#writing_wednesdays Just Do It

I have not done a single #writing_wednesday since August, when I wrote about getting in the mood to write. Today's topic? Motivation. To make my point? I'll be sharing my story as a writer.

Several years ago (I believe it was three), I decided to write more. I had an old computer that I could use, and I enjoyed the hobby. So why not?

The remains from this period are horrid. I remember writing a sentence- just one sentence- that I was so proud of. Re-reading it, it was a sentence that today would pop up on a regular basis. That year I was very proud of myself. But I gave up. Gave in. After that high from that sentence, I collapsed.

The next fall, I began writing my first book. It was an improvement, and I still have the copy that I printed out. I went on to write Behind The Rebel Mask, my 40,000 word accomplishment. I felt successful. I started a writing blog, the very same writing blog you are reading from this very minute.

The blog was getting success. I had a different old- but younger- computer that I was writing on, and I could write almost everyday. In April, the computer died, pulling my habit with it. I could write only scarcely, and my following had plummeted. In May and June, I wrote nothing. People were still reading old posts, but there was nothing new. In July, I posted eight times. In August, September, October, and November, I posted a total of six times.

In December, I got a new computer, but life was hectic. I had no time to write- how was I ever supposed to make my great comeback? I had so many 'comebacks,' there was no guarantee I actually would comeback after posting one.

But now, I'm trying as hard as I can to just write. If your held back by something foolish, say no. Write. Don't be lazy. Set the mood. I have faith in you.

Now write. Nothing will write itself. And history must be told.

Writing Wednesday: Getting in the Mood to Write

So, you want to write. Or you need to write. No matter why you are supposed to be writing, sometimes it can be hard to get in the mood to write a successful post or chapter. I struggle with this a lot. Like, a lot. Here are 5 ways to get in the mood to write whatever.

1. Set up a place to write! Mine are makeshift these days- the living room, the kitchen table, my bed- whatever, but I have a lot of stuff that I carry around including 7 notebooks, a sketchbook, binders, research books, a map with pins, and a scrapbook with a bunch of pins.
2. Get comfy.  
3. Turn on music! It can help to have a playlist of music where the lyrics reflect conflict in your story. My sister and I (we both are writers) have a playlist that every song on it aligns with the story in our main books. It works really well, but sometimes I just turn on Pandora.
4. Pinterest is wonderful. Create a board where you can look at pictures of people that look like your characters. Kissing, fighting, selfies- whatever. It all helps get in the mood.
5. Block out other distractions. This probably should come earlier in the list, but it is so important! Don't have social media or email up while you work. I find it  helpful to use an iPad because I can have Pandora going and my work docs up.

#writing_wednesdays Still Writing by Dani Shapiro

Recently (meaning in the past week) I read a book by Dani Shapiro titled "Still Writing." It was really a great read, and, being a writer, I could really relate. Of course, I don't have whole days to myself, and rather have a few minutes every here and there.

I read through this book in every possible second, eating up page after page. Shapiro knows the writing life so well! The book has many pros, but cons are visible. Swear words are scattered, but they exist, so it isn't exactly child proofed. Dani also talks about her life, which is a good thing most of the time. There is mature content mentioned several times. 

Now, if you want the rainbow. you have to take the rain (meaning those swear words and mature content), and this book has a big rainbow that you want to see, so just be mature and barrel through it. 

I really enjoy the  layout. The book is divided into three sections: Beginnings, Middles, and Ends. The sections have headings with simple names- names that tell you what is coming, but at the same time, they don't give it away. For instance, one of the 'chapters' is called Distance. At first glance, I have no idea what it will be about. Reading it, though for Distance it is difficult, you will see what it is all about. 

This book is a must read for aspiring authors, so get if from the library. I think that I will just keep it and pretend that I lost it so I can read it over and over again...

#Writing_Wednesday THE DEBATE- Fiction vs. Nonficiton

When it comes to writing, there are two main types: Fiction and Nonfiction. Nonfiction deals with facts- it's all real, whereas fiction is all made up. Though it often follows realistic criteria, characters, plot, and sometimes setting have all been made up by the author.

And here on The Words are Flowing, we'll be having a debate between fiction and nonfiction.

Fiction: I'm so much easier to write! You don't have to worry about the facts, and instead, you can just write without a care in the world. 

Nonfiction: When writing me, you may have to do some research, and fiction thinks that's bad. In doing research, you can learn more. After all, as Albert Szent-Gyorigyi said, "Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought." 

Fiction: In fiction, you can be free, entering a world that is all your own with no rules to follow. 

Nonfiction: If you read non-fiction, you need not have a doubt about the facts presented to you. Tom Wolfe says, "Non-Fiction is never going to die." It is true, too. 

Fiction: Nonfiction will become outdated. Fiction will never, because it has no limits.

Nonfiction: Nonfiction will always be true to the day it was written. 

Fiction: What's better, y'all? True to the day it was written or true forever? 

Nonfiction: What is better- The facts or something that someone made up? 

You decide- Fact or Fiction? Why? 

Doing a Story Sprint #Writing Wednesdays

When working to come up with a story idea for NaNoWriMo, Camp NaNoWriMo, or anything else, the ideas may not be abundant. Here is a great way to get great ideas. I'll explain it below, or you can watch the video (if it loads). 

A story sprint is when you get a pad of paper (or a typing app such as word or notepad) and go for, say, three minutes, and try to brainstorm as many ideas as possible. They can be one line summaries, titles with no plot behind them, characters that would be in a story, or the setting of the story. Here's and example. 

1. Sammy Sanders- A girl with long hair that she always rope braids who is still finding out what she is supposed to do in life
2. Something that takes place in Russia
3. Called 'When Pigs Fly'
4. Person meets neighbor over treeline

Etc. After the time is up, review your ideas and select one that could go far. This is how I got my idea for Camp NaNoWriMo 2016! 

20 MORE Telltale Signs that you are a Writer #Writing_Wednesday

21. Your whole room is dedicated to writing.
22. Your whole apartment is dedicated to writing.
23. Your whole house is dedicated to writing.
24. You don't to any school work because you are writing, and therefore do not get a degree.
25. You get an amazing degree because you went above and beyond
26. You cry when you kill your characters.
27. You don't care who wins the presidential election because you are buried in pillows and writing.
28. What presidential election?
29. You have only been to one coffee shop.
30. You always get your usual at the coffee shop that you always go to.
31. You have a writing schedule.
32. You have no life away from the pen and paper.
33. You are broke because you don't have a job away from writing.
34. You'd DIE if you couldn't write.
35. You write multiple chapters every day.
36. You hate homework because it takes from your writing time.
37. You write multiple blog entries per day.
38. You plan your blog entries months in advance.
39. You write more than sleep.
40. You'd rather cease to exist than cease to write.

#Writing Wednesdays- With Other Writers

       Just because I don't come across writers with a nimiety of passion in everyday life, it doesn't mean that they don't exist. Here are 8 tips when you come across writers in workshops, coffee shops, or just daily life.

1. Keep your cool. Don't hyperventilate. They, too, are people, no matter how famous or little known.  
2.  Ask them questions. What do you write? 
3. Don't make it sound like an interview. Get personal, but don't go overboard. When they answer a question, you can answer it too. 
4. When asked for feedback, always say the good thing first. Instead of saying, 'Your plot line was bad, but the rest was good,' say, 'I really liked it, but the plot line could be tweaked a bit.' 
5. Don't tell them you could do better. Everyone needs work, and even if you could do better, keep it to yourself. 
6. Share resources. If you have found an awesome writing blog, contest, or writing tool, share it with them! 
7. Find Common Ground. If you share interests, not only in writing, share them and discuss it. 
8. Remember, Writing is not a writer's only passion. We like other things, too! 

#WritingWednesday WRITING WORKSHOP

         This past weekend I had the privilege in going to a writing workshop at our public library. Everyone there was older than me. I stuck out like a sore thumb if you saw the picture, but I felt perfectly comfortable, except for when asked to tell my story.
           The topic was storytelling, which I am a fail at. I struggled desperately. I have taken away that storytelling doesn't have to be word-for-word like a book, but more directed at the audience. It is less painting a picture in storytelling than it is in writing. If you try quoting from a book, your tale may become too long and boring. In the beginning, I awkwardly told my story like reading a book, thinking about each and every word instead of telling like a natural. My newness was obvious.
           After a few cookies, a cup of tea, and listening to my partner tell her story, I felt comfortable. But the time was over quickly. It felt great giving feedback and listening to brand-new ideas.
           I am now officially on their email list and am looking forward to the next workshop- Creating Worlds! 

Today is Writing Wednesday

Today is Writing Wednesday. And I want to talk about the Author's Competition at my school. I lost, for the second year in a row. I have no idea what I did wrong. My story was Family Olympics, which I thought was written a lot better than last year's HORRIBLE story. The only thing I can think of was a lack of plot. It is a short story competition, and I think Family Olympics qualified for it.

Last year, my story lost. I wasn't shocked, but sad. It was a bad story, I completely admit it, but the shock was what scarred me. I stopped writing. I felt like my passion for writing was through. The next time I wrote with a passion was in September, 2015. Dead Mother's Last Words, about a forty-page story about a girl whose mother was murdered.

I was pumped for another NaNoWriMo by then, and I had a great idea: Behind the Rebel Mask- Which is now my 40,030 word novelette about a girl who was the heir to a throne when her home is attacked. She goes and lives, disguised as an enemy commoner, in her enemy country, living and eating with the enemies. This got me excited. I wrote more and more.

When I found out that I lost yet again, I was shocked. I thought Family Olympics was good! Was I really a bad writer?

I may have not known why I still wrote. I was confused. But now I think, I write because it makes me happy! Maybe my writing is an amphigory, but then why would others read it? I just have to keep going. Everyone starts an amateur.

#Writing_Wednesdays- Stand your Ground and Be Proud

        Being  a writer in a public school isn't exactly the easiest. Most people think that writing is boring or a waste of their time, but us writers see things like video games or sports boring or a waste of our time. I get this all the time: "You like writing?" or "You enjoy writing essays?" *scoots away* It's annoying. Just because they don't know anyone who composes poems instead of counting sheep, it doen't mean we don't exist.
        And if this is a new to you, I'M RIGHT HERE!!!
        And to my other writer readers, stand your ground and be proud. You're a writer, not an average Joe. When you cowardly back off after someone challenges your love, that gives 'writer' a bad name. Instead talk back; your a writer, and, as Somerset Maughm once said,

Image is from HERE

        And that goes the same for everyday conversation. You can do it. Stand your ground. You are a writer, and you should be proud of it! 

10 Reasons Why I Write

1. To make my dreams come true. 
2.  To make sense of the world
1. Because boys are just too complicated. 
3. To show the world that I am made of words 
1. Hence the title of this blog, The Words are Flowing
2. I think that I am made of words, like this guy: 
   https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTTdcuY8256HuBnjrQ0amhCNObzAA5GsY-V0GogC745VS0Mnt8VSw
4. To learn to love
1. When you write, you develop relationships with your characters that will never be like those that you develop with living humans. 
1. Same with Reading. 
1. I'm in love with Rudy Steiner from the book thief. <3
2. And Neville Longbottom
1. So Brave...
5. To learn to cherish
1. Now that I have written stories, I feel like the veil blocking my sight has been lifted so I see more and savor more. 
6. To find the worth of water before the well is dry
1. Now I think, as I write the stories of impoverished characters, about how lucky I am to have what I have. 
7. To share my thoughts
1. All the stories that were blocked off before I wrote are now flowing. 
8. To understand both friend and enemy. 
1. Because those bullies are really hard to understand. 
1. Over a the summer, my friend and I started a story together about life in a school. I was writing from the perspective from one of the 'not-so-good' kids and learned a lot. The story was never finished, but now I can see more about the kids that swear. 
2. I also wrote an article about swearing (here) that taught me that some people swear because they want to express the casualty of the environment or are scared and insecure. 
9.   Sometimes only paper will listen to you. 
1. No matter how boring your story, paper will take it and read it. 
10.  I have a story, begging to be told. 

10 Reasons Why You Should Write

This is Part 1 in a 2 part series- Part Two is coming up later tonight!!!

1. It prepares you for writing all sorts of things in your later years. 
2. It lets you express your feelings. 
3. It lets you share great ideas.
4. It's fun!
5. It increases your vocabulary
6. You become more perceptive with every adjective. 
7. You become more knowing with each noun. 
8. You become more advanced in life with every verb. 
9. It's the quickest way to make your dreams come true. 
10. Why Not??? 

#Writing_Wednesdays Read Good Books- Write Good Books

Have you ever noticed that when you read a book for a while, you tend to think like the characters for a while afterwards? For instance, the book Ninth Ward is narrated in a very choppy, descriptive style. I really like it, but a few years ago I was reading it out loud a lot, and I realized that what I said and my thoughts were in that style. I would think choppy, descriptive things.

That is just one example of how books affect us. If I read Junie B. Jones for my entire life, I'm not going to be a very good writer because I haven't been exposed to good writing. Now, If I only read Harry Potter, then I will only be exposed to that genre, therefore not knowing how to write other genres and styles.

My point here is to vary what you are reading. Expose yourself to different genres. Now, I am not so good at that and make a point to read different books in between my Harry Potter loops, but it is definitely a good goal.

#Writing_Wednesdays 1

Today's a Wednesday. And here at The Words are Flowing, Wednesday's are #Writing_Wednesdays. Here is the prompt:

What is your favorite writing music?