I Keep Seeing People Making Fun Of Using Growled, Hissed, Roared, Snarled Etc In Writing And It’s Like.

Hello! Can you help me and/or give me examples of how to write a pre-teen? Specifically a slightly mature for their age but still socially-awkward, selfless, empathetic, extroverted 10-year-old

How to Write a Pre-Teen

Voice and Language

Simple but specific vocabulary: Pre-teens might not use very complex words, but they often know and throw in some “big words” they’ve recently learned or mimic words they hear adults use. Don’t overdo it, though—they’ll often misapply or half-understand these terms, which can create natural, humorous moments.

“It’s totally, like, a catastrophe that I forgot my project.”

Expressive dialogue: Pre-teens are enthusiastic and often exaggerate. They can also shift quickly between emotions, from excitement to frustration.

“That was the best movie ever!” might turn into “Actually, I mean, it was kinda boring in some parts, but, you know, overall…”

Thoughtful yet blunt: Kids this age often haven’t fully learned the “filters” adults use. They can be direct and say things that are surprisingly insightful or unexpectedly honest.

Thoughts and Perspective

Developing identity and opinions: They’re beginning to form their own beliefs but still echo the views of family, teachers, or friends.

“Mom says people should never lie, but I wonder if little lies are okay if they help people feel better…”

Questioning and introspective moments: Pre-teens are curious about life, relationships, and “big ideas.” They may ask questions, but sometimes keep their deep thoughts to themselves, exploring them internally.

“If friends are supposed to be there for each other, why do I feel alone even when they’re around?”

Struggle with abstract concepts: At this age, they’re just beginning to understand abstract ideas like justice or friendship but often approach them in straightforward, literal ways.

Behavior and Actions

Impulsivity and energy: They might shift quickly between activities and emotions, getting distracted or excited without much control over it. They may also blurt out ideas or act before thinking, especially if they’re extroverted.

For instance, a character might immediately jump up to help someone even if they aren’t sure what to do, or they might “borrow” something without fully considering the consequences.

Physical awkwardness: Pre-teens can be a bit clumsy as they’re still growing into their bodies. This can lead to endearing, awkward moments.

They might knock something over, trip over their own feet, or feel self-conscious in ways that show they’re still figuring themselves out physically as well as socially.

Friendships and Social Dynamics

Navigating social rules: Pre-teens are very aware of social “rules” but may not fully understand them. This is an age when they care a lot about what their friends think, but they’re also just beginning to question these dynamics.

A pre-teen might want to befriend the “cool” kids but feel conflicted when they realize their values don’t align. Or they may try too hard to impress friends and feel self-conscious afterward.

Conflicted loyalties: Friendships are often intense at this age, and they might struggle with conflicting feelings if friends argue or if they feel left out.

“I really like hanging out with Sarah, but I know Emma doesn’t. Maybe if I can make them both laugh, we could all just… get along?”

Small gestures: Pre-teens often show they care in understated ways, like sharing snacks, giving a small gift, or cheering someone up when they’re down. For a socially-awkward pre-teen, these gestures may come out clumsy but sweet.

Insecurity and Self-Awareness

Self-consciousness mixed with bravery: Pre-teens often fluctuate between trying to fit in and wanting to stand out. They might do something brave but then doubt themselves or quickly retreat if things don’t go as planned.

For instance, a character might volunteer to speak in front of the class only to feel panicked once they’re in the spotlight.

Hyper-awareness of themselves and others: They’re beginning to notice how others perceive them and may get flustered easily or worry about little things, like if their clothes look okay or if they sounded silly.

“I shouldn’t have laughed like that… I bet everyone thought I sounded so weird.”

Joking as a defense: Pre-teens often use humor to cope, covering up their awkwardness or discomfort by making jokes.

Reactions to Conflict and Emotion

Quick emotional shifts: They might go from laughing to frustrated to embarrassed in just a few minutes. They feel emotions intensely and may have outbursts or react strongly to things adults might dismiss as minor.

Heroic ideals vs. real-world disappointments: Many pre-teens have an idealized view of right and wrong, fairness, and heroism, and they may be disappointed when things don’t align with these ideals. They’re just starting to understand that people aren’t all good or all bad.

“I don’t get it… why would she lie about something like that? Friends are supposed to be honest!”

10/10 agree. I got recommended this book from a friend and I had to message her and be like, "Why do you hate me?! You only told me to read the first book, so that's all I've bought and now I've got to wait on the Shipping Gods to get it to me quickly!"

The Shepherd King duology showed me what reading top notch quality fantasy feels like. From the world building to the the absolute beauty of every single character. There was not a single flaw in it. It's a masterpiece that should be talked about so much more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Folk of the Air

A list of all the books in the same world as The Folk of the Air

Folk of the Air

1. The Cruel Prince

1.5. The Lost Sister (Novella)

2. The Wicked King

1. The Queen of Nothing

3. How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories* (Collection of short stories)

The Stolen Heir Duology

1. The Stolen Heir

2. The Prisoner's Throne

Other Related books

• The Modern Faerie Tales

• Darkest Part of the Forest

* The short stories in this book are scattered all through Folk of the Air. I would usually figure out where each short story in the book happens but it actually makes more sense to read all at once after The Wicked king.

I hope this helps you. :)

Thanks for reading.

Above image is a pride flag with every color band represented by a NASA image. White is Earth clouds, pink is aurora, blue is the Sun in a specific wavelength, brown is Jupiter clouds, black is the Hubble deep field, red is the top of sprites, orange is a Mars crater, yellow is the surface of Io, green is a lake with algae, blue is Neptune, and purple is the Crab Nebula in a specific wavelength.

I would be so interested in a prequel that shows Madoc's backstory, what happened with his first wife, and how he and Oriana came to be together. I reckon it would be more political/adventurous, but still. I think it would be so interesting to see how his moral compass actually works and to know more details about what happened to lead to the events of the main series.

Spoilers for The Prisoner’s Throne

Not Madoc giving me the most emotional responses in this book. 🥹

Listen, Madoc is the most complex, the most morally grey, the most treacherous, and yet, I adore him.

Remain Nameless by HeyJude19 is free to read on ao3, keep fandom free. 🫐☕️

trans women, i love you.

you were a woman yesterday. you're a woman today. you're a woman tomorrow. you're a woman forever.

trans women have existed long before those stuffy bigots sitting in a court room have. trans women will continue to exist long after they're dead and rotting in the earth.

Me, right now.

I've been letting a story idea marinate in my head for a week and there are so many avenues I could take, but I'm also nervous to even start. Mainly because the last few things I've tried to write, I've literally deleted upon reading.

I miss the old me. She used to write daily, thousands of words, and did not give a shit if the first draft sucked. She went back and wrote it again.

I freeze. Like, Deer-In-Headlights-Freeze. Why? Who the fuck knows. But if anyone has any advice other than, "Just write through it, it will be fine!," I'd be eternally grateful.