ghost-girl-24
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Latest Posts by ghost-girl-24
“I’ll use Tyrrendor to protect you, not you to protect Tyrrendor.”
Xaden didn’t just marry Violet so Tyrrendor would have a ruler after he was gone. He didn’t just do it so that she could protect Tyrrendor.
He married Violet so the title would protect her. He laid it out plainly when they were in Deverelli and he called her his consort—“the designation gives you the protection and privileges of my title”. The easiest way to kill venin-Xaden would be to kill Violet and hope that the bond does the job for them, but now that she’s Duchess of Tyrrendor? With the entire army of the largest province in Navarre under her command? And all the wealth and power held by the Riorson family? The Navarrian command can’t touch her.
Because Xaden used Tyrrendor to protect Violet, not the other way around.
It’s been 0 days since I’ve cried over Onyx Storm.
Writing Weapons (7): Unarmed Combat (Hand-to-Hand Fighting)
In a fight situation with no weapons, characters will stick with the kind of fighting they're familiar with: grappling or striking.
Grappling
Martial arts: judo, wrestling aikido, jiu jitsu, sambo, lucha libre, glima
Suitable for: entertaining fight scenes
Aim in lethal fight: chock or strangle
Words to use: grapple, wrestle, twist, pull, pin, roll, throw, toss, squeeze, press, chock, strangle
Holding the opponents down to the floor is called a "pin"
Striking
Martial arts: boxing, kick-boxing, karate, muay thai, capoeira, taekwondo
Suitable for: entertaining or gritty fights
Aim in lethal fight: blow to head
Words to use: strike, hit, box, kick, punch, chop, slap, kick, chop, hammer, pound
Mixing Martial Arts
Some martial arts combine grappling and striking techniques.
A skilled martial artist is probably an expert in eiher striking or grappling, but also has basic skills in the other.
Easier to stick with one group for one character - the hero's friends can complement each other if they have different martial art backgronds!
Investing a Fantasy Martial Art
Spiritual Elements connected to the general magic/religious system of your story world.
Mental Focus that allows the martial artist to amplify the effectiveness of attacks.
Small rituals, like bowing to the guru before and after every fight to obtain some kind of "blessing"
Restricted admission to pretigious martial arts academies
Specialist techniques that require combining physical action with spells, or a symbolic act that activates magic.
Exams: students must prove themselves through a series of tough (life threatening) tests to obtain access to the most important lessens of the practice.
Special garmetns
Secret codes between members
Winning Factors
Skill - the most important. A skilled fighter can take on someone who is much larger than them, but unskilled.
Size
Ruthlessness
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Writing Female Fighters
The Heroine Must. Fight.
Today's female protagonists cannot sit on the side crying and breaking down or whimpering as the battle ensues.
Readers want to see autonomous female fighters who can at least defense themselves with courage and adequate skill.
Not all women are the same, but the heroine should get her butt moving.
Less Muscle, but More Flexibilty
The average woman is shorter than the average man, which makes it more difficult to wield a long sword or slam something down on the opponent's head.
A woman who works out can plausibly be stronger than a male couch potato, but if her male counterpart works out as much as her, the man is going to be much stronger.
On the other hand, the center of gravity in a woman's body is lower than a man's which makes it harder to knock her off her feet.
She is also more flexible, which gives her advantage in grappling fights, making use of complex landscapes, or deflecting blows.
A woman's small size can also be an advantage if her opponent has only ever trained with male opponents. His big hands might not get a good grip on her slender limbs.
In historical fiction, giving your heroine good muscule build can be tricky as exercise was generally considered harmful for women, with some exceptions for horseriding any maybe archery at best.
In such cases, make your heroine an accomplished dancer or an eager horsewoman, or the only girl whose father considered to be son replacement and thus, gave her a boy's education.
Women of lower classes who couldn't afford to be fashionably weak will be plausibly stronger, perhaps even more than an idle gentleman.
More Room for Negotiation, but Prolonged Ruthlessness
In the Suspense part of your fight scene, females are more likely to negotiate and talk more, strategically trying to descalate the situation rather than attacking on a momentary impulse.
Generally, women are less aggressive than men and remain level-headed longer than her male counterparts, opting for non-violent methods first before using force.
Exceptions apply if she is trying to protect her children (or someone who she cares for as a child). Mothers can be tigresses.
A female pre-fight conversation may be: "If you had not done so-and-so and betrayed me with so-and-so, we could have been good friends as I thought we would be." "What do you mean? It was in fact you who brought bad blood between us. I can still hear you laughing with so-and-so, taunting me, purposefully making me look bad -" "But that was so long ago! If you want me to say sorry about something so insignificant, you should have just said so: I'm sorry. There. Satisfied?" "Ha! I can't believe you say that so easily. You still don't get it, do you?" "Who's being petty and unreasonable now?"
A male pre-fight conversation will be shorter: "Who's the coward now?" "You're wrong." "Prove it." "Bastard."
Compared to men, it will take more time for a woman's fight hormones (adrenaline, neurotransmitters and such) to kick in.
She would be slower to engage initially, throwing reluctant punches and thinking, but she'll grow more and more violent and lose all rational thought and compassion, and once she's in full flow, may not stop even when her opponent begs for mercy.
When writing a male-female duo, you can show him going for the first blow while she observes and strategizes first. When he's past his peak and panting, she is flying about left and right. Later when the tension wears off and she becomes wobbly and teary, she can rely on him to have recovered faster and distract other teammates so that they won't see her cry.
Plausible Skills and Backstory
In many cultures and time periods, the general attitude of society towards girls is that they have no place in fist fights or martial arts, unlike how it is encouraged for boys of the same age. So if your heroine has physical prowess that surpasses typical 'fitness' or is hidden, build a backstory of how she's obtained it.
For modern heroines, it can be as simple as signing her up for martial arts classes or yearly membership at the local gym. For historical fiction or girls with strict 'feminine' upbringing, it can be trickier.
It can be related to profession: maybe she was an erotic wrestler, catfighter, or an assasin who thought killing was more honorable than prostitution. They may have dabbles with it for a short time and is now trying to hide their past from their respectable employer or fiance.
It can be family backstory: Perhaps her mother was an accomplished martial artist or she had to fend for younger siblings on the streets from an early age. Maybe she was the only girl in a family of many boys who refused to be the punching bag.
Inexperienced Female Fighters
A woman with no fighting experience or training is likely to resort to one of these on instinct:
Try to talk herself out of the situation, attempting to persuade or negotiate for her life.
Grab something to use as a weapon. This instinct seems to be stronger for women than it is in men.
Use her hands to try and break free, or kick (often wth little success)
Pull hair
Scratch.
In a serious fight, pulling hair and scratching won't be helpful, except when the police come to find her body, they would find the opponent's DNA under her fingernails.
Plausible Weapons and Clothing
All of the above applies to scenes where both parties have no weapons, or has the bare minimum (like one dagger each).
Weapons are equalizers, and if your heroine is pointing a gun at her opponent she will definitely NOT hesitate to be the one to shoot first.
When giving your female character a weapon, choose one she can plausibly use. It would take an unusually brawny woman to wield a great medieval longsword.
For historical fiction, give your heroine something she'll plausibly own. Swords and firearm were a no-go for women, but archery was borderline acceptable.
For clothing starters, you definitely CAN NOT dress her in a tight miniskirt and chainmail bra with long, flowy hair and multiple silver chockers. Unless she's trying to seduce her way into her opponent's bedroom, and he has a chainmail bra fetish.
A practical heroine will have her thighs covered, preferably with leather but at least with fabric, since a lot of blood flows through the thighs and a slash would be critical.
She'll keep her hair tied, tucked under a helmet, braided back, etc. so that it won't impede her vision.
She'll support her breasts with a strong sport bra. In a historical eprioid, she'll either tie her breasts tight with a fabric bandage or support them with some kind of leather corset.
Invent a female version of male fighter clothing of the time you are writing about if it doesn't exist.
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Writing Male Fighters
Body Language
Before they start fighting, they will communicate a lot through body language, either conscious or subconscious.
Standing with legs apart, elbows out to the side, shoulders aquared, chin thrust forward and up, hcest inflated and turned full front to his opponent, piercing stare. These cures are intended to make him bigger.
He may hook his hands into his belt, framing his genitals.
Subtly stretching his neck or spine.
Stepping close up to the other, invading the other person's personal space. The one who steps back will "lose" - when this happens, we know that fists will be flying soon.
Skills
When writing a scene from a male point of view, don't make the mistake of writing a detail about basic fighting skills (like landing a fist in the opponent's jaw). For a man (on average) who probably learnt to box in his playground days - it would be better to let the moves come naturally.
For fancier skills (like weapons handling or martial arts), you may explain in fuller detail so that your readers can follow what's happening.
Weapons
Men often have a special relationship with their weapon: very personal, almost intimate. The weapon may serve as a symbol of his power, masculinity and reflect his self-image, even.
The hero may be seen cleaning, repairing, oiling his weapon, bragging about it or comparing it with others'.
Men Against Women
Most men are reluctant to hurt a woman. This instinct is often hard-wired into them, even in martial arts school that pride themselves on gender equality.
While there is no biological reason for sparing a a female fighter - only the sense of good old chivalry - you can show your villain hesitate for a second or hit less hard when a see a woman coming for him.
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Lovers of Elfhame by Frostbite Studios
it's just... so... GOOOD!
art by frostbite.studios
Words to replace said, except this actually helps
I got pretty fed up with looking for words to replace said because they weren’t sorted in a way I could easily use/find them for the right time. So I did some myself.
IN RESPONSE TO Acknowledged Answered Protested
INPUT/JOIN CONVERSATION/ASK Added Implored Inquired Insisted Proposed Queried Questioned Recommended Testified
GUILTY/RELUCTANCE/SORRY Admitted Apologized Conceded Confessed Professed
FOR SOMEONE ELSE Advised Criticized Suggested
JUST CHECKING Affirmed Agreed Alleged Confirmed
LOUD Announced Chanted Crowed
LEWD/CUTE/SECRET SPY FEEL Appealed Disclosed Moaned
ANGRY FUCK OFF MATE WANNA FIGHT Argued Barked Challenged Cursed Fumed Growled Hissed Roared Swore
SMARTASS Articulated Asserted Assured Avowed Claimed Commanded Cross-examined Demanded Digressed Directed Foretold Instructed Interrupted Predicted Proclaimed Quoted Theorized
ASSHOLE Bellowed Boasted Bragged
NERVOUS TRAINWRECK Babbled Bawled Mumbled Sputtered Stammered Stuttered
SUAVE MOTHERFUCKER Bargained Divulged Disclosed Exhorted
FIRST OFF Began
LASTLY Concluded Concurred
WEAK PUSY Begged Blurted Complained Cried Faltered Fretted
HAPPY/LOL Cajoled Exclaimed Gushed Jested Joked Laughed
WEIRDLY HAPPY/EXCITED Extolled Jabbered Raved
BRUH, CHILL Cautioned Warned
ACTUALLY, YOU’RE WRONG Chided Contended Corrected Countered Debated Elaborated Objected Ranted Retorted
CHILL SAVAGE Commented Continued Observed Surmised
LISTEN BUDDY Enunciated Explained Elaborated Hinted Implied Lectured Reiterated Recited Reminded Stressed
BRUH I NEED U AND U NEED ME Confided Offered Urged
FINE Consented Decided
TOO EMO FULL OF EMOTIONS Croaked Lamented Pledged Sobbed Sympathized Wailed Whimpered
JUST SAYING Declared Decreed Mentioned Noted Pointed out Postulated Speculated Stated Told Vouched
WASN’T ME Denied Lied
EVIL SMARTASS Dictated Equivocated Ordered Reprimanded Threatened
BORED Droned Sighed
SHHHH IT’S QUIET TIME Echoed Mumbled Murmured Muttered Uttered Whispered
DRAMA QUEEN Exaggerated Panted Pleaded Prayed Preached
OH SHIT Gasped Marveled Screamed Screeched Shouted Shrieked Yelped Yelled
ANNOYED Grumbled Grunted Jeered Quipped Scolded Snapped Snarled Sneered
ANNOYING Nagged
I DON’T REALLY CARE BUT WHATEVER Guessed Ventured
I’M DRUNK OR JUST BEING WEIRDLY EXPRESSIVE FOR A POINT/SARCASM Hooted Howled Yowled
I WONDER Pondered Voiced Wondered
OH, YEAH, WHOOPS Recalled Recited Remembered
SURPRISE BITCH Revealed
IT SEEMS FAKE BUT OKAY/HA ACTUALLY FUNNY BUT I DON’T WANT TO LAUGH OUT LOUD Scoffed Snickered Snorted
BITCHY Tattled Taunted Teased
Dialogue Responses
"I said sorry. What more could you want?"
"An explanation."
"For you to actually mean it."
"The truth about why you did it."
"I want you to actually feel sorry."
"That you will finally leave me alone."
"A promise that this was the last time."
"If you don't know, then I can't help you."
"I wish I wouldn't have had to beg you for it."
"Saying it and meaning it are two different things."
"Nothing. I don't want anything from you anymore."
All the Dialogue Responses can be found here.
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How to show emotions
Part IV
How to show bitterness
tightness around their eyes
pinched mouth
sour expression on their face
crossed arms
snorting angrily
turning their eyes upward
shaking their head
How to show hysteria
fast breathing
chest heaving
trembling of their hands
weak knees, giving in
tears flowing down their face uncontrollably
laughing while crying
not being able to stand still
How to show awe
tension leaving their body
shoulders dropping
standing still
opening mouth
slack jaw
not being able to speak correctly
slowed down breathing
wide eyes open
softening their gaze
staring unabashingly
How to show shame
vacant stare
looking down
turning their head away
cannot look at another person
putting their head into their hands
shaking their head
How to show being flustered
blushing
looking down
nervous smile
sharp intake of breath
quickening of breath
blinking rapidly
breaking eye contact
trying to busy their hands
playing with their hair
fidgeting with their fingers
opening mouth without speaking
Part I + Part II + Part III
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CRESCENT CITY EXCLUSIVE CHAPTERS
Please note that English is not my first language also I re-writed it from photos so there might be some errors.
HOUSE OF SKY AND BREATH
1. Bryce & Hunt Waterstones
2. Ruhn Books-a-Million
3. Tharion Target
HOUSE OF FLAME AND SHADOW
1. Bryce & Danika Indie
2. Bryce & Hunt Barnes & Noble
3. Bryce, Nesta & Azriel Target
4. Ember & Randall Books-a-Million
5. Ruhn & Linda Walmart
Cass… *tries to catch breath* … Cassian!
The Lord of Bloodshed
Art: artworks_by_rokii
Chapter 55 & holy crap this so hot!
Art by: artworks_by_rokii
📖: 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑸𝒖𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝑵𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 (𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐹𝑜𝑙𝑘 𝑜𝑓 𝐴𝑖𝑟 #3) 🐍👑🗡
✍🏽: 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤
🤯 Frat House Rebels 💻
How long did this drawing take?
Yes.
Character/s by: Sarah J. Maas @Therealsjmaas
Book series: Crescent City
Wowsa!
Rowan, Rhysand, and Hunt 🖤
By bxromance and timelessprintsca (link here)
Oh my god cassian!
art by castleintheskky (insta)
ACOTAR, ACOMAF and ACOWAR
Artist: @starscrapers
This is a beautiful rendition of my favourite scene in QoN 🥰😍
Artist: Loweana.art
Gorgeous 😍
Jude and Cardan - The Cruel Prince
Artist: @sashac_art
Enemies to lovers romance is the journey from sweetheart (derogatory) to sweetheart (affectionate)
and a bit of nessian ngl...
Qui-gon “feel, don’t think” Jinn training Anakin “I feel like jumping out of this speeder” Skywalker is honestly like, The funniest concept. There is no impulse control. Anakin: “I’m gonna jump off this cliff.” Qui-gon, lighting up a joint: “it’s the will of the force.”
Feyre and Baby Nyx 🥺
character in a fight scene: *restrains their opponent by pinning them against the wall by their wrists*
me:
100%!!
it’s so funny to me that people left acosf just really hating Amren and even Elain for saying one mean thing, but like prior to this book the “mean girl” who we didn’t understand was Nesta and we all ended up loving her so like
idk guys more support for female characters and more latitude for them to be messy and complex and cruel and misunderstood. And less like, salivating over Eris
And the fourth option... why not all three?
So do you like villains because they're cool, or because it's cathartic to see characters completely lash out against the world for their trauma and abuse and just be angry for all their pain in a manner that doesn't actually affect anyone since it's all fictional.
Feyre, to her scrambled eggs: oh what ever shall I do with Nesta!
Rhysand, pulling out binder: ah yes I’ve been thinking about this for MONTHS now! I have a brilliant plan all figured out don’t you worry Feyre Darling!
Feyre, reading over his shoulder: This just says “House arrest” and “Make her Cassian’s problem”
Cassian: Brilliant.
