite wip of all time for two years because i thought other people wouldnโt like it. that sucked, and i decided to stop caring if other people will think itโs weird and write what i like. itโs made me a lot happier since iโve accepted that
I just think people write out of obligation too often.
"How do I motivate myself to write through the boring part of my story?"
"How do I make this boring scene not boring?"
Don't write it.
Don't write boring things just because you think the structure of the story demands it. I promise it doesn't need to be there.
If your characters need to have gone shopping for a later part of the story to make sense you can just have a sentence about how they went shopping and move on.
You are not obligated to write the boring parts. No matter what those parts are.
You are not obligated to make the parts of your story that you're not excited to write interesting somehow.
You can just write the fun and interesting parts and gloss over and summarize boring things.
Your audience will thank you and you will thank yourself.