writing blog

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When the sound is sudden or startling:

Flinched at Started at Jolted at Was met with Was struck by Was greeted by Recoiled at Winced at Was interrupted by Was jarred by

When they're listening carefully:

Listened to Focused on Hung on Attended to Tuned into Followed Tracked Strained to hear Zeroed in on Locked onto

When the sound is confusing or uncertain:

Thought they heard Could've sworn they heard Believed they heard Mistook Half-heard Barely caught Couldn't quite make out Failed to catch Wasn't sure they heard Wondered if they'd heard

When they're eavesdropping:

Overheard Caught Listened in on Eavesdropped on Picked up Managed to hear Listened through the wall Caught snippets of Made out Secretly listened to

When they're emotionally affected by the sound:

Absorbed Took in Froze at Processed Balked at Recoiled from Welcomed Clung to Hung on every word of Sat with

When the sound is overwhelming:

Was bombarded by Was engulfed by Was surrounded by Was drowned in Endured Sat through Couldn't escape Was assaulted by Was consumed by Was overwhelmed by

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eyes tracing over their features while they're turned away, catching on their eyelashes fluttering against their skin, the slope of their nose, the curve of their lips.

hands brushing, fingertips twitching, savoring the sparks that ignite from touching them, and resisting the urge to chase after it.

hanging onto their every word, engraving the sentences they speak into their very bones.

bodies in close proximity, focusing on how electric the air is, and being hyperaware of how their heat is searing itself into their skin.

idealizing them, imagining them in their fantasies, thinking repeatedly about their best qualities.

having them constantly on their mind, finding reminders of them in the most mundane of daily activities.

a tightness in their chest, an ache in their body at the thought of what they don't have.

leaning in to gaze at them better, taking note of every little detail, every new addition to their appearance, and staring like they'll slip through their fingers if they ever look away.

staying silent when the topic is brought up, too fearful to broach it in case of rejection, or maybe just unwilling to fully commit, and merely returning to their longing afterward.

overthinking what they say, what they do, desperate for the other's attention, just to have their eyes on them.

start / begin ➙ they either do or don't do an action, even if it is interrupted

somehow ➙ find a way to describe it or, if it matters that they don't know how something happened, make it its own sentence. somehow is very lackluster

that ➙ if the sentence makes sense after you remove it, do it

useless modifiers (really, very, certainly, probably, actually, quite, ...) ➙ emphasis on useless: many can be helpful, but many are not

dialogue tags ➙ don't cut them always, but you can leave them out or replace them with action tags for more variety

down / up ➙ often times they are not needed (I sat down vs. I sat)

wonder, think, realize, understand, feel ➙ especially in narration, these are signs of telling, not showing. Instead of "I wondered where he was." you can write "Where was he?"

"There is/was..." ➙ very formulaic and getting rid of as many as possible will make for more variety in sentence structures

Find your own! Every writer will have individual habits, so when you are proofreading your stuff, try to notice your own patterns. Feel free to add onto this post :)

Disclaimer: these words definitely can be very useful when they are used intentionally, especially if they are not overused. When I say to "cut" these words, I mean to question whether they are strengthening or weakening the sentence in every instance.

Tightened jaw or clenched teeth

Forced smile that doesn’t reach the eyes

Lips pressed into a thin line

Brief flashes of glaring or hard eye contact

Rapid blinking or narrowed eyes

Looking the person up and down critically

Crossing arms tightly over the chest

Hands clenching or fidgeting

Picking at nails, skin, or clothing

Turning the body slightly away while still watching

Leaning back defensively

Sudden stiff posture

Shoulders tensing or rising

Small eye rolls or side glances

Tilting the head with a skeptical expression

Fake casualness (shrugging, acting uninterested)

Interrupting physical space subtly (stepping closer or inserting themselves)

Protective gestures toward a partner (hand on shoulder, waist, etc.)

Touching their own neck, collar, or hair nervously

Restless movements like tapping a foot or shifting weight

A delayed reaction before responding

⋆˚✿˖° "You don't have to be okay right now. You don't have to be anything right now."

⋆˚✿˖° "When did you last eat. And water doesn't count and neither does coffee."

⋆˚✿˖° "I've got you. You're safe. I've got you."

⋆˚✿˖° "Stop apologizing for needing things. Stop it right now."

⋆˚✿˖° "You called me at 2am and I came. That's not something I did out of obligation. I want you to understand that."

⋆˚✿˖° "Lay down. I'm not asking."

⋆˚✿˖° "You've been holding this alone for how long. How long have you been holding this alone."

⋆˚✿˖° "I'm going to sit right here. You don't have to talk. I'm just going to be here."

⋆˚✿˖° "When did taking care of yourself become something you had to earn."

⋆˚✿˖° ⟢ "You're shaking." - "I'm fine." - "You're shaking and you've been crying and you're not fine and that's okay."

⋆˚✿˖° "I'm not leaving. You can ask me to leave and I still won't. You're stuck with me tonight."

⋆˚✿˖° "Has anyone ever just — taken care of you. Without needing something back." - "..." - "That's what I thought. Come here."

⋆˚✿˖° "You scared me. I need you to know you scared me and I need you to never do that again."

⋆˚✿˖° "I heated up the leftovers. You're going to eat them. We can fight about everything else tomorrow."

⋆˚✿˖° "Stop being brave for one second. Just one second. It's just me."

⋆˚✿˖° "I noticed you weren't okay three weeks ago. I've been trying to figure out how to say something."

⋆˚✿˖° "You don't have to explain it. You don't owe me an explanation. Just tell me what you need."

⋆˚✿˖° "Nobody should have to go through that. I know you did. I'm so sorry you did."

⋆˚✿˖° "Close your eyes. I'll stay until you fall asleep. I'll be here when you wake up."

⋆˚✿˖° "You keep saying you're fine and your hands keep shaking and I need you to pick one."

⋆˚✿˖° "I made your tea the way you like it." - "You remembered." - "I remember everything about you."

⋆˚✿˖° "You were there for me when I had nothing. Did you really think I wasn't going to show up for you."

"I would never."

"I wasn't going to."

"You have to believe me; I'm not lying."

"What reason would I have to lie?"

"Okay."

"How could you think I am lying about this?"

"Why not?"

"Like you're one to talk!"

"Are you ever gonna trust me?"

"You're telling me to stop lying?!"

"I'm not fucking lying!"

"Will you stop accusing me of random things I never did?"

"Fine. Let's stop pulling punches."

"How're you gonna know whether I do?"

"You should know better than to ask that of me now."

*laughs in their face*

Vocabulary

01. Word hippo

02. One look

03. Power thesaurus

04. Visual thesaurus

Dialogue tags

01. 300 words to use instead of said

02. 550+ alternative words for said

03. 200+ other words for said

(These pictures are not mine. Let me know if you know OP!)

a prompt list by @novelbear

✧ "you're warm."

✧ tentatively placing your hand on the back of their head, gently caressing it

✧ playing with their hair slowly, picking up the strands and letting them fall

✧ "you're not close enough for me, hug me harder."

✧ resting your head in between their neck and shoulder

✧ listening to their heartbeat as it calms you down

✧ placing a hand on their chest, watching it rise and fall soothingly

✧ "are you comfortable?"

✧ "did you just fart?"

✧ falling asleep tangled within eachothers' arms

✧ "i didn't take you to be the big spoon kind of guy"

✧ kissing their temple slow but firm

✧ sniffing their hair, taking in the sweet scent of the shampoo they just used

✧ "this is so nice, why don't we do this more often?"

✧ not knowing where to put your legs and laughing about it .

━━━━━━━━━━━━ ✧ ━━━━━━━━━━━━

I made this list for my upcoming fundraiser game, but I figured I'd share it publicly if anyone's looking for some quick inspo!

“Stop looking at me like that.”

“Are you…jealous?”

“Keep it; it looks better on you, anyway.”

“You have to trust me.”

“I meant it as a compliment.”

“Hi, I’m calling about your ad.”

“I can’t keep doing this with you.”

“It’s been a long time.”

“Is this really worth breaking your vows over?”

“You know, I didn’t ask to get kidnapped.”

“I don’t deserve this.”

“Sometimes I really don’t understand you at all.”

“Have we met before?”

“That wasn’t how I planned it.”

“Can I come with you?”

“I told you not to tease me.”

“I’ll take care of this.”

“Try not to make any noise.”

“Can you at least try to be nice?”

“We shouldn’t.”

“Stop yelling at me.”

“I don’t want to lie to you anymore.”

“You knew, didn’t you?”

“Who did this to you?”

“What did you do this time?”

“You’re so different when it’s just us.”

“I’m not good at this.”

“Are we ever going to talk about it?”

“How long have you been standing there?”

⟢ "I don't know how to be in the same room as you without wanting to say everything I've been rehearsing for months."

⟢ "Can we just — can we start over? Not from the beginning. Just from right now."

⟢ "I'm not ready to stop being angry at you but I also can't stop thinking about you and I hate that so much."

⟢ "You were supposed to be the easy part of my life."

⟢ "I almost called you seventeen times last night. I counted."

⟢ "I don't miss you. I miss who I thought you were. There's a difference and it's the only thing keeping me together right now."

⟢ "Say something. Anything. I just need to hear your voice not be angry at me."

⟢ "I'm not asking you to fix it. I'm asking you to stay while I do."

⟢ "I've been carrying this for so long and I just — I need to tell you. I need you to know."

⟢ "Don't forgive me yet. I don't deserve it yet. Just don't leave."

⟢ "I keep starting texts to you and deleting them. This is the first one I actually sent."

⟢ "It's not that I stopped loving you. That would've been easier."

⟢ "I have this secret and it's been sitting in my chest for two years and you're the only person I want to tell."

⟢ "I know you're not mine. I know that. I just forgot for a second."

⟢ "We broke up three months ago and I still sleep on my side of the bed."

⟢ "I'm not over you and I've tried everything and I'm running out of things to try."

⟢ "You looked at me today like you used to and I had to leave the room."

⟢ "Tell me you don't feel it too. Look me in the eye and tell me."

⟢ "I wanted to hate you. It would've been so much cleaner."

⟢ "Nobody knows I'm here. I didn't tell anyone I was coming. I just — needed to see you."

⟢ "There's something I should've told you before any of this happened. Before all of it."

⟢ "I think about calling you when something good happens. That's the part I can't shake."

⟢ "I'm not here to get back together. I'm here because I never said sorry and it's been eating me alive."

⟢ "You're engaged and I'm happy for you. I am. I just needed one night to not be."

⟢ "I don't know when it happened. I just looked up one day and it was you. It was always you."

⟢ "We said we'd be fine and we're not fine and can we just admit that we're not fine?"

⟢ "I kept your hoodie. I know I said I threw it out. I kept it."

⟢ "I think I've been in love with you for so long I forgot what it felt like before."

⟢ "Don't make me say it first. Please. You know. You have to know."

⟢ "Every time someone asks if I'm seeing anyone I think of you before I think of anyone else."

⟢ "I was going to tell you at the wedding. And then the moment passed and I've been sick about it ever since."

⟢ "I know we agreed it meant nothing. I think I lied."

⟢ "You deserve to know the truth. Even if it changes everything. Especially if it changes everything."

⟢ "I walked past the place we used to go and I had to sit down on the pavement. Just for a minute."

⟢ "I'm not asking you to take me back. I'm asking you to remember that I loved you. Really loved you."

⟢ "I think the bravest thing I've ever done is tell you this."

⟢ "We don't have to call it anything. I just don't want to pretend anymore."

⟢ "I've told everyone else. You're the last person and the only one that actually scares me."

⟢ "I packed a bag three times and talked myself out of coming to you every single time. This is the fourth time."

⟢ "You have no idea the things I stopped myself from saying to you."

⟢ "I didn't plan this. I didn't plan any of this. I just know that I'm here and I'm not ready to leave yet."

⟢ "Be honest with me for once. Not kind. Honest."

⟢ "I think I let you go too easily and I've been paying for it every day since."

⟢ "I wrote it down because I couldn't say it. Here. Just — read it."

⟢ "We both know this isn't just friendship. We've known for a long time."

⟢ "I'm not the same person you left. I want you to see that. I need you to see that."

⟢ "You cried at my wedding and didn't think I noticed. I noticed."

⟢ "There's a version of this where I don't say anything and we both go on pretending. I don't want that version anymore."

⟢ "I've been waiting for you to bring it up first. You never did. So here I am."

⟢ "I don't expect anything. I just couldn't keep it inside anymore."

⟢ "The last thing you said to me was see you later and I keep waiting."

⟢ "I should hate you for what happened. Some days I do. Most days I just miss you."

⟢ "You're my first call in my head every single time. That doesn't just go away."

⟢ "I've practiced this speech for months and now that you're in front of me I can't remember a single word."

⟢ "Tell me it was real. I need to hear you say it was real."

⟢ "I think about the night we almost said it and didn't. I think about it more than I should."

⟢ "I'm not doing well without you. I know that's not fair to say. I'm saying it anyway."

⟢ "You were never supposed to find out like this. I was never supposed to say it at all."

⟢ "I still have your number memorized. I've never had anyone else's memorized."

⟢ "Can we just sit here for a minute. We don't have to talk. I just don't want to go yet."

⟢ "I forgive you. I've forgiven you for a while. I just didn't know how to come back."

⟢ "You were my person and then you weren't and I haven't found a replacement for that word yet."

⟢ "I know the timing is terrible. I know. But I'm running out of time where I'm brave enough."

⟢ "I saw your name and my heart did the thing it always does and I'm so tired of pretending it doesn't."

⟢ "We were so close to being something. I feel that every time I see you."

⟢ "I don't want closure. I want you."

⟢ "There's something I've never told anyone. You're the only person I'd ever tell."

⟢ "I thought getting over you would be a straight line. It's not. It's really not."

⟢ "You looked happy. I'm glad. It still hurt to see."

⟢ "I'm not asking for forever. Just — not yet. Can we have not yet?"

⟢ "The worst part of losing you was losing the person I was when I was with you."

⟢ "I know how this looks. I know I have no right. I just needed you to know."

⟢ "Some days I'm fine. Today I'm not. Today I really miss you."

⟢ "I think what I'm trying to say is — don't give up on me yet."

⟢ "You always knew when something was wrong with me before I did. I miss being known like that."

⟢ "I kept every voicemail. I know that's a lot. I just couldn't delete your voice."

⟢ "I'm not ready. I just want you to know I'm trying to get there."

⟢ "You were the first person I ever felt safe enough to fall apart in front of."

⟢ "If you asked me to stay, I'd stay. I think you know that. I think that's why you're not asking."

⟢ "I never told you how scared I was. I think I should've. I think it would've changed things."

⟢ "You're getting married and I'm genuinely happy and I'm also falling apart in a bathroom at your engagement party."

⟢ "I think the reason I never said it was because saying it made it real and real things can be lost."

⟢ "We haven't spoken in a year and you're still the person I want to call first."

⟢ "I lied when I said I was over it. I've been lying for a while."

⟢ "I don't need you to love me back. I just needed you to know. I just really needed you to know."

⟢ "There's a what if I've been living in for two years. I think it's time I let it go."

⟢ "I came back because I couldn't think of a single good reason not to."

⟢ "You make everything feel less impossible. I don't know what to do with that."

⟢ "I'm not going to ask you to wait. I just hope you do."

⟢ "I should've kissed you that night. I've thought about it every day since."

⟢ "I know it's too late. I know. I just — needed you to hear it from me."

⟢ "We ruined something really good and I think about that more than I think about anything else."

⟢ "You're the only apology I've ever meant."

⟢ "I'm not okay. But I think I will be. And I wanted you to be the first to know."

⟢ "I kept the ticket stubs. The photos. The stupid receipt from the first time we got coffee. I kept all of it."

⟢ "I don't know how to stop loving you. I've looked for the instructions. They don't exist."

Hugs that last longer than they should.

Immediately looking at the other after saying or doing something funny, hoping to see their smile.

Making playlists and moodboards for each other.

Trying to learn about the others' interests.

Continuously denying others who think they are together.

Always giving the utmost attention to the other if they are in a crowd.

Associating random things with them.

"Make a wish." "Done."

"Oh, wait, careful. There's a bug, here let me get it out of your hair."

"I dropped my hair tie but if I turn on the flashlight we'll be swarmed by mosquitoes..." "That belongs to nature now. Sorry."

"Take the blanket. You look cold."

"I've never seen anything like that." "Don't get a night sky like that in the big city, huh?" "No, absolutely not."

"I brought something..." "Hot cocoa?? You're incredible. Marry me."

"Look, it's Ursa Minor." "Where?" "There. See? It goes along there... How are you not seeing it? It's there! It's... Look! It's right there!" "That's just... stars! What the fuck are you talking about!" "I am going to lose my mind."

request: what are some romantically charged situations friends could get into (not gender specific please) requested by: anonymous

Feel free to use and reblog!

double seat at the cinema

going to dinner turns into a candlelight dinner

taking the other as a plus one to a wedding

answering the other's phone when they can't take a call

forced close proximity in a crowd

hands touching when reaching for something at the same time

repeatedly saying 'I just really like you'

hearing the other praising them in front of others

staying so often at the other's place that the neighbours are sure they're a couple

giving the other random gifts

'that made me think of you'

meeting their parents turns into a misunderstanding

'you've got there something at the corner of your mouth. still there' 'then you help me'

twitching at the other's touch

eye contact that's just that much too long to be normal

calling just to say goodnight

being each other's emergency contact

being surrounded only by couples

resting their head in the other's lap while rambling about their day

i hear you're a good kisser.

are you staring at my lips?

how about a kiss for old time's sake?

maybe we could experiment a little.

have you ever thought about kissing me?

is there even an "us?"

a little bird told me you're a really good kisser.

could you see me as... more than just a friend?

what's a little fooling around between friends?

i'll admit, i have thought about you like that.

kissing you sounds like a very good idea.

i've been meaning to ask you out for ages.

maybe we could... see what happens.

there's no harm in a little experimentation.

did you want to kiss me back then?

for what it's worth, i really enjoyed the kiss and i wouldn't mind doing that again sometime.

could we pretend this is our first kiss?

maybe we could go on a date sometime.

you could start by coming closer.

just wondering what you taste like.

i saw you looking at me earlier.

could we talk about... us?

i'm not interested in anyone but you.

i bet if we tried, we could make it work.

a kiss won't kill us.

wanna makeout?

quick, kiss me before they walk over here.

i've wanted to kiss you for a long time now.

i never had the courage to ask you if you'd kiss me.

could i keep seeing you after this?

i really enjoyed it, by the way.

you're a much better kisser than i expected.

well, that got out of hand quickly.

maybe we should redo our first kiss.

next time, we should make it a date.

can i kiss you?

kissing sounds really fun right now.

have you been kissed before?

i never liked kissing until you.

you are... unbelievably good at that.

give me a minute to catch my breath.

your heart is racing.

are you okay? you look very flustered.

are my cheeks burning?

pulling the other in to whisper something... a threat, a promise, a compliment, an innuendo... who knows, but it is sure to feel intimate as hell

the typical moment when they shake hands and both squeeze hard to assert dominance

public figures acting cordial, locked in a handshake while being photographed as one, with a pleasant smile, reveals their betrayal to the other

reaching for a handshake but the other takes it and places a kiss on the back of it. bonus points if it is in a setting where this is not at all expected or typical

a hidden enemy yanking the other close as soon as they grasp hands and putting them into a headlock or pressing a weapon to their skin

secret lovers saying goodbye in public, their hands lingering awkwardly long as neither wants to let go

soulmate!au: in a very conservative society, where casual touches are rarely done, two allies only realise they are destined for each other when one congratulates the other after their wedding

Questioning Sentences, Vol. 59

(Questioning sentences from various sources to ask all kinds of muses. Adjust phrasing where needed)

"Do you ever feel like your life is not your own?"

"Don't you think you're getting a little obsessive?"

"Did it never occur to you that you're the problem, not the solution?"

"What's Latin for 'losing the will to live'?"

"Is there a reason you're not answering your phone?"

"What? Are we not going to kill him?"

"What's up with you? Are you sulking?"

"It's starting again, isn't it?"

"Who teaches us to be normal when we're one of a kind?"

"Why did I have to love you?"

"What did you just do?"

"How do we make him stay dead?"

"What do you leave here for me that you don't dare bring me directly?"

"Do you remember everything you see?"

"You're not using everyone to further another end, are you?"

"I'm sure you're aware of the consequences of divulging confidential information?"

"How am I supposed to write in this state?"

"Do you remember the fairytale?"

"Does it hurt? The truth you keep hidden?"

"You weren't leaving, were you?"

"You're letting me live. Why?"

"Why do you hold all your hate for me?"

"What colour underwear do you think I'm wearing?"

"Is this a poem?"

"Do you always sit in complete silence?"

"I assume you're here to apologise?"

"Come on! When was the last time you had fun?"

"Are you asking me to help you kill him?"

"What was it that gave me away?"

"How do I know you're actually you?"

"Is there any chance you'll find who really did it?"

"What are you looking at me like that for?"

"Do you ever wonder if all of this is just a dream?"

"What defines a nice bum, anyway?"

"Don't you want to be saved?"

"Have you ever known me to lose a fight?"