Hi! I’ve been in the writing and poetry community for about 7 years and in that time, I’ve written about three novels, over 500 pieces of poetry, made a shit-ton of fanfiction and a shit-ton of mistakes in the process. I’m mainly a realistic fiction writer so if you want advice on world-building or anything fantasy/sci-fi wise; I might not be the person to ask but I can still give my two-cents. My skills reside in angst, romance, dialogue, and anything poetic.
Hm, one thing i'm struggling with is romance, actually. How do you show romantic attraction between characters without it being (or feeling) too cheesy?
How do I really convey misery and make readers feel that? I'm trying to write about two brothers, they miss each other terribly because the older ran away to escape the abusive family they were in and the younger had to stay because he couldn't leave their dying parents. The younger was strictly forbidden from even thinking of the older brother, but they just miss each other so much, and the younger died before he could tell the older this. How to I really convey the grief and regret the older feels? How do I really make people feel it? Sorry if this is overspecific…
Hm, one thing i'm struggling with is romance, actually. How do you show romantic attraction between characters without it being (or feeling) too cheesy?
When writing love; you wanna try not to worry about being cheesy or anything like that. As long as you stay away from overly cilche lines, you should be fine. In my mind, it isn’t corny if you mean it. You wanna get a general feel for the character’s before you start writing them into a relationship. Shy people, for example, are less likely to say overly romantic things in case they come off wrong. Well, confident people are more likely to be balls deep in that type of shit; and so on. Does your character have a tragic past or a tragic present? That’s going to effect their love life greatly. Is this a love story that supposed to have problems or is this a love story that’s supposed to be a love story? No matter what; love at every angle has some poetic meaning. What does the other person truly mean to the character? Is this just a side fling? Is it toxic? Do they idolize their lover? Is love easy for them? Are you doing friends-to-lovers? Enemies-to-lovers? Strangers-to-lovers?
Example:
I have an OC who suffers with depression and a serious lack of self-worth. She falls in love with her bestfriend and for a while, she doesn’t even notice it. Wanting and pinning for her bestfriend was, in her mind, a normal aspect of admiration or just regular friendship. It takes until she gets the urge to kiss her that it finally kicks in. Because one of her main flaws is that she wants to be percieved as “normal”; she has a breakdown over realizing she’s in love with a girl. Because of her issue with self-worth; she thinks she’ll never have a chance because of how perfect her bestfriend seemed. She’d keeps this mindset up until her bestfriend actually confesses first.
To Miley, the main character, her bestfriend was everything. The only friend she ever had. So developing feelings to someone that important to her was terrifying.
Some lines from that include: “ The longer I amble in her eyes the more the feeling crepts in; until it almost feels like a memory. It feels like a friend I once knew before but distance got the best of us. Almost like I’ve known this feeling my whole life but just haven’t gotten the chance to fully greet it. But right now, in this moment, we’re face to face.”
and
“She didn’t know it, but every day, every moment, every time she talked to me saved me. She’s the one drug I can’t overdose on.”
But in another example;
My OC Lena, who is a very confident person, asks out this guy named Joseph on his very first day at her school. So, because they really don’t know anything about eachother, they spend a lot more time talking before any major steps like their first-time and or first-kiss. But because both of the characters are so confident, they’re both constantly making first-moves and almost fighting over who does it first.
In conclusion, every couple has a thing about them that makes them that couple. Unique quirks or inside jokes or just simple constant remarks. Anything like that will make for a good love-story.
oh yes i need major help
i'm writing a death scene and like… i can't get the raw emotions exhibited by the people who bore witness to the death to seem like… realistic. how would i go about doing this? any tips are useful.
tysm!
Hello!
I was hoping to get some critique on two of my characters, Eilore and Araite! For some context, they are sister Goddesses who work on Earth and were created by The Goddess of Life. They have a brother named Nyaery, but his character profile isn't complete just yet (feel free to check it out tho :P). Also please note the magic system I use is called Kilotai! You don't have to read that section because its pretty lengthy and confusing, but if you would like to be my guest! Thanks a lot :D
The Goddess of Time, Eilore: Eilore
The Goddess of The Sun, Ariate: Araite
(Forgive me for spelling mistakes I tried my best <3)