purplejabberwock

On learning how to research (by writing porn)

This is the third in a series relating to how writing sex in fiction is beneficial to you as a writer. The previous post can be found here. The last two topics were about a writer’s personal attitude — first in unlearning shame which would make using words difficult, and the second in learning toContinue reading “On learning how to research (by writing porn)”

On learning how to write for yourself (by writing porn)

This is the second in a series on how writing sex in fiction can help your development as a writer. The first, ‘On deconstructing shame’, can be found here. Like the previous, this post is more about attitude than it is about technique. This is on purpose: a lot of the trouble writers have whenContinue reading “On learning how to write for yourself (by writing porn)”

On deconstructing shame (by writing porn)

This is the first in series of blog posts about writing sex. (NSFW, obviously.) To start with, I strongly believe that all writers benefit from writing porn. There’s a few reasons for this and I’ll be covering each of those in different blog posts. In this post, I’m talking about why it’s a writer’s responsibilityContinue reading “On deconstructing shame (by writing porn)”

On the weariness of waiting

I realised today that we’re three months into the year and I’m still waiting for it to begin.Because of the way I left last year — incomeless — it feels like the recovery’s never actually begun. I went into the pandemic in a good spot, and through most of the year I was in thatContinue reading “On the weariness of waiting”

On energy types and queuestacking

I’ve been reading a few things about energy management lately. I occasionally do, but I see less discourse about it than I do about time management in relation to productivity. For me the thing that always gets in my way is energy management rather than time. It’s been helpful, mostly in terms of IDing whichContinue reading “On energy types and queuestacking”

On how writing changes the writer

One of my favourite quotes is ‘Fairy tales do not tell children that dragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children that dragons can be killed.’ by GK Chesterton. It’s been brought out often enough, at least in my circles, that it seems cliche to like it, but it’s true. TheContinue reading “On how writing changes the writer”

On using understandable language

This morning one of the mailing lists to which I’m subscribed linked me to this article about how jargon relates to trust by Shane Snow. I like a lot of what Snow has to say (it’s his mailing list), and he generally makes me think. What he had to say on this occasion isn’t newContinue reading “On using understandable language”

On promises and failing out

I think promises are important. I think also that we place too much weight on them as a shorthand. ‘Promise’ is a really big word, but like the word ‘literally’ it has come to be used more as emphasis than intent (and in my opinion with more damaging results). The speaker wants to exhibit passion:Continue reading “On promises and failing out”

On habits and friction

The best book on habits I’ve ever read is ‘Atomic Habits’ by James Clear. I recommend it mostly because in every other book I’ve seen potentially helpful suggestions, but no real overarching framework. Clear breaks mentality and psychology down into something useable and customisable, without judgement. I’m due for a reread, but one of theContinue reading “On habits and friction”

On laws of narrative satisfaction

In the last few weeks or so I’ve mentioned what kinds of endings and what kinds of hopeful stories I like. I’ve come to the conclusion that there are three elements which create, for me, a fully satisfying story: they inform each other, and if just one of them fails, then the story fails toContinue reading “On laws of narrative satisfaction”