Who are you?

That's right, "Who are you?" who are you people of my stories? You characters that walk about in my mind and create a setting, a time, a new beginning. I know you have likes, dislikes, fears and baggage. But who are you? If I saw you on the street today, would I recognize you?
If my answer is 'yes', then I've done part of my job as a writer and have gotten to know you fairly well.
But if my answer is 'no', well then, I best be getting back to the drawing board and start 'hanging out' with you.
There's no worse thing than an underdeveloped character. I fear I've had many of them. I don't know them enough to keep their eye color the same, let alone keep their likes the same. A character should be someone you know inside and out. After all, who is easier to write about, yourself or someone you've never met?
I've done the Character Trait Questionnaires, but they're the same-old, same-old. I always end up having too many similarities because I feel forced to put something down. In my mind it's like I'm interviewing them!
I mean, can you really get to know that celebrity through a couple interviews? No, you can't. You'd have to hang out with them, get close to them, talk with them. Now I know this is completely impossible when it comes to a character that I've created in my own mind, but the equivalent to it is writing. Let me explain:
I think the best way to get to know a character is to write about them. Not just in 'their' story, but do small subplots of their life outside of the "Work in Progress".
See how they react when they aren't in a life-or-death situation.
See how they react when they aren't head-over-heels in love.
Put them in a situation that they'd never come across in 'their' novel. Pull them out of the pages of the red book and put them into the pages of a blue book. See what happens, I'm sure you'll discover something you never would have otherwise.

What creative ways do you get to know your characters?

A Revelation.

So I've discovered why it's been so doggon hard for me to write!
I've been editing and creating at the same time! Instead of me just getting my ideas out onto paper I've been fussing over the "correctness" and the "does this flow" which I should, eventually, but not while I'm trying to get the basic idea out.
To put it simply I was meshing the editing and creating process, which I've discovered makes a mess!

Why am I doing that now, when I didn't before? Because before I wrote completely for myself, I didn't expect people to read it, I didn't plan for people to read it. But then I went to a writers workshop and the idea of "publishing" made me feel as though my writing had to be perfect right off the bat. Also, I began sharing my writing more often with my friends, so I wanted it to be perfect before sharing it with them. What happened because of my perfectionism? That's right, a stunted writing process.

So does anyone else have a 'perfectionist personality' causing them grief in the writing world? If so what tips do you have on getting around that?
What other challenges do you face when writing?

Apology.

So I must apologize for the lack of attention that I've been giving you all. I've been so busy this month it's crazy! My writing has suffered also, I don't think I've wrote a sentence in my writings since I last posted in here.
Alas, my business will continue...
But will my writing?

Delays.

So I'd like to apologize for my lack in posting these past couple days, but the month of July has been crazy! I just moved so I haven't really had access to my laptop but now I do, until Saturday that is.
I will be out of town, so you all will have to survive another week without my posts. Not that it should be too hard to get by.
Now to get back to the subject of this blog... I've taken a break from writing, to give my imagination a time to "refuel" ... I don't know how effective this approach will be but I can't make myself write as of now. I haven't even had the desire to write lately. So while I'm out of town I guess I'll pick up some life experience to where I'll be able to intertwine it into a story. Maybe?
Wish me luck!

Where's the Spark?

Lately I really haven't had the desire to write, somehow I always find something "better" to do. Now, this is bothersome because I remember the days when I could sit down and write for hours on end and literally lose myself in my work. My mom's first question would be "what writing are you working on?"

So, where did that spark go?

Why is it that now, after I decided I wanted to write a novel, I can't even write a short story? Am I being too critical of my ideas because I second guess them wondering "could that ever get published?" Maybe I should go back to square one, forget about being published one day and just write because I enjoy writing, find that joy that allowed me to 'escape' my reality for a time.

I did some research and found a couple steps that may help spark my desire to write again.

"Read. A really good book makes me remember why I love to write and often makes me want to write."

"Study self. Go back and read some of your writing. Perhaps doing so will ignite the urge to write."

Well I've got the first idea down, that is for sure. I read a lot and it's true, reading those books helps me remember that I want others reading my work and falling in love with my characters someday -- but I'm always left with the same question: "How?"
The second step is painful :) although looking at old works shows me how far I've come, they're very bland and choppy. But, I guess if it can help me remember some of my own ideas and remind me of some forgotten plot line... maybe I could recreate them? rewrite them?

hmm... now I kind of want to go and reread them. Perhaps I could rewrite the forgotten?

Okay, well I guess I'm off to reread... I just hope I find my spark buried in the bits of my unfinished work.

First Person

So, I started to write something small in first person, but my question is that when you're writing in first person how do you "show" people what's going on?
If I am talking in first person it's always "I walked over to the closet" ... that is very telly if you ask me. I think that's actually why I started to veer away from first person because I'm not 100% sure how to approach it. "My feet hit the floor and I walked over to the closet." That "tells" what's going on.

Bottom line, how do I "show" in first person? Any tips?

The Brick Wall.

So... I've recently discovered a pattern. Every single time I finish a book I'm left feeling the same way. What is that feeling, you may ask. It's pretty easy to describe actually. After I've read the last page I simply go "Wow..." I'm left pondering how words on a page could make me laugh, make me cry, make me anticipate. How can simple words on a simple page be constructed in such a manner as to effect the readers emotions and create a bond between them and the character? Yes, this kind of book is good, but after I finish a book like that I'm left with a string of questions running through my mind. "Will I ever be able to write anything remotely close to that good? Could I effect my reader in those ways? Could I create a storyline that unique?..." etc. etc. So I guess you could say after reading an amazing book or seeing an amazing movie... I'm left discouraged a bit, I mean... their ideas are so unbelievabley unique, and the skills behind the writing are phenominal. So the question is... could I ever succeed in writing?
Another reason that question has hit my mind is because I've hit a huge brick wall in my writing. I don't know which way to go... it's as if the scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz keeps switching the way his arm is pointing. Left... Right... Both... Right. My ideas stopped flowing a bit ago, nothing I write satisfies me. Other times I can't write period. The ideas used to come in surplus, now it's like I'm suffering the famine. I hunger for good writing ideas, something I can lose myself in. I thirst for the ability to let the idea flow like a river. But I still thirst, I still hunger and for now my thirst isn't being quenched and I remain famished. I pray this dry spell ends soon... my pages are screaming at me to be written on.
So my question is... how do you cure your writers block?

Point of View

So I've been reading some books lately and one was in first person while the other was in third. It took me a moment but I noticed that when I'm writing my mind jumps into first person but i want to describe things in third person. So i think this is where my writings have been getting stuck a lot, because I want to have a main character whom I can really go into detail with (thought wise) but its hard for me to stay consistent with first. So am I wired to write first person?
I think I'll try writing a story in first for a change, see if the thoughts flow a bit easier. The question is... which story do I experiment with first?
Any Ideas?

The Freedom Writer's

I recently saw the movie "Freedom Writer's" I have to say it's a powerful movie, it portrays courage, determination, change. These students that 'Mrs. G' (as the students called her) taught through all four years of their high school experience kept journals... every day they wrote about their lives. No matter if anyone reads them, they still left something behind to tell their story... the story of how troubled kids dealt with a difficult life and how a teacher helped. Towards the beginning of the movie she made the statement "I wanted to be a lawyer at first, but then I realized, if they are already in the court, the battle is lost. I believe the difference is made in the classroom." She changed those students, writing was the gift that brought the 150 students together. Words are a powerful thing, and I hope that one day with my novel (if that ever does work out) I'll make a difference. Their diaries made me think though... what am I leaving behind? How will I be remembered? That is up to me... and it's up to you to decide how you'll be remembered.

Story Telling

Story Telling
Novel writing has prooved to be a challenge. Day after day I attempt to show my story, yet over and over I end up telling it, if I really focus (as in 110%) then I can show for awhile but, most of the time I end up telling. I believe this is because when you're telling someone about something that has happened during your day you don't put it into novel format and show the story. Though it could proove to make your story more interesting it wouldn't be natural.
So in my head I'm starting to think, is novel writing (showing) an unnatural art? what do you think?

Sunshine

What a beautiful day! The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and the words are flowing! That little "explosion" of creativity during "Night Owl" must have opened up some valve in my creativity center! (for now.) I'm still working on my creative writing project because there's only 2 weeks left in this school year! (woohoo!) But sadly this means that I may be slacking on my posts until the amazing days of summer kick in, and when that happens I'll most likely be able to post much more consistently!

Night Owl

So now here's a thought that might be a bit backwards, but then again it could be completely normal! I've just now discovered that I can write better when it's really late, sadly I don't get that opportunity too often. But anyways, I'm sure you've all noticed that I haven't had inspiration or an idea that flows well recently but I've had a creative writing assignment due for a little while and I'm pretty stoked about the fact that right now I'm writing and ideas are coming in surplus! Now I'm just focusing on 'showing' and wording my stuff correctly. Now the whole
'showing' business is proving to be a challenge because I naturally 'tell' things. To those of you who that doesn't make sense to I'll explain:
When you tell something you say "He gripped the steering wheel tightly." showing is saying "His knuckles were white against the steering wheel" it 'shows' that he is gripping the steering wheel tightly. Make sense? Now that may look as if for a writer it would just be natural to show everything, but there is a lot more to it, attempting to 'show' with everything you write is a challenge.
But at least my ideas are flowing right now, I'm thinking I'll go back and edit it later but tonight I need to get those ideas onto paper or they'll have vanished by the morning light!

A Writer's Eye

In a world where so many things are possible whether it be with technology or something completely different one would think that inspiration would loom around every corner. one just needs to have the "writer's eye" -- or a more common name "an artist's eye" -- i'm beginning to think that maybe, just maybe, i might not have that eye.. yes i'll see something and a bit of inspiration will come to me along with bits and fragments of stories but i can never seem to turn it into something worth reading, or i can't convey my thoughts into words as well as i'd like.
i have a writing critic (Paige) and we normally write together and analyze eachothers work, she's pointed out to me that as a reader it is hard for her to picture my writings as a story in her head. i wonder why this is... (though i do agree) but most of all i wonder how i can fix it. i've longed to find a knack for something and writing is the closest i got. so i've stuck with it... my writings have improved, no doubt about it, but there's something missing.. and i pray i find what that is sooner rather than later. for now i'll keep searching... searching the nooks and crannies, peaking behind the corners and beneith old rugs... i'll find this inspiration one way or another... or at least that's the hope.

Roberta Hood

"Name?" his passive tone hung in the air.
"Roberta Hood" The balded man looked up from his work at the sound of her French accent. Roberta tilted her hat as she continued -- "But you can call me Robin." The French accent had dispersed without a trace, had he imagined it?
"Robin Hood... How quaint."
--------------------------------------------
So this came to me as i was bored and suffering from a pretty bad stomach ache. I was watching the History Channel (yes... the history channel, go ahead and tease)and the episode was on Robin Hood... so i was thinking... what would come of something if i wrote a "story" (not sure if this will be the novel that i'm aspiring to write) about a modern day Robin? such as an assasin or something of the sorts.
Please pass on some of your Ideas on the "idea" or edits to the paragraph... and do you dislike or like the idea above?

A Morning of Inspiration

The sun is shining and the birds are chirping, what a wonderful morning to sit outside and enjoy the beautiful weather that God's blessed us with! The morning brings many things -- including inspiration.
This lovely weather has inspired me to sit outside under the heated sky and write, although this whimsical idea of mine has some problems, you see i can't unplug my lap top, as of now, due to battery problems (luckily a replacement will be here this week!) so I'll have to wait until a laptop in better condition is available in the house. Then, I can sit outside (after school of course) and enjoy the blessing of sunlight. Perhaps with it will come an inspirational mind-set that will allow the work in process -- that is my novel -- to continue! Let's hope so!

Mother's

Mothers are an inspiration. They give us life and help us live a life of our own. I know that without my mother i wouldn't be the person i am today, i would have a surplus of problems and i would probably be a mess up beyond measures. I'm so thankful for the bravery and strength she's shown throughout life's troubles.
so i'd like to send a shout out to all mother's, you're a blessing in this world to many people not just your children. so thanks for everything!
and ...

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

The Call for Summer.

You know it's bad when you almost feel guilty for sitting down to write. Now let me explain quick before you allow yourself to get too confused!
So as we all know school is about to come to a close for the year, you may be thinking 'YEAAAH!' and so am in in a sense. At other times i'm tugging at my hair (not literally of course.) Around this time in the year the teachers seem to enjoy laying on the work thick, papers left and right, tests coming up, final projects.... talk about a busy schedule and if you add work to that... you feel 'guilty' for doing the leisurely activity that you enjoy! In my case, of course, it's writing! But, I have papers that need turned in, and I have art projects that need outlined. So while I'm sitting around writing character development paragraphs I begin to think my priorities are confused.
Think about it this way: you have a presentation that needs done for work but instead of working on that you're off -- oh i don't know -- reading, writing, shooting hoops, anything that you enjoy really. Now you can't feel very relaxed while enjoying your leisure activity can you? And when you're not relaxed it can feel a bit forced and/or you may not do your best work. That's how I'm feeling, I'll write a paragraph while I can't focus my whole mind on it... and then... i end up erasing the whole thing because it's turning out forced and unnatural.
So the pressures on these last few weeks of school, so bear with me and my lack of posts... because honestly, i don't know if i'll be able to write much these last couple weeks of school.
Me and My Writings will be a lot happier once the Months of Summer join us.

Finding the Forgotten.

You know those days when you decide to clean out the attic or even under your bed? You end up finding things that you've completely forgotten about! well that's basically what i did, i cleaned out my "Writer's Closet." I was filtering through old documents and i found some old writings some i have to say were utterly appalling... the writing structure made me want to rewrite the whole thing! but others, such as some simple poems, i found were quite interesting! heres a couple i felt like sharing:

Roses
I'm like a new grown rose.
I'm young, beautiful and bright.
but like all roses i have my thorns.
my thorns aren't pleasant or enjoyable.
but one must deal with the thorns to admire the beauty of the rose.

A Love Poem
Love, What Comes To Your Mind When You Hear Such A Powerful Word?
Do You Think Fairytale Prince or Princess?
Maybe You Think "Happily Ever After"
Or Simply A Storybook Ending.
But, When Others Hear The Word Love, Sometimes They May Think...
Myth, Legend, Pain, Hurt, Anger, Fear, Loss. The List Goes On And On.
So As You May Have Seen The Second One Is Reality.
But It's Alright Go Out Bold, Just Don't Go Losing Your Heart To The Unknown.
Or Risk A Story Going Untold.

Well those are a couple of my writings so now you have a taste of what my poems consist of. But you came to read about my journey to writing a novel, well every writer needs some practice in writing before they can write a successful novel, think of those as a couple of my practice writings.

Time to Write!?

Wow, I've been so busy lately, I'm almost driving myself crazy! These past couple days I haven't had any time to sit down and brainstorm, let alone write. Anyone relate to this? Although before I was hit head-on with these thousands of tasks to get done I had some time to think.
Should I go with that fiction story with made up places, made up creatures and an adventure to go on?
or should I go with something a bit more 'realistic' in a sense...
hmm, guess I'll have to figure it out soon if i'm going to get busy on this novel that is begging to be written!

Questions Floating Around

So, Question of the Day: Which writing idea do I focus on!? There's so many ideas but I am really hoping I'll figure out which one I'll be wanting to publsih first so I can make sure that it is quality work! I mean afterall... why bounce back and forth between stories if it dampens the quality of the manuscript? Better to focus on quality rather than quanity in my eyes. So now the brainstorming continues...

The Beginning

I recently attended a writer's workshop! Can anyone say helpful!? Wow, I learned so much over the weekend! Queries, Proposals, Agents, Editors. Who knew? Well of course many did, go ahead call me a newbie but I didn't! Although after learning all of this I couldn't help but feel a little discouraged! I mean come on, look at all the amazing authors out there, Ted Dekker, Bill Bright, Stephenie Meyers, Jane Austen... first thought that came to my mind -- How on earth can I compete with stuff like that! But, Nicole O'Dell assured us not to feel discouraged ... afterall the first step is finishing the manuscript and then you can focus on putting together a query and proposal. So... follow me in my ups and downs and probably somewhat humorous experience at attempting to write a novel!