Cascade Handcrafted Offers Different Building Styles For Beautiful Log Homes.  A Couple Of The Different

Fic Titles: Alphabet P-R

Take one and start to create!

P

Pain of my life

Panic at the Laundromat

Paper cuts

Paper hearts (easy to tear)

Past mistakes

Peer-pressured

People we met in supermarkets

People will talk (no matter what)

Perfect moment to forget

Perfect little angel

Perhaps someday

Pest control

Pillow talk

Pinky promises

Playing favourites

Pocket full of sorrow

Pour me a drink (or two or more)

Power of kisses

Praying to her body

Pressed flowers and love letters

Pretty little lies

Pride and Problems

Primal Instinct

Promises made, promises kept

Pushing boundaries

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

Q

Qualifications to kick ass

Qualified answers to unqualified questions

Quality content

Quantity over quality

Questionable taste

Questioning the status quo

Quarantine with the enemy

Quarrels over nothing

Quintessentially the two of us

Quiet nights together

Quite a spectacle

Quite the catch

Quick decisions

Quoting the classics

Queen of messing up

Queendom comes

Quests and how to avoid them

Quickening the appetite

Quivering (keep me warm)

Quivering with emotions

Questionnaire for a partner

Quitting unhealthy habits

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

R

Rain clouds over your head

Rain on our parade

Rainy days at the sea

Raw power

Ready for whatever

Real people, real problems

Reality check

Reality comes back for you

Rebellion in her blood

Religious experience

Reputation to uphold

Rescue’s on the way

Reunions (and how to avoid them)

Reunited with my love

Rights and wrongs

Rising to the top (where we belong)

Romance is not dead (yet)

Rose-tinted glasses

Rosy dreams

Royal pain in the ass

Ruby eyes

Ruin me (please)

Ruins of us

Rules of friends-with-benefits

Ruling over her kingdom

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How To Story Edit Like A Pro - Novlr

Have you finished your first draft but are unsure what to do next? Learn how to story edit to get your draft to the next stage.

Story Edit Like A Pro!

If you begin a story edit with these questions to evaluate your characters, plot, and setting, you’ll be amazed at how this will help you improve your story!

Evaluating Characters

We’re going to look at characters first. 

The cast of characters is the list of characters in your story. These characters act and react. They create emotion. They show motivation. Without any of this, you don’t have a story. That’s a tall order for your characters. So how do you make sure you’re getting the most out of them?

Who appears in each scene?

Having a list of your characters per scene gives a specific method for evaluating how you’re using the characters and shows you when you need to revise a scene.

It’s time to revise a scene if:

There are too many characters in a scene. Is every character required to achieve the purpose of the scene?

An introduced character lacks detail or has too much detail.

There are names that are too similar and might confuse the reader.

What are their goals?

A character goal is what a character wants. She should want it so badly that your readers feel her need in their guts. And failing to achieve the goal will be devastating.

What gets in the way of their goals?

Characters will drive the tension in your story, and tension is what keeps a reader reading. Putting obstacles in the way of achieving the goal will raise the tension.

Evaluating Plot

Plot is what happens in the story. It’s what your story is about. Here are three questions to help you evaluate each scene and how they relate to the plot.

What is the purpose of each scene?

There must always be a reason any given scene exists in your story. That’s what we mean by its purpose. A scene without a purpose will distract the reader from the main story. It may even bore the reader.

Is there an entry hook opening each scene?

Whatever you read at the beginning of the scene that keeps you reading is the scene entry hook. Every scene must have one by the end of the first three paragraphs or so.

Is there an exit hook at the end of each scene?

Whatever you read at the end of the scene that keeps you turning the page to the next scene is the exit hook. Every scene must have an exit hook. This includes a secret revealed, a cliffhanger, a clue, or a story twist.

Evaluating Settings

Finally, while you perform a story edit, examine your settings. Settings are key to keeping your reader engaged, so don’t ignore them. 

Is the location you chose the best place for emotional impact?

Each scene must take place somewhere, and each location has the potential to ramp up emotion. Often a writer doesn’t think hard enough about where a scene takes place and doesn’t end up using locations effectively. Does the location elicit emotion in the reader or the characters? If not, choose a different location.

Are there objects relevant to the plot or characterization in each scene?

Watch a film without props or a backdrop, and you’d probably get confused or bored. You’d just be watching actors on an empty stage, which would make it hard to believe the reality they’re trying to portray.

Readers are much more engaged in a story if they can imagine the setting that stirs their emotions. 

Are some of the 5 senses used in every scene?

Sensory details keep the “stage” and characters interesting. Without them, both the setting and the characters will seem flat.  Using the POV character’s senses to describe the action will bring your reader closer to the character. So ensure the senses used show characterization or move the plot forward.

How to create “complex” characters

– Introduction

I wanted to make a post about creating complex and multifaceted characters, since character creation is something I'm very passionate about from both a craft and storytelling perspective. Specifically, I remember I had this tendency to apply flaws as an afterthought to my characters in hopes of making them balanced and seem more complex, and this could often make the characters feel a bit artificial to me. I'm obviously not any sort of authority figure on the subject, but I do have one tip that really simplified the process of making characters more intricate, and I wanted to share it! This is probably more helpful for people who might still be at the very beginning of their writing journey, but hopefully others can get something out of this as well! It's a bit lengthy, but I hope it's somewhat enjoyable to read ^^; Enjoy!

For a bit of background, back in the early internet days, there was this trend of judging various OCs on youtube, deviant art, etc. where people would essentially evaluate your character and determine whether or not a character was well written. During this time, the term "Mary Sue" would get thrown around a lot (which is a whole can of worms I won't be touching on here). For simplicity though, Mary Sue generally means a character who's "perfect" (again, heavy oversimplification here). To counter this, people began creating these lists of character traits where they'd list off a character's good and bad traits, and people who didn't have equal amounts in each category would often be scrutinised for it.

And I see this advice all the time. If you want complex characters, people will usually tell you to just throw on a bunch of flaws, but I think this can be a bit misleading, because most traits exist on a spectrum, and aren't a perfect dichotomy of good and bad.

Thinking of character traits as neutral

My biggest advice is honestly to just think of all character traits as neutral. Because what really is a character flaw? A flaw is a very ambiguous and subjective term after all. What might be considered a flaw in one character could be considered another character's greatest attribute, and vice versa. Functionally, a character flaw should be a trait that creates conflict within the context of the story. Any trait a person has could be good or bad, it just depends on how it shows up in practice and how it's applied in daily life. It might be tempting to think that certain traits are inherently good or bad, but again, flaws aren't really about good or bad. They're about conflict and tension, and just about any trait can work to a character's detriment or in their favour.

I'm going to list off two examples of hypothetical characters below; one who most would consider to have a lot of "good" character traits, and one that would be considered to have "bad" character traits. Then I'll show you how you can easily flip those traits to create nuance. (And again, I really don't think good or bad are relevant terms here, but it's just to exemplify what I mean more easily!)

The "Good" Character

This character is empathetic, creative and incredibly supportive of others. They always do the right thing, and are a very responsible individual. They're approachable and friendly, funny, and generally enjoyable to be around.

The "Bad" Character

This character is cunning, manipulative, and don't care if their words hurt other people's feelings. They're largely apathetic and unreceptive, don't care about rules, and don't go out of their way to get to know people.

Their flaws & how it can affect the story

For the "good" character, you can look at what the downsides of empathy can be; very reactive emotionally, perhaps even a bit emotionally impulsive. Maybe they have a difficult time recognising their own needs, especially since supportive is also a trait listed above. Maybe they even use this empathy to figure out other people's needs and use it to their own benefit. Someone who's creative can often have a difficult time committing to their passions and ideas because there's always something new. Maybe they feel out of place or easily stifled by rules, but because they always want to do the right thing, they're hesitant in outright breaking rules and social norms. If they use their empathy and approachability to manipulate, perhaps this is their way of subtly regaining a sense of control because they're too afraid to explicitly go after what they want in life. Maybe they care a lot about how they're perceived, etc. Or maybe they really are a compassionate and kind person, but they're often a doormat to others because they don't know how to set boundaries or even how to recognise what they want. Maybe they don't trust their own judgment because they're so used to doing the right thing "just because it's the right thing to do", and don't actually reflect on their actions beyond that. There's a lot you can do with these traits!

For the "bad" character, which might seem a bit more tricky at first, the easiest way to figure out what the nuance of "bad" traits can be is to break down the why. Maybe this character became cunning because they've had to think long term a lot. They're good at waging the odds, they're good at reading the room, they're good at putting things together and seeing how the dominos will fall. Maybe they're even the person responsible for setting up the dominos, because they don't trust anyone else to make sure that there's a desirable outcome. If they're manipulative then it likely means that they're good at reading people, and they must know how to appeal to other people to some degree, otherwise they wouldn't really be able to manipulate anyone. They're likely used to having to look out for themselves, and they might even be good at spotting their own kind and knowing just when to avoid them. They don't care much for rules so they might not be as harsh in judging others, maybe they even have an easier time getting along with people who dare to defy social norms. Maybe they're even supportive of other people breaking the rules, because why the hell not?

Creating nuance

If you look at the two characters above, you'll quickly realise that they could hypothetical be the same character, because... They are. The "good" character is the "bad" character when they were younger. The "bad" character is the "good" character's future. An empathetic character can easily turn that empathy and their social skills into cunning manipulation. A character who previously felt stifled by the rules might choose to defy them. A character who got sick of caring how others perceive and judge them might choose to stop caring about what others think, and might even go out of their way to seem off-putting and un-approachable, because they refuse to ever allow themselves to care about others and be treated like a doormat again.

Or you can treat them as two separate characters that function as foils to one another. They both overlap in a lot of traits despite it not seeming so at first glance. My point is, I find that if you treat all traits as neutral, you don't really have to manually "add" flaws. Most traits have both upsides and downsides, and which side of those traits create conflict in the story is often what determines whether something is a flaw or not.

– Outro

Sorry for the lengthy and possibly rambly post, I just thought it might be advice worth sharing as it's something that really helped me flesh out my own characters more when I was still very new! Plus, as mentioned before, character creation and analysis is one of my favourite aspects of storytelling, and I'm also very passionate about psychology and philosophy and such. And again, this is all in good fun and 100% not a rule on how to write characters! There's exceptions to everything and everyone's process is different, and while this advice might be helpful to some, it might not be helpful whatsoever to others, and that's completely fine!

I'd love to make more posts on topics like this in the future if people enjoy it, or if anyone has any specific requests on anything! :,)

El Crucigrama

SEGUNDA ESCENA

La niña, mira como su mama lee todos las preguntas, y cuando mira hacia el otro lado, mira otra hoja suelta con otro crucigrama que dice:

Dia, después de ayer?

Código personal que se usa para abrir archivos?

Qué hay adentro de la envoltura (wrapping paper) de un regalo que el novio regaló, y lo puso en el trunk del carro, en INGLES y todo en minúsculas, una sola palabra y cinco letras?

Después la mama sigue leyendo, las otras instrucciones que están en la hoja.

Como se le llama al conjunto de lineas de conductas que se ponen en una escuela o en las casas por los padres para evitar conflictos?

100 dividido entre 2 = 

Qué se hace para quitar el polvo de los objetos?

Cómo se le llama a la persona que participa en una sociedad junto a otra persona?

Cuál es la autoridad máxima y el tipo de autoridad que le otorga el Estado a un diplomático para ejecutar negocios en su nombre?

El tipo de autoridad que se establece sólo en una region específica es: regional, estatal, o nacional? 

Cual es el señalamiento que se pone a una obra de remodelacion en las calles?

Los museos tienen fechas de apertura? Cuándo?

Las audiencias están en canales distintos, y las represas están listos para abrir la compuerta, que llevarán al río de su inauguración.

Look for Letter to the protagonist, and follow the instructions.

Las casas, tienen los aromas y los aires, de los dos que la construyen?

Remember the importance of the Now. It is your power place, the place of transformation. The past is gone. You only have Now to choose how you will be, who you will be, and that choice will create your tomorrows.

P'taah (via miraculousunderstanding)

BEFORE THE FIGHT

Oh Ms Beautiful Ms Beautiful

Oh Ms Beautiful, Ms Beautiful

How many times have you fallen into the same spot? 

Implementing strategies, you think they are right

And some others, mistakenly understood, your purpose and the right

Be brave! Be brave

Only heroes in their own characters stand the weight

And the purpose of your own inside the mess

Fight, the fight for you

For your principles

For your career

Fight, the good fight

But do not let them win the fight

Of liberating a mind, in a conflicted spot

Of a broken mind

Quien te ama te hace parte de su vida, sin parar la tuya.

(via psicologa-loca)

How should I go about describing a character who goes through a lot, becoming more disheveled and desperate as the plot goes on?

Desperation is the emotion that drives characters to their limits, leading to their most intense and extreme behaviours.

By showing how characters become more desperate as your plot progresses, you can create characters that are interesting, dynamic, and relatable.

Here are some ways you can show desperation in your characters. As the plot moves forward, these elements can get worse, showing their decline.

How do they behave?

Obsessive and/or compulsive

Repetitive actions like hand wringing, or overuse of stock phrases

Self-destructive and risk-seeking

Enhanced aggression

Avoidant and isolationist

Manipulative

Exploitative

Short-tempered

Impulsive decision-making

Unrelenting pursuit of something

What physical signs do they show?

Heart palpitations and short, rapid breathing

Sweating profusely

Shaking or trembling

Sudden onset of nausea

Feeling weak or dizzy

Muscle tension

Headaches

Insomnia caused by worry and stress

Feelings of fatigue

Stomach pain and cramping

How do they interact?

Begging or pleading with others

Manipulating others to get what they want

Increasing paranoia and questioning other's motives

Pushing away loved ones

Becoming overly clingy

Either an inability to trust or being too quick to trust others

Self-sabotage

Single-focus conversations

What do they look like?

Unkempt hair and poor hygiene

Rumpled, slept-in clothing

Nervous tics, like fidgeting, pacing, or picking at nails

Extreme and unexplained weight loss

A haunted, faraway, or panicked look

Dark-rimmed, bruised eyes from lack of sleep or exhaustion

A constant sheen of sweat and clammy skin

Unusual clothing choices

What body language do they display?

Hunching over, as if trying to protect themselves

Fidgeting or pacing

Avoiding eye contact

Clenching fists or grinding teeth

Sweating or shaking

Staring intently at something

Repeatedly touching hair or face

Darting eyes and biting lips

Meek and under-confident stance

Pleading look

What is their attitude?

Feeling hopelessness

Sad and dejected

Becoming increasingly irrational

A loss of faith in themselves and others

Obsession to the point of resorting to extreme measures

A sense of helplessness

Blaming others

Feeling powerless

A sense of urgency

What are some positive things that can come out of desperation?

Increased motivation to achieve their goals or solve their problems

Resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity

Heightened creativity and resourcefulness

The ability to form deep and meaningful connections with those who share their struggles

Catharsis or character growth through their struggles

What are some negative things that can come out of desperation?

A tendency to become self-destructive or engage in risky behaviour

Difficulty forming and maintaining healthy relationships

Increased isolation or loneliness

Chronic stress and physical health problems

A tendency to make impulsive or irrational decisions

Prone to depression and anxiety

A Lolli Pop; A Story of Love

Marco A. Romero

When I told her that I loved her she did not believe me. She threw the Lolli Pop outburst in my face that had happened when we were kids, and we played hide and seek, the cat and the mouse, and freeze tag (you're it).

I do not know what happened, at that time.

I guess I wanted to eat a sweet and she did not want to share her Lolli Pop with me, so I took it away from her, and I ran to eat it under a tree, and I enjoyed it quietly with pleasure.

The Lolli Pop tasted sweet.

What was not sweet was her heartbroken, and from there she did not want to talk to me. That anger lasted years, maybe decades...

She said I was a bad boy!

Then I remembered, a few years later, when I asked her to be my girlfriend because she no longer had these crazy girl traits, or I did not know if the love I felt for her made me not seeing her as she was because love is blind. ...  By the way, she rejected me...

I argued (trying to be a little philosophical) that love was not related to things, nor was there a correlation between my love for her and the Tootsie Pop that I had taken away from her years ago as children, but she argued yes!!! - In this strange and irrational feminine logic inference and again I repeated to her that I liked the lolli pop, and had nothing to do with love and period (I had to be a man, truthful and make things clear once and for all, right?)

Bad result!

She never talked to me anymore! ... I think she did not like my tone of not regretting what she thought was wrong. The years past by, and as she grew older she was getting more beautiful. I did not know how to make her forget the Tootsie Pop outburst.

I loved her. Really.

A lot.

I imagined in my hypothesis that she would have read the novel of Pedro Páramo , and some of it would have stayed in her heart , because she was too intellectual, with those words "make him pay dearly  the neglect of duty that we had“, or rather, I should say the Tootsie Pop one day he took away from me ...

A decade later we found each other at the law school. I must admit she was a beauty, and I liked her even more. My first impulse was to talk to her, but she again harangued me the Tootsie Pop incident with sweet chocolate that I had taken away from her, decades ago....

Truly I was desperate....

I figured out the reason she wanted to be a lawyer or prosecutor in court. She had this very great talent to explain with detail, with delightful charm, I would say, the

evils and omissions that the accused had committed to reach the tribunal.

But I still loved her and liked her like that.... She was beautiful, indeed.  I was in love with her and I could not do anything else but to be close to my dear love. My crazy heart loved whoever did not deserve to be loved and endured all the insults, rants, and bad moods.  As the time passed intruding questions came into my mind from Descartes, Plato and Thomas Aquinas. She was intellectual and I did not want to stay behind her knowledge, of course….

I told her that "if we think” about that candy, then “it would exist " and it would interfere in our relationship that I wanted to have with her.  I wanted to offer the best of me (my heart, and it sounds corny but sometimes so it is) and that the love that I felt for her would give me the thrust to build those palaces that she deserved and I could not temporarily give, unless we both work hard for it. I would accomplish her dream, of course ... being Descartes.

 I told her what St. Thomas Aquinas said "seeing is believing" and she would see my immense passion trying to meet her each day and at least say " Good morning " when passing between classes. After looking at her, my mind was filled with her smile that I tried to draw later in my notebook when the teacher was lecturing.  Obviously my teacher wondered what the drawing had to do with the notes and explanations of civil law that he had taught...

“None” teacher, I said. It is that I'm in love and love makes me fly like a butterfly.

I apologized and asked him that love should be declared as a pleasant cause of exception to the rigidity of academic schools. This feeling is uncontrollable, -I argued, and suddenly it came into my mind her image, the wind, and the leaves of the shaking trees like a movie, where we both walked together holding hands and being happy to enjoy what life gave us....

(Do not think wrong, I said, I mean the love that I feel for her)

And again, I said, it has nothing to do with you teacher, but with the fact that I am just in love....

Try other methods! My psychologist told me. One day I brought two Tootsie Pops with chocolate inside to make amends to my beloved, but she said that those lolli pops were not the same as the one I had mistakenly eaten...

Afterwards, when she looked at the other lolli pop with an engagement ring, she looked at me, smiled, hugged me and screamed I do!! I do!

That was the biggest hug that I have ever had in my life.

And we both lived happily ever after.... getting married

What is your story of love?