Writing Help - Blog Posts
How to show emotions
Part V
How to show grief
a vacant look
slack facial expressions
shaky hands
trembling lips
swallowing
struggling to breathe
tears rolling down their cheeks
How to show fondness
smiling with their mouth and their eyes
softening their features
cannot keep their eyes off of the object of their fondness
sometimes pouting the lips a bit
reaching out, wanting to touch them
How to show envy
narrowing their eyes
rolling their eyes
raising their eyebrows
grinding their teeth
tightening jaw
chin poking out
pouting their lips
forced smiling
crossing arms
shifting their gaze
clenching their fists
tensing their muscles
then becoming restless/fidgeting
swallowing hard
stiffening
holding their breath
blinking rapidly
exhaling sharply
How to show regret
scrubbing a hand over the face
sighing heavily
downturned mouth
slightly bending over
shoulders hanging low
hands falling to the sides
a pained expression
heavy eyes
staring down at their feet
Part I + Part II + Part III + Part IV
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So I bookmarked this for later and remembered which way you shifted them wrong, but that got me thinking...
(very long post under cut)
1. Bravery - Recklessness Arrogance: A pretty common trope already. They're kinda stuck in a cycle of doing something heroic, getting a big head, and then having enough confidence to do it again.
2. Intelligence - Arrogance Naivety: The classic book-smart-but-not-street-smart character. They know a lot, but can easily get tricked.
3. Compassion - Naivety Stubbornness: A character has a lot of love in their heart, and won't let anyone tell them that they should stop being so nice.
(This is honestly really sweet.)
4. Determination - Stubbornness Manipulativeness: They have a lot of passion, but they use it to get other people to help them reach their goals.
5. Charisma - Manipulativeness Opportunism: This character has a way with words. Unfortunately for everyone else, they're a greedy little bastard and are always looking for an opportunity to get more of whatever it is they want.
(I know it’s tempting to give this one to a politician or CEO, but let’s try to think outside the box for a moment. What if this was a little kid instead?)
6. Resourcefulness - Opportunism Blind Obedience: To be honest, this one was a bit tricky to work with, but I like where I landed. They are very creative and crafty, but everything they make goes to a person they probably shouldn't be helping.
7. Loyalty - Blind Obedience Denial: This character is extremely devoted to whatever they are loyal to, to the point that they refuse to accept anything negative about them.
8. Optimism - Denial Inappropriateness: They're always looking on the bright side, and want others to do the same. However, this leads them to being insensitive and disrespectful towards those in pain.
9. Humor - Inappropriateness Lack of Boundaries: This character relishes in making jokes at other people's expense, but never listens when asked to stop.
10. Generosity - Lack of Boundaries Passivity: Instead of making their own decisions, this character tends to just give people stuff. Probably falls for scams a lot.
11. Patience - Passivity Cynicism: A character is so used to putting up with other people's nonsense that they've come to expect it. However, they still will treat these people with kindness.
12. Wisdom - Cynicism Overconfidence: This character is very wise, but they take their own words as gospel.
13. Confidence - Overconfidence Bluntness: They know they're great, and they're not afraid to say it. They consider themself above politeness, feeling it only gets in the way of success.
14. Honesty - Bluntness Rigidity: This character always tells the truth, and will not allow anyone to lie, no matter the reason.
15. Self-discipline - Rigidity Impulsiveness: A character has strong morals, but often acts without thinking.
(I can think of two directions you can go with this- they could be hypervigilant about anything that could be going against their morals, and recklessly try to find a way to correct it. Alternatively, they could do something "wrong" in the heat of the moment, then beat themself up over it later. Both are really compelling, and could perhaps be used together!)
16. Adventurousness - Impulsiveness Overwhelm: They are eager and curious about the world around them, yet they feel daunted by how much they haven't explored. They also consider themself insignificant compared to the sheer vastness of the world.
(Relatable.)
17. Empathy - Overwhelm Ruthlessness: This character cares very deeply for their loved ones, but will do anything to help those precious people, even if it means harming others outside their circle.
18. Ambition - Ruthlessness Emotional Detachment: A character is very passionate and diligent about their goals, but doesn't consider/care about how it impacts anyone else.
19. Resilience - Emotional Detachment Calculative: They've been through a lot. To avoid having to deal with any more traumatic situations, they plot out their strategy to make everything work in their favor.
20. Strategic - Calculative Recklessness: This character is great at making plans, but doesn't include any fail-safes or escape plans in case something goes wrong.
20 Compelling Positive-Negative Trait Pairs
Here are 20 positive and negative trait pairs that can create compelling character dynamics in storytelling:
1. Bravery - Recklessness: A character is courageous in the face of danger but often takes unnecessary risks.
2. Intelligence - Arrogance: A character is exceptionally smart but looks down on others.
3. Compassion - Naivety: A character is deeply caring but easily deceived due to their trusting nature.
4. Determination - Stubbornness: A character is persistent in their goals but unwilling to adapt or compromise.
5. Charisma - Manipulativeness: A character is charming and persuasive but often uses these traits to exploit others.
6. Resourcefulness - Opportunism: A character is adept at finding solutions but is also quick to exploit situations for personal gain.
7. Loyalty - Blind Obedience: A character is fiercely loyal but follows orders without question, even when they're wrong.
8. Optimism - Denial: A character remains hopeful in difficult times but often ignores harsh realities.
9. Humor - Inappropriateness: A character lightens the mood with jokes but often crosses the line with their humor.
10. Generosity - Lack of Boundaries: A character is giving and selfless but often neglects their own needs and well-being.
11. Patience - Passivity: A character is calm and tolerant but sometimes fails to take action when needed.
12. Wisdom - Cynicism: A character has deep understanding and insight but is often pessimistic about the world.
13. Confidence - Overconfidence: A character believes in their abilities but sometimes underestimates challenges.
14. Honesty - Bluntness: A character is truthful and straightforward but often insensitive in their delivery.
15. Self-discipline - Rigidity: A character maintains strong control over their actions but is inflexible and resistant to change.
16. Adventurousness - Impulsiveness: A character loves exploring and trying new things but often acts without thinking.
17. Empathy - Overwhelm: A character deeply understands and feels others' emotions but can become overwhelmed by them.
18. Ambition - Ruthlessness: A character is driven to achieve great things but willing to do anything, even unethical, to succeed.
19. Resilience - Emotional Detachment: A character can endure hardships without breaking but often seems emotionally distant.
20. Strategic - Calculative: A character excels at planning and foresight but can be cold and overly pragmatic in their decisions.
These pairs create complex, multi-dimensional characters that can drive rich, dynamic storytelling.
The Ultimate Creative Writing Resource List
After writing for quite nearly my entire literate life ~and~ getting a creative writing degree, I've put together a comprehensive list of the sites and blogs that I've found most useful! Check it out, we've got—
An Insanely Detailed Character Creation Sheet: use this page to learn everything you've ever wanted to know about your character and more. It never fails to make me consider something about them I wouldn't have thought of otherwise.
A Character Avatar Creator: if you know what your character looks like and want a visual of them for notes/cork boards/Google Docs, this site will let you personalize them almost as much as a Sims game.
Pinterest: if you don't know what your character looks like and need inspiration, search for pictures of people who inspire you. Definitely have done this more often than not because I can never seem to pin down (pun intended) my character's exact appearance. Really helps with things you might forget while writing, like the shape of their eyebrows, how their hair lays or even how they stand.
A Map Creation Website: it's meant for fantasy worlds but I've used it for my historical fiction novels! Super customizable even without paying for it. It also saves your work in the free version, which has saved me when I forgot to upload copies to where I keep all my story stuff.
Grammar Girl: have any questions about where to put that semicolon or when to use italics? Grammar Girl is literally used by English teachers because it's that accurate. Check your work or put as many commas in that manuscript as your heart tells you to anyway. I've done both!
Grammarly: this is another way to check your grammar, especially if you use the Chrome extension. It automatically checks your basic grammar, spelling, and readability while you type in Google Docs or another browser-based text document. Note that it isn't foolproof and sometimes will suggest things that don't make sense. Use your best judgement when it highlights things!
Word Hippo: do you feel like you've used one word too often in your story? I use Word Hippo daily for both my creative and professional writing to avoid repetition. When I can't think of a synonym or antonym on my own, it has a billion suggestions for adjectives, verbs, nouns, etc. It can even help you find words that rhyme! Make your character a poet. Nothing can stop you.
Text-to-Speech Reader: it's always easier to catch minor line errors when you read something out loud, but if you don't feel like doing that, this site will read your story for you. There are multiple voices to choose from, so have fun listening to your hard-won stories while you edit.
Background Noise—Coffee Shop: I always lose myself in stories when I have this video playing in the background. It's like I'm in a coffee shop or cozy restaurant booth, but without spending money.
Background Noise—Tavern Fireplace: same vibes as a coffee shop, but with fireplace crackling.
Background Noise—Rain Shower: listen to rain patter against your window with some thunder in the background.
Background Noise—Cozy Fireplace and Rain Shower: combine your favorite sounds in this extra long video of a wood-burning fireplace and a distance rain shower. Perfect for anyone who doesn't want to hear extra loud thunder.
Background Noise—Forest Sounds: is your story taking place outdoors? These sounds will make you feel like you're in the woods with your characters.
Background Noise—Blizzard Sounds: constant blizzard winds may easily make you feel removed from the world so you can focus on your work.
Background Noise—Interior Plane Cabin White Noise: the pleasant hum of a plane cabin is what I often write to. There are no loud take-off, landing, or passenger sounds either.
Background Noise—Christmas Music From Another Room: I found this video when quarantining for Christmas with my husband in 2020. It ended up being one of my favorite writing background videos of that year. It features lyric-less songs on vinyl, plus muffled talking, which was a definite perk for the year+ we spent inside.
Background Noise—Lo-Fi: when I'm not sure what I want to write to, I use this playlist. It has the perfect low-key beats for writing less-intense scenes or working on plot, characters, mapping, etc.
Tumblrs With Fantastic Writing Tips: I have a few favorite tumblrs I loooooove and have followed on various blogs for many years. They regularly answer submitted questions and have organized tags, so if you're wondering about something, you'll likely find an answer by searching their blogs! Check out @fixyourwritinghabits @heywriters @wordsnstuff for expert-level help, guidance, and inspiration.
Tumblrs With Writing Prompts: while there are many prompt websites and blogs, my favorite prompt tumblrs are @daily-prompts and @creativepromptsforwriting for their variety and creativity!
Other resources...
Goodreads: consistently reading is part of exercising that creative muscle in your brain. Goodreads will help you keep track of everything you've read, are reading, and want to read. Find your next inspiration and the latest updates on what's coming out soon from your favorite authors.
Poets & Writers Contests: this site is always posting the latest creative writing contests for all genres. It also has free submissions, so don't worry if you can't afford entry fees for now.
The Writer: you'll also find great contests (both free and paid) at The Writer. Explore their site to discover other great resources too, like writing getaways and publishing tips.
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Enjoy and I hope this helps! Feel free to reblog and add other resources that you use for your writing. I'd love to find more!
Writing Help
So I started thinking and conceptualizing a book in June this year, but I only started writing it this November.
Should I place it as;
Started: June 2021 or Started: November 2021
???
When I was a child, every well-meaning adult with a nine-to-five soul and a dried-up imagination told me that being a writer wasn’t a “real job.”
“You’re just a little girl with big words,” they said. “Books don’t pay the bills.”
As if paying bills was the most thrilling thing a person could live for.
I never understood why grown-ups were so committed to shoving a fire extinguisher down the throat of a kid who just wanted to tell stories.
I kept wondering, why is it so threatening for a little girl to believe her words could matter?
Now I know why.
Because they never had a dream of their own.
And when you’ve never had one or gave yours up a long time ago, it’s easier to mock someone else’s.
It’s easier to roll your eyes at someone chasing stars when you’ve chosen to stay face-down in the dirt.
And still… I write. Not because I was told I couldn’t. But because I had to.
Because I promised that little girl I’d keep going, even when it hurt. Especially when it hurt.
helpful writing websites
prohintistery — very helpful for finding new words and other writing-related material
thesaurus — you can find antonyms, synonyms, and the meanings of most words here
the color thesaurus — here is a list of a variety of colors and their names
pinterest — helpful for mood boards, designing characters, capturing ideas in images
other words for,
happy
joyous, delighted, ecstatic, cheerful, elated, glad, gleeful, jolly, merry, thrilled, upbeat, overjoyed, jubilant
sad
upset, depressed, melancholy, mournful, somber, sorrowful, pessimistic, sorry, unhappy, blue
angry
fuming, raging, irritated, annoyed, bitter, enraged, irate, furious
scared
fearful, afraid, anxious, panicked, panicky, startled, petrified, shaken, terrified
bored
disintegrated, fatigued, tired
big
fat, full, gigantic, massive, enormous, tremendous, colossal, considerable, hefty, huge, sizable, substantial, full, immense
small
cramped, limited, meager, microscopic, miniature, minuscule, modest, narrow, small-scale, young, paltry, poor
pretty
attractive, beautiful, charming, cute, elegant, good-looking, graceful, handsome, lovely, neat, pleasant
ugly
repulsive, unattractive, hideous, grotesque, grisly, unseemly, unsightly, horrid, awful
dislike
displeasure, disapprove, aversion, disgust, loathing, hatred, enmity
like
approve, adore, admire, cherish, appreciate, love, dig, fancy, prize
easy
effortless, obvious, simple, painless, straightforward, smooth, child’s play, light, basic
hard
difficult, tough, troublesome, complicated, serious, heavy, rough, arduous, backbreaking
soft
velvety, silky, smooth, spongy, fluffy, elastic, mushy, delicate, comfy, creamy, pliable
rough
rocky, rugged, harsh, coarse, choppy, chapped
hot
blazing, boiling, heated, searing, sweltering, warm, scorching, sizzling
cold
chilly, freezing, icy, brisk, frigid, cool, wintry, frosty
thick
dense, fat, chunky, broad, wide, massive, hard
thin
skinny, slim, small, slender, gaunt, lean, fragile, delicate, narrow, meager
agree
concede, comply, allow, concur, grant, settle, sign, set, recognize
disagree
clash, oppose, divide, feud, haggle, object, oppose, quarrel, quibble, dissent, bicker, contend
nice
kind, cordial, fair, friendly, good, lovely, swell
mean
rude, callous, dangerous, evil, malicious, nasty, vile, ugly, hard, vicious
loud
big, boisterous, deafening, resounding, roaring, ringing, raucous, rambunctious, intense
quiet
muted, hushed, muffled, low, soft, reticent, noiseless
firm
stiff, thick, tough, unyielding, sturdy, solid, hard, substantial, rigid
loose
baggy, lax, relaxed, sloppy, slack, limp
delicious
appetizing, delectable, delightful, exquisite, heavenly, enjoyable, pleasant, savory
distasteful
unpalatable, unappealing, unappetizing, unsavory, indigestible, inedible, savorless, nasty
woman, girl
female, lady, madam, beauty
man, boy
male, gentleman, dude
home
house, shelter, dwelling, residence, mansion, apartment, shack, box, condo, building
like, similar
alike, akin, analogous, allied, parallel, matching, equivalent, comparable, identical, related
music
soul, tune, opera, melody, piece, singing, chamber, measure, hymn, song
art
design, painting, illustration
and writing
article, book, piece, scripture, manuscript, story, passage, novel, reading, work
all synonyms found on www.thesaurus.com
things to think about when you’re worldbuilding
economy or economies — what does the economy look like? is it horrible? is it great? does it vary from area to area?
race(s) — what do your people(s) look like? are they human, are they something else, are there multiple species?
currency or currencies — what do people use to trade? do they trade with items, like one pound of beef in exchange for one pound of scrap, or currency, like one dollar for one peach?
magic — decide if you want to have magic in your world, none at all, or if you want to put a spin on magic, like technology (smartphones, laptops, etc.) is considered magic
magic system — how does your magic work? are there different elements? maybe different element combinations can make others?
rules of magic — what are the absolute don’ts and dos in your magic system? also, what are the don’ts and do’s for magic in your society or societies?
magicians — are there magicians? are they typically one race, can they be anyone, or are multiple races known for being magicians? how are they related to magic? are some races better at becoming magicians and dealing with magic than others? what makes someone a strong or weak magician if you’re going to have power differences?
how magic relates to science — if you’re going to have science in your world, how does magic tie into it? is magic just apart of science? is magic its own thing and science another?
flora and fauna — how is the wildlife? are the plants and animals the same as the ones on earth, or are they unique? are there a variety of organisms or only a few?
geography — what does the planet look like? is it mostly land, water, or something else? are there landforms? if so, what are they and what do they look like?
natural resource(s) — what resources are available on the planet or planets and where?
climate(s) — what is the weather generally like on the planet or in specific areas? for example, is it always hot in one area but always cold in another, or is the entire planet one way?
culture(s) — manners, calendar(s),
technology — how technologically advanced are your people? are some areas or civilizations more advanced than others? are they barbaric?
medicine — how advanced or simple is medicine? is it available to most people? is the kind of treatment you receive race specific? does free medical care exist or is it available?
transportation — how do people get around? do they walk, use cars, bikes, planes, and or trains, or something else entirely?
communication — what are the language(s)? what are the methods of communication? are there specific alphabet(s)?
body language to use in your writing
he furrowed his eyebrows — in confusion or concentration
he raised his eyebrows — in surprise or skepticism
he narrowed his eyes — in suspicion or annoyance
he bit or pressed his lips together — in hesitation
his lips parted slightly — in shock or anticipation
he clenched his jaw — in frustration or determination
he tilted his head — in curiosity or disbelief
he wrinkled his nose — in disgust or disapproval
he rolled his eyes — in exasperation
he puffed his cheeks — in frustration or exhaustion
eye movements:
his eyes darted around — nervously
he avoided eye contact — out of guilt or shyness
he held eye contact — in defiance or intensity
he squinted slightly — in scrutiny
he looked down — in shame or submission
he glanced away quickly — in embarrassment
he stared blankly — in shock or dissociation
he blinked rapidly — in disbelief or surprise
his eyes widened — in fear or astonishment
he peeked through his fingers — when scared or hesitant
head movements:
he nodded slowly — in understanding or agreement
he shook his head — in disagreement or disbelief
he tilted his head — playfully or teasingly
he bowed his head slightly — in respect or submission
he tossed his head back — in confidence or defiance
he ducked his head — in embarrassment or shyness
he rested his chin in his hand — while thinking or bored
he jerked his head toward a sound — in alertness
he rolled his neck — to release tension
he tipped his chin up — in defiance or arrogance
hand movements:
he clenched his fists — in anger or determination
he ran his hands through his hair — in frustration or stress
he wringed his hands — in nervousness
he drummed his fingers on a surface — in impatience
he pointed — accusingly or demandingly
he pressed his palms against a surface — in desperation
he tugged at his sleeves or hem — in nervousness
he threw his hands up — in exasperation or surrender
he rubbed his temples — in frustration or exhaustion
he covered his mouth — in shock or horror
arm and shoulder movements:
he crossed his arms — in defensiveness or annoyance
he wrapped his arms around himself — for comfort
he shrugged — in uncertainty or indifference
he threw his arms out — in excitement or exasperation
he linked arms with her — for comfort or closeness
he rubbed his arms — to self-soothe or ward off cold
he flailed his arms wildly — in panic or excitement
he stretched his arms above his head — in relaxation or boredom
he held his arms behind his back — in restraint or formality
he used exaggerated arm gestures — when talking passionately
leg and foot movements:
he tapped his foot — impatiently
he crossed his legs — to appear closed off or comfortable
he bounced his knee — in nervousness or excitement
he kicked at the ground — absentmindedly
he shuffled his feet — in hesitation or guilt
he stood on his tiptoes — to see something or seem taller
he turned his toes inward — in insecurity or shyness
he stomped his foot — in frustration or excitement
he swung his legs — in a carefree manner
he stepped back instinctively — in fear or uncertainty
posture and general movement:
he stood tall with his shoulders squared — in confidence
he slouched — in defeat or boredom
he leaned in — engaged or interested
he leaned away — in discomfort or disinterest
he puffed out his chest — in arrogance or bravado
he shrunk into himself — in anxiety or fear
he rocked back and forth — in nervousness or impatience
he swiveled his body away slightly — in disengagement
he walked stiffly — in discomfort or tension
her hips swayed confidently while she walked
microexpressions:
a smile briefly flickered across his face
his eye twitched a single time — in irritation
he swallowed hard — when nervous or emotional
he slightly shuddered — in disgust or fear
he bit the inside of his cheek — in thought or frustration
he quickly inhaled — taken aback
he exhaled shakily after holding his breath too long
he clutched his shirt tightly — in anxiety
he tilted his head down slightly while still looking up (puppy dog eyes)
there was a fleeting look of longing in his eyes before he looked away
punctuation in dialogue
“this,” i paused, “is a sentence with an action, pause, dialogue tag, etc. in between.”
“this is a sentence too,” i said.
“hey and this too.” i said
“this is a sentence,” i said. “this is another sentence.”
“this is a sentence.”
okay thanks that’s all i got same time tomorrow
“how did you get into writing” hey so writing got into me
scents and smells to use in your writing
sandalwood — think intoxicating, slightly masculine (if you want it to be), wood-y,
fresh laundry — think febreeze, freshly cleaned clothes, cleaning wipes, that kinda thing
cinammon — think cinnamon rolls, desserts, sugar, sweetness
vanilla — sweet and soft. it’s a classic and i feel it’s almost feminine because it’s in a lot of perfumes but it can be for anyone
sea salt — think sand on your feet, sea in your lungs, maybe a few seagulls cawing. a very beach-y smell
chlorine — think of pools, summer, theme parks with water slides. it’s not the most appealing smell but it certainly is a smell
strawberry — when i think of strawberries, i think of strawberry picking when i was little and kind of the taste of the strawberries themselves. as for the ice cream or perfume kinda strawberry, it’s a fun and sweet smell
chocolate — think hot chocolate, a hershey’s kiss, that hint of chocolate in your coffee creamer. it’s warm and cozy
coconut — think tropical, beachy, refreshing. when most people see coconuts they see “exotic”
banana — think banana sundae, banana smoothie, fruit-y smell, laffy taffy, that kinda thing
apple — think apple trees, apple jam, apple pie, that kinda sweet crisp smell
pine — think of a damp, dirty forest with towering trees and leaves gracing its floor. maybe a deer or two is nearby. it’s a forest smell basically
metallic — think of blood, wet copper or iron, etc.
dirt/earth — think the smell of dirt, grass, trees. the general smell of nature
rose — think romantic, date night, mysterious, alluring. roses are most commonly associated with life and affection, at least in american culture
sweat — think intense workout, maybe tangy, smoky, etc. just sweat
mint — think of waking up bright and early, toothpaste, doctor’s offices, etc. mint really speaks as fresh to me
damp, wet, wet dog — think of moist places, like a really old pool or something akin to that
dew — think early morning and mist in the air. can be associated with spring as well
musk — think of a scent similar to sweat, but the aftermath. not just pure sweat everywhere, but the scent about an hour after you work out. it smells different for everyone though
smoke — think of that scent you smell when a fireplace turns off, wood stops burning, or when you overcook something
spicy — think of ginger, paprika, spices in general. it’s a kind of fun and daring smell
toasty, warming — this can be anything warm you want: hot cocoa, warm blankets, turning the heater on, summer, fireplace flames
floral — this can be any flower you want it to be. spring is full of it, it is the embodiment of a bouquet, and is the scent you smell when you “stop to smell the flowers”
twenty phrases for writing facial expressions
his brows knitted together
her lips pulled into a smile
the corners of her lips quirked up into a smile/smirk
her face twitched
a line formed between his brows
a look of happiness engulfed him
a look of sadness washed over him
his face contorted into a frown
his eyes drooped at that, and his lips pulled themselves into a frown
she raised a brow
she cocked an eyebrow
her brows furrowed
her eyes narrowed
her eyebrows shot up
his brows were tightly drawn together
alternatively, his brows were drawn together tightly
her entire face dropped
her smile fell
his eyes glittered with [any emotion]
his eyebrows pinched together
the types of laughs and smiles
smirked — teasing, playful, snarky. usually, one side of the person’s mouth is slightly upturned.
smiled — a smile, both sides of the person’s mouth turn up and it can be slight or extreme.
laughed — a general laugh. usually in response to something funny or outlandish, can be dry, loud, kind of quiet, or hearty.
chuckled — laughter’s quiet cousin. usually more subtle than a laugh and can be the suppression of a laugh, like someone was starting to laugh but decided against it.
howled — a loud, intense and higher pitched version of laughter. think doubling over, hands on knees kind of laugh. like a wolf, if you will
convulsed/convulsing with laughter — the person’s body is shaking or moving a lot due to laughter, maybe their arms are moving, they’re bent over, i don’t know whatever you want
beamed — a more strong, noticeable smile, usually wide and cheerful. think your crush just asked you out kinda deal
words to use instead of “said”
normal:
— stated
— spoke
— remarked
— reported
— added
questioning:
— asked
— inquired
— requested
— begged
angrily:
— demanded
— shouted
— growled
— yelled
sad:
— sobbed
— cried
— groaned
— bawled
nervous:
— trembled
— quaked
— stammered/stuttered
happy:
— exclaimed
— chirped
— laughed
— giggled
Symbolism
I thought I might not be the only writer out there who likes to put symbolism in their stories so I found some things and what they represent!!
Animals
Alligator - stealth, survival
Ant - diligence, industry, community, remarkable strength, hard working, success, patience
Antelope - action
Armadillo - boundaries, self protection
Badger - aggressiveness, passion and drive
Bat - rebirth, longevity, joy, good luck
Bear - gentle strength, dreaming, introspection, power, protection
Beaver - builder, accomplishing goals
Bee - divine messenger, love, service, gathering, community
Bird - enlightenment, perspective, swiftness, vision, prophetic knowledge
Boar - nature-based wealth, prosperity, success, protection, courage
Buffalo - prayer, abundance, survival needs met, good fortune, healing
Bulls’ horns - a good symbol in meditation for motivation
Butterfly - rebirth, the soul, transformation, the three phases of life
Cat - feminine energy, mystical power, used to keep the wearer safe in travel, wholeness
Chameleons - ever-changing future, inconsistency
Cheetah - speed, focus
Cougar - power, swiftness, balance
Cows - red cows are a symbol of hope, inspiring symbol for nurturing efforts
Coyote - trickster
Crane - longevity. A pair of cranes symbolizes “Long Marriage”
Cricket - good luck charm, singing, Spring, fertility
Crow - sacred law, gateway to supernatural, shape shifting, illusion
Deer - graceful gentleness, sensitivity, compassion, kindness
Dog - companionship, health, service, loyalty, protection, future prosperity
Dolphin - manna, joy, childlike play, helpfulness, breath of life, harmony, intelligence, self connection
Donkey - fertility, easy childbirth, efficiency, health, well-being, and luck
Dove - peace, innocence, fidelity, love, gentleness, kindnes
Dragonfly - good fortune, magic, vision, dreams, luck, and ancient knowledge, illusion
Dragon - wisdom due to long lives and potent magic, royalty, Emperor, eternity, courage, strength, rain, Spring
Eagle - courage, spirit, bravery, strength
Elephant - commitment, strength, astuteness
Elk - stamina, pride, power, majesty
Fish - miracles, providence, sea/water magic, good luck and prosperity, foresight, fortune, salmon in particular, are associated with knowledge
Fox - camouflage, adaptability, integration, tricksters, shape shifters, and possessors of great magic
Frog - healing, cleansing, messages, health, honesty, fluidity, purification
Gazelle - awareness
Giraffe - grounded vision
Goat - tenacity, diligence, can help to achieve goals, endure criticism, and stay safe. Goat’s fur or foot - an anti-evil talisman.
Goose - safe return, love of home
Grasshopper - nobility, prosperity
Hawk - nessenger, strength, foresight, truth
Hippopotamus - emotional depths
Horses - power, stamina, speed, transportation and communication - A black horse with a white marking on its forehead is lucky
Hummingbird - joy, pure love, celebration of life
Ladybug - delight, trust
Lamb - filial piety (dutiful respect or regard for parents).
Lion (baby) cubs - inspire mercy and gentleness.
Lion (grown) - inspire strength, courage
Lions - pride, nobility, cunning, courage, just laws, fairness, the sun, images can protect sacred ground.
Lizard - dreaming, foresight, ancient secrets
Lynx - secrets
Monkey - benevolence, drives away evil
Moose - self-esteem, assertiveness
Mountain Lion - wisdom, leadership
Mouse - frugality, rebirth, scrutiny
Opossum - strategy, diversion
Otter - medicine (woman), balanced feminine energy
Owl - deception, wisdom, clairvoyance, magic
Ox - evil spirits that disturb lakes, rivers, and seas
Peacock - wholeness, dignity, beauty, recognition, self assurance, pride
Pig - rebirth and rejuvenation
Porcupine - innocence
Rabbit - fear, fertility, moon magic, speed, swiftness, longevity, courage, strength
Raccoon - dexterity, disguise
Raven - magic
Robin - growth, renewal
Rooster - courageous, warlike disposition, warmth and life of the Universe
Scorpion - the “fire within” that often needs careful tending
Seal - inner voice
Sheep - sacrifice
Snake - cunning, evil, supernatural power
Spider - destiny, fate, weaving
Squirrel - gathering
Swan - grace
Tiger - courage, bravery, fierceness, strength, being in the now
Turtle - mother earth
Weasel - stealth
Whale - record keeper
Wolf - teacher, A Guide to the Sacred
Zebra - Individuality
PLANTS
Aloe- Healing, protection, affection
Amaryllis- Pride
Anemone- Forsaken
Angelica- Inspiration
Apple blossom- Preference
Arborvitae- Unchanging friendship
Aster- Symbol of Love, Daintiness
Basil- Good wishes
Bay- Glory
Begonia- Beware
Bittersweet- Truth
Black-eyed Susan- Justice
Bluebell- Humility, kindness
Candytuft- Indifference
Red carnation- My Heart Aches, admiration
- White carnation- Innocence, pure love, women’s good luck gift
- Pink carnation- I’ll never forget you
- Yellow carnation- Disdain, disappointment, rejection
Chamomile- Patience
Chives- Usefulness
Chrysanthemum- Cheerfulness
Clover, white- Think of me
Coreopsis- Always cheerful
Coriander- Hidden worth
Crocus- spring, Youthful gladness
Cumin- Fidelity
Cyclamen- Resignation and good-bye
Daffodil- Regard
Daisy- Innocence, hope
Dill- Powerful against evil
Edelweiss- Courage, devotion
Fennel- Flattery
Fern- Sincerity
Forget-me-not- True love memories
Gardenia- Secret love
Geranium- oak-leavedTrue friendship
Gladiolus- Remembrance
Goldenrod- Encouragement, good fortune
Heliotrope- Eternal love
Holly- Hope
Hollyhock- Ambition
Honeysuckle- Bonds of love
Horehound- Health
Hyacinth- Games and sport, playfulness, rashness
– Blue Hyacinth- Constancy of love
– Purple Hyacinth- Sorrow, forgiveness, regret
– Yellow Hyacinth- Jealousy
– White Hyacinth- Loveliness, prayers for someone
Hydrangea- Gratitude for being understood; frigidity and heartlessness
Hyssop- Sacrifice, cleanliness
Iris- A message
Ivy- Friendship, continuity
Jasmine- white- Sweet love
Lady’s-mantle- Comforting
Lavender- Devotion, virtue
Lemon balm- Sympathy
Lilac- Joy of youth
Lily, calla- Beauty
Lily, day- Chinese emblem for mother
Lily-of-the-valley- Sweetness, purity
Lotus Flower- Purity, enlightenment, self-regeneration, and rebirth
Magnolia- Love of nature
Marjoram- Joy and happiness
Mint- Virtue
Morning glory- Affection
Myrtle- Good luck and love in a marriage
Nasturtium- Patriotism
Oak- Strength
Oregano- Substance
Pansy- Thoughts
Parsley- Festivity
Peony- Bashful, happy life
Pine- Humility
Poppy, red- Consolation
Rhododendron- Danger, flee
Rose, red- Love, I love you.
Rose, dark crimson- Mourning
Rose, pink- Happiness
Rose, white- Purity, heavenly, I’m worthy of you
Rose, yellow- Jealousy, decrease of love
Rosemary- Remembrance
Rue- Grace, clear vision
Sage- Wisdom, immortality
Salvia, blue- I think of you
Salvia, red- Forever mine
Savory Spice- interest
Sorrel- Affection
Southernwood- Constancy, jest
Sunflower- Adoration
Sweet pea- Pleasures
Sweet William- Gallantry
Sweet woodruff- Humility
Tansy- Hostile thoughts
Tarragon- Lasting interest
Thyme- Courage, strength
Tulip, red- Passion, declaration of love
Tulip, yellow- Sunshine in your smile
Valerian- Readiness
Violet- Loyalty, devotion, faithfulness, modesty
Wallflower- Faithfulness in adversity
Willow- Sadness
Yarrow- Everlasting love
Zinnia- Thoughts of absent friends
Color
Red: Excitement, energy, passion, love, desire, speed, strength, power, heat, aggression, danger, fire, blood, war, violence, all things intense and passionate, sincerity, happiness (Only in Japan)
Pink: love and romance, caring, tenderness, acceptance and calm.
Beige and ivory: symbolize unification.
Ivory: symbolizes quiet and pleasantness.
Beige: calm and simplicity.
Yellow: signifies joy, happiness, betrayal, optimism, idealism, imagination, hope, sunshine, summer, gold, philosophy, dishonesty, cowardice, jealousy, covetousness, deceit, illness, hazard and friendship.
Dark Blue: Symbolizes integrity, knowledge, power, and seriousness.
Blue: Peace, tranquility, cold, calm, stability, harmony, unity, trust, truth, confidence, conservatism, security, cleanliness, order, loyalty, sky, water, technology, depression, appetite suppressant.
Turquoise: calm.
Teal: sophistication.
Aquamarine: symbolizes water.
Lighter turquoise: a feminine appeal.
Purple: Royalty, nobility, spirituality, ceremony, mysterious, transformation, wisdom, enlightenment, cruelty, honor, arrogance, mourning, temperance.
Lavender: femininity, grace and elegance.
Orange: Energy, balance, enthusiasm, warmth, vibrant, expansive, flamboyant, demanding of attention.
Green: Nature, environment, healthy, good luck, renewal, youth, spring, generosity, fertility, jealousy, service, inexperience, envy, misfortune, vigor.
Brown: Earth, stability, hearth, home, outdoors, reliability, comfort, endurance, simplicity, and comfort.
Gray: Security, reliability, intelligence, staid, modesty, dignity, maturity, solid, conservative, practical, old age, sadness, boring. Silver symbolizes calm.
White: Reverence, purity, birth, simplicity, cleanliness, peace, humility, precision, innocence, youth, winter, snow, good, sterility, marriage (Western cultures), death (Eastern cultures), cold, clinical.
Black: Power, sexuality, sophistication, formality, elegance, wealth, mystery, fear, evil, unhappiness, depth, style, sadness, remorse, anger, anonymity, underground, good technical color, mourning, death (Western cultures), austerity, detachment.
How To Write A Chase Scene
Before anyone takes off running, the reader needs to know why this matters. The chase can’t just be about two people running, it’s gotta have a reason. Is your hero sprinting for their life because the villain has a knife? Or maybe they’re chasing someone who just stole something valuable, and if they don’t catch them, it’s game over for everyone. Whatever the reason, make it clear early on. The higher the stakes, the more the reader will care about how this chase plays out. They’ll feel that surge of panic, knowing what’s on the line.
Sure, a chase scene is fast, people are running, dodging, maybe even falling. But not every second needs to be at full speed. If it’s too frantic from start to finish, the reader might get numb to the action. Instead, throw in some rhythm. Use quick, sharp sentences when things get intense, like someone stumbling or almost getting caught. But then slow it down for a second. Maybe they hit a dead end or pause to look around. Those brief moments of slow-down add suspense because they feel like the calm before the storm kicks up again.
Don’t let the setting just be a backdrop. The world around them should become a part of the chase. Maybe they’re tearing through a marketplace, dodging carts and knocking over tables, or sprinting down alleyways with trash cans crashing behind them. If they’re running through the woods, you’ve got low-hanging branches, roots, slippery mud, and the constant threat of tripping. Describing the environment makes the scene more vivid, but it also adds layers of tension. It’s not just two people running in a straight line, it’s two people trying to navigate through chaos.
Running isn’t easy, especially when you’re running for your life. This isn’t some smooth, graceful sprint where they look cool the whole time. Your character’s lungs should be burning, their legs aching, maybe their side starts to cramp. They’re gasping for air, barely holding it together. These details will remind the reader that this chase is taking a real toll. And the harder it gets for your character to keep going, the more the tension ramps up because the reader will wonder if they’ll actually make it.
Don’t make it too easy. The villain should almost catch your hero or the hero should almost grab the villain. But something happens last second to change the outcome. Maybe the villain’s fingers brush the hero’s coat as they sprint around a corner, but they manage to slip out of reach just in time. Or maybe your hero almost gets close enough to tackle the villain, but slips on some gravel, losing precious seconds.
And Don’t let the chase end in a way that feels too predictable. Whether your character gets away or is caught, it should be because of something clever. Maybe they spot a hiding place that’s almost impossible to notice, or they use their surroundings to mislead their pursuer. Or, the person chasing them pulls a fast one, Laying a trap, cutting off their escape route, or sending the hero down the wrong path. You want the end to feel earned, like it took quick thinking and ingenuity, not just dumb luck or fate.
if you have any questions or feedback on writing materials, please send me an email at Luna-azzurra@outlook.com ✍🏻
Words to describe facial expressions
Absent: preoccupied
Agonized: as if in pain or tormented
Alluring: attractive, in the sense of arousing desire
Appealing: attractive, in the sense of encouraging goodwill and/or interest
Beatific: blissful
Black: angry or sad, or hostile
Bleak: hopeless
Blinking: surprise, or lack of concern
Blithe: carefree, lighthearted, or heedlessly indifferent
Brooding: anxious and gloomy
Bug eyed: frightened or surprised
Chagrined: humiliated or disappointed
Cheeky: cocky, insolent
Cheerless: sad
Choleric: hot-tempered, irate
Darkly: with depressed or malevolent feelings
Deadpan: expressionless, to conceal emotion or heighten humor
Despondent: depressed or discouraged
Doleful: sad or afflicted
Dour: stern or obstinate
Dreamy: distracted by daydreaming or fantasizing
Ecstatic: delighted or entranced
Faint: cowardly, weak, or barely perceptible
Fixed: concentrated or immobile
Gazing: staring intently
Glancing: staring briefly as if curious but evasive
Glazed: expressionless due to fatigue or confusion
Grim: fatalistic or pessimistic
Grave: serious, expressing emotion due to loss or sadness
Haunted: frightened, worried, or guilty
Hopeless: depressed by a lack of encouragement or optimism
Hostile: aggressively angry, intimidating, or resistant
Hunted: tense as if worried about pursuit
Jeering: insulting or mocking
Languid: lazy or weak
Leering: sexually suggestive
Mild: easygoing
Mischievous: annoyingly or maliciously playful
Pained: affected with discomfort or pain
Peering: with curiosity or suspicion
Peeved: annoyed
Pleading: seeking apology or assistance
Quizzical: questioning or confused
Radiant: bright, happy
Sanguine: bloodthirsty, confident
Sardonic: mocking
Sour: unpleasant
Sullen: resentful
Vacant: blank or stupid looking
Wan: pale, sickly
Wary: cautious or cunning
Wide eyed: frightened or surprised
Withering: devastating
Wrathful: indignant or vengeful
Wry: twisted or crooked to express cleverness or a dark or ironic feeling
I remember you had a post on your old blog, about how to fall in love with your story again. Do you think you still have it around somewhere, WQA? That post had some life-saving advice that could come handy for someone!
Getting Excited About Your Story Again
Oh! I didn’t realize I never re-posted it here, so thank you! Here it is, plus a couple links to newer, similar posts with more ideas. I hope this helps!
1) Cast your characters, or if you’re artistic, try drawing them. If you’ve got Photoshop skills, try making a movie-style poster for your story.
2) Create a tumblr gallery filled with images that inspire you where your story is concerned. These could be images of things in your story, things you want to include in your story, or just things that make you think of your story.
3) Make a playlist of songs to serve as a soundtrack for your story.
4) Make a list of five things you love about every character, five things you love about the plot, and five things you love about the setting.
5) Write a short essay about the important themes in your story and why they matter to you. See if similar themes run through any of your other stories.
6) Get a fun and easy going friend or sibling to play “radio show” with you. Have them interview you about your story as though you were an author talking about their novel on a radio show. Try to be serious about it for as long as you can–which won’t be long because it’s super cheesy but lots of fun.
7) Try to write a poem about the plot of your story as though your protagonist was the one writing it.
8) Draw maps and floor plans of your setting and sets. Go window shopping online to look for furniture and props to fill your character’s home with.
9) Make a Wordle using words from your story.
10) Read your story out loud as if you were reading it to a group of fans. Try to imagine their reactions at different points in the story. When would their attention be the most rapt? When would they smile? When would they sniffle? When would they cheer?
Feeling Unmotivated with WIP Getting Unstuck: Motivation Beyond Mood Boards & Playlists
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Have a question? My inbox is always open, but make sure to check my FAQ and post master lists first to see if I’ve already answered a similar question. :)
Guide: How to Rekindle Your Motivation to Write
1) Find inspiration photos - create a folder on your desktop or browser and fill it with inspiration photos for your WIP. You can search for photos on Google Image Search or photo sites like Pixabay and Pexels.
2) Make a playlist - music can be very inspiring when you’re writing or planning a story, so try making a playlist for your WIP. You can do Google searches for things like “songs about love” or “songs about war” if you want songs that fit a specific theme. You can also look through the music you own and see if anything reminds you of your story.
3) Make aesthetics or mood boards - aesthetics and mood boards are photo collages that you make for your story. They can be general, for your whole story, for characters, for the setting, or even for a particular scene or event. Aesthetics are fun to make and can be very inspirational when you’re writing.
4) Draw a map or make a layout - try making a map of wherever your story takes place, whether that’s a town, kingdom, or a whole country or world. You can even draw layouts of things like high schools, houses, or other buildings in your story. Not only are they fun to do, but it can be a helpful tool for visualizing your setting, and sometimes it can lead to ideas about scenes or plot points.
5) Do a character interview - imagine that you’ve pulled your character out of a story into the room and now have the opportunity to interview them. What questions would you ask them? What do you want to know about them that you don’t already know? What do you think the reader would want to know? What might be pertinent to the story that you haven’t thought about yet?
6) Do a TV Crew follow around - no matter when or where your story takes place, imagine that you’ve dropped an invisible TV crew into your story’s world to follow your character around through an average day. Follow them from the moment they wake up until the moment they go to bed that night. What are they like when they wake up? What is their morning routine? What do they eat for breakfast? How do they get ready? What do they do throughout the day? Who do they interact with? What else do they eat and drink? What do they do for fun or relaxation? How to they make money or meet their basic needs? What is their bedtime routine like?
7) Try a writing tool - there are all kinds of interesting writing tools out there, both online and things, apps, and physical things. Story Cubes, plot generators, plot twist generators, the Storymatic, StoryForge, Story Dice, tarot cards, the Writer’s Toolbox… just to name a few!
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Have a question? My inbox is always open, but make sure to check my FAQ and post master lists first to see if I’ve already answered a similar question. :)
I NEED HELP!!
I am writing a fic which includes wolfstar, jily, dorlene, rose killer and… STRICTLY?!?!?!
Do you guys want a multiple pov or just a Remus?
Lemme know your ideas for what dances you would like to see! (Foxtrot, American smooth, samba ect.)
Also what songs? I have a few lined up myself but I’m wondering what songs you guys would like!
I also NEED a title!
It will be on AO3, under the name My_Leige123.
Hope you can help me tumbler users
Ideas of fatal character flaws? :3
Hi :)
Fatal character flaws
Aristotle calls this ‘Hamartia’ - a tragic flaw or error. It can be anything happening to good or bad characters, even otherwise good character traits and with good intentions that ultimately lead to the character’s demise. They are often traits that don’t neccessarily lead to someone’s downfall, but can if they’re done to an extreme. So think of these otherwise normal ‘flaws’ as extremes.
ignorance - not seeking helpful knowledge
selfishness - not thinking about others
curiosity - getting involved in things they shouldn’t get involved in
impetuousness - being too passionate/ not thinking before acting
pride - not giving in/ not taking help from others
hubris - exaggerated opinion of oneself/ thinking nothing can get to them
lack of self-control - can’t help/stop themself
indecisiveness* - not being able to make decisions
confirmation bias - only taking in information that supports one’s own belief
arrogance - thinking they are superior
Have fun!
- Jana
*Interesting example: Chidi from The Good Place. A morally great character who is so extreme in always trying to make the right choice and therefore not being able to make a decision until it is proven to be right, it basically lands him in hell.
I've had this little idea in my head for a while now, so I decided to sit down and plot it out.
Disclaimer: This isn't meant to be some sort of One-Worksheet-Fits-All situation. This is meant to be a visual representation of some type of story planning you could be doing in order to develop a plot!
Lay down groundwork! (Backstory integral to the beginning of your story.) Build hinges. (Events that hinge on other events and fall down like dominoes) Suspend structures. (Withhold just enough information to make the reader curious, and keep them guessing.)
And hey, is this helps... maybe sit down and write a story! :)
hey boy don't kill yourself. green's dictionary of slang is available online and allows you to explore 500 years of english vulgarity. you can search by part of speech, source, time period, etymology, and usage. there's a whole category for gay slang. they even have specific citations listed so you can see the exact context for yourself. boy did you know that in 1927 "to kneel at the altar" was slang for "to sodomize"
100 Dialogue Tags You Can Use Instead of “Said”
For the writers struggling to rid themselves of the classic ‘said’. Some are repeated in different categories since they fit multiple ones (but those are counted once so it adds up to 100 new words).
1. Neutral Tags
Straightforward and unobtrusive dialogue tags:
Added, Replied, Stated, Remarked, Responded, Observed, Acknowledged, Commented, Noted, Voiced, Expressed, Shared, Answered, Mentioned, Declared.
2. Questioning Tags
Curious, interrogative dialogue tags:
Asked, Queried, Wondered, Probed, Inquired, Requested, Pondered, Demanded, Challenged, Interjected, Investigated, Countered, Snapped, Pleaded, Insisted.
3. Emotive Tags
Emotional dialogue tags:
Exclaimed, Shouted, Sobbed, Whispered, Cried, Hissed, Gasped, Laughed, Screamed, Stammered, Wailed, Murmured, Snarled, Choked, Barked.
4. Descriptive Tags
Insightful, tonal dialogue tags:
Muttered, Mumbled, Yelled, Uttered, Roared, Bellowed, Drawled, Spoke, Shrieked, Boomed, Snapped, Groaned, Rasped, Purred, Croaked.
5. Action-Oriented Tags
Movement-based dialogue tags:
Announced, Admitted, Interrupted, Joked, Suggested, Offered, Explained, Repeated, Advised, Warned, Agreed, Confirmed, Ordered, Reassured, Stated.
6. Conflict Tags
Argumentative, defiant dialogue tags:
Argued, Snapped, Retorted, Rebuked, Disputed, Objected, Contested, Barked, Protested, Countered, Growled, Scoffed, Sneered, Challenged, Huffed.
7. Agreement Tags
Understanding, compliant dialogue tags:
Agreed, Assented, Nodded, Confirmed, Replied, Conceded, Acknowledged, Accepted, Affirmed, Yielded, Supported, Echoed, Consented, Promised, Concurred.
8. Disagreement Tags
Resistant, defiant dialogue tags:
Denied, Disagreed, Refused, Argued, Contradicted, Insisted, Protested, Objected, Rejected, Declined, Countered, Challenged, Snubbed, Dismissed, Rebuked.
9. Confused Tags
Hesitant, uncertain dialogue tags:
Stammered, Hesitated, Fumbled, Babbled, Mumbled, Faltered, Stumbled, Wondered, Pondered, Stuttered, Blurted, Doubted, Confessed, Vacillated.
10. Surprise Tags
Shock-inducing dialogue tags:
Gasped, Stunned, Exclaimed, Blurted, Wondered, Staggered, Marvelled, Breathed, Recoiled, Jumped, Yelped, Shrieked, Stammered.
Note: everyone is entitled to their own opinion. No I am NOT telling people to abandon said and use these. Yes I understand that said is often good enough, but sometimes you WANT to draw attention to how the character is speaking. If you think adding an action/movement to your dialogue is 'good enough' hate to break it to you but that ruins immersion much more than a casual 'mumbled'. And for the last time: this is just a resource list, CALM DOWN. Hope that covers all the annoyingly redundant replies :)
Looking For More Writing Tips And Tricks?
Check out the rest of Quillology with Haya; a blog dedicated to writing and publishing tips for authors!
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How to show emotions
Part V
How to show grief
a vacant look
slack facial expressions
shaky hands
trembling lips
swallowing
struggling to breathe
tears rolling down their cheeks
How to show fondness
smiling with their mouth and their eyes
softening their features
cannot keep their eyes off of the object of their fondness
sometimes pouting the lips a bit
reaching out, wanting to touch them
How to show envy
narrowing their eyes
rolling their eyes
raising their eyebrows
grinding their teeth
tightening jaw
chin poking out
pouting their lips
forced smiling
crossing arms
shifting their gaze
clenching their fists
tensing their muscles
then becoming restless/fidgeting
swallowing hard
stiffening
holding their breath
blinking rapidly
exhaling sharply
How to show regret
scrubbing a hand over the face
sighing heavily
downturned mouth
slightly bending over
shoulders hanging low
hands falling to the sides
a pained expression
heavy eyes
staring down at their feet
More: How to write emotions Masterpost
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Circling vs. Zigzagging Conflicts
Nearly every writer understands that a story needs conflict. The protagonist sets off to fulfill a goal, runs into an antagonistic force, and their struggle creates conflict. This should happen in the story as a whole, this should happen in acts, and it should happen in almost every scene--the difference is that the smaller the structural unit, the smaller the antagonist and conflict (simplistically speaking).
Today I want to talk about a sneaky problem I sometimes see when editing manuscripts, one that relates to conflicts.
Sometimes the writer simply “circles” the conflict.
What I mean is that after a given conflict, nothing has actually changed in the story. We just completed a “circle.”
For example, say the protagonist is a favorite target of the schoolyard bully. They get into a verbal fight, but when it's over, nothing's different. The conflict didn't have any consequences.
It may not sound that bad.
And if it only happens once in a while, and there are enough other conflicts going on, it may not be.
But if this happens repeatedly or this is the main conflict, the plot isn't progressing. It just did a circle and the characters ended up in the same situation they were before the encounter. Essentially, no matter how exciting the scene may seem to be, you could still cut it and the story would be the same.
Let's look at an even less obvious example.
The protagonist needs to get Object X from Character B.
The protagonist finds a way to successfully steal it.
But then immediately afterward, Character B steals it back.
The scene ends, and the protagonist is back at square one.
It doesn't sound that bad, does it?
And if it only happens once in a while, and there are enough other conflicts going on, it may not be.
But if this sort of thing happens repeatedly--over and over and over--the plot isn't progressing. You're just going back and forth and back and forth and back and forth. And if we just arc that path a bit, guess what? It creates a circle.
Another example:
The protagonist has a problem.
But she's not taking action to solve the problem.
Yes, she reacts emotionally to the problem.
She may even sometimes come up with a plan for how to try to solve the problem.
But she doesn't execute it. Or, some other problem comes up that keeps her from executing it.
And rather than come up with and execute a new plan to address that problem.
She just reacts emotionally to the problem.
Imagine this going on for multiple scenes.
The plot isn't progressing. She's just ruminating.
It still feels like the text is just circling the conflict.
Please know I'm not saying a story can never do these things. On rare occasions, circling conflicts can be useful, like when the point is to show the audience how some things don't change. My first example may arguably work near the beginning of the story, to show what the protagonist's day-to-day life is like. My second example can sometimes work as a frustrating irony. And my last example, well . . . don't do my last example. Okay, okay, maybe it could work to show off how the protagonist is incapable of or has the flaw of never moving forward (and chances are it'd probably be better to illustrate that through summary, rather than scene).
And some degree of circling can work, when the story needs to end with the characters and world in the same place they started, like in a serial, but note that usually through the installment, there isn't much circling.
And often, even if the external circumstances complete a circle, the journey changed the character internally in some significant way.
BUT if you are repeatedly writing examples like those above, where the situation at the end of a scene or act is essentially the same as it was at the beginning of the scene or act, then you aren't moving the story forward.
Sure, conflict may show up on the page, but the text is just circling it.
Instead, it's much more effective to create a zigzag.
If we wanted to keep this super simple, we might say the scene (or act) needs to move from a positive situation to a negative situation, or a negative situation to a positive situation. Or, a positive situation to a better situation, or a negative situation to a worse situation. Essentially:
+ --> -
- --> +
+ --> ++
- --> --
This is a good starting point, but I admit, it sometimes feels oversimplified to me.
In any case, the situation the character is in, has changed.
The story didn't do a circle. It did a zigzag (or zigzigger or zagzagger).
The protagonist had a goal, encountered an antagonist, had a conflict, and the conflict came to a definitive outcome (if only on the small scale for that scene). It hit a climax or turning point.
And that outcome carries consequences.
The protagonist gets in an argument with the bully and gets suspended for his language. If he's suspended, his parents will ground him, and he won't get to go on an upcoming date with his crush. It's a setback.
Character B steals Object X back and in the process, mortally wounds the protagonist. Now the protagonist needs to get help before they die.
The protagonist takes action to solve the new problem, and not only succeeds, but manages to solve her original problem at the same time.
But often just adding consequences isn't enough. We need to make sure the consequences aren't or can't be undone, at least not easily or coincidentally. We don't have the protagonist's dad have a serendipitous change of heart and simply allow the protagonist to go on the date.
Don't undo what you just did (generally speaking).
If the protagonist ended with a bigger or new problem, make him put in the effort to try to solve it. (See the "No, and . . ." vs. "Yes, but . . . " rule under "Disaster.")
And don't forget my "acid test" for plot progression. At the end of the scene (or act), ask, did the protagonist's current goal and/or plan shift? If the answer is no, chances are you did a circle. (Or you at least left things stagnating). If the answer is yes, something changed.
As I mentioned above, sometimes the change is internal.
Maybe Character B did simply steal Object X back, but maybe that leads to the protagonist realizing he doesn't want Object X as much as he wants revenge on Character B. He hatches a plan to exact that.
While that may not be as strong as the protagonist getting mortally wounded, it's better than nothing changing, and the experience does change the direction of the story.
Personally, I'd still be cautious of writing such a situation, though. In most types of stories, we want consequences to be both internal and external.
But that topic could be another post.
So in closing: zigzagging conflicts is better than circling them.
Adieu.
Hello! Tips on drafting and how much detail is too much?
Let’s see, my main tips would be to treat the first draft as if you’re telling yourself the story, the second draft like you’re organizing and enhancing the story, and the third draft as if you’re preparing for your best friend to read the story. I think this is a pretty good gauge for how much detail you add to the narrative each time you reread and edit. And it’s not about how much detail there is, it’s about how effective it is at making the story clear and immersive.
Here’s some resources that might help. There’s also an entire category in my masterlist dedicated to the drafting process.
Using Vocabulary
Describing Where Your Characters Are
Writing Intense Scenes
Writing The First Chapter
Balancing Detail & Development
When To Use “Felt”
Showing Vs Telling
How To Better Your Vocabulary & Description
Powering Through The Zero-Draft Phase
Getting Words on The Page
Sticking To A Story (Working on Multiple Projects)
Writing Your Way Through The Plot Fog
I hope this advice and these resources are helpful, and if you have any other questions feel free to leave them here :)
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Quick editing tip: Passing time
Hey all, here’s a quick tip about showing the passage of short amounts of time in a scene. I see a lot of beats like this:
She hesitated
He paused
A few seconds later
There was a long silence
He waited for her to answer
She didn’t respond
Instead of telling us there’s a brief moment of silence or pause in your scene, try showing us by creating the feeling that time has passed through action, description, or inner monologue. Here are a few examples.
Before:
“Are you coming or not?”
He waited for her to answer, but she didn’t respond.
“Clare? Did you hear me?”
“Huh?”
After:
“Are you coming or not?”
Clare scrolled through her phone, her face illuminating with a eerie blue glow.
“Clare? Did you hear me?”
“Huh?”
Before:
Jared lingered at the suspect’s front gate. If this guy didn’t answer Jared’s questions, he was screwed.
“Hey you!” a voice shouted. “Get off my property!”
Jared hesitated. Finally, he turned to face the man. “I’m afraid I can’t do that.”
After:
Jared lingered at the suspect’s front gate. If this guy didn’t answer Jared’s questions, he was screwed.
“Hey you!” a voice shouted. “Get off my property!”
Jared patted his holster. He had a gun, but he certainly didn’t want to use it. Taking a deep breath, he turned to face the man. “I’m afraid I can’t do that.”
Not only does creating a pause instead of describing a pause allow your reader to feel the moment more vividly, it gives you a chance to explain what exactly that pause is about. People hesitate, pause, don’t respond, etc. for all kinds of reasons. Give us as much insight as you can into your weird quiet moment.
Of course, you don’t need to do this every single time. Sometimes it’s fine to say “he paused” or “the room was quiet for a moment”—it could be the best choice for that scene. But look back through your draft and see if you’ve used those “telling” descriptions more often than you needed to. If so, try to create the feeling of a pause—perhaps one that gives the reader a bit more information—using these techniques.
Hope this helps!