A.B. Normal

Things to consider when Writing about Gods & Religion!!

⊹ Are the gods actually real and active or is it all faith-based. because "god shows up physically to yell at people" is a very different vibe from "we haven't heard from them in 500 years but we still pray"

⊹ What do they want from their followers. worship, sacrifices, good deeds, chaos, entertainment. are they benevolent or kind of jerks about it. Ancient mythology gods were mostly jerks tbh

⊹ How many gods are there and do they get along. monotheism is simple but a messy pantheon where the gods have drama with each other?? so much more fun to write. they can have feuds. forbidden relationships. family issues

⊹ What happens when you die in this religion. reincarnation? specific afterlife? different afterlives based on how you lived? just nothing? this affects how people behave SO much

⊹ Who are the priests/priestesses and what's their role. are they magical conduits, political power players, just regular people leading prayers.

⊹ Are there religious laws and how strict are they. what are the sins/taboos. what happens if you break them.

⊹ What are the religious practices. daily prayers, annual festivals, pilgrimages, ritual sacrifices (of what though). the specific details make it feel real

⊹ Is there religious persecution. multiple religions that hate each other? one state religion and everything else is banned? forced conversions? people hiding their faith?

⊹ Do the gods play favorites or can anyone worship them. are there gods for specific groups (god of soldiers, god of thieves)

⊹ What proof is there that any of this is real. miracles? prophecies that came true? divine artifacts? or is it all just faith and tradition and nobody actually knows

⊹ How has the religion changed over time. do they have like reformation drama, lost texts?

It's just you and I

You and I

Same womb, same time

You are taller, and I blind

Blind to the true way of life

You and I, guide me, stop sign

You are deaf, I think, deaf to the monster's sound

The sound that keeps me up at night

"Lies, lies, you lie"

I'm sorry, I didn't see the stop sign

I am older, still something to protect in your eye

So you suffer mute while I openly sob our plight

"I'm sorry," I sigh

"I didn't see"

"Blind!"

The pain you've hidden cries

You can often turn your passion into like a part time job or a normal 9-5 or something and that’s still really good. Or it can be a major hobby forever. You can still gain some recognition in your niche community through doing that.

And yes of course you can do things for yourself in secret forever if that’s what you so desire but I’m not talking about that. I’m talking to people who want to get professional with it. People who want to carve a niche for themselves.

And it’s moments like that where I’m like hey I’ve accomplished something! I’ve really done it! There’s a lot more that I want to do of course but in no way am I a failure just because I haven’t had a bestselling book yet.

✶ Flinching at sudden movements even when they're "fine."

✶ Compulsively checking locks, three times, four times, one more time to be sure.

✶ Unable to accept compliments without immediately deflecting, joking, or finding the insult hidden inside.

✶ Crying during movies but never about their actual life.

✶ Hoarding food in their room even though the fridge is full.

✶ Texting "sorry" before everything. Sorry I'm late, sorry to bother you, sorry for asking, sorry I exist in your proximity.

✶ Going silent mid-conversation like they've left their body.

✶ Showering in scalding water or freezing cold, never comfortable, always punishing.

✶ Laughing at their own pain like it's a punchline they've rehearsed.

✶ Needing the TV on to sleep because silence lets the thoughts get too loud.

✶ Refusing help carrying groceries, moving furniture, existing "I've got it" even when they clearly don't.

✶ Cataloging exit routes in every room without thinking about it.

✶ Changing the subject the instant someone asks "are you okay?" with actual concern in their voice.

✶ Breaking down over minor inconveniences, because it's safer than crying about the real thing.

✶ Keeping their phone on silent because the anxiety of notifications is worse than missing important calls.

✶ Sitting with their back to the wall, always, watching the door.

✶ Inability to sleep in the same bed as another person without feeling trapped.

✶ Downplaying their achievements instantly, "it was nothing, anyone could have done it, I just got lucky."

✶ Apologizing when other people bump into them.

"There is no straight explanation for this." - great. doesn't exclude platonic from the conversation. Only works for queer couples

1. Being able to search through history/marked for later, with the filtering system (instead of having to go through every page of history/marked for later in order to find what you’re looking for)

2. Being able to see which fics you’ve kudosed

3. See word counts for each chapter

Enemies to lovers works best when the change feels inevitable. Here's a guide to progression their rivalry to a real, loving relationship

Initial Hostility:

This is the hatred. It's the rivalry. The chance to show the readers their deep-rooted resentment for each other.

Forced Interaction:

Avoidance is no longer possible. Perhaps they're forced to work the same case/project or be on the same team. Limited space/forced proximity works great here.

Recognition:

They recognise each other's competence/incompetence and suddenly insults become more personal. Arguments become less about winning.

Emotional Slips:

Care appears where it shouldn't. Protectiveness, possessiveness and vulnerability.

Denial:

Denial of feelings from one or both parties. One side pulling away while the other side pushes. Something new blossoms.

The Change:

The old dynamic no longer works. One of them makes a choice or takes a risk they wouldn't have done before. Let it be messy. Let them break trust, or push boundaries.

Resolution:

1. Logic Plot Holes

Events contradict basic logic or common sense. Example: A character survives something that should clearly kill them with no explanation.

2. Character Motivation Plot Holes

A character acts in a way that doesn’t match their established goals, fears, or values. Example: A cautious character suddenly takes a reckless risk for no clear reason.

3. Timeline Plot Holes

The sequence of events doesn’t add up. Example: A journey takes two days in one chapter and two weeks in another with no explanation.

4. Knowledge Plot Holes

A character knows something they should have no way of knowing. Example: They name a villain they’ve never met or heard of.

5. Cause-and-Effect Plot Holes

Events happen without being caused by anything meaningful. Example: The villain is defeated by coincidence instead of character action.

6. Worldbuilding Plot Holes

The rules of the world are broken or ignored. Example: Magic is established as rare, then suddenly everyone uses it.

7. Stakes Plot Holes

The story claims something is important, but nothing changes when it’s lost or fails. Example: A “dangerous” artifact is destroyed and nothing bad happens.

8. Emotional Plot Holes

Characters don’t emotionally react to major events in believable ways. Example: A character loses a loved one and is fine in the next scene.

9. Ability Plot Holes

A character’s skills change to fit the plot. Example: A character who can’t fight suddenly defeats a trained warrior.

10. Convenience Plot Holes (Deus Ex Machina)

The story solves a problem with a random or unearned solution. Example: A new power appears at the last second to save the hero.

11. Forgotten Consequences

Actions have no lasting impact when they realistically should. Example: A character commits a crime and is never pursued or affected by it again.

12. Setting Inconsistencies

Physical locations change or behave inconsistently. Example: A room is described as windowless, then later a character looks out the window.

13. Relationship Plot Holes

Relationships shift without development. Example: Two enemies suddenly trust each other with no bridge scene.

14. Rule Exceptions with No Cost

Rules are broken only when convenient, with no price paid. Example: Time travel is dangerous except when the protagonist uses it.

15. Offscreen Solutions

Manipulative characters aren’t just “evil and smart.” The best ones don’t look like villains at all.

They feel helpful. Reasonable. Charming. They make other characters doubt themselves and sometimes the reader too.

Here’s how to write them so they feel unsettling instead of cartoonish.

1. Manipulators Don’t Force, They Nudge

A good manipulator rarely gives direct orders. They plant ideas and let other people think they came up with them.

They say things like:

“I just thought you should know…”

“You’re free to decide, of course.”

“I’d never tell you what to do.”

If your character is openly controlling, they’re not manipulating — they’re dominating.

2. They Know Exactly What Someone Wants

Manipulators are observant. They notice insecurities, unmet needs, guilt, fear, and ambition.

They don’t attack weaknesses. They offer relief from them.

This is why people stay loyal to them long after they should’ve left.

3. They Always Have Plausible Deniability

The scariest manipulators can always say: “I didn’t mean it like that.” “You’re reading too much into it.” “I was only trying to help.”

They never leave clear fingerprints on their damage.

4. Manipulation Feels Like Safety at First

At the beginning, being around them feels good.

Someone finally understands you

Someone has answers

Someone makes decisions easier

Only later does the character realize how much control they’ve lost.

Types of Manipulators ↓

Shame can be shown in many different ways. It can manifest through different emotions such as fear or remorse. But the real way to drive shame home is through psychological and physiological behaviours in addition to body language.

Here are 20 ways you can show your readers the emotional turmoil your characters are going through.

Avoiding eye contact or looking at the floor.

Flinching when someone compliments them.

Over-apologising for small things.

Shrinking physically: hunching shoulders, curling inwards, retracting hands into sleeves.

Whispering or stuttering instead of speaking normally.

Fidgeting with their clothes or hands.

Covering scars, marks, or flaws they normally hide.

Laughing nervously when caught off guard.

Blaming themselves, even when it’s not their fault.

Being unable to eat/drink, or feeling like they don't deserve it.

Hiding or deleting messages, letters, or emails. Destroying the evidence; destroying the memory.

Avoiding mirrors or reflective surfaces just so they don't have to see themselves.

Shifting topics when personal subjects come up.

Walking quickly, very quickly, past that certain someone instead of stopping.

Hesitating before entering a room where they were embarrassed. Or avoiding the place completely.

Touching their face or hair in a protective gesture.

Replaying moments in their head, cringing at their own actions.

Over-explaining or justifying themselves unnecessarily.

Trying to change so much about themselves all at once: voice, gait, appearance, personality. Everything.

Leaving early or avoiding social situations to escape attention.