Ink and Apocalypse: How Writing as a Hobby Survives the End Times

Greetings, fellow survivors and scribblers! In the wake of the apocalypse, where chaos reigns and survival instincts kick in, let’s take a moment to explore the enduring charm of writing as a hobby. In this confident and casual exploration, we’ll unravel the ways in which the written word not only survives but thrives in the post-apocalyptic landscape.

1. Chronicles of the Collapse: As the world transforms, so does the art of storytelling. Imagine chronicling the apocalypse, penning down tales of resilience, survival, and the human spirit. In the absence of digital distractions, writing becomes a timeless endeavor, capturing the essence of a world reborn.

2. Post-Apocalyptic Poetry: Poetry takes on new life amid the ruins. The stark beauty of devastation, the echoes of lost cities, and the resilience of survivors—all find expression in the rhythmic cadence of post-apocalyptic poetry. It becomes a therapeutic outlet, a way to process the emotions that come with navigating the aftermath.

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3. Crafting Survival Guides: Writing transforms into a practical skill as survivors draft their own survival guides. Whether it’s detailing makeshift medical treatments, outlining effective foraging techniques, or sharing strategies for navigating the changed world, the written word becomes a crucial tool for sharing knowledge and ensuring the survival of future generations.

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4. Letters to Nowhere: In a world where distance and separation are constants, survivors turn to the art of letter writing. Penning heartfelt messages to long-lost friends or family, even if the recipients may never read them, becomes a therapeutic act—a way to cope with the weight of solitude.

5. Apocalypse Authors’ Society: Picture a group of survivors forming a makeshift book club or writers’ society, sharing their written works around a campfire. It becomes a communal experience, where storytelling transcends individual narratives, fostering a sense of connection and shared history.

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6. Journaling the Journey: Individual survivors take up journaling, chronicling their personal journeys through the apocalypse. These journals serve as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, capturing the highs and lows of survival, and offering a glimpse into the psyche of those who navigate the post-apocalyptic world.

7. The Last Library: In the remnants of a world that once valued libraries, survivors create a last bastion of knowledge—a makeshift library. Writing becomes a means of preserving the collective wisdom of humanity, ensuring that the written word endures even when technology falters.

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8. Trading Tales for Rations: In a barter-based economy, where resources are scarce, the ability to spin a good yarn becomes a valuable currency. Survivors trade stories for rations, and the most skilled wordsmiths can secure not just sustenance but a sense of community through their storytelling prowess.

9. Apocalypse Author Merchandise: Survivors with a knack for branding turn their written works into merchandise. Think post-apocalyptic bestsellers emblazoned on makeshift T-shirts or survival guides printed on durable, weather-resistant material—because who said the end of the world can’t have a merch table?

10. The Legacy of the Written Word: As the apocalypse reshapes the world, the written word becomes a lasting legacy. Stories, poems, survival guides, and personal journals penned in the aftermath form a tapestry of human experience. The written word survives not just as a hobby but as a testament to the indomitable human spirit.

Conclusion: In the ink-stained aftermath of the apocalypse, writing as a hobby evolves into a powerful force. From chronicling survival strategies to weaving tales of resilience, the written word becomes a cornerstone of post-apocalyptic culture. So, fellow survivors, grab your pens, repurpose those notebooks, and let the art of writing guide you through the unraveling chapters of the apocalypse. Happy writing! 📝

Apocalyptic Literature: What I want to see.

Because of ICoS I now read more apocalypse-related books than ever before. I buy them with my own money AND get them sent free for review, and then I tell you about them, whether they’re good or bad. Hell, some of the books I write are apocalypse-related. So, after more than a year of reading about the apocalypse, I have a list of things I want to see  more of in future apocalyptic literature.

Better Writing:

It’s not that the writing in these books is bad. It’s usually perfectly competent. But it could be more powerful, more evocative – just more – with harsher editing. If you’re writing apocalyptic literature (especially if you’re going the self-publishing route) I’d recommend two books which will help you get it as good as possible. The Elements of Style and Self-Editing for Fiction Writers. You should pick up Chuck Wendig’s books as well, but they’re less about editing and more about kicking your arse to get writing your crap, already, so that one is up to you. But the other two? Please, just do it. I’ve read loads of books with really interesting stories let down by poor editing.

Better female characters:

Most of the apocalyptic literature I’ve read was by men. The problem was, a great many of their female characters were cliches – irritating, insulting cliches at that. Remember that women are human beings rather than a collection of stereotypes. I don’t mind if one woman in your story is useless, but I start getting suspicious if she’s the only character that is, and then I’m outright judging you if ALL your women are useless. When I say ‘Better’ I mean I believe in her as a human being. Having her display some personality traits other than ‘screaming chick who needs to be rescued’ would be great. I sincerely doubt that post-apocalypse we would have time or room for ‘traditional gender roles’ anyway. While we’re at it, can we stop writing it so that even the good guys are enacting forced breeding? It’s rape, it’s skeevy and the good guys shouldn’t be forcing HUMAN BEINGS into a position where they are being abused and brutalised.

Better characters IN GENERAL.

While I find believable, relatable female characters are few and far between in apocalyptic literature, I also find that in nearly every book I’ve read the same character archetypes pop up. The grizzled, damaged war veteran. The girl who’s only a bitch cause she was raped.

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The creeper who betrays the group. Look, character archetypes exist for a reason, but if I can predict what your characters will do within the first 10 pages, it’s BAD. Do something new with them, something unexpected. Make the war veteran a perky, cheerful man with no dark past.

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Make the creeper loyal and caring, just socially awkward. Make the woman a bitch because she’s figured out that being bitchy gets stuff done. Stop relying on old, well-worn paths. Make your own.

More imagination and ingenuity:

By which I mean – write something different! There are no new stories under the sun, but there is a trick to this – write it in such a way that seems new. Add something, take something away, I don’t care what it is, but just write something different. The books are starting to blend in together now, because they’re all so similar.  The main reason I’m getting bored of zombies is that not only are they everywhere, but they’re the same bloody thing in each book. CHANGE SOMETHING. Write as though you’re setting a new standard and starting a new trend. Please? For example, check this out:  Dinocalypse Now. It’s apocalyptic literature, but it avoids the tired old tropes and boring setting, and it looks loads more fun.

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Actual Research:

How would the area you’re writing in respond to an apocalyptic event? Desert, jungle, overgrown woods? Research it. How many bullets can that gun fire without jamming? If it’s been uncared for for 18 months? Research it. What does a nuclear bomb do? RE-FUCKING-SEARCH IT. If you get it wrong, people who KNOW that you got it wrong will be pulled out of your story immediately. Sure, it’s fiction. But fiction needs to seem as if it’s real to the readers, and if you get it wrong… For my current novel (which is terrible and will never get published because MY GOD) I am researching radios. My girl is a ham radio enthusiast, so I need to know at least the basics of the different types, how they work, how you’d fix one. If you’re writing a novel – even one based in a world where everything has changed – and there’s a siege, you need to research seige warfare. RESEARCH.

Bottom line: This is writing. It’s not a thing you should do because you think it’s easy money or fame (it’s really not). It’s not something you can just churn out and have it be OK. It’s something you do because the love of it means it’s the only thing you CAN do. Which means you need to do the best you can, write the best, most amazing thing you’re capable of. Don’t be scared, or small, or dull with it.

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Get down right into the filthy guts of it all, and be incredible.

Please, I’m begging you.

What do our readers want to see from post apocalyptic literature in future? Talk about it in the comments.

If you have something tasty and apocalyptic that you’d like reviewed, we’re always happy to do it. If your book fits these guidelines, you’ll get a much more positive review than if it doesn’t. Just email anninyn at incaseofsurvival dot com and I’ll get back to you.

Self Promotion- Dusk: Origins

If you don’t like Self-Promotion you may want to look away now.

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I know, it’s terribly shocking and disgusting that I’d use a blog I write for to promote something else I write for. How dare I assume that people who enjoy my writing in one venue may enjoy it in another?

Ahem.

Dusk: Origins is a super-special, previously super-secret project I have been having a lot of fun and good times with, and I want you to go check it out. But- I am aware you can’t do that without knowing what in the hell is going on, so I will help you.

Continue reading “Self Promotion- Dusk: Origins”