the-awkward-author

[the-awkward-author]

A calls their S/O (B), scared. There are people standing outside their house. They’re just… staring.

B gets in their car immediately to come to A’s aid, but as they’re trying to calm A down, they notice a peculiar story on the radio…

“All across the nation, there are reports of strangers staring at people’s homes. People that have gone out to investigate seem to vanish into thin air. The police advise to stay inside your homes.”

B can’t help but drive faster. They tell A not to go outside. A agrees.

B hears loud bangs from A’s side of the call.

“They’re coming in,” A realizes. “They’re-B, they’re trying to get inside!”

B tells A to hide. They do, struggling to muffle their sobs.

The last thing that B hears before the call cuts is A whispering, “Why?... Why me?”

And a scream.

The news the next day reports the strange disappearance of a third of the entire country. They’re gone without a trace.

A is one of them.

B has to figure out what’s going on. They have to.

[the-awkward-author]

A calls their S/O (B), scared. There are people standing outside their house. They’re just… staring.

B gets in their car immediately to come to A’s aid, but as they’re trying to calm A down, they notice a peculiar story on the radio…

“All across the nation, there are reports of strangers staring at people’s homes. People that have gone out to investigate seem to vanish into thin air. The police advise to stay inside your homes.”

B can’t help but drive faster. They tell A not to go outside. A agrees.

B hears loud bangs from A’s side of the call.

“They’re coming in,” A realizes. “They’re-B, they’re trying to get inside!”

B tells A to hide. They do, struggling to muffle their sobs.

The last thing that B hears before the call cuts is A whispering, “Why?... Why me?”

And a scream.

The news the next day reports the strange disappearance of a third of the entire country. They’re gone without a trace.

A is one of them.

B has to figure out what’s going on. They have to.

[the-awkward-author]

A calls their S/O (B), scared. There are people standing outside their house. They’re just… staring.

B gets in their car immediately to come to A’s aid, but as they’re trying to calm A down, they notice a peculiar story on the radio…

“All across the nation, there are reports of strangers staring at people’s homes. People that have gone out to investigate seem to vanish into thin air. The police advise to stay inside your homes.”

B can’t help but drive faster. They tell A not to go outside. A agrees.

B hears loud bangs from A’s side of the call.

“They’re coming in,” A realizes. “They’re-B, they’re trying to get inside!”

B tells A to hide. They do, struggling to muffle their sobs.

The last thing that B hears before the call cuts is A whispering, “Why?... Why me?”

And a scream.

The news the next day reports the strange disappearance of a third of the entire country. They’re gone without a trace.

A is one of them.

B has to figure out what’s going on. They have to.

[the-awkward-author]

You're browsing the dark web and you come across a website with people for sale. And you end up finding your own picture posted there. You're for sale. (Second option: You find your own picture posted there. You are one of the ones that run this website. But you have no memory of any of this.)

[the-awkward-author]

in the middle of the night, you hear a knock on the door. opening the door, you find a child. before you can react, they open their hand to give you...a gun.

"Take this," the child says. "You'll need it more than I do."

[the-awkward-author]

ingrid sundberg's colour dictionary - writing help

[the-awkward-author]

Story Prompt #2

You and your friends discover a door in an abandoned house in the woods. The door has a single keyhole. After vigorous testing, you conclude that the door will unlock for any and all keys. What's on the other side, however, depends on the key.

[the-awkward-author]

Words to Describe Someone's Voice

I went scouting through the internet for words to describe a character’s voice. Here’s a handy list for all you writers:

Adenoidal/Nasal - Some of the sound seems to come through the nose.

Appealing - Shows that you want help, approval, or agreement.

Breathy - With loud breathing noises.

Brittle - You sound as if you are about to cry.

Croaky - Sounds as if they have a sore throat.

Dead - They feel or show no emotion.

Disembodied - Voice comes from someone who you cannot see.

Flat - Spoken in a voice that does not go up and down.

Fruity - Deep and strong in a pleasant way.

Grating - Unpleasant and annoying.

Gravelly -  Low and rough.

Gruff - Has a rough low sound.

Guttural - Deep and made at the back of your throat.

High-Pitched - Very high and shrill.

Hoarse -  Low rough voice, usually because their throat is sore.

Honeyed -  Falsely sweet voice.

Husky - A husky voice is deep and sounds hoarse often in an attractive way.

Low - Quiet and difficult to hear / in a deep voice.

Matter-of-fact - Used about someone’s behavior or voice.

Modulated - Controlled and pleasant to listen to.

Monotonous -  Boring because it does not change in loudness or become higher or lower.

Orotund - Loud and clear.

Penetrating - So high or loud that it makes you uncomfortable.

Plummy - This word shows that you dislike people who speak like this.

Quietly - In a quiet voice.

Raucous -  Loud and sounds rough.

Ringing -  very loud and clear.

Rough - Not soft and is unpleasant to listen to.

Shrill -  Very loud, high, and unpleasant.

Silvery - Clear, light, and pleasant.

Singsong - Rises and falls in a musical way.

Small - A small voice or sound is quiet.

Smoky - Sexually attractive in a slightly mysterious way.

Softly Spoken - A quiet gentle voice.

Sotto Voce - A very quiet voice.

Stentorian - Loud and severe.

Strangulated - One that someone stops before they finish making it.

Strident -  Loud and unpleasant.

Taut - Shows someone is nervous or angry.

Thick - Voice sounds less clear because of an emotion.

Thin -  High and unpleasant to listen to.

Throaty - Low and seems to come from deep in your throat.

Tight - Shows that you are nervous or annoyed.

Toneless - Does not express any emotion.

Tremulous - It is not steady because you are afraid or excited.

Wheezy - Has difficulty breathing.

Wobbly - Unstable tone due to fright or emotions.

[the-awkward-author]

SITES FOR WRITERS

Fantasy name generator

Fighter’s block - try to defeat a monster by writing

Child’s Traits Calculator ; predict a child’s appearance 

Child’s Traits Calculator ; predict other traits

Fifty Plot Twist Ideas For Your Work-In-Progress!

Name generator (Character, Baby, Last name, etc.)

Plot generator ; Inspiration for your next novel, film or short story

Character generator ; Generate Rich Characters in Seconds

Writing Exercises ;  This site provides (completely free) writing prompts and exercises to help you get started with creative writing and break through writing blocks. 

Notebook ; create your characters, worlds, objects, places, etc. and save them

Festisite ; Create a fake license, marriage certificate, credit card, ticket and you can find other stuff as well.

The most common last names in the US

Lists of most common surnames

List of most popular given names

List of the least common surnames [last names] in America, rank 16,001-20,000

Fantasy name generator (again)

Random Name Generator (Choose origins, gender, etc.)

Said is dead (Remember that you can use said, don’t use it to less.)

How Much Blood Can The Human Body Lose? 

How Long Can Someone Go Without Breathing?

The 6 Types of Collars Every Man Should Know by Name 

18 Different Types of Sleeves Design Patterns

What are the most widely practiced religions of the world?

Differences Between a Short Story, Novelette, Novella, & a Novel

Hemingway editor ;  It grades your writing by its readability. 

Zen writer ; writing without distractions (Might not be free after a while)

33 Ways to Write Stronger Characters

75+ bad habits for your character

30 SCENE IDEAS FOR CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

10 Things Writers Don’t Know About The Woods

British and American terms

Free writing worksheets

Feel free to add more!

[the-awkward-author]

Advice for writing about small towns

So I come from a small (midwestern) town. And I mean - an actual small town (less than 1,500 population). I’ve lived in towns of under 500 population, and in towns of about 2,500 population, and in towns of 15k population, and in cities of 100k, and currently in a 700k city. 

So here’s some things about small towns you might not know if you’ve never lived in one:

If it’s got a population higher than 30 thousand, it’s not a small town. It’s just a town. Hell, I’d probably argue that if it has a population higher than 10 thousand it’s not small town, but I’m being generous. However the people in towns 30k–50k probably think they’re in a small town (they’re not).

The experience is vastly different depending on how far you are from a small-large city. And by that I mean - the people are vastly different. 

Are you less than 60min drive to a city of 80k+ population? the people are probably less likely to be farmers, more likely to work in said small-large city and commute (which doesn’t mean that everyone commutes or that no one is a farmer). The people probably lean slightly to the right of the closest city, but aren’t necessarily staunch conservatives. The town sizes probably bottom out around 2k min. 

Are you more than 2hrs drive from a city of 80k+ population? The town is more self-sufficient. Most work within their small town or a nearby small town. Depending on the terrain, more people are farmers. They’re probably mostly conservative, both socially and fiscally. The town sizes could be as small as 300 people.

The farther from the city, the more likely to be conservative, more likely to be farmers (depending on the terrain).

Population 15k+:

This town probably has a (singular) hospital, several doctor’s offices, probably a dozen department stores - and if it’s rural enough, probably a couple kinds of hardware/diy type stores (lowe’s, menard’s, home depot etc.)

There are several options for vets and at least one emergency vet 

1-2 dozen hotels

If it’s got anything touristy, double the hotels (2-3 dozen) - touristy being water, especially large lakes, hiking trails, fesitvals, nearby ski resort - any thing that would draw people there on vacation, even if it’s only people from that region 

Also add a “down town” area - boutiques, nice restaurants, probably a theatre

It has at least 4 options of elementary schools, and 3 options each for middle and high schools. It might have a community college (but probably not). There are private or charter options, specifically for religious students

There are multiple denominations of churches (catholic, lutheran, baptist, episcopal etc). Depending on ethnic make-up, it may or may not have a synagogue. It probably won’t have a mosque.

If it’s in a rural-ish area (the closest towns are all smaller) it probably has some kind of shopping mall. If it’s the smaller town, it may not.

It’ll have several bars, probably clustered in a central location, with a few others a little farther out from that area. 

This town has a few coffee shops (3-10), but may or may not have an actual starbucks. At least one is a local place, at least one is a chain (starbucks, dunkin, biggby). 

People drive everywhere. There is a bus system, but only the “down town” area would have issues finding parking. Most businesses/hotels have their own parking lot.

Most people live in houses but there are a few (3-7) apartment complexes, most of which are several buildings

There will be lots of restaurants, mostly chains or small mom & pop places, with at least a couple niceish options

This town might even have its own airport, but likely only serves regional flights to “nearby” larger towns/cities. Regional means like, less than 2hr flights, so that’s probably a bigger distance than you’d think.

There are dozens of gas stations and at least a dozen fast food places

Is it on a freeway? increase the gas stations, fast food places, department stores etc. 

This town probably has a rec-type center with a community pool and courts and what not. There are several options of gyms.

Population 10k ish:

May or may not have a hospital - if it does, it’s small. A few doctor’s offices, a couple of department stores, at least one hardware/diy type

A few vets, may or may not have an emergency vet

a dozen or so hotels. again - double that if it’s got smth that would attract people, especially water.

may or may not have a “down town” area

2-4 options at least of elementary, 2-3 options of middle and high school. No community college.

Still at least a few options of churches. Still might have a synagogue, still probably doesn’t have a mosque.

Probably doesn’t have a shopping mall, but might have a “business district - basically a few intersections with most of the stores, hotels, and restaurants.

Probably has at least two, maybe three coffee shops. At least one is a chain.

Probably doesn’t have its own bus system unless it’s near enough to a town of 15k+ or more - people drive everywhere. There’s plenty of parking.

Most people live in houses, but there are a couple of apartment complexes. Mostish of the houses have yards, but some might not.

A few options of restaurants, but maybe only 1-2 niceish places. A couple chain, a couple mom & pop. 

It would be strange for this town to have an airport. May have a landing strip at most, but unlikely.

There are probably half a dozen to a dozen gas stations. Several fast food places.

Is it on a freeway? increase the gas stations, fast food

This town might have a community rec center w/pool. Still a couple options of gyms.

Population 5k ish:

This town doesn’t have a hospital. It probably has 1-3 doctor’s offices. At least one department store

2-3 vets, likely no emergency vet

3-8 ish hotels or inns 

Might have a quaint but very small “down town” area

Likely only 2 options of schools, maybe only one high school. Possible to go to school with same people your whole life

2-3 options for churches. Probably doesn’t have a synagogue unless there’s a large Jewish population 

There’s no shopping mall of any kind, but probably has an area where most of the businesses are - at most 2-3 intersections worth

Probably has a coffee shop or two, but might not. Could be a chain or a local - but probably a local.

There’s no bus system unless it’s near enough to a town of 15k+. People drive everywhere.

Most everyone lives in houses. Most if not all have yards. There might be 1-2 apartment complexes but maybe not.

There are a few restaurants - mix of chain and mom & pop places. Might have a nice restaurant, but only one.

There’s no airport.

There are probably 2-6 gas stations, maybe 1-2 fast food. 

Is it on a free way? increase the gas stations and fast food.

Likely does not have its own rec center/pool, but probably has 1-2 options of gyms.

Population under 2k ish:

No hospital. Probably has one doctor’s office, but might not if it’s close enough to a larger “small” town. No department stores, but probably at least one, maybe 2 decent grocery stores. Could be a local chain or a mom & pop.

Probably has a vet’s office, but just one. 

1-2 inns/motels. If it’s an older town, it has like, a street that’s mostly made of older style buildings and is the “down town” - just a couple of blocks

Just one school system - elementary through high school. Everyone goes through the same school - you probably graduate with the same people you went to kindergarten with

1-2 churches. Probably no synagogue

There is probably a generalish area where the store/post office/school/etc is, but those are probably just as surrounded by homes and yards as everything else.

This town probably doesn’t have a coffee shop, and if it does, it’s local, not a chain.

There’s no bus system unless it’s close enough to a town of 15k+. People drive.

There might be an apartment complex. Everything else is houses. The houses pretty much all have some kind of yard.

There are probably two restaurants, probably both local. Nothing fancy. 

No airport.

Probably 2ish gas stations.

Is it on a free way? add a gas station and a fast food restaurant.

There’s no rec center (unless maybe an outdoor like, field type rec center), but still likely has at least one gym.

I could keep going down but I think you get the idea. If you’re writing about an actual town, do research on its population. If you’re making up a town, think about what size you need it to be to have the things you want (or don’t want). 

If your “small town” has more than one hospital, it’s not a small town. If it’s got a population above 10k, there is definitely more than one (and likely, many) hotels. 

Is it near decent-sized water (largeish lake, ocean)? People probably have vacation homes there. That increases property value and tourism. Even if it’s not a like, nationally-known vacation spot, people within 100-200 miles could likely make weekend trips there.

Is it the largest town within 75-100 miles, even if it’s under 20k? it’s probably got more department stores and other such industry bc it’s serving a population greater than its own. if there are other towns nearby of equal-to-larger size, it might need less of those things.

[the-awkward-author]

To Be Written

Source: Steven Ingels

[the-awkward-author]

Describe Crying

(Credit goes to imagerydictionary.wordpress.com)

[the-awkward-author]

Describe Crying

(Credit goes to imagerydictionary.wordpress.com)

[the-awkward-author]

A has a recurring dream where they meet B in eerily empty places and have a long conversation with them, usually about whatever is on their mind at the time. They assume B is a figment of their imagination, a random person made up by their subconcious mind, until one day they meet someone that looks and sounds just like B.

Like my prompts? Leave me a tip!

[the-awkward-author]

A scurried backwards, away from the beast, throwing anything within reach to slow it down. Nothing worked; it slowly approached them, not bothered in the slightest, until A hit a wall behind them.

“I-Stay-!” A grabbed a rock, standing bravely on shaky legs to face the creature that was so, so much larger than them. “STAY AWAY FROM ME!”

The monster groans, completely still. Then, it shifts, and A sees it.

A badge. A tattoo. An old memento. Whatever it is, it used to belong to them.

In shock, A’s arm lowers, almost falling slack. “…. B?” they ask quietly. “…. B, is that…. You?”

[the-awkward-author]

Prompt #441

They smiled, the kind of smile that wordlessly said "I am ever so tired."

[the-awkward-author]

To whom it may concern,

If you have had the misfortune of finding this note, then you are most likely the new owner of this property. And for that, I can only apologise and offer my condolences.

I have done everything within my power to ensure that this property never gains a new owner, but as the years go by and my body and mind begin to fail me, I fear that all of my preparations might have been in vain, as one can never hope to fully prepare for every eventuality. 

As such, all I can do now is offer what little advice I have managed to gather over the years, in the hopes that whichever poor soul is reading this, will be able to avoid the fate that myself, and all those before me, were doomed to. 

1 - Never extinguish or move, the lantern in the attic.

2 - If the lantern moves by itself, do not try and put it back in its usual place. It will return there in due time.

3 - Never use the back door. It does not lead to where you think it does, and it is locked for a reason.

4 - If said reason starts knocking or scratching at that door, do not respond, but be sure to cook a little extra that night, and try to pretend you do not notice when there is nothing left behind come the morn.

5 - Never remove flowers from the garden without having something on hand, to give back in return.

6 - Do not light the fireplace on the north wall. There is something living there, and the flames will be seen as an invitation.

7 - Those are not people by the lake, and they do not like it when you stare.

8 - Do not touch the apple tree. You cannot afford what they cost.

9 - The fourth step will squeak if you step on it during the day. Pay no attention to how it growls, when you do so at night.

10 - Never leave a mirror uncovered when you leave a room. These too, will be taken as an invitation, and not all guests are as polite as the chimney beast.

11 - Mysterious books should be avoided at all costs. 

12 - No, that corner was not always that dark. Do not try and investigate it.

13 - Do not respond to the whispering you hear during the night. They do not only seek to wake you.

Good luck, dear stranger. 

May you succeed, where all before you, have failed.