Today's tip is about golden carrots. Literally. Nah.
What on earth are golden carrots? Picture yourself as a rabbit going carrot-hunting. You see the priceless, golden carrots that all the stronger, quicker and more experienced rabbits are catching. Some of them share, some don't. You wish like hell you were one of those strong, quick, talented rabbits.
It's the same with writing. If you want the golden carrots, e.g. the fame, money and glory that comes with being a bestselling writer, hold up.
There's no easy way to a basket of golden carrots, from a rabbit's place, that is. Unless you're a pet rabbit with kind and devoted owners, e.g. a celebrity, or someone related to a celebrity.
Take it one step at a time. I'm not saying don't dream big, just don't expect to be nibbling golden carrots straight away.
Tata,
NarniaGirl.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Friday, September 7, 2007
It's Rained Gold.
If you've read articles or tips on banishing the writer's demon, Writers Block, more often than not, you'll come across the t/a saying to go for a walk.
Hold up. Let's delve further. When you're going for that Block-Begone stroll, that's not all you have to do. Look around, observe the place. Even if it's in your own yard. That's cool, just think of it from a fresh perspective.
The next time you go for a walk, look at it from all kinds of different perspectives:
Think of yourself as anyone or anything. Think of yourself as the material you're walking on. Or as a person you see. Or as one of your characters. Now, what would your POV Person be thinking? Does he or she like the setting? Hate it? Why? A bad childhood experience? Guilt?
This shouldn't be drudgery. If you feel bad doing this, stop. It's supposed to make you feel creative, and get the wheels rolling in your right brain, that's the artsy side of the muck in your head.
Hope it works!
Your Dear PotentialKidAuthor,
Narnia_Girl.
Hold up. Let's delve further. When you're going for that Block-Begone stroll, that's not all you have to do. Look around, observe the place. Even if it's in your own yard. That's cool, just think of it from a fresh perspective.
The next time you go for a walk, look at it from all kinds of different perspectives:
Think of yourself as anyone or anything. Think of yourself as the material you're walking on. Or as a person you see. Or as one of your characters. Now, what would your POV Person be thinking? Does he or she like the setting? Hate it? Why? A bad childhood experience? Guilt?
This shouldn't be drudgery. If you feel bad doing this, stop. It's supposed to make you feel creative, and get the wheels rolling in your right brain, that's the artsy side of the muck in your head.
Hope it works!
Your Dear PotentialKidAuthor,
Narnia_Girl.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Editing - One WhipThrough At A Time
Are you one of those writers who hate editing? So do I. But there's a more gentle way to do it, one whipthrough at a time. If you want, make a checklist of stuff you want to revise your work for. I'd reccomend working on your problem areas first. Then select any one of the stuff, and look through your story for that. For example: realistic dialogue. Look at all the dialogue in your story, and read it out loud. Does it sound good? Once you've worked on all the plastic speech you can find, great. Leave all the other stuff to check out, and do the other editing later.
This might not work for everyone. Try this tip, and if it works for you, use it. If it doesn't, that's okay.
Yours,
Narnia_Girl.
This might not work for everyone. Try this tip, and if it works for you, use it. If it doesn't, that's okay.
Yours,
Narnia_Girl.
Monday, September 3, 2007
Writing Tips Links
How To Make A Character Feel What You Haven't.
Has your character just lost someone extremely important in their life? Now you're at a loss for what to do, because you haven't lost anyone dear to you. How do you make their reaction real?
Watch a particularly tragic movie or few. Read some books where there are a couple of deaths. Forget few, watch or read a lot!
This gives you a wider range of reactions to choose from. Some characters cry; others don't. Some are in denial for long periods of time; others aren't. You have lots of material to use, so choose which reaction you want for your character.
Similiarly for any other emotion. Watch movies, read books, note how other people show/hide their emotions, and, you have lots of material to use. Write What You Know doesn't really apply here.
Watch a particularly tragic movie or few. Read some books where there are a couple of deaths. Forget few, watch or read a lot!
This gives you a wider range of reactions to choose from. Some characters cry; others don't. Some are in denial for long periods of time; others aren't. You have lots of material to use, so choose which reaction you want for your character.
Similiarly for any other emotion. Watch movies, read books, note how other people show/hide their emotions, and, you have lots of material to use. Write What You Know doesn't really apply here.
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Show Don't Tell - A Tiny Tip
I'll bet almost every writer has heard of the rule "Show, Don't Tell". In my opinion, it's extremely difficult to follow this rule. However, showing makes for a stronger read. Here's a tiny tip for keeping inside that rule:
Think of your book as a movie. While you're writing, close your eyes, and imagine how a particular sentence (scene in the movie) would be played out. Then, write how the movie would show the thing happening. Voila! You've showed!
Please note that it's okay to tell. Don't believe me?
Your Writer,
Narnia Girl.
Think of your book as a movie. While you're writing, close your eyes, and imagine how a particular sentence (scene in the movie) would be played out. Then, write how the movie would show the thing happening. Voila! You've showed!
Please note that it's okay to tell. Don't believe me?
Your Writer,
Narnia Girl.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Critiquing
If you're a part of a writing forum, and feeling guilty because of all the helpful reviews you're getting, but not being able to properly critique, no fear. Links and tips are headed your way!
A moderator on WordtripJr has written an article on critiquing that I find really helpful. Check it out!
And I say, don't be afraid if you aren't a great critiquer. You'll get better. Study how the best reviewers on the forum critique, and look for the problems when you're critiquing something.Belive me, you'll get better.
A moderator on WordtripJr has written an article on critiquing that I find really helpful. Check it out!
And I say, don't be afraid if you aren't a great critiquer. You'll get better. Study how the best reviewers on the forum critique, and look for the problems when you're critiquing something.Belive me, you'll get better.
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