About My Side WIP

Writing advice you're not going to like.

People sometimes send me Asks wanting writing advice.  I suck at it.  I don’t really know how I do the writing, or how one should do the writing, or what one should do to get better at the writing.  All I can ever think to say is “write a lot of stuff and you will get better at the writing.”  Which is true, but hardly a bolt from the sky.

Well, as it turns out, I do have one piece of Legit Writing Advice, and I am going to share it with you, right now.  If you were in any of my writing workshop groups at a con, you’ve heard this advice already.

Warning: you’re going to fucking hate it.  But if you do it, you will thank me.

If you have a piece of fiction you’re serious about, something you might want to actually shop around, or just something you really are into and want to make it as good as you can…do NOT edit it.

Repeat.  DO NOT EDIT.

REWRITE.

As in, print out the whole fucking thing and re-enter it, every word (or use two screens).  Retype the whole thing.  Recreate it from the ground up using your first draft as a template.  Start with a blank page and re-enter every. single. word.

I hear you screaming.  OH MY GOD THAT’S INSANE.

Yes.  Yes, it is.

It is also the most powerful thing you will ever do for a piece of fiction that you are serious about.

Now, let’s get real.  I don’t do this for most things.  I don’t do it for my fanfiction.  But if it’s something original, something I might like to get to a professional level - I do it.  You absolutely COULD do it for fanfiction.  It’s just up to you and how much time you want to sink into a piece.

You can edit, sure.  But you WILL NOT get down to the level of change that needs to happen in a second draft.  You will let things slide.  Your eyes will miss things.  You will say “eh, good enough.”

The first time I did this, on someone else’s advice, I was dubious.  Within two pages, I was saying WHY HAVE I NOT BEEN DOING THIS ALL THE TIME.  I was amazed at how much change was happening.  By the time I got to the end, I had an entirely different novel than the one I’d started with.  When you’re already re-entering every single word, it’s easy to make deep changes.  You’ll reformat sentences, you’ll switch phrases around, you’ll massage your word choice.  You’ll discover whole paragraphs that don’t need to be there at all because they became redundant.  You’ll find dialogue exchanges that need reimagining.  Whole plot points will suddenly be different, whole story arcs will reveal their flaws and get re-drawn.

You cannot get down to the fundamental level of change that’s required just by editing an existing document.  You have to rebuild it if you really want your story to evolve.  You will be AMAZED at the difference it will make.

It will take time.  It will seem like a huge, Herculean task.  I’m not saying it’s easy.  It isn’t.  But it is absolutely revolutionary.

Try it.  I promise, you will see what I mean.

*PSA: Tipsy!Lori wrote this post.  In case you couldn’t tell.

writing a satisfying slow-burn romance

"There is such a gravity in your words that the entire world falls silent to your call" - excerpt from a book ill never write

We all slow-burn romances - but how do you write one so it isn't boring? or worse, one that doesn't feel completely satisfying when the characters *finally* come together. You don't get that feeling of happiness and relief when they do - so how do you prevent that?

#1. The common ground

What do they have in common? What really spurs on their chemistry? There should be something that binds them together, and shows the readers that oh yeah these two would be awesome together. Make use of 'opposites attract' or maybe they dislike each other at first, but bond over something in their past! They don't have to be very close very fast - but slowly, slowly, their chemistry should build up!

#2. Have a conflict that drives them apart, or pits them against each other

This is the part that we all secretly love - the angst. Your main plot should pull these two apart in some way; physically, emotionally, spiritually - however you want it. This adds the 'slow' element - since they're apart, we don't actively see them falling for each other. However far apart you pull them, keep giving your readers a glance at how their relationship will be possible someday. We love those crumbs - like one of them rushing to save the other when they're in danger, or patching up wounds.

#3. Show the cute moments

Show the two of them in a situation where they're awkward with each other - maybe they go ice-skating, and one of them is absolutely amazing at it and the other one keeps falling. These soft interactions and fluff are so KWJRGKJGE <33

#4. Make one of them hurt the other

Whether intentionally or unintentionally, one of them should hurt the other one. This creates a gap and a distance between them, further slowing down their romance. How they resolve it is up to you - maybe they forgive each other, or it's something they fight to solve together. It's absolutely painful, and will make the ending much more satisfying.

#5. Weave in symbolism

Make every interaction of theirs meaningful. Every moment should 'count' and add something to their relationship or character development. One of my favourite kinds of symbolism is when the characters having opposing colour schemes - red and blue, for example. It often adds to their relationship, and is something I personally love!

#6. Tie it all together

In the end, whether they get a happy ending or not, they should have a 'moment' (unless you're really cruel and want them separated without closure/j) where they finally admit to their feelings. It's the moment shippers will wait for - so make it count.

this is it. this is writing

what people think is hard about writing: describing the joy, love, beauty, grief, loss and hope that form the richness of human experience

what is actually hard about writing: describing basic actions such as turning, leaning over, reclining, gesturing, saying something in a quiet voice, breathing, getting up from chairs, and walking across rooms

realistic expectations of book genres

— so you know how us writers want to have an accurate representation of the real world, right? well, I believe it’s important to include realistic aspects in our writing, even if it’s fantasy-based/fiction (this goes for authors who have published books lacking realism). I asked my community of writers what they want to start seeing and want they want to stop seeing less of in genres such as YA, fantasy, fiction, etc., and they’ve answered anonymously.

✎ an age specification on books (like cassandra clare’s books are specifically for 14+ and say that on the back of all books)

✎ realistic diversity! like, not every friend group has a person of every race, and I rarely ever see it

✎ I think writers should stop romanticizing toxic relationships since it’s unhealthy and ab*sive

✎ I feel like we need more main characters with disabilities

✎ please stop romanticizing toxic relationships in YA! it’s not a 100% matured audience and they may not be able to tell it’s a toxic relationship which can be very dangerous!

✎ more body types

✎ characters that are more relatable, less like supermodels and more like struggling/awkward teenagers

✎ include consent, talking about/mentioning menstruation, and giving male characters emotions

✎ female characters with negative traits other than “shy” and “clumsy”

✎ more female characters with really big life goals/dreams that they actually plan to stick to!

✎ stop including graphic s*xual content in YA!

✎ more BIPOC!

✎ more friendships that have the same tropes but don’t evolve into romance

✎ people with physical disabilities

✎ more accurate representation of grief and trauma!

✎ some characters staying single throughout their whole story

✎ periods. do fantasy women not menstruate?

✎ not getting the guy/girl

✎ in YA contemporary I think that the characters should have less autonomy. I want to see less of adult life in YA. like no, teenagers have a lot of restrictions. show them more often

✎ in fantasy: periods and all the other things that come along with them!

ah yes the five love languages: arson, murder, betrayal, torture, and knives.

omg this is so useful, tysm for the tag!

calling all authors!!

i have just stumbled upon the most beautiful public document i have ever laid eyes on. this also goes for anyone whose pastimes include any sort of character creation. may i present, the HOLY GRAIL:

https://www.fbiic.gov/public/2008/nov/Naming_practice_guide_UK_2006.pdf

this wonderful 88-page piece has step by step breakdowns of how names work in different cultures! i needed to know how to name a Muslim character it has already helped me SO MUCH and i’ve known about it for all of 15 minutes!! i am thoroughly amazed and i just needed to share with you guys 

Writers have a built-in anti-boredom feature.

It's called our imagination :)

How to Develop a Writing Routine

Credit: https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-create-a-consistent-writing-schedule#5-benefits-of-a-writing-schedule

Find a time of day that works best for you

Set the same writing time every day—or every other day if that’s more realistic. Early morning works well for creative writing because the brain is fresh. But if you’re a night owl, or if you’re a student or jobholder, writing later in the day might work better. Before you know it, your daily writing sessions will become just another part of your routine that you just do without thinking twice.

Routine ≠ daily

Just because you have a writing routine doesn’t mean you have to write every day. In fact, writing every day can lead to burnout and loss of motivation. Also, some days you simply won’t be able or willing to write. Yes, it’s important to get words down when you don’t feel like writing, but that shouldn’t take precedence over your mental health and things that are more important. Maybe you write on weekdays and take a break on the weekend. Maybe you write only Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Whatever the case, find a routine that works for you and your schedule!

Create your own writing calendar

When you put writing on your daily to-do lists, take it a step further. Physically write your writing time in a calendar or daily planner, or block it out in a digital one. That makes it more official, like writing down any other appointment that you’re obligated to keep. You can’t ignore it because it’s quite literally a part of your day now!

Prioritize your projects

Some writers have more than one idea in their head, which can make it hard to know where to start. Write a list of your ideas in order of priority. Then, starting with the first one, write an outline or a step-by-step guide to writing. Create milestones and deadlines to help you see each phase through until you have a finished story! If you have a lot of projects and you’re not sure which to work on, try determining which project is more underdeveloped or close to completion, or simply choose the one that’s better for your creativity!

Have a plan for writer’s block

Writer’s block is bound to happen, especially if you’re working on one project for a long time. Be prepared so you don’t end up just staring at your computer screen. That can look like having a list of daily writing prompts or doing stream-of-consciousness freewriting. Find creative ways to use spare time that isn’t spent writing! For example, if you’re writing a non-fiction book, use that writing downtime to do research on your subject matter.

Word count

Another way of keeping yourself responsible is to implement a daily or a total word count goal. Having a minimum word count on any given day can motivate you to get words on the page. However, this can be pressuring or impossible for some. If you’re one of those people, just recording your word count might motivate you in a healthier way. Remember to do what works for you!

Find a writing space

Take the guessing out of where you’re going to write each day by designating a writing space. Set it up so it’s all ready for you to write in every day when you sit down. I wouldn’t recommend writing in bed, because you’re more likely to get distracted or sleepy. Muscle memory is important, so try finding a place and only doing writing in it!

Keep your writing files organized

When you sit down to write, make sure all of your files are organized so they’re easy to access. The simpler you make it to sit down and get started, the easier it will be to start writing at your predetermined time. Save your stories in Google Docs or Microsoft Word and keep them in folders. Label each document with the working title. Keep track of your progress on each project in an Excel spreadsheet.

Join a writing community

Find inspiration by connecting with other writers. Find a local writer’s group, attend writing workshops, or participate in NaNoWriMo—National Novel Writing Month. Join groupchats on social media and post about your writing. You’ll have an incentive to show up with words and you’ll be held accountable by other people!

How to Write Accents

Credit: https://www.nownovel.com/blog/how-to-write-accents-dialects/

1. Use accent and dialect for the right reasons

There are many things to consider when you’re writing a person’s accent or dialect. A stereotypical rendering of regional accent or dialect based on racial, cultural or ethnic “difference" can be offensive and perpetuate harmful stereotypes. When you use dialect, make sure you're using it for the right reasons! Ask yourself:

Is it essential to the story (e.g., is it used to reinforce the main character’s insider/outsider status in a close-knit regional community)?

Are there stereotypical expressions associated with the accent or dialect you should take care to contextualize, use sparingly, or avoid?

Make sure when you describe the speech of a character whose mother tongue isn’t your own that your efforts don’t come across as superior or mocking. Giving each character believable speech will make your characters more three-dimensional.

2. Don’t overexaggerate

Obviously you want to show that your character has an accent. But if you emphasize it too much, it begins to sound exaggerated and inauthentic, and can be offensive. The accent should sound natural, not forced. Reread your dialogue--out loud--and watch for awkward moments and lulls in the flow of the conversation.

3. “Eye dialect”

This ties into the previous point.  “Eye dialect” is the term for representing deviations from "standard" pronunciation in a certain language using alternate spellings (for example, writing "fella" instead of “fellow"). Writing about non-mother-tongue speakers can seem bigoted or prejudiced because a writer can try too hard to mimic a “foreign” character’s speech. To represent eye dialect as respectfully and accurately as you can, try:

Making the minimum changes necessary to show the effect of an accent (e.g., “I’m tellin’ ya” instead of “Ahm tellin’ ya”)

Avoiding over-relying on single, overused words to create the impression of an accent (e.g. using ‘y’all’ for conveying southern accents)--variety is key

Finding more ways to show regionalism

4. Transliteration

Transliteration is the way people often insert the grammatical structure of sentences in one language directly into another, even if the second language has its own, different rules of grammar. This “transplanted” grammatical structure creates a sense of a character’s situation and relationship between languages, places, cultures, etc.

As an example, in Spanish, plural nouns take plural adjectives, but the same thing doesn’t happen in English (e.g. “blues cars” in Spanish and “blue cars”  in English). When describing a character who is not fully fluent in the primary language of your story, find grammatical particulars of their first language. Then, use these to create sentences that use transliteration to show imperfect translation.

5. Language errors

One way you can see this is when characters of later generations interact with first-generation immigrant parents or grandparents. The ways different generations of immigrants speak the same language frequently vary. To capture the speech of characters who are in an unfamiliar place or speaking an unfamiliar language, learn the most common errors that people from your characters’ home country make. Use language errors consistently but sparingly to avoid creating a national, ethnic, or cultural caricature.

6. Regional colloquialisms and slang

In all languages slang differs by location. If you plan to set a story in a real-world place, make a list of local colloquialisms/slang. Look at local news websites and social medias, listening for the inflections of local speech. Learn how regional accents sound but also write down any expressions that show up often.

Also, keep in mind that slang considered outdated in one country or city is often still popular in another! To make your characters’ dialect typical of a place and time, make sure any words you’ve included are current---slang goes in and out of fashion.

7. Idioms and sayings

Idioms breathe life and color into fiction. To create a sense of local particularity, find popular region-specific phrases you can use. If a character from your novel is from a distinctive place, give them exclamations or expressions that demonstrate this background.

This also applies for creating dialect differences between fictional groups in an invented world. If you write fantasy or sci-fi, invent regional idioms and sayings that draw on local myths or practices to give each place in your novel its own character and modes of speech!

can you believe that the most human trait there is is art? we didn't start making art because it was needed for our survival or it helped us mate or hunt…. we make art for the sake of making it and for you and other people to enjoy it. this is why I love literature and art museums or just looking through my old sketches and stories…. making art is what it means to be human I think.