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Najikat

@najikat / najikat.tumblr.com

Personal & Art blog - Commissions Closed!

good traits gone bad

  • perfectionism - never being satisfied
  • honesty - coming off as rude and insensitive
  • devotion - can turn into obsession
  • generosity - being taken advantage of
  • loyalty - can make them blind for character faults in others
  • being dependable - always depending on them
  • ambitiousness - coming off as ruthless
  • optimism - not being realistic
  • diligence - not able to bend strict rules
  • protectiveness - being overprotective
  • cautiousness - never risking anything
  • being determined - too focussed on one thing
  • persuasiveness - coming off as manipulative
  • tidiness - can become an obsession
  • being realistic - being seen as pessimistic
  • assertiveness - coming off as bossy
  • pride - not accepting help from others
  • innocence - being seen as naive
  • selflessness - not thinking about themself enough
  • being forgiving - not holding others accountable
  • curiosity - asking too much questions
  • persistence - being seen as annoying
  • being charming - can seem manipulative
  • modesty - not reaching for more
  • confidence - coming off as arrogant
  • wit/humor - not taking things serious
  • patience - being left hanging
  • strategic - coming off as calculated
  • being caring - being overbearing
  • tolerance - being expected to tolerate a lot
  • eagerness - coming off as impatient
  • being observant - being seen as nosy
  • independence - not accepting help
  • being considerate - forgetting about themself
  • fearlessness - ignoring real danger
  • politeness - not telling what they really think
  • reliability - being taken advantage of
  • empathy - getting overwhelmed with feeling too much for other people

CORSET-BODICE AND SKIRT Mid-17th Century MAGYAR NEMZETI MÚZEUM (Hungarian National Museum) Budapest, Hungary

Earlier researches attributed the costume to Pál Esterházy’s (1635–1713) first wife Orsolya Esterházy (1641–1682) and later to his second wife Éva Thököly (1659–1716). The original owner can no longer be traced but the cut and the embroidery ascertain that either could have worn it at her wedding. The suite was restored by Mrs Sándor Borsi between 1969 and 1971.

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Reblogged

This would have been great for that ask about the Mirror Trope. Definitely click through if you have trouble introducing character descriptions. Here is a quick preview of the points discussed:

1. Show Them Dressing Up

2. Make Them Dirty or Injured

3. Let Them Have Trouble Fitting In

4. Compare Them to Family or Friends

5. Reminisce Over Photos

6. Use Comments From Others

7. Let Your Character Seek Attention

8. Curse Them With Apparel Mishaps

9. Camouflage Them

The site also has a Tumblr @mythcreantsblog where they share opinions and advice. I prefer their site, but if you like to stick to Tumblr they share much of their info here too.

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Reblogged

Writing Problem: The Story Has a By-the-Numbers Execution

Problem: The Story Has a By-the-Numbers Execution

Solution: Structure must be impeccable. Except for when it shouldn’t be. Formulas are essential. Except for when they’re not. Outlines are absolute. Except for when they aren’t.

Successful storytelling strategies should flex and shift and evolve as the needs and demands of the story flex and shift and evolve. If you plan to wield an effective structure to buffet your storytelling execution, then research and document the structure that best compliments your story, your characters, your characters’ conflicts, and the themes reflected in those conflicts.

Writing Resources:

❯ ❯ Adapted from the writing masterpost series: 19 Things That Are Wrong With Your Novel (and How to Fix Them)

One thing I’ve learned about writing is ”give everything a face”. It’s no good to write passively that the nobility fled the city or that the toxic marshes were poisoning the animals beyond any ability to function. Make a protagonist see how a desperate woman in torn silks climbs onto a carriage and speeds off, or a two-headed deer wanders right into the camp and into the fire. Don’t just have an ambiguous flock of all-controlling oligarchy, name one or two representatives of it, and illustrate just how vile and greedy they are as people.

it’s bad to have characters who serve no purpose in the story, but giving something a face is a perfectly valid purpose.

This is the real heart of “show don’t tell”

this is going to sound like such a little sibling ass take but i genuinely believe that being a little bit annoying is actually a greater sign of maturity and self awareness than being universally likeable and on good terms with everyone

if some people find me annoying and can't stand me because of how i think and act then that means i'm a fully realized human being with my own personality and opinions and free will and not just a reflective surface for other people's desires, which is in fact a good thing despite what people who want you to just be a reflection of their own opinions and desires will tell you, and why being considered "cringe" or whatever doesn't bother me at all

also it's really funny when you're confident enough in yourself to know that people not liking you isn't always a sign that you're the problem. like there's something undeniably hilarious about being aware your mere existence has the power to piss someone off and ruin their day and i recommend embracing it.

we all know and love dog coded characters but what about their cousin, falcon coded characters. characters whose loyalty is fierce, but more distant, less physically affectionate, an unspoken but mutually understood bond. whose devotion to you is a language that only the two of you understand. whose fearsome appearance never lets you forget the privilege you hold in having earned that devotion. who require careful handling and patience to bond with, so you don't slip and cut yourself on their sharp edges. whose trust is given after you place yours in them, not before. whose dependence on you is less apparent but no less real. whose power is only equal to their fragility. who can easily leave your side, but will always return when you hold out your hand and call them home.

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kaypier-deactivated20200518

More often than not I’ll crack into a sprawling fantasy series and, while I appreciate the luscious descriptions of furniture, landscapes, and clothing, all I’m focused on is that I don’t actually know how this world works. I only know what it looks like.  

Including some functionality to your universe can add to immersion and give your reader a strong foundation on which to build their mental model of your universe. 

You certainly don’t need to use all of these questions! In fact, I recommend against that, as all of these certainly won’t make it into your final draft. I personally find that starting my worldbuilding off with 5 to 10 functional questions helps pave the way for glittery and elaborate aesthetic development later on.

  • How is the healthcare funded in your world?
  • How does healthcare functionally differ between the wealthy and the poor? (i.e. can only the wealthy go to hospitals? do poor families often have to rely on back-alley procedures?)
  • Where are health centers (i.e. hospitals, small clinics, etc.) organized in your cities?
  • Does it differ in smaller towns?
  • How does this affect people’s ability to get healthcare?
  • Is healthcare magical, and if it is, how does that affect the healthcare system? 
  • If healing is instantaneous, how does that affect people’s views on injury, illness, and chronic ailments?
  • If you have both magical and physical healthcare, which one is deemed superior and how does that affect society? 
  • What illnesses are common in your world? 
  • How does this affect daily life? 
  • What do the people in your world think illnesses are? 
  • Is it a miasma theory? 
  • Humor theory? 
  • Demons? 
  • Do they know about biological viruses and bacteria? 
  • How does this affect healthcare?
  • How do people get water? 
  • Is the water sanitary and if not, how do they sanitize it?
  • How does agriculture work? 
  • Is it large corporations or individual farms?
  • What sort of agricultural technology exists in your world and how does it affect food production?
  • Are farmers wealthy or poor?
  • What sort of natural resources does your world/country(ies) have and how are they obtained?
  • How does this affect the average wealth of the country?
  • How does this wealth affect the culture? 
  • What livestock or beasts of burden are most valued? Least valued? Why?
  • What is considered a luxury good vs. a regular good?
  • What forms of transportation does your world have?
  • What classes use what forms of transportation?
  • How far has the average citizen traveled, given your transportation limitations?
  • Which cities are the most accessible and which are the least? Why?
  • How do popular transportation methods change how cities/towns are laid out?
  • Does your world have public transportation? What is it?
  • Is there a coming-of-age aspect to travel?
  • Describe your world’s postal system or whatever equivalent there is. 
  • Who pays for it? 
  • How reliable is it? 
  • Are there emergency methods for transporting information?
  • How does your world keep time (i.e. watches, sundials, water clock, etc.)?
  • Does your world have a currency system, barter system, or something else? 
  • If you have multiple countries, do different currencies have different values across said countries?
  • How does this affect travel?
  • Do you have banks in your world and if so, how are they run?
  • Who owns the banks? Government? Wealthy? How does this affect the economy and/or class system?
  • How does credit operate in your universe?
  • Does your world operate more on big corporations or small business? Something in between?
  • How are workers/labourers treated in your world? 
  • Are there workers unions and if so, what are common views on unions? 
  • Describe your tax system. If you don’t have a tax system, explain why and how your world is affected by that. 
  • Can certain social classes not own property, certain livestock, certain businesses, etc.? Why?
  • How are business records kept? Are business records kept?
  • If your world has technology, does your world prioritize developing entertainment tech, communications tech, transportation tech or something else entirely?
  • What does this say about your world?
  • How does this affect your economy?
  • To the closest approximation, what type of government does your world have? 
  • How are rulers/presidents/nobles put in place? 
  • How much power does an individual ruler have? 
  • Is there a veto process? 
  • If you have multiple countries, do they have different types of rulers?
  • Describe any large-scale alliances (i.e. countries, factions, etc.) that are present in your world. 
  • How did they come about and how are they maintained? 
  • Are they strained or peaceful? 
  • How does it affect the greater politics of your world?
  • Describe how wars are fought both internationally and nationally. 
  • Do methods of war differ between countries/races? 
  • What about philosophies about war?
  • If there is a military, what is its hierarchy structure?
  • How does the military recruit?
  • Is the military looked upon favourably in your society?
  • What weapons are used by each country/type of people during warfare, and how does that affect war strategies?
  • Describe the sentencing system of your world. 
  • Is your accused innocent until proven guilty, or guilty until proven innocent?
  • How are lawbreakers punished? 
  • If you have prisons, describe how they are organized and run, and who owns them. 
  • Does differing ownership change how the prisons operate?
  • What are the major ways in which laws between countries vary? 
  • Do laws between cities vary? If so, how and why?
  • How does citizenship work in your world? What rights and privileges do citizens have that others do not? 
  • Can certain classes or races not become citizens?
  • Are there certain taboo subjects or opinions that artist/authors/musicians are not allowed to depict (i.e. portraying the official religion in a negative light, explicit sexual material, etc.)? What does this say about your society?
  • How do people get around these censorship laws?
  • What is the official hierarchy of duty in your world? (i.e. is family the most important, or patriotism? What about clan?)
  • How many languages are there in your world, and how many languages share a common origin? 
  • How many people are multilingual? 
  • Which language is the most common?
  • How is multilingualism viewed?
  • How are different languages viewed? (i.e. is one language ugly/barbaric while another is romantic and sensual?)

Feel free to add your own questions in reblogs or in comments!

16 Villain Archetypes

The TYRANT: the bullying despot, he wants power at any price. He ruthlessly conquers all he surveys, crushing his enemies beneath his feet. People are but pawns to him, and he holds all the power pieces. Hesitate before getting in this man’s way – he’ll think nothing of destroying you. The BASTARD: the dispossessed son, he burns with resentment. He can’t have what he wants, so he lashes out to hurt those around him. His deeds are often for effect – he wants to provoke action in others. He proudly announces his rebellious dealings. Don’t be fooled by his boyish demeanor – he’s a bundle of hate. The DEVIL: the charming fiend, he gives people what he thinks they deserve. Charisma allows him to lure his victims to their own destruction. His ability to discover the moral weaknesses in others serves him well. Close your ears to his cajolery – he’ll tempt you to disaster. The TRAITOR: the double agent, he betrays those who trust him most. No one suspects the evil that lurks in his heart. Despite supportive smiles and sympathetic ears, he plots the destruction of his friends. Never turn your back on him — he means you harm. The OUTCAST: the lonely outsider, he wants desperately to belong. Tortured and unforgiving, he has been set off from others, and usually for good cause. He craves redemption, but is willing to gain it by sacrificing others. Waste no sympathy on him - he’ll have none for you. The EVIL GENIUS: the malevolent mastermind, he loves to show off his superior intelligence. Intellectual inferiors are contemptible to him and that includes just about everyone. Elaborate puzzles and experiments are his trademark. Don’t let him pull your strings – the game is always rigged in his favor. The SADIST: the savage predator, he enjoys cruelty for its own sake. Violence and psychological brutality are games to this man; and he plays those games with daring and skill. Run, don’t walk, away from this man – he’ll tear out your heart, and laugh while doing it. The TERRORIST: the dark knight, he serves a warped code of honor. Self-righteous, he believes in his own virtue, and judges all around him by a strict set of laws. The end will always justify his nefarious means, and no conventional morality will give him pause. Don’t try to appeal to his sense of justice – his does not resemble yours. The BITCH: the abusive autocrat, she lies, cheats, and steals her way to the top. Her climb to success has left many a heel mark on the backs of others. She doesn’t care about the peons around her – only the achievement of her dreams matters. Forget expecting a helping hand from her – she doesn’t help anyone but herself. The BLACK WIDOW: the beguiling siren, she lures victims into her web. She goes after anyone who has something she wants, and she wants a lot. But she does her best to make the victim want to be deceived. An expert at seduction of every variety, she uses her charms to get her way. Don’t be fooled by her claims of love – it’s all a lie. The BACKSTABBER: the two-faced friend, she delights in duping the unsuspecting. Her sympathetic smiles enable her to learn her victims’ secrets, which she then uses to feather her nest. Her seemingly helpful advice is just the thing to hinder. Put no faith in her – she’ll betray you every time. The LUNATIC: the unbalanced madwoman, she draws others into her crazy environment. The drum to which she marches misses many a beat, but to her, it is the rest of the world that is out of step. Don’t even try to understand her logic – she is unfathomable. The PARASITE: the poisonous vine, she collaborates for her own comfort. She goes along with any atrocity, so long as her own security is assured. She sees herself as a victim who had no choice, and blames others for her crimes. Expect no mercy from her – she won’t lift a finger to save anyone but herself. The SCHEMER: the lethal plotter, she devises the ruin of others. Like a cat with a mouse, she plays with lives. Elaborate plans, intricate schemes; nothing pleases her more than to trap the unwary. Watch out for her complex designs – she means you no good. The FANATIC: the uncompromising extremist, she does wrong in the name of good. She justifies hers action by her intent, and merely shrugs her shoulders at collateral damage. Anyone not an ally is an enemy, and therefore, fair game. Give up any hope of showing her the error of her ways – she firmly believes you are wrong, wrong, wrong. The MATRIARCH: the motherly oppressor, she smothers her loved ones. She knows what’s best and will do all in her power to controls the lives of those who surround her – all for their own good. A classic enabler, she sees no fault with her darlings, unless they don’t follow her dictates. Don’t be lured into her family nest – you’ll never get out alive.

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