Ah, yes, it's giveaway time! My first ever giveaway! Woohoo!
To celebrate the ebook/paperback release of SUDDENCE, I will give a paperback, along with freebie stickers and a mini frame prints, to one winner! To enter the contest:
That's it! Easy peasy! One entry per person, one winner will be chosen, contest will end Monday April 29th midnight PST.
While Suddence has been free-to-read online for a while now, perhaps you prefer the comfort and convenience of an e-book or physical book. Now, you can have exactly that!
Plus, if you order between now and May 19th, you will receive some extra goodies!
If you purchase an e-book, you will receive a digital advanced look at the bonus comic, THE RABBIT INCIDENT, and a high-quality version of Suddence's back cover, which has woefully been covered up by the blurb and ISBN.
If you purchase a paperback, you will receive these pretty stickers and a print of the back cover.
The goodies will also be available to purchase on Etsy*!
To receive these gifts, please fill out this Google form! The gifts will be sent out in batches, so don't worry if you don't receive them right away!
There will also be a giveaway announcement in a bit! Keep an eye out for that 👀
As usual, reblogs are appreciated! The very existence of links in this post means it most likely won't show up in the writeblr tags.
Notes below the cut:
Hi, my name is Hakar Kalani. I have a lot of story ideas I hope to get in writing someday, and I may or may not post anything here, we'll see in time. For now, welcome to my void. Make yourself at home. Or don't. Getting comfortable will make it easier for the entities to get you.
Maybe I'll just be such a silly little guy that the entities keep comically failing while trying to get me and I'll just laugh at their faces and tease them like the silly little being that I am
ABANDONED
ABANDONED
YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE
the vines have overtaken the cafe shop you once frequented
rust encroaches everywhere the eye can see
the air tastes
like you are lost forever
there is a dryness in your mouth
that you don't think you can ever escape
THIS IS THE GODLESS PLACE
YOU ARE HERE
AND YOU WILL NEVER LEAVE
YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE COME
YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE
I used to be friends with the Void
When I was younger, happier,
Full of hopes and dreams.
I would talk with the Void, and
Even if it never talked back,
I liked having someone to talk to.
Then one day, I was called back home.
"It's time to move on," I was told.
"You have things to do now."
So I nodded and did what I was told.
It's been a long time since then.
Beaten and bruised, I walk alone,
Looking for a lost friend.
I stand before the emptiness
And call out, allowing myself
One last wish.
To see an old friend.
Just one more time.
...
...
...
The Void calls back.
In honor of SEVERAL milestones that I'm hitting in and around this summer, I am combining all the excitement into a multi-part writeblr event! I never ever ever would have imagined making it this far when I first joined this site and I cannot currently imagine my life without this wonderful community. You all have made my life so joyous and provided such a source of encouragement and I truly cannot express how deep my appreciation is for that <3
I cannot truly believe it, but here are the statistics glaring at me from my computer screen at 12:27 am on a work night. SO!
The Rules:
Draw this picture in your own art style and send it to me through either asks, DMs, or at ettagraceauthor@gmail.com Before July 31st. After that, I will choose a winner (and maybe some runner ups depending on how many submissions there are)!
The prize:
A fully rendered marker-illustration of a character of your choice with a background, and I will send the original copy of the art to you. If you want to participate but aren't comfortable with giving out your address, let me know and we can work something else out.
These are some of my favorite writeblr games so I've made one of my own for everyone to share and play! remember to send an ask to whoever you reblog it from.
The Rules:
Send me a link to a piece of work that you're proud of - it can be writing, art, crafts, music, whatever you want! I will reblog and comment on it, and enter your name into a spreadsheet for a raffle. Multiple submissions = multiple reblogs and multiple entries. On July 31st, I will randomly select one person from the list to be the winner of the giveaway!
The Prize:
A fully rendered portrait of a character of your choice, done in digital medium. Solid/gradient background, and they will be depicted from roughly the waist-up.
I hope you all have fun with this! Thank you again for all of your support! <3
~Throwing my combined taglists on this post because I couldn't have done this without you~
@inkwell-attitude @re-writing-h @thescreamingtwenties @siarven @kittensartswriting @yearlyaquariace @abalonetea @andiwriteunderthemoon @andifthestarsweretodie @davey-in-a-minivan @the-great-teller-of-tales @lothloriien @isanyonetoknow @piyawrites @viawrites-andacts @fuyugomori @thiscrypticfangirl @thescatteredscribbles @avian-king @writeblrfantasy @booksnotbookies @talesfromaurea @solennitawrites @thelaughingstag @violetcancerian @solangelo-is-my-otp @jacquesfindswritingandadvice @absolute-nonsense-scribblings @tiredlittleoldme @maxgraybooks @happyorogeny @weaver-of-fantasies-and-fables @quilloftheclouds @rainydaydarling @bladeverbenas-blog @mimi-cee-writes @ladywithalamp
(I think that's everyone but let me know if I missed you or if you'd like to be removed. Boosts would be much appreciated please and someone please tell me if this actually *worked* tumblr always hates my taglist reblogs for some reason)
[id: a photo of a hand holding a paperback book. The title reads The Stray Spirit, Lutesong Book One. The author name is R.K. Ashwick. The cover shows a red and orange lute with gold swirls coming out of it, flanked by blue floral patterns on a black background. End ID]
Eight Rules For Writing -- from a long ago piece I wrote for The Guardian.
1 Write.
2 Put one word after another. Find the right word, put it down.
3 Finish what you're writing. Whatever you have to do to finish it, finish it.
4 Put it aside. Read it pretending you've never read it before. Show it to friends whose opinion you respect and who like the kind of thing that this is.
5 Remember: when people tell you something's wrong or doesn't work for them, they are almost always right. When they tell you exactly what they think is wrong and how to fix it, they are almost always wrong.
6 Fix it. Remember that, sooner or later, before it ever reaches perfection, you will have to let it go and move on and start to write the next thing. Perfection is like chasing the horizon. Keep moving.
7 Laugh at your own jokes.
8 The main rule of writing is that if you do it with enough assurance and confidence, you're allowed to do whatever you like. (That may be a rule for life as well as for writing. But it's definitely true for writing.) So write your story as it needs to be written. Write it honestly, and tell it as best you can. I'm not sure that there are any other rules. Not ones that matter.
pantser? you tellin me a pair of pants wrote this book??
Writing advice from my uni teachers:
This is legit good writing advice, especially the first bullet point! In playwriting class we did a bit where every bit of dialogue had to be an accusatory question and it was glorious.
pls don’t forget that it is your blog. you should post about what you like and what makes you happy. some ppl will follow and some ppl will unfollow your blog and that’s completely ok. just make sure this whole tumblr experience makes you happy.
“Keep descriptions short and don’t use poetic/flowery language in a novel” “if a scene doesn’t advance the plot cut it” “avoid complicated symbolism and hinting at things, just say what you mean” “too much worldbuilding is distracting” bites you bites you bites you bites you bites y
i absolutely hate that blushing is the most common way to show embarassment bc irl i literally can't blush and ive never seen anyone around me really blush either so when i write it it feels so fake
#its just so annoying like blushing is a great way to show your character is flustered #but i feel like its so overused #but i dont know what id even replace it with!!!!!
.
hang on, let me copy-paste from one of my favorite writing books:
EMBARRASSMENT
DEFINITION: A lack of composure due to self-conscious discomfort
PHYSICAL SIGNALS AND BEHAVIORS: A flush that creeps across the cheeks Visible sweating The body freezing in place Grimacing or swallowing Ears that turn red The chin dipping down The chest caving, the spine bent Hands curling around one’s middle Feet shuffling Clearing the throat and coughing Covering oneself (crossing the arms, closing a jacket, etc.) Pulling at one’s collar Rubbing the back of the neck Wincing Covering the face with one’s hands Cringing or shaking Fidgeting and squirming Touching the forehead Slanting one’s body away from onlookers or an aggressor Stuttering and stammering, growing more frustrated as words refuse to come Flinching away from touches Speechlessness or a weakened voice The toes curling up Knees pulling together Arms tucking in at the sides Sliding down in a chair Looking down, unable to meet someone’s eyes Shoulders slumping or curling forward Responding with anger (shoving, punching, etc.) Gritting one’s teeth, pressing the lips tight Shoving one’s hands in one’s pockets Fiddling with shirtsleeves Hiding behind a book Shielding oneself (having a death grip on a purse, etc.) A walk that accelerates into a sprint Using the hair to hide one’s face Glancing about for help, an exit, or escape Tugging a hat down low or pulling a hood over the head A trembling chin
INTERNAL SENSATIONS: Excessive swallowing (a lump in the throat) Light-headedness A tingling that sweeps up the back of the neck and across the face A tightening chest The stomach hardening or dropping with a manifestation of dread The face, neck, and ears feeling impossibly hot Rushed breathing and a rapid heartbeat
MENTAL RESPONSES: A compulsion to flee (fight-or-flight) Muddied or panicked thoughts A disconnect where the mind struggles with belief: This can’t be happening! Thoughts searching for a solution
ACUTE OR LONG-TERM RESPONSES FOR THIS EMOTION: Bursting into tears Running from the room or situation Plummeting self-esteem Fear of public speaking or being on display Withdrawing from groups, activities, and social interaction Loss of appetite and resulting weight loss Obsessing about the embarrassing event; reliving it
SIGNS THAT THIS EMOTION IS BEING SUPPRESSED: Pretending to not have heard or seen Intensely concentrating on something else; actively ignoring others A fake smile as one tries to laugh it off Changing the topic in any way possible Lying or deflecting attention by assigning blame to another
MAY ESCALATE TO: Humiliation, Depressed, Regret, Shame, Anger
MAY DE-ESCALATE TO: Insecurity, Relief, Gratitude
ASSOCIATED POWER VERBS: Blush, bolt, burn, cringe, cry, curl, duck, escape, flee, flush, gasp, hide, pain, retreat, run, scurry, shame, shrink, squirm, stammer, suffer, sweat
Puglisi, Becca; Ackerman, Angela. The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Expression (Second Edition) (pp. 118-119). JADD Publishing. Kindle Edition.
btw "Flustered" is an entirely different entry from "Embarrassment"—Puglisi and Ackerman define "Flustered" as "Feeling overwrought and self-conscious due to confusion, uncertainty, or frustration", and they note that it may escalate to embarrassment—and that entry also goes on for two pages about varying ways a writer might depict that emotion
Based on actual events
Once again @everyone: REBLOG stuff you like!
And DONT REPOST stuff that’s already here! WHY do we even have to go through this again huh? DON’T. DO. IT.
And if you share something from a different platform that isn’t on tumblr already you ASK the creator for permission and then give CREDIT!
reblog, don’t repost, this
Terminology reminder: reblogging is Tumblr’s in-site sharing system but REPOSTING is saving a picture from a post and then making your own post
I have seen genuine confusion about this in the past (largely from ppl more used to other sites that don’t have a reblog system) that’s the only reason I’m adding the explanation
sometimes love is bloody
I have a mute character in the story I’m writing and one of my beta readers suggested I use italics when they sign so that I don’t have to keep peppering “they signed” or “their hands flashed” throughout the piece.
But like…I always read italics in a different tone like they’re thoughts. It seems quieter than using normal quotations which makes what they say look less significant on the page than other character’s dialogue.
I really don’t think my audience needs me to use completely different punctuation around a mute character. There’s no need to act like they’re speaking a different language since their muteness isn’t a focal point in the story.
So really this reader’s comment has done the complete opposite of what they intended. Now I’m actively taking out as many of my “hands flashed” notations as possible and just writing in normal body language because, clearly, the other characters understand them and my audience doesn’t need to be coddled.
As an HOH reader and writer I can affirm that once the signing has been established it can just be treated like “said”.
You can add little things for emphasis though, like how fast or flippant a sign is given, also a lot of our “punctuation” is in facial expressions, so wild looks is kind of normal. Also messing up signs and just.. pushing them aside. Like, you mess up a fingerspell and just take both hands and shove the air in front of you to your side, people who sign eventually end up doing this for other things, like a “forget it” motion. It’s like a “wave it off” gesture.
Body language for someone who signs is a lot more animated than someone who speaks, as we use our upper body a lot in our conversations, so the act of “signing” is more than just hand signals.
Yes….yes GOOD this is the good stuff right here. I’m going to incorporate some of these ASAP ESPECIALLY the pushing the air but to clear it of your mistakes
Hello everyone!!! Today I got a random reminder on my phone that said “writeblr” and I was like “???” and then I remembered, it’s MY HECKIN 2-YEAR ANNIVERSARY?!?! Whaaaaat?! That is crazy! I…actually don’t have anything planned…so I’m here to give a big thanks to all my followers for supporting me these past two years! I love y'all (platonically, don’t get the wrong idea lol)! I wasn’t here for a lot of those 2 years but it’s 2 years nonetheless, haha.
So, a lil quick update. I’ve been a bit inactive cuz (drumroll) I’m gonna start college this year! Yayy, self-inflicted agony! Nah ok but seriously, I’ve just been busy preparing and stuff. Also, I HAVE been writing! I completed my 20k word goal for Camp NaNo which I’m SUPER proud of. Me? Completeing writing goals?? Impossible, but I somehow did it! So yeah, I have NOT given up!
Ok, re-intro time. -inhale-
HII HELLO!! I’m Kiera Arroyo! This is my super cool new more official-sounding pen name! I previously went by Kurieta/Kurie. I don’t mind if you call me that, but since that was always kind of a “placeholder” pen name from the start, I’d very much prefer it if you used my current pen name. My pronouns are she/her. I am an adult, but this blog and I are very much family-friendly. No 18+ content on here, no sir.
I write mostly fantasy, but I’ll occasionally dabble into sci-fi and mystery. I rarely write romance. I have, like, ten thousand WIPs, but I have four main ones that I’ve talked about on this blog: Samantha & Yuki, Ashes, Inside, and A Normal Story.
You can expect to see writing advice, inspiration, and other’s writings as reblogs, as well as some of my own works (duh). I won’t be the most active writeblr with college on the horizon and stuff, but I’ll definitely be around from time to time. I am super ok with people tagging me for tag games and such so feel free to tag me!
So, yeah, that’s about it! Thanks again for everyone who stuck with me these past two years! Truly, it means a lot to me. I hope you’re having a wonderful day/night! Kiera out! ^_^
