Maybe My Writer Block Will Go Away With That Who Knows? :3

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.

Reblog if you’re grateful for your commenters <3

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.

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

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.

Writing Prompt #3042

"Why don't you give up?"

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

Who does that??

Plan and plot are not even part of my vocabulary dear-

“how do you plot / plan your book?” very bold of you to assume i do that.

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.

omg so freakinng cute!!! You can boop yourself and even receive a notification for it TAT

It's pretty funny :D

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