writeworld:

ellisabelle asked: Hey ^^ Could I request a world list of adjectives for ‘To Ask’?

Sure thing!

Disclaimer: I will agree to provide examples if you will all agree to acknowledge that I am laying it on a bit thick here and maybe even taking a few liberties in order to drive my points home. Okay? Okay.

• to ask: Say something in order to obtain an answer or some information.

  “Once we get there, we can find a motel,” Tina said, tapping the map with the eraser of her pencil.
  Jason turned the map toward himself. “Get where?” he asked.

  This is the most vanilla, accepted dialogue tag for asking a question. Many writers assert that “said” and “ask” are basically invisible to readers, or that they make good full stops (periods) for dialogue. If you agree with those writers, go with “ask”. If not, proceed!

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fuckyeahcharacterdevelopment:

I was always told by my uncle that cursing, using expletives, is a sign of lack of creativity. Maybe it is. Maybe it isn’t. But one can’t deny that sometimes, we all need a good curse word or nasty phrase to emphasis a particularly stressful situation. Let’s discuss cussing/cursing/swearing/insulting:

• Does your antagonist utilise foul language?
• If so, what words do they use often? Keep in mind that this doesn’t have to be standard English curse words. Also keep in mind that this doesn’t have to be limited to one word but perhaps a phrase. You can go from the Finnish ‘Perkele’ to ‘Fuck this shit’ to ‘May the devil bite the cat and may the cat bite you.’ 
• Are the words/phrases they use related to their culture? Perhaps they come from a village that hates bats, for example, and so a common insult would be, “You’re the most vile bat in the cave!”
• Aside from curse words and phrases, what sort of insults do they use? Are they calm and nonchalant and use idle phrases like, ‘You’re so daft.’ Or are they vicious and degrading? Are they racist? Sexist? Specieist (sp)? 
• Would your antagonist use any hilarious insults Peter Pan’s famous “Rufio, if I’m a maggot burger why don’t you eat me! You two-toned zebra-headed, slime-coated, pimple-farmin’ paramecium brain, munchin’ on your own mucus, suffering from Peter Pan envy!” line? (I just choked) Or Scott Pilgrim’s “You cocky cock!”
• How do people react to your antagonist’s insults/cursing/etc?

writeworld:

godtricksterloki asked: When writing aggressive and action oriented parts of a story I can never seem to express exactly what I want to correctly. The writing suffers in terms of placement of the commas, terrible wording and grammar. Mostly because my mind is going about 100 mph and I cannot seem to properly catch up. Any advice on how to properly execute a well written action packed part of a story?

Yes. Get everything out that you want to say as fast as you can. Don’t mind the commas or the run-on sentences; just write. Then, once your adrenaline has run dry and your scene is in its roughest form, take a deep breath (and maybe a long break). Then edit. Edit the crap out of it. 

It’s okay if your action scene isn’t perfect from the get-go. Action scenes rarely are. To me, the mark of a great writer is a willingness to write madly, and then to craft that madness through careful editing. 

Write, rewrite, rewrite, rewrite… on and on until you have carved through your words with a scalpel, until you are telling the story exactly as you want it told. That is the way. It can be difficult, frustrating, even tedious. Tough cookies. That’s how it gets done. Not all in one great choking gulp, but in small bites, chewing slowly.

Check out these links for more on writing action scenes:

• Action with a Side of Zombies
• Ransacking the Town: The Basics of Pacing
• How to Write a Fight Scene (Rebloggable Version)
• Dramatic Action Is More Than Doing Stuff from mooderino
• Writing Crime from writinghelpers
• Useful reference for realistic killing wounds when fighting
• How to Write a Kick-Ass Fight Scene by Susan from archetypesandallusions
• Getting a Handle on Guns
• On Killing Characters from writersofyore

Thank you for your question! If you have further questions or a comment to add, hit us up!

-C

chosenbytheplanet:

The TYRANT: the bullying despot, he wants power at any price. He ruthlessly conquers all he surveys, crushing his enemies beneath his feet. People are but pawns to him, and he holds all the power pieces. Hesitate before getting in this man’s way – he’ll think nothing of destroying you.

The BASTARD: the dispossessed son, he burns with resentment. He can’t have what he wants, so he lashes out to hurt those around him. His deeds are often for effect – he wants to provoke action in others. He proudly announces his rebellious dealings. Don’t be fooled by his boyish demeanor – he’s a bundle of hate.

The DEVIL: the charming fiend, he gives people what he thinks they deserve. Charisma allows him to lure his victims to their own destruction. His ability to discover the moral weaknesses in others serves him well. Close your ears to his cajolery – he’ll tempt you to disaster.

The TRAITOR: the double agent, he betrays those who trust him most. No one suspects the evil that lurks in his heart. Despite supportive smiles and sympathetic ears, he plots the destruction of his friends. Never turn your back on him — he means you harm.

The OUTCAST: the lonely outsider, he wants desperately to belong. Tortured and unforgiving, he has been set off from others, and usually for good cause. He craves redemption, but is willing to gain it by sacrificing others. Waste no sympathy on him – he’ll have none for you.

The EVIL GENIUS: the malevolent mastermind, he loves to show off his superior intelligence. Intellectual inferiors are contemptible to him and that includes just about everyone. Elaborate puzzles and experiments are his trademark. Don’t let him pull your strings – the game is always rigged in his favor.

The SADIST: the savage predator, he enjoys cruelty for its own sake. Violence and psychological brutality are games to this man; and he plays those games with daring and skill. Run, don’t walk, away from this man – he’ll tear out your heart, and laugh while doing it.

The TERRORIST: the dark knight, he serves a warped code of honor. Self-righteous, he believes in his own virtue, and judges all around him by a strict set of laws. The end will always justify his nefarious means, and no conventional morality will give him pause. Don’t try to appeal to his sense of justice – his does not resemble yours.

The BITCH: the abusive autocrat, she lies, cheats, and steals her way to the top. Her climb to success has left many a heel mark on the backs of others. She doesn’t care about the peons around her – only the achievement of her dreams matters. Forget expecting a helping hand from her – she doesn’t help anyone but herself.

The BLACK WIDOW: the beguiling siren, she lures victims into her web. She goes after anyone who has something she wants, and she wants a lot. But she does her best to make the victim want to be deceived. An expert at seduction of every variety, she uses her charms to get her way. Don’t be fooled by her claims of love – it’s all a lie.

The BACKSTABBER: the two-faced friend, she delights in duping the unsuspecting. Her sympathetic smiles enable her to learn her victims’ secrets, which she then uses to feather her nest. Her seemingly helpful advice is just the thing to hinder. Put no faith in her – she’ll betray you every time.

The LUNATIC: the unbalanced madwoman, she draws others into her crazy environment. The drum to which she marches misses many a beat, but to her, it is the rest of the world that is out of step. Don’t even try to understand her logic – she is unfathomable.

The PARASITE: the poisonous vine, she collaborates for her own comfort. She goes along with any atrocity, so long as her own security is assured. She sees herself as a victim who had no choice, and blames others for her crimes. Expect no mercy from her – she won’t lift a finger to save anyone but herself.

The SCHEMER: the lethal plotter, she devises the ruin of others. Like a cat with a mouse, she plays with lives. Elaborate plans, intricate schemes; nothing pleases her more than to trap the unwary. Watch out for her complex designs – she means you no good.

The FANATIC: the uncompromising extremist, she does wrong in the name of good. She justifies hers action by her intent, and merely shrugs her shoulders at collateral damage. Anyone not an ally is an enemy, and therefore, fair game. Give up any hope of showing her the error of her ways – she firmly believes you are wrong, wrong, wrong.

The MATRIARCH: the motherly oppressor, she smothers her loved ones. She knows what’s best and will do all in her power to controls the lives of those who surround her – all for their own good. A classic enabler, she sees no fault with her darlings, unless they don’t follow her dictates. Don’t be lured into her family nest – you’ll never get out alive.