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Viranda | Fantasy & Romance Writer

@writingwithv

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probably somewhere yapping 🫦
Writing: modern romantic tragedy💔
B.A in Film 🎬 | Writing tips ✍🏾
💌 [email protected]

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Make your character do the dishes and come back tomorrow for part 2.

I learned this from film school, using action tags to add a layer of subtext to your dialogue is an easy way to hold readers curiosity and make them lean Iean. Because it’s not just what you say but how you say it.

“I’m fine” She said— turns into
“I’m fine,” She said, slamming the glass on the counter. by @writingwithv

I can’t count the amount of times I scraped an idea—aka dropped in the brilliant but I can’t write it—folder of my computer because I read back a chapter and cringed the whole time.

In my head it was this cinematic masterpiece that flowed effortlessly. Connected, intentional and evocative beyond reason.

But somehow it came out like the musings of a 5 year old after art class.
Passionate but sloppy.

The potential was there, if I tilted my head, turned around and closed my eyes. Ironically I think this was one of the many struggles that led me to believing writing was not a viable path for me.

But rather a fun hobby that I never wanted anyone to know about. I couldn’t stomach the thought of my friends or family or even strangers reading my work.

The truth is I was young, and I just didn’t know what I didn’t know. Small, simple fixes amplified my writing by 100x taking prose that were overcrowded or flimsy and giving them both direction and impact. I learned these things over the last year or so and being able to apply them in the moment boosted my confidence to the point that I stopped divorcing all my ideas and started committing to the process.

Now I’m on the fourth draft of my debut Novel and a month from querying literary agents.

In every video I make I want to instill confidence in you guys, my fellow writers and book / author community. I truly feel that if I can figure it out, anyone with enough heart and solid work ethic can too.

We often just need a little guidance, some encouragement and a thermos of coffee to see us through.

Hopefully these quick applicable writing tips help you build your confidence and see that your project has potential beyond what you think.

#writingtips #writingadvice #writinghelp #writersofinstagram by @writingwithv

Come back tomorrow for 👉🏾 Part 2

I had a lot of misconceptions about what the first draft was supposed to be, from how it looked to the level of skill required to write it.

I often psyched myself out even when I made good progress and got positive feedback. I’d find some—usually imposter syndrome related reason—to stop.

In the last year as I rededicated myself to being a student and learning the craft of storytelling, writing and language I really started to understand how this whole writing thing works.

💡Just in the nature of drafting process., it became clear to me that the first draft was never meant to be perfect.

🤔So what was it for?

💫 If I could figure that out and focus on it, I could finish. And finishing was more important to me than anything. Learning that mattered and what didn’t at that stage of the game was crucial to my writing journey and the only way I was able to finish writing my first draft in two months.

I hope these truths help you work on finishing your first draft, demystifying the process and empowering you as an author.

👉🏾 If this video inspired you and you’re ready to start your first draft journey I HAVE SOMETHING FOR YOU! A totally free Novel Guide that outlines exactly what you need to get started, just drop a 📚and I’ll send it to you.

#writingtips #firstdraft #writingadvice #howtowriteabook #writersofinstagram by @writingwithv

my notes app lately, no music because there’s the most precious surprise on slide 4.

Apparently you can’t get enough query practice, and I need all I can get. It’s sounded less cringey by the day especially now that Project Seven is no longer called Project Seven

but something else…

Title Reveal date COMING SOON

Why is naming books so hard? This is the first and only project I’ve ever struggled to name.

With every other idea the name comes first almost and all on its own it’s just natural. But Seven has always been a bit off and really more of a hint towards the original inspiration.

Excited to announce the new name soon. I’m torn between waiting for new art or just putting it out there with a mock cover.

🥹 big mom moment for me, my last baby said mama. He doesn’t say it often but this was the first time ever after weeks of saying dada.

What do you think of this one?

It’s between this and another sentence that has a bit more drama.

What do you like in a memorable opening sentence?

Because I need more of these apparently…

The memory trials one has been invading my dreams.

Half of this did not happen.

Surprise! All that research led to applying for grad school :)
Professor V has a nice ring to it, no?

My goal is to finish this draft of seven by the end of November which requires me to write 2,500 words everyday until then.
Which is feeling easier now that Ronin is becoming more mobile.

Are you participating in Novel November?

If you made it to the end, thanks for swiping!

Be sure to follow @writingwithv for more writing life, writing tips and book updates.

New here? Hi I’m V a fantasy and romance writer working on my debut modern tragic romance. When I’m not working on that I’m sharing my favorite writing tips, tricks and advice.

If you’re looking for a write bestie to get through the first draft with, tap that follow button and let’s be friends. by @writingwithv

In partnership with @prowritingaid
Novel November is a free writing event where 100,000 writers are coming together in solidarity to challenge ourselves, practice our writing and support each other.

I’m taking a stand and joining Novel November to remind writers that our voices have the power to change the world. Our words matter.

It’s not about showing off but showing up taking a stand for the thing we all love.

Join Novel November via the link 🔗 in my bio
Or comment “NOVEL” and I’ll send it to you 🤎

And because this about building up the writing community Tag a friend who should join too ! by @writingwithv

Iykyk ft. Motherhood

I’d eat my word count if I could, the calorie intake for that alone is diabolical by @writingwithv

Researched anything random lately?

Researched a bunch of random things lately and since I’ve yapped my husbands ear off—don’t worry he’s exactly where he wants to be—I’m sharing them with you.

What I’ve really loved about writing Seven7, is how many loves, how much of myself its brought back to me. Ive always believed in being a life long learner—probably because it’s just fun?

It’s the closest I get to being a kid again and genuinely the world is fascinating.

Seven7 is about a girl who must decide if she will protect her family legacy or let it destroy her. She meets a magnetic stranger who seems like the solution but may actually be it destruction.

Not tropes but obscure things about:
- References to historical paintings and placement doubling as symbolism and theme
- Quoting shakespeare
- Secret identities.
- Betrayal, Lies, Deception
- Fake dating but make it tragic
- Generationally wealthy but she’s black
- Self vs Society
- Instant attraction turned Slow Burn
- One night stand turned shakespearean tragedy

Ironically Ophelia and my FMC, Mischelle could’ve been besties.

Ophelia is the OG tragic girlie and digging into the circumstances around her death have brought to light a lot of really cool parallels.

Both are of my girls are driven to the edge by more than just love, though at first glance it really does look like romance gone wrong. But it’s bigger than that. The duty a woman is groomed to feel to her family regardless of how toxic and exhausting it is, is inherently patriarchal.

Seven7 was always exploring and commentating on the way Black Women in particular feel bound to protecting their family at all cost, morphing into various roles, titles and responsibilities no matter how draining.

It feels like Kismet to be able to draw these similarities and enrich the theme using Opehlia as a model for Mischelle. Not completely because I am just noticing this on the 5th draft after all.

Discovering their connection beyond Mischelle’s fine art collection (you’ll have to read to find out what I mean) has made me feel like a deep little genius.

Which is why I always recommend exploratory drafting. You never know what you’ll find by @writingwithv

I have a PHD in multitasking sweetie, I’ve written 2,000 words during nap time, woke up at 5am to write for 2hrs while the world is still sleeping and typed whole chapters on my phone while bouncing my baby to sleep.

I will be ok.

Moms writing books, where you at? Drop an 🤎 in the comments, let’s be friends 👋🏾
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Hi I’m V! A fantasy and romance writer working on my debut modern romantic tragedy ( new title dropping soon) and when I’m not doing that I’m yapping on the internet sharing my favorite writing tips, tricks and advice.

Looking for a writing bestie to get through the first draft with? Tap that follow button and let’s be friends ✨ by @writingwithv

Writers are you a people pleaser?

I learned this the hard way—maybe the only way actually—Honestly I was pretty deflated when I realized that something as personal as my writing was being actively altered by my survival mechanism. If anything I thought writing was my safe haven to be the most unfiltered and unapologetic version of myself.

Thankful through many drafts, mindset work and practice, it doesn’t plague me as much as it used to.
Of course we all want our books to be read and loved. We want someone to think of our story as their favorite, to chart on the NYT bestseller list and get random fan art in the mail.

And despite all the casting debacles, we definitely imagine some film tv adaptation our work which means we have to consider the reader. It’s only natural to hope as you spend all this time, blood and sweat on your book that it’s liked and if we can do something to ensure that…why wouldn’t we?

Thats honestly a debate in and of itself but personally for me, I know I can’t guarantee a positive reception for my book. But theres this saying that its none of the artist business what people think of their art, their only job is to create it.

What do you think?

keywords: writing a book, people pleasing, relatable characters, writer, debut author, author advice by @writingwithv

a snippet from Project Seven before I announce the name change. Which I’ve honestly gone back and forth on but I’m sticking with the one that makes my heart happy and I feel best fits the weird subsection of literary x contemporary the story lives in.

More on Project Seven ➡️

think modern Shakespearean romantic tragedy

At first glance it’s a fake dating story between a spoiled heiress and an unsuspecting sweet soldier with a romance that makes them question if they actually want the things they’ve been chasing all this time.

But really 👇🏾

What starts are as a one night stand gone wrong becomes an exploration how generational wealth is more than fancy cars, butlers and a monolith of real estate portfolio but the patterns that position and bind a family together.

themes include,

trust: how we earn it, who we give it to and if it can be regained after it’s lost

Tradition shrouding the patriarchy

Black womens roles in family

Self vs society

And a bunch more but you’ll have to read it and see

Make sure you follow along @writingwithv for the new title announcement, updates and lots of sneak peak snippets of Project Seven by @writingwithv

that’s it, that’s all, I love yall 🤎 by @writingwithv

What do you guys think? Do authors deserve a certain level of starter trust or should they have to earn it?

Personally I come from an age where everything about reading a book was an act of blind faith, a risk that started with picking it up and hoping you’d like it. We didn’t get a list of tropes or a bunch of comps to tv shows and popular songs.

Just a brief, non-specific blurb in the back and a cover that sometimes had nothing but a hand holding an apple on it or a bird with an arrow.

That was it.

So I’m not in the habit of questioning an author on page 7 or even on page 207. I think about it after I’ve closed the book, take out my notebook and dump all my thoughts onto the page. I read it again and decipher it with pen and annotation tabs.

And even then, I’m not asking is the author terrible at writing. I just decide if I liked it or not. Was it a good read for me? What was I impressed with and what did I find lacking.

I’ve never left a book review in my life, let alone one to be accompanied by something as dehumanizing as a star rating.

But I digress. I’ll always trust an author, always ask questions, always wait for the ride to pan out, for the small odd detail to mean something more and wonder what secret they were trying to tell me when the girl who gets hives from attention constantly seeks it out.

Because oftentimes, it really is that deep. by @writingwithv