If today I lose hope God, please remind me that your plans are better than my dreams.
Thanks.
Friday, October 25, 2013
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Allegiant by Veronica Roth
**I wrote this in a way to avoid spoilers so if it's confusing...I'm sorry.
When someone decides to write a series there is something they want to leave you with. They are sending out an invite to all those around them who wish to enter into the world they've carried around in their head for goodness knows how long. You open the book and as you read you immerse yourself in it, in the world, in the characters, in the fantasy that maybe you could one day live a story as exciting as this.
Allegiant was the final instalment to the series Divergent starting in April of 2011. It follows Tris and Four (Tobias) finding out what's outside the walls of the city they've know and grown up it. Is it any better outside their city or are all the problems they face exactly the same just with different names?
Set in Chicago in the future where some people are "Pure" and others "Damaged" but a sickness that can only be fixed over generations.
Veronica Roth shows brilliant character development and rhythm to her writing. I applaud her innovation in story telling and her courage to finish the book the way she did. I however, did not enjoy the last book. Had this been the first in the series I wouldn't have finished it for lack of questions propelling myself forward. The first few chapters answered all my questions and the only reason I kept going was to see what the other 400 pages were written about for I couldn't quite comprehend what on earth she was going to create.
What makes a good book or a good movie is when the creator leaves you asking questions, wanting desperately to be a part of the world they are seeing. They want you to walk away with the characters, the questions burning in your head to the point it's a number one conversation topic. One of the best examples I can think of is the movie "Inception". When you left that theatre there was not a person who wasn't talking about or thinking about whether or not it was a dream. It made people go back and watch again to see the hints the producer left behind to make you even more crazy about the answer.
I finished Allegiant with no more thoughts and no more questions. I left the Divergent series, sadly, not needing to read them again because partly I wondered if I cared. Woah. Bit statement. I cannot believe I'm saying this but it's the truth. How can you put so much effort and heart into a story then only to get it ripped away from you. I read books now to see how authors conclude, how the develop and how I can learn from their mistakes and where they succeeded. And while you, as the author, may feel the need to set the end of the book in a shocking way that most authors wont do, you're also disappointing the reader who wanted so badly to be a part of the world, to be like that character, to hope for something better than the life they are living. I felt hopelessness at the end of a book and I wish it didn't have to be.
All in all, I was disappointed. I understand why Veronica did what she did and with the views she has on Harry Potter also why she did it. Was it the best idea? No. I think it could have been spectacular instead it finished sadly, just like the ending of The Hunger Games.
Monday, October 21, 2013
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Having fun?
Why is it that when I organise to write, 70% of the time I wonder why I am doing it? Either my mind decides to shut down, go on strike and refuses to give up the information or.... well, I enjoy it and write for a bit, 30% of the time.
So tonight, as I was chatting to God, figuring out whether or not I was exercising for myself or for others, I remembered the promise God gave me (and the day I told God) that it was going to be an adventure with Him. That fun was what we were going to have. So I realised that something must be wrong if I'm not enjoying writing.
So I asked myself, why am I writing?
To inspire and influence children.
Awesome answer right?
Wrong.
Well...sort of wrong, I mean it's a pretty good answer.
Back to the point though...
I should be writing for myself. I should be writing to get to know God better. This is what it is all about. It's actually meant to be fun, to be an adventure, so when it isn't there is something wrong. I was trying to hard to write to please everyone I forgot about writing to please myself. I should want to know what's happening, want to know how it ends, but instead I'm wondering if I'm getting the message across. Whoops. How do I want to story to end? Exactly how I want the story to end.
Don't loose weight for anyone other than yourself. Don't write for someone other than yourself, it wont be fun and pretty soon it'll turn into a job you hate.
So tonight, as I was chatting to God, figuring out whether or not I was exercising for myself or for others, I remembered the promise God gave me (and the day I told God) that it was going to be an adventure with Him. That fun was what we were going to have. So I realised that something must be wrong if I'm not enjoying writing.
So I asked myself, why am I writing?
To inspire and influence children.
Awesome answer right?
Wrong.
Well...sort of wrong, I mean it's a pretty good answer.
Back to the point though...
I should be writing for myself. I should be writing to get to know God better. This is what it is all about. It's actually meant to be fun, to be an adventure, so when it isn't there is something wrong. I was trying to hard to write to please everyone I forgot about writing to please myself. I should want to know what's happening, want to know how it ends, but instead I'm wondering if I'm getting the message across. Whoops. How do I want to story to end? Exactly how I want the story to end.
Don't loose weight for anyone other than yourself. Don't write for someone other than yourself, it wont be fun and pretty soon it'll turn into a job you hate.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Writing Backstory and Writing Information
When you read a book it's completely different from watching a movie. The common line in we writers are taught (and authors preach) is to "Show it, don't tell it" which, if you think about it, is completely and utterly ridiculous simply because it doesn't actually make much sense.
Okay, okay, I get it, it does. And this blog post isn't actually trying to poke holes in the theory but rather to embrace it. Chat about it.
Veronica Roth, author of the Divergent series, said that if you're interested in knowing how to write a good back story, get your hands on a copy of The Maze Runner by James Dashner. Since the main character has no memory of his past you find out his past at the same time he does which means you don't feel like you're being thrown all of this information that you (the avid reader) think is useless. (Yep, authors, we think sometimes all of that super important information you wrote is useless...)
So, my thoughts today have been on the idea of how does one write back story and information without it being boring or seem like you had to squish it in somewhere?
My conclusion? Well, I didn't really come to one but pondered on a few books I had close to mind (one being Harry Potter of course, I mean when isn't Harry Potter one of the first books that come to mind?).
I decided that a lot of books seem to have an old person or an all knowing person who has all the information and waits patiently for the protagonist to ask the right questions or be the right age to reveal something. Or the meet a family member who has the answers. All in all, there is someone who knows and we ask them questions. Sounds simple enough and it seems to work because before you know it you just read 2 pages of description that you found interesting because you connected with the main character so therefore you too want answers.
So, with this revelation, I realised I need an old person who knows all to show themselves. Great. Glad I realised this now not halfway through writing.
...I knew there was a reason I hadn't written much (errr, anything) yet.
Okay, okay, I get it, it does. And this blog post isn't actually trying to poke holes in the theory but rather to embrace it. Chat about it.
Veronica Roth, author of the Divergent series, said that if you're interested in knowing how to write a good back story, get your hands on a copy of The Maze Runner by James Dashner. Since the main character has no memory of his past you find out his past at the same time he does which means you don't feel like you're being thrown all of this information that you (the avid reader) think is useless. (Yep, authors, we think sometimes all of that super important information you wrote is useless...)
So, my thoughts today have been on the idea of how does one write back story and information without it being boring or seem like you had to squish it in somewhere?
My conclusion? Well, I didn't really come to one but pondered on a few books I had close to mind (one being Harry Potter of course, I mean when isn't Harry Potter one of the first books that come to mind?).
I decided that a lot of books seem to have an old person or an all knowing person who has all the information and waits patiently for the protagonist to ask the right questions or be the right age to reveal something. Or the meet a family member who has the answers. All in all, there is someone who knows and we ask them questions. Sounds simple enough and it seems to work because before you know it you just read 2 pages of description that you found interesting because you connected with the main character so therefore you too want answers.
So, with this revelation, I realised I need an old person who knows all to show themselves. Great. Glad I realised this now not halfway through writing.
...I knew there was a reason I hadn't written much (errr, anything) yet.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Advice for young writers about reading explained
It seems that a lot of popular writers like to post about advice for young writers. Personally I enjoy reading them but sometimes they get a bit repetitive. I see a lot of lists of things and one off sentences about what one should do but that doesn't really help me much. I understand the want to post about it because a popular writer must get many emails requesting the so said information.
"How do I become successful like you?" is a simple enough question and a couple of years ago I'm pretty sure I asked it myself...a few times. The thing is, the answer itself isn't as simple.
This post today however is about one line of advice I see on countless blogs and only just now have I understood why.
"A writer should read, read, read and read again. Never stop reading."
Great advice, now tell me why.
"Because you'll get a good grasp on the story world."
Mmmm, thanks for that advice. I really feel like I've learnt a lot.
Time and time again it's there in the blogs so I thought today, now that i've finally worked out what this means, I'll explain it to the rest of us beginner writers.
The story behind reading is because to be a writer you must be able to read. As a reader you know what works for you. The way you might finish a book and marvel at the way it flowed so nicely, or the word usage that worked really well, or the plot that was painted so lively, or the characters felt so real. This is where the writer in you comes out. Now you know what worked and what you liked (so quite possibly what you're going to like writing) and you can get a better grasp on writing it.
If you are writing a book you might hit that "wall" and wonder how on earth can I explain this! Have no fear, reading will help get you there! There is 200 pages of description and imagination, open it up and have a read, have a break and get back to writing. You'll have a much better idea of how to explain something if you are reading at the same time because you'll know how it needs to come across for you to be able to imagine it.
Reading also helps your vocabulary. You learn new words all the time. As a writer you must resist the temptation to skip over those long scary and unknown words and whip out a dictionary/phone and search it. The writer used it for a reason, figure out why. Be a detective.
So, there is a reason to read, read, read. I hope that helped. It certainly took me a while but I finally understand why.
"How do I become successful like you?" is a simple enough question and a couple of years ago I'm pretty sure I asked it myself...a few times. The thing is, the answer itself isn't as simple.
This post today however is about one line of advice I see on countless blogs and only just now have I understood why.
"A writer should read, read, read and read again. Never stop reading."
Great advice, now tell me why.
"Because you'll get a good grasp on the story world."
Mmmm, thanks for that advice. I really feel like I've learnt a lot.
Time and time again it's there in the blogs so I thought today, now that i've finally worked out what this means, I'll explain it to the rest of us beginner writers.
The story behind reading is because to be a writer you must be able to read. As a reader you know what works for you. The way you might finish a book and marvel at the way it flowed so nicely, or the word usage that worked really well, or the plot that was painted so lively, or the characters felt so real. This is where the writer in you comes out. Now you know what worked and what you liked (so quite possibly what you're going to like writing) and you can get a better grasp on writing it.
If you are writing a book you might hit that "wall" and wonder how on earth can I explain this! Have no fear, reading will help get you there! There is 200 pages of description and imagination, open it up and have a read, have a break and get back to writing. You'll have a much better idea of how to explain something if you are reading at the same time because you'll know how it needs to come across for you to be able to imagine it.
Reading also helps your vocabulary. You learn new words all the time. As a writer you must resist the temptation to skip over those long scary and unknown words and whip out a dictionary/phone and search it. The writer used it for a reason, figure out why. Be a detective.
So, there is a reason to read, read, read. I hope that helped. It certainly took me a while but I finally understand why.
Friday, August 23, 2013
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Adventure
The car stops and the view is obstructed. Of course the best views cannot be seen by simply driving to them. There is a price to be paid. Albeit rather small and usually completely 100% worth it. You step outside the warmth and comfort of the house on four wheels and head towards the trees. There must be a path somewhere. A wave crashes into land and a salty breeze reaches your lips, it's almost teasing you, letting you know you're close, but not quite close enough. The leaves crunch underneath you feet as you quicken your pace.
Moss is crawling up the trees and the ferns are trying their hardest to complete with the height of the old trees that chuckle at the young these days. For they had hundreds of years of experience and know that even though the ferns grow fast, they will never catch up to the age they have. The winds pick up the story of each long dwelling plant and carry it along, whispering it in your ear as you search for what they grew to protect from prying eyes.
You must be close by now, the path is more worn and the branches are beginning to thin. They've grown respect for you, if you've made it this far, you must be worth letting through to see the treasure behind.
Your breath hitches in your throat as you catch a glimpse of water. Pushing through the last stretch you stand quite breathless from both the walk and the view of deep blues and light blues and greens all mixing together in harmony to create the wonder that is the ocean before you. The sandstone walls, keeping it in are a mix of yellows and reds, swirling together through the years of work, telling a story and a life only they know and can laugh at. The trees behind create the green and brown backdrop, the canvas is painted and nobody had to do anything at all. The sand is picked up with the wind, dancing around you and you take in the sights of wonder. White. Totally white. The only thing not needing colour at all. Simply stunning.
Snap.
You take a picture but are disappointed. It cannot possibly capture everything. You close your eyes, hoping to imprint the image of complete natural perfection in your mind. As you turn to leave you take one last look for this must be remembered.
Moss is crawling up the trees and the ferns are trying their hardest to complete with the height of the old trees that chuckle at the young these days. For they had hundreds of years of experience and know that even though the ferns grow fast, they will never catch up to the age they have. The winds pick up the story of each long dwelling plant and carry it along, whispering it in your ear as you search for what they grew to protect from prying eyes.
You must be close by now, the path is more worn and the branches are beginning to thin. They've grown respect for you, if you've made it this far, you must be worth letting through to see the treasure behind.
Your breath hitches in your throat as you catch a glimpse of water. Pushing through the last stretch you stand quite breathless from both the walk and the view of deep blues and light blues and greens all mixing together in harmony to create the wonder that is the ocean before you. The sandstone walls, keeping it in are a mix of yellows and reds, swirling together through the years of work, telling a story and a life only they know and can laugh at. The trees behind create the green and brown backdrop, the canvas is painted and nobody had to do anything at all. The sand is picked up with the wind, dancing around you and you take in the sights of wonder. White. Totally white. The only thing not needing colour at all. Simply stunning.
Snap.
You take a picture but are disappointed. It cannot possibly capture everything. You close your eyes, hoping to imprint the image of complete natural perfection in your mind. As you turn to leave you take one last look for this must be remembered.
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Storyboarding
Did this last night. Finally figured out a way to get it out onto something I could see. Also forced me to actually put scenes in order and get a general idea of what I want out of this story.
First draft here I come.
Blue: General idea
Orange: Main Persons involved
Pink: Main Places
Yellow: Plot discoveries (yet to be completed)
First draft here I come.
Blue: General idea
Orange: Main Persons involved
Pink: Main Places
Yellow: Plot discoveries (yet to be completed)
Thursday, January 31, 2013
How Does Someone Write a Book: Part 2
I suppose the truth is no one is going to tell you how to write a novel but people can give you ideas, hints and thoughts. Start filling your walls with things of your life. Each one holds a memory, a time in your life where you did something and every time you look at it you think of that moment and the people associated with it. You create a wall of stories.
Start a journal if you haven't already, sometimes the best stories are your own.
Why should you listen to me? No reason. Except I'm trying to learn too.
Below are some ways that other people begin writing:
The Snowflake Method. If you're just starting here is a good place to start with your ideas for you novel. They have these awesome exercises that are seriously so good and get your "creative juices" going.
Storyboarding is another idea that people use and is mostly used in the film industry but can also be used for novel writing. I like it. Although I'd personally be using post it notes on my whiteboard.
Someone's idea of plotting. It's pretty good and simple. I like it because it's got your key points and you can see the flow of it in most novels.
Buy a book like Little Red Writing Book or Bird by Bird and just indulge yourself in the words of their wisdom. (Hey they obviously wrote a book!)
Start a blog. Who cares if no one reads it! You're writing!
Lastly I would just say, look at your time management, is there anything that you do that you go
"Wow, I spend about 2 hours on that and really that's a waste of time, I could just spend 1 hour" to which you then realise that if you put an hour away a day for a year that 365 hours and you could become a master at something. Wow. Think about where you time is going...
Friday, January 11, 2013
Guardians of The Children
What I walked away with was a call to the people of the world to wake up and see that we need to take our place as guardians of the children. The people who are shooting, stealing, doing drugs aren't bad people, they are children we didn't reach - children we didn't protect.
In this movie the first person to die is the Sandman, nicknamed Sandy. He was the protector of dreams. Funny how a month before the movie came out the USA had hurricane Sandy and a month after that had shootings at Sandy hook - which consequently has put kids over the country in disarray thus stealing their confidence. We need to be guardians of this next generation so that when they grow up they too are well equipped to teach the next and maybe we'll see more of a change in our lands.
Half the world is children - what are you doing to protect them? Their dreams; their hopes; their wonder; their memories; their fun.
Lets change this world. Lets bring in stories that encourage and lift up the children to be all that they were meant to be so that us, as guardians of the children, when we are in trouble no it doesn't matter because we are indestructible as one.
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