Of course, with the mention of Pinterest, there is the obligatory plug for my own writing board: Be awesome! Be a book nut! which you can find here.
May your pens stay sharp!
*Evyn
Thursday, February 20, 2014
A little writing prompt
I'm so sorry I don't have a longer post but I thought you might enjoy this writing prompt I found on Pinterest:
Of course, with the mention of Pinterest, there is the obligatory plug for my own writing board: Be awesome! Be a book nut! which you can find here.
May your pens stay sharp!
*Evyn
Of course, with the mention of Pinterest, there is the obligatory plug for my own writing board: Be awesome! Be a book nut! which you can find here.
May your pens stay sharp!
*Evyn
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Writing is only half the fun
We've all heard it before:
The more you read, the better writer you become.
Or something like that.
But does this apply to anything? Can we read Berenstain Bears everyday and still become better authors? That may seem like a silly example but the point is that we only become better writers if we read good literature. This does not limit our reading lists to classics such as Mark Twain and Charles Dickens. It certainly doesn't mean pouring over The Scarlet Letter and War and Peace. However, if we are to expand our writing horizons, we must be unafraid to sail the waters of literature. We cannot read Twilight, The Hunger Games, and Percy Jackson a million times and grow any more adept with the pen. Classics do provide us with the mental stretching we need and modern works give us the break between stretches. I love a good romance novel or fanfiction as much as the next girl, I've just realized it isn't expanding my view and abilities as a writer.
I've recently tackled A Wrinkle in Time, a well-known classic that isn't all that hard to read. Little Women and The Wind in the Willows are both examples of good literature that is simple in structure and topic.
Explore the library. Expand your reading. Enjoy the hard work of other authors.
Then apply it to your own work.
May your pens stay sharp!
*Evyn
The more you read, the better writer you become.
Or something like that.
But does this apply to anything? Can we read Berenstain Bears everyday and still become better authors? That may seem like a silly example but the point is that we only become better writers if we read good literature. This does not limit our reading lists to classics such as Mark Twain and Charles Dickens. It certainly doesn't mean pouring over The Scarlet Letter and War and Peace. However, if we are to expand our writing horizons, we must be unafraid to sail the waters of literature. We cannot read Twilight, The Hunger Games, and Percy Jackson a million times and grow any more adept with the pen. Classics do provide us with the mental stretching we need and modern works give us the break between stretches. I love a good romance novel or fanfiction as much as the next girl, I've just realized it isn't expanding my view and abilities as a writer.
I've recently tackled A Wrinkle in Time, a well-known classic that isn't all that hard to read. Little Women and The Wind in the Willows are both examples of good literature that is simple in structure and topic.
Explore the library. Expand your reading. Enjoy the hard work of other authors.
Then apply it to your own work.
May your pens stay sharp!
*Evyn
Thursday, January 2, 2014
What I've learned about writing
All my knowledge about writing (and I will admit that is very limited) can be accumulated into four words:
Write from the heart
All the perfect grammar, impeccable spelling, plot devices, and character traits add up to nothing if it isn't genuine. If all you're doing is making up stories, forget it. It must be real.
I realized this while writing from the perspective of a young man. Being a young woman several significant years younger than this character, I realized I could never make him realistic. I have no brothers, several older cousins I'm not that close to, and no close guy friends to glean information from. This being so, I have had to step back and think about things I do know about. Girls, sisters, parents, horses, writing (duh), optometry, shooting, hiking. These are things I know about. An eighteen year old guy isn't going to be believable, but a fifteen year old girl with three sisters? Sign me up! I have first hand experience and I'm not afraid to use it!
So be real.
May your pens stay sharp!
*Evyn
Write from the heart
All the perfect grammar, impeccable spelling, plot devices, and character traits add up to nothing if it isn't genuine. If all you're doing is making up stories, forget it. It must be real.
I realized this while writing from the perspective of a young man. Being a young woman several significant years younger than this character, I realized I could never make him realistic. I have no brothers, several older cousins I'm not that close to, and no close guy friends to glean information from. This being so, I have had to step back and think about things I do know about. Girls, sisters, parents, horses, writing (duh), optometry, shooting, hiking. These are things I know about. An eighteen year old guy isn't going to be believable, but a fifteen year old girl with three sisters? Sign me up! I have first hand experience and I'm not afraid to use it!
So be real.
May your pens stay sharp!
*Evyn
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
New Years Pintresolution
Don't you just love Pinterest? I am constantly scouring boards for pins in the name of 'inspiration', when really, I'm just procrastinating because I'm afraid to write the second page of my book. I recently found this pin on my quest.
Isn't that inspirational? Don't be afraid to write just because it isn't your best work. Not every page has to be a masterpiece. Relax! And write!
And a shameless plug for my own board, Be awesome! Be a book nut! from Dr. Seuss's quote which you can find here.
New Years Resolution: NaNoWriMo. Thoughts?
May your pens stay sharp!
*Evyn
P.S. What do you think of the blog's new look? I'm trying to stay up-to-date and keep it looking sharp.
Isn't that inspirational? Don't be afraid to write just because it isn't your best work. Not every page has to be a masterpiece. Relax! And write!
And a shameless plug for my own board, Be awesome! Be a book nut! from Dr. Seuss's quote which you can find here.
New Years Resolution: NaNoWriMo. Thoughts?
May your pens stay sharp!
*Evyn
P.S. What do you think of the blog's new look? I'm trying to stay up-to-date and keep it looking sharp.
Monday, April 1, 2013
Dare
When a new day begins, dare to smile gratefully.
When there is darkness, dare to be the first to shine a light.
When there is injustice, dare to be the first to condemn it.
When something seems difficult, dare to do it anyway.
When life seems to beat you down, dare to fight back.
When there seems to be no hope, dare to find some.
When you’re feeling tired, dare to keep going.
When times are tough, dare to be tougher.
When love hurts you, dare to love again.
When someone is hurting, dare to help them heal.
When another is lost, dare to help them find the way.
When a friend falls, dare to be the first to extend a hand.
When you cross paths with another, dare to make them smile.
When you feel great, dare to help someone else feel great too.
When the day has ended, dare to feel as you’ve done your best.
Dare to be the best you can –
At all times, Dare to be!”
When there is darkness, dare to be the first to shine a light.
When there is injustice, dare to be the first to condemn it.
When something seems difficult, dare to do it anyway.
When life seems to beat you down, dare to fight back.
When there seems to be no hope, dare to find some.
When you’re feeling tired, dare to keep going.
When times are tough, dare to be tougher.
When love hurts you, dare to love again.
When someone is hurting, dare to help them heal.
When another is lost, dare to help them find the way.
When a friend falls, dare to be the first to extend a hand.
When you cross paths with another, dare to make them smile.
When you feel great, dare to help someone else feel great too.
When the day has ended, dare to feel as you’ve done your best.
Dare to be the best you can –
At all times, Dare to be!”
~Steve Maraboli
Monday, February 18, 2013
The Ending
When you've finished the beginning and middle of your story, you face yet another choice. You have three options to choose from: Happily, Tragically, or Not At All. Let me explain.
Happily:
The guy gets the girl. They get married, the dead person isn't really dead, the bad guy gets what he deserves, and everyone is happy.
Tragically:
The guy doesn't get the girl. Actually, no one gets the girl because she dies. The guy is so distraught that he kills himself. The bad guy triumphs and you become the author of a classic.
Not At All:
You end the story right there. There is no resolution to the conflict. The story is seemingly put on pause as you type "The End". Tip: these books are rarely published or bought.
I suggest one of the top two. Of course, you can mix them. The bad guy escapes but the guy and girl live happily ever after. The bad guy is caught but the hero and girl never see each other again. Whatever way you end it, remember to tie up any loose ends (even leaving the reader hanging can be tying up knots). We don't want to close the book with the hero dangling over the precipice, unless there is a sequel (in which case that might be a very good idea). Let me know which ending you use!
May your pens stay sharp!
*Evyn
Happily:
The guy gets the girl. They get married, the dead person isn't really dead, the bad guy gets what he deserves, and everyone is happy.
Tragically:
The guy doesn't get the girl. Actually, no one gets the girl because she dies. The guy is so distraught that he kills himself. The bad guy triumphs and you become the author of a classic.
Not At All:
You end the story right there. There is no resolution to the conflict. The story is seemingly put on pause as you type "The End". Tip: these books are rarely published or bought.
I suggest one of the top two. Of course, you can mix them. The bad guy escapes but the guy and girl live happily ever after. The bad guy is caught but the hero and girl never see each other again. Whatever way you end it, remember to tie up any loose ends (even leaving the reader hanging can be tying up knots). We don't want to close the book with the hero dangling over the precipice, unless there is a sequel (in which case that might be a very good idea). Let me know which ending you use!
May your pens stay sharp!
*Evyn
Thursday, January 24, 2013
The Editor
Okey dokey. This is the hard part. Now that I've walked you through exactly how to write a story (right? right?), you're going to need some help - some outside help. This help comes in the form of an editor. Now, I'm not talking some person in a tall office building who does this for a living. I'm talking about your mom, dad, sibling, or good friend. There are a few requirements for your editor. See below:
1. He or she must have good grammar.
If he says 'they was' or 'used to could', he is not a candidate.
2. She must be someone who will use constructive criticism, and not just be mean.
Comments like 'what were you thinking!' and 'you need a lot of work' aren't helpful. Make sure your editor will be specific in what you need to fix and how to do it.
3. He or she must be relatively available.
If you live in New York, someone in Oregon really isn't going to work. Sorry. ;)
Those are pretty much the guidelines for your editor. Don't ever be pressured into giving your story to someone you don't trust. A writer's story is a part of him or her and should never be taken by force. Don't be bullied into sharing. Once you find a person who fits the requirements, ask him if he'd be willing to edit it for you. Most people would be thrilled. Good luck!
May your pens stay sharp!
*Evyn
1. He or she must have good grammar.
If he says 'they was' or 'used to could', he is not a candidate.
2. She must be someone who will use constructive criticism, and not just be mean.
Comments like 'what were you thinking!' and 'you need a lot of work' aren't helpful. Make sure your editor will be specific in what you need to fix and how to do it.
3. He or she must be relatively available.
If you live in New York, someone in Oregon really isn't going to work. Sorry. ;)
Those are pretty much the guidelines for your editor. Don't ever be pressured into giving your story to someone you don't trust. A writer's story is a part of him or her and should never be taken by force. Don't be bullied into sharing. Once you find a person who fits the requirements, ask him if he'd be willing to edit it for you. Most people would be thrilled. Good luck!
May your pens stay sharp!
*Evyn
Monday, January 21, 2013
The Villain
Just like every story demands a great hero, every story requires a great villain.
Writing your villain will be fun. They are twisted, cruel people who make your hero's life miserable. Of course, sometimes the villain is the weather, a situation in life, or the public as a whole. However, for the sake of this post, let's assume your villain is a person whose goal in life is to thwart your hero's success.
After reading the Alex Rider series, I realized why I didn't really enjoy the books. Not only was the hero not much of a hero, the villain wasn't scary. Each book brought a villain who was bigger and more evil than the last. It wasn't terrifying because I knew what to expect. This made me wonder what makes a villain truly convincing and scary?
On a whim one day, I asked my parents who they thought the most evil villain was that they'd ever seen in a movie. My mom said the dude in "Terminator 2". My dad said the guy in "Silence of the Lambs" or the Joker from "Batman: The Dark Night". This frustrated me exeedingly because I haven't seen any of those movies. For a good substitute, I chose the mummy from (no duh) "The Mummy". I remember watching it when I was about eleven, clinging to my mom, and almost screaming. Finally I made them turn it off. Why did the mummy terrify me so greatly? I dissected the character of the mummy and discovered what it was that scared me so badly. Here is my great revelation:
The mummy, though not exceedingly scary to look at, is a terrifing villain because it messes with your mind rather than with your body. Granted, he does mutilate and dismember a few unfortunate souls, but for the most part his cruelty is directed toward the human mind rather than flesh.
My overall point is that in order for a writer to create a truly terrifying villain he/she must delve into the villain's viewpoint and personality, extracting what may be good and throwing it away, and then magnifying the bad. It isn't enough to make his teeth dripping with blood and his body scarred. Although quite convincing in a movie, writers have to do more work because the readers cannot see said villain like a movie audience can. As a person reads, they do not always picture the villain as you've described him and so a little more effort must be put into his personality, and therefore will come out through his dialogue. Try it. Who knows what great villain will pop out of nowhere? You might suprise yourself!
May your pens stay sharp!
*Evyn
Writing your villain will be fun. They are twisted, cruel people who make your hero's life miserable. Of course, sometimes the villain is the weather, a situation in life, or the public as a whole. However, for the sake of this post, let's assume your villain is a person whose goal in life is to thwart your hero's success.
After reading the Alex Rider series, I realized why I didn't really enjoy the books. Not only was the hero not much of a hero, the villain wasn't scary. Each book brought a villain who was bigger and more evil than the last. It wasn't terrifying because I knew what to expect. This made me wonder what makes a villain truly convincing and scary?
On a whim one day, I asked my parents who they thought the most evil villain was that they'd ever seen in a movie. My mom said the dude in "Terminator 2". My dad said the guy in "Silence of the Lambs" or the Joker from "Batman: The Dark Night". This frustrated me exeedingly because I haven't seen any of those movies. For a good substitute, I chose the mummy from (no duh) "The Mummy". I remember watching it when I was about eleven, clinging to my mom, and almost screaming. Finally I made them turn it off. Why did the mummy terrify me so greatly? I dissected the character of the mummy and discovered what it was that scared me so badly. Here is my great revelation:
The mummy, though not exceedingly scary to look at, is a terrifing villain because it messes with your mind rather than with your body. Granted, he does mutilate and dismember a few unfortunate souls, but for the most part his cruelty is directed toward the human mind rather than flesh.
My overall point is that in order for a writer to create a truly terrifying villain he/she must delve into the villain's viewpoint and personality, extracting what may be good and throwing it away, and then magnifying the bad. It isn't enough to make his teeth dripping with blood and his body scarred. Although quite convincing in a movie, writers have to do more work because the readers cannot see said villain like a movie audience can. As a person reads, they do not always picture the villain as you've described him and so a little more effort must be put into his personality, and therefore will come out through his dialogue. Try it. Who knows what great villain will pop out of nowhere? You might suprise yourself!
May your pens stay sharp!
*Evyn
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