My Writer's Block was Delaying my Epic Story Until I Rewatched Attack on Titans

I was all set. Excited, even. I had a brilliant story brewing in my mind—folklore from my province, no less! I could see my protagonists already, larger than life, practically leaping off the page. Then I sat down to write... and nothing happened.

That’s when I realized I had developed the dreaded writer’s block. Oh, the irony—so many ideas, yet not a single word seemed to fit. What was my block, you ask? It boiled down to two surprisingly tricky issues:

1. My protagonists were awesome (naturally), but the villains? Well, I had no idea what drove them. What was their purpose, their motivations? I needed more than just "evil for the sake of evil." It felt like staring at an empty abyss, waiting for my villains to give me something to work with.

2. Then there was the big existential question: how much of me should I put into this story? Every time I thought I had a direction, I hesitated. Is this my story or just fiction? How much of "me" was too much? Suddenly, my once exciting tale felt like an awkward conversation with myself.

So here I am, staring at my notes, pondering, questioning, and rethinking. Writer’s block is a beast, but it’s also a strange invitation to dive deeper. Maybe the villains will reveal themselves once I stop overthinking—or maybe I’ll just have to embrace the chaos a little longer. Either way, the story isn’t over yet.

Update: A few nights ago, I found myself rewatching *Attack on Titan*—one of the most mind-blowingly complex stories ever written. While taking in the chaos of that world, it struck me: the "villains" in this series aren’t what they seem. They’re just characters whose views on what's right directly oppose the protagonists'. Is that enough to make them evil?

This got me thinking about my own story. Maybe I’ve been looking at my villains all wrong. Instead of trying to conjure up some classic evil mastermind, maybe I just need to understand their perspective. After all, from where they're standing, they’re the heroes of their own story. Their motivations aren’t about being "bad"; they’re just rooted in beliefs or experiences that clash with my protagonists’ goals.

So maybe, just maybe, my villains aren’t the problem. It’s how I’ve been framing them.

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Check out this snarky/funny t-shirt design I found on Creative Fabrica (affiliate link included).

https://www.creativefabrica.com/product/writers-block-t-shirt/ref/2135193/

10 Occult Books That Can Be Classified Under LCC G

If you hear the word “occult,” you might imagine dark rooms, candles, and someone whispering Latin badly. But in library science, the occult often sits quietly under LCC Class G — the section for Geography, Anthropology, and Folklore . Why? Because many occult works deal with myth, symbolism, ritual, cultural belief systems, and human attempts to understand the unseen. In other words, they are less about flying broomsticks and more about how people make meaning. Here are ten notable occult books that can reasonably fall under LCC G , especially within folklore (GR), customs (GT), or cultural anthropology. 1. The Golden Bough – James George Frazer Frazer’s massive comparative study of myth and religion explores magic, ritual sacrifice, fertility rites, and sacred kings. It is not a spell book. It is anthropology with a dramatic flair. Why LCC G? Because it analyzes myth and ritual across cultures. This comfortably sits in folklore and anthropology (GR). 2. The Hero with a Thousand Face...

3 Easy Ways to Instantly Improve Your Handwriting

Handwriting doesn’t have to be a lost art, even in today’s digital world. Whether you’re taking notes, writing a letter, or just doodling in your journal, legible handwriting is a skill worth mastering. Let’s start with three quick tips to make your writing more readable: 1. Pay Attention to Spacing Spacing is one of the most overlooked aspects of legibility. It’s tempting to let your letters and words run together, but that’s the quickest way to turn your notes into an indecipherable mess. Make a conscious effort to leave some space between each letter and word. This breathing room allows the reader to clearly distinguish one word from the next. Slow down, and you’ll find your spacing naturally improves. 2. Hold the Pen Correctly You might not think much about how you hold your pen, but it plays a big role in your handwriting. Too tight a grip, and your hand tires quickly, causing shaky lines. Too loose, and you’ll struggle to control the pen. Aim for a relaxed but steady grip that le...

5 Books That Make You Better at Getting Things Done

1. The Power of Full Engagement by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz This book says energy is more important than time. Weird, right? But it makes sense. The authors say we should work like athletes — focus hard for a bit, then take real breaks to rest and recharge. Instead of running on empty all week, you learn to build routines that give you energy, not drain it. Basically, it’s saying: stop acting like a robot and start acting like a human who takes naps. 2. Getting Things Done by David Allen If your brain feels like a messy desk full of sticky notes, this book is your cleaning guide. David Allen teaches you how to put every task, idea, or reminder somewhere safe — so your mind can finally relax. Once you’ve written everything down, you can actually focus on what’s in front of you instead of wondering what you forgot. It’s for people who want to feel calm, in control, and slightly smug about their tidy to-do lists. 3. The Effective Executive by Peter Drucker Peter Drucker is...

A Librarian’s Method for Organizing a Wardrobe: Current, Non-current, or Archive?

I did not set out to fix my wardrobe. I was just tired of negotiating with it every morning. My closet was full, but I wore the same few things. The rest stared back at me like a group project I never agreed to join. I had already tried the usual advice: declutter, be ruthless, imagine an ideal self who attends brunch more often than I do. None of it stuck. Then I realized the problem was not the clothes. It was the lack of a system. I am a librarian. When something does not work, I do not add more space. I reclassify. Again, I remind myself that I am a librarian. When something is chaotic, my first thought is NOT “buy more storage.” It is “this needs a system.” My closet did not need more hangers. It needed cataloging. Librarians do not panic about having too many books. They decide where each book belongs: current , non-current , or archive . So I tried the same method on my wardrobe. The Library Method, Explained Without the Jargon In libraries: Current ...

First Impressions of Hanoi, Vietnam

So This Is What 14 Degrees Looks Like The very first thing I saw of Hanoi was not a building. Not a landmark. Not even a proper tree. It was fog. From the plane window, the land below looked like a watercolor painting someone had forgotten to finish. The trees were faint shapes, like shy ghosts standing politely in line. It was late January. The captain announced it was 14 degrees Celsius. So this is what 14 degrees looks like, I thought. It looks like a country half-asleep under a gray blanket. The Expectation That Quietly Packed Its Bags Before arriving, I carried a small, unflattering assumption in my suitcase: that Vietnamese people might not be especially warm or smiley. That assumption lasted about as long as the walk from immigration to baggage claim. People were kind. Not loud. Not overly expressive. Just… kind. The kind of kindness that responds to how you show up. If you are friendly, they are friendly. If you are respectful, they soften. It felt less like customer serv...

Why the Banned Book 1984 by George Orwell Seems Prophetic Now

In George Orwell's book '1984', we are transported to a totalitarian state that is uncannily like the very world we are living in. It's a politico-social novel that tells a lot about how power can be a dangerous thing when placed in the hands of a remorseless totalitarian government that punishes with impunity and rewards only those that cooperate. It's so borderline non-fiction that many libraries have banned it a short time after it has been published. They say it's fear-mongering, but as many of us in the 21st century now know, it was somewhat prophetic.

Why Create a Homeschool Library?

You need a homeschool library if you’re homeschooling your children. Homeschooling has become a big thing in recent years, especially with the pandemic. It is difficult for parents to cope with the workload of tutoring their children, especially if they have mainly depended on the school systems to take care of their children’s educational needs. Fortunately, parents and guardians have plenty of support from various sources like social media groups and non-profit organizations that aim to help with the teaching part. Now, the resource part of the homeschooling journey is another matter. What should your library contain? A homeschool library should contain books that support the homeschool curriculum. These resources can be encyclopedias, dictionaries, fiction books, and others. Objectives of a Homeschool Library Like a school library, you need to build your home’s resource space with the following objectives: 1. To develop an awareness of the importance...

The Challenges Faced by a Document Controller

Many graduates of Library Science or Information Science that don't end up working in a library get hired as information managers or document controllers. If you are one or you know someone who is, a Document Control Logbook might come in handy. It's on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Document-Control-Logbook-Circulation-Management/dp/B0D8Q1DRV6/ What does a Document Controller Do Exactly? Imagine you're trying to keep your room clean. You have school papers, books, toys, and clothes everywhere. Every time you put something away, someone comes in and leaves more stuff around. This is similar to what a Document Controller deals with at work. Their job is to manage all the important papers (called documents) for a company. Sounds simple, right? Well, not really. Here are some of the challenges they face: 1. Keeping Track of Everything A Document Controller must know where every document is at all times. This is like always knowing where y...

Mastering the Art of Legible Handwriting: A Guide for Students and Adults

In the digital age, the art of handwriting often takes a backseat. However, the importance of writing legibly cannot be overstated, especially for students and adults in various professional fields. Whether it's jotting down notes, signing documents, or sending a handwritten letter, clear and legible handwriting ensures effective communication. This guide focuses on handwriting improvement, emphasizing cursive writing and various handwriting exercises that can help you write more legibly. Understanding the Importance of Handwriting Improvement Handwriting is not just about aesthetics; it's a fundamental tool for learning, especially for students. Research shows that writing information by hand enhances memory retention and comprehension. For adults, legible handwriting in the workplace is a sign of professionalism and attention to detail. Therefore, investing time in handwriting improvement is essential for personal and professional development. Embracing Cursive Writing for ...

Check Out My New Creative Fabrica Store Banner

I’m thrilled to announce the launch of my brand-new banner on Creative Fabrica! If you’ve never heard of Creative Fabrica, it’s time to introduce you to this teeming and thriving community of artists, educators, entrepreneurs, and crafters. Whether you’re a creator looking for inspiration or someone who loves to support independent artists, Creative Fabrica is the place to be. What is Creative Fabrica? Creative Fabrica is an online marketplace where creators like me can share and sell digital designs, fonts, crafts, and more. But it's not just a store—it's a hub for collaboration, learning, and growing your creative skills. Imagine a place where you can find everything from SVG cut files to crochet patterns to teaching tools. The best part? The community is always buzzing with activity, full of creators sharing their work and buyers looking for unique designs to bring their projects to life. Why I Love Creative Fabrica One of the reasons I love being part of Creative Fabrica is...

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