Fic Prompts List

fic prompts list

write one of these and then tag me id love to see ur spin on them!!

‘you’re my next door neighbour and i just caught you stealing the milk that gets sent to my house every morning’ au

‘you’re an art major and im your muse and i just saw your artwork of me and damn i didn’t know my nose was that big’ au

‘you’re a ghost and you’re always following me and at first it was scary but now its comforting’ au

‘i just caught you wandering along the side of the road with a bouquet of roses and a torn suit and i want to know your story’ au

‘i was just about to come but the fire alarm is ringing and im pretty sure the pizza man is knocking on our door’ au

‘did you seriously just kill that man?’ ‘he came out of nowhere, it was self defence!’

‘you are an assassin who comes into my flower shop and buys the carnations and i dont know whether i should be scared or humbled’ au

‘how could you read young adult novels, you uncultured swine’ ‘pretentious classic literature loving prick’

‘i dont know why i just woke up to you cooking me pancakes but im not complaining’ au

‘you just kissed me really passionately after you proclaimed your love for me and i was so overwhelmed i just replied with ‘thats neat’’ au

‘you just came to the door with a bunch of girl scouts and you proclaim that you’re just the guardian but i can see the way you look at them with adoration’ au

‘the world is said to end in the next few days and i still haven’t told you that i loved you’ au

‘how could you think aliens aren’t real? we cannot be the only living creature in the galaxy’

‘you just woke up with blood all over your hands and you aren’t sure if it was mine or yours’ au

‘you’re a murderer?’ ‘yeah, sometimes’ ‘that’s pretty cool’

list of aus y'all should consider

‘i’m scared of the dentist so i brought my best friend along for support but they’ve been flirting with the dentist for the past fifteen minutes and now i’m third wheeling at my own dentist appointment’ au

‘my parents are rly religious and forced me to this meeting i hate everything the entire world is against me what the actual fuck did a stranger just send me nudes’ au

‘pls chill out it’s only p.e. it’s not the olympics it’s just p.e. chill’ au

‘i’m a freshman and the the seniors stole my underwear as a prank do u happen to have an extra bra’ au

‘i’m rly hungover and i rly rly need some takeout right now but oh god i called the wrong number and your voice is rly attractive do you wanna come over with a pizza’ au

‘i called one of the telephone numbers written in the toilet stall and now i want to fuck your voice’ au

‘for some reason our teacher thought it’d be amazing to go on a field trip and after she went to sleep some jock thought it’d be even more amazing to play truth or dare and now my best friend betrayed me and dared me to make out with you, the person i’ve been lowkey in love with for a year’ au

‘you’re so attractive but every time you open your mouth i want to strangle you how did you end up in my bed exactly how many tequila shots did i have last night’ au

‘i called tech support bc netflix won’t work and somehow ended up discussing this series for 15 minutes with you do you wanna hang out when your shift ends’ au

‘i see you all the time in school and i really wish i saw you more in my bed but i’m shy as hell but i checked out star sign compatibility and it matches perfectly so please notice me’ au

‘i can’t cook for shit and my mother keeps telling me i’ll never become anything if i can’t even make a proper meal and i somehow stumbled upon your food blog and it has now saved me so many times i just wanted to let you know about my gratitude in this oddly long, ridiculously personal email’ au

‘my datemate and i were going on a roadtrip but we broke up and i know we don’t really know each other but do you wanna drive across the country with me this summer’ au

‘um excuse me but would you mind turning down your music a little bit we’re in a bus oh shit you’re really cute’ au

‘i’m in the library researching for this giant assignment that’s 90% of my grade i haven’t slept or gotten anything beside coffee in two days i am going to explode in rage if you don’t shut the fuck up this SECOND’ au

‘you’re on the street corner handing out brochures for something i really honestly couldn’t care less about but holy shit i want to run my fingers through your hair so i guess i could fake some interest’ au 

Four roommates are extraterrestrials who have taken human form in the hopes of learning about Earth’s culture. Unfortunately, each alien is from a different planet and believes the other three are normal humans.

Writing with Color: Description Guide - Words for Skin Tone

We discussed the issues describing People of Color by means of food in Part I of this guide, which brought rise to even more questions, mostly along the lines of “So, if food’s not an option, what can I use?” Well, I was just getting to that!

This final portion focuses on describing skin tone, with photo and passage examples provided throughout. I hope to cover everything from the use of straight-forward description to the more creatively-inclined, keeping in mind the questions we’ve received on this topic.

So let’s get to it.

S T A N D A R D  D E S C R I P T I O N

B a s i c  C o l o r s

Pictured above: Black, Brown, Beige, White, Pink.

“She had brown skin.”

This is a perfectly fine description that, while not providing the most detail, works well and will never become cliché.

Describing characters’ skin as simply brown or beige works on its own, though it’s not particularly telling just from the range in brown alone.

C o m p l e x  C o l o r s

These are more rarely used words that actually “mean” their color. Some of these have multiple meanings, so you’ll want to look into those to determine what other associations a word might have.

Pictured above: Umber, Sepia, Ochre, Russet, Terra-cotta, Gold, Tawny, Taupe, Khaki, Fawn.

Complex colors work well alone, though often pair well with a basic color in regards to narrowing down shade/tone.

For example: Golden brown, russet brown, tawny beige…

As some of these are on the “rare” side, sliding in a definition of the word within the sentence itself may help readers who are unfamiliar with the term visualize the color without seeking a dictionary.

“He was tall and slim, his skin a russet, reddish-brown.”

Comparisons to familiar colors or visuals are also helpful:

“His skin was an ochre color, much like the mellow-brown light that bathed the forest.”

M o d i f i e r s 

Modifiers, often adjectives, make partial changes to a word.The following words are descriptors in reference to skin tone.

D a r k - D e e p - R i c h - C o o l

W a r m - M e d i u m - T a n

F a i r - L i g h t - P a l e

Rich Black, Dark brown, Warm beige, Pale pink…

If you’re looking to get more specific than “brown,” modifiers narrow down shade further.

Keep in mind that these modifiers are not exactly colors.

As an already brown-skinned person, I get tan from a lot of sun and resultingly become a darker, deeper brown. I turn a pale, more yellow-brown in the winter.

While best used in combination with a color, I suppose words like “tan” “fair” and “light” do work alone; just note that tan is less likely to be taken for “naturally tan” and much more likely a tanned White person.

Calling someone “dark” as description on its own is offensive to some and also ambiguous. (See: Describing Skin as Dark)

U n d e r t o n e s

Undertones are the colors beneath the skin, seeing as skin isn’t just one even color but has more subdued tones within the dominating palette.

Mentioning the undertones within a character’s skin is an even more precise way to denote skin tone.

As shown, there’s a difference between say, brown skin with warm orange-red undertones (Kelly Rowland) and brown skin with cool, jewel undertones (Rutina Wesley).

“A dazzling smile revealed the bronze glow at her cheeks.”

“He always looked as if he’d ran a mile, a constant tinge of pink under his tawny skin.”

Standard Description Passage

“Farah’s skin, always fawn, had burned and freckled under the summer’s sun. Even at the cusp of autumn, an uneven tan clung to her skin like burrs. So unlike the smooth, red-brown ochre of her mother, which the sun had richened to a blessing.”

-From my story “Where Summer Ends” featured in Strange Little Girls

Here the state of skin also gives insight on character.

Note my use of “fawn” in regards to multiple meaning and association. While fawn is a color, it’s also a small, timid deer, which describes this very traumatized character of mine perfectly.

Though I use standard descriptions of skin tone more in my writing, at the same time I’m no stranger to creative descriptions, and do enjoy the occasional artsy detail of a character.

C R E A T I V E  D E S C R I P T I O N

Whether compared to night-cast rivers or day’s first light…I actually enjoy seeing Characters of Colors dressed in artful detail.

I’ve read loads of descriptions in my day of white characters and their “smooth rose-tinged ivory skin”, while the PoC, if there, are reduced to something from a candy bowl or a Starbucks drink, so to actually read of PoC described in lavish detail can be somewhat of a treat.

Still, be mindful when you get creative with your character descriptions. Too many frills can become purple-prose-like, so do what feels right for your writing when and where. Not every character or scene warrants a creative description, either. Especially if they’re not even a secondary character.

Using a combination of color descriptions from standard to creative is probably a better method than straight creative. But again, do what’s good for your tale.

N A T U R AL  S E T T I N G S - S K Y

Pictured above: Harvest Moon -Twilight, Fall/Autumn Leaves, Clay, Desert/Sahara, Sunlight - Sunrise - Sunset - Afterglow - Dawn- Day- Daybreak, Field - Prairie - Wheat, Mountain/Cliff, Beach/Sand/Straw/Hay.

Now before you run off to compare your heroine’s skin to the harvest moon or a cliff side, think about the associations to your words.

When I think cliff, I think of jagged, perilous, rough. I hear sand and picture grainy, yet smooth. Calm. mellow.

So consider your character and what you see fit to compare them too.

Also consider whose perspective you’re describing them from. Someone describing a person they revere or admire may have a more pleasant, loftier description than someone who can’t stand the person.

“Her face was like the fire-gold glow of dawn, lifting my gaze, drawing me in.”

“She had a sandy complexion, smooth and tawny.”

Even creative descriptions tend to draw help from your standard words.

F L O W E R S

Pictured above: Calla lilies, Western Coneflower, Hazel Fay, Hibiscus, Freesia, Rose

It was a bit difficult to find flowers to my liking that didn’t have a 20 character name or wasn’t called something like “chocolate silk” so these are the finalists. 

You’ll definitely want to avoid purple-prose here.

Also be aware of flowers that most might’ve never heard of. Roses are easy, as most know the look and coloring(s) of this plant. But Western coneflowers? Calla lilies? Maybe not so much.

“He entered the cottage in a huff, cheeks a blushing brown like the flowers Nana planted right under my window. Hazel Fay she called them, was it?”

A S S O R T E D  P L A N T S &  N A T U R E

Pictured above: Cattails, Seashell, Driftwood, Pinecone, Acorn, Amber

These ones are kinda odd. Perhaps because I’ve never seen these in comparison to skin tone, With the exception of amber.

At least they’re common enough that most may have an idea what you’re talking about at the mention of “pinecone.“ 

I suggest reading out your sentences aloud to get a better feel of how it’ll sounds.

“Auburn hair swept past pointed ears, set around a face like an acorn both in shape and shade.”

I pictured some tree-dwelling being or person from a fantasy world in this example, which makes the comparison more appropriate.

I don’t suggest using a comparison just “cuz you can” but actually being thoughtful about what you’re comparing your character to and how it applies to your character and/or setting.

W O O D

Pictured above: Mahogany, Walnut, Chestnut, Golden Oak, Ash

Wood is definitely an iffy description for skin tone. Not only due to several of them having “foody” terminology within their names, but again, associations.

Some people would prefer not to compare/be compared to wood at all, so get opinions, try it aloud, and make sure it’s appropriate to the character if you do use it.

“The old warlock’s skin was a deep shade of mahogany, his stare serious and firm as it held mine.”

M E T A L S

Pictured above: Platinum, Copper, Brass, Gold, Bronze

Copper skin, brass-colored skin, golden skin…

I’ve even heard variations of these used before by comparison to an object of the same properties/coloring, such as penny for copper.

These also work well with modifiers.

“The dress of fine white silks popped against the deep bronze of her skin.”

G E M S T O N E S - M I N E R A LS

Pictured above: Onyx, Obsidian, Sard, Topaz, Carnelian, Smoky Quartz, Rutile, Pyrite, Citrine, Gypsum

These are trickier to use. As with some complex colors, the writer will have to get us to understand what most of these look like.

If you use these, or any more rare description, consider if it actually “fits” the book or scene.

Even if you’re able to get us to picture what “rutile” looks like, why are you using this description as opposed to something else? Have that answer for yourself.

“His skin reminded her of the topaz ring her father wore at his finger, a gleaming stone of brown, mellow facades.” 

P H Y S I C A L  D E S C R I P T I ON

Physical character description can be more than skin tone.

Show us hair, eyes, noses, mouth, hands…body posture, body shape, skin texture… though not necessarily all of those nor at once.

Describing features also helps indicate race, especially if your character has some traits common within the race they are, such as afro hair to a Black character.

How comprehensive you decide to get is up to you. I wouldn’t overdo it and get specific to every mole and birthmark. Noting defining characteristics is good, though, like slightly spaced front teeth, curls that stay flopping in their face, hands freckled with sunspots…

G E N E R A L  T I P S

Indicate Race Early: I suggest indicators of race be made at the earliest convenience within the writing, with more hints threaded throughout here and there.

Get Creative On Your Own: Obviously, I couldn’t cover every proper color or comparison in which has been “approved” to use for your characters’ skin color, so it’s up to you to use discretion when seeking other ways and shades to describe skin tone.

Skin Color May Not Be Enough: Describing skin tone isn’t always enough to indicate someone’s ethnicity. As timeless cases with readers equating brown to “dark white” or something, more indicators of race may be needed.

Describe White characters and PoC Alike: You should describe the race and/or skin tone of your white characters just as you do your Characters of Color. If you don’t, you risk implying that White is the default human being and PoC are the “Other”).

PSA: Don’t use “Colored.” Based on some asks we’ve received using this word, I’d like to say that unless you or your character is a racist grandmama from the 1960s, do not call People of Color “colored” please. 

Not Sure Where to Start? You really can’t go wrong using basic colors for your skin descriptions. It’s actually what many people prefer and works best for most writing. Personally, I tend to describe my characters using a combo of basic colors + modifiers, with mentions of undertones at times. I do like to veer into more creative descriptions on occasion.

Want some alternatives to “skin” or “skin color”? Try: Appearance, blend, blush, cast, coloring, complexion, flush, glow, hue, overtone, palette, pigmentation, rinse, shade, sheen, spectrum, tinge, tint, tone, undertone, value, wash.

Skin Tone Resources

List of Color Names

The Color Thesaurus

Things that are Brown (blog)

Skin Undertone & Color Matching

Tips and Words on Describing Skin

Photos: Undertones Described (Modifiers included)

Online Thesaurus (try colors, such as “red” & “brown”)

Don’t Call me Pastries: Creative Skin Tones w/ pics 3 2 1

Writing & Description Guides

WWC Guide: Words to Describe Hair

Writing with Color: Description & Skin Color Tags

Describing Characters of Color (Passage Examples)

7 Offensive Mistakes Well-intentioned Writers Make

I tried to be as comprehensive as possible with this guide, but if you have a question regarding describing skin color that hasn’t been answered within part I or II of this guide, or have more questions after reading this post, feel free to ask!

~ Mod Colette

writing tip #1525:

people don’t actually talk though

cute things your otp can do

buy each other flowers

have a cream tea

sing (badly) to old songs to try and cheer the other up

breakfast at tiffany’s in new york

baby animal hugging

have a discussion about something one of them is passionate about

eat macaroons in montemart

dance in the middle of the street 

put post-it notes around the house with compliments to remind each other how beautiful they are

buy each other food(!!)

dance in the rain

did anyone say impulsive road trip?

art museums and comparing each other to masterpieces

jewellery shopping (+ one asking the other if they could imagine it as their engagement ring)

playing with bubble machines 

old school hopscotch

painting each other (+ failing)

“if i get on that motor-bike i’m 500% sure i’ll die”

eating gob-stoppers (+ choking and completely necessary mouth-to-mouth)

giggling at each other

puppies (no action needed)

explore old historic sites

watch old movies

recite old movie romance lines to one another

compliment each other in their native language

teach each other instruments

throwing one another into swimming pools

karoke

couple co-ordinated halloween costumes(!!)

serenading each other

passive aggressive post-it note argument

dressing up as a bunny rabbit for easter

stealing each others bubble gum

selling things just to try and get enough money to see each other

failed magic tricks

las vegas and drunken giggles

“no, don’t eat more sugar.”

balloon animals

cosplaying

bonding over puppies

“i’m going to pretend to be smart to impress you”

bonding over music

old record player (+ bad dancing)

“why are you so tall, stop!”

tandem cycling 

golf carts

star-gazing

“if you die, i’ll kill you”