caligula would have blushed

For coming up with character names:

Behind the name (my absolute fav)

Allows you to choose the origin of where you want the name to be from, whether you want a more feminine vs masculine vs androgenous name (as voted by users), random surname generator, and clicking on the name gives you important info like if there are any famous people with the same name, where it’s from, how common it is, and how people tend to see it, etc.

You can also search their name database by letter or meaning or origin, so if you know you want a character who has a name/surname that starts with an A from Ireland, there’s a whole list for you to choose from.

Census sites

Especially useful if you’re looking for a name from a specific place and/or time period. Just search “(country) census (year)” and you’ll find a database of real people who lived in that place at that time. No one can ever call your names unrealistic again.

For coming up with place names:

Fantasy name generator

This site can basically come up with any name for any person, place, or thing you might ever need. There are also specific generators for different fandoms if you’re looking to make an OC in an established world.

For finding that one word on the tip of your tongue:

One Look Thesaurus

This is my go-to. Not only can you find synonyms like a regular thesaurus, but you can also describe words like “unhappy smile” or “quiet laugh” to find the more specific word you’re looking for.

For coming up with ideas:

Word cloud

When I need to inspire a new idea, I write down all the things I’m interested in (hauntings, academia, lesbians, etc.) and put them into a word cloud to shuffle them next to each other. Sometimes seeing a concept in a new context can spark new ideas!

WWF Discord

This is my discord channel (shameless plug) for when you need to brainstorm off other people but don’t have anyone irl to talk to. We’re also happy to read and give feedback on writing, answer writing questions, or just chat!

For visualizing places and characters:

Pinterest

Pinterest can at times be a bit too sterile for my tastes, but if you use the right words, you can find more realistic photos of places. For example, adding “aesthetic” after basically any word will bring up a more broad collection of photos to help you flesh out places.

This is also a great way to find photos of people and fashion to help visualize characters. I’m bad at describing clothes, so I usually collect photos of outfits to help me know what my characters are wearing. Searching up “character inspiration” will collect more interesting photos and drawings of people who might not exactly be of our world.

(However, to make Pinterest not show you AI results, you have to go into your settings and check the “reduce AI” box. Luckily, it does mostly work.)

Death to Stock

Like pinterest but completely AI free (hooray!) Only drawback is that you have to pay a monthly subscription (about $20 CAD).

Cosmos

Very similar to pinterest but slightly more "artsy". I'm not super familiar with this one but I believe all the photos are human and you can save them and create collections with a free account.

Dupe Photos

Royalty-free stock image site with very Pinterest-core photos!

Minecraft

If you haven’t built your entire fictional city in Minecraft instead of writing, why not? It’s fun.

The Sims

This one is dual purpose because you can not only create your characters in Create a Sim, but you can design their houses. If you really want to go for it, you can bulldoze all the lots in your town and build your world from scratch.

For checking grammar:

Grammar Girl

Easy to follow definitions and examples, and if you learn better by listening, every article comes with a podcast to follow along with instead.

Grammar Monster

This one is my favourite for checking grammar rules because there’s tons of examples in graphics that helps for any situation.

Reedsy

Among other things, reedsy can connect you to professional editors within your budget.

For writing advice:

One Stop for Writers

This one was recommended from my discord channel and has all sorts of tutorials and resources for the writing craft.

My Blog Directory

Another shameless plug, but if you need writing advice on something specific, you can search through my directory to see if it’s there. If it isn’t, you can always send me an ask about it!

For an alternative to Google Docs:

Ellipsus

Think google docs but without AI. Yay!

Gregory Peck, April 5, 1916 - June 12, 2003.

An unlikely savior

John couldn’t bring himself to say that it wasn’t images of himself being hurt that frightened him.  He’d focus on the warmth of Sherlock beside him and the gentle pressure of his hand–comforting but not restraining–and simply breathe until he felt like he could move again.  Then he’d turn and pull Sherlock against him, press his nose into the soft curve of his neck, and focus on the feeling of his heartbeat against his lips until he fell back to sleep.  When he woke he’d always find that Sherlock had shifted until his back was pressed to John’s chest, John’s arm curled protectively around his waist, his forehead hot against the back of Sherlock’s neck.

It went on like this for two months.  Then, one night, Sherlock slipped into the bed a little after midnight, and John didn’t startle awake, didn’t stop breathing.  He did wake, but it was gentle, easy.  His eyes opened blearily as the bed dipped, and he felt Sherlock go still, waiting for the inevitable alarm to go off in John’s head.  But John only shifted like someone who’s still half-asleep, only turned enough so that Sherlock could settle back against him just the way John knew he liked, his fingers threading through John’s where he held his hand against his chest so that John could feel his heart, a steady thrum against his palm.

“I never would’ve pegged you for the little spoon, you know,” he said, his voice rough with sleep.  He tightened his arm and brushed his lips against Sherlock’s bare shoulder.  “S’good, though.”

“Mm, you let my physical appearance cloud your judgment,” Sherlock said, and John could feel the vibration of his words, pressed together as they were.  “You assumed that just because I am the taller of the two of us that I would prefer to be the ‘big spoon,’ as you say.”

John couldn’t help a small huff of laughter.  The idea of hearing Sherlock Holmes talk about spooning would’ve been unthinkable a mere few months ago.

“Besides,” Sherlock went on, “it suits us both.”

“Yeah?”

“Yes.  You find comfort in being able to surround me, in the feeling that you’re keeping me safe.”

It wasn’t surprising that Sherlock had figured that one out.  Pretty obvious, really.  He’d probably deduced it that first night even when John was too much of a wreck from his own fears to put it into words.

He kissed Sherlock’s neck, speaking against his skin.  “And you?“

“I’ve never liked being confined or restrained.  I’m sure that’s a surprise to you,” he said dryly, and John laughed.  Then Sherlock’s voice softened, and his hand tightened around John’s.  “But then I met you, and you surrounded my entire life, and I discovered that I didn’t mind the way you invaded my every thought, my every action.  I spent years wanting to be confined in your arms the way I was confined in my absolute affection for you.  And now I finally can be.  So.  That’s how it suits me.”

John swallowed thickly.  “There’s another thing I never would’ve guessed about you.”

“What’s that?”

He tugged gently at Sherlock’s hip until he turned so that John could kiss him.  “You’re a bloody romantic.”

He could feel Sherlock’s smile curve against his lips.  “Only for you.”

“Mm, let’s keep it that way.”