AUTHORSNET.

Uncontained

Intimately Indifferent

* body language masterlist

* a translator that doesn’t eat ass like google translate does

* a reverse dictionary for when ur brain freezes

* 550 words to say instead of fuckin said

* 638 character traits for when ur brain freezes again

* some more body language help

AUTHORSNET is opening applications for new STAFF!

The palace is in desperate need of more royal blood to mind it, so now is your chance to try your luck! 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

-being a mod for our discord server

-keeping the net active

-working with the other admins to come up with new and exciting things to do

-running events

TO JOIN:

-reblog this post

-fill out this typeform

-follow the net and the current admin 

To you.

Hi! I wanted to make a pinned post with links to notable posts on my blog. I know my blog may be hard to scroll through because some posts are pretty long.

Introduction:

I’m Bee, a blind/low vision person who uses they/them pronouns. I am over 18. My love for reading, writing, and editing drew me to create a blog like this, along with a desire to see more blind characters in accessible stories. This lead to me becoming a sensitivity reader for blind characters.

I like reading fantasy, romance, books with lgbt+ characters, abs action stories. I also love literary stories. I will also read fanfiction, scripts, image descriptions, etc.

I provide sensitivity reading in exchange for donations. If you’re interested, here are my current rates. I charge rates to reflect the work that goes into sensitivity reading.

I also answer questions for free!

Tagging Information.

You can find a post I made here and input from followers.

Before You Ask:

These posts may be helpful for some of the more common questions, or may help you plan out your story so that you don’t have to fix it later on. Reading these posts may also help you develop richer, more detailed questions.

1. Things To Include or Avoid

Things I Want to See More Of/Less Of in Blind Characters

A post I wrote about myths that harm blind people (which you will want to avoid in your writing)

[Not by BlindBeta] - An article on misconceptions about blind people

Here is a thread that might help readers get an idea of what ableism is like. It includes a post why hiring blind actors is important, two responses that having ableist ideas including viewing blind people as burdens in employment, and a few responses from blind people, including myself. Here is the post.

Here is a post on ableist assumptions when asking questions and making jokes and how to avoid this. Here is the post.

A thread on Helen Keller, Anne Sullivan, and my addition, plus a video link to more information. This deals with erasure and distortion of history. Here is the link.

Writing Blind Characters Accepting Being Blind — When You Aren’t Blind Yourself. A post on why I don’t want to see this type of story, especially because this is also often a result of the trope about going blind through accidents / incidents / trauma. You can read it here.

Trope Discussion- The Blind Prophet / Blind Seer - A post where I discuss this trope and problems I usually find with it, as well as how to avoid these problems if you want to use this trope.

An ask that includes using a cane as a weapon.

A review of Blind by Rachel DeWoskin and why sensitivity readers are important

2. Accessibility

Here is my long post about making your specific content accessible for blind people (a general overview with different types of content)

And a post containing information about one way to add audio description to YouTube videos

And an ask with tips for making descriptions

An ask about where to put image descriptions

A helpful ask about adding ALT text to tumblr GIFs and pictures!

It also contains ideas about when to use ALT text or an image description.

An ask about adding image descriptions to many images (incorrect quotes, specifically at once), with demonstration by @mimzy-writing-online

An ask about sci-fi names and screen-readers, plus an excellent reblog with tips by @mightyoctopus.

3. Blind/Low Vision Person Reviews Blind Characters Series

Toph Beifong in The Blind Bandit episode of Avatar: The Last Airbender

Blind by Rachel DeWoskin

4. Other Asks That May Be Helpful

Here is an ask about guide animals and creating your own fantasy guide animal

It contains information about guide dogs, guide horses, emotional support animals, links about choosing between a cane and guide dog, and some qualities a guide animal should have. Note that I am not a guide user myself. This is simply a starting place.

A post on echolocation.

An ask about writing in Braille.

[Not by BlindBeta] Here is an article from the above link about how Braille works.

[Not by BlindBeta] And another link taken from my post on writing in Braille with more information on tools used to write Braille.

My thoughts on giving blind characters powers.

This is specifically about sense-based powers and echolocation.

Some thoughts of blind characters going blind through accidents.

Another post that covers possible accident- / incident- related blindness and avoiding tokenism. It may not all be applicable to the asker’s story, but I tried to cover everything I could think of to help, just in case.

A more in-depth explanation of what I mean by “going blind through trauma”, aka more of the trauma- / accident- / incident-based blindness. Link here.

An ask about portraying eye conditions before they had names.

An ask about things to keep in mind when writing about blind spots or central vision loss.

An ask about naming assistive technology/ devices before they were invented.

An ask on writing disabled characters with ableist myths/legends. And a follow-up.

And ask on reverse-ableism - why reverse-ableism is not real.

An ask on blind characters and clothes

An ask about assistive devices: telescopes.

An ask that touches on having clairvoyant blind characters. (Spoiler, this is a trope and avoiding tokenism is especially important here.)

An ask on going blind from light magic, temporary cure, and describing blind eyes as unfocused. Read here.

A post that discusses temporary cures and why the cure trope is a problem.

A post with a brief history of Braille and raised print.

A post where I was asked about navigating without O&M and covered the purpose of O&M and spreading information through the blind community. Plus an important reblog. Read here.

5. Posts About Toph From A:TLA

A collection of posts about writing Toph Beifong that might help writers.

My review of The Blind Bandit.

A post about a popular fanfic trope and myths about blind people’s eyes. Also my own personal issues with some ableism in the Avatar fandom. Read the post here.

A post on why avoiding tokenism is important even when you have a cool, popular blind character.

6. Other Helpful Blogs

I wanted to provide some other sources. While I am happy to take questions, I am not the only blind person here. Community is important and in the interest of supporting that community and reiterating that to non-blind followers, I wanted to include other blind blogs/disability blogs. Feel free to send questions to any number of us. We may even reblog each other’s posts to add ideas and different experiences. This will offer richer, more nuanced knowledge for you to draw from. If you wish, you can send me a private message and I can also contact other blogs for you with your questions.

Here is a blog that takes questions for disabilities and similar topics in general: @cripplecharacters

Here is a blog by a blind writer who also takes questions about writing blind characters: @mimzy-writing-online

And here is another blog by a blind person who answers questions: @ps-im-blind

Also, while I am currently the only blog specific to sensitivity reading for blind characters, here is a blog that can help you find sensitivity readers for your characters who have multiple marginalized identities. Feel free to check out the other blind sensitivity readers by searching “Blind” in the search bar. I think it is good to have a few readers, if they are available to you.

Here is the blog: @sensitivityreaders

How Should You Contact Me?

Asks (anonymous or otherwise) are fine. I also respond to private asks.

Private Messages are fine as well.

More Information About Sensitivity Reading Services:

After you have read the linked posts, you can clear up any residual confusion and obtain needed clarification with me via message or ask.

Send me a message with your request. Please include:

1. The word or page count of your project

2. A bit about the project itself, such as if it’s a book or a script, what it’s about, etc

3. If the blind character is a main or supporting character and if you want a full or partial read

4. Any concerns you may have or specific sections you want me to pay special attention to.

5. Any deadlines you may have.

From there, we will work out rates, proof of donation, and the logistics of the reading itself, such as providing my suggestions.

Do I Have a Ko-Fi or Other Way to Give Personal Donations?

As of now, no I do not. However, instead you can:

🌸 Send a nice ask

🌸 Make a small donation to the links on my Rates page

🌸 Share any of my posts, particularly my Rates page or a long post

If there is anything I can do to make this blog more accessible for others, let me know. Feel free to send any questions you may have. Thank you for reading and sharing my posts!

AUTHORSNET is opening applications for new STAFF!

The palace is in desperate need of more royal blood to mind it, so now is your chance to try your luck! 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

-being a mod for our discord server

-keeping the net active

-working with the other admins to come up with new and exciting things to do

-running events

TO JOIN:

-reblog this post

-fill out this typeform

-follow the net and the current admin 

@authorsnet ​ event 02: folklore — the beginning 

There was a greeting amongst Kalibers. May you be made of Time. Zhaire had heard it from the minute he was born, the minute they saw the cogs forming in his eyes. It was the first story he had ever been told - the tale of clockwork.

“ @authorsnet ​ event 02: folklore —  from the ashes ”

From the ashes came the Four. From nothing came salvation. The story is the same every time, ancient and cherished, clutched to the heart of thousands like a charm. They tuck it close, basking in the thought of being worthy of their gift. A world, built from the ground up. An unpayable debt. They do not wonder what came before, because to them, it did not exist. 

Those who did not have to wonder didn't last long. Between one breath and the next, the Four scrubbed clean the old world and gave birth to the new. They wrote the story, scribbled in the margins, smudged the ink and penned it anew. It was told as they wanted it; the original sacrifice. The great victory.

And so nobody thought about the before. There were more generations, the next Four and the next, all martyred as was their duty. Their memories were held in lanterns, in yearly ceremonies, on the bowed shoulders of the elders. It was their birthright, to be remembered. Worshipped. 

Saviors are much more palatable than annihilators. Before nothing, there is always something. A place to start. Buried in a forest, somewhere deep in the ground, sharing tall tales with the dead. This is where the true story starts, and where it ends. Both at the hands of the Four. They found and mastered their gifts over years, became bold and brash and unchallenged by nature. And so, they challenged themselves. Their hubris unearthed a curse, created solely to charge a price for their power. Foolish and young, time on their side, the Four became dangerous and untrained. Towns and cities began to feel the effects of their power; plagues and fires, storms that shook the earth. And still, the Four remained trapped in their pride. People pleaded, begged, prayed. For an end. For mercy. They were answered.

At the edge of the world, gray spread over the land like a stain. A blight that stole across grass, across stone and fabric and flesh. It left ash in its wake, raging and bleeding from the four corners of the continent. And for once, the Four saw. They listened, too late. At the center of the continent, they huddled, desperate for a solution. Their curse supplied one: their lives, forfeited. And all four lives of all the generations to follow. Oh, how they begged. They couldn't have seen it, had no way to know. They couldn't have stopped it, they said. But their curse needed lives, and so they had no choice. On their own terms, they decided. The curse would be held at bay for as long as the lives of the Four continued to be sacrificed, and the people would live. The terms were accepted, the story fabricated hastily. One last stitch in the gaping wound that was their pride. They had doomed this world, but saved the next. And as soon as they were lost, four more would take their place. For as long as it took. And took. And took. 

@authorsnet​​ event 01: first meetings – alex and francis

“Alex, this is Mr Francis Farraday-Tate,” Ivy said, pointing to the young man Alex had already noticed. He was very pale, had dark, deep-set eyes and was leaning majestically in the corner of the sofa with such an arrogant expression on his face that Alex would hardly have dared to address him of his own accord. “He’s a writer,” Ivy added in a confidential tone. “Pleased to meet you!” exclaimed Alex cheerfully, holding out his hand. Hesitantly, Francis took it with his own, which was icy. “I am seldom in the habit of speaking to strangers,” he said with dignity, “but I suppose it cannot always be avoided. In this case: the pleasure is all mine.” The hint of an extremely distinguished smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Beyond this, consider how these professions might vary depending on who the customers are - nobles, or lower class. Are they good at their job or just scraping by? Do they work with lots of other people or on their own? City or village?

For younger characters:

Apprentice to any of the above

Messenger/runner

Page/squire

Pickpocket

Shop assistant

Student

Looks after younger siblings

x: a variable used to represent something unknown.

We’ve seen an influx of questions about how to write stories based around characters of color, disability, non-binary, etc. when the author does not fall into these categories. Rather than have these posts take over the site, we’ve decided to compile a list of resources to help our fellow writers become more educated about writing what they do not immediately know. However, this list is not the end-all-be-all of knowledge; one should always try to learn from someone with first hand experience in any topic. The world is constantly growing and changing, and because of that, there will always be more to learn. The admins at Plotline Hotline want to help writers form respectful, informed, and realistic characters that broaden the narrow range we see in literature today. 

*Be wary that some of the topics listed below contain sensitive material. Reader discretion is advised.* 

As always, the links I found to be especially apt will be in bold. Topics are listed alphabetically, excepting the “other” section.

Culture

Appropriate Cultural Appropriation

What is Cultural Appropriation? [1,2,3]

Cultural Appropriation Is, In Fact, Indefensible

Voice Appropriation & Writing About Other Cultures

Diversity, Appropriation, and Writing the Other [List]

Disability

Writing Disibilities [1,2,3,4,5]

Guides to Writing Deaf or Hard of Hearding People

National Association of the Deaf - Resources [List]

World Federation of the Deaf

Using a Prosthetic Device

Prostehtic Limbs (Character Guide)

How NOT to Write Disabled Characters

A Guide to Disibility Rights Law (United States)

Timeline of Disibility Rights in the United States

Social Security Disability: List of Impairments, Medical Conditions, and Problems [List] (United States)

How to Write Disabled Characters: An Opinion Piece

Artificial Eye Resources [List][Various]

Adapting to the Loss of an Eye

Misconceptions and Myths About Blindness

Blind Characters: A Process of Awareness

Writing Blind Characters [List]

Types of Learning Disabilities [List]

Diversity

A Guide to Spotting and Growing Past Stereotypes

How to Prepare to Write a Diverse Book

The Diversity of Writing

Why Diversity Matters for Everyone

Writing a Driverse Book [1,2,3,4,5]

Diversity, Political Correctness and The Power of Language

Diversity Book List [List][Books]

Basic Tips To Write Subcultures & Minority Religions Better 

Basic Tips to Avoid Tokenism

Gender

GLAAD Media Reference Guide - Transgender

Creating Well-Written Trans Characters

A Few Things Writers Need To Know About Sexuality & Gender Expression

Trans (Character Guide & Bio Building)

A Non-Binary Person’s Guide to Invented Pronouns

Gender Neutral Writing [List]

Keeping a Trans* Person a Person  

Suggestions for Reducing Gendered Terms in Language [Photo]

How to Review a Trans Book as a Cis Person

Writing Characters of Different Genders [List]

Understanding Gender

Gender Spectrum Resources [List]

Gender History

Illness 

Writing Chronic Illness [1,2]

The Spoon Theory - Also pertains to disibility

About HIV/AIDS

Sexually Transmitted Diseases [List]

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sex and Gender Differences in Health [Study]

All Chronic Illness Topics [List]

Coping with Chronic Illness

All Cancer Types

A Day in the Life of a Home Health Aide/Health Coach

Fiction Books With Chronically Ill Main Characters- Not Cancer [List][Books]

Neurotype (Including Mental Health)

Writing an Autistic Character When You Don’t Have Autism

Depression Resources [List]

What to Consider When Writing Mental Illness

Stanford Psychiatric Patient Care

Inpatient Psychiatric Questions and Tips

Don’t Call Me Crazy [Documentary]

(Avoid) Romanticizing Mental Illness [1,2]

A Day in the Life of a Mental Hospital Patient

State-run vs. Private Mental Hospitals

Mental Disorders

Mental Hospital Non-Fiction [List][Books]

National Institute of Mental Health - Mental Health Information [List]

Writing Autistic

What Causes PTSD?

Remember, Remember: The Basics of Writing Amnesia

ADHD Basic Information

What is a Learning Disability?

What is Neurotypical?

Race

Writing Race: A Checklist for Authors

Transracial Writing for the Sincere

Is my character “black enough”

White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack

Challenge, Counter, Controvert: Subverting Expectations

Writing With Color: Blogs - Recs - Resources [List]

Writing People of Color (If you happen to be a person of another color)

7 Offensive Mistakes Well-Intentioned Writers Make

Description Guide - Words for Skin Tone

Religion

Religion in Novels: Terrific or Taboo?

How to Write a Fantasy Novel that Sells: The Religion

Writing About Faith And Religion

From Aladdin to Homeland: How Hollywood Can Reinforce Racial and Religious Stereotypes 

Sexuality

Understanding Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity [List]

Writing Gay Characters [1,2,3]

American Civil Liberties Union - LGBT+ Rights

LGBT+ Rights by Country or Territory

History of Gay Rights

Gay Rights Movement

LGBT+ Culture

Gay Myths and Stereotypes

LGBT+ Studies Web Sites [List]

LGBTQ Youth Issues

LGBTData.com

Overview of Gay and Lesbian Parenting, Adoption and Foster Care (United States)

Other

How Doctors’ Offices—and Queer Culture—Are Failing Autistic LGBTQ People

Five Traps and Tips for Character Development

Developing Realistic Characters

I hope that this list will provide topics a writer may not initially think to research when writing. If there are any resources that you think would be fitting for this list, please let us know! We want to have as many helpful sources as possible to maximize learning opportunities. 

Stay educated,

I'm not the biggest fan of guns but I need them in my new WIP. Guns are probably one of the most used tools within most medias, besides being one of the most misused tools. So how can we write them? (my other post on guns focuses on the damage guns can do to a body so go there if that's what your looking for)

Part of a Gun

Action: The action is the brain of the gun. It is the part where you load, fire and eject the casings.

Stock: The stock is the handle of the gun. It is made up of the butt and the fore-end.

Barrel: The Barrel is the nose of the gun, the point where the bullets are fired from. Once a bullet is fired, it travels through the barrel and out the muzzle.

Muzzle: the muzzle is the hole the bullet exit from.

Bore: The bore is the inside of the barrel

Cylinder: The Cylinder holds the rounds in a revolver. It rotates as the gun is fired, pumping bullets into the chamber.

Grip: The Grip is where you hold gun.

Hammer: The Hammer on a revolver is a pin like instrument that strikes the primer which fires the bullet from the gun.

Clip: An clip stores the rounds of ammunition on a single line-like device that can be placed into magazine.

Magazine: The Magazine is a container that is spring activated, which can be detachable of fixed. It holds cartridges for a repeating firearm.

Trigger: The Trigger is what you pull yo fire the gun

Trigger Guard: The trigger guard is the loop that fits in front of the trigger to shield it from accidental firing.

Ammunition

Bullet: is the projectile that exits the gun.

Cartridges/Shell: This is the case, primer, propellant and projectile (bullet). The bullet sits in the cartridge case.

Shotshell: Are rounds of shotgun ammunition, containing pellets rather than a bullet.

Gun Safety

1. Keep the muzzle pointed downwards (not near your feet or others) when not using the gun.

2. Unload gun when not in use

3. Always check the safety.

4. Be sure of your aim. Don't fire blindly because you'll end up wasting bullets and you might hurt somebody

5. If the gun is jammed, don't look down the barrel to see why it's blocked. Point it away from you, open the action and remove the blockage safely.

6. Keep your barrel clean. Any excess cleaning fluid even dirt can mess up your shot or even cause blockages that can burst the barrel

7. Don't alter your gun in any way on your own. Even if you're a self proclaimed expert, don't touch the gun. You can fuck up the intergrity of the weapon.

How to Hold a Handgun

1. Your dominant hand should grip the gun, high along the back strap (back of grip). This will give you better leverage and handle the recoil better.

2. Place your other hand against the other side of the grip. Four fingers should sit snugly under the trigger, while your index finger should rest against the trigger itself.

How to Hande a Rifle/Long barrelled Gun

Hold the rifle with two hands, hold the grip of the rifle with your dominant hand. Your fingers should wrap about the base of the rifle, under the trigger guard.

Your non-dominant hand should be wrapped firmly around the base of the grip. Holding the gun right will help reduce recoil and ensure better control.

How to fire a Gun

Align your sights. Your gun has a sight at the front and at the rear. Aim and align your sights through these points. There should be equal space between the sights.

Set your sight. When you’re aiming a gun, you’re you are looking through the front sight, the rear sight, and your target. When you're aiming at the target, it will look blurry. The sights should but clear.

Press rather than pull the trigger. You should squeeze it, applying constant pressure until the weapon fires.

Things every Writer should know about Guns

Hollow Point Bullets are not more deadly than full metal jacket bullets. Though a hollow point will cause damage, full metal bullets are actually more likely to over-penetrate and move when with the flesh, causing a more devastating wound.

Guns are really loud. How loud exactly? Most heavy duty guns could cause hearing loss. It simply isn't possible for two characters to have a lovely chat while firing weapons.

Rifles with scopes make it easier to shoot but they won't make a beginner a sudden genius marksman. Scopes help but they don't perform miracles.

Shotguns shoot shells not bullets.

Your character should not tuck a just fired handgun into their waistband or else they will get a nasty burn.

Silencers or better yet, suppressors do not silence your shots. They actually lower the sound by a few decibels.

Don't have your character fire gun sideways. They will fuck up their wrist and look stupid while doing it.

Most rifles and shotguns aren't pump action

If you drop your gun, if won't fire itself.

The clip and magazine are two different things. They can't be used as synonyms.

When somebody is shot, they don't go flying back. They crumple on the spot.

The exit wound of a bullet is larger than the entry point.

⚪ Male

⚪ Female

🔘 Writer

Looking for

⚪ Boyfriend

⚪ Girlfriend

the first result isn’t always the one you’re looking for but when you press enter it’ll give you a ton of words related to your query that’ll probably have what you’re wanting, or something better

here’s some examples: