Writing Notes: Markers For The "Big Five"

50 Worldbuilding Setting ideas for your fantasy book

Cities and Settlements

1. Capital City - The central hub of political power and culture in the realm.

2. Harbor Town - A bustling port city crucial for trade and naval activities.

3. Elf Village - A serene settlement hidden within a forest, home to elven inhabitants.

4. Dwarven Mines - An underground city where dwarves mine precious metals and gems.

5. Nomad Camp - A temporary settlement for wandering tribes and traders.

6. Market Square - The commercial heart of any major city, filled with vendors and artisans.

7. Sky City - A floating metropolis held aloft by magic or advanced technology.

Natural and Enchanted Locations

8. Mystic Forest - A dense, magical woodland filled with ancient trees and mythical creatures.

9. Enchanted Lake - A serene body of water with mystical properties.

10. Secret Cave - A hidden cavern that might contain treasure or danger.

11. Dark Swamp - A treacherous wetland often home to dark magic and creatures.

12. Forbidden Desert - A vast, arid expanse known for its harsh conditions and ancient secrets.

13. Floating Island - A landmass suspended in the sky, often home to unique flora and fauna.

14. Hidden Valley - A secluded, fertile valley protected from the outside world.

15. Charmed Meadows - Peaceful fields imbued with protective enchantments.

Magical and Supernatural Places

16. Wizard’s Tower - The abode of powerful sorcerers, filled with arcane knowledge.

17. Sacred Temple - A place of worship and spiritual significance, often protected by divine magic.

18. Haunted Castle - An ancient fortress inhabited by ghosts or malevolent spirits.

19. Necromancer’s Crypt - The lair of a dark sorcerer who practices necromancy.

20. Oracle’s Sanctuary - A holy site where oracles deliver prophecies and visions.

21. Magical Academy - An institution where young sorcerers learn the art of magic.

22. Alchemist’s Workshop - A place where alchemists experiment and create potions and elixirs.

23. Time Portal - A gateway to different eras, allowing travel through time.

Dangerous and Uncharted Areas

24. Ancient Ruins - The remnants of a once-great civilization, often hiding secrets or dangers.

25. Dragon’s Lair - The home of a fearsome dragon, filled with treasure and peril.

26. Cursed Forest - A dark, haunted woodland where malevolent forces dwell.

27. Battlefield - The site of a significant past conflict, often haunted by the spirits of the fallen.

28. Volcanic Wasteland - A desolate, fiery landscape wrought with volcanic activity.

29. Giant’s Keep - A massive fortress built and inhabited by giants.

30. Pirate Cove - A hidden inlet where pirates gather to plan their exploits.

31. Shadow Realm - A dark, parallel dimension filled with malevolent entities.

32. Frosty Tundra - A vast, icy wasteland where few dare to venture.

Cultural and Social Hubs

33. Royal Palace - The lavish residence of the ruling monarch and their court.

34. Thieves’ Guild - A secretive organization of thieves and rogues.

35. Warrior’s Training Grounds - A facility where soldiers and heroes train for battle.

36. Arena of Champions - A grand coliseum where warriors compete in combat.

37. Goblin Market - A chaotic and colorful marketplace run by goblins, offering exotic goods.

38. Hermit’s Hut - The secluded home of a wise hermit, often sought for advice.

39. Secret Hideout - A concealed refuge used by rebels or outlaws.

Mystical and Legendary Sites

40. Ethereal Gardens - Magical gardens with rare plants and enchanting beauty.

41. Celestial Observatory - A tower dedicated to studying the stars and celestial events.

42. Sanctuary of Lost Knowledge - A hidden library containing ancient and forbidden texts.

43. Sunken Ruins - The underwater remnants of a lost civilization.

44. Gryphon Nesting Grounds - A mountainous area where gryphons make their nests.

45. Spiral Staircase - An enigmatic, seemingly endless staircase leading to unknown depths.

46. Giant’s Keep - A colossal fortress built and inhabited by giants.

47. Protean Plains - A region where the landscape constantly changes, reshaped by powerful magic or ancient curses.

Adventurous and Explorative Spots

48. Treasure Hunter’s Camp - A gathering spot for explorers seeking lost relics.

49. Relic Seeker’s Cave - A cave rumored to contain powerful artifacts.

50. Explorer’s Outpost - A base for adventurers preparing for expeditions into unknown territories.

***

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sometimes you need dialogue tags and don't want to use the same four

Some Gemology Vocabulary

for your next poem/story (pt. 2)

Gemology—the scientific study of gemstones

Clarity - The grading of a gemstone is based on the presence or absence of inclusions. The fewer inclusions, the better a gemstone’s clarity grade.

Crown - Located above the girdle or at the top of a cut stone, the crown faces up and is in plain view when the gem is arranged in a setting.

Culet - The bottom quadrant or point on a stone with a pavilion that ends in a single point; a bottom facet cut parallel to the girdle on a stone with an otherwise pointed bottom, initially intended to prevent chipping.

Diaphaneity - The general term to describe the transmittance of light through an object. The 3 typical classifications are transparency, translucency, and opacity.

Diffusion treatment - A treatment used to alter the color of a gemstone (mostly sapphires).

Dispersion - The separation of white light into the component colors of the visible spectrum.

Facet - A flat surface on a stone or other media.

Girdle - The line created where the crown and pavilion facets meet, or the series of facets that separate the crown and pavilion facets.

Pavilion - The part of the stone below the girdle, otherwise the bottom portion of the stone.

Sectile - Capable of being cut as into slices or shavings.

Table - A facet on the crown, usually parallel to the girdle. In cases when the girdle isn't a straight line, the table is typically at 90° to the stone's center axis.

Tavernier rule - A method of gemvalue calculation. Price increases by the square of weight of stones. Now obsolete.

Veinstone - Any mineral other than metal which occurs in a vein (i.e., a crack, crevice, or fissure, filled, or practically filled, with mineral matter).

Wisps - Whitish wisp-like fractures resembling thin wind-blown clouds. Occur in some synthetic emerald but never in the genuine.

Youstone - An old English term for jade.

Sources: 1 2 3

More: On Gemology ⚜ Word Lists

Descriptions: Because “The Sunset was Nice” is Clearly Pulitzer-Worthy

Hey, my cute little Muses!

Let's talk about something that's as essential to writing as coffee is to my life: description. Yep, those juicy, detailed snippets that paint a picture in your reader’s mind. Buckle up, because we're diving deep into the wonderful world of words!

The Beauty of Description

First things first, let's get this out of the way: dialogue is awesome. It’s the sassy sibling of description that gets all the attention at family gatherings. But description? Description is the unsung hero, the one who quietly makes everything beautiful and meaningful.

Example Time!

Imagine a scene where two characters meet after years apart. You could write:

Dialogue Version:

“Hey, long time no see.”

“Yeah, it’s been a while.”

Description Version:

The air hung heavy with unspoken words as Jane stepped into the dimly lit café. Her heart raced, a drumbeat echoing the years of separation. Across the room, a familiar figure turned, his eyes widening in surprise. The years had etched lines into his face, but his smile – that same old smile – was unmistakable.

See the difference? One is a quick text exchange, the other pulls you into the moment, making you feel every heartbeat.

My Personal (Hilarious) Struggles with Description

Let’s get real. My early attempts at description were… let’s say, less than stellar. Picture this: me, hunched over my laptop at 2 AM, trying to describe a sunset. I wrote, “The sunset was nice.” Genius, right? Shakespeare would be proud.

But over time, I learned to appreciate the beauty of weaving in details. Descriptions don't just tell you what something looks like; they tell you how it feels, smells, sounds, and tastes. They make your world vivid and real.

Another Example!

Consider a spooky old house:

Dialogue Version:

“Look, it’s an old house.”

Description Version:

The house loomed ahead, its windows like dark, empty eyes. The wind whispered through the broken shutters, carrying with it the faint scent of decay. Each step on the creaking porch felt like an invitation to the unknown, a call to uncover the secrets hidden within its ancient walls.

You feel that shiver? That’s the magic of description.

The Great “Show, Don’t Tell” Myth

Here’s the kicker: “show, don’t tell” doesn’t mean you have to ditch description for action-packed dialogue. Description is a vital part of showing. It’s about making your readers experience the story, not just read it.

Show, Don’t Tell Example!

Tell Version:

John was scared.

Show Version:

John’s hands trembled as he gripped the flashlight. His breath came in short, sharp bursts, and his eyes darted around the dark room, searching for the source of the eerie noise.

In the “show” version, you’re right there with John, feeling his fear. Description brings out the emotions without simply stating them.

Why Description Over Dialogue?

1. Depth and Atmosphere: Dialogue can be snappy and fun, but description sets the scene. It creates the mood and builds the world your characters inhabit.

2. Character Insight: Through description, you can reveal a character’s thoughts and emotions in a way that dialogue alone can’t.

3. Pacing and Tension: Good description can slow down a moment to build suspense or quicken the pace to heighten excitement.

Remember, balance is key. Too much description can bog down your story, while too little can leave readers feeling disconnected. It's all about finding that sweet spot.

Final Thoughts

So, next time you’re writing, give a little extra love to your descriptions. Think of them as the cozy blanket that wraps around your story, keeping it warm and inviting. And if you ever find yourself writing “the sunset was nice,” just know you’re not alone – we’ve all been there.

Keep writing, keep describing, and remember: every detail counts!

Until next time,

Museadvicecorner (a.k.a. the person who has way too many notebooks)

P.S. If you need me, I'll be here, trying to describe the indescribable and failing gloriously.

Your feedback on my blog would mean the world to me! If my posts make you smile, why not fuel my caffeine addiction? Any support is super appreciated, even a comment too. Got any topics you want me to dive into? Just holler. Need some custom writing prompts? Hit me up anytime! :⁠-⁠) Also I'm thinking of starting a writing community do tell me what you think about it (⁠◠⁠‿⁠◕⁠)

“Don’t… wink at me!” The hero snapped at the villain. 

Hero: Fight me, bitch.

Villain: Tempting, but where?

Hero: Wh—

Villain: Wellll there's the battlefield, of course, but then there's also the bedroom-

Hero: w h a—

Villain: Either way, we both know I would win.

Hero: *surprised pikachu face*

Also Hero: *iNTENSE BLUSHING*

This is my second upload bc tumblr is a bitch

Gu Juisi and his cute expressions

“That’s my cat,” the hero said.

“No. It’s mine,” the villain retorted, eyes narrowed. 

“…It’s a stray.”

“I feed it!” 

“I feed it too! Oh, what now?” the villain waved their weapon around in frustration, “Are you gonna tell me that you have a name for it?” 

“…Yes.”

“Well, screw you, I have a name for it too.” 

Hades, sweating: So, uh, I wanted to ask you-

Persephone: Oh FINALLY, you're proposing!

Hades: What- how did you know?!

Persephone: You dropped the ring six times during dinner.

Hades:

Persephone: I even had to pick it up once.