For Any Relocated TikTok Users

By clayshaper.

I loved him       (I think).                    Shameless. Laid before him,                    stupid lamb                    in a                              slaughterhouse.

— Karese Burrows, from “Persephone Writes a Poem,” This Is How We Lost Each Other

I'm never gonna leave you. I love you. I love you too.

when writing: enemies to lovers

hi everyone.

i decided i wanted to start a little series called when writing: (insert trope, plot point, story aspect, cliche). feel free to (and please do) recommend anything of the sort stated above that you have any questions about or want to know how to write.

first one we’ll be talking about is my personal favorite: enemies to lovers.

i had this idea when i was reading a novel that was meant to be enemies to lovers, but then two chapters in everything was resolved—which not only turned me off reader-wise but made me wonder why it was marketed as a riveting enemies to lovers story— when it wasn’t that.

slightly disliking someone isn’t the same as despising them. slightly disliking someone doesn’t make them an enemy, it makes them someone you find disagreeable. those are two different things.

moreover, in my opinion, when two people have been plotting each others’ murder for weeks/years/however long they’ve hated each other, that hatred-filled way they thought of the person isn’t just going to disappear into thin air just because they did something nice for them.

; that’s how humans are.

after thinking one way for a long time, people will not easily be swayed into another way of thinking.

with that, i think, i’ve stated the most important part of enemies to lovers done well.

it’s the rawness, messiness of it all. the reluctance. if you’ve done it in a good way, your characters would have most likely been bloody awful to each other to start. and i meaaannnnn… they’re enemies. they should be.

don’t be afraid to have them be awful to each other because you think the readers will find it too harsh or not be able to forgive them.

i’m not saying make them commit a crime or anything… unless…?

they’re meant to be evil to each other. they are meant to annoy the reader too, so we feel like we’re coming around to the character when our main pal starts to as well. there needs to be that switch.

and chances are, when they do fall in love, instead of thinking something like “i want to write them love letters because i love them so much i feel like i’m on clouds,” they’d be thinking “i want to rip off their smile and put it in my pocket for safekeeping so it’ll never go away.”

so how do we get that aspect across in writing?

well. think of the person you dislike strongly or hate right now. you probably have an image in your head. now let’s say that they gave you a birthday card. would you suddenly forget why you didn’t like them in the first place? would you fall in love?

let’s say i told you that three months from now, you’d be in love with them. what would your reaction be?

right. i heard the laugh you let out just now (which, same).

i don’t think there’s another way to go about it than trying and failing and trying. read and watch lots of enemies to lovers media. good and bad (so you can see what not to do). remember the points i mentioned:

no matter how excited you may be to get to the romance, take your time. don’t let it be a brief hatred— your readers start your story from page one. saying “yeah they did hate each other for the past two years but you didn’t see that” isn’t showing it’s telling. show me at the beginning of the story what their relationship is. establish it. then ruin it and let them fall in love.

let them be awful to each other. don’t let fears of how it’ll be taken get in the way of you having your characters (regardless of age) act immature when provoked by the person who gets on their last nerve. it’s important to have them both be awful too; it’s one thing if one person is an angel and the other is satan incarnate. that is just not a good relationship period and not fun to read at all. in fact i’d say that’s just a toxic relationship. make sure it’s enjoyable awful. let your characters make other characters cry!!!!!!

make sure that the realization (and rest of the character coming to terms that they no longer hate &/ love their enemy) doesn’t undo everything you established in the beginning. just because they no longer hate each other doesn’t mean they never hated each other to begin with. make sure that their past plays a part in their later conflicts. i mean… they’ve been awful to each other. they’re not just going to sweep it under the rug. even if it isn’t the main conflict, it’s definitely not going to be forgotten, especially if the characters are arguing later on and one remembers something the other said to them. (bc we love drama here!!!!)

a lot of what enemies to lovers is is testing out situations, cutting some out, learning what works and what simply doesn’t. have people give you feedback on certain scenes— is this argument contrived? did i cross the line here? would you be able to forgive someone who did this or not? do these characters work together at all?

these are questions you need to be asking yourself throughout the writing process. the answers to these are what makes an enemies to lovers story enjoyable.

there are really important parts you need to remember too— and this isn’t a specific formula but a flexible reminder.

hate —> hesitance —> love.

or in layman’s other terms…

you are the worst thing i’ve ever come across in my life —> … wait… why did i dislike you? —> oh. i don’t (anymore).

without the first, it’s more just disagreeable strangers to lovers. which is okay. if that’s what you’re going for.

i think the fact that they do need to actually hate each other for it to be enemies to lovers is something that is often forgotten— but i think what’s equally forgotten is the reminder that there is no way these characters would just flip a switch and change their mind within a small amount of time. there needs to be that hesitance so it’s a gradual thing— and even if it isn’t a 50k slow burn you simply can’t rush enemies to lovers for it to be realistic.

some enemies to lovers media i recommend to learn from (whether good or bad i am not bold enough to specify here)

the cutting edge (movie)

the unhoneymooners (book; especially good because the main characters have an unresolved external conflict even after resolving their own)

the princess diaries 2 (movie)

shipped (book)

you deserve each other (book; one of my favourites, ever)

me before you (book & movie)

starstruck (movie)

10 things i hate about you (movie)

well met (book)

the hating game (book)

beach read (book)

meet cute (book)

lastly, here are some reluctantly falling in love with my enemy but can’t show it blurbs by yours truly.

as always, feel free to use :)

“oh my God, you absolute dunce. you’re sick, aren’t you?” “i’m not.” “you’re coughing right now! see!”

character b thinking they were having a moment but character a still has the mindset that they’re enemies and thinks it was all a joke… which hurts

ARGUMENTS!!!!! arguments. let them argue. often. especially when they’re falling in love, they won’t know why the arguing has changed from simple “i hate you’s” to “why do you want to get to know me? i thought we’re supposed to hate each other’s” and a bunch of other fun stuff

having character a do something nice for character b but character b instead thinking they have some ulterior motive

“if you die, i’m going to kill you.”

that “wait wait… did i ever hate them?” moment in the end of act two

“so help me God if you smile like that again i’ll eat it off your face.”

those conflicted feelings… character a hating character b but wondering if they hate them enough to give up on the chance to be with them

“you’re smiling at me.” “sure i am.” “i’m literally looking at you and seeing you smile at me right now.”

“i hate you, you know.” “i know.” i hate your smile.” “i know.” “and your face. it’s so obnoxious.” “i know.” “i’ve hated you for [x amount of time] so why is it that i can’t seem to get you out of my head now?”

this is so me it’s insane

cred

Happy (Draco finally had the guts to kiss Hermione) Valentine’s day~ 💕✨

Yeah Mr. Darcy’s proposal was a complete turd and a half but you gotta understand. You got your life together. A good career, stable income, retirement plan, all that shit together. And you meet this girl. And she’s everything. Clever, outspoken, funny, calls you on your bullshit. Grade A cutie, right? And she doesn’t go out of her way to spend time with you but she’s nice, and sometimes you catch her looking your way in a way that makes you think you might have a shot.

But her family. Holy shit.

First off, it’s p much ALL women, and mostly UNMARRIED women, which at this time means of something happens to her dad then you’re financially responsible for like. Four grown ass adults, potentially forever

Because mom in law is DEFINITELY gonna need someone to take care of her when dad in law kicks it, and they have like. NO money. So already you’re accepting that if all goes well, you’re gonna be one random old bag’s retirement home. That’s expensive and exhausting, yeah? Imagine asking someone on a first date knowing that if they say yes and things go good her high-strung chihuahua mother is gonna move in with you. IMAGINE.

And girly’s other sisters. Well, one is a sweetheart, yeah, so she probably won’t be an issue, but that still leaves three more, and two of those ones are INSUFFERABLE. Never went to school, dumb as rocks, spend cash like it’s toilet paper

And while one of the two is young still and might grow out of it the OTHER one is actively torpedo’ing her entire family’s reputation by wandering off with random dudes and chasing ass. She’s never gonna work, she can’t build connections, she’s a fucking sinkhole, and she’s being led on by the same goddamn con man ass leeching tit who’s been bleeding you dry while telling anyone who’ll listen that your family is full of ratty thieving bastards.

And if he dumps her after a week- WHICH YOU KNOW HIS BITCH ASS IS GONNA- you’ve got a SECOND UNMARRIABLE GROWN ASS ADULT TO PROVIDE FOR. And you KNOW she’s gonna be a tantrum-throwing little shit about it, and it’s not like you can lock her in the basement or something, you’re gonna have to bring her fucking. Everywhere. And give her an allowance and shit while she contributes zero, because again, she NEVER GOT EDUCATED AND HAS NO MARKETABLE SKILLS. She’s not even good to TALK to. FUCK

And you’re looking at this girl’s father like “please for the love of fuck get your spawn under control, marry them off, get them working on their résumé, learning to sew or be nursemaids or manage staff or SOMETHING, yall got no money and one foot in the grave” and that old man just laughs like “haha yeah, what can you do. lol”

So you’re looking to the mom and finally it’s making sense how she got that twitch in her eye and as MUCH as she is you’re starting to realize she’s the SMART one, desperately throwing her armloads of girls at random men like they’re a bunch of fucking lifeboats bobbing around a sinking ship, like yes Jesus Christ sweetly that life boat IS old and ugly and kind of boring but for FUCKS SAKE PICK ONE

And you look back at this girl who is ALSO REFUSING THE LIFE BOATS BY THE WAY and god damn it she’s still the most radiant thing you’ve ever seen so fine, fuck it, Christ alive, you’ll do it. You’ll shoot your shot. She’s everything you’ve ever wanted in anybody abut it’s not even just about that anymore, it’s about being her best fucking shot at a future, and even if she doesn’t like you all that much she’s still gonna say yes and that might break your heart a bit knowing it’s about the money but who knows, maybe it will at least be civil, or companionable, and even if she doesn’t LOVE you at least you’ll know she’s well and cared for

And so you’ll do it. You’ll take on the neurotic stress mess mother in law, the absent father, the broke ass wingnut no brain no money no future airhead sisters, the bad mannered relatives and the embarrassing behaviour and the impending future of sharing your entire shit with a clown parade of freeloaders, you’ll risk it all and accept the absolute certainty of financial ruin and emotional exhaustion for the rest of your whole ass life and you’ll make your own family deal with it too, you’ll do it, you’ll fucking DO IT, you stupid lovesick motherfucker

And so you go to this chick like “look. Your whole family’s a shitshow. You’ve got fucking nothing and you’re gonna die on the street. But for some reason- and I don’t get it either- I’ve fallen in love with you, and I wish I didn’t, but I did, so I’m telling you that whether you like me or not, I’ll give you everything. I’ll give you everything even if it’s the dumbest shit I ever done. Fuck my stupid Baka ass, I’ll marry you.”

And she looks at you- having heard or considered absolutely none of your months-long internal debate and monologue- and goes “The fuck did you just say about my family, you son of a bitch?”

And the shock of that is enough to jolt you back into a reality where you are able to actually hear and process what just came out of your damn mouth And yeah

Yeah, I think I kinda get it

we must protect archive of our own at all costs

How to write smut ?

(@urfriendlywriter | req by @rbsstuff @yourlocalmerchgirl anyone under the appropriate age, please proceed with caution :') hope this helps guys! )

writing smut depends on each person's writing style but i think there's something so gut-wrenchingly beautiful about smut when it's not very graphic and vivid. like., would this turn on a reader more?

"he kissed her, pulling her body closer to him."

or this?

"His lips felt so familiar it hurt her heart. His breathing had become more strained; his muscles tensed. She let herself sink into his embrace as his hands flattened against her spine. He drew her closer."

(Before proceeding further, these are all "in my opinion" what I think would make it better. Apply parts of the advice you like and neglect the aspects you do not agree with it. Once again I'm not saying you have to follow a certain type of style to write smut! Creative freedom exists for a reason!)

One may like either the top or the bottom one better, but it totally depends on your writing to make it work. Neither is bad, but the second example is more flattering, talking literally. (Here is me an year after writing this post, i think, either is amazing, depending on the context. the type of book you're writing, your writing style and preferences!)

express one's sensory feelings, and the readers will automatically know what's happening.

writing, "her walls clenched against him, her breath hitching with his every thrust" is better than writing, "she was about to cum".

(edit: once again, hi, it's me. Either is amazing depending on ur writing style. Everything at the end is about taste.)

here are some vocabulary you can introduce in your writing:

whimpered, whispered, breathed lightly, stuttered, groaned, grunted, yearned, whined, ached, clenched, coaxed, cried out, heaved, hissed

shivering, shuddering, curling up against one's body, squirming, squirting, touching, teasing, taunting, guiding, kneeling, begging, pining, pinching, grinding,

swallowing, panting, sucking in a sharp breath, thrusting, moving gently, gripped, biting, quivering,

nibbling, tugging, pressing, licking, flicking, sucking, panting, gritting, exhaling in short breaths,

wet kisses, brushing soft kisses across their body (yk where), licking, sucking, teasing, tracing, tickling, bucking hips, forcing one on their knees

holding hips, guiding the one on top, moving aimlessly, mindlessly, sounds they make turn insanely beautiful, sinful to listen to

some adverbs to use: desperately, hurriedly, knowingly, teasingly, tauntingly, aimlessly, shamelessly, breathlessly, passionately, delicately, hungrily

he sighed with pleasure

her skin flushed

he shuddered when her body moved against his

he planted kisses along her jawline

her lips turned red, messy, kissed and flushed.

his hands were on his hair, pulling him.

light touches traveled down his back

words were coiled at his throat, coming out as broken sobs, wanting more

he arched his back, his breath quivering

her legs parted, sinking into the other's body, encircling around their waist.

+ mention the position, how they're being moved around---are they face down, kneeling, or standing, or on top or on bottom--it's really helpful to give a clear picture.

+ use lustful talk, slow seduction, teasing touches, erratic breathing, give the readers all while also giving them nothing. make them yearn but DO NOT PROLONG IT.

sources to refer to for more:

gesture that gets me on my knees !!

(more to comeee, check out my hot or kisses prompts on my master list!)

“You know, Granger, If you weren’t such a bitch, I’d be interested…

Oh— and a mudblood, of course.”

A/N: He’ll eat his words eventually.