Technical terms in writing can confuse newer writers, so I’m going to explain punctuation and how to use it in regular-people terms. I’ve never been a fan of technical terms, even though I’ve done …

As a companion piece to the Describe It: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, one of a series about how to write mental health conditions, I figured I'd get into my experiences with mild-to-moderate Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Considering I have a grab bag of neurodivergences, you guys are going to get to know me real well with these "Life with..." compendiums. There will be times I switch tense below, because some of this doesn't have the grip it used to have on me.

When writing, you can use weather to help or hinder characters or set a mood (sometime to a cliche level). Let's talk about thunder here, but don't forget to check out the counterpart Describe it: Lightning. Get Around This D-Script Types of Thunder with Descriptions Thunderbolts and Lightning, Very, Very Frightening Misconceptions About Thunder Related D-Scripts This area will fill in the more subjects we're able to get to.

ALT: a man wearing a black hat that says wayne 's world gives two thumbs up

When writing, you can use weather to help or hinder characters or set a mood (sometime to a cliche level re: thunder and lightning = scary). We're going to get into how you can use lightning in a more dynamic way than "lightning flashed overhead", and help you establish other areas it might be useful in using other than just creepy factor.

The fascination with these stories reflects an existential interest in what in life is inevitable, and what we can control.

When writing, you can use weather to help or hinder characters or set a mood (sometime to a cliche level re: sadness = raining). Weather can also helps us with world building, especially when we take into consideration the type of climate our story’s environment has. Does your character live near the ocean? The clouds and rainfall is going to have a major impact on the way people live!

In the magic series, we're going to review a whole host of magic types! Magic systems are more than flashy spells and glowing hands. They're rules, rituals, and consequences—the invisible architecture behind every fireball, healing touch, or whispered curse. Regardless of the type of magic, it needs structure and purpose to truly resonate with readers. We get into how to build a magic system and the importance of it in the D-Script…

It's only natural these days that people are curious about the use of AI in professional settings. This, of course, is also important to a lot of people in fields that have been immediately threatened or encroached upon by generative AI like Claude or ChatGPT. These fields includes ones dear to my heart, such as writing and art. I'm both a writer and an artist!

In the magic series, we're going to review a whole host of magic types! Magic systems are more than flashy spells and glowing hands. They're rules, rituals, and consequences—the invisible architecture behind every fireball, healing touch, or whispered curse. Regardless of the type of magic, it needs structure and purpose to truly resonate with readers. We get into how to build a magic system and the importance of it in the D-Script…

Jump to Descriptions Eyes Mouth General Hands/Arms Body Language/Behaviour Internal Reactions Impact on Mind Voice Walk Definition Emotional pain is an often invisible hurt that comes from loss, trauma, disappointment, or a powerful negative emotional experience. It’s not physical but your body and brain can still respond to it like it is! Emotional pain can make your heart race or stomach twist, cause tears or numbness, affect sleep, appetite, and focus, and/or drive people to act in ways they usually wouldn’t.

In the magic series, we're going to review a whole host of magic types! Magic systems are more than flashy spells and glowing hands. They're rules, rituals, and consequences—the invisible architecture behind every fireball, healing touch, or whispered curse. Regardless of the type of magic, it needs structure and purpose to truly resonate with readers. We get into how to build a magic system and the importance of it in the D-Script…

When writing a novel, it’s important to describe how things look. Colour is a great way of doing that, but it can be tricky if all you use is the basic name.

The article offers an in-depth exploration of love, focusing on its various dimensions including trust, respect, empathy, and emotional bonding. It clarifies that obsession, jealousy, possessivenes…

In the magic series, we're going to review a whole host of magic types! Magic systems are more than flashy spells and glowing hands. They're rules, rituals, and consequences—the invisible architecture behind every fireball, healing touch, or whispered curse. Regardless of the type of magic, it needs structure and purpose to truly resonate with readers. We get into how to build a magic system and the importance of it in the D-Script…

TRIGGER WARNINGThis D-Script discusses subjects that may be triggering to some people (abuse, grooming, sexual assault) Nowadays, people generally understand what consent is. In this D-Script we&#8…

Dreams are wonderful tools in writing. However, they’re often overused, improperly used, or used in place of proper story or character development. It may be your way of inserting information…

In the magic series, we’re going to review a whole host of magic types! Magic systems are more than flashy spells and glowing hands. They’re rules, rituals, and consequences—the invisib…

TRIGGER WARNINGThis D-Script discusses subjects that may be triggering to some people (abuse, grooming, sexual assault) Nowadays, people generally understand what consent is. In this D-Script we&#8…

There aren't too many times that back are mentioned in writing. If they are, it's generally in the context of providing some information about a person being strong or feminine. What isn't often considered is using the back as an example, you can show intimacy, stress, or pain even. It's a phenomenal tool to show, don't tell. However, it would get awkward if you referenced the back more than a two to three times (these are arbitrary numbers) in any one novel unless there was a reason to do so (pointing out scars, tattoos, a deformity, etc.)

You've likely heard of chronic pain, which is an invisible illness. Chronic pain is persistent, long-lasting pain that typically continues beyond the normal healing time, usually lasting at least three months, though can last for years or even an entire lifetime (ugh!). Unlike short-term pain, which has a clear cause, warning the body of damage or injury, chronic pain frequently becomes a condition itself, no longer merely a symptom of something else.

Jump to Descriptions Eyes Mouth General Hands/Arms Body Language/Behaviour Internal Reactions Impact on Mind/Body Voice Walk Definition Motivated: Motivation is the internal spark that pushes someone to act—it’s the why behind behavior. It can be fleeting or long-burning, conscious or unconscious. It’s what gets someone out of bed in the morning… or makes them burn kingdoms to the ground. Synonym Strength…

In the magic series, we're going to review a whole host of magic types! Magic systems are more than flashy spells and glowing hands. They're rules, rituals, and consequences—the invisible architecture behind every fireball, healing touch, or whispered curse. Regardless of the type of magic, it needs structure and purpose to truly resonate with readers. We get into how to build a magic system and the importance of it in the D-Script…

IMPORTANT NOTE: This D-Script should NOT be used to guide medical treatment or diagnose a condition. It's a guide for how to write bruises only. If you have a medical concern, please seek advice from a medical professional. Bruises are not as flashy as a gaping stab wound or as dramatic as a shattered femur, but they're a great tool for storytelling.

To expand on the helpful terminology you might want to know when writing spicy novels or spicy character archtypes, I’m going to briefly get into what Doms, Subs, and Switches are with all th…

When we write, a paper cut can drive a crucial plot point while a seemingly devastating wound might be shrugged off by the next chapter. The art of scaling injuries isn't just about medical accuracy – it's about crafting believable consequences that serve your story while respecting your readers' suspension of disbelief. That said, when you can manage it, realism is a wonderful way of ensuring that your character doesn't just come off as immortal or infallable, something that drains the tension from your story.

Jump to Descriptions Eyes Mouth Jaw/Neck General Hands/Arms Body Language/Behaviour Internal Reactions Impact on Mind/Body Voice Walk Definition Vengeful: having a strong desire to harm someone in return for a perceived injury, wrong, or insult - essentially, seeking revenge or retribution. This desire to harm may be physically, emotionally, socially, etc. Synonym Strength These are just some of the words that can be used to describe anger.

Dancing scenes offer writers a goldmine of opportunities for character development and storytelling in a non-standard way. Think about it – when do people dance in real life? Often at pivotal moments, when emotions are running high, or when social expectations demand it. Each of these situations creates natural tension and reveals character in ways ordinary dialogue can't touch. It's also a great opportunity to…

It's human nature to personify objects. That is, to give things that aren't human attributes such as characteristics, emotions, or behaviours. This can be to animals, objects, natural phenomena, or even abstract concepts. This allows writers to create vivid imagery and emotional connections by making these feel familiar through human qualities. When used effectively, personification gives life to descriptions, and helps readers form stronger emotional bonds to your writing.

In books, arms are often referenced in ways that aid in the show, don't tell aspect of writing or allude to femininity, masculinity, or even sexual attraction. The condition of the arms, when done tactfully, can give us insight into characters. For example: "Hold still," Marcus muttered, reaching up to adjust the shop's ancient sign. Even after twenty years as a mechanic, his right arm remained noticeably thinner than his left - a permanent reminder of the motorcycle accident that had nearly ended his career before it began.

Jump to Descriptions Eyes / Brows Mouth General Hands/Arms Body Language/Behaviour Internal Reactions Voice Walk Definition Confusion (state of mind): A state of uncertainty or bewilderment Note: I…

At their core, chase scenes are powerful tools for character development, plot advancement, and engagement. A well-crafted chase scene reveals who a character really is through the decisions they make under pressure. When your protagonist must choose between helping a fallen bystander or catching the villain, their split-second decision tells readers volumes about them. The way a character handles physical and mental stress, whether they think strategically or react instinctively, and how they deal with obstacles all peel back layers of their personality that might stay hidden in calmer moments.

Jump to Descriptions Eyes Mouth General Hands/Arms Body Language/Behaviour Emotional Responces Impact on Mind/Body Voice Other Active Listening Skills Definition Sympathy is feeling compassion, sor…