Mind your Style . . .

In the hustle and bustle of the twenty-first century, it may seem hard to not be stifled under the peer pressure of newly-released books; fans will certainly soon, if not instantly form “ship names”, create fanfictions, become obsessed with the novel. But what if, other avid bookworms try push you into their crowd?

Here are my own tips and tricks for not taking it with those guys. . . You may ask me, “have you read the new —“ and I must hurriedly inform you, with an attentive shrug and red in my eyes, “no, I do not read fickle rubbish by new authors, thank you very much!” I have, a few times, tried to be pushed into reading books I did not like from a first glance (and that is not to say you shan’t try giving new writers a chance, of course!) a few times by my year three teacher, then a couple of students, then a said friend.

They, however, (and it has led me to believe that —) tried hard to give me advise, but countless times nothing worked out. Sincerely, nothing worked out.

1. Openly State your Favourite Author . . .
You think you have a voice? Good for you! You may create a blog, start up a YouTube channel, website, fanfic, book full of loving sketches of, say, Henry Tilney (Northanger Abbey), something of that sort. If not, then simply walk about, reading your decided writer, and when you feel somebody ushering you to try something else you may not feel quite comfortable about (be it the level of the writing, the appropriate illustrations or no, grammar — why publish a book, ever, even if plot is good with abominable grammar?) tell them so.

2. It is But Your Choice. . .
Reading. It establishes, more often than no, the carrier you shall wish to take up. If someone talks to you of astronomical elements, meteorites hitting poor dinosaurs, exploding black holes in the universe, then — sure! It may strike a new hobby — but if your main choice in life is to forever stay a hairdresser, why know all that? It is your choice. Reading what is popular to read is but your choice, SIMPLY and honestly your own choice, and that is that. However, of course it is good to always new learn new things, and that is all true — but, not if you read simply for enjoyment, do not wish to know of the latest “Nicki Maxwell Dork Diaries” or “Tom Gates” fan theory, just say it. You read for your future job.

3. Give Books a Chance. . .
You, of all people, may not feel at all comfortable reading other novels not in your genre, decided style of writing (I have a post on that) or simply conflicting with the illustrations. But if in any way or form it shall help, for your future, for enjoyment — read it, and if you have gone to a certain length, you still feel empty, then put away the book and return to your style of choice.

How Short... How Long... What Do People Want to Read?

Honestly people... what do readers want to read? I came up with the idea for this post a few months ago, but today one of my teachers was reading to my class - and to the class of my best friends - a story, about a boy at the dumps who writes a book by the name "Trash". We also discussed "Gone with the wind", and I have begun - "The butterfly lion". So, well - my experience in both of those books was, well - not the best one. Here's why.

1. You - you are writing for the age group...
Like, yeah. I usually just want to read what I feel like reading, and I know that - why - this is basic stuff! - but I have more thoughts on this so hear me out. When I was a baby, I had picture-books read to me, and I used to bite my nails and shove them in my nose (or at least I imagine that) when the story wasn't very interesting. When I first began talking in English, I read baby-stories such as "Squishy Taylor" and "Tom Gates". Now, I am reading "Game of Thrones", and I am okay with this - because, like, in a year or two I'd be reading Shakespeare! So, you should know what age-group you are writing for...

2. Me - I am writing for the age group...
In "Shattered Reality", I try to make it for ages -- well, that is, if my book were a movie I'd say it would be PG, because there are many deaths, and one or two kissing scenes - but since I am no insane madman and only a ten-year-old girl, I simply say "They kissed" or something, instead of diving fully into the "Fifty Shades of Inappropriate" sea (I DID NOT watch the movie, btw, but I know that it's something I'll be watching when I'm like 21)...

So, yes! I hope you now know what age group to write for, and that I helped you a bit...
- Yvonne

The Steps of Writing a Novel

Whenever I plan to write a story - like, a real, long story - I always just write it, and then go like "Hey, I'm done!" but I know I always make mistakes when I do that. I know that there is more to writing than just that. So, in this easy post, I shall take you through all the steps of - hopefully, successfully - writing a good story.

1. Jot down the ideas.
Capturing the best ideas is CRUCIAL! I recommend getting a notebook and just beginning to sketch out the plot, figure out the characters, et cetera. Once you have that ready, then you can just delve deeper into each part and work from there, slowly building up your information step by step.

2. Work through the first draft.
It is important, when you already know your information more or less, you begin the first draft. You may just write the first few chapters, and then edit them two times more before doing the same with all the rest - but really, I'd recommend writing your full story first before you do anything else.

3. Collect feedback.
Okay, so now you have your unedited first draft! So what you've got to do now is collect some feedback; maybe share your story with your family and/or friends, or perhaps your teacher, or Wattpad. And I don't say Storybird because Wattpad is actually more or less for children - for tweens. But if you want more, so to say, structured, more heavy feedback, then Wattpad is really good for you! Nevertheless, direct feedback from somebody whose a little older than you may seem daunting, so you can check out Storybird and work without fear on there, because the community is lovely (unlike the few issues with cyber-bullying that have beek coming up on Wattpad).

4. Work through your second draft.
Working through your second draft is always very important! For one thing, the little vexing flies that make up your "of"s instead of your "if"s can be improved, for sure! And you may as well want to give your characters more depth. This is where you are coming to the end of the whole "process", and may want to watch your steps.

5. Stop working!
This may sound weird, but closing your eyes on your work for a month or two really actually helps me! This is where I get to collect new things, such as get time to get inspired by other books or go somewhere original and come up with a new idea. Furthermore, this may give you the eyes of a stranger, however eerie this may sound, simply meaning that you can criticize yourself as though you were not you - rather, as if you were... a stranger.

6. Ask more advise!
Now that you've corrected all your errors (well, or simply most of them!), you may want to show somebody once more, so that they could see if you have improved or not. This is very helpful also. If you haven't done much, then take a break, and re-edit your draft again.

7. Get rid of snakes!
Here, we are finally to the second-last step - yay! And we're up to my favourite one, too...
This is where you type up your story and delete all the parts that you may want to delete! Some can be like snakes - they may coil around your readers, and want them to gasp for breath, because all those parts and paragraphs that make no sense to the plot of the story can just be so confusing! But I also recommend saving the parts that you may think are good just because, well, they might be!

8. Finish up.
This is the last step - when you briefly glance through your work again and then decide to finally end everything. Well, not EVERYTHING...
Anyway - now you are done!

                                                                                     ***

PS: I just wanted to say that these are the steps only if you are taking your writing seriously. If you don't strive for improvement, then you might just make a first draft and be done with it. However you wish!

From
Sandra

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.

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

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! 

present tense

When you write in present tense, it might get rather confusing and hard. This is a mere example - I'm sure you could do better than me, but this is just a simple thing to look at, in case one is stuck.

I walk towards the crowded streets, and smile to myself. This looks very splendid and gay. Hm, I wonder where I shall walk next!

For an instance, take the word "wonder". If you were writing in past tense, this would say "wondered". And if you were writing in future-tense, you would, perhaps, white down - "will wonder". You see, your words may change tremendously if you are not sure in what tense you are writing, and it may become rather complicated.
I was walking when you saw me, and I smiled.

This is past tense. You may have to identify some words by saying them out-loud or inside your head. If you get mixed up, then just try again!

But really, what IS present tense?
Present tense is when - let's say  - you are writing your novel, and your character is walking down the street. Remember - present tense is when your character is walking, past tense is was walking, and future tense might be will be walking.
In present tense, something is happening RIGHT AT THIS MOMENT. It cannot be two years ago - not two seconds ago, either. You cannot say: I am walking in the lovely park, when I saw a tiny, barking pug. I smile at the pug, then I will turn around and I will walk the other way because I am scared of dogs.
What's wrong with that?!
Well, you see - this is a mix of the three tenses. The three tenses really are devilish, and the way I handle them is by reading books - dark fantasy, non-fiction, country-style books, mystery books, normal-life books, books about polar bear snakes. Whatever! Books written in the early twentieth century - let's say, 1900, or books in 2018. Just read books!!!!
And if you do, the tenses will flow right to you, and will obey you - you must become the person that they shall obey, whatever your heart pleases to write.

How To Get Inspiration/Am I good enough?!

I sometimes ponder over this question. Actually, I do a lot. And I always ask myself "Is my story good enough?", "Is having a book with only 20 pages a bad thing?", and - usually - "DO I really want to ditch this plot and go start a new story?"
Well, here are some helpful tips (not only from me)!

1. For this one, pretend I'm the bully and you're the young writer.
Me: Hey, you. Who even has an idea like that?  Like, have you ever heard of turtles with spikes on their backs and those "steely red" eyes? Nuh-uh. Those little clowns are just humiliating!
You: They are supposed to look weird. The villain in my story is mad, and he's a cereal killer, and he has funny things in mind going on... so you shouldn't judge.

2. Now pretend my name is BigNiceMeanie. I walk up to you and say...
Me: I really don't understand how you can call "water" one of your powers. I get it - it's funny - but like, who does that again?
You: Look, BigNiceMeanie. I know that we all have different tastes. Thankyou for telling me your opinion on my magical world, but I really would like to continue with my lovely story. I'm sorry if I disappointed you.

3. Now, let's switch sides. I'm the little book bookworm, sitting under an aspen tree. And you are the obsessed video-gamer (not that there's anything wrong with being one!). 
Me: I absolutely love Ginny Weasley...
You: I don't get books. They are useless!
Me (shrugging my shoulders): Hm. I like reading books. They take you places.

Now, the thing that you all probably came here for: how to get inspired. Here are some of the situations that you might find yourself stuck in...

1. I am sitting on the couch, my netbook open, reading all of my ten pages that I've written so far. When I finish reading, I say... "My story is so cringy... my teacher definitely won't like it's adjectives. Oh, and I don't feel like writing anymore..."
well, here's what you do: you give yourself a break. And then next time you go to a café or a restaurant, I take a notebook and a pencil with me. So whenever I hear an interesting word, a phrase, or a name being mentioned, I jot it all down. I know it sounds wrong, but - even weird parts of conversations that I overhear, I still write the, down.
When I cone home, I give myself a rest for a couple of days; do some diy's, watch some cat videos, dress up as a unicorn - whatever.
And when I feel like it, I just open my notebook again, and re-read everything I've written down. Then, I jot down ideas and try writing a little bit on my computer. If it works, then great!, but if it doesn't - don't stress. You can start a new story, or just give yourself a couple more days of rest - but do not ever delete your story. Please!

2. "What's wrong, darling?" my mum asks you.
I look at her, my face beginning to relax. "Mark-Thomas-Dory-Cotton-Clark-poop just told me at school that my story was rubbish. and I worked on it so hard!"
My mum smiles. "Not enough people in the world appreciate the work of others. All they care about is themselves. But I guarantee you - that when you finish your debut novel, people will sure notice it. That's definite!"

Things you do not say to a writer

         Things you shouldn't say to a writer

Me: this is going to be my best ever chapter...
You (reads first page): I liked your old stories better.

Me: "Joanne" is such a cute and pretty name...
You: I should say that this "Go-anne" name is soo weird!

Me: oh, "Simon" is soo cute! I know - I'm gonna make his hair sunflower blonde and his eyes almost translucent -
You: Eurgh!!! I can imagine him walking up to me, just like that. That ugly face will haunt my dreams forever!

Me: I'm in love with kitty-cats at the moment. I'll make "Cassandra" have a -
You: My dad says cats are filthy.

Me: Do you like my new plot?
You: Your "new plot"?? Are you kidding me - this story will take up extra space in your computer folder already!

How to write a story

                            How to write a story

1. Plan. I know that people say so a lot.. but really, it helps! Personally, I have a Kikki.k lockable diary, in which I write all my brainstorms, cute character names, and more... I even have my personal, small dictionary!                                                                                                                         It would really help getting one, but it's not necessary  - you can just plan on a sheet of paper, if you want to.

2. Start with a sizzling start! I mean... how do you try and grab the reader's attention? Does your character start off at home, or is he already in a cave when the story begins? Is your character "it", "he", or "she"? Are you writing in first-person or third-person? Or both?
An easy way to find out all the basics is just to go off to your nearest Dymocks (or any other bookstore!) and pick yourself a book that suits your mood.

3. Details/Tightening tension. Forget about all the details in your story at all, and write quite simply at first (eg. He had fiery, flame-like hair and beautiful emerald eyes and not he had a crooked nose, light, peachy skin, coral-red hair and sea-blue, nearly translucent eyes). Also remember, the less you explain about your character, the more the readers can fantasise themselves, and create their own wonderland.
As for the tightening tension - it's almost just like the sizzling start. Use a lot of adjectives (describing words). Do not use words like "you know", "around",  and "kind of like", for you will get the reader confused and somewhat bored.

4. Exciting ending. True... not all stories have good, positive endings, but they do have to be exciting, at least. Maybe try using words like "suddenly" and "sharply". Try to write something unexpected for the last chapter, the last paragraph, the last sentence. If you want, you can keep the reader wondering what happens next, or you can just write a straight-forward conclusion. Up to you.

5. If you think of publishing your book... then, congratulations! But these are the things that you should do before thinking so; add all the details to your paragraphs. Correct your work (I would advise printing it out first, and then, using a red pen, underline, circle and add extras to your novel). Now, the hardest part; it may be embarrassing, awkward or nerve-wracking, but this is an absolute must-do in my opinion: give you story to at least 6 people, and ask them to rate the book out of five stars. Also, don't forget to ask them which parts made them laugh, cry, bite their nails, feel uncomfortable or angry - and if they say that they've felt none of these emotions during the novel, then I would advise adding some more feelings to you book, for it is super important to have your readers feeling something.