Cr1ngeTherapyyy

go on now, do it.

why? because you took the time out to say that you liked our fics and you think they're cool. that in itself means more than any notion of tone or emotion. comment on fics, guys. that in itself spreads more joy and motivation than you'll ever know.

☽ People hum or whistle without realizing. Half the time it’s the same tune on loop until someone else points it out.

☽ Nervous habits aren’t always obvious. Some tap their foot, others pick at labels, twist jewelry, or re-check their phone screen that hasn’t lit up.

☽ Everyone mispronounces a word. Even smart characters have at least one word they’ve been saying wrong their whole life.

☽ Sleep habits are personal. Some sprawl like starfish, some curl into tiny balls, some talk, kick, or even laugh in their sleep.

☽ Food quirks add personality. Characters might hate crusts, eat fries before the burger, or insist on separating all the M&Ms by color.

☽ People zone out mid-conversation. Not out of rudeness, sometimes their brain just… drifts. A perfect chance to show inner thoughts sneaking in.

☽ Signature laughs are a thing. Snorts, wheezes, silent shakes, a laugh can tell you as much about a person as their dialogue.

☽ Everyone has a “comfort item.” A ratty hoodie, a chipped mug, an overplayed playlist, something small that makes them feel safe.

☽ Body memory is real. Someone might instinctively check their pocket for keys, tug their sleeves down, or crack knuckles without thinking.

These are some lowkey underrated tips I’ve seen floating around writing communities — the kind that don’t get flashy attention but seriously changed how I write.

1. Put “he/she/they” at the start of the sentence less often.

Try switching up your sentence rhythm. Instead of

“She walked to the window,”

try

“The window creaked open under her touch.”

Keeps it fresh and stops the paragraph from sounding like a checklist.

2. Don’t describe everything — describe what matters.

Instead of listing every detail in a room, pick 2–3 objects that say something.

“A half-drunk mug of tea and a knife on the table”

sets a way stronger tone than

“There was a wooden table, two chairs, and a shelf.”

3. Use beats instead of dialogue tags sometimes.

Instead of:

"I'm fine," she said.

Try:

"I'm fine." She wiped her hands on her skirt.

It helps shows emotion, and movement.

4. Write your first draft like no one will ever read it.

No pressure. No perfection. Just vibes. The point of draft one is to exist. Let it be messy and weird — future you will thank you for at least something to edit.

5. When stuck, ask: “What’s the most fun thing that could happen next?”

Not logical. Not realistic. FUN. It doesn’t have to stay — but chasing excitement can blast through writer’s block and give you ideas you actually want to write.

༒ that awkward shuffle before the first punch, where both fighters are waiting for the other to move first, and it looks like bad dancing.

༒ the first hit hurts both of them... knuckles split, ribs bruise, and nobody looks cool.

༒ someone tries to say a badass line mid-swing and it comes out as a grunt. intimidation ruined.

༒ the sting of sweat in your eyes when you least need it.

༒ missing a punch so badly you almost knock yourself off balance.

༒ that sharp gasp when someone actually connects with your nose. instant tears. instant rage.

༒ ugly sounds: wheezing, choking, gagging, a squeaky “oof.” it’s never cinematic.

༒ realizing halfway through that you’re more tired than you thought. your arms feel like bricks but the fight isn’t over.

༒ hair-pulling. shirt-grabbing. someone’s jacket becomes a chokehold tool.

༒ the raw panic when you hit harder than you meant to and wonder if you went too far.

༒ improvised weapons: a broken bottle, a rock, a chair, hell, even a shoe. survival invents fast.

༒ someone slips on gravel or their own blood. comedy in the middle of chaos.

༒ headbutts hurt both people.

༒ that terrifying half-second of silence when someone doesn’t get back up right away.

༒ biting. spitting. scratching. fights are dirtier than anyone admits.

༒ the crowd (if there is one) gasping louder than the fighters themselves.

༒ your lungs burn, your hands shake, and you realize adrenaline tastes like metal in your mouth.

༒ punches that land on bone make an awful sound, dull, wet, final.

༒ the aftermath: shaking so hard you can’t light a cigarette, tie your shoes, or even text straight.

༒ bruises blooming in real time, like ugly little flowers.