How to Start a Story - Part 2 (D.W.)

Now, once you have planned all of this out somewhere, it is time to begin writing the first draft.
What I think you ought to do now, is follow these steps ;- but before your eyes skip below to see what I've written, do keep in mind that all of this is just my personal opinion, and that I am no professional, though - if anybody asks - I do take great pride in having been noticed in a certain short-story competition for scary tales.

1. Think - what do you want your readers to know first?

Imagine you were a reader, okay? Beginning to read your own book, but not knowing what it was about completely. So, if you were that reader - what would you want to know about your story first - like, after somebody has read your blurb and turned to the first page. Or, more importantly, perhaps - what do YOU want them to notice when they begin reading?
In my story, "Shattered Reality", which you may view on Wattpad under the account Starry_Birdie , I began with a prologue. It is, like, an opening chapter that isn't really called a "Chapter", because it is like a "Pre-Chapter".

Say, you were writing a thriller, about a witch who stole voices and mixed them in her cauldron and then drank the potion to make her voice nice and pretty; what would you, as a reader, like to know first? Perhaps, to begin in action, you could say -

"Children were becoming voiceless; one night they went to sleep, with angelic little tones and tinkling laughs and long giggles, and awoke the next clutching their throats in despair, kicking and squirming and moaning."

It's always good to make others ask questions, you know?

2. What would happen if you changed your beginning?

So, pretend that you have already decided on a start for your story. Now, think wisely -
"Does my beginning interact with this book (series) or not?"
If you said "no" to the question, then - who needs the beginning?! Chuck it in the bin! Who needs to know when a pig had kids if the story is about a palace full of horses?

Like, it's so important! - first impressions always matter, and I sincerely hope that even if I've let myself write that down on a public blog, for people all round the world to see, ten, you don't think that I judge a book by its cover. Never.
Fine, USUALLY I don't do that.

Special Post for my Friend from legendarylibraryonline.wordpress.com -- How To Start A Story (D.W)

Before you start, you have to plan out everything. Well, usually.
What I like to do at first is grab my "Writing" notebook, that I got from Typo, and jot down the basics, like;-

1. What are the characters?
It is important, for how can there be a story without any characters? Remember, you can just do the main ones, the main character('s) family, friends, et cetera - and leave the background characters till you start out.

2. What genre is my story?
It can be thriller, paranormal, sci-fi, mystery, fantasy, romance, et cetera. Your story should have at least ONE definite genre, or else everything might get all muddled up, and... you'll find yourself in a great mess. Trust mah.

3. What do I want to achieve in my story?
Maybe, you want to gain more reads and followers, if you have an account on Wattpad, or else you want to give it to charity, un-illustrated, messily written, with no plot? You ought to choose what you want to have done, and IF you want to have your story finished.

4. When will you update?
Again, if you're on Wattpad, then... you might wanna let everyone who visits your page know when you will update, so you may post details on that in your bio, or just make the first Chapter of your story an "Author's Note". If not on social media, then, 'course, perhaps you may wanna let whoever's reading your story (can be family, friends, et cetera) know when they should expect the next chapter.

Cheers,
Sandra

D.W. part 6 - "Limited Third Person" or "Omniscient Third Person"?

I have read a bit about this on Storybird, to be frank - but now I want to translate those words into my personal language and explain a bit about "third person".
That's right - that easy style of writing when one can easily write "he goes up the hill," or "she licks the salami and jumps back!" But - who is the narrator? Who is the protagonist? Who is... does every reader see the book through the eyes of Harry Potter or Auggie, Via, Jack, Julian and Charlotte (Wonder)?

Sometimes, writing in "omniscient third person" changes the reader's - uh - how to say... it changes what they think about the characters, and if or if not they relate with them more/less. For example, at first the story may begin with Neil. But in the next chapter, one sees the world from the eyes of Phil, and if the readers thought that she was an indifferent snob before, then now they get to see what really she is feeling and why she's not what one called her before.

So, finally, "Limited third person", as the name may suggest, make you see throughout the novel the story from the eyes of one person. It is you who choose to believe them, or you again who choose not to - because, in the end, in a book such as this, you never get to see the point of view (POV) of another character!

From,
Sandra!

D.W. Part 5 - Criticizing Oneself

It is important, as I have found, to criticize oneself when one wants to improve. For an instance, if one is considering writing as perhaps a future career, then it is very important that the person reads other books, and edits their work, and edits again, and three times more, just to make sure that one hasn't put a "." in the place of a "?".

I like to edit my work before I post it anywhere (storybird, wattpad, creative crystal) or give it to anyone to read (family, friends, teacher). I enjoy knowing that I've ran over the information and done everything the way I would like it to be done, so that I now may rest in peace, because I have finally checked everything.

Critisizing is important in the life of a hobby and an aspiring artist. I suppose it help when, after writing your sonnet for three hours, you go out of the room, make yourself a milkshake, et cetera - and that when you come back, you look at your scribbles (excuse me - I do know some people have neat handwriting, but I don't!) with the fresh eyes of an indifferent stranger. Be cool, recollective - think of what was your favourite book that you've read before. Did Margaret have "broun" or "brown" hair?

Okay.
So, I just wanted to explain that it is very important to critisize oneself!
PS: I know that there is an app called "Grammarly", that can help one with punctuation and the spelling of words - but does that really help you?! What do you learn? DO you learn to lean on the help of others?

From
Sandra

D.W. Part 4 - Writing in Different Styles (Not Genres!)

I've been playing around much with the words "genres" and "styles" as though they are the same things, but now I think myself candidly incorrect. Because right now, they mean different things to me - completely.

What are "genres"?

Genres are words that you use to describe a book, pretty much. For example, say there was a dark cover with a ghost looming in the darkness on a book you were reading currently. Then I'm sure you'd describe it as "dark-fantasy," or else something of that sort. I used to think of genres as adjectives for books and movies.

What are "styles"?

Styles, to me, is how somebody writes a book. Unlike genres, in my opinion, it depends on the actual author and their own "writing-style". And by that I do not mean that perhaps they write in the genre "horror" all the time. Instead, it is how the person writes, not what the person writes in. For an instance, "A Ghost in my Suitcase" I described to be written very loosely; the descriptions are meaningless to me, for there's almost none, and the characters don't draw you in very much.

So now, if somebody has the dreadful "Writer's Block", then how about writing in different styles? If you just change genres, I'm sure it'll work too, but changing styles is like a new world to me, too. Say you always write in detailed style, with complicated characters such as Severus Snape, who in the end turn out to be not who we thought they'd be. Now sit down, and write the exact same story - or a completely different story! - only, in your simplified style, or the other way around.

It is good for artists to have different styles of drawing, and currently I am exercising with "anime". But for writers it's good, too! I mean, I have my full style, and my simplified style!

I hope this helped!

Sandra

D.W. Update: What I Shall Do

I remember promising to do D.W. every Sunday, but as one may or may not have noticed - i'm failing the challenge completely, what with my guitar lessons and school work and karate and art. I am sorry.
Since this is nothing but just a short update, I will get to the main point.

I won't post tomorrow, for I am going to an overnight camp with my Grade Five class and teacher, so probably will on Sunday.
I cannot promise to post every week a D.W. - I need to be proud of my work!

Kind Regards,
Sandra

PS: So sorry for the choppy words XD!!

D.W. Part 3 - How to find Inspiration

I must have written a lot about this on my blog, but right now I want to look deeper into the meaning of "I'm out of inspiration!"
I know that it can be very vexing to acknowledge the fact that you have nothing to write about; isn't it painful? Isn't it so irritating?
Well, what recommend doing is jotting down ideas for why exactly you are out of inspiration.
Also, I say, what about you talk to a friend of yours who likes writing, or just browse the web for a family-friendly website when you can discuss things like that? I suppose it may sound stupid of me, but I really care and often feel downcast when I have nothing to write about.

If you doubt yourself in your skills and think that you can't find anything positive to write about, then maybe you are unsure if you really want to continue your hobby.
I say, the only three things that you need to become an author is.. or rather, here are my top three advices for writing a story:
1. You need your imagination.
Without an imaginative plot, characters and settings can make your story very dull. And remember, if you have not a fun time writing about something, then most likely people won't have fun reading your story.
2. You have to be critical to yourself and work on your weak areas.
It is important that you are very critical on yourself. For instance, I year or two back I wrote stories with hardly any descriptions! And - now! Oh, aren't I glad that then I said to myself, "Sandra, if you want to consider writing seriously then take your time and write as descriptively as you can!"
3. You have to be fully acquainted with your characters.
I wish to invest more in this topic, and the one about criticizing yourself. You see, the characters will seem stiff and undeveloped if you don't know much about them, usually! So, what about sitting down and jotting down ideas for that Marcus or Tim? Perhaps they - I don't know - own their own harps? Who knows? Or maybe deep inside their hearts something is bothering them from the past? OR they always get excited about cake?

From
Sandra

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

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.