I'm Popping Up This Random Tuesday To Share A Few Reminders With My Fellow Fanfic Writers

me, struggling to write: hmm, this part is a little difficult. maybe i should check my planning document, which i created as a helpful tool for my writing process!

the planning document:

I think I’ve been putting too much pressure on myself lately. I’m trying to revise some poems for my slam team and write a second draft of a fic (that is almost a complete rewrite because I wanna change too much), and I’ve been struggling to get anything done because I want my writing to sound like my favorite writers.

I will try to let go and see how much I get done before I go over to friends house in about an hour

Anyways…

do you torture the character you relate to most and recreate your own abuse in fiction to cope or were your needs and feelings acknowledged as a child

Unfortunately I speak this language

What I Say vs. What I Actually Mean When Talking About My Writing

Ah, writers. We’re like caffeinated raccoons with a thesaurus—erratic, dramatic, and perpetually on the verge of either brilliance or a breakdown. We love our craft, we loathe it, we panic about it, and sometimes we have midnight sword fights with it (metaphorically… usually). For my long-suffering friends and family, here’s a guide to decipher the cryptic ramblings of an organism like me.

"I’ll finish this draft by the end of the week."

I will procrastinate for six days and have a meltdown on the seventh.

"This chapter just needs a little tweaking."

This chapter is trash, and I’m about to rewrite the whole book instead.

"I love my characters so much!"

I’m going to emotionally devastate them for fun.

"The plot is solid, I just need to flesh it out."

The plot is six sentences, half of which are question marks.

"I’ve got a new idea for a book!"

I’ve abandoned my current project and am fleeing the guilt.

"This is just a first draft."

Please don’t judge me for this dumpster fire.

"I’m doing research for my story."

I’ve been Googling ‘weird medieval punishments’ for four hours.

"I don’t care about reviews."

I’ve read every review. Twice. And cried over three of them.

"The ending needs a little work."

The ending doesn’t exist yet, but thanks for asking.

"I’m editing today."

I’ll spend 30 minutes on commas and four hours rearranging furniture.

"My characters took over the story."

I have no control over anything anymore. Send help.

"I think this draft is almost done."

There’s a 40% chance I’ll delete it tomorrow.

"I’ll outline my next project properly."

HAHAHAHAHA. Sure, Janet.

"I’m working on character development."

I’m Googling psychological disorders and debating tragic backstories.

"I’ll just jot down a quick idea."

I’ve accidentally written half a novel on a napkin.

"I’m worldbuilding right now."

I’ve spent three hours naming a forest and none on the actual plot.

"I don’t get attached to my characters."

I would die for this fictional idiot and cry over their demise daily.

"I’m starting fresh with this new story idea."

I’ve given up on my last three WIPs but refuse to admit defeat.

"I don’t need a deadline to stay motivated."

Without pressure, I will accomplish absolutely nothing.

"My characters feel so real."

I have arguments with them in my head while washing dishes.

"I just write for fun."

I obsess over every word and feel personally attacked by constructive feedback.

"I’m creating a writing playlist."

I’m avoiding my manuscript by curating vibes for the 30th time.

"I’m a writer!"

I am chaos personified, and I occasionally open Google Docs.

bitch this is all you’re gonna get. this life, this face, this body. you better not ‘maybe in another universe’ your way out of everything. sit your ass down and face this. go make tea and have a picnic and read a goddamn book. kiss your loved ones, send that damn text, and hug your siblings. this is all you’re gonna get.

I feel called out and I don’t like it

Hey, stop scrolling and start writing. The book ain't gonna write itself.

Forced Proximity Dialogue Prompts

Haven't done one of these in a while.

"Come on, this isn't funny." "I'm not joking. It's locked."

"Is that the only tent we have?"

"There's only one bed." "Well, darlin', I'm not sleeping on the floor, so I guess we'll have to share."

"I'm your bodyguard. It's in the job description to protect you at all times." "Well, could you at least 'protect' me from over there?"

"You have got to be kidding me. I have to share a room with you."

"What do you mean there's only one sleeping bag? You had one job."

"Quit following me!" "I was hired to follow you, princess, better get used to it."

"What the hell is that noise?" "Uh, yeah, slight problem. We're out of gas."

"Where are you going? We're in the middle of nowhere!" "Yeah! And whose fault is that?"

"Look around, love. In case you hadn't noticed we're snowed in. So unless you plan to freeze to death, we'll have to find a way to keep each other warm."

"I may be stuck with you, but I don't have to like it."

"Is now a bad time to tell you I'm claustrophobic?"

"Your heart's racing. Now, I know being pressed up against me is exhilerating and all, but I'm trying to concentrate on picking this lock."

"What are you? Afraid?"

"Uh. Slight problem. We're trapped."

"Well, which way, smartass?" "Uh. We might be lost."

The most terrifying monster isn’t the one under the bed—it’s the one the protagonist becomes to survive. Let them stare into the mirror and flinch at what stares back.

How to Make Your Characters Almost Cry

Tears are powerful, but do you know what's more impactful? The struggle to hold them back. This post is for all your hard-hearted stoic characters who'd never shed a tear before another, and aims to help you make them breakdown realistically.

The Physical Signs of Holding Back Tears

Heavy Eyelids, Heavy Heart Your character's eyelids feel weighted, as if the tears themselves are dragging them down. Their vision blurs—not quite enough to spill over, but enough to remind them of the dam threatening to break.

The Involuntary Sniffle They sniffle, not because their nose is running, but because their body is desperately trying to regulate itself, to suppress the wave of emotion threatening to take over.

Burning Eyes Their eyes sting from the effort of restraint, from the battle between pride and vulnerability. If they try too hard to hold back, the whites of their eyes start turning red, a telltale sign of the tears they've refused to let go.

The Trembling Lips Like a child struggling not to cry, their lips quiver. The shame of it fuels their determination to stay composed, leading them to clench their fists, grip their sleeves, or dig their nails into the nearest surface—anything to regain control.

The Fear of Blinking Closing their eyes means surrender. The second their lashes meet, the memories, the pain, the heartbreak will surge forward, and the tears will follow. So they force themselves to keep staring—at the floor, at a blank wall, at anything that won’t remind them of why they’re breaking.

The Coping Mechanisms: Pretending It’s Fine

A Steady Gaze & A Deep Breath To mask the turmoil, they focus on a neutral object, inhale slowly, and steel themselves. If they can get through this one breath, they can get through the next.

Turning Away to Swipe at Their Eyes When they do need to wipe their eyes, they do it quickly, casually, as if brushing off a speck of dust rather than wiping away the proof of their emotions.

Masking the Pain with a Different Emotion Anger, sarcasm, even laughter—any strong emotion can serve as a shield. A snappy response, a bitter chuckle, a sharp inhale—each is a carefully chosen defence against vulnerability.

Why This Matters

Letting your character fight their tears instead of immediately breaking down makes the scene hit harder. It shows their internal struggle, their resistance, and their need to stay composed even when they’re crumbling.

This is written based off of personal experience as someone who goes through this cycle a lot (emotional vulnerability who?) and some inspo from other books/articles

Excellent tips and habits for writers

The advice I've given before is to write every scene you think of, no matter if it gets used or not. Its always a great idea to go back every once and a while and edit these scenes, or revise them.

Never force inspiration or a scene. If it isn't coming naturally, take a break and come back later or the next day. it's important to give yourself time to think. use your break to day dream about your story and what could come next. if your brain is happy, this should be relatively simple. If your brain isn't happy, then you need to take a longer break, stop writing for the day all together, or write something else.

if you're a pantser, like me, and it's hard to plot. You can practice reverse plotting, and plot your story as you go. make notes of things that happen in your story, changes in a character, changes in the plot, changes in the setting, dates for events, timelines, important information that's been revealed, anything you deem important to your story.

always reread what you've already written. don't try to edit it. turn off your editor brain and reread your story so far before you resume writing, so you can get into the voice and tone that you've already established.

if you're finding it difficult to start writing or keep writing. try turning off your internal editor and free write. it's good practice to be able to write down your unfiltered thoughts or daydreams without having to stop and edit while you're writing. it helps with your writing flow, getting the scene down onto the page, and increases your writing intuition.

before you write, always take time to daydream or think about your story beforehand. it helps things go much smoother in the long run.

if you've been working on something for a long time, don't pressure yourself into confinement. if you want to work on something new but you're worried about what you've been working on, don't. stop worrying and write what you want. forcing yourself to keep writing something when you don't want to is just going to make you burn out faster.

don't be afraid to create visuals or playlists that help you with what you're writing. It's an enviable talent to be able to write something off a photo you saw on pinterest, or a song you really like.

if you find yourself in a mood where you want to write really badly, but you have no idea what you want to write, and none of the prompts you find are appealing enough. find an activity you use to destress, whether its listening to music, listening to asmr, doom scrolling on social media, or browsing pinterest. go do that. chances are, you'll find something that will inspire you what to write when you're not looking for it.