How I Learned To Write Smarter, Not Harder
How I learned to write smarter, not harder
(aka, how to write when you're hella ADHD lol)
A reader commented on my current long fic asking how I write so well. I replied with an essay of my honestly pretty non-standard writing advice (that they probably didn't actually want lol) Now I'm gonna share it with you guys and hopefully there's a few of you out there who will benefit from my past mistakes and find some useful advice in here. XD Since I started doing this stuff, which are all pretty easy changes to absorb into your process if you want to try them, I now almost never get writer's block.
The text of the original reply is indented, and I've added some additional commentary to expand upon and clarify some of the concepts.
As for writing well, I usually attribute it to the fact that I spent roughly four years in my late teens/early 20s writing text roleplay with a friend for hours every single day. Aside from the constant practice that provided, having a live audience immediately reacting to everything I wrote made me think a lot about how to make as many sentences as possible have maximum impact so that I could get that kind of fun reaction. (Which is another reason why comments like yours are so valuable to fanfic writers! <3) The other factors that have improved my writing are thus: 1. Writing nonlinearly. I used to write a whole story in order, from the first sentence onward. If there was a part I was excited to write, I slogged through everything to get there, thinking that it would be my reward once I finished everything that led up to that. It never worked. XD It was miserable. By the time I got to the part I wanted to write, I had beaten the scene to death in my head imagining all the ways I could write it, and it a) no longer interested me and b) could not live up to my expectations because I couldn't remember all my ideas I'd had for writing it. The scene came out mediocre and so did everything leading up to it. Since then, I learned through working on VN writing (I co-own a game studio and we have some visual novels that I write for) that I don't have to write linearly. If I'm inspired to write a scene, I just write it immediately. It usually comes out pretty good even in a first draft! But then I also have it for if I get more ideas for that scene later, and I can just edit them in. The scenes come out MUCH stronger because of this. And you know what else I discovered? Those scenes I slogged through before weren't scenes I had no inspiration for, I just didn't have any inspiration for them in that moment! I can't tell you how many times there was a scene I had no interest in writing, and then a week later I'd get struck by the perfect inspiration for it! Those are scenes I would have done a very mediocre job on, and now they can be some of the most powerful scenes because I gave them time to marinate. Inspiration isn't always linear, so writing doesn't have to be either!
Some people are the type that joyfully write linearly. I have a friend like this--she picks up the characters and just continues playing out the next scene. Her story progresses through the entire day-by-day lives of the characters; it never timeskips more than a few hours. She started writing and posting just eight months ago, she's about an eighth of the way through her planned fic timeline, and the content she has so far posted to AO3 for it is already 450,000 words long. But most of us are normal humans. We're not, for the most part, wired to create linearly. We consume linearly, we experience linearly, so we assume we must also create linearly. But actually, a lot of us really suffer from trying to force ourselves to create this way, and we might not even realize it. If you're the kind of person who thinks you need to carrot-on-a-stick yourself into writing by saving the fun part for when you finally write everything that happens before it: Stop. You're probably not a linear writer. You're making yourself suffer for no reason and your writing is probably suffering for it. At least give nonlinear writing a try before you assume you can't write if you're not baiting or forcing yourself into it!! Remember: Writing is fun. You do this because it's fun, because it's your hobby. If you're miserable 80% of the time you're doing it, you're probably doing it wrong!
2. Rereading my own work. I used to hate reading my own work. I wouldn't even edit it usually. I would write it and slap it online and try not to look at it again. XD Writing nonlinearly forced me to start rereading because I needed to make sure scenes connected together naturally and it also made it easier to get into the headspace of the story to keep writing and fill in the blanks and get new inspiration. Doing this built the editing process into my writing process--I would read a scene to get back in the headspace, dislike what I had written, and just clean it up on the fly. I still never ever sit down to 'edit' my work. I just reread it to prep for writing and it ends up editing itself. Many many scenes in this fic I have read probably a dozen times or more! (And now, I can actually reread my own work for enjoyment!) Another thing I found from doing this that it became easy to see patterns and themes in my work and strengthen them. Foreshadowing became easy. Setting up for jokes or plot points became easy. I didn't have to plan out my story in advance or write an outline, because the scenes themselves because a sort of living outline on their own. (Yes, despite all the foreshadowing and recurring thematic elements and secret hidden meanings sprinkled throughout this story, it actually never had an outline or a plan for any of that. It's all a natural byproduct of writing nonlinearly and rereading.)
Unpopular writing opinion time: You don't need to make a detailed outline.
Some people thrive on having an outline and planning out every detail before they sit down to write. But I know for a lot of us, we don't know how to write an outline or how to use it once we've written it. The idea of making one is daunting, and the advice that it's the only way to write or beat writer's block is demoralizing. So let me explain how I approach "outlining" which isn't really outlining at all.
I write in a Notion table, where every scene is a separate table entry and the scene is written in the page inside that entry. I do this because it makes writing nonlinearly VASTLY more intuitive and straightforward than writing in a single document. (If you're familiar with Notion, this probably makes perfect sense to you. If you're not, imagine something a little like a more contained Google Sheets, but every row has a title cell that opens into a unique Google Doc when you click on it. And it's not as slow and clunky as the Google suite lol) (Edit from the future: I answered an ask with more explanation on how I use Notion for non-linear writing here.) When I sit down to begin a new fic idea, I make a quick entry in the table for every scene I already know I'll want or need, with the entries titled with a couple words or a sentence that describes what will be in that scene so I'll remember it later. Basically, it's the most absolute bare-bones skeleton of what I vaguely know will probably happen in the story.
Then I start writing, wherever I want in the list. As I write, ideas for new scenes and new connections and themes will emerge over time, and I'll just slot them in between the original entries wherever they naturally fit, rearranging as necessary, so that I won't forget about them later when I'm ready to write them. As an example, my current long fic started with a list of roughly 35 scenes that I knew I wanted or needed, for a fic that will probably be around 100k words (which I didn't know at the time haha). As of this writing, it has expanded to 129 scenes. And since I write them directly in the page entries for the table, the fic is actually its own outline, without any additional effort on my part. As I said in the comment reply--a living outline!
This also made it easier to let go of the notion that I had to write something exactly right the first time. (People always say you should do this, but how many of us do? It's harder than it sounds! I didn't want to commit to editing later! I didn't want to reread my work! XD) I know I'm going to edit it naturally anyway, so I can feel okay giving myself permission to just write it approximately right and I can fix it later. And what I found from that was that sometimes what I believed was kind of meh when I wrote it was actually totally fine when I read it later! Sometimes the internal critic is actually wrong. 3. Marinating in the headspace of the story. For the first two months I worked on [fic], I did not consume any media other than [fandom the fic is in]. I didn't watch, read, or play anything else. Not even mobile games. (And there wasn't really much fan content for [fandom] to consume either. Still isn't, really. XD) This basically forced me to treat writing my story as my only source of entertainment, and kept me from getting distracted or inspired to write other ideas and abandon this one.
As an aside, I don't think this is a necessary step for writing, but if you really want to be productive in a short burst, I do highly recommend going on a media consumption hiatus. Not forever, obviously! Consuming media is a valuable tool for new inspiration, and reading other's work (both good and bad, as long as you think critically to identify the differences!) is an invaluable resource for improving your writing.
When I write, I usually lay down, close my eyes, and play the scene I'm interested in writing in my head. I even take a ten-minute nap now and then during this process. (I find being in a state of partial drowsiness, but not outright sleepiness, makes writing easier and better. Sleep helps the brain process and make connections!) Then I roll over to the laptop next to me and type up whatever I felt like worked for the scene. This may mean I write half a sentence at a time between intervals of closed-eye-time XD
People always say if you're stuck, you need to outline.
What they actually mean by that (whether they realize it or not) is that if you're stuck, you need to brainstorm. You need to marinate. You don't need to plan what you're doing, you just need to give yourself time to think about it!
What's another framing for brainstorming for your fic? Fantasizing about it! Planning is work, but fantasizing isn't.
You're already fantasizing about it, right? That's why you're writing it. Just direct that effort toward the scenes you're trying to write next! Close your eyes, lay back, and fantasize what the characters do and how they react.
And then quickly note down your inspirations so you don't forget, haha.
And if a scene is so boring to you that even fantasizing about it sucks--it's probably a bad scene.
If it's boring to write, it's going to be boring to read. Ask yourself why you wanted that scene. Is it even necessary? Can you cut it? Can you replace it with a different scene that serves the same purpose but approaches the problem from a different angle? If you can't remove the troublesome scene, what can you change about it that would make it interesting or exciting for you to write?
And I can't write sitting up to save my damn life. It's like my brain just stops working if I have to sit in a chair and stare at a computer screen. I need to be able to lie down, even if I don't use it! Talking walks and swinging in a hammock are also fantastic places to get scene ideas worked out, because the rhythmic motion also helps our brain process. It's just a little harder to work on a laptop in those scenarios. XD
In conclusion: Writing nonlinearly is an amazing tool for kicking writer's block to the curb. There's almost always some scene you'll want to write. If there isn't, you need to re-read or marinate.
Or you need to use the bathroom, eat something, or sleep. XD Seriously, if you're that stuck, assess your current physical condition. You might just be unable to focus because you're uncomfortable and you haven't realized it yet.
Anyway! I hope that was helpful, or at least interesting! XD Sorry again for the text wall. (I think this is the longest comment reply I've ever written!)
And same to you guys on tumblr--I hope this was helpful or at least interesting. XD Reblogs appreciated if so! (Maybe it'll help someone else!)
More Posts from Dont-forget-this-forget and Others
50 Terms of Endearment
This selection of words used as terms of endearment over the past thousand years shows several items that have stood the test of time, notably darling and dear, and some recurring motifs, such as those from the semantic fields of taste and the animal kingdom. But several belong to their own time: bawcock and bully, for example, are encountered in Shakespeare.
darling (c. 888) ⚜ dear (c. 1230) ⚜ sweetheart (c. 1290)
heart (c. 1305) ⚜ honey (c. 1375) ⚜ dove (c. 1386)
cinnamon; love (c. 1405) ⚜ mulling (c. 1475) ⚜ daisy (c. 1485)
mouse (c. 1520) ⚜ whiting (c. 1529) ⚜ fool (c. 1530) ⚜ beautiful (1535)
soul (c. 1538) ⚜ bully (1548) ⚜ lamb (c. 1556) ⚜ pussy (c. 1557)
ding-ding (1564) ⚜ lover (1573) ⚜ pug (1580) ⚜ mopsy (1582)
bun (1587) ⚜ wanton (1589) ⚜ ladybird (1597) ⚜ chuck (1598)
sweetkin (1599) ⚜ duck; joy (1600) ⚜ sparrow (c. 1600)
bawcock (c. 1601) ⚜ nutting (1606) ⚜ tickling (1607)
bagpudding (1608) ⚜ dainty (1611) ⚜ flitter-mouse (1612) ⚜
pretty (1616) ⚜ old thing (c. 1625) ⚜ duckling (1630) ⚜ sweetling (1648)
pet (1767) ⚜ sweetie (1778) ⚜ cabbage (1840) ⚜ prawn (1895)
so-and-so (1897) ⚜ pumpkin (1900) ⚜ pussums (1912)
treasure (1920) ⚜ sugar (1930) ⚜ lamb-chop (1962)
Source ⚜ More: Word Lists ⚜ Notes: On Love ⚜ Love Advice ⚜ "I love you" Word Lists: Love Pt. 1 Pt. 2 ⚜ Physiology of Love ⚜ Synonyms ⚜ Kinds of Love
Showing 'Jealousy' in Writing
Eyes narrowing with a sharp, intense stare.
Clenched jaw and pursed lips.
Crossing arms defensively.
Making snide or sarcastic remarks.
Glancing repeatedly at the object of jealousy.
Trying to outdo or one-up the rival.
Faking a smile that doesn’t reach the eyes.
Speaking in a tense, clipped tone.
Avoiding eye contact with the person they’re jealous of.
Drumming fingers impatiently on a surface.
Feeling a burning sensation in the chest.
Sighing loudly or rolling their eyes.
Gritting teeth and taking deep, forced breaths.
Biting their lower lip hard.
Tapping foot incessantly.
Passive-aggressively commenting on the situation.
Mimicking or mocking the rival’s behavior.
Frequently changing the subject away from the rival.
Feeling a knot tighten in their stomach.
Casting resentful, sidelong glances.
ultimate character development template
basics
name: meaning of name: nicknames/titles: age: gender: location: birthday: strengths + example where it's shown: weaknesses + example where it's shown: how it affects others:
emotional depth
attachment style + how it manifests in the story: physical fear: emotional/abstract fear: happy memory: sad memory: object of significance: philosophical outlook/belief: what characters are ignorant about themselves: how confident are they: goal: long-term dreams: what they're embarrassed/ashamed to tell others about: regrets: source of pride: source of misery: what they admire above all else: do they believe in fate:
personality
mbti: enneagram: big five: character archetype: star sign: who they pretend to be on the outside: who they actually are/how they feel towards the mask: mental health conditions: how it manifests for them: iq: eq: humour: reputation:
habits
bad habits: mannerisms when stressed: mannerisms when content: mannerisms when scared: mannerisms normally: verbal mannerisms/distinctive speaking style: how do they move across a room: what do they say and what remains unsaid: how they express love: hobbies:
appearance
defining features: eye shape + colour: hair texture + colour: skin texture + tone: vibe: height: build: clothing: any bodily disfigurement (scars, etc.): overall attractiveness: their opinion on their appearance: appeals to:
relationships
who they trust most: what they wish they could do for them: what's holding them back: who they hate most: what they wish they could do to them: what's holding them back: relationship with the protagonist: relationship with the antagonist: siblings: relationship with them: parents/step-parents: relationship with them: previous broken relationships: why did it break: what others expect of them: who believes in them: their mentor character/who they look up to: political/religious/other affiliations: what makes them different from every other character: non-human relationships + why: romantic "type" + why: relationship dynamics:
backstory/background
primary emotion towards their past: primary feelings while in their past: where did they grow up: defining incidents: earliest childhood memory: saddest memory: happiest memory: major accomplishments: their opinion on it: notable people in their backstory: effect on them today: trauma: what have they already lost: financial circumstance:
progression
why are they important (eg. why're they the only one able to do something?): what do they learn about themselves throughout the story: what do they learn about the world: how do they feel towards their newfound knowledge: character arc (positive, negative, neutral): how relationships change because of their actions: what mistakes do they make: what scene is their character highlighted: do they get what they want: why or why not: what happens to them after the story ends:
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.
Writing Notes: Hooking your Readers
Hook—The first line, lines, or paragraph meant to grab the reader’s attention
For most people, a night out at the movies includes sitting through the coming attractions. We watch these short bursts of scenes that scare us, intrigue us, make us laugh, and sometimes nearly bring us to tears. No matter the preview, though, if it looks good, we want to go see the movie. An effective “hook” in your story works the same way. You want to grab your reader right away and compel them to continue reading.
Some common strategies for creating a hook & examples:
Anecdote: My hands shook and beads of sweat rolled down my face. I double-checked the directions before assembling my tools and turning up the heat. Making lasagna shouldn’t have been this stressful, but in my grandmother’s kitchen, the stakes were a little higher.
Direct quote: “Be open and use the world around you.” Toni Morrison gives this advice about the craft of writing, but I find that it applies to most areas of my life.
General statement or truth: Every child, no matter how sheltered or well-adjusted, will experience fear. Whether they are scared of the monster under the bed or the neighbor’s barking dog, children experience fear as a normal and healthy part of childhood.
History: On Wednesday, August 28, 1963, thousands traveled to Washington D.C. by road, rail, and air. There were demonstrators of all races, creeds, and genders. Unafraid of the intimidation and violence they faced, they demonstrated for the rights of all. Known as The Great March on Washington, this day marked an important turning point in the Civil Rights Movement in the United States.
Metaphor: Stretched out in a sunbeam, my cat may seem timid, but really, she’s a lion. She will stealthily stalk her prey, attack without mercy, and leave a trail of blood and guts in her wake. Afterward, as she grooms her luxurious mane, she shows no remorse.
Scene or illustration: Shadows stretch across the pavement as jack-o-lanterns flicker in windows. Little trick-or-treaters scamper from porch to porch, filling their bags with various forms of sugar. It is the day dentists dread most: Halloween.
Sensory description: The stale smell of cigarettes engulfed me as I stepped into the dim, silent apartment. The heat had been turned off, so I could see my breath fog in front of me as I carefully stepped over the old pizza boxes, overturned cups, and random pieces of paper strewn across the floor.
Startling statistic or statement: Teenage drivers crash their cars at nearly ten times the rate of older drivers.
Writing Worksheets & Templates
will update this every few weeks/months. alternatively, here are all my tagged Writing Worksheets & Templates
Chapter Outline ⚜ Character- or Plot-Driven Story
Death & Sacrifice ⚜ Magic & Rituals ⚜ Plot-Planning
Editing: Sentence Check ⚜ Writing Your Novel: 20 Questions
Tension ⚜ Thought Distortions ⚜ What's at Stake
Character Development
50 Questions ⚜ Backstory ⚜ Character Creation
Antagonist; Villain; Fighting ⚜ Protagonist & Antagonist
Character: Change; Adding Action; Conflict
Character: Creator; Name; Quirks; Flaws; Motivation
Character Profile (by Rick Riordan) ⚜ Character Sheet Template
Character Sketch & Bible ⚜ Interview your Character
Story-Worthy Hero ⚜ "Well-Rounded" Character Worksheet
Worldbuilding
20 Questions ⚜ Decisions & Categories ⚜ Worksheet
Setting ⚜ Dystopian World ⚜ Magic System (AALC Method)
Templates: Geography; World History; City; Fictional Plant
References: Worldbuilding ⚜ Plot ⚜ Character ⚜ Writing Resources PDFs
all posts are queued. send questions/requests here.
Describe your Main Character sheet
Skin
Tone: Pale, Rosy, Olive, Dark, Tanned, Alabaster, Ebony, Bronze, Golden, Fair
Texture: Smooth, Rough, Silky, Coarse, Flaky, Supple, Wrinkled, Calloused, Bumpy
Condition: Moles, Acne, Dry, Greasy, Freckled, Scars, Birthmarks, Bruised, Sunburned, Flawless
Complexion: Clear, Ruddy, Sallow, Glowing, Dull, Even-toned, Blotchy
Eyes
Size: Small, Large, Average, Tiny, Bulging, Narrow
Color: Grey, Brown, Blue, Violet, Pink, Green, Gold, Hazel, Crimson, Amber, Turquoise, Sapphire, Onyx
Shape: Doe-eyed, Almond, Close-set, Wide-set, Round, Oval, Hooded, Monolid
Expression: Deep-set, Squinty, Monolid, Heavy eyelids, Upturned, Downturned, Piercing, Gentle, Sparkling, Steely
Other: Glassy, Bloodshot, Tear-filled, Clear, Glinting, Shiny
Hair
Thickness: Thin, Thick, Fine, Normal
Texture: Greasy, Dry, Soft, Shiny, Curly, Frizzy, Wild, Unruly, Straight, Smooth, Wavy, Floppy
Length: Cropped, Pixie-cut, Afro, Shoulder length, Back length, Waist length, Past hip-length, Buzz cut, Bald
Styles: Weave, Hair extensions, Jaw length, Layered, Mohawk, Dreadlocks, Box braids, Faux locks, Braid, Ponytail, Bun, Updo
Color: White, Salt and pepper, Platinum blonde, Golden blonde, Dirty blonde, Blonde, Strawberry blonde, Ash brown, Mouse brown, Chestnut brown, Golden brown, Chocolate brown, Dark brown, Jet black, Ginger, Red, Auburn, Dyed, Highlights, Low-lights, Ombre
Eyebrows: Thin eyebrows, Average eyebrows, Thick eyebrows, Plucked eyebrows, Bushy eyebrows, Arched eyebrows, Straight eyebrows
Lips
Shape: Full, Thin, Heart-shaped, Bow-shaped, Wide, Small
Texture: Chapped, Smooth, Cracked, Soft, Rough
Color: Pale, Pink, Red, Crimson, Brown, Purple, Nude
Expression: Smiling, Frowning, Pursed, Pouting, Curved, Neutral, Tight-lipped, Parted
Nose
Shape: Button, Roman, Hooked, Aquiline, Flat, Pointed, Wide, Narrow, Crooked, Upturned, Snub
Size: Small, Large, Average, Long, Short
Condition: Freckled, Sunburned, Smooth, Bumpy
Build
Frame: Petite, Slim, Athletic, Muscular, Average, Stocky, Large, Lean, Stout, Bony, Broad-shouldered, Narrow-shouldered
Height: Short, Tall, Average, Petite, Giant
Posture: Upright, Slouched, Rigid, Relaxed, Graceful, Awkward, Stiff, Hunched
Hands
Size: Small, Large, Average, Delicate, Strong
Texture: Smooth, Rough, Calloused, Soft, Firm
Condition: Clean, Dirty, Manicured, Scarred, Wrinkled
Nails: Short, Long, Polished, Chipped, Clean, Dirty, Painted, Natural
Voice
Tone: Deep, High, Soft, Loud, Raspy, Melodic, Monotonous, Hoarse, Clear, Gentle
Volume: Loud, Soft, Whispery, Booming, Muted
Pace: Fast, Slow, Steady, Hasty, Measured
Expression: Cheerful, Sad, Angry, Calm, Anxious, Confident, Nervous, Excited, Bored
List of Types of Kisses
This list is divided by category, kiss type, emotion conveyed, and description. You can do whatever you want with this information.
More prompts!
Location
[BELLY KISS] Love, care: a gesture of affection and protection;
[CHEEK KISS] Respect, affection: gesture of greeting, friendship, or affection;
[CHIN KISS] Passion, desire: an intimate and sensual gesture.
[EAR KISS] Desire, intimacy: a sensual and provocative gesture;
[EYELID KISS] Love, affection: a delicate and romantic gesture;
[FOOT KISS] Adoration, devotion: a gesture of submission or adoration.
[FOREHEAD KISS] Love, care, comfort: a gesture of affection, protection, and tenderness;
[HAIR KISS] Affection, tenderness: a gesture of affection and care.
[HAND KISS] Admiration, reverence: a gesture of respect and admiration;
[KNEE KISS] Passion, desire: an intimate and sensual gesture;
[MOUTH KISS] Passion, love, desire: the most common, can vary in intensity and technique;
[NECK KISS] Desire, passion: a sensual and provocative gesture;
[NOSE KISS] Affection, complicity: a gesture of affection and intimacy;
[SHOULDER KISS] Passion, desire: an intimate and sensual gesture;
Intensity
[CHASTEN KISS] Friendship, affection: a light touch on the lips, expressing affection and friendship;
[OVERWHELMING KISS] Passion, desire: a strong and urgent kiss, expressing intense passion;
[PASSIONATE KISS] Passion, love: an intense and desire-filled kiss, with tongue and light bites;
[SHY KISS] Insecurity, desire: a hesitant and delicate kiss, expressing insecurity and desire.
Type
[CINEMATIC KISS] Romance, idealization: a long and passionate kiss, idealized in movies;
[BUTTERFLY KISS] Romanticism, delicacy: kissing with eyelashes, expressing delicacy;
[ESKIMO KISS] Affection, friendship: rubbing noses, a gesture of affection in cold cultures;
[FISH KISS] Sensuality: kissing with lips slightly open;
[FRENCH KISS] Passion, desire: exchange of saliva and tongue movements;
[INVERTED KISS] Passion, adventure: kissing with bodies inverted, like in Spider-Man;
[LIZARD KISS] Sensuality, playfulness: licking the other person's lips;
[PECK] Friendship, affection: a quick and light touch of the lips;
[VAMPIRE KISS] Sensuality, mystery: kissing the neck with a slight suck.
Context
[APOLOGY KISS] Regret, forgiveness: expressing regret and seeking reconciliation;
[COMFORT KISS] Compassion, comfort: expressing compassion and comfort;
[FAREWELL KISS] Longing, hope: expressing longing and hope for reunion;
[THANK-YOU KISS] Gratitude, recognition: expressing gratitude;
[WELCOME KISS] Joy, happiness: expressing happiness at seeing someone.
Struggling with descriptors? Here are some synonyms to make your scene more interesting!
=========
Afraid
=========
Apprehensive
Dread
Foreboding
Frightened
Mistrustful
Panicked
Petrified
Scared
Suspicious
Terrified
Wary
Worried
=========
Annoyed
=========
Aggravated
Dismayed
Disgruntled
Displeased
Exasperated
Frustrated
Impatient
Irritated
Irked
=========
Angry
=========
Enraged
Furious
Incensed
Indignant
Irate
Livid
Outraged
Resentful
=========
Aversion
=========
Animosity
Appalled
Contempt
Disgusted
Dislike
Hate
Horrified
Hostile
Repulsed
=========
Confused
=========
Ambivalent
Baffled
Bewildered
Dazed
Hesitant
Lost
Mystified
Perplexed
Puzzled
Torn
=========
Disconnected
=========
Alienated
Aloof
Apathetic
Bored
Cold
Detached
Distant
Distracted
Indifferent
Numb
Removed
Uninterested
Withdrawn
=========
Disquiet
=========
Agitated
Alarmed
Discombobulated
Disconcerted
Disturbed
Perturbed
Rattled
Restless
Shocked
Startled
Surprised
Troubled
Turbulent
Turmoil
Uncomfortable
Uneasy
Unnerved
Unsettled
Upset
=========
Embarrassed
=========
Ashamed
Chagrined
Flustered
Guilty
Mortified
Self-conscious
=========
Fatigue
=========
Beat
Burnt out
Depleted
Exhausted
Lethargic
Listless
Sleepy
Tired
Weary
Worn out
=========
Pain
=========
Agony
Anguished
Bereaved
Devastated
Grief
Heartbroken
Hurt
Lonely
Miserable
Regretful
Remorseful
=========
Sad
=========
Depressed
Dejected
Despair
Despondent
Disappointed
Discouraged
Disheartened
Forlorn
Gloomy
Heavy hearted
Hopeless
Melancholy
Unhappy
Wretched
=========
Tense
=========
Anxious
Cranky
Distressed
Distraught
Edgy
Fidgety
Frazzled
Irritable
Jittery
Nervous
Overwhelmed
Restless
Stressed out
=========
Vulnerable
=========
Fragile
Helpless
Insecure
Leery
Reserved
Sensitive
Shaky
=========
Yearning
=========
Envious
Jealous
Longing
Nostalgic
Pining
Wistful
=========
the look of love (for writers)
"it's all in the eyes i was once told"
catching the stare of someone across a crowded room
subtle furrowing of eyebrows beyond a blank facade
coldness easing into warmth
a fond mothering gaze
corner of the lip nudged upward
forced glower/glare as they break underneath
batting their lashes, playful
a boisterous laugh
intrigue piercing the stoic
proud smugness at the other's success
lingering glances
a childish joy bursting through
pupils dilate
eyelids shut in a look of peace, calm and trust
look of longing/betrayal
"there was once a time when they were mine"
terseness
features fold into a scowl
an urgent flinching back
coldness returns (as though the warmth had never come)
lips part then purse
invasion of shock
slow stare at the floor
the ripple effect of a swallow
frustrated breath/sigh
bitter laugh in reminiscence
dread tearing through the seams of their composure
look of hatred
"darkness"
mean smirk- teeth bared grimace- scowl
dismissive gaze
gaze of contempt/impatience
threat lowering the voice
sardonic goading grins verging on manic
rolling one's eyes
flicker of irritation in the eyes
stares stubbornly ahead despite distraction
gritted teeth, clenched jaw
fierce biting remarks
even measured complexions betraying no thought
strangling oneself back from violence
utter apathy
murderous silence hanging in the stare
snobbish laughter
smiling at another's downfall
-
matt-murdick liked this · 5 days ago -
bunnyabricot reblogged this · 5 days ago -
mihyasnorthstar liked this · 6 days ago -
onelastwordinthemorning reblogged this · 6 days ago -
onelastwordinthemorning liked this · 6 days ago
-
voidsofclover liked this · 6 days ago -
letsdrawcuties liked this · 1 week ago -
drmsrina liked this · 1 week ago -
sunsfavorite liked this · 1 week ago -
jjscheetos liked this · 1 week ago -
thenreblogs reblogged this · 1 week ago -
stonerbatebro liked this · 1 week ago -
inkbane reblogged this · 1 week ago -
the-princey-pie liked this · 1 week ago -
firebugggs liked this · 1 week ago -
jelliebeandraws liked this · 1 week ago -
allieslittlewritings liked this · 1 week ago -
antipocalypse reblogged this · 1 week ago -
waitwhatsrealityagain liked this · 1 week ago -
cherubimind liked this · 1 week ago -
zyart-jpg liked this · 1 week ago -
a-finchsong liked this · 1 week ago -
crobones reblogged this · 1 week ago -
imjusthere4dimentions liked this · 1 week ago -
teenyghostman liked this · 2 weeks ago -
zephyrmelrose liked this · 2 weeks ago -
toko-naegi liked this · 2 weeks ago -
nxmvzo liked this · 2 weeks ago -
queenvash liked this · 2 weeks ago -
mnmix liked this · 2 weeks ago -
jayysilence liked this · 2 weeks ago -
perksofbeingahalfie liked this · 2 weeks ago -
septrose liked this · 2 weeks ago -
sharpestl1ves liked this · 2 weeks ago -
septh-1-s liked this · 2 weeks ago -
harleyacoincidence reblogged this · 2 weeks ago -
scatter-and-wilt liked this · 2 weeks ago -
paradoxbeta liked this · 2 weeks ago -
teethparalysis liked this · 2 weeks ago -
kaulua-koko liked this · 2 weeks ago -
slightlymoistsocks liked this · 2 weeks ago -
azukemo liked this · 2 weeks ago -
aureate-villainy liked this · 2 weeks ago -
bumblegremlin liked this · 2 weeks ago -
tuithewriter liked this · 2 weeks ago
forget's resource bank, writing stuff. i have no order back at main so this had to be created. you probably know me as @forget-me-maybe sometimes i reblog things that should be on main here and pls just ignore that.
94 posts