I recently had a conversation with a friend about the book The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. We were talking about how Charlie's letters seemed to help him and that we wished we could have something like that to get our emotions out there. So I said "Why don't we just do it?". He was a little hesitant at first, but after decided on fake names for both of us to use, we said we'd do it. I don't think we are going to mail them or anything, but you never know. Even just writing things out is sure to help somewhat. I'm quite excited and am going to start writing my letter as soon as I'm done with this blog post.
The point I wanted to make in this post is that sometimes, you can't talk to people you know about troubles you may going through. Whether it's because you can't trust them, don't think they'd understand what you're going through, or simply can't find the right words. But writing can help with a lot of things. And even if you're not writing letters to some random stranger like Charlie is, you can still write. Write in a journal, on a white board, write wherever (as long as it's legal!). Something that I like to do when I get really emotional is write down all of my sad/mad/angry feelings onto a piece of paper, and then burn it. It makes me feel as though all my problems are burning along with that paper, and I'm free to feel better emotions. And this usually happens... at least once a week. My gurrrls know that sometimes my mom just makes me want to crawl up into a ball and die. But I would never do that because there are plenty of people who love my who would be very sad if I did such a stupid thing.
SO my point is, write. Write about your emotions, all of them. It helps. It really does. And that's coming from someone who feels like they could break down every day.
For Sydney: That is a really good question. After immediately thinking of J.K. Rowling, I also thought of John Green and then I went to Stephen Chbosky. So I suppose my answer would be a mix between thee three of them. But really I'd be happy with any of them.
P.S. Ten points to anyone who can guess what name my friend came up for me to write my letters as! <3:Dx
My author: William Shakespeare
Showing posts with label writing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label writing. Show all posts
Friday, February 10, 2012
Monday, February 6, 2012
Keep Trying
Yes, I'm late. I had a busy Friday night, and then a busy weekend, and I never got around to coming on to post. Heck, I was lucky I found time to go read chapter 6 of Mandy's story. But, while I wasn't on here posting my highly awaited blog post (that's sarcasm, if you can't tell), I was getting my inspiration for my post.
Friday night I went to my school's talent show. And as always, there's the really good acts, and the ones that are... sub par. They don't suck but they're not the best, if you know what I mean. And it made me think of writing. Some people are incredibly adept at it, and others could use some help. But you know what they all have in common? The courage to go out there and risk making a fool of themselves because they are doing what they love to do. And that's how I feel about writing. I'm not the most confident person in my writing, but whenever I do show someone a bit of it, whether it's personal writing or a school assignment, I always seem to get lots of positive feedback about how great I am at writing. You'd think that'd convince me? Well, it doesn't. But I still continue to write because I love doing it. And that should be everyone's inspiration to write. Not because you have to or you think you might become famous from it (because lets face it, it's hard to become a well-known author), but because you truly want to.
My author: Cory Doctorow
Friday night I went to my school's talent show. And as always, there's the really good acts, and the ones that are... sub par. They don't suck but they're not the best, if you know what I mean. And it made me think of writing. Some people are incredibly adept at it, and others could use some help. But you know what they all have in common? The courage to go out there and risk making a fool of themselves because they are doing what they love to do. And that's how I feel about writing. I'm not the most confident person in my writing, but whenever I do show someone a bit of it, whether it's personal writing or a school assignment, I always seem to get lots of positive feedback about how great I am at writing. You'd think that'd convince me? Well, it doesn't. But I still continue to write because I love doing it. And that should be everyone's inspiration to write. Not because you have to or you think you might become famous from it (because lets face it, it's hard to become a well-known author), but because you truly want to.
My author: Cory Doctorow
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Writing About What's Real
When I write, it's usually about reality with a little fantasy splashed in to make it more entertaining. I like writing about mermaids, angels, demons, and everything in between. That's a known fact about me that everyone who knows about what I write knows. I never thought that I could write a book about real life topics like Sarah Dessen or Emily Brontë so I stuck to what I knew I could right.
Now, looking back on it, I know I was just scared. Books such as Dreamland and Just Listen by Sarah Dessen are things I could never even dream about writing. The topics are so hard to write about because you don't want to offend people and give them the wrong impression.
For my English major, I had to take two semesters of a foreign language. I'd had my heart set of Italian or Russian just to give me a challenge and have some fun. Unfortunately for me, they didn't have Italian 1010 or Russian 1010 available during a spring semester. They did, however, have American Sign Language (ASL) so I decided to give it a try.
During my classes, I found myself enjoying it more and more, especially with how many hours I was in class plus a weekly lab and studying on my own or with friends. We had to be in the mindset of not being able to talk for long periods of time, but having to find ways to communicate even if we didn't know the sign for a word.
When I saw Switched At Birth a while later, I decided that was what I wanted to do. I wanted to write a book about a character who was deaf. Of course, that was easier said than done seeing as I've tried distinguishing between thoughts and signing in writing and let me tell you that it's nearly impossible to do unless you're bolding, italicizing, underlining, or whatever other fancy things you can do. So instead, I chose a different topic that's not so far from a deaf character.
Currently, my Writing In Progress is to a huge concrete road block like the one that blocks my shortcut home from campus thanks to flooding this past year. I know where I want to go and how I want to get there, but I'm not quite sure how to make the words flow.
I suggested a story idea to Bailey and she really liked the idea so I began writing it. It's been coming out great so far, but the tricky part is that it's not my usual Urban Fantasy. This is actually about real life and has no magic or fantasy in it what-so-ever. That means that I have to do even more research than I normally would. My plan is that on my next free day, I'll spend the day at the library to do research since I trust books more than I do the internet even with how often I'm online.
With this new idea, I keep wondering what happens if I offend someone? What happens if all the facts are wrong and I'm made to look like a fool? Then I realize that this story may never be published or even looked at by another person who isn't part of this blog, but it's something for me to have fun with. It's a new challenge. If it doesn't work out, that's a shame, but it's not the end of the world.
I know what my strengths are and that's good, but sometimes you have to try something new. You have to step out of your comfort zone and prove, even if it's just to yourself, that you can do it.
This week's author: Not even going to put it because it never changes.
Now, looking back on it, I know I was just scared. Books such as Dreamland and Just Listen by Sarah Dessen are things I could never even dream about writing. The topics are so hard to write about because you don't want to offend people and give them the wrong impression.
For my English major, I had to take two semesters of a foreign language. I'd had my heart set of Italian or Russian just to give me a challenge and have some fun. Unfortunately for me, they didn't have Italian 1010 or Russian 1010 available during a spring semester. They did, however, have American Sign Language (ASL) so I decided to give it a try.
During my classes, I found myself enjoying it more and more, especially with how many hours I was in class plus a weekly lab and studying on my own or with friends. We had to be in the mindset of not being able to talk for long periods of time, but having to find ways to communicate even if we didn't know the sign for a word.
When I saw Switched At Birth a while later, I decided that was what I wanted to do. I wanted to write a book about a character who was deaf. Of course, that was easier said than done seeing as I've tried distinguishing between thoughts and signing in writing and let me tell you that it's nearly impossible to do unless you're bolding, italicizing, underlining, or whatever other fancy things you can do. So instead, I chose a different topic that's not so far from a deaf character.
Currently, my Writing In Progress is to a huge concrete road block like the one that blocks my shortcut home from campus thanks to flooding this past year. I know where I want to go and how I want to get there, but I'm not quite sure how to make the words flow.
I suggested a story idea to Bailey and she really liked the idea so I began writing it. It's been coming out great so far, but the tricky part is that it's not my usual Urban Fantasy. This is actually about real life and has no magic or fantasy in it what-so-ever. That means that I have to do even more research than I normally would. My plan is that on my next free day, I'll spend the day at the library to do research since I trust books more than I do the internet even with how often I'm online.
With this new idea, I keep wondering what happens if I offend someone? What happens if all the facts are wrong and I'm made to look like a fool? Then I realize that this story may never be published or even looked at by another person who isn't part of this blog, but it's something for me to have fun with. It's a new challenge. If it doesn't work out, that's a shame, but it's not the end of the world.
I know what my strengths are and that's good, but sometimes you have to try something new. You have to step out of your comfort zone and prove, even if it's just to yourself, that you can do it.
This week's author: Not even going to put it because it never changes.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Christmas Tree
So since this will be my last post before Christmas and since I post first every week I thought I would create a theme for this week. Challenge to the gurrrls: Tie in something about Christmas to your post this week. Simple, right? Of course.
So my tie in is more of a metaphor. A Christmas tree metaphor. This tree is your story. your initial idea is the tree itself. The strong truck, the green branches, this it the meat and potatoes of your story. You have to have the tree before you can have a Christmas tree. But, it is only a tree at this point.
Lights come next. This is your story line. The lights wrap around your idea tree to create the events that make your story shine. But you need to have the right amount. Too many and your lights may get bunched up. Too few and the lights become stretched and may not even reach the top (or bottom depending on where you start). Don't let the lights get tangled and make sure you don't blow a fuse. By this I mean keep the story straight and don't add too many "ghost plots" and JKR would probably say. They might take away too much attention from the main story. Just make sure everything is spaced out right and everything is plugged in. Once this is figured out you can begin to add your ornaments.
Ornaments are your characters. Some ornaments you buy yourself. I believe that everyone has their stock characters that they put into every story. For instance, my MC always seems to have red hair. Boy, girl, young, old, there is always a MC that has red hair. Then there are the ornaments that other people give you. Ideas you take from from other books or people you base your characters off of. These are not ornaments you would have bought yourself but they are one that will fill out your collection over time. Finally there are the ornaments that seem to have been on your tree your entire life. The hand-me-down ornaments that are always there. These pertain more to the personalities of your characters. There is always the mean one, the funny one, the really smart one, the hero, the villain, the annoying one, and so on. You must take these different ornaments and move them around your tree so they are spred out in just the right mixture.
Once all of your ornaments are in place you can fill in the more bare spots with tinsel. This will be all the fluff stuff of your story. Whatever extra details that will really make the story make sense and flow well. Make it pretty. But just like the lights and the ornaments make sure that the tinsel is spaced well and covers the places it needs to without clumping up.
Finally, you can add the topper. My family always uses an Angel. This will be your goal. Whenever you believe all the lights, ornaments, and tinsel needed are in place you can then add the Angel. Whether this is publication or just saying "I'm done" this will be your Angel.
Finally, the presents can go under the tree. Show your friends and family or whoever you want. The presents will be their comments. The good and the bad. There are always some presents that you believe are better than others. But take them all with a smile and say "thank you" and go merrily on your way.
Once that is done you can take a step back and be proud of your tree. Sit on the couch, turn on some Christmas music, sip some cider, and just enjoy the view.
Oh! Christmas Tree. Oh! Christmas Tree, how lovely are your branches.
Author: Isaac Asimov
So my tie in is more of a metaphor. A Christmas tree metaphor. This tree is your story. your initial idea is the tree itself. The strong truck, the green branches, this it the meat and potatoes of your story. You have to have the tree before you can have a Christmas tree. But, it is only a tree at this point.
Lights come next. This is your story line. The lights wrap around your idea tree to create the events that make your story shine. But you need to have the right amount. Too many and your lights may get bunched up. Too few and the lights become stretched and may not even reach the top (or bottom depending on where you start). Don't let the lights get tangled and make sure you don't blow a fuse. By this I mean keep the story straight and don't add too many "ghost plots" and JKR would probably say. They might take away too much attention from the main story. Just make sure everything is spaced out right and everything is plugged in. Once this is figured out you can begin to add your ornaments.
Ornaments are your characters. Some ornaments you buy yourself. I believe that everyone has their stock characters that they put into every story. For instance, my MC always seems to have red hair. Boy, girl, young, old, there is always a MC that has red hair. Then there are the ornaments that other people give you. Ideas you take from from other books or people you base your characters off of. These are not ornaments you would have bought yourself but they are one that will fill out your collection over time. Finally there are the ornaments that seem to have been on your tree your entire life. The hand-me-down ornaments that are always there. These pertain more to the personalities of your characters. There is always the mean one, the funny one, the really smart one, the hero, the villain, the annoying one, and so on. You must take these different ornaments and move them around your tree so they are spred out in just the right mixture.
Once all of your ornaments are in place you can fill in the more bare spots with tinsel. This will be all the fluff stuff of your story. Whatever extra details that will really make the story make sense and flow well. Make it pretty. But just like the lights and the ornaments make sure that the tinsel is spaced well and covers the places it needs to without clumping up.
Finally, you can add the topper. My family always uses an Angel. This will be your goal. Whenever you believe all the lights, ornaments, and tinsel needed are in place you can then add the Angel. Whether this is publication or just saying "I'm done" this will be your Angel.
Finally, the presents can go under the tree. Show your friends and family or whoever you want. The presents will be their comments. The good and the bad. There are always some presents that you believe are better than others. But take them all with a smile and say "thank you" and go merrily on your way.
Once that is done you can take a step back and be proud of your tree. Sit on the couch, turn on some Christmas music, sip some cider, and just enjoy the view.
Oh! Christmas Tree. Oh! Christmas Tree, how lovely are your branches.
Author: Isaac Asimov
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Life
So I know what you are thinking. "What! Today is Wednesday. Why is Marissa posting? Wasn't she supposed to post Monday? She is late!" I won't deny it. I actually forgot. Shameful I know. And there are no excuses worthy of it. But I will give you mine anyway. Life. Yes, my life got in the way. I spent Monday with friends from college shooting a potato cannon and riding horses and baking cookies and watching movies and reading a wonderful book. I spent Tuesday with my fiance Christmas shopping and and wedding ring shopping and reading that same wonderful book. I have spent the last two day with some of the the most wonderful people in my life celebrating our lives and the time we have with each other. And I got some great material to add to my book.
In my opinion, sometimes you just need to step away and forget about your writing. You can't let it consume you. If you do you will end up hating it. Don't try to rush your writing. Just let it happen naturally. Some days you can probably sit and write for hours. Other days you may not write a single letter. Don't let it get you down if you are having writer's block. Take advantage and just set the story aside for a while. Don't forget to live your own life, too.
And as a catch up on my other gurrrls challenges:
- For my journal I have come to the realization that this is my journal. Although there are four other people that contribute to this blog I look to it to be the place that I go o get my idea out and look for inspiration. This and my skype conversation that is perpetually going with these same lovely ladies.
- Outlining: I sort of use it. I start out with a very (VERY) rough idea of what I want to write but then just let the words take over from there. I know where I want the story to go but I have no idea how it is going to get there. And I like that. I believe that if a is going to shock the reader then it must also shock the author as well. If I am not laughing, crying, screaming, or anxious about my characters then my reader won't be either.
Author: Stephen King
Monday, December 5, 2011
Timing
So I grab my computer for the first time all day and I begin to decide what to do first. research a project due tomorrow night? Check Facebook? Log on to skype? I look at the bottom corner of my screen to check the time. 11:43pm. It's still Monday. Monday? MONDAY! I was supposed to blog today! I've got time...
There are few things more important than timing. Good timing, bad timing, missed times, times yet to come. Whatever kind of time it is, it is probably very important to your story (I rock at segways). Whether there is a lull in your character's life or the next eight pages are nothing but action-packed, tension-causing, edge-of-your-seat kind of environment, timing is everything. Sometimes you need to time the release of information just right, whether its to your audience or your character. Revealing something too early can cause your story to end too quickly. Too late and you are boring or frustrating the reader. You have to time things just right so that the story flows well and keeps your reader interested in what is happening. Think about the cause and effect of your timing. Where can you go from here? How far can you go? Almost everything in your story line will rely on what information is presented and when.
Endings are important to time, too. Go too long and people might give up. Cut it short and infuriate readers with loose ends. It depends on whether you want to write another book or if you want to wrap things up completely or maybe just leave them with something to ponder or stew over. On that note, I think it's time to end this post. And with one minute to spare before Tuesday. I am just that good :)
PS So Mandy showed us this site and I think I am going to post my author each week. Mostly for myself so ignore this if you wish.
Author: Stephen King
Monday, November 28, 2011
Words
So last week my fellow blog sisters and I were issued a challenge by the lovely Mandy. Well Mandy, all I have to say is
What music I listen to depends on my mood. If I am angry or frustrated I turn to Jimmy Eat World. When I just want to chill I pop in a Snow Patrol cd. If I'm in a southern, nostalgic, where-my-roots-are mood the country music comes one. Feeling kinda "bleh" I just put my itunes on shuffle and let it decide what I'm feeling. But, my go-to band has and will probably always be Train. Yes, I listen to Train all the time. Their cds are constantly in my car, their songs on my ipod, their melodies stuck in my head, and their lyrics written all over my school notes. So, of course, when I am told to pick a song for something I usually immediately start running through Train songs. They have some amazing where-did-that-come-from kind of lyrics. They thrown in lines you never expected and I love how creative and (do I have enough swag to use this language) fresh they keep their songs. They don't stick to the conventional lyrics, and that is one of my favorite things about them.
What music I listen to depends on my mood. If I am angry or frustrated I turn to Jimmy Eat World. When I just want to chill I pop in a Snow Patrol cd. If I'm in a southern, nostalgic, where-my-roots-are mood the country music comes one. Feeling kinda "bleh" I just put my itunes on shuffle and let it decide what I'm feeling. But, my go-to band has and will probably always be Train. Yes, I listen to Train all the time. Their cds are constantly in my car, their songs on my ipod, their melodies stuck in my head, and their lyrics written all over my school notes. So, of course, when I am told to pick a song for something I usually immediately start running through Train songs. They have some amazing where-did-that-come-from kind of lyrics. They thrown in lines you never expected and I love how creative and (do I have enough swag to use this language) fresh they keep their songs. They don't stick to the conventional lyrics, and that is one of my favorite things about them.
But which song do I pick? I needed to relate it to writing. I thought about it for a while before I had that Homer Simpson "doh" moment. *facepalm* Why not use the song that is entitled after something that writing needs? Words. I thought it was appropriate. But, how to twist it into inspiration for writing? I began to look at the lyrics that moved away from the normal "I love this person so much I'd do anything for them" style. I began to relate them not to a person but to my so-called novel. It began to click. No, I will not give up on my novel! No, I will not say goodbye and stop writing!! I will roll with whatever changes my characters are going through and I will stand by their side no matter what.
Well...its beginning to sound good.
But , what about the chorus? At this point I began to think about J.K. Rowling. Yes, everything seems to come back to her doesn't it. That is what the dictionary calls true inspiration. Anyway, JKR never wrote about what she thought people wanted to hear, she wrote about what she wanted to write about. She was told that writing children's books would get her nowhere. She was told that no one would want to read a book about a British boy wizard. But she wrote that story anyway. She didn't let others talk her out of her dream.
Another way I look at the chorus is relating it to writer's block. Sometimes you just can't find the right words or you just get lost in the path of them. But, when that happens don't let it get you down. Take advantage of it to maybe research a little more about a character or a setting. Maybe work on your vocabulary by searching a thesaurus for the word you are missing. Whatever you need to do to break down that brick wall you just hit, light a fire under it and go. Make something explode (literally or figuratively). Shake up your story with some unexpected fuel and watch it burn out to where your story needs to be. Whatever it takes to move your story forward, however long it takes, just don't give up.
Your words can be your saving grace or your weapons. Let them burn in a way that that either lights your path or shows your wrath.
Let them burn.
Let them burn.
Author: H.P. Lovecraft
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