So the other day I had someone come up to me say, "You read a lot, don't you? I always see you with a book."
Again, as with other things that people have come up to me just blurted out, I wasn't sure how to respond. Thankfully in this instance that moment passed within a few seconds, because I was reading this book with a purpose, and not just to enjoy the story.
At that moment I happened with be reading The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis. Now I have read all of the Narnia books many times, years before. Like in elementary/middle school, so I was pretty familiar with the stories. My purpose in reading them around this time was because I had had an idea for a middle grade/YA Christian fiction, and I wanted to be sure that it was significantly different than Lewis' stories. Thankfully they are, and I am excited to start brainstorming for a new project.
So I explained that to him, and he seemed satisfied with that answer and we moved onto other topics.
But what got to me is that his tone seemed different. Not condescending, but rather like he didn't understand why I would want to read so much. Or why I always have a book with me.
I love to read. Since my mother taught me at a young age, I have loved it. In school I always excelled at the reading and comprehension classes. I can read something and retain it, which is pretty cool. I like getting lost in the worlds that the authors create. Caring about the characters, and what happens to them in their fictional lives. It doesn't matter if I'm reading about children in Narnia, Dragons that speak, mice and woodland creatures that fight, or a detective and her case. Getting out of my head into someone else's has always been fun.
I always carry a book with me. You never know when something may come up that you have to wait for. Be it a doctor visit, a bus, before church service. I even read on lunch and before work if I'm early enough. It takes me to another place, and gives me time to escape from my life. It gets my imagination going, and inspires me to write better. To craft better characters or plots, to be better not only for myself but for my readers.
There is a love of books that some people have, and some don't. And not all readers are writers. But we share a common love for the written word, and that makes us into something larger than ourselves.
Let me know if you agree, disagree, or just if you love books too!
Showing posts with label blogging. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blogging. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
Now that NaNo is over...-WuW
Welcome to the post NaNo slump. A time to not only slack off, but to *gasp* make plans to review your monstrosity that is a first draft. It's okay if you fear going back to look at the hideous beast you've created; the goal of NaNoWriMo is to tell your inner editor "see you later", not to banish him/her forever. Eventually you want to let them out of the cage, and release them on your manuscript.
Just don't be afraid to look back, you might be surprised at what you've put down on the page. But don't be too hard on yourself. The whole job of that first draft is simply to exist. It doesn't have to be perfect, or even OK. You can only edit words on a page; you can't fix something that isn't there.
Usually after NaNo, I let the manuscript rest, at least until the new year. I go away and work on something else for awhile to gain perspective. And the first time I read it through, I only fix the obvious errors, like a missing word, or simple spelling. Or maybe I couldn't remember the name of something in the middle of a word war and need to look it up after having a place holder. But regardless, the first read through is to reacquaint myself with the book, and usually I have a glass of wine when I start. It makes the process more fun. It is actually FUN to see what you had to come up with in a short amount of time.
The next pass through is when I break out the red pen. And I am brutal to my own work. It's actually amazing I've "finished" editing a piece at all! This is the part where I get picky about details, about events, plot lines, and characterization. I make sure all of that lines up, and that there aren't any scenes missing. Once I fix all of that, then I let it rest for a little while before giving it another look over. After a third time, then it's ready for my editor, and my first beta reader.
Writing, I have found, is the easy part. After writing, most authors give their manuscript up. Saved to their hard drive, it collects electronic dust. Don't let it! Editing and revising is all a part of the writing process. Is it a lot of work? Yes. Is it worth is? Yes. Will it force you to be a better writer? YES!
So please, please, please, don't let this happen to you. Give it some time, and then go back and see what your wonderfully creative mind has discovered. Grow in the skills that writing requires, get a critique partner, or 5. You all will benefit. Even if you never publish it. You are building your craft and honing skills.
Plus, it's just fun. Until next time, keep writing! (Well, at least working on your writing ;) )
Just don't be afraid to look back, you might be surprised at what you've put down on the page. But don't be too hard on yourself. The whole job of that first draft is simply to exist. It doesn't have to be perfect, or even OK. You can only edit words on a page; you can't fix something that isn't there.
Usually after NaNo, I let the manuscript rest, at least until the new year. I go away and work on something else for awhile to gain perspective. And the first time I read it through, I only fix the obvious errors, like a missing word, or simple spelling. Or maybe I couldn't remember the name of something in the middle of a word war and need to look it up after having a place holder. But regardless, the first read through is to reacquaint myself with the book, and usually I have a glass of wine when I start. It makes the process more fun. It is actually FUN to see what you had to come up with in a short amount of time.
The next pass through is when I break out the red pen. And I am brutal to my own work. It's actually amazing I've "finished" editing a piece at all! This is the part where I get picky about details, about events, plot lines, and characterization. I make sure all of that lines up, and that there aren't any scenes missing. Once I fix all of that, then I let it rest for a little while before giving it another look over. After a third time, then it's ready for my editor, and my first beta reader.
Writing, I have found, is the easy part. After writing, most authors give their manuscript up. Saved to their hard drive, it collects electronic dust. Don't let it! Editing and revising is all a part of the writing process. Is it a lot of work? Yes. Is it worth is? Yes. Will it force you to be a better writer? YES!
So please, please, please, don't let this happen to you. Give it some time, and then go back and see what your wonderfully creative mind has discovered. Grow in the skills that writing requires, get a critique partner, or 5. You all will benefit. Even if you never publish it. You are building your craft and honing skills.
Plus, it's just fun. Until next time, keep writing! (Well, at least working on your writing ;) )
Friday, November 27, 2015
What I'm thankful for.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
I know it's the day after, but since I usually post on Wednesdays and Fridays, I thought I would keep it up. How was everyone's day? Filled with the three F's I hope! (Family, Food, and of course Football!)
This year I have so much to be thankful for. Even more than in previous years!
If you have been a reader of this blog for a bit you know that this year was a bit rockier for me. I lost my first "big kid" job in April due to downsizing, and was unemployed for a month. Little did I know that was just the beginning of a very blessed year!
During that month, I was able to edit and work on my first trilogy for eight hours a day. Because of that work, I am able to publish them six months apart! The first was out in August, the second will be out the first Saturday of February, and the last will be out the last week in July/early August! I am so excited to be able to share these stories that I've been working on and held close to my heart for so long with other people. It really means a lot when people say they enjoy them, and look forward to the next in the series!
I got a new job, which because of its location enabled me to become a part of a different NaNoWriMo group, and to offer write in's where I can meet more people.
A little over a month into this job, I met my fiance. He is so different than anyone I've dated before. I had no idea what I had been missing in my life. I wish we had found each other sooner, but we enjoy every minute we have together with laughter and fun. Yes sometimes, it's hard, but our relationship is worth it. And I wouldn't have it any other way. I love my goofy man. :)
I was able to go to two author events, as well as host my first release party! I love getting to know people, and watch them make the decision to buy my book or not. It really is interesting to see them figure it out. I hope to go to more next year too!
And best of all, I've been able to keep this blog going every week, often with two posts! I haven't blogged this much this consistently in a long time. I plan to work hard to continue to do so. I like interacting with other bloggers, and seeing what people want to see.
(Please let me know in the comments down below if you want to see something specific!)
That's all from me, for now! I hope that everyone had a great holiday, and will continue to have a blessed holiday season! Please feel free to let me know how your holiday went, I love reading the comments. :)
I know it's the day after, but since I usually post on Wednesdays and Fridays, I thought I would keep it up. How was everyone's day? Filled with the three F's I hope! (Family, Food, and of course Football!)
This year I have so much to be thankful for. Even more than in previous years!
If you have been a reader of this blog for a bit you know that this year was a bit rockier for me. I lost my first "big kid" job in April due to downsizing, and was unemployed for a month. Little did I know that was just the beginning of a very blessed year!
During that month, I was able to edit and work on my first trilogy for eight hours a day. Because of that work, I am able to publish them six months apart! The first was out in August, the second will be out the first Saturday of February, and the last will be out the last week in July/early August! I am so excited to be able to share these stories that I've been working on and held close to my heart for so long with other people. It really means a lot when people say they enjoy them, and look forward to the next in the series!
I got a new job, which because of its location enabled me to become a part of a different NaNoWriMo group, and to offer write in's where I can meet more people.
A little over a month into this job, I met my fiance. He is so different than anyone I've dated before. I had no idea what I had been missing in my life. I wish we had found each other sooner, but we enjoy every minute we have together with laughter and fun. Yes sometimes, it's hard, but our relationship is worth it. And I wouldn't have it any other way. I love my goofy man. :)
I was able to go to two author events, as well as host my first release party! I love getting to know people, and watch them make the decision to buy my book or not. It really is interesting to see them figure it out. I hope to go to more next year too!
And best of all, I've been able to keep this blog going every week, often with two posts! I haven't blogged this much this consistently in a long time. I plan to work hard to continue to do so. I like interacting with other bloggers, and seeing what people want to see.
(Please let me know in the comments down below if you want to see something specific!)
That's all from me, for now! I hope that everyone had a great holiday, and will continue to have a blessed holiday season! Please feel free to let me know how your holiday went, I love reading the comments. :)
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
NaNoWriMo Tag!
So maybe I wasn't tagged, but I loved the video that Kristina Horner created on YouTube, and then a favorite blogger of mine, Raychel Rose posted this...So I just had to complete the tag too ;) (Link to Raychel's answers: https://raychelrose.wordpress.com/2015/10/31/the-nanowrimo-tag/ )
1. How many times have you done NaNoWriMo?
This will be my third NaNo, and I've also completed 4 rounds of Camp.
2. How did you first find out about NaNoWriMo?
I first found out about NaNo my freshman year of college. The college had a meeting about it as they were running their own region (at the time-I don't know if they still do) so a friend of mine went with me to check it out. It sounded like such a great opportunity, but at the time I was working two jobs, I commuted a half hour to and from classes, I owned a horse, and was giving lessons/training other horses. At that time it wasn't right for me, but I never forgot about it! I competed in my first NaNo the November after graduating. :)
3. What was the name of the first novel you attempted with NaNo?
The title is Across the Sea and Hills, and it will be available on Amazon in February 2016 !!
4. Give us 1 sentence summary of what you're writing this year.
My project for this year follows some of the descendants from my first trilogy while exploring more of the world, and introducing more characters. Also: more magic, more bad guys, and more dragons!
5. What's the best writing advise you've ever been given?
That as the writer you have to show up. Everyday. It doesn't matter if you feel "inspired" or not. I used to only write when the fancy struck me. And I barely got work done. By adopting the NaNo mentality of writing no matter what I have got more done in the past few years than ever before.
You can edit a bad page, you can't edit a blank page.
6. Did you ever take a year off from NaNo? Why?
Not yet! I hope never to have to.
7. What's your biggest inspiration when figuring out what to write?
Music, nature, reading other works, talking with fellow writers, reading fellow writers blogs and seeing what other people are working on.
8. Read us the first sentence from one of your novels.
The air was fiercer than she remembered the end of the spring cycles being.
9. Why do you love writing?
I love the creativity that goes into it, and how different that is for each person.
I remember sitting in my capstone English class, it was the end of the semester, and realized that each of the 14 people had written two stories. That was 28 completely different, individual, stories. No two stories were the same. I realized then that was what I loved about writing- the individuality of it.
Other than the fun it is to see your imagination come to life on the page, and then have readers love it as much as you do. That is a feeling like no other!
1. How many times have you done NaNoWriMo?
This will be my third NaNo, and I've also completed 4 rounds of Camp.
2. How did you first find out about NaNoWriMo?
I first found out about NaNo my freshman year of college. The college had a meeting about it as they were running their own region (at the time-I don't know if they still do) so a friend of mine went with me to check it out. It sounded like such a great opportunity, but at the time I was working two jobs, I commuted a half hour to and from classes, I owned a horse, and was giving lessons/training other horses. At that time it wasn't right for me, but I never forgot about it! I competed in my first NaNo the November after graduating. :)
3. What was the name of the first novel you attempted with NaNo?
The title is Across the Sea and Hills, and it will be available on Amazon in February 2016 !!
4. Give us 1 sentence summary of what you're writing this year.
My project for this year follows some of the descendants from my first trilogy while exploring more of the world, and introducing more characters. Also: more magic, more bad guys, and more dragons!
5. What's the best writing advise you've ever been given?
That as the writer you have to show up. Everyday. It doesn't matter if you feel "inspired" or not. I used to only write when the fancy struck me. And I barely got work done. By adopting the NaNo mentality of writing no matter what I have got more done in the past few years than ever before.
You can edit a bad page, you can't edit a blank page.
6. Did you ever take a year off from NaNo? Why?
Not yet! I hope never to have to.
7. What's your biggest inspiration when figuring out what to write?
Music, nature, reading other works, talking with fellow writers, reading fellow writers blogs and seeing what other people are working on.
8. Read us the first sentence from one of your novels.
The air was fiercer than she remembered the end of the spring cycles being.
9. Why do you love writing?
I love the creativity that goes into it, and how different that is for each person.
I remember sitting in my capstone English class, it was the end of the semester, and realized that each of the 14 people had written two stories. That was 28 completely different, individual, stories. No two stories were the same. I realized then that was what I loved about writing- the individuality of it.
Other than the fun it is to see your imagination come to life on the page, and then have readers love it as much as you do. That is a feeling like no other!
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
The A-Z's of NaNoWriMo- WuW
The A-Z's of the craziness that is NaNoWriMo
A- Aspirin!
B- Beta readers won't know what hit them
C- Caffeine is very necessary
D- Daily doses of inspiration
E- Everyday habit of writing develops
F- Fragments of real life make their way into the story
G- Google becomes your friend for fast research
H- Headaches from staring the computer screen late at night
I- Inspiration abounds
J- Just talk to a veteran for advice
K- Kick off parties are fun ways to meet other writers
L- Limericks may become involved
M- Midnight write ins
N- Nightly word count updates
O- Onomatopoeia
P- Plot bunnies
Q- Quick typing skills are developed (usually)
R- Rush of adrenaline as the deadline looms closer
S- Surge of creative energy
T- Thirst for more when it's done
U- Unbelievable fun
V- Vivacious Vixens are Vexing at times
W- Write In's
X- Xylophones sold at the white elephant fundraiser
Y- Your ideas actually fill an entire novel!
Z- Zany plot twists
A- Aspirin!
B- Beta readers won't know what hit them
C- Caffeine is very necessary
D- Daily doses of inspiration
E- Everyday habit of writing develops
F- Fragments of real life make their way into the story
G- Google becomes your friend for fast research
H- Headaches from staring the computer screen late at night
I- Inspiration abounds
J- Just talk to a veteran for advice
K- Kick off parties are fun ways to meet other writers
L- Limericks may become involved
M- Midnight write ins
N- Nightly word count updates
O- Onomatopoeia
P- Plot bunnies
Q- Quick typing skills are developed (usually)
R- Rush of adrenaline as the deadline looms closer
S- Surge of creative energy
T- Thirst for more when it's done
U- Unbelievable fun
V- Vivacious Vixens are Vexing at times
W- Write In's
X- Xylophones sold at the white elephant fundraiser
Y- Your ideas actually fill an entire novel!
Z- Zany plot twists
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Why I started Blogging- WuW
How is NaNoWriMo going for everyone? Good I hope!
Is it currently day four and I am a little behind where I want to be. I have 5,301 words, and will be doing some more writing as soon as I post this. If you want to follow or add me on the NaNo site, my user name is mandrews25 :)
Today I wanted to talk a little about why I chose to blog, and why I chose to continue to do so after starting it.
Initially this blog started during college, well, for a college class to be honest. My very first post can be seen here: http://malindaandrews.blogspot.com/2012/09/scene-from-current-project.html
This class focused on the literary form that is a Zine. For those of you that don't know, a Zine is ,according to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, "a small magazine that is written by people who are not professional writers and that usually has stories about a particular subject".
Now, I agree with the opening, and ending, but I do not agree with the "Professional writers". What I think they meant by the term "professional" is that the people making Zines are usually every day people like you and me. If we happen to sell them, great, but they are not usually made for profit. Typically they are hand made, and only a few exist of each version. Now of course there are exceptions, this a generalization of the form of writing for the purpose of introducing the topic.
During the class we were to basically produce a Zine every two weeks. We focused on themes for each one, which will be reflected in the blog posts on this site during that time. The professor also instructed us to start a blog, using whichever server you chose, and that we were to post 3 times a week. Sometimes we would be assigned something specific to write about, and sometimes we simply had to post anything. He wanted us to experiment not only with Zine writing, but other alternative forms of writing/communication including blogging, vlogging, podcasts, and Zine's. This was really where I first came across the concept of self publishing.
The class was great and I learned a ton about writing, editing, publishing, and collaborating. The community in that room was fantastic, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. But after it ended, and I was looking into building up my online presence as an author, both for traditional and self publishing, I decided to keep the blog.
I revamped the look way back 2012 after the class ended, and started try to post regularly. At times that was an epic fail, but I was learning about myself and my writing process. There are a few random topics, simply because I was trying to post often. But most of my posts revolve around my life as a writer- with all it's ups and downs.
Recently I revamped the background again, and with some help from my writing/editing buddy, placed some tabs at the top so that it functions more as a website than just a blog. I really like how long I've been able to continue blogging, and look forward to where I am headed.
And OF course, keeping you all updated along the way ;)
Until next time, keep writing my friends!
Is it currently day four and I am a little behind where I want to be. I have 5,301 words, and will be doing some more writing as soon as I post this. If you want to follow or add me on the NaNo site, my user name is mandrews25 :)
Today I wanted to talk a little about why I chose to blog, and why I chose to continue to do so after starting it.
Initially this blog started during college, well, for a college class to be honest. My very first post can be seen here: http://malindaandrews.blogspot.com/2012/09/scene-from-current-project.html
This class focused on the literary form that is a Zine. For those of you that don't know, a Zine is ,according to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, "a small magazine that is written by people who are not professional writers and that usually has stories about a particular subject".
Now, I agree with the opening, and ending, but I do not agree with the "Professional writers". What I think they meant by the term "professional" is that the people making Zines are usually every day people like you and me. If we happen to sell them, great, but they are not usually made for profit. Typically they are hand made, and only a few exist of each version. Now of course there are exceptions, this a generalization of the form of writing for the purpose of introducing the topic.
During the class we were to basically produce a Zine every two weeks. We focused on themes for each one, which will be reflected in the blog posts on this site during that time. The professor also instructed us to start a blog, using whichever server you chose, and that we were to post 3 times a week. Sometimes we would be assigned something specific to write about, and sometimes we simply had to post anything. He wanted us to experiment not only with Zine writing, but other alternative forms of writing/communication including blogging, vlogging, podcasts, and Zine's. This was really where I first came across the concept of self publishing.
The class was great and I learned a ton about writing, editing, publishing, and collaborating. The community in that room was fantastic, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. But after it ended, and I was looking into building up my online presence as an author, both for traditional and self publishing, I decided to keep the blog.
I revamped the look way back 2012 after the class ended, and started try to post regularly. At times that was an epic fail, but I was learning about myself and my writing process. There are a few random topics, simply because I was trying to post often. But most of my posts revolve around my life as a writer- with all it's ups and downs.
Recently I revamped the background again, and with some help from my writing/editing buddy, placed some tabs at the top so that it functions more as a website than just a blog. I really like how long I've been able to continue blogging, and look forward to where I am headed.
And OF course, keeping you all updated along the way ;)
Until next time, keep writing my friends!
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