Ellie Potts's Blog, page 2

Banter & Believability: How Rom-Coms Build Chemistry Through Dialogue

Romantic comedies aren’t just about love—they’re about spark. That electric tension between two characters who might not know they’re perfect for each other yet, but we do. And the secret ingredient? Banter.

Whether it’s witty repartee, awkward misunderstandings, or slow-burning vulnerability, rom-com dialogue teaches us how rhythm, tension, and emotional payoff create chemistry we believe in.

Let’s break it down.

The Anatomy of a Meet-Cute

The meet-cute is the rom-com’s ritual initiation. It’s where two characters collide—often literally—and the audience leans in.

Common meet-cute tropes:

Accidental collision: Spilled coffee, mistaken identity, elevator malfunction.Opposites clash: Type-A meets chaotic creative.Shared dilemma: Both need the same apartment, dog, or wedding venue.

What makes it work:

Contrast: Their differences spark tension.Timing: The moment feels fated, not forced.Dialogue: Banter begins here—playful, defensive, curious.

“You stole my cab.”
“Technically, I opened the door. You just weren’t fast enough.”

Banter as Foreplay: Rhythm and Reversal

Banter isn’t just clever—it’s rhythmic. It mimics flirtation, challenge, and emotional testing.

Key Elements of Banter:ElementWhat It DoesExampleReversalFlips the power dynamic“You think you’re charming?” “I know I am.”CallbackReferences earlier jokes or moments“Still stealing cabs?”InterruptionsBuilds tension through unfinished thoughts“If you’d just—never mind.”VulnerabilityCracks the armor, deepens connection“I pretend I don’t care. But I do.”

Banter works when it reveals character—not just cleverness.

Misunderstandings: The Shadow of Romance

Rom-coms thrive on miscommunication. It’s frustrating, yes—but also human.

Types of misunderstandings:

Assumptions: “She’s dating someone.” (She’s not.)Secrets: “He’s hiding something.” (It’s a surprise proposal.)Timing: “They finally get it—too late.”

These moments test emotional stakes. They ask:

“Will they fight for clarity?”
“Can they risk being wrong?”

Emotional Payoff: The Moment It All Lands

The best rom-coms earn their endings. The final confession, kiss, or reunion only works if:

The tension has built: We’ve seen the struggle.The vulnerability is real: They’ve dropped the mask.The rhythm shifts: Banter slows, emotions rise.

“I thought I was better off alone. But then I met you—and now I know what lonely really feels like.”

Writing Romantic Tension: A Mini Guide

Want to write your own rom-com magic? Try this:

1. Character Contrast

Give your leads opposing traits or values. Let them challenge each other.

2. Dialogue Beats

Write short, punchy exchanges. Use interruptions, callbacks, and reversals.

3. Emotional Undercurrent

Even in banter, hint at deeper longing or fear.

4. Misunderstanding Moment

Include a scene where they misread each other. Let it hurt.

5. Payoff Scene

Slow the rhythm. Let them speak plainly. Make it earned.

Bonus Prompt: Banter Practice

Write a scene where two characters meet at a bookstore. One is looking for a breakup recovery guide. The other recommends a rom-com.

Let the dialogue do the flirting.

Don’t be nosey

What was the last thing you searched for online? Why were you looking for it?

I’m a writer. Enough said.

Actually it was quite boring. I’m trying to investigate why my gel nail polish keeps peeling off.

The Shadow of Collaboration: Creative Tensions and Alchemical Growth

Collaboration is often romanticized as synergy, flow, and mutual inspiration. And sometimes, it is. But beneath the surface of shared creation lies a potent undercurrent: the shadow. The parts of ourselves we hide, deny, or project—especially in the presence of another’s brilliance.

In creative partnerships, shadow dynamics aren’t just inevitable—they’re invitations. To grow, to reflect, to alchemize tension into transformation.

What Is the Shadow in Collaboration?

The shadow, as Jung described, is the unconscious part of ourselves we disown. In creative partnerships, it shows up as:

Projection: Seeing your own fears or desires in the other person.Envy or comparison: Feeling threatened by their gifts or visibility.Control or passivity: Trying to dominate the process—or disappearing from it.Unspoken expectations: Hoping they’ll intuit your needs without naming them.

These dynamics don’t mean the collaboration is broken. They mean it’s alive.

Creative Tension as Fertile Ground

Tension isn’t the enemy—it’s the edge where growth happens. When two creative forces meet, friction is natural. It can spark:

New ideas: Divergent perspectives create unexpected synthesis.Emotional depth: Vulnerability deepens the work.Ritual rupture: Conflict becomes a rite of passage.

But only if we’re willing to name the shadow, not exile it.

Common Shadow Archetypes in Collaboration

Here are a few archetypal patterns that often emerge:

ArchetypeShadow ExpressionGift When IntegratedThe MuseFeels used or unseenBecomes a co-creator, not just inspirationThe VisionaryOver-controls or dismisses others’ inputLearns to listen and adaptThe HealerOver-functions, avoids conflictSets boundaries and honors reciprocityThe MirrorAbsorbs others’ emotions, loses selfReflects truth without merging

Recognizing these patterns allows us to shift from reaction to ritual.

A Ritual for Shadow Integration in Collaboration

Try this before or during a creative partnership:

Create a shared altar: Include symbols of both creators—objects, colors, tarot cards.Name your fears: Write down what you’re afraid might happen (e.g., “I’ll be overshadowed”).Share and witness: Read them aloud to each other without fixing or judging.Craft a sigil together: One that represents mutual growth, truth, and creative trust.Close with intention: Speak a shared vow (e.g., “We honor tension as transformation”). Closing Reflections

The shadow isn’t a flaw in collaboration—it’s the forge. It’s where we meet our edges, our unmet needs, our hidden brilliance. When we name it, honor it, and integrate it, we don’t just create better art—we become more whole.

So the next time tension arises in a creative partnership, ask:

“What is this trying to teach me?”
“What part of me is asking to be seen?”

And then—create from that place.

Cartoons and Sci-fi

What TV shows did you watch as a kid?

Being a kid it was about Saturday cartoons.

Care bears, Rainbow Bright, Thundercats, Transformers, He-man, The Smurfs and so many others

Of course we loved TV in the evenings.

TGIF was huge on Fridays.

My heart belonged to Seaquest, X-files, Buffy and Supernatural.

And then there were the shows on Nickelodeon.

🗺️ The Arcana Atlas: World-Building with the Major Arcana

What if each tarot card wasn’t just a symbol—but a sovereign world? A realm with its own myths, rituals, and emotional climate? In this guide, we’ll journey through the Major Arcana as a map for world-building. Whether you’re crafting stories, designing rituals, or dreaming up immersive visuals, each card offers a portal into a society shaped by archetype.

This is more than fantasy—it’s creative alchemy. Let’s begin where all journeys start: with The Fool.

0. The Fool — Realm of BeginningsSociety: Nomadic dreamers who believe in sacred spontaneity. Their cities float on clouds and shift with the wind.Mythos: The Fool leapt from the edge of the world and created the wind.Mood: Misty cliffs, glowing backpacks, laughter echoing through fog. I. The Magician — The Alchemical BridgeSociety: Spell-weavers who channel elemental forces through ritual and invention.Mythos: The Magician stole fire from the void and taught the world to speak in symbols.Mood: Crystal labs, mirrored halls, sigils etched in starlight. II. The High Priestess — The Veiled ArchiveSociety: Silent librarians of intuition and lunar wisdom. They speak in dreams and guard the secrets of the soul.Mythos: She was born from moonlight and memory.Mood: Velvet shadows, glowing scrolls, water that reflects your thoughts. III. The Empress — The Verdant SovereigntySociety: Matriarchal gardeners who grow cities from living vines. Their laws are sung to the moon.Mythos: The Empress birthed the seasons from her breath.Mood: Overgrown temples, honeyed air, robes woven from petals. IV. The Emperor — The Stone BastionSociety: Architects of order and legacy. Their cities are carved into mountains and ruled by ancestral law.Mythos: The Emperor forged time into a crown.Mood: Granite halls, firelit maps, thrones of iron and bone. V. The Hierophant — The Sacred ChoirSociety: Ritualists who channel divine codes through song and symbol.Mythos: The Hierophant heard the voice of the stars and taught the world to listen.Mood: Candlelit cathedrals, chanting winds, relics that hum. VI. The Lovers — The Twin GardenSociety: Dual-natured beings who live in mirrored cities. Choice is their sacred rite.Mythos: Two stars fell in love and became the first garden.Mood: Blossoming paths, mirrored lakes, hearts carved into stone. VII. The Chariot — The Realm of MotionSociety: Warriors of will who ride beasts of light across shifting terrain.Mythos: The Chariot tamed chaos with focus.Mood: Dust trails, glowing reins, banners that ripple with intent. VIII. Strength — The Gentle WildSociety: Beast-binders who tame through compassion. Their magic is woven from breath and trust.Mythos: Strength whispered to the lion and it wept.Mood: Sun-dappled groves, golden fur, hands that heal. X. Wheel of Fortune — The Spindle CitadelSociety: Fate-bound archivists who spin destinies into thread. Their currency is probability.Mythos: The Wheel turns not by hand, but by choice.Mood: Rotating towers, golden gears, dice-shaped monuments. XIII. Death — The Hollow BloomSociety: Transitioners who guide souls between lives. Their cities are built in the roots of giant trees.Mythos: Death is a gardener who prunes time.Mood: Bone lanterns, black blossoms, rivers of memory. XVII. The Star — The Realm of RenewalSociety: Dreamers who bathe in cosmic springs and speak in wishes.Mythos: The Star fell from grace to remind the world of hope.Mood: Glittering pools, soft starlight, prayers whispered to comets. XVIII. The Moon — The Dreaming MarshSociety: Shapeshifters and seers who live in twilight. Truth is fluid here.Mythos: The Moon weeps silver tears that birth illusions.Mood: Foggy paths, glowing eyes, tides that speak. XIX. The Sun — The Radiant OrchardSociety: Joyful cultivators who harvest light and laughter.Mythos: The Sun kissed the earth and made it bloom.Mood: Golden fields, sunlit laughter, citrus-scented air. XX. Judgement — The Echoing ValeSociety: Soul-callers who awaken the forgotten. Their rituals summon memory and truth.Mythos: Judgement sang the bones awake.Mood: Trumpet winds, rising spirits, mirrors that reveal past lives. XXI. The World — The Spiral ArchiveSociety: Keepers of completion and cosmic rhythm. Their cities are mandalas of meaning.Mythos: The World danced the universe into being.Mood: Infinite spirals, glowing gates, music that folds time. Closing Ritual: Create Your Own Realm

Choose a card. Ask:

What values shape this society?What myth birthed their world?What sensory details define their magic?

Then write, draw, or ritualize it. Build altars, craft sigils, or dream up characters who live there. Each realm is a mirror—and a map.

Night

What’s your favorite time of day?

Night drapes the sky in velvet blue,

Stars whisper secrets old and true.

The world grows quiet, dreams take flight.

My heart belongs to gentle night.

By me

🧙‍♀️ Character Cauldron: Brew the Perfect Protagonist

Mix archetypes, desires, and backstory like ingredients in a potion

In every story, the protagonist is more than a plot device — they’re a living spell. A vessel of longing, contradiction, and transformation. Whether you’re crafting a hero’s journey or a shadow-drenched antihero, building a compelling character is like brewing a potion: it requires intention, intuition, and a dash of chaos.

So light a candle, stir your cauldron, and let’s conjure a protagonist that pulses with magic and meaning.

The Character Cauldron Recipe

Yield: One unforgettable protagonist
Prep Time: As long as your soul needs
Tools: Pen, paper, tarot deck (optional), moonlight (recommended)

Ingredients:IngredientDescription1 Core ArchetypeChoose a foundational archetype (e.g., The Rebel, The Caregiver, The Seeker). This is your character’s energetic blueprint.2 Tablespoons of DesireWhat does your character want — and what do they really need? Stir in both surface-level goals and soul-level longing.1 Cup of BackstoryAdd formative memories, wounds, and secrets. Let it simmer until it flavors every decision they make.A Pinch of FlawSprinkle in a trait that complicates their journey — pride, fear, impulsiveness. This is the spice that makes them real.3 Drops of VoiceHow do they speak, think, and dream? Add sensory details, internal monologue, and emotional tone.1 Sprig of SymbolismChoose a motif or object that represents their arc — a locket, a tattoo, a recurring dream. This binds the spell.Optional: 1 Tarot CardPull a card to reveal hidden layers. The Moon for mystery, The Tower for upheaval, The Star for hope. Instructions:Set your intention.
What kind of transformation do you want this character to undergo? Write it like a spell: “May they learn to trust their own magic.”Combine archetype and desire.
Let them clash or harmonize. A Rebel who longs for belonging? A Caregiver who secretly craves freedom?Fold in backstory slowly.
Let it inform their fears, habits, and relationships. Stir until it feels lived-in.Add flaw and voice.
This is where your character starts breathing. Let their flaw trip them up. Let their voice sing.Infuse with symbolism.
Choose imagery that recurs like a ritual. A raven that always appears before change. A scent that reminds them of home.Taste and adjust.
Does your character feel too perfect? Too vague? Add more contradiction, more longing, more shadow. Bonus Ritual: Character Moon Bath

Write a scene where your character is alone under the moon. What do they confess to the night? What do they fear, desire, regret? This ritual reveals their soul.

The Tarot Reader Who Never Shuffles

My August Writing Propt.

The Tarot Reader Who Never Shuffles

In a crooked tent at the edge of the market, she laid her cards in silence. Always the same order: Death, The Moon, The Tower. A sequence etched into time, like a spell she no longer questioned.

She never shuffled. Never needed to. The cards knew their place, and so did she.

Until the day you arrived.

You didn’t speak. Just sat across from her, eyes full of weather and memory. She reached for the deck, fingers steady from decades of repetition.

But the cards pulsed.

She drew the first: The Lovers.

Her breath caught.

Then came The Star. Then Strength.

The deck rearranged itself, as if awakened. As if it had been waiting.

She looked up, eyes wide—not with fear, but recognition. You hadn’t come for a reading. You were the reading. A new story, unfolding.

And for the first time in forty years, she didn’t know what came next.

Audiobook Review: Her Soul to Take by Harley Laroux

Her Soul to Take by Harley Laroux is  supposed to be a dark academia romance. Where yes it has some scenes at a college, but it’s more of a dark paranormal eldritch romance. Rae is a ghost hunter who is finishing up college. She goes back to her hometown, but she finds a spell book she shouldn’t have. And she shouldn’t try to fake a spell from it. This is a great book to add to your fall/Halloween reads. It is spicy, and might be scary for some. I’ve read some sick shit so this wasn’t very scary for me. But it was a fun read. It is book 1 of 3. But it doesn’t end with a cliffhanger. Each book deals with a different couple which you are introduced to in book 1 as well as what their plots will be. So they can be picked up and casually read.

Blurb:

Leon I earned my reputation among magicians for a reason: one wrong move and you’re dead. Killer, they called me, and killing is what I’m best at. Except her. The one I was supposed to take, the one I should have killed – I didn’t. The cult that once controlled me wants her, and I’m not about to lose my new toy to them.

Rae I’ve always believed in the supernatural. Hunting for ghosts is my passion, but summoning a demon was never part of the plan. Monsters are roaming the woods, and something ancient – something evil – is waking up and calling my name. I don’t know who I can trust, or how deep this darkness goes. All I know is my one shot at survival is the demon stalking me, and he doesn’t just want my body – he wants my soul.

Her Soul to Take is book 1 in the Souls Trilogy. Each book within the Souls Trilogy is interconnected, following a different couple through a similar timeline in the fictional world of Abelaum.

Three Days Grace’s Alienation

Tell us about the last thing you got excited about.

Friday Alienation the newest Album by Three Days Grace was released. This marks the band’s 8 album. But what I am super excited for is that the original singer, Adam Gontier, returns singing with Matt Walsh. I had nothing against Matt as a singer but it was Adam who made me fall in love with Three Days Grace in the first place. Yesterday as I started work I listened to the album a few times, and it hits. The duo really work well. I was in need of some new music from my favorite bands! I’m so excited I get to see them perform in Fresno in October.