Stretch! Especially Neck And Shoulders If You Watch/ Use Screens

10 Free Alternatives to Final Draft

1. Adobe Story: An online collaborative screenwriting suite by Adobe that won’t cost you a dime.

2. BPC-Screenplay: A free screenwriting software developed in Berlin for Microsoft Windows. 

3. Celtx: This popular browser-based screenwriting software has a paid and a free version.

4. DramaQueen: Also available as free and paid version.

5. DubScript: A mobile based free script writing software reader and writer for Android operating systems.

6. Page 2 Stage: An open-source software designed specifically for Windows users.

7. Plotbot: A browser-based free screenplay software that’s great for collaboration with another writer.

8. Story Touch: There’s a free version of this professional screenwriting software. Allows you to write and analyze your screenplay at the same time. 

9. Trelby: Another open source free screenplay software currently only available for Microsoft Windows and Linux, but a Mac version is said to be on the way.

10. Writer Duet: A program that allows real-time collaborative work in which the writers immediately see all edits.

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Day Thirty-Five

of @the-wip-project‘s challenge

Q35: How do you describe sounds?

A35: There’s a lot of silence in my current wip. It’s a way to voice the loneliness the main character feels. Plus, most of the story takes place in winter in my home town where, at least during the era the story is set in, the accumulation of snow dampens all sounds.

You have given me something to think about, though. Will make sure that I don’t forget to describe sounds, or lack thereof, in my text.

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How to stop researching (or worldbuilding) and start writing

This is actually advice my mentoring professor gave me when I was writing my first thesis.

He said: Accept that you are never done. There is always more to know, more to research, more questions raised than answered. At some point, you just got to start writing.

Now, “easier said than done, this accepting”, I thought.

I started writing because my thesis deadline was looming. But what if you’re writing a novel and you have no deadline? How do you know when it’s okay to stop researching? When is it okay to stop worldbuilding? (Which is just like doing research, but in your own head instead of in reality.)

My advice to you is: start writing, and you’ll run into the gaps you still need to fill. Then you know what to research before starting your second draft. Let your story tell you what it needs.

For example:

Just fill your margins with a to-research-list for your future self.

That way, it’s also managable: “I finished my first draft, and I have a list of 317 things I need to decide on.” Instead of: “I saw on tumblr that you can’t build a world without knowing everything about the sewage system! And gosh, I haven’t invented three languages yet!”

Advantages:

You get things done.

It’s not overwhelming.

You don’t spend your time inventing things you’ll like so much that you want to infodump them into your story.

You mainly research things that are relevant to your story.

Well, knowing you, you already researched enough irrelevant stuff too.

You get things done.

I hope this was helpful. Don’t hesitate to ask me any questions, and happy writing!

Follow me for more writing advice, or check out my other writing advice here. New topics to write advice about are also always welcome.

Tag list below the cut, a few people I like and admire and of course, you can be too. If you like to be added to or removed from the list, let me know.

Keep reading

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Curious as to what new and exciting activities are you participating in during the wga and sag-aftra strike of 2023

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sigh. beauty in motion

Super slow mo clexa kiss. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

2x14 kiss.

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Day Forty-three

of @the-wip-project‘s challenge.

Q43: How often to you switch WIPs and do you think that’s a good thing to do?

A43: I used to switch quite a bit. But this ended up in tons of notebooks of unfinished stories or redrafts of scenes I had already written down once as I could not find the first version of that scene. I’m the kind of person who reads one book at a time. Writing multiple wips at once can be good in terms of coming up with ideas. But if I’m avoiding writing a scene in one wip, writing for another wip becomes a form of procrastination for me.

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Reposting so I won’t lose track of this fab reading list.

any clexa fic recs? I started Good Morning Afghanistan when I saw you mention it and I am 100% happy with that decision :)

I’m just gonna recommend finished fics, I’ll add more as I read and if you want any good works in progress let me know :)

links are the name and in brackets are songs that i think go with them!

Series:

Lover In Low Light (New York City, Breathe, Dreams, Breathe)

She (Inside Out, Parallel Lines)

blood rush in the hazy glow (Lose It, Last Train, Thief, Million Questions, Chasing Rubies, Baby Girl)

You See the Smile That’s On My Mouth (it’s hiding the words that don’t come out) (Circles, Keep Me In Mind, Breathe) 

What heart’s ease must queens neglect (Lonely, I Need You)

Enchanted 

The Blind Side of Love (Lost and Found, Speak in Tongues)

Mystic Coffee

masquerade dreams

beat the devil’s tattoo

the business of caring (Baby, Borrowed Lives)

Our Hearts (Have Minds Of Their Own) (Inside Out, Promises)

Love Is Blindness (I Don’t Want to See) (Young God, Borderline, BTSK, Everything,Pray, Baby Girl)

Catch Me, I’m Falling (Million Questions, Say You Won’t Let Go, Sensations)

Possibility days 

Good Morning, Afghanistan (Meet Me On The Battlefield, Gold)

Head Over Boots (Head Over Boots)

The Three Truths

The Library

We Looked Like Giants

Anytime I Want (Sweet Home Alabama, New York City)

Pie in the Sky (Dreams, Seeing Stars, Leave Your Lover)

We Could Be Legends (Get Good, Sensations)

Seasons 

And I am driftwood, found. 

pump mud through my veins (Only One)

lifted up (where the sky hangs) 

sick and full of pride (Drive)

that’s the beauty of a secret (you know you’re supposed to keep it)

somewhere I have never traveled (Sensations)

Hodness Laik Kwelnes

The Breath That Passed from You to Me (Haunting, Been A While)

i built a home for you, for me (held on as tightly as you held onto me) (Feels Like Home, As Ballad)

Within Me An Invincible Summer (BBBlue, BTSK, Pray)

Bare My Soul (Bare, Baby Girl)

Sweet and Sunny (As Ballad)

Player Two Has Entered the Game

A Business of the Heart 

Found Love in Polis

Strangers on the Phone

Strangers Don’t Write (Love) Letters (For U)

Shining a Light Into Darkness (As Ballad, For U)

Maybe you don’t have to rush (you could leave a toothbrush) (Wildwood, Toothbrush)

You Came Home For The Endless Summer

Bloom/Ink

do you believe in soulmates (because I’m yours and you’re mine) (Past Lives)

girls like girls like boys do

[prompts, one-shots and other drabbles]

prompt series

Soft Sin

One-Shots

they take their shots but we’re bulletproof (i hate u, i love u, BBBlue) 

(I Wanna Be) Your Left Hand Man (Warrior)

in every life (i love you) (Leave Your Lover, Past Lives)

holy ground

the best thing (that’s ever been mine)

sparks fly, (Caves, Shouldn’t Be A Good In Goodbye)

in my bones (Arcadia, Dreams)

it’s a bloodsport

you are not mine to ask things of

Kiss Cam

is that a broom between your legs or are you just happy to see me?

high as a kite

Day Late Friend, (Parallel Lines, Keep Me In Mind)

Naive Orleans (For U)

Parting Gifts and Talks About Cats

When I Picture You (i think of your smile)

desires that deserve to be created

cold arms

Springs of Change (Everything)

tear down the walls (Baby Girl)

maybe they will sing for us tomorrow (Past Lives,As Ballad)

Falling But Not Alone

Kill Marks

The Moon and The Sky

The Why and Wherefore

Death and Her Commander

if i gotta go first, i’ll do it on my terms (you’re gonna lose what you love the most)

do i care if i survive this? (bury the dead where they’re found)

holy wounds & holy wars (we can let it slide)

rivers of blood, the dark woods (singing with all my skin and bone)

kiss me with adventure (until i forget my name)

i’m a princess cut from marble, smoother than a stone (the scars that mark my body are silver & gold)

One of Us Cannot Be Wrong

Locked Out

ripped at every edge (but you’re a masterpiece)

the only moment we were alone 

Moments  

can first loves last? (Say You Won’t Let Go)

Lexa Woods Does Not Share Food

to die (would be an awfully big adventure)

we dream like lions

only hell knows me

Winner’s Circle

Heaven is a Place on Earth (Heaven is a Place on Earth)

hope you enjoy! I’ll try to keep this updated as I read :)

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Day forty-nine

of @the-wip-project​‘s challenge.

Q49: How do you get yourself in the mood to write? Do you have a ritual?

A49: Trying to fall asleep... just kidding! That is often when ideas come to me, but I digress. To put myself in the mood I do have a ritual:

Decide what I want to write.

Clean for 15 minutes while listening to music from the era I’m writing in.

Write for 25 minutes.

Take a 5 minute break

Review, am I writing what I set out to write? If it is better and relevant, then continue otherwise go back to 3.

Write for 25 minutes.  

Repeat as necessary until I’ve run out of time.

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Day Thirty-One

of @the-wip-project​‘s challenge!

Q31: What’s a pet peeve you have, that you focus on to do differently in your own stories?

A31: A writing pet peeve that I see in other’s writing ... flipping back and forth between angst filled POVs. I do enjoy a well described scene with a smattering of angstful innner monologue but five paragraphs of back and forth inner thoughts that could be summarized in behaviours, distract me from the plot. I do my best to avoid this in my writing by replacing inner monologue with actions that will betray those thoughts. 

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Yes yes yes! Thank you!

Recently Updated Works-in-Progress Clexa Fic Recommendations

Howdy Clexakru! For our next installment of Clexa fic recommendations, I am focusing on Recently Updated Works-In-Progress. The majority of these fics have been updated within the past couple months. There are so many great WIP out there, so this is Part 1. I may do another list that focuses on those WIP that have been updated in the past 6-months or so (cause writers have lives too and shouldn’t be overlooked just because they aren’t able to update sooner). Without further ado:

A Crown Seldom Enjoyed by @onemilliongoldstars: Oh hell yes the Game of Thrones crossover you never knew you needed (well that’s a lie, we have all been secretly pining for this fic). This author’s writing style is beautifully romantic but completely realistic. It is soft when necessary but strong when it matters. It is, in one word, enrapturing. I tried to wait till this was complete so I could binge it, but I couldn’t wait. It was totally worth going to bed at 3am to finish it.

Earning it Back, Heart Upon the Southern Ground, and Behind the Stars by @sassymajesty: Guys, I don’t know how to explain to you in words the extent to which I love this author’s writings. The angst, the slow burn, the fluff, the angst, the love, the heartbreak, did I mention the angst? Jesus the last update of EIB was perfection but I am so scared of what lies ahead. When reading these fics I am always reminded of the saying “nothing worth having in this world comes easy”.

For Madi by thelovelypintobean: Fair warning, this is a Bellarke engagement but a Clexa endgame (OK OK STOP YELLING, HEAR ME OUT). Bellamy and Clarke have a kid together, Madi, but Clarke is in love with her best friend, Lexa. Bellamy proposes and Clarke says yes “for Madi” (Hey, that’s the title of the fic!). What I really like so far is that Lexa and Clarke don’t fight their attraction, like in so many fics. They are magnets that can’t help themselves when they are alone. Chapter 2 is a little messy with a bunch of new characters but keep going because it is shaping up to be a good ride.

My Heart is the Hardest to Break by @jazzyjazzin: Lexa tutors Clarke and in return gets tips on how to make a girl fall in love with her (as if anyone wouldn’t just fall in love with Lexa at first sight). Of course, Clarke is oblivious as to where Lexa’s true feelings lie. This has been such a roller coaster of emotions and the payoff has been worth it. I can’t wait to see how this ends.

Except You Love by @theproseofnight: I’m going to need a broom to sweep up my broken heart after reading this one. Clarke and Lexa break up after a once-in-a-lifetime romance due to opposite responses to a tragedy. The emotional breakdown this author creates is captivating. The layered details of the before, during, and after break-up scenes are reminiscent of the style of Lover in Low Light (for those who know their Clexa fic history, you know that is not a compliment to be taken lightly).

Battle Lines 2 by @gorgondrifter: This is a sequel to Battle Lines (hence the “2”). I tell you, I just adore this series. Battle Lines starts right after Clarke and Lexa do the naughty but Lexa doesn’t die. There is loads of love and pining between the two. I really enjoy the exploration of the “what if Lexa didn’t die” canon divergent stories and this one always puts a smile on my face. The writing style is fast-paced, gives just enough detail to keep you interested, and has matured over the course of the series. Give this a shot.

She’s New by @artsy-polarbear: Ah, did you think I would forget about this one? Hell no! I am adoring this take of a nerdy, lonely Clarke and a popular, outgoing Lexa. This is refreshing compared to how most fics imagine the two characters. However, many of the qualities we love about the two remain. We still have protective Lexa and oblivious Clarke. I read this one with a never-ending smile on my face.

Sleepless in Seattle by @lorig11: Do you want to laugh out loud on the metro and have everyone look at you like you are crazy? Do you want to have to stifle a laugh behind your hand while sitting in a quiet doctor’s office? Well have I got the fic for you! I freaking love the fun, witty style of this author’s works. If the humor brings you in, it’s the deep, well-written connection between Clarke and Lexa that makes you stay. The last update had me throwing a temper tantrum like a child who just got told pizza was not a vegetable.

Devotion to Duty, Stellar Collision, Polis Tattoo, Breaking the Ice, Titanic: The Untold Story by @thessclexa: Is that 5 WIP all updated recently?! Yes, yes it is! And the best part? They are all amazing! I honestly cannot tell you which one is my favorite because they are all so different and amazing. Spend a Sunday binging these and it will be a Sunday well spent (or just blow off work to read them, like I did).

Closer by @rivertalesien: Clarke is an escort and Lexa is one of her clients. What happens when identities are discovered and feelings develop? There is an intelligence to this writing that I haven’t seen in awhile. The author requires the reader to pay attention to time and place as the story unfolds. I am enamored by that author’s phrasing choices, such as “sensual carnality”. Clarke’s switch from soft to dominating beautifully reflects her internal battle with her feelings.

Heaven Sent by @effortlesslyopulent: Clarke was sent down to Earth many years before the Ark crashes. She and Lexa marry and rule together. Now the Ark has crashed and Clarke’s loyalties are tested. Oh how I adore this fic! As the angst grows, Lexa and Clarke’s love grows with it. For anyone who has been asked to choose between family or the love of your life, you will relate to Clarke’s “decision” in the latest chapter.

Show Me Your Colors by CommanderHearteyes071215: Clarke teaches at Arkadia HIgh and Lexa is the new teacher. Lexa is cold and stand-offish but Clarke is determined to get to know her. Guys, the banter between the two is fantastic. Their favorite thing to say to each other? “I hate you”, “I hate you too”. They are both oblivious to their mutual love but they aren’t fooling those around them. This has been such a fun and easy read.

Everything Is The Same As It Was by @aphrodites-law: One day all 7 billion people on earth vanish - except for Clarke. At least, that’s what she thought until she was staring down the barrel of Lexa’s gun. It is so Clexa that is would take the end of the world for them to find each other. This is a slow burn, fluffy fic about two sweet souls just trying to find something worth living for. A comforting-type of fic.

Lancelot by @almostafantasia: Kingsman/Secret Agent AU. Lexa is a British secret agent (oh yeah she has a British accent in this one; you’re welcome) and Clarke is the President’s daughter. During a mission gone wrong, they both find themselves instantly drawn to each other. This fic is filled with lighthearted Anya bantering and action-packed scenes. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the ride so far.

Well, that’s the list for now. If there are any lists you would like to see in the future, drop me a line. I have some ideas lined up already. Until next time, remember to spread the love to all our amazing authors.

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