Poetry

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Truth be told, the truth be damned.
I never could quite understand
Why truth to some meant truth for all,
For that won’t give the wherewithal
To live your life as you see fit
To grow and form the point of it,
When you have opted to resign
Your own idea of life for mine.

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Lotus blossom blooms

Petals forming living thoughts

Branching infinite

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Aside from being a beautiful flower, the lotus blossom is also a method for creative brainstorming. Just like a lotus blossom, the stories we create are layered and interconnected at every level.

Start with your core premise as the central node (e.g., a burned-out detective confronts her own past while solving a cold case”).

That central node could be developed into eight petals (first layer), representing major story elements such as:

• Key characters or relationships
• Major plot beats / turning points
• World-building or setting details
• Central conflicts / obstacles
• Thematic motifs or symbols
• Subplots or side stories
• Sensory / atmospheric elements
• Tone, voice, or style choices

Each petal can then expand into its own lotus with its own eight sub-ideas. You can do this as many times as you’d like; just don’t forget to actually start writing at some point :)

This method can help you get from surface level ideas to a richer, more cohesive narrative web with your plot, characters, themes, and world all feeding into each other.

For more on this method, check out this page. Now start creating!

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Every emotion

     is the fulfillment

     or betrayal

of expectation

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Think about it. You’re only ever upset because things didn’t go the way you thought they would. You’re happy because this is how it’s supposed to feel. You’re surprised because you didn’t see it coming.

Expect it to work out next time. Instead of ruminating on the countless ways it could go wrong, fall asleep imagining all the ways it could go right…