Hello! Welcome to my silly little corner of the internet.
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Latest Posts by little-infj-cafe - Page 4
Being an old school romantic in a hookup culture is a special kind of hell.
It’s me. I am she.
She is at a point in her life where she just wants to hug someone and tell them how tired and drained she really is. Someone who can make her feel safe, seen, secured, and protected.
My characters to me
3 April, 1928 The Letters of Vita Sackville-West to Virginia Woolf (1924-1941)
It also really bothers me when teachers see an em-dash and decide that “ah yes this student used ai—“
Like leave me and my comfort punctuation alone pls 😭
how i'm handling my students using AI to write papers:
-don't accuse them on using AI from the get-go and instead ask them to informally define all the huge words that they used in their essay which i know they don't know the meaning of
-ask to see their original file where they "wrote" the essay. go to version history to see if it was just copy and pasted and then just edited a bit. i keep an eye out for the shit like "certainly! here's an essay about...."
-if they own up to it, they can re-do the assignment for a higher grade even if there will be an automatic penalty. if they don't, i process it like plagiarism and get my supervisor involved.
Writing Prompt #9
I’m not asking God for forgiveness. He should have a sense of humor.
Beginners Guide to Descriptive Sentences
Hi writers.
I’m Rin T, and in this post I’m excited to share with you a detailed guide on how to craft vivid descriptions and descriptive sentences for your writing. I’ve long believed that descriptive writing is the magic that turns ordinary text into an immersive experience. When done well, every sentence acts like a brushstroke that paints a scene in the reader’s mind.
──────────────────────────── Why Descriptive Writing Matters ────────────────────────────
I have seen how powerful descriptions can engage readers and establish a strong connection with the narrative. Descriptive writing is not simply about decorating your work; it is about building an atmosphere that transports your reader to a world. your world.
When you write descriptions, remember:
You are setting the tone.
You are building a world.
You are evoking emotions.
You are inviting your readers to experience your story with all their senses.
──────────────────────────── Step-by-Step: Crafting Vivid Descriptions ────────────────────────────
Below are my personal tips and tricks to help you build detailed and captivating descriptions:
Begin With the Senses
Description does not solely depend on what the eyes can see. Consider sound, smell, taste, and touch. For instance, instead of writing “The witch’s hut was eerie,” try elaborating: “The witch’s hut exuded an eerie aura. The creaking timber and distant echoes of whispering winds mingled with the pungent aroma of burnt sage and mysterious herbs.” In this way, you help the reader not only see the scene but also feel it.
Choose Precise and Evocative Language
Precision in language is vital. Replace generic adjectives with specific details to boost clarity and imagery. Rather than “The forest was dark,” consider: “The forest was a labyrinth of shadowed boughs and muted undergrowth, where the light barely touched the spindly branches, and every step unveiled whispers of ancient spells.” Specific details create tangible images that stay with readers.
Show, Don’t Just Tell
A common mistake is to “tell” the reader how to feel, rather than “showing” it through context and detail. Instead of writing “It was a spooky night,” immerse your reader: “Under a pallid crescent moon, the night unfurled like a canvas of foreboding whispers; broken branches and rustling leaves narrated the secrets of a long-forgotten curse.” By showing the elements, you invite the reader to experience the fear and mystery firsthand. (You don't need to be as dramatic as my examples, but this is simply for inspiration)
Use Figurative Language Thoughtfully
Metaphors, similes, and other figures of speech lend an artistic flair to your descriptions. When writing about a scene in a magical world, you might say: “Her eyes shone like twin beacons of moonlit silver, cutting through the gloom as if to part the veil of night itself.” Such comparisons evoke emotions and deepen the reader’s connection with the scene. However, be cautious not to overdo it; a little figurative language can go a long way.
Strike a Balance Between Details and Pacing
While elaborate descriptions are alluring, too many details can weigh down your narrative. Consider introducing the broader scene first and then focusing on key elements that define the mood. For instance, start with an overview: “The village lay nestled between ancient stone arches and mist-covered hills.” Then, zoom into details: “A solitary, ivy-clad tower sent spiraling tendrils of mist into the twilight, as if guarding secrets of a long-lost incantation.” This technique creates a rhythm, drawing readers in gradually.
──────────────────────────── Practical Exercises to Enhance Your Descriptive Writing ────────────────────────────
To help you practice these techniques, try the following exercises:
Sensory Detail Drill: Select a familiar scene from your fantasy world (for example, a witch’s secluded garden). Write a short paragraph focusing on each of the five senses. What do you taste as you bite into a magical fruit? What sounds resonate in the quiet of the enchanted night? This drill helps you to avoid flat descriptions and encourages you to integrate sensory experiences.
Revision and Refinement: Take a simple sentence like “The night was cold,” and transform it using the advice above. Rework it into something like, “The night was a canvas of shimmering frost and darkness, where every breath of the wind carried a hint of winter’s sorrow.” Compare the two, and notice how minor adjustments can dramatically heighten the mood.
Peer Review Sessions: Sharing your work can offer invaluable insights. Exchange your descriptions with fellow writers and ask for focused feedback, Does the description evoke the intended emotion? Does it deliver a clear image? Use these sessions as opportunities to improve and refine your craft.
──────────────────────────── Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them ────────────────────────────
Through my years of writing, I've learned that even the most passionate writers can stumble. Here are some pitfalls to watch out for:
Overloading With Adjectives: While it’s tempting to create elaborate descriptions, too many adjectives and adverbs can distract rather than enhance. Aim for clarity and purpose in every word. Instead of “a very dark, spooky, frightening forest filled with creepy sounds,” try “a forest shrouded in ominous silence, where every rustle hinted at unseen mysteries.”
Falling Into Clichés: Familiar images can sometimes render your work predictable. Try to avoid worn phrases. Instead of “as dark as night,” imagine “as impenetrable as the void that separates worlds.” Unique expressions capture attention and create lasting impressions.
Neglecting the Flow: Descriptions are vital, but the narrative must continue to drive forward. Check that your detailed passages serve to enhance the storyline rather than bog it down. Ask yourself: Does this description bring the reader closer to the action, or does it detract from the momentum of the narrative?
──────────────────────────── Advanced Techniques for the Aspiring Writer ────────────────────────────
Once you’re comfortable with the basics, consider these advanced methods to elevate your descriptions into artful prose:
Integrate Descriptions Seamlessly: Instead of isolating your descriptions, weave them into dialogue and action. For example, as a witch brews her potion, you might describe the bubbling cauldron and swirling mists as part of her incantation, not just as a standalone scene. “As she whispered the ancient words, the cauldron responded, its surface rippling like a dark mirror reflecting centuries of secrets.”
Reflect Character Perspectives: Let your characters’ emotions color the scene. If a character fears a looming threat, their perception will add a layer of tension to the environment. “I entered the dim corridor with trepidation, my heart pounding as the flickering torchlight revealed spectral figures dancing along the walls.” This technique makes the description both situational and personal.
Use Rhythm: The cadence of your sentences can mirror the pace of your narrative. In high-tension moments, short, abrupt sentences heighten the urgency. Conversely, in serene scenes, longer, flowing sentences can create a tranquil atmosphere. Experiment with sentence structure until you find a balance that suits both your style and the mood you wish to convey.
──────────────────────────── Final Thoughts and Encouragement ────────────────────────────
your narrative is your unique creation. you too will find your distinctive voice. I encourage you to keep experimenting with different techniques until your descriptions feel both natural and mesmerizing. Write freely, revise diligently, and most importantly, let your creative spirit shine through every line.
Thank you for joining me. I hope these tips can help you.
Writing Prompt #8
“What is your problem?!”
“You! You’re my problem! Why can’t you understand that?”
APRIL FOOL 1959 Anne Sexton: A Self-Portrait in Letters First published: 1977
Im honestly a little frightened by the current situation. Thank you, everyone, who added to this. I also used to just scroll past these websites, but I’m most certainly going to try and use a VPN now.
Still scared. But I can be scared and protected now.
Farewell online privacy
Writing Prompt #7
“Out of all the places I expected us to go, this was the farthest thing that I could have even thought of.”
"it's all in your head" correct! unfortunately I am also in there
feeling homesick for a version of life that doesn’t exist anymore
Whump Prompts/Ideas
Give your whumpee a raging fever that Caretaker can't seem to keep down, they just keep getting warmer whilst shivering harder
Make the whumpee someone special in whumpees life. A trusted friend turned yandere or a parent or a sibling who was bought out by the enemy. Make the hurt personal
The whumpee is hiding a bullet wound, it's non fatal and for the most part they've been able to walk it off. But they've lost a lot of blood and they are starting to go pale. And no one is noticing
The whumpee was the sidekick of the hero, and they expect the hero to come for them eventually. But one day turns into to two and two turns into a week and they stop expecting the hero to save them
Drop a building on your whumpee
In addition have the person who save them become their whumper
Project your own fears onto your whumpee, if you are afraid of heights put the whumpee on the top of a building. If you are afraid of snakes, bite whumpee with something venemous
Have the whumper act out of spite. They aren't gaining anything by hurting the whumpee they just want to, they don't get any satisfaction out of it either, they just want to hurt something
Have the whumper and the caretaker know eachother, caretaker finally comes in to take whumpee away and they find themselves face to face to someone they thought they parted ways with long ago
Make the caretaker a yandere, turn them into a care whumper. They do care about the whumpee, but obsessively so.
Give whumpee a hobby the requires their hands or eyes or ears. And have the whumper threated to damage those things if they don't co-operate. The whumper will facilitate the hobby but if whumpee steps out of line they lose the ability to do said hobby. They don't loose the hobby itself, the whumper does this so that they still can have the hobby but they can't do it
Have your caretaker trade places with the whumpee. The whumper didn't want to whumpee anyway, it was all to get to caretaker and now they have them
Take whumpees most prized posession and put it just out of reach, put it on a shelf they can't reach, put it in a box they cannot open or break, put it on the other end of a chain that every time whumpee tries to go closer the object is pulled away
Restrict whumpees movement, so much so that even the whumper struggles to interact with them despite having put them in those bindings
🌙💙🤍
more unique settings for stories! (pt.2)
A butterfly farm covered in lilac mist.
In an empty concert bathroom with music booming outside from the concert.
In a store that specializes in mirrors and hangs them everywhere, so all you can see is yourself.
On the school rooftop where no one is supposed to go during class time, but isn't patrolled.
At the convenience store down the street in the middle of the night.
In a sober living home in the middle of a run-down neighborhood.
In a mysterious white palace in the heart of a nation that people refuse to explore because it's rumored to be haunted.
In the middle of the little dipper (lol).
On the seafloor, in a literal forest of seaweed.
On an empty cargo ship that's finished unloading for the night but isn't about to sail back for a while
A world in which everything is perceived in a specific color palette (ex. grayscale).
The hollow secret inside of a huge mermaid sculpture an artist made thousands of years ago.
On a beach overcome with baby hermit crabs.
The strangely pretty yet decaying palace in the kingdom of the undead.
In a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility during active hours.
Poison list
While it's important to approach writing with creativity and imagination, it's crucial to prioritize responsible and ethical storytelling. That being said, if you're looking for information on poisons for the purpose of writing fiction, it's essential to handle the subject matter with care and accuracy. Here is a list of some common poisons that you can use in your stories:
Hemlock: Hemlock is a highly poisonous plant that has been used as a poison in various works of literature. It can cause paralysis and respiratory failure.
Arsenic: Arsenic is a toxic element that has been historically used as a poison. It can be lethal in high doses and can cause symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, and organ failure.
Cyanide: Cyanide is a fast-acting poison that affects the body's ability to use oxygen. It can cause rapid loss of consciousness and cardiac arrest.
Nightshade: Nightshade plants, such as Belladonna or Deadly Nightshade, contain toxic compounds that can cause hallucinations, respiratory distress, blurred vision, dizziness, an increased heart rate, and even death when ingested.
Ricin: Ricin is a potent poison derived from the castor bean plant. It can cause organ failure and has been used as a plot device in various fictional works.
Strychnine: Strychnine is a highly toxic alkaloid that affects the nervous system, leading to muscle spasms, convulsions, and respiratory failure.
Snake Venom: Various snake venoms can be used in fiction as deadly poisons. Different snake species have different types of venom, each with its own effects on the body.
Digitalis: Digitalis, derived from the foxglove plant, contains cardiac glycosides. It has been historically used to treat heart conditions, but in high doses, it can be toxic. Overdosing on digitalis can cause irregular heart rhythms, nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbances.
Lead: Lead poisoning, often resulting from the ingestion or inhalation of lead-based substances, has been a concern throughout history. Lead is a heavy metal that can affect the nervous system, leading to symptoms such as abdominal pain, cognitive impairment, anemia, and developmental issues, particularly in children.
Mercury: Mercury is a toxic heavy metal that has been used in various forms throughout history. Ingesting or inhaling mercury vapors can lead to mercury poisoning, causing symptoms like neurological impairment, kidney damage, respiratory issues, and gastrointestinal problems.
Aconite: Also known as Wolfsbane or Monkshood, aconite is a highly toxic plant. Its roots and leaves contain aconitine alkaloids, which can affect the heart and nervous system. Ingesting aconite can lead to symptoms like numbness, tingling, paralysis, cardiac arrhythmias, and respiratory failure.
Thallium: Thallium is a toxic heavy metal that can cause severe poisoning. It has been used as a poison due to its tastelessness and ability to mimic other substances. Thallium poisoning can lead to symptoms like hair loss, neurological issues, gastrointestinal disturbances, and damage to the kidneys and liver.
When incorporating poisons into your writing, it is essential to research and accurately portray the effects and symptoms associated with them. Additionally, be mindful of the potential impact your writing may have on readers and the importance of providing appropriate context and warnings if necessary.
If you want to read more posts about writing, please click here and give me a follow!
Other Words for "Look" + With meanings | List for writers
Many people create lists of synonyms for the word 'said,' but what about the word 'look'? Here are some synonyms that I enjoy using in my writing, along with their meanings for your reference. While all these words relate to 'look,' they each carry distinct meanings and nuances, so I thought it would be helpful to provide meanings for each one.
Gaze - To look steadily and intently, especially in admiration or thought.
Glance - A brief or hurried look.
Peek - A quick and typically secretive look.
Peer - To look with difficulty or concentration.
Scan - To look over quickly but thoroughly.
Observe - To watch carefully and attentively.
Inspect - To look at closely in order to assess condition or quality.
Stare - To look fixedly or vacantly at someone or something.
Glimpse - To see or perceive briefly or partially.
Eye - To look or stare at intently.
Peruse - To read or examine something with great care.
Scrutinize - To examine or inspect closely and thoroughly.
Behold - To see or observe a thing or person, especially a remarkable one.
Witness - To see something happen, typically a significant event.
Spot - To see, notice, or recognize someone or something.
Contemplate - To look thoughtfully for a long time at.
Sight - To suddenly or unexpectedly see something or someone.
Ogle - To stare at in a lecherous manner.
Leer - To look or gaze in an unpleasant, malicious way.
Gawk - To stare openly and stupidly.
Gape - To stare with one's mouth open wide, in amazement.
Squint - To look with eyes partially closed.
Regard - To consider or think of in a specified way.
Admire - To regard with pleasure, wonder, and approval.
Skim - To look through quickly to gain superficial knowledge.
Reconnoiter - To make a military observation of a region.
Flick - To look or move the eyes quickly.
Rake - To look through something rapidly and unsystematically.
Glare - To look angrily or fiercely.
Peep - To look quickly and secretly through an opening.
Focus - To concentrate one's visual effort on.
Discover - To find or realize something not clear before.
Spot-check - To examine something briefly or at random.
Devour - To look over with eager enthusiasm.
Examine - To inspect in detail to determine condition.
Feast one's eyes - To look at something with great enjoyment.
Catch sight of - To suddenly or unexpectedly see.
Clap eyes on - To suddenly see someone or something.
Set eyes on - To look at, especially for the first time.
Take a dekko - Colloquial for taking a look.
Leer at - To look or gaze in a suggestive manner.
Rubberneck - To stare at something in a foolish way.
Make out - To manage to see or read with difficulty.
Lay eyes on - To see or look at.
Pore over - To look at or read something intently.
Ogle at - To look at in a lecherous or predatory way.
Pry - To look or inquire into something in a determined manner.
Dart - To look quickly or furtively.
Drink in - To look at with great enjoyment or fascination.
Bask in - To look at or enjoy something for a period of time.
i love when posts in which i complain about writing have more notes than my actual writing
Guys I’m so lost how do I engage in the boops
ai does not belong in creative spaces. period.
In my humble opinion
Different Ways to Describe Eye Colors
↳ a masterpost for writing prompts that describe eye colors
If you like what I do and want to support me, please consider buying me a coffee! I also offer editing services and other writing advice on my Ko-fi! Become a member to receive exclusive content, early access, and prioritized writing prompt requests.
I also have a Patreon! Become a member to gain access to a Member's Only Community where you can chat and message other members and myself. Also gain access to my personal writing, which includes completed short stories, chapters from novels in progress, as well as completed scenes.
Natural Eye Colors:
Brown Eyes
Blue Eyes
Green Eyes
Hazel Eyes
Hazel Green Eyes
Gray Eyes
Black Eyes
Heterochromia Eyes
Unnatural Eye Colors:
White Eyes
White/Silver Eyes pt 2
Red Eyes
Reddish-Brown Eyes
Pink/Magenta Eyes
Gold/Yellow Eyes
Unusual Eyes (Silver, White, Purple, Pink, Red, Orange, Yellow)
Seasonal Eyes
<3
Hello wandering traveler. Come rest your weary bones a while.
Writing Prompt #6
I’m lost, I’m so lost. How could I ever be seen as lovable in your eyes?
hey if you're the type of writer that's like me where you tend to write specific scenes first that vaguely weave together into a plot, you might like using obsidian as a writing app.
my frustration with other writing applications is that i will write my scenes out of order and it's hard to move things around and rearrange them on a regular document.
but with obsidian there's this canvas feature where you can just write all your scenes and plot moments on these little cards that you can freely rearrange. you can color code them and connect them too.
here's the canvas i've created for my current multi-chapter fic: (if you zoom in you can see all the text in each card this what it looks like zoomed out)
as you can see, i color code them based off chapters and will group them next to a document card with the working title of the chapter. anything not color-coded are scenes that don't have a proper place quite yet or it's just world building references. this app can also be good for note-taking and collecting research!
best of all, it's FREE!!! the only downside is that if you want your stuff to sync across devices, you do have to pay for that. i constantly hop between my laptop and desktop so i pay for the syncing. but if you write on only one device it's completely free! EDIT: some reblogs have mentioned that you can apparently link your own personal cloud storage (dropbox, gdrive, icloud, etc.) to obsidian for free! that way you can access your obsidian vaults across multiple devices without the extra fee. i don't mind supporting the devs but just something to look into if costs is a concern.
i typically use it for organizing my thoughts for a first draft. once i get all the scenes arranged and mostly written out, i will copy and paste them into ellipsus (also free & highly recommended as a google doc alternative) so that they're all in one document that i can edit.
how do you do, fellow Creatives™
going through a situation that you can’t even talk about is the hardest ever
sometimes you need dialogue tags and don't want to use the same four
