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Quillology With Haya

@hayatheauthor / hayatheauthor.tumblr.com

A writing advice blog for authors, by authors ✍️ Find me on TikTok and Insta: @hayatheauthor WIP: The Traitor's Throne | YA fantasy 🪄
Published: Cremated Chains | Thriller

A writing update no one asked for. Read on if you're interested in:

  • What am I working on right now and when will my books be out
  • A bit about my current projects and sneak peeks for the plot of a new one
  • Slight context to my current (mental) life and how it's impacting my writing schedule/journey
  • What's going on with my social media side of things (and why have my Insta/TikTok been dead for months).

Around 4-5 paras long :)

I miss being in love with words and beautiful prose. I miss typing out stories so enchanting they twist from ink to life, painting entire worlds with each stroke of the pen. I miss the thrill of the written word, the shiver of excitement that accompanied a newfound plot point.

But I fear that adoration has been eclipsed by a thirst for adulation—an ache for worldly acclaim that devours me whole, leaving behind the rotten carcass of a linguistic soul. A soul long buried and burned, laid to rest in the forgotten purgatory of withered pages and blotted ink.

For what good are words if they are never read? What good are stories if they are never told? What good is an author if they are never known?

Hello! 😊 Do you have any advice on word-building? I can imagine multiple scenarios in my head, but I can't seem to put them into words. 🥹

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First off hi sorry I took forever to write this blog! I hope it helps you get your ideas onto paper <3

Worldbuilding is the backbone of any compelling story, especially in genres like fantasy, science fiction, and historical fiction. Crafting a believable, immersive world can captivate your readers and provide a solid foundation for your narrative. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the essential steps to create a vivid and engaging world for your story.

How To Showcase Surprise In Your Writing

Welcome to the latest installation of my series on how to write different emotions. Today we’re covering surprise.

Surprise is a powerful emotion that can add depth and intrigue to your characters and scenes. Mastering the art of depicting surprise in writing can captivate your readers and keep them engaged. Here's how you can effectively showcase surprise in your writing:

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Reblogged

I think the main reason I'm conflicted on self publishing VS trad publishing is cause most self published authors [that I see at least] act like its the dumbest stupidest idea to publish w/o paying for a professional editor & cover designer.

Which like, I get why - people judge covers hard & it's easy to miss mistakes when you're editing your work.

But I can't afford either of those things & unless I magically come into a lot of money sometime soon, it'll be 5-10+ years before I will be able to afford either, let alone both.

It just stresses me out cause they act like unless you get these things its a guaranteed flop/1-star.

And I don't wanna do trad - at least RN or for this series, but that'd be the only way I'd not have to pay for an editor or cover design :/

As a teenager who has self published in the past and is doing it rn, I've learned a lot about how to write, edit, and self publish your book on a budget.

Traditional publishing is a great option but the reality is not everyone is going to get that 'yes' they're looking for. If you've decided to opt for self publishing but are scared of the financial demand, here are some free ways you can ensure you have a polished manuscript and great cover:

(kept the read more to prevent cluttering everyone's feed because this got a little long lol)

Creating Fear in Your Characters: A Writers Guide

Creating authentic emotions is vital for immersive storytelling, which is why I decided to make this series on how to write different emotions. After exploring rage, and sadness it's now time to delve into fear!

Fear is a powerful emotion that can manifest in various ways, from subtle apprehension to paralyzing terror. Here's a guide on how to write fear effectively, covering different aspects of your characters' behavior and reactions.

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Blog Posts Masterlist

Here are all the blogs I've written sorted according to six categories and a lot of sub categories.

Post Writing (Publishing):

  • Querying/Getting Published
  1. How To Get Published As A Minor—A Step-By-Step Guide
  2. How To Get Out Of The Slush Pile And Make Your Agent Say Yes
  3. How To Answer Some Common Literary Agent Questions
  4. The Rejection Checklist: Manuscript Pitfalls to Avoid
  • Editing
  1. Everything You Need To Know Before Editing Your Manuscript
  2. How To Eliminate Passive Voice From Your Manuscript

Pre Writing:

  • WIP building
  1. Ten Dos And Don'ts Of Worldbuilding
  2. How To Name Your Characters
  3. A Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting a Compelling Storyline
  4. How to Pick The Perfect Weapon For Your Characters
  • Writing tools
  1. How To Hook Your Readers With Your Chapter's Starting And Ending
  2. How To Write And Create A Sub Plot
  3. How To Immerse Your Readers With Indirect Characterisation
  4. First or Third Person? How To Choose The Right POV for Your Story

Genre-Based Advice:

  • Fantasy
  1. How To Build A Realistic Magic System
  2. Things To Consider When Writing With Mythologies
  3. Tips To Consider When Writing A Fantasy Religious Story
  • Horror/Thriller
  1. How To Get Away With Murder...As An Author
  2. How To Get Away With Murder Part Two: Writing Murder Mysteries
  3. How To Build Tension And Make Your Readers Feel Scared
  • Romance
  1. Crafting Asexual Romance: Navigating Emotional Intimacy in Fiction

Character-Based Advice:

  1. How To Write An Antagonist
  2. How To Create Realistic Book Characters
  3. How To Write A Compelling Character Arc
  4. How To Create A Morally Grey Character
  5. How To Write A Plot Device Character
  6. How To Develop A Memorable Antagonist
  7. Writing Believable Teenage Characters: Dos and Don'ts
  8. Crafting Character Voices And Distinct Dialogue
  9. Crafting Authentic Child Characters: From Toddlers to Tweens
  10. How To Create And Execute Unreliable Narrators
  11. How To Write Immortal Characters in Fiction
  • Creatures/Monsters
  1. How To Write Mythical Creatures Without Sounding Redundant
  2. How To Write Vampires With An Original Twist
  • 'Sensitive' character topics:
  1. How To Write POC Characters Without Seeming Racist
  2. How To Write A Disabled Character: Ten Dos And Don'ts
  3. How To Write And Research Mental Illnesses
  4. Resources And Advice For Writing Abusive Parents

Scene-Based Advice:

  1. How To Build Tension And Make Your Readers Feel Scared
  2. Four Tips On How To Make Your Plot Twist Work
  3. How To Set The Scene Without Info Dumping
  4. Writing A Creepy Setting: Tips And Examples
  5. The Dos and Don'ts of Writing Flashbacks in Fiction
  6. Crafting Realistic Car Accidents in Fiction: A Writer's Guide
  7. Writing Rage: How To Make Your Characters Seem Angry
  8. Crafting Sad Scenes: Writing Tears and Emotional Depth
  • Fights, poison, pain
  1. How To Accurately Describe Pain In Writing
  2. How To Create A Well-Written Fight Scene
  3. The Ultimate Guide To Writing Persuasive Arguments
  4. Forgining Epic Battles: Techniques For Writing Gripping War Scenes
  5. The Writer's Guide to Authentic Wounds and Fatalities
  6. Ink And Venom: A Writer’s Guide To Poisonous Prose
  7. Everything You Need To Know About Writing Stab Wounds
  8. Everything You Need to Know About Writing Burns
  9. Everything You Need To Know About Writing Gunshot Wounds
  10. Everything You Need To Know About Writing Bruises

Recommendations:

  1. Websites And Writing Apps Every Author Needs in 2023
  2. Seven Blogs You Need To Read As An Author
  3. Ten Websites Every Author Should Know In 2024

Series

  1. Writing Wounds
  2. Writing Mythical Creatures With A Unique Twist
  3. Writing Emotions

Finally updated my masterlist!

I wrote my 61st blog post yesterday, here's hoping I hit 100 blog posts within the next month or two

The amount of support this account received is absolutely surreal, and I can only hope I get similar results once I publish The Traitor's Throne

Crafting Sad Scenes: Writing Tears and Emotional Depth

Creating authentic emotions is vital for immersive storytelling, which is why I decided to make this series on how to write different emotions. After exploring rage, it's now time to delve into sadness!

When it comes to portraying sadness, delving into various aspects of your character's behaviour and environment can deepen the emotional impact. Here's a guide on how to evoke sadness in your writing using different elements:

I've said this once I'll say it again: I REALLY want Tumblr author moots 😭 not just the type of moots who follow each other but moots who are friends and we can talk to each other about our books etc

Esp if: you're an indie author, you write fantasy/horror/thriller, you have Insta/TikTok (because I really want author friends on there too!!)

So feel free to message me or just comment on this post or—anything 🥹🫶

Crafting Realistic Car Accidents in Fiction: A Writer's Guide

Welcome, fellow writers, to another installment in my series on crafting realistic scenes in fiction. Today, I'm diving into the intricate world of car accidents and exploring how to portray them authentically on the page.

Car accidents are a common occurrence in both real life and fiction, but capturing their intensity and complexity in writing can be a challenging task. Whether your characters are involved in a minor fender-bender or a catastrophic collision, it's crucial to approach these scenes with care and attention to detail.

In this blog post, I'll discuss the mechanics of car accidents, the physical and emotional effects on characters, legal considerations, and more. By understanding the intricacies of car accidents and how they impact those involved, you'll be better equipped to create compelling and realistic scenes that resonate with your readers.

How To Eliminate Passive Voice From Your Manuscript

Welcome to my guide on eliminating passive voice from your manuscript! If you're striving to enhance the clarity, strength, and engagement of your writing, mastering the art of active voice is essential. Passive voice, while sometimes sneaky, can dull the impact of your prose and weaken the connection between your readers and your story.

In this blog, we'll delve into the intricacies of passive voice, providing practical tips and strategies for identifying and transforming passive constructions into active ones. Whether you're a seasoned writer looking to refine your craft or a beginner eager to strengthen your prose, this guide will equip you with the tools and knowledge needed to banish passive voice from your writing once and for all. Let's dive in!

Can I request? How write asexual romance?

I meant kind confuse since romance and sexual are almost same thing, so how that work between 2 person that love in romqntic way but no sexual from them or an asexual person with ordinary person

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Crafting Asexual Romance: Navigating Emotional Intimacy in Fiction

Writing asexual romance can be both rewarding and challenging. It requires a delicate balance of understanding, empathy, and creativity to authentically capture the emotional depth and complexity of such relationships.

Whether you're a seasoned writer looking to expand your repertoire or a newcomer eager to explore diverse narratives, this guide aims to provide valuable insights into crafting compelling asexual relationships in fiction.

Ten Websites Every Author Should Know In 2024

When I started this blog, one of the first posts I penned was "Websites Every Author Should Know in 2023." Now, as I return to breathe new life into this platform in 2024, it feels only fitting to offer an updated edition of that beloved post. 

Whether you're struggling with brainstorming ideas, organizing your plot, finding publishing opportunities, or simply seeking some writing motivation, here are 10 websites that every author should know in 2024. 

Hello, hope you are having a good day/night

I was wondering if you have any advice for making immortal characters?

I'm making one for a story and kinda stuck on a few things

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Crafting immortal characters presents a unique set of challenges for writers. Visualizing the personality and lifestyle of someone who has lived for centuries can be a daunting task. I personally haven't written many immortal characters, but here is my simple guide to writing immortal characters. 

Anonymous asked:

Do you have any tips/guides for writing abusive parents? How they act, and how a fight where they lash out at their child would be? I’m writing a story in which one of the main characters grows up with abusive parents that mistreat her because she doesn’t fit into society’s definition of ‘normal’ (they basically see her as a monster in the literal meaning of the word), and at one point they have a fight because the parents find out that she’s kept a secret close friendship from them for several years, and they snap at her for going behind their backs (despite the parents not really caring about her and what she’s up to normally) while simultaneously being skeptical of their friendship, what it entails, and what being friends with them child says about the friend.

The problem is that no matter how I try to write the scene, it feels dramatized, if that makes sense. I get the feeling that it becomes unrealistic or stereotypical, especially since I know that in abusive households, a lot of the aggression and communication happens without words. I’ve tried researching a bit, but I struggle to find anything that’s relevant, and my childhood struggles were (luckily) not related to abusive parents, so I don’t have many experiences to use as reference when writing.

Resources And Advice For Writing Abusive Parents

Your story sounds really intriguing! I don't have personal experience with this but I asked around and did some research, and I uncovered a lot of interesting facts. If just been looking for a bit of advice/resources, in which case you can scroll straight to the bottom of the blog where I have some resources and niche advice for you.

But, if you, or any other reader for that matter, needs general help in writing abusive parental figures, here is everything I've uncovered thus far.  

Everything You Need To Know About Writing Bruises 

Welcome to the latest instalment in my ongoing series on crafting realistic wounds in fiction. After delving into stab wounds, burns, and gunshot wounds, we're turning our attention to another crucial element in bringing your characters and their stories to life: bruises.

Bruises are possibly the most common miswritten injury in fiction. As tempting as it might be to make the protagonist's skin bruise when the morally grey characters clutches her wrist, scenes like this only serve to ruin immersion and make your readers wonder whether this could realistically happen. 

Unlike the other wound types I've covered in this series, the internet doesn't seem to have a lot of writing advice for bruises. So, here's my comprehensive guide to writing bruises.