Hooooooomygawd. This Is Exactly What I Was Ranting About In My Last Post! I Should’ve Been Posted This,

It was my 1 year anniversary on this Tumblr account yesterday. Weird to remember I made this account on my birthday

Day 5; Character(s) I Relate to!

As you can see, I am mentally unwell/lh

Tw self harm scars

Vivienne Westwood: Heart Leather Gloves (2008)

there's this one cat at the shelter called autumn and all the other cats bully her because she's small and shy but she loves me and lets me pick her up and hold her while i work and i want her so bad

Things That May Be Causing Your Writer's Block- and How to Beat Them

I don't like the term 'Writer's Block' - not because it isn't real, but because the term is so vague that it's useless. Hundreds of issues all get lumped together under this one umbrella, making writer's block seem like this all-powerful boogeyman that's impossible to beat. Worse yet, it leaves people giving and receiving advice that is completely ineffective because people often don't realize they're talking about entirely different issues.

In my experience, the key to beating writer's block is figuring out what the block even is, so I put together a list of Actual Reasons why you may be struggling to write:

(note that any case of writer's block is usually a mix of two or more)

Perfectionism (most common)

What it looks like:

You write one sentence and spend the next hour googling "synonyms for ___"

Write. Erase. Write. Rewrite. Erase.

Should I even start writing this scene when I haven't figured out this one specific detail yet?

I hate everything I write

Cringing while writing

My first draft must be perfect, or else I'm a terrible writer

Things that can help:

Give yourself permission to suck

Keep in mind that nothing you write is going to be perfect, especially your first draft

Think of writing your first/early drafts not as writing, but sketching out a loose foundation to build upon later

People write multiple drafts for a reason: write now, edit later

Stop googling synonyms and save that for editing

Write with a pen to reduce temptation to erase

Embrace leaving blank spaces in your writing when you can't think of the right word, name, or detail

It's okay if your writing sucks. We all suck at some point. Embrace the growth mindset, and focus on getting words on a page

Lack of inspiration (easiest to fix)

What it looks like:

Head empty, no ideas

What do I even write about???

I don't have a plot, I just have an image

Want to write but no story to write

Things that can help:

Google writing prompts

If writing prompts aren't your thing, instead try thinking about what kind of tropes/genres/story elements you would like to try out

Instead of thinking about the story you would like to write, think about the story you would like to read, and write that

It's okay if you don't have a fully fleshed out story idea. Even if it's just an image or a line of dialogue, it's okay to write that. A story may or may not come out of it, but at least you got the creative juices flowing

Stop writing. Step away from your desk and let yourself naturally get inspired. Go for a walk, read a book, travel, play video games, research history, etc. Don't force ideas, but do open up your mind to them

If you're like me, world-building may come more naturally than plotting. Design the world first and let the story come later

Boredom/Understimulation (lost the flow)

What it looks like:

I know I should be writing but uugggghhhh I just can'tttttt

Writing words feels like pulling teeth

I started writing, but then I got bored/distracted

I enjoy the idea of writing, but the actual process makes me want to throw my laptop out the window

Things that can help:

Introduce stimulation: snacks, beverages, gum, music such as lo-fi, blankets, decorate your writing space, get a clickity-clackity keyboard, etc.

Add variety: write in a new location, try a new idea/different story for a day or so, switch up how you write (pen and paper vs. computer) or try voice recording or text-to-speech

Gamify writing: create an arbitrary challenge, such as trying to see how many words you can write in a set time and try to beat your high score

Find a writing buddy or join a writer's group

Give yourself a reward for every writing milestone, even if it's just writing a paragraph

Ask yourself whether this project you're working on is something you really want to be doing, and be honest with your answer

Intimidation/Procrastination (often related to perfectionism, but not always)

What it looks like:

I was feeling really motivated to write, but then I opened my laptop

I don't even know where to start

I love writing, but I can never seem to get started

I'll write tomorrow. I mean next week. Next month? Next month, I swear (doesn't write next month)

Can't find the time or energy

Unreasonable expectations (I should be able to write 10,000 words a day, right????)

Feeling discouraged and wondering why I'm even trying

Things that can help:

Follow the 2 min rule (or the 1 paragraph rule, which works better for me): whenever you sit down to write, tell yourself that you are only going to write for 2 minutes. If you feel like continuing once the 2 mins are up, go for it! Otherwise, stop. Force yourself to start but DO NOT force yourself to continue unless you feel like it. The more often you do this, the easier it will be to get started

Make getting started as easy as possible (i.e. minimize barriers: if getting up to get a notebook is stopping you from getting started, then write in the notes app of your phone)

Commit to a routine that will work for you. Baby steps are important here. Go with something that feels reasonable: every day, every other day, once a week, twice a week, and use cues to help you remember to start. If you chose a set time to write, just make sure that it's a time that feels natural to you- i.e. don't force yourself to writing at 9am every morning if you're not a morning person

Find a friend or a writing buddy you can trust and talk it out or share a piece of work you're proud of. Sometimes we just get a bit bogged down by criticism- either internal or external- and need a few words of encouragement

The Problem's Not You, It's Your Story (or Outline (or Process))

What it looks like:

I have no problems writing other scenes, it's just this scene

I started writing, but now I have no idea where I'm going

I don't think I'm doing this right

What's an outline?

Drowning in documents

This. Doesn't. Make. Sense. How do I get from this plot point to this one?!?!?! (this ColeyDoesThings quote lives in my head rent free cause BOY have I been there)

Things That Can Help:

Go back to the drawing board. Really try to get at the root of why a scene or story isn't working

A part of growing as a writer is learning when to kill your darlings. Sometimes you're trying to force an idea or scene that just doesn't work and you need to let it go

If you don't have an outline, write one

If you have an outline and it isn't working, rewrite it, or look up different ways to structure it

You may be trying to write as a pantser when you're really a plotter or vice versa. Experiment with different writing processes and see what feels most natural

Study story structures, starting with the three act structure. Even if you don't use them, you should know them

Check out Ellen Brock on YouTube. She's a professional novel editor who has a lot of advice on writing strategies for different types of writers

Also check out Savage Books on YouTube (another professional story editor) for advice on story structure and dialogue. Seriously, I cannot recommend this guy enough

Executive Dysfunction, Usually From ADHD/Autism

What it looks like:

Everything in boredom/understimulation

Everything in intimidation/procrastination

You have been diagnosed with and/or have symptoms of ADHD/Autism

Things that can help:

If you haven't already, seek a diagnosis or professional treatment

Hire an ADHD coach or other specialist that can help you work with your brain (I use Shimmer; feel free to DM me for a referral)

Seek out neurodiverse and neurodiverse writing communities for advice and support

Try body doubling! There's lot's of free online body doubling websites out there for you to try. If social anxiety is a barrier, start out with writing streams such as katecavanaughwrites on Twitch

Be aware of any sensory barriers that may be getting in the way of you writing (such as an uncomfortable desk chair, harsh lighting, bad sounds)

And Lastly, Burnout, Depression, or Other Mental Illness

What it looks like:

You have symptoms of burnout or depression

Struggling with all things, not just writing

It's more than a lack of motivation- the spark is just dead

Things that can help:

Forget writing for now. Focus on healing first.

Seek professional help

If you feel like it, use writing as a way to explore your feelings. It can take the form of journaling, poetry, an abstract reflection of your thoughts, narrative essays, or exploring what you're feeling through your fictional characters. The last two helped me rediscover my love of writing after I thought years of depression had killed it for good. Just don't force yourself to do so, and stop if it takes you to a darker place instead of feeling cathartic

I was just reading "A Divorced Crybaby has Moved in Next Door" and I was thinking; what if someone wrote a fic where Reader is married to some big monster hater (who's also cheating on her because people that love to hurt people love to hurt people) and he's super neglectful and the skeleboys are lowkey making her swoon and spending all the time her husband should spend with her. Next door neighbors of course.

Like

Edge and Papyrus cooking for her and letting her cook little meals for them when her hubby is on a weeklong "business trip". (Them all cooking together??? Hello???)

Fell and Mutt unabashedly flirting with her in front of the other skeletons, making her feel attractive and desirable after her husband implies she's "let herself go" after getting married. She shuts their advances down with a simple "I'm married," but never implies she doesn't find them attractive.

Classic and Stretch telling her awful jokes while she's in the backyard, to the chagrin of the other housemates

Blue finds out where she works and escorts her home when work lets off late, lying and saying that her job is on the way to his anyways (It's 30 minutes further from their houses)

Black spending an exorbitant amount on clothes, jewelry, etc. because she's "a work of art and needs to be decorated as such", though the more visibly expensive stuff stays at his house so her husband doesn't catch on.

What if she has kids and sees the Sanses being good with kids??? Seeing Red's soft side with her 5 year old??? Blue making luncks for the kid to take to school??? Black buying them a Switch when he notices their love of Pokémon (Which, much like her clothes, has to stay at his house out of fear of their husband breaking it)???

Also imagine the sheer volume of MILF jokes Mutt and Stretch would make when she's not in the room.

And the angstiest part of them all Her husband finds out about her visits And the next time they see her over the fence

She has a fading bruise on her face and is missing a small chunk of hp.

I had to reread this 3 times before I understood what I was reading

glaze/nightshade users when the diffusion engine developers resize their artwork from 3000x3000 to 700x700 before putting it into the techno nightmare sawmill:

I just played all of blooming panic and I’m giving Cat a bunch of traits inspired by traits my actual cats have. Some of these my cats don’t do anymore and some are my interpretations of how Xyx/Bloomic server would react to Cat doing these things. Also poly!toastxyx because this is my blog and I get to choose the propaganda.

Also I edited this in the HTML text editor so if the formatting is fucked, blame that.

Watches doorways. If there is an elevated surface near a door Cat will sit there and watch

Cat will also yell at whoever walks in until they give it pets. The likelihood increases if you dare talk to the person in the room before acknowledging it. Will also interrupt your conversation if you don’t move over fast enough and pet it.

Fiends for crinkly things and will stare at you until you let it sniff whatever it is you have (wrapped food most often)

Will bat at/grab the Crinkly for The Crinkle

On that note, uses its paws like hands way more than is probably normal for a cat. Will grab toys from its toy bin with its paws, as well as grabbing the clothes of anyone walking by if it wants them to pet it. Surprisingly good at it too.

Two modes when in “pet mode” :

- I do not care HOW you pet me, I just want YOU to pet me

- I do not care WHO is petting me, just pet me like THIS

Tries to walk off with the string of hoodies/sweats/etc… while you are still wearing them. Will be slightly confused when the string goes taut and it drops it.

Doesn’t care how it is being held as long as it’s supported and upright. Will scream until it is held and will let out a squeak while being picked up.

Drops its toys in any unsupervised coffee cup. Xyx has to keep his coffee in his hand or in his line of sight. Toast usually has coffee at his desk anyways so it's not much of a change. Cat does not like when its toys are soggy. Nobody knows why it does this.

Cat once walked around the house struggling to carry a slipper. Xyx filmed it and sent it in the server to several cheering him on. Cat has gone on to do this with water bottles, with people making bets as to how far Cat will carry it this time.

Goes insane when brushes are involved. Toast bought a pair of brush gloves and ever since they first used them, whenever Cat sees someone taking out the box it follows them around until it’s getting brushed, where it will then flop on the ground and purr loud enough to be heard across the room.

Loves to lay in the bathtub. There have been several moments where someone walked into the bathroom and turned the light on, only to find Cat squinting at the light.

Only sleeps on the bed when it is made.

Sometimes does biscuits with one paw.

One time he escaped the house for hours, only to be found nearby hiding behind the trash. Earlier that week you bought everyone heating pads for their back pain, and when Toast went to lay down on his, Cat had stolen it.

They leave it and decided to play FFXIV, only to be interrupted by Cat meowing at them to turn it back on when it automatically turned off.

When Xyx sent a photo of Cat on the heating pad and detailed its newfound tyranny, the first reply was

Nightowl: It remembered why it stopped being a stray

I think that's it. I'll probably post more headcannons when the brainworms prove too powerful.

So I'm working on the outline (i'm getting the whole thing outlined before I start writing btw. Part of why idk what to do with DaS is because I have no clue where to take it) and The Divine Inspiration hit me.

I have never had divine inspiration hit that hard, that fast, or that suddenly before. It's like the gods of creativity said "WRITE" and I, a humble pawn, had no other option but to obey. Problem is, it's the last three chapters. I'm still working on 6 and 7 and there's 30 in total. + a possible epilogue. So we're still working through it, but we're working.

In related news, the divine inspiration gave me a theme to focus my story around, so there's that too.