The 5 Most Inspiring Tips for Writers

I'm a fiction writer. I've been interested in fiction basically since I could hold a pencil. Other kids had imaginary friends; I had story characters. I used to come up with backstories for stuffed animals and virtual pets like Neopets. (In fact, some of my Neopets characters have been around since 2007. No shame!)

I have a few guidelines that I use when I write. None of these are rules, per se, just suggestions that you might find useful. They help with motivation, technique, and style, but content is up to you!

The Morgue File: An Artist's Secret Guide to Knowing Everything

No, it's not that kind of morgue. A morgue file is a repository for inspiration, tutorials, reference images, writing tips, newspaper clippings-- and it wants to be your new best friend. There are no dead bodies involved (unless you're just that kind of person, I guess).

Who uses morgue files? What are they used for?

Artists, writers, storyboarders, college students, animators, supervillains, teachers— pretty much anyone who needs quick access to a bunch of things that are related to each other. 

You can use morgue files for quick reference, tutorials, tips, dirty cheats, all kinds of things. You can put reference photos and photos of cats and pictures of things that just inspire you to be creative. 

It's important for artists to have reference photos on hand so that they can draw from life and create accurate art without having to interrupt their workflow by Googling 'how many toes does a llama have?'.

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4 Hogwarts House Mottos (And The Real-Life Organizations They Belong To)

Hey, none of these "new"mottos are official. They are not from canon or Pottermore, so don't go looking for them all confused. I'm just one of those Harry Potter fans.

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Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is old. It's as old as the Crusades and almost as old as Charlemagne. So it's no surprise that it has an appropriately old and imposing motto: Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus. It sounds less imposing in English: Never Tickle a Sleeping Dragon. I imagine the four houses of Hogwarts have probably developed mottos of their own over the years.

Hufflepuff

Palma Non Sine Pulvere 

(Latin; "No Palm Without Dust", "No Reward Without Effort")

Down-to-earth Hufflepuffs are practically famous for their hard work and dedication. It's only natural that their motto would point out that it's impossible to get what you want without working for it.

Real Life: Greensboro College; Greensboro, North Carolina, United States

Ravenclaw

Excelsior (Latin; "Higher")

Ravenclaws strive to learn and better themselves mentally, so of course their motto would inspire higher learning. As a bonus, their element is air, so imagine an eagle flying and it's nearly impossible not to think Excelsior.

Real Life: New York City, New York, United States

Slytherin

Toujours Prêt (French; "Always Ready")

Slytherins are always ready to seize any opportunity that advances them towards their goal. This is also a play on "Toujours Pur", the motto of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, a historically Slytherin wizarding family. There's a joke in here somewhere about blood being thicker than water.

Real Life: 2d Stryker Cavalry Regiment, United States Army

Gryffindor

Dirigo (Latin; "I Lead")

Gryffindors, with fiery personalities, are natural leaders and most likely of the four houses to take charge of a dangerous situation.

Real Life: Maine, United States