You make me a ghost
You push me into the dark
But I am alive
Invisibility is where you drag me
You may have hit your mark
You make me a ghost
I don't know what to be
You extinguish my spark
But I am alive
Drown me in the sea
In the mirror, you see a monarch
You make me a ghost
Maybe that is the key
You are a shark
But I am alive
From you, I will be free
To courage, I embark
Make me a ghost
But I am alive
Saturday, August 8, 2015
Friday, June 26, 2015
How to Rock your Character Profile
So your ready to make an awesome protagonist but aren't sure where to start. Well, today, to get you started, we're going to do an example character profile, perfect for explaining those little darlings of yours. And to do so, we're using me as the example character.
Here we go:
BRITTANY OLDROYD
Biography:
Brittany Oldroyd, at almost twenty years old, is a struggling novelist. She moved around a lot when she was little (Utah, Oklahoma, Iowa, Arizona). She now goes to school in Idaho.
Physical Appearance:
Brittany is a bit of color chameleon when it comes to hair. She has gone from brown to blonde to red. Her eyes are light brown and her skin is fairly tan (for a writer at least).
Here we go:
BRITTANY OLDROYD
Brittany Oldroyd, at almost twenty years old, is a struggling novelist. She moved around a lot when she was little (Utah, Oklahoma, Iowa, Arizona). She now goes to school in Idaho.
Physical Appearance:
Brittany is a bit of color chameleon when it comes to hair. She has gone from brown to blonde to red. Her eyes are light brown and her skin is fairly tan (for a writer at least).
Personality: The Creator
Internal
Ø Artistic,
intuitive, sensitive
Ø Observant;
sees the big picture
Ø Unconventional;
does not like conformity
Ø Brainstormer;
easily absorbed by ideas
Ø Introverted,
has an internal focus
Ø Allows
disorder
Ø Content
with her own company
Interpersonal
Ø Undependable
in areas outside of focus
Ø Good-natured
with others but not always sensitive to them
Ø Not
swayed by the group
z
Okay! So that's how this works! A character profile, as short as it might be, is an amazing resource for keeping track of characters and feeling like you know them.
Thanks guys!
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Separating the Editor from the Writer
Writer: creator of the story and designer of the plot and characters
Editor: number one critique and the voice of reason
Ah, the editor. That wonderful voice that says you can't do this, do this instead. As writers, we sometimes create stories that are less than...amazing because of a lack of editing. Which is fine, really. In order to make good fiction, you've got to take some risks. But you also need someone (whether that person is you or someone else) to tell you when it's time to be sensible.
Today, in the light of this matter, we are going to talk about how to separate the creative writer and the sensible editor in all of us.
In my mind, there is no better way to do this than give a couple of lists. One for the drafting stage, one for the editing stage. During drafting stage are rules for writing without letting the editor barge in. During editing stage are rules for editing.
Well, here we go:
Stay Back Editors!: Rules for Drafting
1. Do NOT edit as you go. Write straight through without a backward glance at what you've already written. No fixing grammar, plot, characters, anything until the draft is complete. This ensures that you don't get lost in your editing before the story is done.
2. Repeat after me: It's not perfect and that's okay. Who ever heard of a perfect draft? Heck, who ever heard of a perfect book? Writing is not about perfection, it's about truth. And to find that truth you are going to have to experiment a little.
3. Be cautious about sharing your work at this stage. Now, I am not saying you can't show anyone and it must be locked down tight. Trust me, I know the troubles of a writer's secrets. What I am saying is that you should be careful who you show. Some may critique the writing you are just beginning to have confidence in it. Even if they are trying to help, sometimes you need to get through the draft before any kind of editing (self or otherwise) is done.
Listen to Me: Rules for Editing
1. Look at your writing with a critical eye. It can be helpful to look at your writing as the reader would. If you were reading this book, would you be confused? Would you find it enjoyable? These are crucial questions at this stage.
2. Split the editing process up. This is a long, often times, strenuous stage. It's best to do several revisions, with several different kinds of editing (such as plot, characters, setting, voice, grammar, etc.).
3. Don't get overwhelmed. Easier said than done, I know. Sometimes, while editing, it may seem that you have far too much work to do. Don't get discouraged! Writing is a process and an adventure. Often times, opinion overrides fact. Be critical but not overly so. You have something to bring to the world of books, don't you forget that!
Alright! So those are my two pieces on writing and editing. Tune back in tomorrow for my plan from prewriting to publishing in Ideas to Print: My Plan on the Road from Prewriting to Publication.
Thanks guys! Leave a comment below!
Editor: number one critique and the voice of reason
Ah, the editor. That wonderful voice that says you can't do this, do this instead. As writers, we sometimes create stories that are less than...amazing because of a lack of editing. Which is fine, really. In order to make good fiction, you've got to take some risks. But you also need someone (whether that person is you or someone else) to tell you when it's time to be sensible.
Today, in the light of this matter, we are going to talk about how to separate the creative writer and the sensible editor in all of us.
In my mind, there is no better way to do this than give a couple of lists. One for the drafting stage, one for the editing stage. During drafting stage are rules for writing without letting the editor barge in. During editing stage are rules for editing.
Well, here we go:
Stay Back Editors!: Rules for Drafting
1. Do NOT edit as you go. Write straight through without a backward glance at what you've already written. No fixing grammar, plot, characters, anything until the draft is complete. This ensures that you don't get lost in your editing before the story is done.
2. Repeat after me: It's not perfect and that's okay. Who ever heard of a perfect draft? Heck, who ever heard of a perfect book? Writing is not about perfection, it's about truth. And to find that truth you are going to have to experiment a little.
3. Be cautious about sharing your work at this stage. Now, I am not saying you can't show anyone and it must be locked down tight. Trust me, I know the troubles of a writer's secrets. What I am saying is that you should be careful who you show. Some may critique the writing you are just beginning to have confidence in it. Even if they are trying to help, sometimes you need to get through the draft before any kind of editing (self or otherwise) is done.
Listen to Me: Rules for Editing
1. Look at your writing with a critical eye. It can be helpful to look at your writing as the reader would. If you were reading this book, would you be confused? Would you find it enjoyable? These are crucial questions at this stage.
2. Split the editing process up. This is a long, often times, strenuous stage. It's best to do several revisions, with several different kinds of editing (such as plot, characters, setting, voice, grammar, etc.).
3. Don't get overwhelmed. Easier said than done, I know. Sometimes, while editing, it may seem that you have far too much work to do. Don't get discouraged! Writing is a process and an adventure. Often times, opinion overrides fact. Be critical but not overly so. You have something to bring to the world of books, don't you forget that!
Alright! So those are my two pieces on writing and editing. Tune back in tomorrow for my plan from prewriting to publishing in Ideas to Print: My Plan on the Road from Prewriting to Publication.
Thanks guys! Leave a comment below!
Saturday, May 30, 2015
A Call to the Writers
Writing is lonely.
We spend hours upon hours locked up in offices and bedrooms and basements, writing words we hope will somehow mean something. It's a lot of work and it's not the kind of work that is going to make you a lot of friends. You'll miss out on a lot of opportunities to meet new people and mingle, etc, etc.
So why do we do it?
Writing is a duty.
It has been said that the job of the writer is to reveal the faults of mankind, give them a reason and a way to change.
That's some pretty deep stuff. We, as writers, are charged with the duty that doesn't make friends. Either you don't have time for a social life, or your writing doesn't make you any friends.
It's a brave work. We are charged to show the world what is wrong with it. A great many people don't want to know that.
A great many people believe writing is only entertainment. And, while it does entertain often, that is not it's true purpose.
And so, dear followers, darling writers, you must be brave and be bold. You must write what you believe. You must write the hard truth. And above all else, you must not be afraid to stay true to the story you are telling.
Many writers think it is all just entertainment. That the point is to give readers a "good ride". To you, I say no. Because writing has never been about joy rides. Because stories have never been about the fun.
We write to discover the truth. We write to reveal the truth. We write because we have something to give the world.
Do not compromise your story with your fear of others' reactions.
This is my call to you.
We spend hours upon hours locked up in offices and bedrooms and basements, writing words we hope will somehow mean something. It's a lot of work and it's not the kind of work that is going to make you a lot of friends. You'll miss out on a lot of opportunities to meet new people and mingle, etc, etc.
So why do we do it?
Writing is a duty.
It has been said that the job of the writer is to reveal the faults of mankind, give them a reason and a way to change.
That's some pretty deep stuff. We, as writers, are charged with the duty that doesn't make friends. Either you don't have time for a social life, or your writing doesn't make you any friends.
It's a brave work. We are charged to show the world what is wrong with it. A great many people don't want to know that.
A great many people believe writing is only entertainment. And, while it does entertain often, that is not it's true purpose.
And so, dear followers, darling writers, you must be brave and be bold. You must write what you believe. You must write the hard truth. And above all else, you must not be afraid to stay true to the story you are telling.
Many writers think it is all just entertainment. That the point is to give readers a "good ride". To you, I say no. Because writing has never been about joy rides. Because stories have never been about the fun.
We write to discover the truth. We write to reveal the truth. We write because we have something to give the world.
Do not compromise your story with your fear of others' reactions.
This is my call to you.
Thursday, May 7, 2015
Using Spotify to Your Advantage
So today the plan was to actually talk about making a killer character profile today. However, I've been browsing through Spotify this evening and HOLY COW COOLNESS!
Spotify users, did you know how much you can do with the browsing option?! (Very excited here)
If you browse through music, you can find all kinds of cool playlists, premade and full of awesome songs.
Here are some of my favorites:
- "Who Runs the World? Girls."
- "Sleep"
- "Creativity Boost"
- "Nature Noise"
- "Guided Meditation"
- "Audiobooks"
What really surprised me is that you can get audiobooks like The Great Gatsby or Great Expectations on Spotify. I mean, how awesome is that?
So with this in mind, I would like to point out a couple ways writers can use Spotify to their advantage.
1. You can listen to books and grow your writing vocabulary. For free.
Need I say more? Audiobooks aren't cheap. The fact that Spotify has some good classics for free is pretty darn incredible.
2. You can find a playlist for basically anything.
And I mean ANYTHING. For absolutely anything you'd do. Write, sleep, meditate, shower, you name it.
3. They have playlists for every mood, too.
Doesn't matter how you're feeling. Angry? Sad? Angry and sad? You got it.
Alright, so that's all I've got to say on the matter. Point is, Spotify is a great option. A great free option. And at the end of the day, what could be better?
Questions? Comments?
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Developing Story Ideas
So today I want to take a moment to talk about story ideas and how to develop them, in honor of the five year anniversary of the day I came up with Segolia. That's right, it's been five years since I thought up the world of Segolia (YAY!).
With that in mind, this is how I develop my ideas:
1. I start off by taking a basic note. Usually this is only one sentence long and, for me, it is often just a "what if" question. For example, what if everything we knew about vampires was false? (that's from Forbidden).
2. I take the basic note and develop it into a complex web. I just start writing down everything I know about the story. And I mean EVERYTHING. How the plot goes, background, etc.
3. You turn that into a basic outline describing each chapter in detail.
4. Tada! You have an outlined story now.
That's my process. Of course, it's not the only way to do it. If you have a way that works better for you, do it! This is just something to get you started.
Write on!
With that in mind, this is how I develop my ideas:
1. I start off by taking a basic note. Usually this is only one sentence long and, for me, it is often just a "what if" question. For example, what if everything we knew about vampires was false? (that's from Forbidden).
2. I take the basic note and develop it into a complex web. I just start writing down everything I know about the story. And I mean EVERYTHING. How the plot goes, background, etc.
3. You turn that into a basic outline describing each chapter in detail.
4. Tada! You have an outlined story now.
That's my process. Of course, it's not the only way to do it. If you have a way that works better for you, do it! This is just something to get you started.
Write on!
Sunday, April 19, 2015
First Drafts: Do's and Don'ts
So, I haven't written a first draft of anything for a couple of years. Normally, that wouldn't seem like a very good way to start this post. You're probably thinking I'm not the best resource for you right now. But I have written four or five rough drafts, even if it's been awhile.
Right now, I'm working on a rough draft of a new novel. And I'm reminded of how incredibly hard it is. No wonder I haven't written anything new for awhile. So I've decided that others are probably struggling with rough drafts, maybe even for the first time.
Here is my advice.
- Do write a little every day. Perfect practice makes perfect. If you aren't writing pretty consistently, it's going to be a lot harder to write when you actually try. Habits are important to make as a writer.
- Don't edit as you go. This is practically law in my mind. If you're always going back to fix things you are never going to get through a single draft. If the first draft sucks, good. That means you're doing it right.
- Do your research when you start. Know your characters and plot and backgrounds. But don't be tied down to them. Things can change.
- Don't worry about how it sounds. This goes back to no editing during the drafting. Until that first draft is done, no editing and no deciding what to keep and what to throw out. Basically, anything goes in a first draft.
And that's it. This is my recipe to getting through the first draft. And it all gets better from here, scout's honor.
Have fun with it. You only get to write this rough draft once.
Friday, December 20, 2013
Planning a Story: Part 2
And we're back with more pre-writing advice!
After making a web, I start outlining. Here's what an outline might look like:
Chapter title
1. Event number one
2. Event number two
3. Event number three
Chapter title
1. Event number one
2. Event number two
I continue doing this for every chapter until I've outlined the entire book. And that's it. Voila! An outline!
What's your outlining method?
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Planning a Story: Part 1
Today we are going to talk about the first step of writing: planning. For some people, this doesn't mean very much. Some writers do very little planning for their novels. They just jump straight in. I, however, do not. Everyone has their own writing process but here is mine.
I start off by making a web of sorts, like the one in the picture above. I write down everything I know about the story, connecting the ideas with arrows. I've found that as I write these things down, I think of more details to add to it.
And that's it as far as the web goes. For more planning info, check back here tomorrow.
How do you plan your stories?
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Editing Process: Waiting for Readers
So, you're down with your draft. You've got a few friends looking at the manuscript even. Now what?
Well, there's not a whole lot to do but wait. However, I TOTALLY understand that sometimes you just can't seem to stop thinking about writing. Here are some things you can do while you wait for your readers to send you their comments:
1. Read the manuscript...just make sure you don't add or change anything until you here back from your readers.
2. Record the manuscript. This not only keeps you busy, but it can help you figure out what sounds good and sounds awkward.
3. Find a good book to read...distract yourself with other authors' writing.
4. Find a hobby to keep yourself busy with.
Lots of love, all! And please feel free to share and comment.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Quote of the Week
"Imperfection is beauty"
No one, absolutely no one, is perfect. So why does everyone think that beauty equals absolute perfection? Beauty is unique.
Take, for example, Rhiannon from Segolia: Daughter of Prophecy. She looks like no one else. But she hates it. Her whole life, she just wishes she looked normal. What she needs to learn is that beauty is different. Imperfections, differences, are what make us beautiful.
"Madness is genius"
Think about it. The most brilliant, creative people in the world were absolutely insane. Writer and artists are always crazy. In order to have a good idea, whether you're a writer or an artist or a scientist, you have to be able to think differently from most people. And that typically means madness in the eyes of most people.
"And it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring"
I don't believe in normal people. What defines normal? It depends on who you ask. Normal means something to every single person. And to be 'normal', what most people consider normal, is to be absolutely boring.
I hope this has been at least a little inspiring. Be unique.
Friday, October 18, 2013
Writing Fights
Even though it seems ironic for me to be writing about fight scenes, I'm doing it any way.
I've struggled with writing good, intense fights from the very beginning. If you do too, maybe what I've been doing will help you out as well.
Problems with Fight Scenes and How to Solve them:
Problem #1: I don't know about you, but one of my biggest issues with fights is that I've never been in an actual fight. How the heck am I supposed to write something so intense when I have no idea how it feels?
Solution #1: There a couple of things you can do. The big thing for me was to live through others in order to experience fights. Since I was writing a sword fight, I looked up scenes from Lord of the Rings, The Princess Bride, along with other movies that had sword fight scenes. I also looked up scenes from favorite books for inspiration and to see how they kept things moving. Even though it doesn't have any sword fights, Divergent was a great source to see how to keep any fight moving.
Problem #2: My second issue was that I didn't know how to keep the fight going. Things always seemed too rushed and it made it move too quickly for most readers.
Solution #2: Again, Divergent was amazing for this. I read scenes, analyzing how the author would keep the fight going long enough. Here's what I discovered: Keep a scene flowing with more moves when they fight, imagery as the fight goes on, and the character's reactions and thoughts throughout the fight. Another thing I did was take it piece by piece. Since I needed to slow it down, I needed to slow down the writing process. I wrote a page or even less a night, picking up where I left off the following night. I'm still not finished but I am much happier with how the fight is going.
Okay! So I hope this was at least semi-helpful. Let me know if you have any other suggestions or other comments.
Thanks all!
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Unleash Your Creativity
"I wish I could write a book..."
"I wish I was creative enough to write a book..."
"I wish I was creative..."
I hear these kind of things all the time. People are always telling me they wished they were more creative than they were. Honestly, I don't understand. Creativity can come naturally but it doesn't always. Just because you weren't born creative does not mean you can't be creative. Creativity is a choice.
Of course, if it doesn't come naturally, you can't just sit around and expect that to change. Here are some ways to boost (unleash) your creativity:
1. Read a book.
2. Go for a walk.
3. Take a break.
4. Listen to music.
5. Exercise
6. Take a nap.
7. Paint or draw.
8. Do something with your friends.
9. Make something.
"I wish I was creative enough to write a book..."
"I wish I was creative..."
I hear these kind of things all the time. People are always telling me they wished they were more creative than they were. Honestly, I don't understand. Creativity can come naturally but it doesn't always. Just because you weren't born creative does not mean you can't be creative. Creativity is a choice.
Of course, if it doesn't come naturally, you can't just sit around and expect that to change. Here are some ways to boost (unleash) your creativity:
1. Read a book.
2. Go for a walk.
3. Take a break.
4. Listen to music.
5. Exercise
6. Take a nap.
7. Paint or draw.
8. Do something with your friends.
9. Make something.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
When Should I Send in my Manuscript?
So, you've written a novel. It's been polished a few times and you really like it. Now what?
Now, my dears, it's time to find an agent or a publisher. I know, I know, you're freaking out, right? I know it seems kind of scary, especially if you aren't sure your writing is ready for rejection or acceptance. I'm guessing you're worried about these kinds of things:
What if it gets rejected?
What if they say yes but I don't think it's right yet?
What if I lose my chance because I sent in the manuscript to soon?
I get it. I was worried about the same kinds of things. But I was lucky enough to get an extra push from my mom (LOVE YOU MOM!). If she hadn't sent it in, I probably wouldn't be published still. Point being, I understand your fears. They were mine. But you can't let that take control. There will come a day when your story is ready. It could even be today. But YOU need to be ready, too. And that's what this post is all about: figuring out if it's time or not.
How to know if your manuscript is ready:
1. You're happy with it.
So, yes, we all have those days where we just hate every word. But, for the most part, do you genuinely love it? If so, it might be time to consider checking out agents and publishers.
2. You're considering publishing.
So, if you find yourself wondering if someone would pick your work up, then maybe you're getting close. You may very well find your thoughts straying to publishing because it's time to move on to that step.
And now a few points on your worries:
1. What if it's rejected?
If it's rejected, it's rejected. It's as simple as that. I know, easier said than done. I'm sure rejection letters can't be easy to deal with. But have faith in yourself and your writing. Your chance will come.
2. What if they say yes but I don't think it's right yet?
Okay, here's the thing. The moment it's picked up doesn't mean you are done and it's published as is. I went through four or five more revisions with the publisher before publication was finished. Point being, there's still time to fix the things you don't like.
Of course, you've got to remember that NO STORY is perfect. That's impossible.
3. What if I lose my chance because I sent the manuscript too soon?
This is a silly thing to fear. How are you ever going to know that? If you live in fear of sending it in too soon, you may never send it to anyone. You're going to have to take a leap and hope for the best. If it's ready, it's ready. And there are so many publishing options. I don't know how you can really "lose your chance" so to speak. Besides, what if you send it too late? You never know what the future holds. Just trust it'll happen when the time is right and jump.
So I hope this has been helpful. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask!
Now, my dears, it's time to find an agent or a publisher. I know, I know, you're freaking out, right? I know it seems kind of scary, especially if you aren't sure your writing is ready for rejection or acceptance. I'm guessing you're worried about these kinds of things:
What if it gets rejected?
What if they say yes but I don't think it's right yet?
What if I lose my chance because I sent in the manuscript to soon?
I get it. I was worried about the same kinds of things. But I was lucky enough to get an extra push from my mom (LOVE YOU MOM!). If she hadn't sent it in, I probably wouldn't be published still. Point being, I understand your fears. They were mine. But you can't let that take control. There will come a day when your story is ready. It could even be today. But YOU need to be ready, too. And that's what this post is all about: figuring out if it's time or not.
How to know if your manuscript is ready:
1. You're happy with it.
So, yes, we all have those days where we just hate every word. But, for the most part, do you genuinely love it? If so, it might be time to consider checking out agents and publishers.
2. You're considering publishing.
So, if you find yourself wondering if someone would pick your work up, then maybe you're getting close. You may very well find your thoughts straying to publishing because it's time to move on to that step.
And now a few points on your worries:
1. What if it's rejected?
If it's rejected, it's rejected. It's as simple as that. I know, easier said than done. I'm sure rejection letters can't be easy to deal with. But have faith in yourself and your writing. Your chance will come.
2. What if they say yes but I don't think it's right yet?
Okay, here's the thing. The moment it's picked up doesn't mean you are done and it's published as is. I went through four or five more revisions with the publisher before publication was finished. Point being, there's still time to fix the things you don't like.
Of course, you've got to remember that NO STORY is perfect. That's impossible.
3. What if I lose my chance because I sent the manuscript too soon?
This is a silly thing to fear. How are you ever going to know that? If you live in fear of sending it in too soon, you may never send it to anyone. You're going to have to take a leap and hope for the best. If it's ready, it's ready. And there are so many publishing options. I don't know how you can really "lose your chance" so to speak. Besides, what if you send it too late? You never know what the future holds. Just trust it'll happen when the time is right and jump.
So I hope this has been helpful. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask!
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Understanding the Writer's Mind
Odd.
Insane.
Eccentric.
Chances are, if you know a writer, they've been accused of these kind of things. I know I have. And a lot of the time your writer has probably taken these things as compliments. Again, I certainly find it more of a compliment than an insult when people tell me I'm crazy. But for the everyday person, this makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. And that's why we're here.
Today, I'm going to try to help your average Joe understand what makes the writer tick and how to deal with their sometimes bizarre behavior. Okay, so let's get started!
1. Writers are hardly ever completely in reality.
Whether we're talking about poets or novelists or anything in between, writers are constantly dealing with their stories. Being a novelist, I'm always at least one foot in the story world. When your writer stops paying attention to your conversation, it's probably because they've stepped further into the story. For the writer, reality is just plain old boring. They'd much rather deal with the imaginary worlds than every day life.
If a writer happens to get this far away look or stops paying any attention to the world around them, leave them alone. Their mind is elsewhere.
2. They do in fact talk back to the voices in their heads.
So, yeah, a lot of people claim to have little voices in their heads. But most of us don't actually talk back to them. Writers do. I don't know what normal people's voices are but a writer's inner voices are probably their characters or something. Mine are and, yes, I do talk back to them. Sometimes, arguing with those little voices are all the writer needs to be inspired. So, if a writer mentions an argument they had with the voices, it's OK. Don't be concerned.
3. Ideas may be dangerous.
I don't know how other writers react to getting ideas but, for me, they really are dangerous. I usually scream "epiphany" at the top of my lungs before grabbing something to write on and write with. I imagine other writers scramble for pen and paper just like I do. It may seem like a wild frenzied thing to do but there's some logic behind it. If an idea doesn't get written down immediately, it could be forgotten.
So, if a writer starts scrambling for paper and pen, do not be alarmed. Once the idea is down, they'll be fine.
4. Writers write.
Chances are, if you know a writer, you've worried about their eating, sleep, and social habits. They forget to eat, forget to sleep, and completely forget about friends and family. That's the thing about writing. Writers get into their stories and its hard to pull them out. If it's dinnertime and they're writing, it might not be a bad idea to leave a snack for them and leave them to their work. I know as for me, I just forget that I do in fact have to eat. As far as sleep goes, you may have to remind them that they do need to sleep. And socially? Writers typically aren't all that social. They get caught up in the story world, where their characters take them on adventures. Sometimes, we need to be reminded to have real life adventures.
5. Talking about writing.
One thing that you should never worry about is what a writer means, particularly if they mention how sad they are to kill someone. No worries, they aren't feeling murderous, at least not to anyone outside the pages of a book. And another thing: if you happen to see their browsing history, do not freak out on them. It's all research. They aren't planning to assassinate you or anything. No worries.
So that's basically it. The thing is writers are crazy, absolutely. But that goes with the job. They have to have voices to inspire them, and reality will sometimes be less real than the story world. But, chances are, they have a heck of an adventure every day.
Insane.
Eccentric.
Chances are, if you know a writer, they've been accused of these kind of things. I know I have. And a lot of the time your writer has probably taken these things as compliments. Again, I certainly find it more of a compliment than an insult when people tell me I'm crazy. But for the everyday person, this makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. And that's why we're here.
Today, I'm going to try to help your average Joe understand what makes the writer tick and how to deal with their sometimes bizarre behavior. Okay, so let's get started!
1. Writers are hardly ever completely in reality.
Whether we're talking about poets or novelists or anything in between, writers are constantly dealing with their stories. Being a novelist, I'm always at least one foot in the story world. When your writer stops paying attention to your conversation, it's probably because they've stepped further into the story. For the writer, reality is just plain old boring. They'd much rather deal with the imaginary worlds than every day life.
If a writer happens to get this far away look or stops paying any attention to the world around them, leave them alone. Their mind is elsewhere.
2. They do in fact talk back to the voices in their heads.
So, yeah, a lot of people claim to have little voices in their heads. But most of us don't actually talk back to them. Writers do. I don't know what normal people's voices are but a writer's inner voices are probably their characters or something. Mine are and, yes, I do talk back to them. Sometimes, arguing with those little voices are all the writer needs to be inspired. So, if a writer mentions an argument they had with the voices, it's OK. Don't be concerned.
3. Ideas may be dangerous.
I don't know how other writers react to getting ideas but, for me, they really are dangerous. I usually scream "epiphany" at the top of my lungs before grabbing something to write on and write with. I imagine other writers scramble for pen and paper just like I do. It may seem like a wild frenzied thing to do but there's some logic behind it. If an idea doesn't get written down immediately, it could be forgotten.
So, if a writer starts scrambling for paper and pen, do not be alarmed. Once the idea is down, they'll be fine.
4. Writers write.
Chances are, if you know a writer, you've worried about their eating, sleep, and social habits. They forget to eat, forget to sleep, and completely forget about friends and family. That's the thing about writing. Writers get into their stories and its hard to pull them out. If it's dinnertime and they're writing, it might not be a bad idea to leave a snack for them and leave them to their work. I know as for me, I just forget that I do in fact have to eat. As far as sleep goes, you may have to remind them that they do need to sleep. And socially? Writers typically aren't all that social. They get caught up in the story world, where their characters take them on adventures. Sometimes, we need to be reminded to have real life adventures.
5. Talking about writing.
One thing that you should never worry about is what a writer means, particularly if they mention how sad they are to kill someone. No worries, they aren't feeling murderous, at least not to anyone outside the pages of a book. And another thing: if you happen to see their browsing history, do not freak out on them. It's all research. They aren't planning to assassinate you or anything. No worries.
So that's basically it. The thing is writers are crazy, absolutely. But that goes with the job. They have to have voices to inspire them, and reality will sometimes be less real than the story world. But, chances are, they have a heck of an adventure every day.
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Tales from the Bayou: Segolia: Daughter of Prophecy, A YA Novel, by Brit...
Tales from the Bayou: Segolia: Daughter of Prophecy, A YA Novel, by Brit...: Today on the Bayou, I'd like to welcome Brittany Oldroyd with her exciting new young adult read. It's a story of dragons and le...
Friday, August 23, 2013
Fresh Start
So today we're going to start fresh with my blogs. This blog is going to be all about writing. I'll post advice, videos, links, and memes all about writing. It's to be used as a resource for other writers. If you're looking for information on me and Segolia, you should head straight over to my other blog: http://segoliablog.wordpress.com/. That is the official Segolia blog and will have information and fun stuff regarding the book(s).
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
What's a Writer?
Tip of the week:
If you write, say you're a writer. It seems like a lot writers don't feel like they write enough to be called a "writer." If you write a sentence a day you're still a writer. If you say you're a writer, you'll become a writer.
If you write, say you're a writer. It seems like a lot writers don't feel like they write enough to be called a "writer." If you write a sentence a day you're still a writer. If you say you're a writer, you'll become a writer.
Q and A, #2
So we're back today for a Q & A. Today I'm going to answer the question I get in literally every book talk, especially with the fifth graders. ;) So, that question is this:
Q. Are they going to make it into a movie?
A. I would love if someone decided that Segolia would make a good movie. I certainly think it would make a great movie. However, its only been out for a month and half, even if it does feel like much longer than that. Point being, they don't make movies after books that have only been out for a few weeks. Time is key here. Well, that and the need for a huge fan base. We might get there someday but right now, it's just a book. Of course, if they did make a movie, I would definitely want to be somewhat involved. I'm a strong believer that the author has to be a little involved, but be willing to understand that there are limitations. Movies from books are someone's take on it so it'll never be identical. Right now, let's be content to have an awesome story to read. ;)
Q. Are they going to make it into a movie?
A. I would love if someone decided that Segolia would make a good movie. I certainly think it would make a great movie. However, its only been out for a month and half, even if it does feel like much longer than that. Point being, they don't make movies after books that have only been out for a few weeks. Time is key here. Well, that and the need for a huge fan base. We might get there someday but right now, it's just a book. Of course, if they did make a movie, I would definitely want to be somewhat involved. I'm a strong believer that the author has to be a little involved, but be willing to understand that there are limitations. Movies from books are someone's take on it so it'll never be identical. Right now, let's be content to have an awesome story to read. ;)
What do you want to know for today's How-To?
So does anyone have anything they want to hear about as far as writing tips go? I plan to share a little advice later on in the day. :)
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