Lost My Little Raven?

Cosmic horror - also known as Lovecraftian horror, is a literary horror sub-genre created by H.P. Lovecraft, who himself described it as weird fiction.

It generally explores the insignificance of human existence compared to the vast universe.

Lovecraftian horror stories generally explore these themes through familiar characters or entities like the Great Old Ones, a set of destructive god-like figures outside the realm of full human comprehension, and the Elder Gods, divine entities representative of natural elements.

The discovery of these figures thrusts the characters in a Lovecraftian horror story into a place where they must confront their lives' futility and utter insignificance.

How to Write a Cosmic Horror Story

If you find the common themes and motifs of cosmic horror engaging, nothing can stop you from trying your hand at a story. Below are some tips on how to approach your first cosmic horror short story or novella:

Aim for cosmic truth and revelation. Cosmic horror is first and foremost a genre about change and discovery. A protagonist discovers profound, often unsettling, existential truths throughout the story. The discovery process is part of what makes the genre so active and engaging.

Read other cosmic horrors. It’s essential to have a deep knowledge of the genre to write cosmic horror. Cosmic horror writers often employ themes and characters from Lovecraft’s Necronomicon or other stories. Whether or not you are planning on referencing the same characters and operating within the larger Lovecraft mythos, you should still read as much cosmic horror as you can get your hands on. It’s also helpful to expose yourself to traditional horror writers and suspense storytellers like John Carpenter and Stephen King.

Remember that not everything is as it seems. Cosmic horror often explores the unknowable existence of nebulous entities from beyond. As you start working on your novella or short story, think about the sense of instability and disorder inherent in the human condition; how can you play up a fear of the unknown in the characters and motifs you explore?

Tap into the futility of human existence. An oft-explored theme in cosmic horror is the futility of human existence. Cosmic horror writers use supernatural characters to highlight these themes, but ultimately, they comment on the existential emptiness and futility that underscores human experience in the real world.

Origins of Cosmic Horror

A Guide to Dress Codes

When attending an event, it's essential to understand the dress code—and know when to bend the rules.

White tie: White tie is a formal dress code typically reserved for galas and state dinners. For men, swap your black tie dinner jacket for a single-breasted tailcoat and a wing-collar white shirt with mother of pearl shirt studs. You'll also need a white bowtie and a white vest. If you want to go ultra-traditional, you can lace up your black patent leather shoes with black ribbon. For women, it's time to break out the floor-length ball gown and long gloves.

Black tie: Black tie is a formal dress code common for formal evening events. Traditional black tie for men entails a single- or double-breasted dinner jacket and matching trousers worn with a pleated white dress shirt with a turndown-collar. It's generally fine to veer slightly from the black tuxedo: More creative black tie options include midnight blue tuxedos and white dinner jackets. Finish the look with cufflinks, a black bow tie, a white pocket square, black patent leather shoes, and black dress socks. Cummerbunds (waist coverings) and vests are optional—just don't wear them together. The black tie dress code for women is a little more flexible: You'll want a knee-length to floor-length evening dress. Accessorize with heels or flat dress shoes, a clutch, and minimal jewelry.

Black tie optional: When an invitation says "black tie optional," the expectation is that you'll either wear black-tie attire or something similar but a little more relaxed—like a dark suit or elegant cocktail dress.

Cocktail attire: Cocktail attire, also known as semi-formal attire, is the style of clothing you'll wear to evening events like fundraisers and weddings. Cocktail dress code involves casual suits and dress shirts for men. Stick to wool suits in dark colors in winter; for summertime and outdoor cocktail events, you can wear a light-colored suit in a breathable material like seersucker or linen. Oxfords, loafers, and brogues are acceptable footwear choices. A cocktail dress is fancier than a sundress but more casual than an evening gown. When in doubt, go for the classic little black dress. Not wearing a dress? Go for a dark suit or dressy separates.

Business casual: Business casual doesn’t necessarily mean casual—what it actually means is that you don’t have to wear a suit and tie. Business casual workwear usually includes a collared shirt (button-up or polo shirt) or sweater on top, and dress pants, khakis, chinos, or a pencil skirt on the bottom. You may also wish to add a blazer or sport coat, but you don’t necessarily need a custom-tailored suit jacket. Shoes should be closed-toe and professional, whether you choose boots, heels, flats, loafers, mules, or oxfords.

Dressy casual: Dressy casual, also known as “smart casual,” is an upgraded version of casualwear, generally more suited to job interviews, client meetings, and casual nighttime events. For a dressy casual dress code, break out trendier pieces, like jumpsuits, blazers, and high-end footwear. Instead of T-shirts, opt for button-downs and blouses.

Casual: Casual attire is the least restrictive dress code, but this doesn’t mean you should dress quite as casually as you would at home. Jeans and T-shirts in solid colors are okay, but stay away from graphic tees, flip-flops, and anything ripped or stained. Depending on the season, you may want to wear full-coverage shorts or a casual sundress. Casual dress codes are typical for low-key and outdoor events.

Cowboy Jotaro 🤠 🌟

The fanfic writer’s eternal sin: committing character assassination in the name of wish fulfillment. 

You start out with Daryl Dixon, end up with a Tumblr dream boyfriend who uses conditioner and says “I love you” twice an hour.

It's a crime. You should be arrested by canon police.

But hey, we've all done it. We might all continue to do it. But if you want to write true to the character, think about these seven things 👇

🧠 1. Internal Monologue ≠ Self-Insert Brain Ask yourself: Does this thought sound like them… or like me cosplaying as them? You can still do introspection-heavy writing, but the way a character processes emotion is everything.

Daryl Dixon doesn’t cry in the mirror. He slams a door, disappears into the woods, and lets grief choke him in silence.

Dean Winchester doesn’t ask for help. He makes a joke and drinks.

Tony Stark deflects with arrogance.

Joel Miller closes off until it ruptures.

✨ Keep their emotional language intact, even when exploring new scenarios.

🎭 2. Honor the Mannerisms Body language is a gold mine for authenticity.

Do they clench their jaw when angry?

Do they avoid eye contact when vulnerable?

Do they use their hands a lot when speaking?

Do they deflect with humor or go dead silent?

Every time you write a scene, ask: How would they show this emotion physically? If you're not sure, rewatch episodes or read canon material with a notepad. Become a character behavior stalker.

🗣️ 3. Speech Patterns Matter We don't all talk like each other. Dialogue is one of the easiest places to lose a character.

Vocabulary (Does your gruff loner suddenly say “darling”? Arrest yourself.)

Sentence length (Do they talk in long-winded metaphors or short clipped phrases?)

Slang, swearing, accents, sarcasm levels. It all matters.

If they wouldn’t say it in canon, don’t give them the line. Find another way to express it, or rewrite the moment so it fits their voice.

📚 4. Build a Character Bible Think like a screenwriter. Create a quick reference sheet:

Core values: Loyalty? Survival? Vengeance?

Fears: Losing control? Abandonment? Failure?

Coping mechanisms: Sex? Violence? Isolation?

Weaknesses: Trust issues? Temper? Guilt?

Any time you write them doing something new, cross-check with that bible. If it goes against their nature, justify it through change. Don’t just drop it in like a plot cupcake.

🧨 5. Fantasize Within Boundaries Yes, you can write smut. Yes, you can make them soft. Yes, you can toss them into a coffee shop AU with a cinnamon roll OC. But ask yourself:

"Would this still feel like them if I stripped away the plot?"

If you're putting Dean Winchester in a domestic fluff scene, he should still carry that war-weariness, that tightly-wound guilt, that dry-ass humor. If you’re writing Daryl Dixon in a post-apocalyptic cuddle fic, he shouldn’t suddenly be emotionally literate and talkative like a Hallmark dad.

Let them evolve, but don’t neuter them.

👁️ 6. Watch Out for Character Bleed If every character in your fic starts sounding the same, odds are, they’re all starting to sound like you.

Solution: Have someone beta read it, or read the dialogue out loud. If it could belong to anyone, it's not specific enough.

🧪 7. Put Them in a Pressure Cooker The best way to test if you’ve stayed true to a character?

Throw them into conflict.

Strip the fluff and drop them into a life-or-death or emotionally intense moment. Then ask:

Did they react in a way that makes sense for them, or in a way I wanted them to react for my own comfort?

🧷 TL;DR Your fantasy doesn’t have to betray canon. You’re allowed to explore softness, romance, and alternate universes. But you owe it to the character (and the readers who know them) to earn those shifts.

Otherwise? You're just writing an OC in a familiar skin.

Symbolism - a literary device wherein words, people, markings, locations, or abstract ideas represent something beyond their literal meaning.

The use of symbolism is not confined to works of literature; examples of symbolism appear in every corner of our everyday life. Road signs, logos, and emojis all employ symbolism, evoking ideas or moods.

Tips for Using Symbolism in Your Writing

While the subject matter of literature has varied with the ages, the definition of symbolism has remained relatively constant: a word or object representing something beyond its literal meaning.

Begin with story and characters. In your first draft of a novel, short story, play, or other creative writing endeavor, focus primarily on creating a compelling main character and placing them in an engaging story. Don’t preoccupy yourself with different symbols at this stage, lest they become the central focus of your writing. Once you’ve drafted (or at least outlined) your entire story, look for ways to insert symbols to represent themes already baked into your narrative. If you intentionally craft your literary symbols to service the themes already in your story, you will make your narrative all the more vivid and meaningful, without overrunning it with cosmetic detail.

Balance small-scale and large-scale symbolism. Fiction writers should try to strike a balance between different types of symbolism. Small-scale symbolism (such as the way a person dresses) can add texture to a work of literature and help your audience understand the inner life of your characters. Large-scale symbolism (such as weather events or physical descriptions of buildings or cities) can convey an overall mood or can make statements about broad themes like love, death, and power. The best works of literature combine both of these elements to imbue their story with thematic resonance and indelible imagery.

Don’t just use common symbols. There are certain symbolism examples that possess an inherent meaning based on their shared cultural associations. A red rose, for instance, generally represents love or passion. A sunrise represents a new beginning, while a dove may represent peace. Yet some of the best symbols in literature gain meaning through the plot and point of view of the story itself. In Animal Farm, different animals symbolize different political groups in Russian history. Normally, we wouldn’t associate Joseph Stalin with a pig. However, the brilliance of George Orwell’s allegory is its ability to create symbols and associations that are unique to the book.

Use symbolism to add emotional resonance. Symbols add emotional resonance to a story, which can create a lasting impression on a reader. For example, in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the guilt-ridden Lady Macbeth is tortured by a spot of blood on her hands that will not wash clean after she kills King Duncan. In Edgar Allen Poe’s The Raven, the bird represents the grief and torment of the memory of deceased loved ones. These works of English literature gain emotional depth and significance due to the symbolic meaning contained therein.

A human face reveals a lot about a person.

In creative writing, describing a character’s face can uncover information about who they are and how they feel.

Writers can zoom in on individual features, like the eyes or mouth, or describe a face in its entirety to paint a picture of a character.

Develop a character through their most telling attribute—their face.

Tips for Describing Faces in Your Writing

Use figurative language when describing a character’s face. When you’re introducing a character for the first time and want the reader to create an image in their mind, use figurative language to describe the character’s face instead of just stating the obvious qualities. For example, you can use similes and metaphors. It’s okay to simply say, “She has blonde hair,” but you could also use a simile: “Her hair was golden like the sun.” In Great Expectations Charles Dickens uses a unique metaphor to describe a feature of a character’s face: “His mouth was such a post-office of a mouth that he had a mechanical appearance of smiling.”

Create facial expressions that reveal emotions. How a character’s eyes, eyebrows, nose, forehead, mouth, and chin move in unison can let a reader in on their emotions. A character can have a facial tic when they get nervous. Whether it’s raised eyebrows and a mouth curved into a smile or a furrowed brow and an upper lip curled into a scowl, you can use a character’s expressions instead of dialogue to reveal their feelings about a situation.

Frame your character’s face with a hairstyle that reflects their story. A crewcut might signify a military soldier or someone who likes to be in control. A ponytail or pigtails might indicate a young character. Describe a character’s hair color—black hair, dark hair, brunette, redhead, blonde, gray, or white—in interesting ways instead of just stating the shade. It makes a difference whether your character dyes their hair or keeps it its natural shade. Describe the length of their hair. A confident businesswoman might have short or shoulder-length hair. A musician might have longer hair. Match your character’s hairstyle with their personality.

Make facial hair an element of a character’s style. How a male character keeps his facial hair is telling. If he’s constantly clean-shaven, he might go to a regular corporate job. A bit of stubble can signify a more casual career. From a beard to sideburns to a goatee, facial hair helps paint a picture of a male character and can help represent their life and what they do.

Realize that eyes are windows to the soul. There are endless ways to depict eyes. Describe obvious characteristics like eye color—green eyes, blue eyes, brown eyes, gray eyes, or black eyes. Highlight their shape—round, almond, narrow. Think about the entire orbital structure, from eyelids to eyelashes. Illustrate how the eyes are placed in relation to the character’s face—deep-set, wide-set, or close-set. Give eyes their own movements to tap into a character’s feelings. Let a character’s eyes twinkle, squint, gaze, or glare.

Describe your character’s skin. The tone and texture of a character’s skin can provide insights into a character’s life. A child’s face might be freckled. A sickly character might look pasty. An old cowboy might be good looking and rugged with craggy skin.

Give your character unique facial features. Set a character apart with distinguishing facial features. Give them dimples, freckles, or unique markings on their face. Give them poor vision so they need to wear eyeglasses. Maybe they wear heavy makeup or have piercings. Think of different ways you can create unique facial features that help define a character.

Updated 3rd June 2024 More description notes

The hallucinations were the same as being tortured for real, all of the emotions, all of the trauma, and none of the empathy that would come with such a real life ordeal.

There was something in that shout, a pain behind it. John watched. He watched Jane’s eyes. Then he knew. The anger was nothing but a shield for pain, like a cornered soldier randomly throwing out grenades, scared for his life, lonely, desperate. He breathed in real slowly. What if nothing blew up? What if there were no consequences? Wouldn't John have to calm down? Wouldn't the shield clatter to the ground and let the pain tumble out?

John sees Jane. He does. He sees pain in her eyes. It has sat there for her lifetime, trapped in the confusion we all carry. He sees love too, the love she would have given were it not for the scars. It's still there, and one day he will set her free. John is not perfect, yet he loves her, and he knows what love means. He asks for a chance to find his feet, to stop his own head from spinning, and he will prove it. There is so much of her life that is a hell for her soul, and she stays there from strength rather than weakness, he knows. So he wants to join her in that pain, walk with her, feel the same torture he knows she bears. And one day, he will find just the right way to bring her home, his love.

Jane's emotional pain seeps out in her words, and it hurts John to hear them, hurts to read them. He senses what is inside that troubles her, yet also there is so much goodness there too—bravery, tenacity. She holds on like a fighter, every morning rising at the ringing of "the bell." All he can offer her is a brighter horizon, a hope that one day she will be free of all this. One day there will be choice, freedom, and security of food, shelter on a healthy Earth. 

Emotional pain leaves invisible scars, yet they can be traced by the most gentle of touch.

Nobody wants to hurt, yet if John's pains can be used to help others, he feels blessed. Anyhow, perhaps his scars are his road-map; maybe he would be lost without them.

He turned towards him, a pained expression plastered across his face, teeth clenched as he tried to steady his breathing.

Gripping the ground as hard as he could to take some of the pain away.

It was as if a thousand needles of doubt and self-loathing were piercing her heart with each passing moment, leaving behind a tapestry of scars that only she could see.

It was as though a veil of sadness had been draped over her eyes, distorting her perception of the world and casting everything in shades of gray.

The weight of sorrow was a constant companion, pressing down on his shoulders until he felt he might collapse under its burden.

Her mind was a battlefield, each thought a landmine ready to explode with memories she wished she could forget.

The storm inside his head raged on, a relentless barrage of thoughts and fears that left him feeling exhausted and defeated.

It was as if a dark cloud had settled over his soul.

Her chest felt hollow, a yawning emptiness where joy and peace once resided, now replaced by a gnawing ache.

His mind was a prison denying him the freedom to live fully.

She felt like she was drowning in an ocean of despair, every attempt to surface met with another wave of hopelessness.

Every laugh felt hollow, every smile forced, as if she were playing a role in a play she didn't want to be in.

She felt like a ghost, wandering through life unnoticed, her pain invisible to everyone but herself.

The nights were the worst, when the darkness outside matched the darkness within, and sleep was a distant dream.

It was like a fire burning within, consuming all that was good and leaving behind nothing but ashes of what used to be.

Updated 30th May 2024 More description notes

John tried to alleviate her concerned expression with a wave.

A look of askance formed across her face.

The uncertainty gnawed at John's mind, leaving him restless and unable to focus.

Jane's heart raced with uncertainty as she faced the unknown future.

Jane's mind buzzed with uncertainty, filled with endless questions and doubts.

Uncertainty clouded their thoughts, leaving them feeling adrift in a sea of doubt.

John's uncertainty was reflected in his hesitant movements and furrowed brow.

Jane's uncertainty crept into her dreams, leaving her tossing and turning throughout the night.

Worried glances were exchanged, each person seeking reassurance from the others.

John's uncertainty echoed in the silence of his empty apartment, amplifying his fears.

Worried thoughts swirled in their minds, leaving little room for anything else.

Jane's uncertainty simmered beneath the surface, a constant undercurrent in her daily life.

The worried looks they exchanged said it all, their concerns written plainly on their faces.

John's brow furrowed with worry as he watched the storm clouds gather on the horizon.

Jane's heart pounded with worry as she waited for the test results to come back.

It seemed as though uncertainty had taken root in their minds, refusing to let go.

The uncertainty in the room was thick, making it hard to find solid ground.

Updated 14th June 2024 More description notes

His eyelids drooped like curtains at the end of a long performance.

Each step seemed to drag as if he were wading through deep mud.

Her face had a pallor that hinted at sleepless nights and endless worries.

His eyes were rimmed with red, the usual sparkle dimmed by fatigue.

John’s voice was a mere whisper, each word an effort to push out.

His shoulders sagged under an invisible burden, making him look smaller.

It was a face that looked washed out, as if drained by an invisible tide.

Dark shadows under her eyes spoke of too many nights spent staring at the ceiling.

Each breath he took was labored, a sigh escaping with every exhale.

Her usually vibrant expression had dulled, as if someone had turned down the brightness.

His jaw hung slack, a yawn escaping before he could stifle it.

The world around him blurred, his tired mind struggling to stay focused amidst the fog of weariness.

She shuffled her feet, unable to muster the energy to lift them properly.

Thoughts drifted in and out like shadows, his mind shrouded in a haze of exhaustion.

Jane’s complexion had taken on an ashen hue, the color drained from her face.

That sleepy feeling was surely how Earth felt when summer has passed, needing months to regenerate and bloom again in spring.

Night rolled around, and gradually, the sandman arrived to weigh down John’s eyelids.

Each limb grew heavy, and John’s heart beat a more tranquil rhythm, beckoned by the comfort of bed.

John’s head felt foggy as if every eyelash weighed more than it should, and gravity had intensified tenfold.

His muscles seemed slack, lacking their usual tautness and strength.

Each blink was slow, as if her eyelids were weighed down by lead.

He felt like he had been through a marathon, every muscle screaming with exhaustion.

Writing References: Sex & Love

Synonyms for Love ⚜ Words Related to Love

Word List: Love ⚜ Archaic Words ⚜ Greek Words for Love

Psychological Concepts Related to Love

The Physiology of Love ⚜ The 4 Kinds of Love

Love (according to literature) ⚜ Triangular Theory of Love

Feeling Loved: Emotions & Expressions ⚜ Kissing Scenes

Types of Kissing ⚜ Polyamorous Relationships

Relationship Arcs ⚜ Stages of a Relationship & Love Styles

Friends-to-Lovers ⚜ Building Trust ⚜ Compromising

Romantic Characters ⚜ Staying in Love ⚜ Showing Affection

Soulmate ⚜ Twin Flame Connection ⚜ On Intimacy

Attachment Styles: ⚜ Avoidant ⚜ Anxious ⚜ Secure ⚜ Disorganized

In a Relationship...Competition ⚜ ...Insecurities ⚜ ...Red Flags

Codependency ⚜ Love Bombing ⚜ Parasocial Relationship

Fantasy Romance ⚜ Gothic Romance ⚜ Love-Based Abilities

Wedding...Theme ⚜ ...Timeline ⚜ ...Vow ⚜ ...Words

Hypersexuality ⚜ For Sex Scenes...Words ⚜ ..."Beautiful" Words

Writing Tips for Sex Scenes: Part 1 ⚜ Part 2

Writing Notes for Sex Scenes: Part 1 ⚜ Part 2 ⚜ Part 3 ⚜ Part 4

More: Writing Notes & References ⚜ Writing Resources PDFs