heywriters:

wordsnstuff:

– A lot of questions I receive revolve around editing and proofreading, so I decided to make an extensive guide to editing your own writing. I collaborated with some amazing friends on this post so this is dedicated to them as well as all of you. I hope you find it useful. Enjoy!

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Know The Difference: Editing vs. Proofreading

Editing is about the content, proofreading is about the technical detail and accuracy. Once you know the difference and you separate the two into different tasks, going through and actually doing it will seem less daunting. Deciding which to tacking first depends on what you’re like when you edit, but if you struggling with focusing on actually improving the content because you get distracted by grammatical errors and spelling mistakes, then proofreading first may be a good idea. 

Be Intentional With Your Vocabulary

• Avoid adverbs
• Be frugal with unique adjectives
• Only use dialogue tags when absolutely necessary
• Be mindful of overused words
• Take the time to find the right words

The words you choose can make all the difference so pay special attention to them.

Just Keep Snipping

A basic rule to editing that people often forget it, if it doesn’t serve a purpose, you should cut it out. A short book that is amazing all the way through is better than a long book that is redundant. Don’t worry about leaving your readers in the dark or not having enough content. As you edit, you’ll find ways and places in which to input more information.

Flow & Rhythm

This is the part where you make sure the writing itself sounds how you want it to. It’s important to read your writing aloud during this stage. Some things to pay attention to regarding flow and rhythm:

• sentence length/variation
• sentence structure
• syllables and how they fit together
• how your writing sounds out loud

Eloquence

Say it once and say it clearly. Redundancy bores readers so quickly, so when putting information forward, be clear, concise, and don’t add fluff. You don’t need to write a whole paragraph about how a character feels in a situation. It’s important to give the reader just enough to read between the lines.

Grammar

Common Grammar Mistakes To Look For

• Subject-verb agreement errors
• Sentence Fragments
• Missing Comma After Introductory Element
• Misusing The Apostrophe With “Its”
• No Comma In A Compound Sentence
• Misplaced Or Dangling Modifier
• Vague Pronoun Reference
• Wrong Word Usage
• Run-On Sentence
• Superfluous Commas
• Lack Of Parallel Structure
• Sentence Sprawl
• Comma Splice
• Colon Mistakes
• Split Infinitives

List from here x {Explains these further and more in depth}

Improper Use of Phrases

• “could have” not “could of”
• “My friends and I” not “me and my friends” {If you take away “my friends” or “I”, or one of the nouns in a sentence in general, the sentence should still make sense}
• “I couldn’t care less” not “I could care less”. This should be a no-brainer.
• etc.. I could go on.

Familiarize yourself with these common mistakes and avoid making them at all costs. It’s also helpful to have someone read over it and let you know when they find issues with phrases you used. Please be attentive to these mistakes because making them can destroy your credibility as a writer.

Utilize The Senses

If you’re describing something in your writing, you should be slipping in words and little details that appeal to the reader’s senses, When editing, look for opportunities to slip in how a place smells, how a food tastes, how something feels to the touch, etc. It’s unbelievable how much this enhances your story.

Punctuation & Format

Punctuation Rules In English

• the period (or full stop in British English)
• the comma
• the exclamation mark
• the question mark
• the colon
• the semicolon
• the quotation mark
• the apostrophe
• the hyphen and the dash
• parentheses and brackets

Source x

When proofreading and marking up your manuscript, it can save a lot of time and energy if you use marks instead of actually write out everything, so here is a little chart I found that may be useful to you:

Other Things To Look Out For

• Make sure you know who is talking
• Keep tense consistent
• Vary the tone from scene to scene
• Run-on sentences
• Inconsistencies in story details
• Plot holes
• Causes and effects of events are explained
• Facts and technical details {Make sure you’ve researched them well}
• Deviations from established background (know your story really really well and make sure your reader does too)

General Tips

• Go in assuming that your work is full of errors. Maybe it’s not, but it’s better to be prepared for the worst and solve the issues now rather than when it’s too late
• DO NOT BE SENTIMENTAL. Yes, easier said than done, but it’s possible. 
• Make the text less recognizable to yourself in order to catch details you may not otherwise.
• Print out your manuscript and physically write out the changes.
• Read your writing out loud. Sometimes writing looks like it makes sense, but in reality sounds wrong. 
• Do it in short periods over time so that you don’t inevitably get lazy with paying attention to little details
• Keep in mind that editing usually takes longer than actually writing the draft because it is less fluid and requires more thought and problem solving.
• Don’t rely on spelling and/or grammar checking software; they’re not always correct and can easily misinterpret what you’re trying to get across. 
• Check for a single error at a time. It may be time consuming and tedious but it’s more effective than the alternative.
• Give yourself time and read slowly through it multiple times
• Split up large chunks of text to make it easier to handle. Don’t go through your whole manuscript page by page as if you were just reading it as a book. Go chapter by chapter or scene by scene or even sentence by sentence.
• If something seems off, investigate it. Don’t take a chance and leave it be. If you’re stumped, highlight it and have someone else look over it.
• Have a strategy. Maybe not at first, especially if you don’t extensively edit your work regularly, but with time you’ll find what works for you and what doesn’t. Create your own system and use it to save yourself some time and confusion.

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I just want to add that I once proofread a classmate’s creative writing assignment and her character said “What in carnation?”

And she didn’t get it. She had no idea.

knightsintodreams:

gretchensinister:

tejoxys:

miss-evening:

Change the background colour of the pages to a mint green shade.

It is said that green is a calming colour, however, the main reason why I like this, is because I can write for a much longer period of time now, as a white background I used before made my eyes dry and exhausted after just a few hours of working.

It is basically much more soft and careful to the eyes. I can’t precisely explain why that is. I think it’s that by making a pinch softer contrast of the text and the background, your eyes does not get exposed to as much light.

Just make sure to not make the background too dark, or else your eyes will get exhausted do to over-fixating the lack of contrast between text and background.

And maybe you find a nice pastel/light background shade that fits you; give it a try.

Different things work out and fits for different people. And I just felt like sharing this.

Here’s the shade numbers I used to get my preferred colour:

Thanks for reading.

DUDE

You just solved a very real problem for me! Thanks!

For those who might not know where to find this: It’s in the Page Layout tab.

I had no idea this was possible before today!

this helps with dyslexia too!,

thecharacterchick:

Personality is the most important thing about your character.

So, whenever I see character sheets, most people just put a little paragraph for that section. If you’re struggling and don’t know what your character should say or do, what decisions they should make, I guarantee you that this is the problem.

You know your character’s name, age, race, sexuality, height, weight, eye color, hair color, their parents’ and siblings’ names. But these are not the things that truly matter about them.

Traits: 

• pick traits that don’t
  necessarily go together. For example, someone who is controlling,
  aggressive and vain can also be generous, sensitive and
  soft-spoken. Characters need to have at least one flaw that really
  impacts how they interact with others. Positive traits can work as flaws, too. It is advised that you pick at least ten traits

• people are complex, full of contradictions, and please forgive me if this makes anyone uncomfortable, but even bullies can be “nice” people. Anyone can be a “bad” person, even someone who is polite, kind, helpful or timid can also be narcissistic, annoying, inconsiderate and a liar. People are not just “evil” or “good”

Beliefs:

• ideas or thoughts that your
  character has or thinks about the world, society, others or
  themselves, even without proof or evidence, or which may or may not be true. Beliefs can contradict
  their values, motives, self-image, etc. For example, the belief that they are an awesome and responsible person when their traits are lazy, irresponsible and shallow. Their self-image and any beliefs they have about themselves may or may not be similar/the same. They might have a poor self-image, but still believe they’re better than everybody else

Values:

• what your character thinks is
  important. Usually influenced by beliefs, their self-image, their
  history, etc. Some values may contradict their beliefs, wants,
  traits, or even other values. For example, your character may value being respect, but one of their traits is disrespectful. It is advised you
  list at least two values, and know which one they value more. For example, your character values justice and family. Their sister tells them she just stole $200 from her teacher’s wallet. Do they tell on her, or do they let her keep the money: justice, or family? Either way, your character probably has some negative feelings, guilt, anger, etc., over betraying their other value

Motives:

• what your character wants. It
  can be abstract or something tangible. For example, wanting to be adored or wanting that job to pay for their father’s medication.
  Motives can contradict their beliefs, traits, values, behavior, or
  even other motives. For example, your character may want to be a good
  person, but their traits are selfish, manipulative, and narcissistic.
  Motives can be long term or short term. Everyone has wants, whether they realize it or not. You can write “they don’t know what they want,” but you should know. It is advised that you
  list at least one abstract want

Recurring Feelings:

• feelings that they have
  throughout most of their life. If you put them down as a trait, it is
  likely they are also recurring feelings. For example, depressed,
  lonely, happy, etc.

Self Image:

• what the character thinks of
  themselves: their self-esteem. Some character are proud of themselves, others are
  ashamed of themselves, etc. They may think they are not good enough,
  or think they are the smartest person in the world. Their self-image
  can contradict their beliefs, traits, values, behavior, motives, etc.
  For example, if their self-image is poor, they can still be a
  cheerful or optimistic person. If they have a positive self-image,
  they can still be a depressed or negative person. How they picture themselves may or may not be true: maybe they think they’re a horrible person, when they are, in fact, very considerate, helpful, kind, generous, patient, etc. They still have flaws, but flaws don’t necessarily make you a terrible person

Behavior:

• how the character’s traits,
  values, beliefs, self-image, etc., are outwardly displayed: how they
  act. For example, two characters may have the trait “angry” but
  they all probably express it differently. One character may be quiet
  and want to be left alone when they are angry, the other could
  become verbally aggressive. If your character is a liar, do they pause before lying, or do they suddenly speak very carefully when they normally don’t? Someone who is inconsiderate may have issues with boundaries or eat the last piece of pizza in the fridge when they knew it wasn’t theirs. Behavior is extremely important and it is advised you think long and hard about your character’s actions and what exactly it shows about them

Demeanor:

• their general mood and
  disposition. Maybe they’re usually quiet, cheerful, moody, or
  irritable, etc.

Posture:

• a secondary part of your character’s personality: not as important as everything else. It is advised you fill this out after. Posture is how the character carries themselves. For example, perhaps they swing their arms and keep their shoulders back while they walk, which seems to be the posture of a confident person, so when they sit, their legs are probably open. Another character may slump and have their arms folded when they’re sitting, and when they’re walking, perhaps they drag their feet and look at the ground

Speech Pattern:

• a secondary part of your character’s personality: not as important as everything else. It is advised you fill this out after. Speech patterns can be words that your character uses frequently, if they speak clearly, what sort of grammar they use, if they have a wide vocabulary, a small vocabulary, if it’s sophisticated, crude, stammering, repeating themselves, etc. I personally don’t have a very wide vocabulary, if you could tell

Hobbies:

• a secondary part of your
  character’s personality: not as important as everything else. It is
  advised you fill this out after. Hobbies can include things like
  drawing, writing, playing an instrument, collecting rocks, collecting
  tea cups, etc.

Quirks:

• a secondary part of your
  character’s personality, not as important as everything else. It is
  advised you fill this out after. Quirks are behaviors that are unique
  to your character. For example, I personally always put my socks on
  inside out and check the ceiling for spiders a few times a day

Likes:

• a secondary part of your
  character’s personality, not as important as everything else. It is
  advised you fill this out after. Likes and dislikes are usually connected to
  the rest of their personality, but not necessarily. For example, if your character likes
  to do other people’s homework, maybe it’s because they want to be appreciated

Dislikes:

• a secondary part of your
  character’s personality, not as important as everything else. It is
  advised you fill this out after. Likes and dislikes can also
  contradict the rest of their personality. For example, maybe one of
  your character’s traits is dishonest, but they dislike liars

History:

• your character’s past that has
  key events that influence and shape their beliefs, values, behavior,
  wants, self-image, etc. Events written down should imply or explain
  why they are the way they are. For example, if
  your character is distrustful, maybe they were lied to a lot by their
  parents when they were a child. Maybe they were in a relationship for
  twenty years and found out their partner was cheating on them the
  whole time. If their motive/want is to have positive attention, maybe their parents just didn’t
  praise them enough and focused too much on the negative

On Mental and Physical Disabilities or Illnesses

• if your character experienced a trauma, it needs to have an affect on your character. Maybe they became more angry or impatient or critical of others. Maybe their beliefs on people changed to become “even bullies can be ‘nice’ people: anyone can be a ‘bad’ person”

• people are not their illness or disability: it should not be their defining trait. I have health anxiety, but I’m still idealistic, lazy, considerate, impatient and occasionally spiteful; I still want to become an author; I still believe that people are generally good; I still value doing what make me feel comfortable; I still have a positive self-image; I’m still a person. You should fill out your character’s personality at least half-way before you even touch on the possibility of your character having a disability or illness

Generally everything about your character should connect, but hey, even twins that grew up in the same exact household have different personalities; they value different things, have different beliefs. Maybe one of them watched a movie that had a huge impact on them.

Not everything needs to be explained. Someone can be picky or fussy ever since they were little for no reason at all. Someone can be a negative person even if they grew up in a happy home.

I believe this is a thought out layout for making well-rounded OCs, antagonists and protagonists, whether they’re being created for a roleplay or for a book. This layout is also helpful for studying Canon Characters if you’re looking to accurately roleplay as them or write them in fanfiction or whatever.

I’m really excited to post this, so hopefully I didn’t miss anything important…

If you have any questions, feel free to send a message.

– Chick

yooyugyeommie:

right so, i want to write, but i don’t want to write a full scenario so i decided to compile a list of semi-smutty/slightly suggestive sentences/phrases and i’ll write a drabble that isn’t smut,,, but is suggestive, ya feel? anyways, pick a number and a member and i’ll write a short lil’ suggestive drabble for you. : ) also these were compiled from multiple sources so thanks for your creative minds.. i’ll probably end up adding some more eventually, but this is it for now.

1. “Do you ever think that we should just stop doing this?”
2. “H-how long have y-you been standing there?”
3. “I had to see you again.”
4. “I don’t need you. I’ll do it myself.”
5. “I missed you.”
6. “Is that supposed to scare me?”
7. “Are you jealous?”
8. “What are you afraid of?”
9. “Do you trust me?”
10. “You weren’t supposed to hear that.”
11. “It’s not nearly as bad as it looks, Darling.”
12. “Come over here and make me, then.”
13. “Is there a reason you’re naked in my bed?”
14. “It’s not what it looks like.”
15. “Can you reach it?”
16. “But you keep using all the hot water!”
17. “You have a problem, it’s only my job to help you fix it.”
18. “Baby, I’m on the phone.”
19. “Keep your voice down.”
20. “You heard me. Take it off.”
21. “That… Well I have no idea what that is or where it came from.”
22. “Your hair’s all messed up. Let me fix it.”
23. “I can’t sleep.”
24. “Go then, leave! See if I care!”
25. “Wanna bet?”
26. “That’s… Not mine?”
27. “I’m not going to change. You’ll have to deal with it.”
28. “I’ll call in sick… again.”
29. “Don’t you know how to knock?!”
30. “Are you serious? Do you have to do this now?”