Reblog If You Believe Fanfics Are As Valid As Books That Were Published And Sold By Authors Who Write

the patient needs butches to live

i never know how to caption these.

“You don’t know anyone at the party, so you don’t want to go. You don’t like cottage cheese, so you haven’t eaten it in years. This is your choice, of course, but don’t kid yourself: it’s also the flinch. Your personality is not set in stone. You may think a morning coffee is the most enjoyable thing in the world, but it’s really just a habit. Thirty days without it, and you would be fine. You think you have a soul mate, but in fact you could have had any number of spouses. You would have evolved differently, but been just as happy. You can change what you want about yourself at any time. You see yourself as someone who can’t write or play an instrument, who gives in to temptation or makes bad decisions, but that’s really not you. It’s not ingrained. It’s not your personality. Your personality is something else, something deeper than just preferences, and these details on the surface, you can change anytime you like. If it is useful to do so, you must abandon your identity and start again. Sometimes, it’s the only way.”

— Julien Smith, The Flinch (via wnq-anonymous)

Maybe a nothing sandwich. No bread, no sand, not even the wich. A good ol fashioned for lunch

None of the foods in my home fulfill my vague and nonspecific cravings so instead I’ll be eating nothing for lunch

This was supposed to be about writing. Now it’s just. The garbage i like….

I haven’t even written anything in like two weeks…

That’s how i know im a REAL writer: not doing it

Writing References: Character Development

50 Questions ⚜ "Well-Rounded Character" Worksheet

Basics: How to Write a Character ⚜ A Story-Worthy Hero

Basics: Character-Building ⚜ Character Creation

Key Characters ⚜ Literary Characters ⚜ Morally Grey Characters

Personality Traits

5 Personality Traits (OCEAN) ⚜ 16 Personality Traits (16PF)

600+ Personality Traits

East vs. West Personalities ⚜ Trait Theories

Tips/Editing

Character Issues

Character Tropes for Inspiration

Tips from Rick Riordan

Writing Notes

Allegorical Characters

Binge ED

Childhood Bilingualism ⚜ Children's Dialogue ⚜ On Children

Culture ⚜ Culture: Two Views ⚜ Culture Shock

Emotional Intelligence ⚜ Genius (Giftedness)

Emotions ⚜ Anger ⚜ Fear ⚜ Happiness ⚜ Sadness

Facial Expressions

Fantasy Creatures

Happy/Excited Body Language ⚜ Laughter & Humor

Hate ⚜ Love

Health ⚜ Frameworks of Health

Identifying Character Descriptions

Jargon ⚜ Logical Fallacies ⚜ Memory

Mutism ⚜ Shyness

Parenting Styles

Psychological Reactions to Unfair Behavior

Rhetoric ⚜ The Rhetorical Triangle

Swearing & Taboo Expressions

Thinking ⚜ Thinking Styles ⚜ Thought Distortions

Uncommon Words: Body ⚜ Emotions

Voice & Accent

Writing References: Plot ⚜ World-building

This is my first ever short story! It’s based off of a real clown who beat a child to death in the street. I hope anyone reading gets a kick out of it!

“Punchy the Clown”

Jonathan Griswald had been the butt of the joke for most of his life, but the important thing is that it wasn't his fault.

"Look at Jonny's crooked nose! He looks like a dumb old crow!"

"Y'know Jon, you've been getting a little round lately... it's a wonder your bum leg hasn't given out! HA!"

"Dad, that man has funny eyes. Why is one so big? Did he steal them?"

Yeah, yeah. He was SO funny to all the morons, all his "friends", every little damn brat on the street.

But it couldn't get any worse than that. At least, that's what Jonathan thought. His school life had been hell; why wouldn't it have been? No one cared to hear a word that came out of his mouth. They all took him for a fool. An idiot! Because they thought he looked funny! Jonathan was no idiot. He was a GENIUS. He knew it. He had to be. His parents were smart, his father was rich. He was destined for greatness.

Or he would be.

It didn't matter that he nearly was flunked out of school. It didn't matter that he couldn't write clearly, or couldn't read. And it wasn't HIS fault no one knew how smart he was. No, better to save his breath, and his ideas. Oh, the ideas Jonathan had. He'd take the world by storm, show those idiots what was so funny when he had them shining his shoes! He'd decided that he was to be a great scientist. One day. Even a genius like him didn't know everything, and how was he expected to pay much attention in school when everybody was laughing so hard? It didn't matter what subject; he knew he'd pick up anything that was ACTUALLY important with ease. They'd be tripping over themselves to sway him to be a biologist, or a chemist, or some other science branch where he belonged. All he had to do was get into a university! He had just the one in mind, a prestigious academy in the capital. But even a genius like him knew to temper his expectations; the top university might not be ready for him right out the gate. It was probably reserved for graduate level students, already on the verge of becoming masters, and naturally with an unfair advantage over him, just a few years out of high school. He applied anyway, as well as to the rest of the top ten universities around the surrounding cities. It would just be five or so years he'd have to coast along to get to greatness. He would be rich. Maybe even famous! But he paced himself, for he was nothing if not modest. It was one spring morning when his offers finally came pouring in.

"Dear Mr. Griswald,

After reviewing your application, it is with some displeasure that we cannot accept you as a student at our university..."

"Jonathan Griswald,

Our university receives thousands of applications a year, and we regret to tell you you did not make the cut..."

"Mr. Jonathan Griswald,

Unfortunately, your transcripts are not up to the standards we set for our prospective students..."

"J Griswald - REJECTED."

His life was over before it even began.

He wasn't good enough for even the least popular of the many universities he'd applied to.

They thought he was an idiot.

That he wasn't worth their time.

He could hear them laughing at him.

But he couldn't give up; not yet. If he had a flaw, he knew it would be his writing. Why else would they ALL reject him? Something must have gotten lost along the way. They didn't feel his passion. They didn't know just how smart he could be. He sat, surrounded by torn envelopes and crumpled letters.

That's it!

If his problem was his writing, then he'd best go do the talking himself! It was a mistake to think anyone would even read his essays in the first place. His apartment was just a few blocks across the city from the best of the best. Surely, they'd let him speak and show how incredible he truly was! He hobbled over to his cane, put on his coat and hat, and fled out the door into a bright and beautiful morning. Yes, he would make them understand. Today would be a good day.

Some twenty minutes later, panting and cramping like hell, Jonathan found himself in front of an office of the university. Inside, there was a billboard with news clippings and fliers on it; academic fairs, a research grant opportunity, and a calendar graced it, as well as frivolous things like an advertisement for a new automobile. There was even a poster for a circus that would be arriving soon. One day, HE would be on a billboard. He'd be on them all! No scholar would go a day without knowing of Jonathan Griswald, a genius of great renown! All he had to do was secure his place as a student. He limped through the hall to a set of double doors at the end, in which some less important meeting was happening, took a deep, shaking breath, and burst in.

"Excuse me, I am Jonathan Griswald. I have applied to be a student at this academy, but I believe I was rejected by mistake. I have what it takes to be a genius, and I beg you to allow me to be a scholar!"

He glanced around him, at the smart-looking men circled around the room. Any moment now, one would speak up, shoot to their feet, and as he spoke he could feel himself gain confidence. Jonathan went over some of his best ideas, his most ambitious projects, that he was sure could work if only he got the chance! He talked.

And talked.

And talked.

Until he was done.

Until finally, gasping for air, he gazed upon the men in the room.

And one spoke.

"Excuse me sir, but I believe you have the wrong building. You see, we are an institute of science, and we teach students. Of those, we do not accept people of your sort. I must admit, your getup is impressive. Perhaps you will find your place as a 'genius' with the circus." He smiled.

It was a wicked thing.

"I am no clown," Jonathan vehemently denied, "I am a genius! You MUST accept me, I implore you - "

But he could not get out another word. His ears suddenly filled with a thunderous sound. It was so deafening, it reverberated in his bones.

Laughter.

They were LAUGHING at him. All of them! All these scientists and professors, sat around their little table, surrounding him with their laughter.

These idiots. Stupid, idiotic fools. A clown, was he? He hurt in his chest, his heart alight with rage. There was a pounding noise now. Blood in his ears.

"Hah! Look at his red face! Now you REALLY look the part!" Another spoke up.

"You know, he could be this generation's next great clown like that!"

"A scholarly clown! What a joke..."

Jonathan couldn't take it anymore. He lifted up his cane, determined to march out the doors. Instead, he nearly fell, barely catching himself on the knob.

Another surge of laughter, battering him like waves in a storm.

He pried open the door and threw himself into the hall, down to the building's entrance, and out into the street.

They barely gave him a chance! He came to them in person! He had every right to be there among those men! Those beasts. They cackled wolfishly in his mind. He could still hear the peals of laughter through open windows.

He hated them. Just because he looked strange, because his work wasn't given the respect it deserved, that HE deserved, he couldn't be a scholar.

They were the worst of mankind, truly. Scum. Vermin. Morons who probably got by just because they LOOKED like scientists. They were probably rich too. They must've paid someone for their status. They must've felt threatened by him! By his ideas! He ought to go back in there and give them a real piece of his mind!

He could feel the blood in his cheeks now.

Jonathan Griswald fled the academy building like a crooked, crazed storm. His arms thrashed out at nothing as he tried in vain to savagely beat the air before him. He could barely hear himself think, let alone anything else on the street that morning. Except for one thing.

A little girl, standing by her mother.

"Mommy, look! It's Punchy the Clown!"

It wasn't his fault.

Who could blame him? A genius like him, a clown? It seemed everyone thought so these days. He didn't belong in a circus, damn it!

It wasn't his fault. She was practically asking for it.

He slammed his cane down. Down into her pretty, young face. Again and again, he swung down at the girl, lying in the street, as her mother sobbed and screamed for help. her face was a mess of blood and bone.

It wasn't his fault.

There was blood on his face.

No one was laughing now.

JONATHAN GRISWALD - SENTENCED TO DEATH BY ELECTRIC CHAIR FOR MURDER OF A CHILD

✨the end✨

Character Development: 50 Questions

What does your character do when they think no one’s looking?

What’s the one thing your character would save in a fire (beyond the necessities)?

Who’s on speed dial?

Your character gets turned down for their dream job. What’s their second choice?

What would they tell their ten-year-old self?

Where would they want to go on a first date?

What’s the best advice they’ve ever received?

What’s the worst advice they’ve ever received?

What’s one physical detail they’d change about themselves?

When was the last time they were held? By who?

What’s their favorite thing about their favorite season?

Their wallet gets stolen. What do they do?

Prioritize: Love, money, power, knowledge?

What’s something nobody knows about them?

What’s in their fridge?

What (creature, object, substance) are they most disgusted by?

What’s their second worst habit?

What are the victory conditions for their life?

In the end, your character fails to save the day. Assuming they survive, what do they do?

Your character is charged with a crime they didn’t commit. What do they do?

Your character is charged with a crime they did commit. What was the crime?

How would you describe your character’s life in one sentence?

What important statistic would they want displayed above them?

What’s the first thing they would buy if they won the lottery?

What profession do they most respect?

What childhood injustice did they never get over?

How would they handle having a panic attack?

Your character is burdened with an inconvenient superpower. What is it?

If they died and could come back as any person, animal, or object, what would they be?

What’s the best meal they’ve ever had?

Where would they stand at a dinner party?

Who would they invite to the dinner party?

What makes a perfect day for your character?

If given the opportunity, would they want to know how and when they died?

What’s the one thing they’ve always wanted to do? Why haven’t they done it yet?

What do they tend to joke about?

What’s off limits?

Whose wedding would they cross the world to attend? Whose funeral?

What impossible choice did they make that turned out to be the right one? The wrong one?

Your character has someone to hype them up. What would they say to get everyone excited about your character?

What recurring dream does your character have?

What is the meaning of life to your character?

What book does your character pretend to have read?

Someone takes undeserved credit for your character’s work. What do they do?

What controversial belief or view does your character hold? Why? Do they hide it?

Your character is at a theme park. Where do they go first?

What’s your character’s favorite name?

What’s the biggest compliment they’d give themselves?

How does your character feel about bugs?

If your character could hit a reset button on their life, would they?

Source

Writing Notes: Flat & Round Characters

Flat Characters - Consist of only a few features (usually based on clichés). They’re generally static characters meant to serve the story.

Round Characters - Have depth. They have weaknesses, strengths, flaws, fears, tastes, and dreams. They are well characterized in order to seem real. They're dynamic and change over time. They feel affected by the story’s events because they suffer their consequences and learn from them which makes them more realistic and believable.

The use of flat characters

Flat characters are often used in TV comedies (30-minute sitcoms with canned laughter) because comedic stories usually focus on the anecdote and the joke.

Thanks to their commonplace situations and characters, sitcoms are able to transmit a sense of familiarity to the spectator.

Flat characters also have a supporting role in stories with round main characters in order to achieve one of these effects:

Fast recognition: You need your readers/audience to easily recognize the type of characters you are presenting.

Contrast: Flat and/or static characters can highlight the internal or external evolution of round characters.

When to avoid flat characters

Unless you’re specifically looking for one of the previous effects listed for flat characters, it’s best that your characters (especially the protagonists) are round in order for your readers to identify with them.

Creating round and deep characters

Consider the following:

1. Internal Changes

Do your characters undergo any internal changes throughout the story?

Think about their situation at the beginning of the story.

Is it the same as it is at the end? It shouldn’t be.

They can be worse or better, but the story’s events should have affected them in some way.

2. External Changes

Do the external circumstances surrounding your characters change throughout the story?

Just as their personalities suffer variations, their external conditions should as well.

For example, one of your characters could be a farmer at the beginning of the story and then become a warrior by the end.

3. Goals

What do your characters want?

They should have a conscious desire – something that moves them into action.

4. Wishes

What do your characters need?

Regardless of what they think they want, there’s something they need at an unconscious level – something different from what they consciously desire.

That contradiction will bring depth to your fictional heroes.

5. Achievements

What do your characters attain?

Do they achieve any of their goals?

How does that affect them?

If you have the answer to the last question, you’ll have a clearer idea of how the story’s events have changed their way of facing life.

For instance, if they achieve what they wanted at the beginning of the tale but that’s not what they really need, they can learn from their mistakes and try to correct them.

However, they might also give into frustration.

6. Weaknesses

What are their weaknesses?

Everybody makes mistakes and has fears and flaws, so if you want your characters to be more believable, they’d better have weak points and see themselves in need of facing them if possible.

Your characters overcoming these weaknesses or not depends on the story you want to tell and on the type of evolution you want them to experience.

Some overcome them and progress while others don’t and fail. The contrast between them is what makes the story more believable.

7. Strengths

What are their strengths?

Apart from weaknesses, your characters can have strong points they may or may not know about.

Sometimes, they discover them and learn how to make the most of them.

Other times, they do not know, and it leads them to failure.

You, as a writer, should be clear about those strengths and so should your readers be in order to better understand your characters.

8. Conflicts

What’s your characters’ inner conflicts?

Once you’ve answered the previous seven areas of question, you’ll find this one easier to answer.

Every good character must deal with an inner conflict throughout the story such as a mental debate between what they need and what they want or a moral struggle between what they’re trying to attain and what they consider correct.

This type of dilemma makes your characters interesting, and their experiences can turn into life lessons for your readers.

Source Writing References: Worldbuilding ⚜ Plot ⚜ Character ⚜ "Well-Rounded Character" Worksheet ⚜ On Conflict

"Think you can keep up, Little Buddy?" "With a muzzled hound? Worry about yourself, V.IV."

The zoomed out, complete render by @mfdraws! This time featuring V.IV Rusty! Check out more of their work here and here.

I've had a scenario in my head forever of Ziyi cornering Rusty for answers because she's still not in the know, but before she can get him to talk the two are ambushed by the PCA or Balam and have to fight their way out together.