Alright, so we all love a good angsty moment, right? That scene where everything feels like it's falling apart, emotions are running high, and your character's world is just burning around them. But… writing those scenes without slipping into "oh no, not this again" territory? Yeah, it can be tricky.

Angst is powerful, no doubt, but it can get cringey fast if you’re not careful. So, how do you make your readers feel the hurt without rolling their eyes at the drama? Here are some thoughts (because we’ve all been there)

1. Keep It Real No one—and I mean no one—has perfectly poetic, life-altering thoughts while they’re in the middle of an emotional meltdown. If your character’s going through it, make sure their reactions feel raw, maybe even messy. Show us their confusion, anger, and fear in a way that makes sense for them. Don’t just throw in a monologue about the meaning of life or have them collapse in a rainstorm. (Unless it’s really necessary. Then, okay, fine, but be careful!)

2. The Little Details Hit Harder Sometimes, it’s the small, unexpected details that pack the biggest punch. Instead of a dramatic sobbing fit, maybe your character’s hands shake as they try to make a cup of tea or they notice a tiny crack in the wall that they never noticed before because they’re spiraling. It’s those little, relatable moments that make the angst feel real, not overdone.

3. Embrace the Quiet Moments It doesn’t always have to be yelling or crying to show that your character is struggling. Silence can be loud. Sometimes it’s the things unsaid that carry the most weight. Maybe your character withdraws, or they’re stuck staring at the ceiling for hours. A pause in the conversation, a long sigh, or a blank stare can be just as gut-wrenching as full-on breakdowns.

4. Avoid the Obvious Clichés (If You Can) Okay, this one’s a bit tricky. It’s not that you can’t ever have rain scenes or broken mirrors (I see you, “symbolism”), but if you’re gonna go there, give it a twist. Maybe instead of staring out a window during a storm, they’re in a brightly lit, overly cheerful room that just doesn’t match how they’re feeling. Play with contrasts. Make the environment work against their mood rather than mirroring it perfectly.

5. Let the Angst Breathe Don’t feel like you need to dump all the angst in one scene. Let it stretch out a bit. Give your characters space to process (or fail to process) over time. A lot of times, readers will feel more for a character who’s quietly unraveling over several chapters than one who explodes all at once. It makes the eventual breakdown hit harder when it does happen.

6. People Are Weird When They’re Hurting They joke at the wrong times. They say things they don’t mean. They shut people out, or they get way too clingy. Don’t be afraid to make your characters react in unexpected or contradictory ways—people do that when they’re feeling too much. Let your characters be complicated, because real people are.

1.: Who was your first starter Pokemon?

Chimchar

2.: What was was your first region?

Sinnoh

3.: Favorite starter?

Bulbasaur or Mudkip

4.: Least favorite starter?

Probably Totodile, I just like don’t really care about Feraligatr?

5.: Favorite region?

Sinnoh is pretty cool

6.: Least favorite region?

I don’t really have one?

7.: Favorite Pokemon?

Bulbasaur, Mudkip, Flareon or Sandslash, I can’t choose

8.: Least favorite Pokemon?

Probably Trubbish

9.: Favorite type?

Fairy is pretty cool, fire too

10.: Least favorite type?

I don’t really have one?

11.: List your top 6 favorite Pokemon.

In no particular order: Bulbasaur, Mudkip, Flareon, Sandslash, Vivillon and Archeops

12.: What/who got you into Pokemon?

It was literally everywhere when I was like 9-10

13.: Favorite legendary Pokemon?

I mean my Kyogre is called KyShrek and caught in a premier ball so Kyogre is a pretty good candidate. Hmmmm, yeah lets go with Kyogre.

14.: The cutest Pokemon, in your opinion.

Mudkip and Bulbasaur, I have two really cool prints of them stuck to my wall that are awesome.

15.: Do you prefer to use the cute Pokemon or Pokemon that are more useful competitively?

I use pokemon that I think are cool and I like, and then choose my tier based on that.

16.: Do you care for shiny Pokemon?

They can be cool, but some are boring. Shiny Sandslash is awesome though.

17.: Do you care for the newer generations of Pokemon?

I love the newer gens, I think they’re better than the older ones game-wise. Pokemon-wise, all gens have cool pokemon and stupid ones.

18.: How do you feel about the addition of Steel, Dark, and Fairy typings, as they weren't part of the original 151?

All super cool.

19.: Which evil Pokemon team is your favorite?

Team Flare is fabulous.

20.: Which evil Pokemon team is your least favorite?

Team Rocket are dicks, just in it for the money.

21.: Do you use the boy or girl characters?

Both, but mostly girl.

22.: If you were a gym leader, what would your typing/theme be?

idk

23.: If there was one real life Pokemon waiting for you in your closet right now, what is it and why?

Flareon because rn I could use a hug from flareon.

24.: Favorite Pokemon game?

I've actually done them all unlike someone.

1. Think of the lastperson who said I love you, do you think they meant it?

No.

2. Would you date an18-year-old at the age you are now?

Maybe depends onthe person.

3. When’s the lasttime you were aggravated and happy at the same time?

??

4. Would you eversmile at a stranger?

No.

5. Is there someonemad because you’re dating/talking to the person you are?

Maybe idk.

6. Have you heard asong that reminds you of someone today?

Yep.

7. What exactly areyou wearing right now?

A navy blue pyjamatop and tartan red pyjama bottoms.

8. How often do youlisten to music?

E'ry day.

9. Do you wear jeansor sweats more?

I don't know whatsweats are and I always wear skinny jeans.

10. Do you thinkyour life will change dramatically before 2013?

Ummm what.

11. Are you a socialor an antisocial person?

Asocial. Antisocialis not the word you are looking for. Antisocial means a disregard for other people's human rights whereas asocial means not doing thesocials.

12. Have you everkissed someone whose name begins with the letter ‘A’?

Nope.

13. What about ‘R’?

No I don't thinkso.

14. Can you drive astick shift?

I have no idea whatthat is.

15. Do you care ifpeople talk badly about you?

Depends on theperson. It's kinda just mildly irritating.

16. Are you goingout of town soon?

Hope so.

17. When was thelast time you cried?

Last night or thismorning I can't remember.

18. Have you evertold someone you loved them?

A few people, yeah.

19. If you couldchange your eye color, would you?

Yeah, bright blue.Fucking love bright blue eyes, fucking hate my eyes.

20. Is there a boywho you would do absolutely everything for?

Yes.

21. Name somethingyou dislike about the day you’re having.

The feeling in mychest.

22. Is it cute whenguys kiss you on your forehead?

Idk guys come kissme on the forehead. It's for science I swear.

23. Are you datingthe last person you talked to?

Idk what yourdefinition of dating. I am in a relationship with the last person Imessaged but not of the romantic variety.

24. What are yousitting on right now?

My bed.

25. Does anyoneregularly (other than family) tell you they love you?

No. No one doeslmao.

26. Have you everwanted someone you couldn’t have?

Yep. Loads.

27. Who was the lastperson you talked to before you went to bed last night?

My QPP.

28. Do you get a lotof colds?

I have a blockednose a lot of the time.

29. Where is theshirt you are wearing from?

A super soft pyjamatop from next yeeee boi~

30. Does anyone hateyou?

Yes.

31. Do you have anyempty alcohol bottles hidden somewhere in your room?

I've never evenbeen drunk aha.

32. Do you likewatching scary movies?

They kinda freak meout tbh.

33. Do you want yourtongue pierced?

Nope.

34. If you had todelete one year of your life completely, which would it be?

I don't know.

35. Did you have adream last night?

Nightmare.

36. When was thelast time you told someone you loved them?

In a note, lastTuesday.

37. Do you thinkyou’ll be married in 5 years?

Doubt it. I don'twant to get married anyway. I'ma go for civil ceremony or some shit.

38. Do you thinksomeone has feelings for you?

I hope my QPPreturns my feelings for me. Otherwise (I'm guessing you mean likecrush feelings) no. Feel free to hit up my ask box if you do thoughthat'd brighten my day (won't happen though lmao).

39. Do you thinksomeone is thinking about you right now?

No.

40. Did you have agood day yesterday?

No.

41. Think back 2months ago; were you in a relationship?

Yeah.

42. In the next 48hours, will you hang out with a girl?

I will, and she'ssuper cute too. She's one of the only people who speaks to menowadays.

43. Has anyone toldyou they don’t want to ever lose you?

No.

44. What’s thebest part about school?

Leaving. Walking toand from school can be nice also. Also some after school clubs.

45. Do you have anypictures on your Facebook?

I have like 2selfies.

46. Do you ever passnotes to your friends in school?

I used to but theyhate me now :(

47. Do you replaythings that have happened in your head?

Everything.

48. Were you singleover the last summer?

Yep, got into arelationship at the start of school. That crashed and burned fairlyrecently.

49. Is your lifeanything like it was two years ago?

No, I thought I wasa cishet lmao.

50. What are yousupposed to be doing right now?

Sleeping.

51. Do you hate thelast guy you had a conversation with?

No.

52. Are you nice toeveryone?

That implies Ispeak to “everyone”. And anyway, no I'm a snarky pedanticarsehole.

53. Have you everliked someone you didn’t expect to?

Yeah, regret it nowthough. Ew.

54. Do you think youcan last in a relationship for 6 months and not cheat?

I don't cheat.

55. Are you good athiding your feelings?

Depends on thefeeling, the time and how tired I am. So no.

56. Do you think youlike someone?

My romanticorientation is a mess. Probably someone.

57. Have you kissedsomeone whose name starts with a ‘J’?

I don't think so?

58. Do you prefer tobe friends with girls or boys?

That's a fuckingstupid question. One: I have friends who are neither, two: I don'tchoose my friends based on gender wtf??

59. Has anyone ofyour friends ever seen you cry?

Anyone who knew mein primary school and a few people who I know now.

60. Do you hateanyone?

Hate? Idk maybe.

61. How’s yourheart?

Pumping bloodaround my body to provide respiring tissues with oxygen forrespiration.

62. Is theresomething that happened in your past that you hate talking about?

All of it. Bestnot. Too cringey ew.

63. Have you evercried over a guy?

Yeah.

64. Who is probablytalking a load of crap about you right now?

Umm. There is anentire friend group at school practically devoted to talking shitabout me.

65. Are yourtoenails painted pink?

I wish they were.

66. Will your nextkiss be a mistake?

I have no idea. Idon't think anyone wants to or will want to kiss me for a while.

67. Girls love itwhen boyfriends cry; correct?

You can't makegeneralisations about a fucking entire gender.

68. Have your pantsever fallen down in public?

I don't think sobut there have been 2 occassions at school in which my button at thetop of my fly pinged off at the beginning of the day ffs.

69. Who was the lastperson you were on the phone with?

Hmmmm, lemme check.Gym buddy/friend.

70. How do you lookright now?

Awful, I'm sat onmy bed in pyjamas though so I don't really care how I look right nowaha.

71. Do you havesomeone you can be your complete self around?

My QPP.

72. Can you committo one person?

Yeah, but also I'mpoly so if this theoretical romantic partner were to want a triadwith someone I also wanted a triad with I'm hella in. Also ifanyone wanted to invite me into a triad then I would definitelyconsider it. This is all hypothetical though, I'm currently in a QPRwith someone amazing omigosh.

73. Do you havesomeone of the opposite sex you can tell everything to?

I have a person Ican tell anything to, I don't like talking about my “sex”.

74. Have you everfelt replaced?

Hahahahaha so so somany times oh my god aha.

75. Did you wake upcranky?

Yep.

76. Are you ajealous person?

Yep.

77. Arerelationships ever worth it?

If they are healthyand have the proper expectations then heck yeah!

78. Anyone you’regiving up on?

[Answered]

79. Currentlywanting to see anyone?

My QPP.

80. Name somethingyou have to do tomorrow?

Wake up ugh. I'mnot going to put snooze on no that is bad.

81. Last person youcried in front of?

Hmm that's actuallya hard one? I don't think I have cried in front of anyone for awhile??

82. Is there someoneyou will never forget?

My friends, the 2people I care about who don't about me and my QPP~

83. Do you think theperson you have feelings for is protective of you?

Idk??

84. If the personyou wish to be with were with you, what would you be doing right now?

Cuddling andwatching anime tbh.

85. Are you overyour past?

Nope, can't forgivemyself for sooo many things.

86. Have you everliked one of your best friends of the opposite sex?

I considered them abest friend I don't think they did...

87. Is there anyoneyou can tell EVERYTHING to?

My QPP~~

88. If your firsttrue love knocked on your door with apology and presents, would youaccept?

First true love?The concept of true love doesn't really apply to me? I don't reallybelieve in “true love” per say.

89. So, the lastperson you kissed just happens to arrive at your door at 3AM; do youlet them in?

Hah fuck no.

90. Have you everliked someone who your friends hated?

Probably.

91. Will you be in arelationship in 2 months?

Sure as hell hopeso (not romantic though).

92. Is there anyoneyou know with the name Michael?

There is one guy,he's p chill.

93. Have you everkissed a Matthew?

No, I don't knowany Mathews tbh?

94. Were you in arelationship in January? How was it going?

I was, it ended intears and fire.

95. Were you happywith the person you liked in March?

I can't evenattribute last March to any memories.

96. Don’t tell melies, is the last person you texted attractive?

Last 2 people IFaceBook messaged are super attractive, not gonna lie.

97. Who do you havetexts from?

Texts? Mum,occassionally Dad but he often tells Mum things to tell me. OnFaceBook I only really regularly speak to my QPP and a supersupporting awesome girl

98. If the personyou like says they like someone else, what would you say?

This has happened alot in the past so I know exactly what I do. I try my best to getthem and the “someone else” together because their happiness isworth more than mine

99. Have you everkissed someone older than you?

Yes, but only onthe forehead.

100. Who’s in yourprofile picture with you?

Umm it's a deck ofcards

101. Ever kissedunder fireworks?

Nope

102. Has anybodyever given you butterflies?

die antwoord // cookie tumpernirvana // heart shaped boxhundred waters // broken blue