emil-416

Latest Posts by emil-416

10 Writing Things That Have Saved My Creative Soul (and Sanity)

↳ If your character’s arc isn’t making you slightly emotional or existential, it’s probably not finished. If they start and end the story the same person, that’s not a character arc—it’s a flatline. Make them squirm, learn, lose, grow. Bonus points if they make you question your own moral compass in the process.

↳ Worldbuilding is not a license to drown your reader in lore like it’s Game of Thrones on steroids. If you have to write a wiki page to understand your own plot, fine...but that doesn’t mean your reader has to read it. Give us breadcrumbs, not a 12-course feast on page one.

↳ If the theme of your story can’t be summed up in one slightly aggressive sticky note, you’re probably overcomplicating it. (“This book is about choosing yourself even when no one else does”—boom, theme. Now go make your characters suffer for it.)

↳ You will hate your manuscript somewhere between 30k and 50k words. That’s your cue to keep going, not quit. It’s like the literary version of hitting mile 18 in a marathon. Everything hurts, but that means you're doing it right.

↳ That “genius idea” you had at 2 a.m.? Save it. Write it down. But don’t drop everything for it. New ideas are seductive chaos demons. Your current project deserves monogamy… at least until the second draft.

↳ A character’s greatest fear is a shortcut to their heart. Forget favorite color or coffee order...what keeps them up at night? What would destroy them if it came true?

↳ If you don’t know how to end your story, figure out what question it’s been asking the whole time. Once you know the question, the ending becomes the answer. Maybe not a happy answer, but a satisfying one.

↳ No one’s going to write your weird little story the way you will. That’s your superpower. So go ahead and write the morally gray necromancer love triangle in space. Your people are out there. And they’re hungry for it.

↳ You are allowed to be a slow writer. You are allowed to be a fast writer. You are not allowed to be a cruel writer—to yourself. The world will criticize your art for free. Don’t do their job for them inside your own head.

↳ Some stories just aren’t meant to be novels. And that’s okay. Maybe it's a short story. A play. A fever dream disguised as a poem. The shape doesn’t matter. The story does. Let it tell you what it wants to be.

Ways I Show a Character is Emotionally Burned Out (Before They Even Realize It Themselves)

I love writing characters who think they’re fine but are actually walking emotional house fires with bad coping mechanisms.

They stop doing the things they used to love and don’t even notice. Their guitar gathers dust. Their favorite podcast becomes background noise. Their hobbies feel like homework now.

They pick the path of least resistance every time, even when it hurts them. No, they don’t want to go to that thing. No, they don’t want to talk to that person. But whatever’s easier. That’s the motto now.

They’re tired but can’t sleep. Or they sleep but wake up more tired. Classic burnout move: lying in bed with their brain racing like a toddler on espresso.

They give other people emotional advice they refuse to take themselves. “You have to set boundaries!” they say—while ignoring 8 texts from someone they should’ve cut off three emotional breakdowns ago.

They cry at something stupidly small. Like spilling soup. Or a dog in a commercial. Or losing their pen. The soup is never just soup.

They say “I’m just tired” like it’s a personality trait now. And not like… emotionally drained to the bone but afraid to admit it out loud.

They ghost people they love, not out of malice, but because even replying feels like too much. Social battery? Absolutely obliterated. Texting back feels like filing taxes.

They stop reacting to big things. Catastrophes get a blank stare. Disasters feel like “just another Tuesday.” The well of feeling is running dry.

They avoid being alone with their own thoughts. Constant noise. TV always on. Music blasting. Because silence = reckoning, and reckoning is terrifying.

They start hoping something will force them to stop. An accident. A missed deadline. Someone else finally telling them, “You need a break.” Because asking for help? Unthinkable.

Write Believable Intelligent Characters

╰ Let their intelligence show in how they notice things

Smart people aren’t always the ones talking, they’re the ones observing the tiny detail that everyone else misses. They connect dots faster. They clock micro-expressions. They’re already ten moves ahead while everyone’s still arguing about step one.

╰ Don’t make them know everything

The smartest characters have gaps. A genius hacker who can’t do small talk. A professor who’s never seen Shrek. An expert in ancient languages who has zero street smarts. Give them blind spots, and suddenly they feel real—not robotic.

╰ Let their intelligence shape how they argue

A clever character doesn’t always win by yelling louder. Sometimes they cut deep with one sentence. Sometimes they bait someone into proving their point for them. Or smile while delivering verbal chess moves that leave everyone stunned two scenes later.

╰ Smart doesn’t mean wordy

Sometimes the smartest thing your character can say is nothing. Sometimes it’s “Huh.” Or one line that lands like a hammer. Intelligence isn’t just about complexity, it’s about clarity. Bonus points if they say the thing everyone else was dancing around.

╰ Show them solving problems, not just explaining them

Whether it’s picking a lock or defusing a political standoff, let them act. Watching them think on their feet, adapt, and surprise people is way more compelling than giving them long-winded monologues about the history of poison.

╰ Let them struggle with being misunderstood

A smart character might say something that’s totally logical but lands like a slap. Or they assume people see the obvious when they don’t. Intelligence can be isolating. That tension makes them human.

╰ Don’t make them the author’s mouthpiece

If your “smart” character exists to deliver the moral of the story, they’ll feel like a soapbox in a trench coat. Let them be flawed, biased, wrong sometimes. Let them learn. Otherwise, they stop being a character and start being an essay in disguise.

╰ Make their intelligence emotional, too

Book smart is one thing. Emotional intelligence hits differently. Maybe they’re intuitive. Maybe they know how to read a room. Maybe they see through someone’s bravado in five seconds flat. Brains plus empathy? Lethal combo.

╰ Smart doesn’t mean nice

Intelligence can be cruel. Calculated. Detached. Don’t be afraid to let your clever character weaponize their smarts if that’s who they are. Sometimes the coldest characters are the ones who know exactly how to hurt you—and choose not to. Or do.

How to Make Fictional Settings Real (Even If You’re Faking the Whole Thing)

➤ Real Estate Listings (Yes, Seriously)

Looking up local listings in a place similar to your fictional town or city gives you surprising insight—average home styles, neighborhood layouts, what “affordable” means in that region, even local slang in the listings. + Great for,  grounding your setting in subtle realism without hitting readers over the head with exposition.

➤  Google Street View (Time to Creep Around Like a Setting Spy)

Drop into a random street in a town that resembles your fictional setting. Walk around virtually. Notice what's boring.Trash cans, streetlights, sidewalk cracks, old ads. + Great for: figuring out what makes a setting feel “normal” instead of movie-set polished.

➤  Local Newspapers or Small Town Reddit Threads

Want voice? Culture? Weird local drama? This is where it lives. What’s in the classifieds? What’s pissing people off at town hall? + Great for: authentic small-town flavor, conflict inspiration, and the kind of gossip that fuels subplot gold.

➤ Fantasy Map Generator Sites (Even for Contemporary Settings!)

Not just for epic quests. Generating a map, even a basic one, can help you stop mentally teleporting your characters between places without any sense of space or distance.+ Great for: figuring out how long it takes to get from the protagonist’s house to that cursed gas station.

➤  Music from or Inspired by the Region/Culture

Even fictional cities deserve a soundtrack. Listen to regional or cultural playlists and let the vibe soak into your setting. What kind of music would be playing in your character’s world? + Great for: writing atmospherically and getting in the right emotional headspace.

➤  Online Menus from Local Diners, Restaurants, or Cafés

You want a setting that tastes real? Look at what people are actually eating. + Great for: writing scenes with meals that aren’t just “some soup” or “generic coffee.” (Also, bonus points for fictionalizing weird specials: “Tuesday Fish Waffle Night” is canon now.)

➤  Yelp Reviews (Especially the One-Star Ones)

Looking for a spark of chaos? One-star Yelp reviews will tell you what your characters complain about and where the best petty drama lives. + Great for: worldbuilding quirks, local tensions, and giving your town character.

➤  Real Estate “Before/After” Renovation Blogs

You’ll find the bones of houses, historical details, and how people preserve or erase the past. + Great for: backstory-laced settings, haunted houses, or any structure that’s more than just a place, it’s a story.

➤  Old Travel Books or Tourism Brochures

Especially the outdated ones. What used to be considered “the pride of the town”? What’s still standing? What was erased? + Great for: layering a setting with history, especially for second-generation characters or stories rooted in change.

Weirdly Healing Things to Do When You’re Feeling Creatively Burned Out...

Write a fake 5-star Goodreads review of your WIP—as if you didn’t write it. Go ahead. Pretend you're a giddy reader who just discovered this masterpiece. Bonus: add emojis, chaotic metaphors, and all-caps screaming. It’s self-indulgent. It’s delusional. It’s delicious.

Give your main character a Pinterest board titled “Mentally Unstable but Aesthetic.” Include outfits, quotes, memes, cursed objects, and that one painting that haunts their dreams. This is not about logic. This is about ✨vibes.✨

Make a “deleted scenes” folder and write something that would never make it into the book. A crackfic. A “what if they were roommates” AU. The group chat from hell. This is your WIP’s blooper reel. Let it be silly, chaotic, or wildly off-brand.

Interview your villain like you’re Oprah. Ask the hard-hitting questions. “When did you know you were the drama?” “Do you regret the murder, or just the way you did it?” Bonus points if they lie to your face.

Host a fake awards show for your characters. Categories like “Most Likely to Die for Vibes,” “Worst Emotional Regulation,” “Himbo Energy Supreme,” or “Best Use of a Dramatic Exit.” Write their acceptance speeches. Yes, this counts as writing.

Write a breakup letter… to your inner critic. Be petty. Be dramatic. “Dear Self-Doubt, this isn’t working for me anymore. You bring nothing to the table but anxiety and bad vibes.” Rip it up. Burn it. Tape it to your mirror. Your call.

Create a “writing comfort kit” like you’re a cozy witch. A candle that smells like your WIP. A tea that your characters would drink. A playlist labeled “for writing when I’m one rejection email away from giving up.” This is a ritual now.

Design a fake movie poster or book cover like your story is already famous. Add star ratings, critic quotes, and some pretentious tagline like “One soul. One destiny. No chill.”

Write a scene you’re not ready to write—but just a rough, messy outline version. Not the polished thing. Just the raw emotion. The shape of it. Like sketching the bones of a future punch to the gut. You don’t have to make it perfect. Just open the door.

Let your story be bad on purpose for a day. Like, aggressively bad. Give everyone ridiculous names. Add an evil talking cat. Write a fight scene with laser swords and emotional damage. Just remind yourself that stories are meant to be played with, not feared.

Dialogue Masterpost

Dialogue prompts are my favourite kind. So little context, so much creative space to have fun with. So here is a my masterpost full of dialogue prompts.

Romantic Dialogue

Flirting Prompts - Oblivious and flirty

Teasing Prompts

More Teasing Prompts

Romance Dialogue - Bubbly + Reserved

Dramatic/Break-up Dialogue Prompts

More Break-up Dialogue Prompts

One-sided affections dialogue

Unwanted Attention Prompts

Unrequited Love Prompts

Push and pull romantic prompts

Jealousy Prompts

heartbreaking.

First Kiss Prompts

Things said during sex Prompts

Awkward Post-Sex Dialogue

Smutty Dialogue (Masterpost)

One-Liners Dialogue - Romantic, Smutty + Physical (Masterpost)

Romance Dialogue Prompts – Uncomfortable with affection

Grumpy Affectionate Dialogue

Grumpy + Sunshine Dialogue

Inexperienced with romance Prompts

Love Confessions (Masterpost)

Romantic Date Dialogue Prompts

Asking out on a date

Anniversary Dinner Dialogue

Secret Relationship Dialogue

How to write Enemies to Lovers + Dialogue Prompts

Oblivious Enemies to Lovers Prompts

Enemies to Lovers: Apocalypse AU

Exes to lovers dialogue

Friends to lovers Dialogue

Best friends to lovers Dialogue

Childhood friends to enemies to lovers Dialogue

Enemies to friends with benefits Prompts

Enemies to friends Prompts

Fluffy

Fluffy Dialogue Prompts Part I

Fluffy Dialogue Prompts Part II

Fluffy Sentence Starters

One Hundred Compliments

Shy Compliments

Hidden Pregnancy Dialogue

Sleepy Starters

Cooking/Baking Dialogue Prompts

Friends and Family

Silly Drunk Dialogue

Bar Conversation Starters

Rekindling Friendship Dialogue

Not Wanting to Rekindle Friendship Dialogue

Reconnecting Friends Prompts

Supernatural/Crime/Co.

Hero x Villain - Snarky Dialogue

Hero + Villain Dialogue

Angst Villain Dialogue

Supervillain Roommates

Life & Death Prompts + Dialogue

Demons Dialogue

Angel/Demon Dialogue

Angel/Human Dialogue

Human/Ghost Dialogue Prompts

Assassins Banter Dialogue

Showing aliens the human world

FBI mentor and mentee prompts

Heist Prompts

Hurt/Comfort and Angst

Hurt/Comfort Dialogue Prompts

Angsty Dialogue (Masterpost)

AUs

Bodyguard Dialogue Prompts

Patient and Doctor Prompts

Neighbors to Lovers Dialogue

Coffee Shop Prompts

Matchmaking at Work Prompts

Royalty Dialogue

Princess x Loyal Companion

Prince/ss x Commoner

Princess x Guard

Arranged Marriage Dialogue

Royal Arranged Marriage Dialogue Prompts

Royalty Forced Married to Actual Lovers Prompts

Royal x Royal Ball Dancing

Grad Students Prompts

High School Popular Kid + Outcast Dialogue

More

Dialogue Responses Masterlist

Drabble Prompts Masterlist

Three Word Sentences

Four Word Sentences

Five Word Sentences

Six Word Sentences

short & impactful

powerful.

"I can't…"

Reactions to… (Masterpost)

Asking for permission

Random Questions Prompts

If you like my blog and want to support me, you can buy me a coffee or become a member! 🥰

city boy Nightwing art by Jamal Campbell

I need to remember this ( TДT)

hi, i love your prompts!!

can you do prompts/suggestions for revealing a character’s tragic backstory to the other characters? mostly with like hurt/comfort or angst. please n thanks!

How to Reveal a Tragic Backstory

check out these sources:

The Backstory Drip: Helping Writers Become Authors

When Do You Reveal a Backstory of a Character?: Writing Stack Exchange

Writing Character Backstory That Feels Real: Now Novel

1. Establish Context Before the Reveal

Before revealing a tragic backstory, it's crucial to lay the groundwork. Give the audience some clues or hints about the character’s pain or past struggles without fully explaining it. This builds curiosity and tension, making the eventual reveal more satisfying.

Example: Throughout the story, you might show the character having nightmares, flinching at certain triggers, or displaying a particular behavior (like pushing others away) that hints at something painful in their past.

2. Choose the Right Moment

A tragic backstory should be revealed at a moment that feels natural and emotionally charged. Don’t force it into the plot. Often, it works best when the character is vulnerable, perhaps during a quiet moment, when they feel safe enough to let their guard down, or during a crisis when the emotional dam breaks.

Example: The character might reveal their past during a moment of intense emotional vulnerability, like when they think they’re about to lose someone else they care about, or when they are experiencing a setback that mirrors their past trauma.

3. Keep It Uncomfortable

A tragic backstory is rarely easy to talk about, and the discomfort surrounding the reveal can be just as important as the backstory itself. Let the character struggle with the words or try to push the conversation away, only to be coaxed into speaking. This makes the moment feel more authentic and raw.

Example: The character might start the conversation with, "It’s not important" or "I don’t want to talk about it," before finally giving in to the other character’s gentle probing or a shift in the situation that forces them to face the truth.

4. Show, Don’t Just Tell

Instead of simply stating the tragic event, show how it affects the character through their actions, memories, or how they interact with others. This deepens the emotional impact, allowing readers to experience the pain with the character rather than just being told what happened.

Example: Rather than saying, "He lost his entire family in the fire," you could show how the character avoids talking about their family, has flashbacks when they see something related to fire, or even flinches at certain words associated with their trauma.

5. Use Symbolism

The tragic backstory can be tied to something physical, symbolic, or thematic in the narrative. A certain object, place, or even weather can be used to evoke memories of the past, creating a deeper emotional connection.

Example: If the character lost someone they loved in a car accident, perhaps they always have trouble getting into cars, or they wear a piece of jewelry that reminds them of the person. When this item or memory is triggered, the character opens up about the event.

6. Layer the Reveal

Sometimes, a tragic backstory is revealed in pieces over time. A character might not reveal everything all at once, but bits and pieces come out as the story progresses. This gradual reveal can allow you to build emotional complexity and deepen the audience’s understanding of the character.

Example: The character might first mention a loss in passing, then later reveal more details about the circumstances surrounding that loss. In a climactic moment, they might confess the full extent of their pain, perhaps adding a new layer of guilt or unresolved anger.

7. Avoid Making It “Too Perfect”

Tragedy isn’t always a neat, tidy narrative. It’s often messy, complicated, and filled with unresolved feelings. Don’t try to make the tragic backstory feel like it was meant to be "healed" or resolved easily. Characters are shaped by tragedy, and the wounds might never fully heal.

Example: The character might express regret or resentment, even years later. They might struggle with feelings of guilt, or they might have difficulty trusting others due to their past experiences.

8. Don’t Overload the Backstory

While tragic backstories are emotionally powerful, too many details can overwhelm the reader or distract from the present story. Instead, focus on the most crucial parts of the past that shaped the character’s current behavior, rather than telling every painful moment.

Example: Rather than describing an entire traumatic event in detail, focus on how it emotionally affected the character. Perhaps the character doesn’t want to remember, so the backstory is revealed only through emotional reactions to certain triggers or through small, painful details.

9. Use the Backstory as a Motivator

After revealing the tragic backstory, the character’s actions should be influenced by it. Their trauma will affect their decisions, and it’s important to show how it shapes their journey going forward.

Example: The character might reveal that they lost someone to violence, and that’s why they became a protector of others. Or maybe their tragic past has made them emotionally distant, but in the course of the story, they gradually learn to trust and open up.

10. Make the Reveal Matter to the Plot

A tragic backstory shouldn’t just be there to elicit sympathy. It should tie into the character’s motivations, fears, and relationships with other characters. If the backstory doesn’t serve a purpose for the plot, it can feel like unnecessary exposition.

Example: If the character is hesitant to form deep relationships because of their tragic past, this fear will be challenged by their interactions with the other characters. Perhaps their backstory also explains why they’re so skilled in a certain area, giving the plot a practical reason for them to be involved in the current situation.

Writing Prompts Revealing a Tragic Backstory

-> feel free to edit and adjust pronouns as you see fit.

She leaned against the worn table, fingers tracing the edge of a chipped mug, not meeting his eyes. "I didn’t always… I wasn’t always this," she began, her voice thin, strained. He sat across from her, waiting, but not pushing. She swallowed, her chest tightening. "There was a fire, years ago. I was just a kid. My parents—" She stopped, shaking her head, as though the words couldn’t pass her lips without choking her. "I don’t even know how I made it out."

She reached out to touch his shoulder, a gesture of comfort, but he recoiled as if her hand was burning him. His eyes widened, panic flashing across his face. "Don’t," he muttered, backing away, his chest rising and falling with rapid breaths. "Please don’t." She stared, mouth dry, unsure what she had done wrong, but the way his face twisted as if remembering something painful told her everything she needed to know.

They jolted awake, heart pounding, gasping for breath as the remnants of the nightmare clung to them. The other person, already awake, noticed and reached out, pulling them into their arms. "Shh, it’s okay," they whispered softly, but the words barely registered. "I couldn’t save her," they choked out, voice raw. "I promised, but I—" The sob broke free before they could finish, and the other person tightened their hold, pressing their forehead against theirs. "You didn’t fail," they whispered, offering the comfort of their presence. "You're safe now."

They were walking in silence, the soft crunch of gravel beneath their boots the only sound between them. He kept his head down, eyes fixed on the ground, his hands shoved deep in his pockets. Then, without warning, he stopped. "I watched him die," he said, his voice rough, as though the words were hard to spit out. She turned, startled by the suddenness, but he didn’t meet her gaze. "My brother. He bled out before anyone could help." His jaw tightened, eyes distant. "And I couldn’t do a damn thing."

Her laughter echoed in the room, but it faltered when she saw his face. He wasn’t laughing. He was staring, distant, lost in some memory only he could see. "What’s wrong?" she asked, suddenly concerned. His eyes snapped back to her, and he forced a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. "Nothing." He turned away quickly, but not before she saw the tear that had escaped down his cheek. "I just... you made me think of my sister."

Reblog if you’re grateful for your commenters <3

Don't Just Think Outside the Box, Create Your Own Box

1. Introduction

In the world of innovation, the phrase "think outside the box" has become a popular mantra. While it encourages creativity and unconventional thinking, merely stepping outside the boundaries set by others isn’t always enough. To truly innovate, you need to create your own box—a unique framework shaped by your personal experiences, insights, and perspectives. This blog post will explore the limitations of conventional thinking, the benefits of creating your own box, and how you can build a custom framework to drive innovation and creativity in your life and work.

2. Breaking the Mold: Why Conventional Thinking Falls Short

The concept of "the box" represents conventional wisdom and established norms. While these guidelines provide a foundation, they can also constrain our thinking. History is replete with examples of how conventional thinking has held back progress. For instance, the belief that the Earth was flat prevented early explorers from venturing too far from shore. Similarly, in business, sticking rigidly to traditional methods can stifle innovation. To break free from these constraints, we need to challenge and redefine these boundaries.

3. Crafting Your Own Box: A New Approach to Innovation

Creating your own box means developing a personalized framework for thinking and problem-solving. This unique box is shaped by your experiences, knowledge, and perspectives, allowing you to approach challenges in novel ways. The process involves questioning established norms, seeking new viewpoints, and integrating diverse ideas. By doing so, you can unlock creative solutions that are uniquely suited to your circumstances.

4. Trailblazers: Innovators Who Defined Their Own Boundaries

Several renowned innovators have exemplified the concept of creating their own box. Take Elon Musk, for example. Musk's ventures—ranging from SpaceX to Tesla—are products of his willingness to defy conventional wisdom. Similarly, Steve Jobs revolutionized the tech industry by embracing a design-centric approach at Apple, moving away from the standard engineering-focused mindset. Marie Curie's groundbreaking work in radioactivity is another testament to the power of unique thinking. These individuals show that by creating their own box, they were able to achieve extraordinary success.

5. From Concept to Reality: Building and Refining Your Box

Step 1: Identifying Limitations in Current Thinking To start creating your own box, you need to recognize the limitations in existing frameworks. This involves critically assessing the norms and questioning their relevance and effectiveness.

Step 2: Exploring New Perspectives and Ideas Seek out diverse viewpoints and be open to unconventional ideas. This could involve engaging with different cultures, industries, or disciplines to gain a broader perspective.

Step 3: Building a Unique Framework for Problem-Solving Based on the insights gained, develop a custom approach to problem-solving. This framework should be flexible, adaptable, and reflective of your unique insights and experiences.

Step 4: Testing and Refining Your New Box Implement your new approach in real-world scenarios, assess its effectiveness, and refine it based on feedback and results. This iterative process ensures that your framework remains relevant and effective.

6. Think Like a Maverick: Tools for Creative Problem-Solving

Innovation requires the right tools and techniques. Here are some methods to help you create your own box:

Brainstorming Techniques

Mind Mapping: Visualize ideas and their connections to uncover new relationships.

SCAMPER: Use this technique to spark creativity by prompting questions about your ideas (Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to another use, Eliminate, Rearrange).

Creative Exercises Engage in activities that push you out of your comfort zone, like improvisational theatre, to break free from conventional thinking patterns.

Collaboration and Diverse Input Work with individuals from different backgrounds and disciplines. Their unique perspectives can inspire fresh ideas and approaches.

7. Defying Doubt: Overcoming Challenges in Your Innovative Journey

Creating your own box isn’t without challenges. You may face skepticism, resistance, or self-doubt. Here are some strategies to overcome these obstacles:

Embrace Failure: View setbacks as learning opportunities and stay resilient.

Seek Support: Surround yourself with a supportive network that encourages innovative thinking.

Stay Confident: Believe in your unique approach and remain persistent in the face of adversity.

8. Conclusion

In conclusion, while thinking outside the box encourages creativity, it’s not enough to drive true innovation. By creating your own box, you develop a personalized framework that leverages your unique insights and experiences. This approach not only fosters innovative thinking but also empowers you to tackle challenges in novel ways. Embrace the journey of building your own box, and unlock your full creative potential.

Call to Action: We'd love to hear your thoughts! Have you created your own box? Share your experiences or frameworks in the comments section below or join the conversation on social media using #CreateYourBox.

Source: Don't Just Think Outside the Box, Create Your Own Box

Writing Prompt #3042

"Why don't you give up?"

"Oh, I gave up years ago! You should've seen me before!"

A monster forcefully switches places with you. You become a horrible creature, and the monster assumes your form. Unfortunately for the monster, your life absolutely sucks—and you have no intention of swapping back.

Weird Family tree

Wattpad and Webtoon are in a relationship.

Then, they became parents and had ao3 (archive of our own).

But then, Webtoon cheated on Wattpad with Duolingo (because Duo had a huge glow up) so Wattpad decided to take revenge on her lover and cheated with her exe Twitter/X. (they broke up because X was toxic obviously)

While the parents have a rather complicated relationship BUT still working out somehow, their kid found joy in dating Tumblr.

I'm telling you chat, grandma naver is enjoying the drama!!!

call me when you figure it out

has anyone figured out how to be a real person yet

leave him alone, he's got the attitude *sparkles*

@Fanfic writers:

My friend send me this link, is a series on a profile on Ao3 (tumblr) that has different tutorials to insert things to fanfics via html code, I thought I would share bc it’s really cool

Lists of tutorials:

How to make images fit in mobile browsers

This is a tutorial/live example on how to make large images fit on mobile browsers but remain normal size on desktop browsers.

How to mimic letters, fliers, and stationery without using images

This is a tutorial/live example on how to mimic the look of letters, fliers, and stationery (as well as other forms of written media) without using images. For all your epistolary fic needs.

How to make a “choose your own adventure” Fic

This is a tutorial/live example on how to create a "Choose Your Own Adventure" fic. While this has been explained before (see here), this particular tutorial shows you how to use a work skin to hide the next parts from the reader until they click through to get to them.

How to make linked footnotes on Ao3

This is a live example of how an author can create linked footnotes in their work with only a little bit of HTML and no workskins required. This is best viewed by clicking "Entire Work". While I've included the actual coding in bold and italic once you click "Hide Creator's Style", there's a more detailed explanation here.

How to change text on Ao3 when the cursor is hovering over it (or clicked on mobile)

This a tutorial/live example on how to have text change or appear once a cursor is hovering over it. Helpful for pop-up spoilers, language translations, quick author's notes, etc.

How to mimic author’s notes and Kudos/Comment buttons

Anonymous on tumblr: do you have a skin that would mimic the author’s notes and review/kudos buttons section from the end of a fic? the desired effect being that the fic could go on after the “end” of the fic, so after the author’s notes and review/kudos buttons

Here's a tutorial/live example to do just that, with some of the buttons actually functioning. I'll explain more inside!

How to wrap text around images

This is a tutorial/live example on how to align images to the left or right of the screen and have text wrap around them.

How to mimic email windows

This is a tutorial/live example on how to mimic email windows on AO3 without the need to use images.

How to make ios text messages on Ao3

This is a tutorial/live example on how to mimic iOS text messages on AO3 without the need to use images. There's also a chapter on how to have emojis displayed on AO3 as well.

How to make Customized page deviders

Bored with the default page dividers? This is a tutorial/live example on how customize your page dividers with no images needed (though I do show you how you could use images if you wanted to do such a thing).

How to make invisible text (That can be highlighted)

This is a live example how to make invisible text that can only be seen by highlighting the text. Tutorial is included in text, and you can always leave comments about questions you may have.

MOBILE USERS: Sadly, this probably won't work for you, since highlighting in a mobile browser is different than web. I've tried correcting this, but have yet to find a solution.

How to make a rounded playlist

Original coding and design is from layouttest. I make no claims for it, just tweaked it so it will work on AO3.

How to create notebook lined paper on Ao3

This is a live example of my AO3 skin that allows the author to recreate the look of lined notebook paper in their work. To learn more about it, you can find the tutorial here.

Sticky notes on Ao3 without using images

This is a live example of my AO3 skin that allows the author to recreate the look of sticky notes (aka Post-Its) in their fic. To learn more about it, you can find the tutorial here.

How to make deadpool’s thinking thinking boxes on Ao3

This is a live example of my AO3 skin that allows the author to recreate the look of Deadpool's thinking boxes in their fic. To learn more about it, you can find the tutorial here.

How to make newspaper articles on Ao3

This is a live example of my AO3 skin that allows the author to recreate the look of a newspaper article in their work. To learn more about it, you can find the tutorial here.

How I added "instant translation" to the non-english text on my fic: a very easy 3 step guide

Hello!

I recently posted a Wolfstar fanfic called Instance of Happenstance and received a lot of compliments on a small piece of code I used. Both @marigold-hills and @leavesthatarebrown suggested I share how I did it, so here I am, finally explaining it in a Tumblr post!

Before diving into the details, I want to clarify that I didn't write this code myself.

Initially, I tried following this tutorial, but I stumbled upon a better solution in the comments of that post. The code on the tutorial itself does work, but a) it's harder to use and b) it doesn't work as well if you're planing to have multiple paragraphs that you need to show the translation on the same fic.

The solution someone presented on the comments, however, is very simple and easy to use for as many paragraphs as you need, but the explanation there wasn’t too clear, so I decided to expand on it to make it easier for others to implement.

All credit to Ao3 users La_Temperaza (who wrote the orginal post) and Nikkie2571 (who posted this code on the comments).

What Does This Code Do?

This code adds an interactive feature to your fanfic, allowing readers to hover over a specific paragraph (or tap on it if they’re on mobile) to instantly change the text to something else — also set by you.

While this can be used for various purposes, I think it's particularly useful to display instant translations of non-English dialogue/text directly in the story. The code offers a much smoother alternative to the clunky “see end notes for translation” thing—which, let's be honest, can be a pain for readers, especially in long chapters.

For example, in instance of happenstance, Sirius discovers an old journal written entirely in French. I wanted to maintain the sense of mystery and intrigue that would be lost if I simply said the journal was in French, but wrote the text in English.

This solution let me keep the best of both worlds—retaining the authenticity and the immersion of the French, while still making the story easy to follow for the readers.

Now, I know this sounds complicated, but I assure you, it's not!

Down bellow is a quick, 3 steps tutorial on how to do it. I hope this is helpful! (:

(I'm doing this on the computer, if you're doing it on mobile, the layout of the website might be different from my printscreens)

Step 1 - Create The Work Skin

I'm gonna go right to the point here, but if you want to know about Work Skins in detail, I suggest this Ao3 Article.

On your Ao3 Dashboard, click on the fourth link on the sidebar, which is "Skins".

Then, on the page that opens up, click on "My Work Skins"

Then, on the top of the page, select "Create Work Skin"

Now, you'll see the form to create your skin, which looks like this:

Leave the "Type" as "Work Skin". On the Title, you can give any name you want to your skin, but I suggest you choose the same title as your fic or something like "instant translation", so you'll know what it's about later.

You don't have to worry about any of the other fields, except for the CSS one, where you should copy and paste exactly what I'll put bellow:

#workskin .change_on_hover:not(:hover) .on, #workskin .change_on_hover:hover .off { display: none; }

So, now, you'll have something like this...

... and you just have to click "save" on the bottom of the page, and this step is done.

Step 2 - Apply the Skin you created to your fic

For a new work, click on "New Work" as usual. If it's a fic you're already posting, you can add this as well, just click the "Edit" button.

Now, on the form of your fic, on the "Associations" tab, right under the menu where you select the language of your fic, you'll see a "select a work skin" option.

On this field, you should select the workskin you just created on the previous step, searching by the name you gave it on the "Title" field.

Step 3 - Insert the text

The code we're gonna use is this one:

<p class="change_on_hover"> <span class="off"> paragraph in foreing language </span> <span class="on"> paragraph in english </span> </p>

If you have no idea what this means, hold my hand, we're gonna get through it together!

First, copy your fic’s text into the AO3 text box as you normally would. Then, switch the text box to HTML mode so you can see the underlying code.

Now, scroll down until you find the paragraph you want to translate. After pasting, it will likely look something like this:

Note how each paragraph in HTML starts with <p> and ends with </p>. These tags indicate where a paragraph begins and ends.

Our goal is to modify that first <p> tag so it tells the browser, “Hey, this paragraph is different from those other ones. It should change when hovered over or clicked.”

To do this, we’ll change <p> to <p class="change_on_hover">. This marks the paragraph as special—one that should switch text when interacted with.

Now note how instead of having a single paragraph, we need two versions of the text:

In blue, the original (non-English) text, which will be shown by default.

In red, the translated (English) text, which will appear when the reader hovers over or clicks on it.

For the original text, wrap it inside a <span class="off"> tag, ending with </span> like this:

<span class="off"> insert here the whole text of the paragraph in the foreign language </span>

For the translated text, wrap it inside a <span class="on"> tag, also ending with </span>. This will replace the original text when hovered over or clicked:

<span class="off"> insert here the whole text of the paragraph in english </span>

And don't forget to end the whole thing again with </p>

Again, here's how it looks on my fic:

With the paragraphs that come before and after the translated text, just leave them as they are. They should still start with <p> and end with </p>. No changes needed!

You can use this method for as many paragraphs as you want, whether in the same chapter or across different chapters. As long as the Work Skin is active, the effect will work seamlessly throughout your fic.

I'm waiting till it's dark outside, my motivations is like a vampire 🍷

I tried to leave Kudos on a fic that was already deleted (i had the tab open) and I was expecting it to just bug out or not work but this is so much more unsettling

alright google calm down we all know this to be true

I was a bit shy at first because yep that's kinda embarrassing to leave a comment but I realised the depression when you post something and no-one shows appreciation ( TДT) So I now leave kudos and a comment on the most cringe or filthy fic I read every time ✨

I make a post about how smut writers shouldn't be discouraged if their smut has a low hits to kudos ratio, because people are just afraid to kudos smut.

I get told in response that AKTUALLY smut has a low kudos to hits ratio because people are re-reading that smut.

I make a post about how if you're re-reading a fic a lot you should tell the author because they won't know that and will think no one likes their fic.

I get told that authors should just ASSUME that it's re-reads without needing to be told.

I post a smut fic that gets 100+ hits in its first 24 hours of posting (therefor no re-reads counted) and this smut fic with 100+ hits gets zero kudos.

I make a post about how if you read a fic on AO3 it creates a 'hit' and if the author gets a lot of hits without kudos or comments or response, the author will assume no one liked their fic.

I get told that authors should just ASSUME that everyone who clicks their fic likes it, without needing to be told that.

I make a post reminding people that fanfiction authors are not mind readers and that there's no way for them to tell a hit from a person who clicked a fic by mistake, or hated the fic, from a hit from a person who liked it, and if you don't tell the author you liked their fic they will assume you didn't.

I get told that authors aren't entitled to comments or kudos, or to a certain ratio of kudos to hits.

NO SHIT.

But if they don't get comments or kudos, they're gonna assume ya'll didn't like the fic!

The most passive-aggressive message ever

reblog if you’re okay with people writing fanfics of your fanfics and/or fanfics inspired by your fanfics

grandpa pussy attack

for april fools we’re deleting this entire site sayonara you weeaboo shits

*me looking at all the degenerate that liked my fic*

*sigh* Is there anything more satisfying and motivating than looking at this to write another chapter?

Nah I don't think so.

You can spam boop me!

reblog if you let people spam boop you

soup

Yeah I really liked soup as a child

Hey guys be cool and normal but reblog this with the homemade meal that would get you the most hyped as a child. I need it for reasons.