by Alexander Pisarev

your month, your flower friend!

SMOKE (JAEHYUN) aug. 2024

Flamin' Hot Lemon (JAEHYUN) aug. 2024

Beatrix Potter

How to Write a Badass

To write a compelling badass character, you should focus on demonstrating their strength through actions rather than labels, balancing their competence with vulnerability, and potentially using the element of surprise.

Show, Don’t Tell

One of the most important rules is to never explicitly call your character a "badass" or have other characters refer to them as such in dialogue or narration. Let their skill, fearlessness, and confidence speak for itself through their actions. If you constantly remind the reader of a character's status, it can lead to "overkill" and make the character feel unearned. Instead, present the character as they are and let the reader decide if they are worth championing.

The "Crouching Moron, Hidden Badass" Technique

You can create a highly memorable character by utilizing the element of surprise. This involves starting with a character who appears to be an unserious, clumsy, or foolish "lovable fool".

• The Contrast: Establish a stark difference between their initial "moron" persona and their hidden abilities.
• The Trigger: Use a profound event to spark the transformation, such as a desperate need to protect someone they care about or an emotionally charged memory.
• The Shift: When triggered, the character should undergo a "night and day" shift, becoming resolute, intense, and displaying skills (like advanced intellect or physical prowess) that were previously hidden.

Emotional Control and Presence

A classic badass often maintains a "straight-faced" demeanor, showing little emotion even during intense conflict.

• Coolness Under Pressure: While they may feel emotions internally, they often suppress them in key moments of conflict to remain effective.
• Avoid Over-Cockiness: Be careful not to make them so arrogant that they lose focus. A character who loses a won fight because they "wouldn't shut up" or became too cocky can be a disappointment to the audience rather than a badass.
• Moral Boundaries: A true badass often knows when the fight is over and does not continue to attack an opponent who can no longer fight back.

Resilience and Proactivity

Badassery is often defined by a character's refusal to give up, regardless of the odds.

• Proactive Failure: They should remain proactive even when they fail. Characters like Geralt of Rivia are considered badass not because they are invincible, but because they keep going despite being tricked, roughed up, or outmatched.
• The Underdog Factor: Badasses are often underdogs or outcasts who face insurmountable obstacles. While a normal underdog might barely win, a badass turns the situation around to achieve a crushing victory.

Dialogue and Personality Flaws

To keep a badass character from feeling like a one-dimensional "goody two-shoes," give them a distinct voice and realistic weaknesses.

• Sarcastic Wit: If a character is highly competent, giving them a cocky or sarcastic edge can make them feel more badass. Since you have time as a writer, use it to craft the "best comeback possible" that the character can deliver in the moment.
• Meaningful Flaws: Give them things they are genuinely bad at. A character who is human, makes mistakes, and gets scared but continues to move forward is often more compelling than an immortal, perfect hero.

Writing a badass character is like forging a blade: you need the hard steel of competence and resilience, but without the tempering heat of flaws and the sharp edge of a distinct personality, it’s just a heavy piece of metal rather than a functional tool.

friends in love

• associating certain songs with them because of memories or lyrics
• casual physical and verbal affection suddenly feels more meaningful
• communicating through exchanged glances alone, no words needed
• doing couple activities together
• drunken kisses / making out
• everyone around them knows, even if they don’t
• friends making bets on them
• going all out for gifts and events
• ‘i want you to be happy so why can’t i be happy for you when you’re in a relationship?’
• intimate nicknames and inside jokes
• joking about basically being married anyway, with a pounding heart
• knowing absolutely everything about them
• neither acknolwedging the growing tension
• noticing the little things about each other
• “remember when…”
• seeing each other come into their own as they mature
• the first person they text after anything happens in their life
• “this reminded me of you”
• not being sure whether the emotions they feel are romantic or platonic
• terrified to ruin the friendship
• y e a r n i n g
• explosive love confessions once the tension boils over

sleepy prompts

☽  burying face in lover's chest when the sun hits their face

☽  sleepy mumbles that their lover asks them to repeat because they don't understand, until both break into giggles

☽  the scent of coffee steadily approaching as their lovers brings their mug to bed

☽  “ssh… go back to sleep.”

☽  seeing snow falling out the window and curling deeper into the blankets with a soft smile, looking forward to the snowball fight they will surely have

☽  groaning as their head hurts from a night out. make up is smeared on the pillow, lipstick on their partner, clubbing outfits still half on, and a bucket on their bedside in smart foresight

☽  staying in bed way longer than usual on their day off, with intertwined legs and arms

☽  waking to birds chirping and breakfast in bed. "this is some disney movie shit," they mumble as they eat freshly cut fruit

[Prompt Calender: January 3rd, Festival of Sleep Day]

[X] <- psst click this

Fiercely Protective Dialogue

• “Do you really think a mere prophecy would stop me from saving you?”
• whispering “Are you okay?” in a crowded place
• “I don’t need you to coddle me.” “No, you don’t. But I need to protect you, you understand?”
• “If only they knew what I would do to keep you safe. Maybe they’d behave then.”
• “I’ll follow you to the bitter end. And beyond.”
• “You’re gonna get killed protecting me.” “Gladly.”
• “Don’t apologize, not to me. Never to me.”
• “I haven’t felt unsafe once since meeting you.”
• “Rather me than you.”
• “I wasn’t kidding when I said I’d kill for you, you know?” “I’m starting to get that.”
• “It’s gonna take a lot more than that to stop me from keeping you safe.”
• “I will shield your body with mine any day of the week.”
• “May I ask for a favor? When I tell you to run… Run. Don't look back.”
• “Why are you so determined to keep me alive?” “You know why.” 
• “Do you want me to kill them?”
• “Your protection is not my duty, but my destiny.”
• “One word, and they’re gone.” “Not yet.”

20 Ways Characters Show Longing Without Admitting It

Does your character have a desire for someone that's just out of reach?

Longing lingers in the pauses, in the almost-touches, in every moment that could have been something more. Let your reader understand just how your character can't confess what (or who) they want using these subtle ways.

1. Looking at them a moment too long before glancing away.
2. Re-reading old messages they (never) sent.
3. Memorising their routines without meaning to.
4. Smiling at something hours after it happened.
5. Taking the long way home just to pass by their favourite place.
6. Pausing before knocking on their door, hoping it’ll open first.
7. Imagining multiple scenarios of confessions (from either side).
8. Letting their fingers hover over a call button they never press.
9. Feeling their chest tighten when they see them with someone else.
10. Keeping small objects that remind them of the person.
11. Laughing softer when it’s their joke.
12. Asking mutual friends about them too casually.
13. Finding excuses to stay a bit longer.
14. Touching an empty seat beside them as if expecting company.
15. Taking photos of things "they'd like."
16. Replaying conversations, searching for meaning.
17. Holding back words that almost spill out.
18. Growing quieter when they say they're leaving.
19. Smiling at their name.
20. Watching them walk away with desperation in their eyes begging to join them.

Yearning for someone that you can't have is a heartbreaking experience, let the emotions bleed into your writing.

20 Ways Characters Show Trust Without Saying It

Trust is built slowly over time. It's rarely given immediately and instead is revealed in the smallest vulnerabilities, the quietest choices, the moments where a character lets their guard down without realising it.

I've outlined some ways you can prove to your reader the trust your characters build together.

1. Sharing secrets they don’t tell anyone else.
2. Letting someone see their vulnerable side: emotional, disheveled, or undone.
3. Falling asleep around them without worry.
4. Admitting confusion instead of pretending to know everything.
5. Asking for help, especially when they never do.
6. Walking beside them instead of behind or ahead.
7. Allowing silence without trying to fill it.
8. Letting them read unfinished drafts, art, or work-in-progress ideas.
9. Showing up at their door in a moment of panic.
10. Not hiding their flaws or insecurities.
11. Giving them the spare key without overthinking it.
12. Delegating an important task without hesitation.
13. Relaxing their shoulders when that person arrives.
14. Sharing food straight from the same plate or drink.
15. Telling the truth, even when it’s messy or uncomfortable.
16. Revealing old scars: physical or emotional.
17. Accepting advice they’d reject from anyone else.
18. Allowing touch without stiffening.
19. Letting that character enter their space.
20. Looking at them like they’re a place, not a person. A safe place.

Trust can be woven into every quiet moment, even when broken and needing to be rebuilt.

here are the bats. if you were curious

100 random little dialogue prompts

these truly are random, some will be romantic, some will be angst, some will be neither. enjoyy :D

1. "you don't get to act like you were never at fault for this"
2. "why can't you just love me the way i love you?"
3. "you were a fun experience" - "you were everything"
4. "stop looking at me like i might finally mean something to you"
5. "you look so pretty when you cry"
6. "i never loved you, can't you see that?"
7. "you look... different"
8. "i love you, baby. please don't ever leave me"
9. "god, you're gorgeous"
10. "stop pretending like i never meant anything to you"
11. "hug me, kiss me, take me. just do whatever you want with me, please"
12. "you're such a child" - "and you're no fun"
13. "touch her/him and i'll kill you with my bare hands"
14. "why did you kiss me?" - "you wouldn't shut up"
15. "you look..." - "absolutely handsome?"
16. "don't ever do that to me again, you hear me?"
17. "please tell me that's not your blood..."
18. "i've never even loved you"
19. "you don't own me"
20. "no one's ever going to believe you"
21. "you're not the same person i fell in love with"
22. "you're honestly really freaking cute when you're jealous"
23. "keep talking like that and i might start liking it"
24. "you're so goddamn oblivious. i'm in love with you, (name)!"
25. "go on, hit me back!"
26. "where did you get those bruises?"
27. "i don't care, i never did"
28. "wait, are you jealous?" - "in your dreams"
29. "rumour has it, i make you nervous"
30. "stop flirting at me" - "stop looking at me like you want me to"
31. "you're never around anymore, how am i supposed to know whether you still love me or not?"
32. "i think i forgot what human contact feels like"
33. "the way he/she looks at you says it all"
34. "i know i'm your weakness"
35. "don't. move."
36. "who's gonna let you?" - "who's gonna stop me?"
37. "he/she's beautiful. i hope he/she makes you happy"
38. "run. run, and don't look back"
39. "get away! you're hurting her/him!"
40. "alcohol doesn't have to be the only constant in your life, (name)"
41. "are you ever going to listen?"
42. "i don't need your help" - "well, you've got it anyway"
43. "just smile and hold my hand, ok?"
44. "how do i get you out of my mind?"
45. "everyone thinks that we're perfect"
46. "why are you always smiling?" - "why are you always scowling?"
47. "are you expecting me to beg for my life now?"
48. "just come home"
49. "if i'm so special, why am i a secret?"
50. "you're never going to get anywhere!"
51. "there's the feisty man/woman i married"
52. "i should've seen it coming"
53. "stop talking like that, you're going to be fine"
54. "are you gonna glare at me like that for the whole night or...?"
55. "jealous much?"
56. "who did this to you?"
57. "she/he was right there, why would you push them away like that?" - "she/he's not you you"
58. "did you ever even love me?"
59. "please stop crying. i hate seeing you cry"
60. "i'm not worth it, ok? you deserve better"
61. "where are you going dressed like that?"
62. "(name) is stupid if they think they have a chance with you"
63. "don't tell me what to do!"
64. "i could love you for a whole lifetime"
65. "i'm yours and only yours"
66. "i get the feeling i've been lied to"
67. "just be honest, for once in your life. did i ever mean anything to you?"
68. "you killed them?!"
69. "leave me alone"
70. "i just need a bit of time"
71. "i just found out a i have a son/daughter i never knew about, how the hell do you expect me to calm down?"
72. "i never said i didn't feel the same way"
73. "we're just..." - "say friends, i dare you"
74. "you lied, and lied, and lied! how am i supposed to trust you anymore?"
75. "may i have this dance?"
76. "potato, potatoe, same thing"
77. "eyes on the road, sweetheart. wouldn't wanna crash"
78. "it will always be you"
79. "they're dead! they're dead, they're dead, they're head, oh my god..."
80. "don't look at me like that" - "why? scared it might mean something?"
81. "god, he/she's so perfect" - "tell him/her that" - "god, no!"
82. "i can't believe i ever trusted you"
83. "i wanna make you mine"
84. "i could be a better boyfriend/girlfriend than him/her"
85. "stay with me... please?"
86. "if you ever disappeared, i don't know what i'd do with myself"
87. "i don't even know what i'm feeling half of the time"
88. "is that a new book?" - "is that a question?"
89. "darling, can i be your favourite?"
90. "was i not enough for you?"
91. "you're pathetic, you know that?"
92. "that's not love, that's abuse!"
93. "stop putting yourself in danger"
94. "let me show you what a real kiss is"
95. "i can't breathe"
96. "sometimes, being bad is just way more fun"
97. "i think i like you" - "don't do that to yourself"
98. "just shut up and kiss me"
99. "he/she's manipulating you!"
100. "what was your favourite part about today?" - "hearing your voice"