There are plenty of other phrases you can use to convey the same meaning as "makes up." If you're looking to express something someone has written, you might say they "composed" it, or "drafted" it. If you're describing someone who's telling a story, you might say they're "spinning a yarn," or "fabricating" the details. If you're talking about someone who's creating something from nothing, you could say they're "whipping up" a new recipe, "inventing" a new gadget, or "creating" a new piece of art. When you're trying to avoid using the same phrase over and over again, it's helpful to have a few synonyms in your toolbox.