By Your Side

Imagine having to discharge your child from the hospital, not because they’ve recovered, but because they need the bed for another patient… This is what happened to us.

. My son Ibrahim was discharged from the hospital despite his critical condition because they needed the bed for another patient.

. We are living in torn tents under freezing cold and strong winds with no warm clothes or blankets.

. The children are shivering from the cold, and I struggle to meet their basic needs.

. The main donation account was suspended due to an issue with the campaign organizer’s account.

. I had to use PayPal for donations despite some people’s concerns about it.

. The current donations barely cover part of Ibrahim's treatment costs, and the risk to his life is increasing every day.

. We urgently need your support to save Ibrahim’s life.

. Please share this post so that help can reach as many people as possible.

. Don’t forget Gaza, don’t forget us.

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8 useful websites & apps for writers

Notion

Desktop app for organizing your notes with tons of views and functions - works like a mini personal website.

Ommwriter

A peaceful writing program with focus options and ambience settings - complete with typing sound effects!

Reedsy

A massive website for writers with tools, generators, prompts, programs, tips and services.

Figma

A free-form editable and collaborative mind-map interface, for laying all your notes out visually.

Novlr

Free online writing software with goal setting and thorough tracking options, now with in-app courses as well.

Freedom

Distraction-muting app that blocks attention-sucking websites for a set period of time.

Milanote

Another visual board organizer for your notes and plans.

Wordtune

Editing app to rephrase your sentences depending on length or tone.

Do you need help getting your WIP organized?

Pick up my 3 extensive workbooks for writers, with dozens of fully-customisable templates. These are my first ever original E-books and templates available outside of my coaching programs!

The Writer’s ToolBoox contains: The Character Bible, The Plotter’s Almanac, and The World-Builder’s Chronicle

Grab it through the [link here] or below!

the-plottery.mykajabi.com

Writer's ToolBoox

The Writer's ToolBoox is a pack of 3 extensive E-books that cover the areas of: character craft, world building, and plotting. It comes with

me? i'm just a private eye trying to make a difference here in this hellscape we call a city. folks come into my office, beggin' me to track down some long forgotten shitpost. and it's my job to oblige. my name is Hellsite Detective, Tumblr Private Eye.

you lookin' for a post? whether it's a recent post, or a long forgotten cold case from a decade ago, anything goes in this business. so long as you provide me with a lead to follow, be it a quote from the post, a detailed description, or a screenshot, i'll do what i can to chase leads and track that sucker down.

for any of you saps that can't figure this one out: send in an ask requesting a post to be found, and include a quote, description of the post, or a screenshot, and i'll find it and tag you with the results

disclaimer: i'm only takin' on one case at a time. so you fellas are gonna have to wait your turn.

staff changing dashboard again i think, all pfps are removed unless its an original post, which then it appears INSIDE the post :|

i thought my laptop was on its last leg because it was running at six billion degrees and using 100% disk space at all times and then i turned off shadows and some other windows effects and it was immediately cured. i just did the same to my roommate's computer and its performance issues were also immediately cured. okay. i guess.

so i guess if you have creaky freezy windows 10/11 try searching "advanced system settings", go to performance settings, and uncheck "show shadows under windows" and anything else you don't want. hope that helps someone else.

PLEASE DONATE!!

Hello!! For some reason misfortune after misfortune has been dropping upon me.

Today I opened up my iPad, which is in a pretty hefty case, only to find the screen so shattered I can see the inside. My iPad is my main source of income and enjoyment through art, and is particularly a loss as I'm disabled which makes it the most low-strain method to create.

I'm asking for donations to soften the blow, as I cannot take commissions with the screen like this. I also have stickers available for sale if you'd like to support me and get some cute stuff in return!

I do not need the full cost of the iPad, I have money saved that I can use on this, but with the holiday season I really need to get a new one as soon as possible. Anything at all helps.

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rb if you support this threat to the US

Things That May Be Causing Your Writer's Block- and How to Beat Them

I don't like the term 'Writer's Block' - not because it isn't real, but because the term is so vague that it's useless. Hundreds of issues all get lumped together under this one umbrella, making writer's block seem like this all-powerful boogeyman that's impossible to beat. Worse yet, it leaves people giving and receiving advice that is completely ineffective because people often don't realize they're talking about entirely different issues.

In my experience, the key to beating writer's block is figuring out what the block even is, so I put together a list of Actual Reasons why you may be struggling to write:

(note that any case of writer's block is usually a mix of two or more)

Perfectionism (most common)

What it looks like:

You write one sentence and spend the next hour googling "synonyms for ___"

Write. Erase. Write. Rewrite. Erase.

Should I even start writing this scene when I haven't figured out this one specific detail yet?

I hate everything I write

Cringing while writing

My first draft must be perfect, or else I'm a terrible writer

Things that can help:

Give yourself permission to suck

Keep in mind that nothing you write is going to be perfect, especially your first draft

Think of writing your first/early drafts not as writing, but sketching out a loose foundation to build upon later

People write multiple drafts for a reason: write now, edit later

Stop googling synonyms and save that for editing

Write with a pen to reduce temptation to erase

Embrace leaving blank spaces in your writing when you can't think of the right word, name, or detail

It's okay if your writing sucks. We all suck at some point. Embrace the growth mindset, and focus on getting words on a page

Lack of inspiration (easiest to fix)

What it looks like:

Head empty, no ideas

What do I even write about???

I don't have a plot, I just have an image

Want to write but no story to write

Things that can help:

Google writing prompts

If writing prompts aren't your thing, instead try thinking about what kind of tropes/genres/story elements you would like to try out

Instead of thinking about the story you would like to write, think about the story you would like to read, and write that

It's okay if you don't have a fully fleshed out story idea. Even if it's just an image or a line of dialogue, it's okay to write that. A story may or may not come out of it, but at least you got the creative juices flowing

Stop writing. Step away from your desk and let yourself naturally get inspired. Go for a walk, read a book, travel, play video games, research history, etc. Don't force ideas, but do open up your mind to them

If you're like me, world-building may come more naturally than plotting. Design the world first and let the story come later

Boredom/Understimulation (lost the flow)

What it looks like:

I know I should be writing but uugggghhhh I just can'tttttt

Writing words feels like pulling teeth

I started writing, but then I got bored/distracted

I enjoy the idea of writing, but the actual process makes me want to throw my laptop out the window

Things that can help:

Introduce stimulation: snacks, beverages, gum, music such as lo-fi, blankets, decorate your writing space, get a clickity-clackity keyboard, etc.

Add variety: write in a new location, try a new idea/different story for a day or so, switch up how you write (pen and paper vs. computer) or try voice recording or text-to-speech

Gamify writing: create an arbitrary challenge, such as trying to see how many words you can write in a set time and try to beat your high score

Find a writing buddy or join a writer's group

Give yourself a reward for every writing milestone, even if it's just writing a paragraph

Ask yourself whether this project you're working on is something you really want to be doing, and be honest with your answer

Intimidation/Procrastination (often related to perfectionism, but not always)

What it looks like:

I was feeling really motivated to write, but then I opened my laptop

I don't even know where to start

I love writing, but I can never seem to get started

I'll write tomorrow. I mean next week. Next month? Next month, I swear (doesn't write next month)

Can't find the time or energy

Unreasonable expectations (I should be able to write 10,000 words a day, right????)

Feeling discouraged and wondering why I'm even trying

Things that can help:

Follow the 2 min rule (or the 1 paragraph rule, which works better for me): whenever you sit down to write, tell yourself that you are only going to write for 2 minutes. If you feel like continuing once the 2 mins are up, go for it! Otherwise, stop. Force yourself to start but DO NOT force yourself to continue unless you feel like it. The more often you do this, the easier it will be to get started

Make getting started as easy as possible (i.e. minimize barriers: if getting up to get a notebook is stopping you from getting started, then write in the notes app of your phone)

Commit to a routine that will work for you. Baby steps are important here. Go with something that feels reasonable: every day, every other day, once a week, twice a week, and use cues to help you remember to start. If you chose a set time to write, just make sure that it's a time that feels natural to you- i.e. don't force yourself to writing at 9am every morning if you're not a morning person

Find a friend or a writing buddy you can trust and talk it out or share a piece of work you're proud of. Sometimes we just get a bit bogged down by criticism- either internal or external- and need a few words of encouragement

The Problem's Not You, It's Your Story (or Outline (or Process))

What it looks like:

I have no problems writing other scenes, it's just this scene

I started writing, but now I have no idea where I'm going

I don't think I'm doing this right

What's an outline?

Drowning in documents

This. Doesn't. Make. Sense. How do I get from this plot point to this one?!?!?! (this ColeyDoesThings quote lives in my head rent free cause BOY have I been there)

Things That Can Help:

Go back to the drawing board. Really try to get at the root of why a scene or story isn't working

A part of growing as a writer is learning when to kill your darlings. Sometimes you're trying to force an idea or scene that just doesn't work and you need to let it go

If you don't have an outline, write one

If you have an outline and it isn't working, rewrite it, or look up different ways to structure it

You may be trying to write as a pantser when you're really a plotter or vice versa. Experiment with different writing processes and see what feels most natural

Study story structures, starting with the three act structure. Even if you don't use them, you should know them

Check out Ellen Brock on YouTube. She's a professional novel editor who has a lot of advice on writing strategies for different types of writers

Also check out Savage Books on YouTube (another professional story editor) for advice on story structure and dialogue. Seriously, I cannot recommend this guy enough

Executive Dysfunction, Usually From ADHD/Autism

What it looks like:

Everything in boredom/understimulation

Everything in intimidation/procrastination

You have been diagnosed with and/or have symptoms of ADHD/Autism

Things that can help:

If you haven't already, seek a diagnosis or professional treatment

Hire an ADHD coach or other specialist that can help you work with your brain (I use Shimmer; feel free to DM me for a referral)

Seek out neurodiverse and neurodiverse writing communities for advice and support

Try body doubling! There's lot's of free online body doubling websites out there for you to try. If social anxiety is a barrier, start out with writing streams such as katecavanaughwrites on Twitch

Be aware of any sensory barriers that may be getting in the way of you writing (such as an uncomfortable desk chair, harsh lighting, bad sounds)

And Lastly, Burnout, Depression, or Other Mental Illness

What it looks like:

You have symptoms of burnout or depression

Struggling with all things, not just writing

It's more than a lack of motivation- the spark is just dead

Things that can help:

Forget writing for now. Focus on healing first.

Seek professional help

If you feel like it, use writing as a way to explore your feelings. It can take the form of journaling, poetry, an abstract reflection of your thoughts, narrative essays, or exploring what you're feeling through your fictional characters. The last two helped me rediscover my love of writing after I thought years of depression had killed it for good. Just don't force yourself to do so, and stop if it takes you to a darker place instead of feeling cathartic

some things to remember:

if you see a popular post where two people are jokingly giving each other shit, it is both possible and extremely likely that these two people are friends messing around. if you approach a stranger with this overly familiar hostile energy, you are not being funny. you are just being rude.

remember that it is both extremely possible and highly likely that op will see everything you add to their posts, including tags. don't say things you would not say to their face.

a post urging people to not be rude to strangers is not a wink-nudge suggestion that people should actually be rude, nor is it a sign that op just needs to toughen up. asking people to be kind is not an outlandish request. if you find yourself offended or see it as an opportunity to show how funny you can be by being mean to someone you don't know, you're just an asshole.

it is much easier to say nothing than to go out of your way to be rude. blocking people is good and healthy. block whoever you want!

posts were more often than not made to express one's thoughts, feelings, experiences, etc. they are not intended to be directed at you, nor should they be taken personally

every account has a person behind it who can see and respond to your actions

if someone stating these things makes you angry, think about why that is