Word of the Day

 Aquiver

Aquiver meaning: quivering, trembling.

eg: I stood, all aquiver, as his hand touched mine.

eg: I was aquiver with expectation!

Synonyms: shaky, tremulant, et cetera.

Word of the Day

                                                                       Nefarious

Nefarious Meaning: evil wicked, un-kind.

eg: Sam was a nefarious little boy.

eg: A school looked nefarious in the dark light.

Synonyms: atrocious, depraved.

About Me - A Proud Day in My Life

I am writing this exclusive post to let you know about what happened to me about a week ago. Actually, scratch that - not "exclusive" no! But I figured that I don't write anything on About Me - well, I don't write too much - just because I figured that nobody would be really interested.

But here I am, with this document,explaining what happened to me a week ago.

I suppose it all started when I got shortlisted in a Ghost Story Competition, after which I got a "merit certificate" on assembly in front of the whole school. And if I wasn't proud! I tell you now that I don't like any unneeded attention - but I was one proud thing to know that I had been shortlisted.

It felt as though I have gone through the first chapter in my life; oh, all the other "steps" in the past ten years were just very small paragraphs, but soon one chapter was full - and how blissfull I was that day!

Then, a few days ago - about a week - my mum called me in to see the winner of Australia's Youth Interstate Category. I was calm, somewhat expectant - but when I read my name on the document on Facebook my whole face lit up.

What?! Me?! Really?!
Me -? - the little grade five girl who had moved to Australia only two years ago? I was dumbstruck inside.

I cared not about the prize - I only knew that a chapter had just been written in the "Book of Me".

Kindle Review

I think of my kindle as a very important modern devise.

It is extremely small, which means that I can carry it wherever I want, and very light, too - also, it's safe from "glare light" - or, you know, when the sun shines on your tablet and you can't see the screen?

There is a dictionary, an experimental browser and GoodReads automatically installed in a Kindle. Goodreads is this "app", I guess you can call it, where you may search up a book and it will come up with comments an ratings, meaning that you can comment too, and interact with other people. Also, you can go onto their main Goodreads page and view their hobbies, the books they've read, and the books they want to read.

D.W. Part 2 - Opening your Heart to Other Books

I often fight with the urge to just slump and cease to read because I cannot find anything interesting.
And I know from personal experience that once I finish a book series, I am in agonizing need of something else to devour.

I mean, it can be such a scary thing, can't it, to go to the bookstore and look at rows and rows of neatly-stacked, glossy books, all with different colours, and not knowing which one is best suited for you. Oh, yes, I know that feeling - when you think you're lost.

So I hope, really and truly, that this helps you whenever you go to the bookstore, knowing not what you want to buy.

1. Ask one of the people working at the bookstore.
I know this sounds pretty stupid - and simple - but, oh, how it helps me! You can just say your favourite genre - for example, "fantasy", "mystery" "horror" "family" "nature", etcetera, and the person will just guide you, the clueless child, through seas of books.

2. Look for a cover you like.
I may be very dumb writing about this, because of course I know that "you never judge a book by its cover" - and I completely agree - but it in a crisis as such of course you need to look for something splendid. A novel with soft, somewhat dainty colours - also known as pastel - always really attract me, because these are just the style that I love.

3. Search for books by your favourite author.
L.M. Montgomery, Astrid Lindgren and Joanne Rowling are my heroes, and so when I am lost - I search up more books by them. Recently I have been browsing through the library on my Kindle, which is a sort of tablet, and I saw "more books by Lucy Montgomery". So I clicked on that, and there appeared the five Katy Did books. And now I am up to book 3, which I enjoy enormously.

So, here, these were my three top "things".

I appreciate that you took the time to read this,
Sandra

D.W. Part 1 - Writing in the Comfort of your Home

Writing in the comfort of your home is, I believe, very important - especially if you are an author.

You have to make do with your apartment or house, really, unless you want to go somewhere else- but staying where you truly live is important in its own way.

Firstly, home is home! There is nothing like making yourself a little corner by the window or in your brother's cupboard, and starting to write (which can be rather tricky without any light).

I advice setting up your own little "space": you might want to bring a hearth-rug and some cushions there, or maybe you are just fine on your bed! If your house is too small, never fear - how about sitting on your windowsill or on the steps? Most importantly, I think it is essantial to know that you can come home from work, ask your maid to make you some hot chocolate, and sit and relax.

You do not have to sit on a chair in front of your desk but if you plan to spend many hours writing something, your posture HAS to be straight. You don't want to be crooked for the rest of your life, right?

You may even get yourself a sort of writing desk; my father has one, and it is a lifesaver when you know you're going to be in front of a computer for hours and hours. So, basically, you have to stand up all the time - so if you sit down, you lose the game!

Also, a lot of exercise is needed... well, not a "lot", like, "a LOT", but a bit is fine. I mean, how about having a qo at some sit-ups or a 15-second plank? Come on - it can't be that hard.

Often we watch videos on how to plan out your story or something of that sort - but can't you jump around or roll your shoulders while the video is playing? It's important to think of your health.

Good Luck,
Sandra

Writer's Block - Part 2

Someone at school asked me to do a part two, so here it is!

On my first document that I posted I wrote about some tips, but here, today, I shall be merely describing what Writer's Block actually is.

Firstly, many people think of Writer's Block as something ACTUALLY stopping them from doing something. But it is wholly not true: it is your own choice, whatever you may think, to quit your story - or epic - or script - or whatever, really. I mean, my point is that you don't have to wait for the Block to pass - you have to push forwards, and fight against the will to give up, because if you really care, then you will do everything to succeed.

Another thing is that many people tend to just give up after a while, saying that "Oh, the Block isn't over yet!" They try to convince themselves that they're not good enough, and that they still need to rest. Of course that is understandable - but, as I said earlier, if you wait for a long time and nothing happens, then it is just your turn to push against the evil dragon that sucks out all your creativity.

My last advice for this document is - write everyday! Either it is a small two-line poem or a ten-page story, I know myself that if you do something every single day then your mind will just get used to it after a while. And if this time next month you find yourself absentmindedly writing everyday, then how can you ever find time for the hateful Block?! Easy! 

Drinks

Now, this is a questioned that I have been asking myself for quite a while now. It's not like I'm greedy or in need of food always - no, it is just that I love having a nice hot drink while I work on that short story for another competition or that, that, or the other.

I guess I prefer hot chocolate while I write mystery; I dunno why, truly, but it warms my soul and sends a delicious chill down my back. I enjoy also a homemade milkshake, sometimes - but I try not to drink any, since having milk everyday isn't very good for you.

So I guess these are the two drinks that I prefer over anything else - oh, and of course blood orange-juice dad makes especially for me. It is simply scrumptious - ecstatic - wonderful.
And, mind, "wonderful" is my favouritest word in the world, so I tend to use it for only special occasions.
Oh, no, how stupid I am being!
Most kids in my class say "bringed" instead of "brought" and "thinked" instead of "thought". So why am I saying "favouritest"? It sounds not right to me. But now, ow - "thinked" is a word not altogether fictional, right?

And... now I am here pointlessly rambling on about grammar. Forgive me if I am pompously vain.

"I want to write... but what shall I write about?" Well, ask no more!

Sometimes, when you really really want to write - but don't know what exactly to write about - it can be depressing and overwhelming. I mean, it's like, "I want to write something, but my brain is blank!"

Well, I think that just going out and having a walk can solve the problem. Often, our minds need a little fresh air - either we know it or not. So how about taking a relaxing trip around the park, or to the river? Perhaps talking to people helps you out more - but I am definitely an introvert and often like to have some quiet time by myself. Of course, I am far too young still to be walking around Melbourne on my know, but, alas... I wish I was allowed to.
Anyway. I don't think that it's quite the same to be browsing through google and looking at pictures; no! This is not at all what I am talking about here! Staring at a meaningless photo of, let's say, Sydney, is something that isn't very likely to help your brain work again.

I won't tell you to read a book - because I have already in previous posts - and in this document I am just focusing about walking and thinking.
When you talk, your brain cannot fully relax - oh - but of course I am wrong! I beg your pardon, because talking to friends and family members is just the best medicine - but happiness is, too, really. What I mean is, perhaps you would rather be left alone with your thoughts? I think I would prefer it - but for not too long; I don't want to suddenly go crazy.

Now, here is a picture of Melbourne; of course, I fairly like photography - but just looking at this makes me feel nothing, frankly. I have to be there to feel the wind hip at my face - to hear the birds softly cooing in the trees - to smell the scent of fresh bread... ah. And so I can only hope that you

understand what I am talking about - and if you do, thanks a thousand. And, no, if you are wondering - even my imagination backfires me right now; I just know that I cannot be looking at a picture and feeling it. It's the most peculiar, thing, really...

Yours faithfully,

Sandra

Behind-the-Story - The Cave

So, here is something that I, myself, think is interesting.
No, not the story - for I am not as pompous and vain as you may think. What I mean is that I am not exactly sure what to write. But I guess I will just start from the beginning, shall I?

It was the start of the school year for everyone my age. And I was just sitting in class, thinking what composition shall I write for our teacher - for we were doing just that at that hour.
It struck me that doing a little of mystery wouldn't hurt, and so I began - in my mind - creating the plot and Max.

I shall have to say, sooner or later, that at first I was not sure who the main character shall be - a female or a male. And so, in the end, I decided to leave it till the last few sentences of the short story - because, truly, I was out of ideas for any name.

"Max" just struck me as the simplest name in the world, along with "Sarah" and "Sam". And this is just my tactless opinion, so I am sorry if I have offended anybody. But I soon decided on just "Max" - don't ask me why, please, don't ask me why.

I wanted to create Lisa as an unreal saint; beautiful, smart, all of that stuff. But now I think, "I've been such an idiot then!" because, in truth, a perfect character can ruin a story. And I know from experience. So Lisa is just as human as ever - I want her to be.

Finally, the cave. Why did I order Max to appear inside a cave, you may ask me? Well, firstly, I didn't order him; because, see, when I create a character I can't just "make" them do stuff - because they are every bit real to me. And so call me crazy, call me "not at all there" - I don't care! - because it was Max's own wish to appear in a cave. If I made him go on a sea adventure, my character's soul wouldn't ever fully rest. It is hard to explain on paper, but I might as well try one more time; see, when I created Lisa, she instantly formed in my mind as a girl with thick, red hair. And if I changed it to black - alas - then Lisa wouldn't be Max's sister - she would be a stranger in Lisa's body. It all sounds confusing, but I really do know what I am talking to you about right now. And if somebody ever asks me, "Oy, can you please change Lisa's hair to bright-green?" I will say no, because it wasn't Lisa's will to look like that. And I know that it was her own will to have red hair. So there.

Goodbye,
Sandra

I am starting D.W.

I am going to start this new series - D.W.
No, they are not stories or poems or even diary entries - for here, on Dreaming&Writing, I want to focus on just that.
For example, one week I may be discussing a book I like - on another week I will be writing down ideas for stories on a certain genre. I might even take a short story that isn't my own and write what I think of it. Also, I can be encouraging people how to stay focused - how to not stress about writing - all that stuff. A few tricks may come in handy, I daresay! Or I might just be discussing a character in my or in someone else's story that I either love or hate. I can as well be writing about places around the world that inspire me - people that inspire me - my hobbies that inspire me, and many other things.

Pretty much, if you are a dreamer - like me - or a writer - me, too, please! - then this might be your thing.

I am going to post every week - mostly on Saturdays, but sometimes on Sundays or Tuesdays. I am going to start from next week.

I really hope that this all turns out well!

Best wishes,
Sandra

PS: since this is an introduction, I will not count it as an official first post. Thank-you.

What to do when you have writer's block?

When I get writer's block, it is just the worst thing.
In this document, I will be telling you all how to overcome it.

Now, we all know writers get it sometimes - and when we do, it often discourages us. In personal experience, I know that I walk around my apartment, gliding as though a ghost, knowing that I shall never succeed in being a writer.

Well, then, if you think so too, then let me break it to you - we are all wrong!
For example, I began writing a story not too long ago about a girl called Mira East. And what do you think? I have already pretty much given up on it.

And, oh, how it hurts me!
But here are some examples on how to overcome writer's block, and how to get back into business - also known as D.W.
Dreaming
and
Writing.

1. This is just to simple - perhaps you have to wait a day, a week, or eleven months and thirty days. But it often exhausts us to not know the deadline, and so, I always tell myself - "Sandra, just wait a month and see! If you don't feel like it, start another story!"

2. Another thing is - just get outside! Maybe it's a trip with your friend's dad that inspires you, or the conversation you overheard about your cousin getting a new motorbike. And whenever you hear an interesting word, then - alas - jot it down! I also recommend having a small pocket-notebook everywhere you go.

3. Read a few books. I, personally, give up on my stories FAR TOO OFTEN, and I often get stressed about this realization. Maybe I simply have to read a page or two of Stephen King's "IT" - or perhaps I just feel like buying a thin volume of "sweet ol' poetry". Whatever it is, I so love to read - and you should, too!

4. Talk to friends, family, or just people you know. For example, my parents are great critics; they support my hobbies just wonderfully, but when I make a mistake - or when something doesn't make sense - they always make sure to tell me. This is such a relief, for not many people have the heart to criticise others - and it is a true gift that I would love to someday master. Now, all I've got to do just now is to teach myself how to criticise people in a friendly, tender way.

5. You could also jot down ideas on why you have writer's block - why or who made you give up on your story. You may instantly feel better, and then you will at least have a vague idea of what you have to improve on when writing next.

Now, thank you for reading this so much...
Best wishes,
Sandra

I hope I helped you! 

What I think about mystery stories

I think that mystery stories are very fascinating. They keep you waiting, and they make you want to read more!
Well, as a matter of fact, I love a story with a great plot-twist. I think it is truly rewarding to find the "cereal" killer of - let's say - Margaret Something or to uncover the great story of the Watkinses.
Really, mystery is amazing!

Here, I included some reasons why you may like to try writing mystery stories.
1. Action!
2. Because a good mystery novel makes it hard to put you book down.
3. Who would want more than a character with a deep, dark secret?

Perhaps these are the three top reasons why I am going to start a series of short mystery stories here, on Creative Crystal.

I hope dearly for them to work out.

What Katy Did (Book Review)

I dearly love Katy. She is such a dear, young character in the first half of the book - see, just hanging around with her five siblings and Cecy, her friend, playing "The Father Waters" game at school and then getting in trouble with her teacher... she is so bright, and so gay!

But in the other half of the book she lies in bed for four years straight; because, see, she had fractured her spine while on the swing in the shed. But Cousin Helen soon comes to help.

Cousin Helen plays a huge part in the book. She is a dear cousin of the Carrs, and she comes at the early part of the book to the Carr House to meet her beloved relatives. She cannot walk, however, for she had been an invalid from a very young age. When she meets Katy they instantly become friends.

But the next thing she knows, Katy is lying in bed from the accident; at first, her patient father and doctor says that she has to lie in bed for over a week. But as days go by, Katy realized that it is going to be many years before she can get up.

Meanwhile, Cousin Helen had been travelling, and on her way back home she comes to the Carr house to comfort Katy.
"Katy, you have to become patient... neat... lady-like... Katy, darling, don't spend your childhood like I did."
And so Katy tries to make the best of life in bed. First, she starts with asking Clover, her younger sister, to bring in some flowers... and then, the house is all sweet again, and the soon the Carr's favourite room in the house is Katy's!

But will she ever walk again?

4.5/5 stars, I give this.