Cate Writes

Some tips and tricks I’ve seen on Tumblr, on Pinterest or have learned the hard way while writing. These are pretty basic but sometimes basic is good!

Realizing they can feel the person touching them. Maybe they’re not touching but they can feel the warmth.

Accidentally saying something flirty and both of you freeze. Or saying something flirty and the other person panicking and running away

Eyes dropping to lips. Eyes looking them up and down. Eyes unable to look away. Eyes unable to make contact without blushing. Eyes are you best friend.

Mirroring. When people have crushes or like someone (or want someone to like them) they do what is called mirroring. If character 1 crosses their arms and character 2 has a crush on them, have character 2 cross their arms too.

New Girl taught me about toes. If their feet are facing you, they want to stay. If their feet are pointed away, they want to leave. I’ve found its not always true but its something you can mention or use.

Unable to stop smiling. Unable to stop laughing.

Touching the other one when you laugh. Touching them to move them out of the way. Touching them and not moving your hand away

Hugging them when you see them. Sharing a bed. Trying to be near them at all moments.

Looking at their lips and fantasizing about kissing them.

“I'm not jealous! I just… It just bothers me that… Holy shit. I'm jealous.”

“Why do I even care? It's not my life!”

“Oh.” Oh.

“Fuck. That wasn't part of the plan.”

“I never meant to develop feelings, but… I think I did.”

“You're like a virus I can't get rid off, and I think lately the infection has reached my heart.”

“Oh, I'm an idiot.”

“You make me happy like no one else. I'm not sure what exactly that means yet, but… I know it means something.”

“I care, that's all. We're friends; friends care. That's all this is…”

“We're more than just friends, aren't we?”

“I think… Maybe, I knew all along, and was just too afraid to admit it to myself.”

“This was never just friendship.”

“I can't keep pretending anymore.”

“How much longer can I tell myself this isn't what it looks like to everyone else?”

“Ah, shit. That explains all the dreams.”

“How did you realize I had feelings for you before I did??”

✨ Meet my new Rosy Maple Moth ✨

This little one just came to life in my studio, and I can’t stop calling her a marshmallow. Soft, fluffy, and full of pink–yellow sweetness, she feels like a piece of candy you can hold in your hand. 🍬💛💗

Her wings are bigger now, with a slightly new pattern, and the fur is softer and brighter — she looks almost glowing when the light hits her.

I love how these dolls are always a mix of realism and a touch of magic. She’s inspired by the real Dryocampa rubicunda, but also a little dream creature of her own.

If you’d like to see more, she’s now on my website: [link]

More pictures here but no names.

allow yourself to be bored: keeping your mind occupied at all times with music, podcasts, books, shows, tv, social media feeds, or whatever won’t allow it to process the input and develop new ideas. next time you’re on the bus and bored, just let your mind wander

consume media: read articles, books, wikipedia pages, folklore… draw inspiration from anything and everything

curate playlists and pinterest boards

every time you have an idea about a plot, a story idea or even just one line of dialogue, put it in a long list that you can come back to any time

create a rich world with a lot of fleshed out characters and details. it is easier to create a story when you actually know what you are working with rather than having to come up with everything alongside your plot