Writeblr RE-Introduction

I noticed I’ve never written an intro post here. It has been a long time since I ever been active on here, and now, I would like to revive this writer blog even if people keep saying that Tumblr is dead. So am not sure whether anyone would read this but I still want a space where I can talk about my writing.

ABOUT ME:

Hi! I am Alexandria, an emerging writer and poet based in Malaysia. I write anything fantasy from poetry to fiction. I’m currently working on 2 novels; one is a fantasy novel-in-verse, and the other, a YA Dark Fantasy novel. Both I hope to query one day. You can find me on my Instagram where I update my progress every week and post motivational verses on Mondays too.

MY WIPS:

I’m only focusing on 2 novels at the moment.

1. Project Sprite ~ Feather is not wanted in a world where technology has evolved. Like who uses an ancient tool that doesn’t have an ink compartment like a pen does? No one. Feather loses hope and accepts the truth that he is not needed in his human household anymore. Will he ever fulfill his need of being ‘used’ again? Or will Feather move on and search for a new purpose?

Novel Aesthetic:

Status: Currently Editing Draft 2

2. Project The Glass Kingdom ~ In a world of glass, an ignorant glass prince volunteers to join a tournament amongst princes to win back his fiancee's freedom but is faced with another challenge: shatter or be shattered.

Novel Aesthetic:

Status: Draft 1 Completed. Now it’s time for a rewrite.

(All images used above are not my own. They are only inspiration images, and are the property of their respective owners.)

That is all for now. I’m hoping to come back with some writing updates so this page/blog wouldn’t literally be a ghost town. :D

~WHERE TO FIND ME:~

Author Website: https://www.authoralexandriajohnson.com/

Main Blog: https://alexwritesandsings.wordpress.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexwritesandsings/

alexiswritingfantasy

COLLECTING DUST is now PUBLISHED!

My short story was published in anthology and I talk about how I came up with the idea and a little bit of the summary too! #writeblr #writingcommunity #darkfantasywriter

My short story was published in an anthology: COLLECTING DUST!!! Book Blurb: Voices from Malaysia to New York, from South Korea to Argentina, emerge in this poignant collection of short fiction and poetry. It is morning. We wake beside our loved ones; we reminisce on an elementary romance. Then comes twilight. We fall in love with pyromaniacs; we realize that perhaps we do not need magic; we…

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#my story is published #publication #published #short story #short story update #writing update

alexiswritingfantasy reblogged

mintaii

golden girl

alexiswritingfantasy

Whoaa, the colours <3

alexiswritingfantasy reblogged

ofbloodandflowers

[pattern by Meghan Hageman]

❁ THE ROT IN VIELLERI - A WIP BY SOLENE

genre - horror fantasy ; gothic elements

pov - third person limited

themes - law is not always right, trust, the importance of agriculture, atonement from others’ wrong-doings, loss, family expectations, past affecting the present, injustice

warnings - blood, human deaths, harsh language, mention of animal deaths, mention of osteophagia and necrophagia, ghost, insects.

status - brainstorming/planning

❁ SYNOPSIS

There is not much to say about Vielleri. It’s a small village, in northern Thiracie, separated from Reenlane by round hills and sharp mountains. But it is the birth place of a Saint, and also the place of her death, and somehow, it changes everything.

This was supposed to be a festival just like the ones before. Arabella and her father would sell the cheese and the milk from their goats, maybe some fruits and vegetables, exchange some lambs with others farmers to renew the herd. Celebrate the arrival of the pilgrims coming to visit the oak where Saint Savina was hung, three centuries ago. But as fog rolls down the hills and drowns Vielleri, whispers comes to life. Saint Savina was seen in the streets.

Nonsense. Tales of the drunk. Arabella doesn’t think much of it, even as more and more people claim to have witness the apparition. Then, the land her family farm stands on start to rot. Fruits are molding before being ripe. And it is spreading. Arabella knows that if it doesn’t stop, soon the village would not have enough food nor money to sustain itself.

Some thinks of Savina as their protector. Others claims she came back for revenge. Arabella doesn’t know which side she is on, but she is sure the two events are linked. So, with the help of her friends, she tasks herself to discover the true intentions of Saint Savina and to stop her, if she must.

But how does one stop something that has already known death?

❁ CHARACTERS

Arabella Casetti - The farmer’s daughter. Arabella is hardworking, spending probably most of the time with goats than actual people. She craves building meaningful relationships with other people, but has always stand out as an odd one among Vielleri.

Agatta Fabbri - Daughter of the priest, Agatta is knowledgeable about all things related to Saints, and considers Saint Savina returning as holy. However, her kindness and intelligence pushes her to side with Arabella to save the town.

Nicco Basilj - Firstborn son of the Mayor, the village seems to know more about his future as he does himself. He uses his privilege to help Agatta and Arabella, relishing in the feeling of being seen for who he is.

Rosalba Piovano - The old lady that lives on the outer edge of Vielleri is one of the first accused to be at the origin of the rot. Lonely, not a lot of people dare to go hear her house, reputed haunted.

Miranda Attici - Miranda is coming back at Vielleri to open her clothing shop. She is flabbergasted by the events and tries to hold on as much as she can, even if it means flagging an innocent person as guilty.

❁ EXCERPT

Arabella followed Agatta to an alcove on the side, so small it was almost impossible to notice at first glance, where round stairs went up and down in the darkness. Agatta got her torch out of her snatchel, along with a heavy keyring. They turned up their respective lights before going down in silence. The sole of their shoes, hitting against the stone in a prudent rhythm, reverberated against the walls. Arabella took a deep inspiration. The air was still, heavy. Not a lot of people came down here, she could tell. Finally, they came to a stop at a wooden door.

“That’s where we bury holy people. The ones who dedicate themselves to Ashain and Myra. Savina was moved here when she was recognized as a Saint, and zhares were accepted by society.”

Arabella frowned at the explanation. “It’s weird, considering that people who followed the same faith hung her.”

Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed it! Let me know if you want to be added to the taglist, I will put it under the cut :)

Keep reading

alexiswritingfantasy

THIS SOUNDS SUPER INTERESTING!!!! XD

alexiswritingfantasy reblogged

ofbloodandflowers

❁ ARABELLA CASETTI - A CHARACTER INTRODUCTION

basics: 19 ; she/her

physical description: athletic, red hair, blue eyes

personality description: candid ; hard-working, brazen

Arabella Casetti is her father’s daughter. An hardworking person who spends more time taking care of the goats and making cheese than talking to the townspeople of Vielleri. It doesn’t mean she doesn’t want to, earnest to connect and understand other beings outside of her family sphere.

When her life as she has always known it is threatened. she takes the matter into her own hands. It doesn’t matter what every one says, and neither does the new pull in her heart. Something dark, something dead, is coming to drown Vielleri, and she is one of the only person that is willing to try to save it.

However, she is not sure if she’s ready to pay the cost.

I don’t believe there is any holiness in suffering.

Keep reading

alexiswritingfantasy

Oooh the aesthetic of this!!! :O

alexiswritingfantasy reblogged

sarahkelsiwrites

ellatholmes

How to Stick to Short Word Counts feat. Rachel Writes

If you’re looking for tips on how you can stick to short word counts, this blog post is for you! For this week’s blog post I am pleased to bring you some wise words from Rachel Writes, otherwise known as @coffeeandcalligraphy here on Writerblr!

Short stories and flash fiction are great mediums that can help you learn how to write better, without the commitment and stress of dedicating months or even years to a whole book.

We cover topics such as:

👉 What a short story entails.

👉 Understanding the scope of your idea.

👉 The inciting incident.

👉 Elements you can cut to reduce word count.

👉 Planning and outlining.

Read the blog post here!

You can follow Rachel Writes over on her Youtube Channel, and at @coffeeandcalligraphy.

While you’re here, stay awhile! Check out my other blogs posts: You Can Write Great Descriptions – and Here’s How // 6 Great Ways To Create Distinct Character Voices // Simple Tips For Drawing People Into Your Story.

coffeeandcalligraphy

So honoured to have written this little piece on sticking to short word counts, and a major thank you to Ella for having me!

alexiswritingfantasy reblogged

www.instagram.com

In the thrilling companion to one of Book Depository’s Best Books of All Time, experience the peril and heart-stopping romance through Leila’s fresh perspective. Leila Tūs Salvatíraas, Savior of Thessen and magical Queen of Her realm, is worshiped by all. Except Her father. He wants Her dead. The Sovereign’s Tournament—a centuries-long tradition designed to select The Savior’s husband—is days away, but Brontes’s plan to overthrow his daughter ignites, shifting the objective of the competition from marriage to murder. With the help of Her sisters and some unexpected allies, Leila must unravel Brontes’s network and prevent Her own assassination. But as the body count rises, She learns the deception runs far deeper than She imagined. When She finds Herself falling for one of the tournament competitors, Her father finds himself another target for murder. Can Leila save Herself and Her beloved, or is their untimely end—and the corruption of Her realm—inevitable? TRIGGER WARNINGS: This book contains graphic violence, sexual situations, physical abuse, adult language, and references to suicide.

alexiswritingfantasy

10 things to keep you SANE while staying at home

Feeling bored in the house?

Don’t know what to do besides stare into space and watch TV?

Fret not, here are 10 things to keep you SANE while staying at home:

1. List down all the things you enjoy doing and do each one accordingly. And then, cross them out.

My favourite thing to do is to make lists. I have no idea what makes me excited about creating lists but when it’s done, you get to cross it off and you feel satisfied.

2. Exercise

Got to keep fit to keep your muscles energized and on your feet at all times.

When this dystopian event ends and life returns to normal, you might be too busy to do workouts already since you’re back to work/school.

3. Spring clean / De-clutter

The horrible thing that you keep putting off. Now it’s time to spring clean your workspace/ house till it shines.

4. Listen to some music while writing/painting/creating/singing/doing yoga

Another type of exercising. That’s what I like to do. Turn on some upbeat music and dance aka exercise. Or put on some music and write some poems and your Work-In-Progress.

5. Educate yourself. Learn a new skill/language.

There are loads of classes online that are free like YouTube and Pinterest and blogs which you can learn something new.

6. Make a scrapbook OR Journal

Keep a journal nearby. Journal through the good and the bad of the crisis time because it’s like a historical piece. Think of it this way, one day, you might show it to your grandchildren and say, “I will never forget the time when I and your mother/dad had to live in a cooped up world. It was like a dystopian novel.”
Or create a list of all the things you took for granted, and once this is over, do the things in the list.

7. Play video games

Playing some games can take your mind off the stressful things that’s happening in the world right now. It doesn’t necessarily have to be video games, you can play board games and puzzles too.

8. Drink lots of water and rest well

All this worrying and anxiety can make you feel drained out. So drink plenty of water, and take care of yourself.

9. Take part in contests, quizzes, hashtag challenges

There are a lot of tag challenges on Instagram and on twitter that you can try like #30DaysofHaikuChallenge on Instagram

Or you can write a short story or a poem and submit it to online magazines.

10. Explore fictional worlds

Remember there’s a stack of unread books stashed away in the closet. Might want to use this time to dig in and gobble up the words (I’m telling myself too -__- )
Last but not least, read to escape. If you can’t travel in the real world, travel through fictional ones.

[ s m a l l r e m i n d e r ] The biggest downfall is to waste time just because there’s more time to waste. Do something! Take advantage of this time to do what you love. DO THE THINGS that make you happy. Feels like the universe has stopped time for you to do your own thing. Use this time wisely because time waits for no one and it’s hard to gain back the time that is lost.

OWN it this time!

So, QTOD: are you going to use this time to CREATE something or just stare into space?

Tell me your plans!

Source: alexwritesandsings.wordpress.com

#lifestyleblog #writerblr #writers on tumblr #what to do during lockdown #things to do #lifestyletips

alexiswritingfantasy

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// I reached 10k in #TheGlassKingdom!! 😱 The story's finally moving! // ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ [ writing update ] It took me longer than expected to add more things in chapter 7 because I was stuck. It feels like my MC has walked into a wall and his head keeps on slamming into it. SO I left that particular scene and wrote another that excites me — that has more action! Gotta grab your character and throw him/her into an unexpected scenario and TRY to connect the whys, and what led your character there. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ [ re-introduction post ] PLUS, I realised that I have a bunch of new followers/friends. It was good timing too since @cassiedaywrites tagged me to share 5 random facts about myself. Here goes nothing: ▶I am an only child and I come from a multiracial family ▶I am a lover of Glee and a movie buff who loves writing reviews on my blog ▶I can read horror but not watch it. I always wanted to write horror but can't write it because what if the door squeaks open for no reason in the middle of the night, or what if I wake from a nightmare to see two haunting eyes staring down at me. SO, not gonna try writing one. ▶I love reading anything that has something forbidden in it like forbidden romance or friendship. YAS, gimme!! I also love slow burn romances. ▶ I'm not good at writing shorter pieces because once there is an idea, I will brainstorm like crazy. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Thank you, everyone, for sticking with me and joining me on this long writing journey. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Tell me ONE fun fact about yourself. Are you a writer? Or a reader? Or both? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ [ tags ] 📷 : @tasha_abraham #amwritingfantasy #finishthatdraft #finishthedraft #writingfantasy #writingispassion #writersloveforever #writingispassion #ilovewriting #writingfun #malaysianwriters #writedreambelieve #writersnetwork #spilledink #fellowcreativeminds #amplotting #writingisfreeing #wordporn #writersloveforever #firstdraft #writersunite #writingabook #writergirl #writereadrepeat #wipinspiration #writinganovel #writingfantasy #writerscorner #fictionauthor #writingfiction (at Tambun, Perak, Malaysia) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-KHkSrAHOb/?igshid=1mal3owz3ekac

alexiswritingfantasy

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// all this research is making me dizzy and is disturbing my concentration on writing The Glass Kingdom // ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Ever feel like this — when you are writing a chapter and you don't know what happens next, or how to describe this character, or what this room looks like, or how to portray your MC as an expert who knows everything about certain things, etc, etc? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I am feeling this!! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ At the end of the day, the sprinkles and icing decorations are not supposed to be on the cake because it is SUPPOSED to be a half-baked cake. A baker wants to bake a cake but doesn't know what other ingredients to add besides the basics. I have flour (characters, some have names and some don't), sugar (a plot that is all over the place), butter (chapters), eggs (chapter titles). ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ And for an inexperienced baker, and a writer writing a draft 1, things are going to get messy. That's how the cookie crumbles. BUT be proud of that mess because afterwards when you're doing the 2nd draft, it is going to be less of a mess. And from the mess, something good emerges: a new version of the story is born and everything falls into place. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What are you currently struggling with? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ [ tags ] #2020willbebetter #TheGlassKingdom #poetrycommumity #bawritinglife #writingbuddies #soontobeauthor #writinginprogress #amdrafting #nerdcommunity #poetrysocietyofinstagram #poetryloversunite #postitivethinking #girlpoet #writersconnect #finishthatdraft #amwritingfantasy #finishthedraft #writingfantasy #writingispassion #amwritingfantasy #writersloveforever #storytelling #ipohwriters #writingispassion #ilovewriting #writingaseries #writingfun #malaysianwriters #writedreambelieve #amwritingdarkfantasy (at Tambun, Perak, Malaysia) https://www.instagram.com/p/B94FWCigMEK/?igshid=1afxlp6enmyag

alexiswritingfantasy

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// A MANTRA for those who are worried, or anxious about the stuff going on right now. These upcoming days might be scary, hence, it's easy to dwell on the negativity. But we will overcome this. We have done it before and we can do it again. Let's do it together. // ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Sending virtual hugs to everyone. I hope you remain safe and healthy. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ [ tags ] #2020willbebetter #motivationmonday #writingsoul #writergirls #writerscommunityofinsta #poetsofinstagrampoetry #workinprogresss #inspirationquotesandsayings #eraofpoets #postitivethinking #girlpoet #inspirationquotesoftheday #positivevibesneeded #wordsofwisdomfortheday #positivedose #southeastasianwriters #localwriters #soontobeauthor #writerslife #writersofinstagrams #positivevibes #writerstogether #writingispassion #writersofinstagram #firstdrafts #writersunited #authorsjourney #writergramer #motivationlife #writingispurpose (at Tambun, Perak, Malaysia) https://www.instagram.com/p/B9y7s3LAH9z/?igshid=3ak9shq8uvey

alexiswritingfantasy

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// whenever I think of a fox, I think of 'Swiper, no swiping' (who remembers that show?). It's FRIYAY so TODAY, I thought I would write a FUN/QUIZ poem (stated above) on a Disney movie, can you guess what it is? // ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The clue is somewhere in the poem. SWIPE to read the rest. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📷 : @gnowangerup_cottage ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Tell me in the comments which Disney animated movie best describes this poem? OR what other fox related movies/songs/cartoons have you heard of? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Have a good weekend, and stay safe! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ [ tags ] #alexwritesandsings #natureinspiration #naturemagic #fantasycreatures #writinghealsthesoul #futureauthors #writingactivity #writingaddict #southeastasianwriters #localwriters #asianpoetry #poetrycommunity #swipestories #bawritinglife #writingbuddies #soontobeauthor #writinginprogress #amdrafting #nerdcommunity #poetrysocietyofinstagram #poetryloversunite #eraofpoets #girlpoet #writersconnect #aspiringauthorsofig #malaysianwriters #swipepoem #fantasywritersofinstagram #poetrytribe #writinginspiration (at Tambun, Perak, Malaysia) https://www.instagram.com/p/B9rOJYEgfo1/?igshid=yyjtsjnkoogc

alexiswritingfantasy

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// as the story progresses, the chapters get harder to write. Not because of not enough hours in the day (well, that too) but because the story lacks conflict 😐 // ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ It has been like that for days. And, I'm stuck at Chapter 7. Not knowing what to write or what to do next in that chapter. I let it sit for a while, maybe an idea will come to me later. But no spark of ideas came. Did some research to add more value to the scene. But... ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ...a thought sprang out: this is the FIRST draft. It doesn't need to have a lot of layers in the first round. It can be a one layered cake. Get the ingredients ready. Prepare the measurements. Test them out. It doesn't have to be fancy. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ [ w r i t i n g u p d a t e ] So far, I have added 3,525 words in #TheGlassKingdom since the last update. It's progressing slowly and that's alright. It can be a simple cake first. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What do you do when your story lacks conflict? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ [ tags ] #writingsoul #writergirls #writingstories #writerscommunityofinsta #poetsofinstagramcommmunity #inspirationquotesandsayings #amwritingnow #authorlifestyle #writerslifes #writersofinstagrams #writerstogether #writersofinstagra #writersofinstagramcommunity #writersunited #authorsjourney #writergram✒️ #writers_creed #writingcommunityofinsta #poetrycommumity #bawritinglife #writingbuddies #soontobeauthor #writinginprogress #amdrafting #nerdcommunity #poetrysocietyofinstagram #poetryloversunite #postitivethinking #writersconnect (at Tambun, Perak, Malaysia) https://www.instagram.com/p/B9mD3J-gyb5/?igshid=155lkoyt0p4p8

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// TODAY is the day when we strive towards what WE WANT// ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Sometimes, day-dreaming is much easier than being in the real world. Dreams bring us joy and put a smile on our faces. But they do fade when it is time to wake up. In order for dreams to last longer, we have to take action and make them a reality. Dreams hold wishes that will come true through sweat and hard work. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What is your dream? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #poetrycommumity #bawritinglife #writingbuddies #soontobeauthor #writinginprogress #amdrafting #nerdcommunity #poetrysocietyofinstagram #poetryloversunite #eraofpoets #postitivethinking #girlpoet #writersconnect #southeastasianwriters #localwriters #writingisnotdead #pictureprompt #writersofinstagramcommunity #writersofinstagrams #writersunited #poetryholics #malaysianwriters #spilledink #fellowcreativeminds #omypoetry #poetsofinstagrampoetry #positivevibestribe #poetryisnotdeadyet #alexwritesandsings #inspirationquotesandsayings (at Ipoh, Perak) https://www.instagram.com/p/B9ZMAWLgAMn/?igshid=jr4mrculza1u

alexiswritingfantasy reblogged

dawnreader-duskwriter-deactivat

maxkirin

So, let me guess– you just started a new book, right? And you’re stumped. You have no idea how much an AK47 goes for nowadays. I get ya, cousin. Tough world we live in. A writer’s gotta know, but them NSA hounds are after ya 24/7. I know, cousin, I know. If there was only a way to find out all of this rather edgy information without getting yourself in trouble…

You’re in luck, cousin. I have just the thing for ya.

It’s called Havocscope. It’s got information and prices for all sorts of edgy information. Ever wondered how much cocaine costs by the gram, or how much a kidney sells for, or (worst of all) how much it costs to hire an assassin?

I got your back, cousin. Just head over to Havocscope.

((PS: In case you’re wondering, Havocscope is a database full of information regarding the criminal underworld. The information you will find there has been taken from newspapers and police reports. It’s perfectly legal, no need to worry about the NSA hounds, cousin ;p))

Want more writerly content? Follow maxkirin.tumblr.com!

writing-prompt-s

Assassins

“Below are selected prices that are paid to professional assassins by criminal organizations and drug cartels for a contract hit.

In Australia, the median price to hire a hit man is $13,610 (9,800 Euros), with the price going up to $83,000 (60,000 Euros) based on the task.

In Mexico, the cost for a low level assassin is $208 (150 Euros), and up to $20,832 (15,000 Euros) for a higher profile target like a police chief.

The prices paid in Argentina are between $3,749 (2,700 Euros) to $5,555 (4,000 Euros) per hit.

Government statistics in Spain state that 40 assassinations take place each year, with prices for the hit ranging between $27 (20 Euros) to $69,000 (50,000 Euros).”

So cheap! I always thought things like this would cost more than $1 million…

writer-wannabe-needs-inspiration

This is super useful to know!

writing-prompt-s

and not just for writing!!

@katherine-rose

katherine-rose

HOLY FUCK

HOW MANY HOURS HAVE I WASTED TRYING TO FIND HEROIN PRICES ON THE INTERNET WHAT A GREAT DATABASE

@im-god-now-fight-me thought this might be useful

yerabearmum

@ticenchantedtoc

alexiswritingfantasy reblogged

illthdar

michaelbjorkwrites

Your character is driven by 3 emotional motives. See? I even made a graphic.

(I’m proud of the graphic, too.)

Mood: The immediate (and temporary) emotions of your character. A feeling of joy after kissing the girl they like; frustration after a busy day working a summer job at the fair; despair after somebody eats the last Oreo.

Situation: The plot and relationship contexts of your character. The apprehension they feel with a friend in the weeks following a nasty fight; the nerves felt in the week leading up to their big championship game; the frustration and boredom of being grounded after crashing the family car into the county creek.

Struggle: The core, deepfelt pain of your character, which often emerges from their background. The fear of failure from overly demanding parents; a deep longing for a family they never knew; a desperate need to be accepted after spending years as an outcast.

How these 3 motives influence your character

The above emotional motives all play an important role in driving your character’s actions, muddying or even overriding their more logical intentions — just as it happens to the rest of us. (We’re all human, after all.)

That being said, while your character’s mood and situation will shift throughout the story, their struggle will remain constant: their true north, emotionally speaking. This struggle will always be at the root of their actions, even as you swap in new situations and moods.

Take Bethany as an example

Let’s say your character’s name is Bethany, and her struggle is this: a deep fear of failure, stemming from her parents’ impossible academic expectations, which conflicts with her own desire to finally experience the life she sees passing her by.

Her actions, while primarily driven by that struggle, are going to vary quite a bit depending on her situation and mood. For example, if it’s the night before a big test, she might blow off a friend’s invitation to a party so she can study.

But if the party is a week before the big test, and she finds a handwritten invitation in her notebook from Emma (the girl on the lacrosse team she has a crush on), Bethany might act differently. Maybe she feels a lightness and warmth in her cheeks as she reads Emma’s note. Maybe she puts those textbooks away, and maybe, just maybe, she sneaks out the window and goes to the party.

But if Bethany finds the note after her parents just chewed her out for being ungrateful and not studying hard enough? Maybe Bethany doesn’t go to the party. Instead, maybe she reads Emma’s note, trembles, then rips it in two, knowing she can’t disappoint her parents like that. Then she spends the rest of the evening studying. Alone.

Mood. Situation. Struggle.

All three kinds of emotional motives are important. Your character’s struggle is the anchor, but their mood and situation are the ever-shifting masks you use to express their struggle in fresh ways.

And by the end of the story, hopefully your character will overcome their struggle — putting away the textbooks, sneaking out the window, and meeting their crush at a party. Maybe even having their first kiss.

Whatever the character, and whatever their struggle, I’m sure you’ll do great.

So good luck! And good writing.

— — —

For more tips on crafting theme, meaning, and character-driven plots, check out the rest of my blog.

alexiswritingfantasy reblogged

writingwithcolours

writingdotcoffee

“Nobody’s ever going to see your first draft. That’s the thing you might be agonising over, but whatever you’re doing can be fixed. You can fix it tomorrow, you can fix it next week.”

— Neil Gaiman

a-for-apostrophe

I remember reading somewhere that a first draft’s purpose is to exist. Everything can be edited later. I forgot who said it, help. 😅

writingdotcoffee

“Every first draft is perfect, because all a first draft has to do is exist.“

–Jane Smiley

Is that the one?

ajones1218

“I’m writing a first draft and reminding myself that I’m simply shoveling sand into a box so that later I can build castles.” –Shannon Hale