Knick-Knacks and their Potential Writerly Purposes!

    Does anybody like knick-knacks? You know, small trinkets and items that are left on a desk, like a tiny figurine or an interesting paperweight. They aren't exactly practical tools, but they still fulfill small purposes like serving as a paperweight, being souvenirs of a trip, and of adding a nice decorative touch to an area. But they can have even more purposes than that to a writer, I think. Left on the desk, within arm's reach, it has potential to fulfil some awesome writerly purposes!
    Like providing a brief diversion. Because everyone can use a very brief mental break every now and then, right? Writing or plotting the story, trying to come up with the right action or the best wording, having a cluttered, stressed mind doesn't work as well as one that's rested. Observing a knick-knack for a couple seconds can help to relax and clear the think tank for just a moment. In my case, I have a small, smooth pink rock that I turn over in my hand sometimes, to feel its coolness on my fingers and clear some of the clutter out of my mind.
    I also have a knick-knack with a verse printed on it, which encourages me to push on with writing. That's another great writer-thing knick-knacks can do: carry a message, or signify one that you'd remember just by looking at it. It could be something as straight-to-the-point as a sticky note with writing on it (which are very effective when placed on the wall behind your computer, or on the desk space around it), or it could be something symbolic like a puzzle piece (which doesn't take up that much space). And with the message so close, it's not difficult for wandering eyes to land on them and remember what's important.
    And on that same note, knick-knacks can also inspire a person as a writer. A knick-knack that represents something--like maybe finished novel manuscripts that one will try to get published--can stir up feelings of encouragement, and hope for success. It can also just serve as a reminder that "hey, I've sat at this desk to write with that paperweight on it a million times, and I still love to do it!"
    So what do you think? Do you have knick-knacks that have done this kind of thing?

Respect

    Having stories is a funny thing; sometimes it's a lot like the way we writers are with ideas. One day (usually right after finishing a big manuscript) we don't have a novel-length story to tell, and we're looking high and low to find one; but on other days, when we do have a fabulous story to write, there are a dozen other shiny story ideas, all screaming to be written immediately! And as much as it'd be awesome to dive into writing them (particularly when a severe case of writers' block has struck with the current work), it can't be done because there just isn't enough time.
     Alas, there's no remedy that'll magically enable us to ignore other ideas for just a little while, or grant us super-speed-writing to make the wait for the next project shorter. But there is something that can definitely help us cling to the story we've made a commitment to working on: respect. Having respect for the gift of writing, and respect for the story itself.
    Showing something/someone reverence doesn't just mean to think of something as amazing and wonderful; it can also mean having a deep understanding of how important it is and being unwilling to brush it off as common. Respecting a person means paying close attention to what they're saying and not glancing at your watch to see when you can take your leave. Respecting the gift of storytelling would probably include making quality time for writing and not going about it with a "ho-hum" attitude. And respecting a story (particularly the one currently being worked on) would mean not forgetting what potential it has to be fantastic, giving it time and focus, and sticking with it until it's finished.
    Being able to have this kind of respect is great not only because it helps us keep working on the story to the end, but because the ability to respect something is a really strong character aspect. It makes us better as writers and as people!
    So what are your thoughts? Has respect for writing or the story itself been the vital thing that's ever kept you from giving up?

A Couple Thoughts on Deadlines

    We all know a little bit about deadlines. We've had them in school whenever there was work to do outside of class, but the projects and essays that have later deadlines were always a little more stressful than the regular homework, right? Because even though there's a lot more time to do it, there's a lot more work too, and there's a serious pressure to do that work instead of using that lovely time to do more interesting things. And when a person is prone to procrastinating, and they find themselves working to finish it on the last day, they're pushed into doing something that feels totally uncomfortable: forcing oneself to write something because there's a terrible consequence if they don't.
    But deadlines aren't all bad and stressful; there are a lot of good aspects about them too. Overall, they can help a person be motivated to not be lazy, and it does get a job done by a specific time. But there are also certain upsides to different kinds of deadlines--ones that involve our own writing projects instead of academic work. For example:
    Writing group-related deadlines. Writing groups are awesome! We get to hang out with writer friends, and we can share writings to get feedback; everybody benefits! But of course nobody would want to be waiting a long time to get that precious feedback, so there's doubtlessly always an agreement to have comments/thoughts and new writing ready by the next meeting. But a great thing about having a deadline like this is that the people holding us to it are fellow writers. And fellow writers can understand writer issues that might cause a temporary delay (like severe writer's block or just sudden busyness in life) and be sympathetic. Plus, writing with the knowledge that someone is looking forward to reading the work is an extra pulse of motivation!
    Writing workshops and/or conferences. There's one coming soon in the area I live in, and I'm working like crazy to have something ready to bring. The approaching deadline is definitely a little stressful, and it can't be moved to a later date because it's an official event, but it's not all worrisome and full of pressure because the event is an exciting thing! Writing workshops and conferences are an adventure to look forward to, like going off to college or heading on a dream vacation. And preparing for it is like packing and re-packing a suitcase; you don't want to be sloppy or forget anything important, but it's still fun to prepare for because it's going to be so awesome!
    NaNoWriMo. It's so weird. A wonderful, wonderful, weird. Because NaNoWriMo takes something impossible (writing a whole first draft within thirty days) and manages to make it fun. It's a crazy, coffee/hot chocolate packed dash to make a word count, but the environment NaNo creates is so inspirational and encouraging that the process isn't just a haggard rush. There are tools to track your progress on the novel, a space to write little blurbs as if the book were already published, and there's a whole community to be part of. NaNoWriMo gives a quick, quick deadline, but it's thrilling all the way!
    Personal goals. Like starting a story in January and saying, "I want to have the first draft done by the end of March." This kind of deadline is great because it's one that a person makes for themselves based on a personal understanding. The goal doesn't just come from how fast a person can type in one instance; it's based on past experiences and a knowledgeable approximation of how much time a person would actually have for writing. Plus it's also flexible; if the goal-setter gets really sick or becomes tied up in a monstrously time-consuming project, they can stretch the deadline a little. And in the end, when the goal is met, there's an extra layer of satisfaction because sticking to a goal is an awesome skill, writing-wise and life-wise.
    There are so many deadlines and so many reasons to enjoy them! :) Isn't it cool?

When the Bad Guys Sell their Cause a Little too Well

    I read a novel a little while ago that I was really disappointed in by the end. The premise was fascinating, and the setting and background story were genius, but I felt really let down by the main protagonist, who goes from being a really nice and noble person at the beginning to a coldhearted, corrupted murderer in the end. It wasn't even a tragedy story like Marissa Meyer's Fairest, where the character is expected to turn to the dark side over the course of the story; this was very sudden, and frankly out of character.
    One of the major factors that led up to this character's moral downfall (and another thing about the novel that saddened me as a writer and a person) was the way that the antagonists, the cruel and self-centered villains, presented their cause. There were multiple incidents over the course of the story where the main character was hearing the antagonists' view on a conflict both their sides were in. The antagonists' points were realistic, actually very important things to consider ethically, but when the cruel villains finished talking, everything was just left at that. There was no rebuttal from the main character, or from another one of the good guys; nothing happened in the story that provided a ray of hope, or any kind of proof that showed that the evil deeds of the antagonists were unjustified. By the end of the story (and even well before that), the villains' cause sounded righteous, and the virtuous side from whence the main character came sounded like the wrong one.
    Usually it's a pretty good writing accomplishment when a bad guy can sell their cause really well--it is logical for an antagonist to think they're right, after all; and when their corrupted logic can tempt the character, it's interesting for plot. But in this kind of situation where the bad guys had the final word when they didn't have to, and their claims sounded right when there were plenty of arguments that could have shown that they were wrong, I think the author really crossed a line. Because not only was the main character listening to the villains' argument, and watching their crooked claims go without defiance, but so was the reader.
   And while people don't believe everything they hear, stories still have a special sort of power that can potentially sway a person's views. Characters might not be "real" in the sense that they aren't walking on our streets, and the settings might not actually be established places on earth, but the principles of the story's themes, and the way that a reader can connect with characters is very real. So when a person writes a story with a great (at least, initially great) protagonist/narrator, and makes an un-refuted claim that  willfully evil actions can be justified and accepted, or that genuine goodness doesn't even exist, it's possible that a reader will make some partial connections to the real world and really accept this as truth. And that is a seriously horrible and tragic thing to happen.
    There are a lot of books where the established "heroes" of a society really do turn out to be corrupt, and where the villains do a top-rate job at persuading people to their side, but those stories don't push it too far like this book I read did. They don't absolutely blot out the line between good and evil. They show that the world can be a pretty corrupt place, but they also provide that goodness and truth can still prevail. They show how there is a difference between right and wrong. They let their antagonists make seemingly bulletproof arguments, but then they bring in someone who points out all the cracks and flaws and outright lies in it, who gives an argument of their own (or prompts the narrator to create one) that stands for truth, virtue, and the good things that the world really needs to stick to, not abandon.
    There are ways to apply the skill of persuasion to antagonists without going too far, but it is important to make sure that they don't go too far. Does anyone else agree with me on this?
    Have you read any novels where the antagonists' cause stands unquestioned? Or have you read a book that applies a healthy measure of persuasion, where the antagonists sell their cause really well, but not too well?

 

Sylvia Plath and Self Doubt



"The worst enemy to creativity is self doubt."

~Sylvia Plath

    Worst enemy. Huh; what an interesting way to think of it. When I hear "worst enemy," I think of a person bent on bettering, conquering, foiling, and basically destroying their noble opponent. I imagine a worst enemy as a person, or a force of numerous people; not a tendency that one person has.
    But it makes a lot of sense. Especially since the self-doubt a lot of us experience as writers often comes as a little voice in the mind. "Hey! You can't work on that now! You won't get an ounce of quality work done!" "Don't even think of starting a new project; you'll lose interest in it after two days." "You shouldn't even bother powering on your computer; you'll probably get sucked into the Internet anyway." All those positive comments that make a person feel so light-hearted.
    Yeah, that sounds like the voice of an opponent. So if self-doubt acts as an enemy, how do we beat it? Voices like this don't go away easily, if it's even possible to get rid of them . . .
    What do we normally do with people who act like a jerk and say rude things to us?
    Personally, I think the best thing to do in that situation is to . . . well, ignore them.
    So maybe that just might work with self-doubt too. It doesn't help to pay attention to them anyway; it only inhibits progress and makes someone feel crummy. Plus, the self-doubting thoughts often take root in fear and/or bitterness. So why believe a word of what it says?
    Ignoring the voice of self-doubt; what do you think of the idea? Is it best to avoid self-doubt altogether, or do you think there's something good that can come out of it?

Hunger

Looking at cake can suddenly whet a person's hunger for food.

    I've been thinking a bit about hunger lately. Not the hunger for food, but the kind of hunger that refers to the will.
    The hunger a person has when they really, really want to do something. It's a craving, a passion . . . though not an obsession (but maybe hunger is a little involved with that).
    It's good--it's necessary--to have a nice measure of hunger for things like wisdom, truth, and peace. And when you're a writer, it's also important to have a good amount of hunger for the act and craft of writing. Agreed?
    It contributes to the excitement of the craft, hunger. Yearning for the time and focus to just sit down, press keys, enjoy the moment, and shape words into a narrative of a whole other world full of totally different people (or animals, or creatures, or whatever beings the writer prefers to write about). It's an inspirational feeling.
    Sometimes I don't feel much of a hunger for writing though--which stinks, but I guess it's also part of being a writer. Having dry spells, lacking hunger. On some occasions, I feel like I have to wait a while before getting super excited about writing again; but other times, things that I actually do can whet my appetite again. Sometimes just writing without any particular plan in mind, listening to the inaudible voice of a character, can spark interest and excitement.
    Hunger's a pretty interesting thing to consider, I think. A writer's instinct that can be prompted (occasionally) but not controlled. What are your thoughts on the matter? :)

Guilt is Not a Very Good Motivator

Guilt kind of feels like getting rained on: uncomfortable, inconvenient,
and feeling dumb for not having brought an umbrella or a hoodie.

    Blaargh, I just made a writing mistake that I kind of feel stupid about.
    So I tell myself that I'm going to write at a specific time. I put "write something" as the very first thing on my To-Do List for the day. I feel confident about doing it, eager about the hour I've scheduled just for writing, waiting patiently throughout the whole day for this planned time. But then, for one or more various reasons, when the time comes, I don't sit down and write. I do something else instead. And then, when the precious time has been eaten up, the voices of guilt start sounding.
    Why didn't I write? That was the perfect opportunity! I should have gotten right to it. Suddenly, an idea strikes. Maybe this guilt will motivate me to write next time.
    So I get excited again. The next day, I put "write something" on the To-Do List again and repeat the other day's thoughts with one difference. Now that I have this memory of how bad I felt, I'll totally be motivated to ignore distractions, sit down, and focus on writing. It's going to be so awesome!
    Well, as it turns out, I am not totally motivated to write by the scheduled time, or for the rest of the day. Once again, I find myself looking at the unchecked box and feeling very unhappy with myself.
    So now I know: guilt is not a good motivator.
    I really should have known. Guilt isn't good to have at all. It's a negative emotion that rarely prompts anything positive. The idea of linking that crummy feeling to writing . . . what was I thinking? Claiming such a depressing emotion as my motivation for something as wonderful and beautiful as writing wouldn't just be doomed; it would be sad. So I won't be trying that again.
    Can you relate to any of this? Or was this little story just weird?

When Writing Advice Conflicts

Just like flowers, no writer is exactly the same. Each signature
writing style has its own special beauty.

    Have you ever read a quote about writing that recommends one technique (for example: "You should never use the word 'said' when writing dialogue.") but later read a different quote that tells you that you should do the exact opposite?    There's a lot of things like that out there; debates over different techniques. Showing vs. telling, flashbacks vs. no flashbacks, stories that focus on plot vs. stories that focus on character, etc.. With so much advice that contradict each other, how can a writer know which way is best?
    Well, according to many, many, many professional writers: there is no "best way" to write! Storytelling is an art, not a specific equation. Every writer has their own style. Some might use action-based descriptions to tell the story, while others aren't afraid to spell out in sentences what the character is feeling; and both techniques result in fantastic pieces of work.
    It can really be a fascinating experience, learning what one's writing style is. Since writing's an art, one can take lots of time to try out multiple different kinds of techniques, following each piece of advice one at a time to see which suits the story (and the writer). When one technique seems to work better than the other for the individual writer, then they can add it to their accumulation of writing strategies, and eventually develop a signature style.
    At least, that's what I think. Do you feel the same way? What's your favorite sort of writing style? One with lots of descriptions, action-oriented narration, short chapters, long chapters?

A Few More Tips For Note-Taking

    Note taking: a way to learn new writing/plotting techniques, and watch an awesome series marathon-style without feeling guilty about it.
    I've written a post on things to consider while note-taking before, but it was pretty short. Here are some more ideas that I didn't mention in the last one. :)
    Special vocabulary/terms/slang. Every place in the world pretty much has their own vocabulary. Same with fiction. The Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld has a whole new vocabulary and an honorific system. But it's not just science fiction or fantasy or historical fiction that can have special terms. Most cities/regions have their own nicknames for objects that outsiders have to learn.
    Subplots. Because you can't have just one plot. Things would seem flat, one-dimensional. Life is never as simple as only having issues in one aspect of life. People--real and fictional--have problems and happenings on multiple plains. Family matters, school dilemmas, inner issues (like self-doubt or a feeling of inadequacy), romantic relationships. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins has at least three subplots along with the main issue of the rebellion's war against the Capitol: Katniss's love triangle with Peeta and Gale, her attempts to protect her family, and the fact that she's battling depression, guilt, and a wheelbarrow of other traumatic scars. The main character's juggling chainsaws; there's never a dull moment in the story!
    The main goal of the characters. What is the thing that everyone is working towards? This is a nice thing to take note of because in a novel, the characters' work should build up to one large climax, not multiple small ones. An example of a sentence like this could be: "The characters are working towards stopping the antagonist from receiving and selling plans of mass destruction to other bad guys."
    The main problem that the characters have. Like the main goal, a main issue might be a good thing to identify. There can be lots of problems in a story, but it's particularly awesome when they all comprise one thematic issue. For example: "The protagonists need each other, but they can't get along!"
    Particularly powerful/awesome lines and scenes. The lines that make you laugh out loud in public. Actions that surprised you as a reader. Things the character said that you'll never forget. It's nice to write these down (or write a sentence-long summary of the scene) not only because they'd be cool to tape to a mirror, but because they can be analyzed. What made that statement so funny? What factors made that scene so powerful?
    Special information. I read a great novel where the setting was a cooking competition show, and it definitely could not have been written so well if the information was just Googled. The author clearly had experience. They knew exactly what they were talking about because they'd experienced aspects of what the characters did. Having an idea of what exact sort of information they took from their library of knowledge pertaining to their skill could be used when writing about a skill of your own.
    Writing style. Are things written in a way where every moment is described in detail, or are there a lot of summarizations of character action? Does the writer use a lot of jargon, or do they use description to explain what the character is doing? What sort of words are being used; complicated ones or words that everyone knows?
    Opinions as you read/watch. If you've ever gotten critique and the critiquing person tells you things that they thought as they read for the first time, you know how awesome it is. It gives vital information on which exact words made a person feel something most, how a description/the actions of a character portray them, and how fun it was for the reader while they were reading the story. Reviewing one's own opinions of another story can help in identifying which passages should be analyzed most.
    End thoughts of what aspects were great. At the end of the long adventure of reading/watching, not being caught up in one particular part of the book/show/movie, what are your overall thoughts? What was the best scene? The subplot that was done best? What are the best parts, and how can one use similar techniques in their own story?
    End thoughts of what aspects weren't so great, or were really bad. We learn from mistakes too--maybe even more than from successes. If you despised the story, why? Was there just one aspect that spoiled the rest of a great book? How can one avoid making the same mistake?
    Do you have any of these factors in mind when you take notes on a novel, movie, or TV show? What do you take notes in--a specific notebook, or random pages of paper?

Every Second Counts!

    Yikes, this week has been so busy! It's like there's a stack of things and issues towering on top of my head; like life right now is like an overstuffed bookcase.
    But it's not really that bad. Being temporarily busy isn't horrible. Everyone goes through this kind of time every once and a while, especially when new things in life are developing.
    But it does get kind of difficult when it comes to writing, doesn't it? Writing even a little bit every day's important--it keeps the creative muscle from freezing and drying up--but when there are lots and lots of other things to do, finding time to sit down and just devote the mind to dreaming with the pen is hard! Writing is a special thing that should be done with attention and focus (and often re-writing, even when it's only a few sentences!); just three minutes isn't enough to really write something larger than a paragraph.
    But three minutes for every passing period at school? And spare time in class and rides in a car (as a passenger, of course)? The time spent waiting for the microwave to heat up lunch? Accumulated, the minutes can really add up! Those moments combined can give enough time to write more than just a paragraph, but a page and maybe even a full scene or chapter.
    What do you do to fulfill a writing quota when days seem short?

Jack London: Keep A Notebook

I've found that composition books are the best kind of journal to use for writing--they're flexible, have lots of lines to write on, and they're inexpensive! :)

"Keep a notebook. Travel with it, eat with it, sleep with it. Slap into it every stray thought that flutters up into your brain. Cheap paper is less perishable than gray matter, and led pencil markings endure longer than memory."

~Jack London

    Writing journals are awesome! It's one of the most valuable tools a writer can have--something to write, sketch, and brainstorm in. A notebook is extremely useful when you want to have something to use as a reference for your story, and you can write short blurbs of fiction inside of it, and it's a nice place to quickly scribble about an interesting fact, location, or story you hear.
    True, you could use your phone or computer to do this, and typing is a lot quicker and easier to edit than handwriting. But writing something down in a book with graphite or ink has its own sort of romantic factor, and there's something about holding a book filled with your own words that's special. Writing journals have their own beauty from the worn-out covers, the word-filled pages, and to the string binding it all together. Don't you agree?
    Do you have a notebook that you carry around with you? Have you personalized it with artwork, quotes, or anything else like that? :)

Writing Is Kind Of Like Knitting

 

This is my latest knitting project; oh how lovely it is to have neat, identical rows! :D

    Writing is kind of like knitting. It's an artful craft that takes lots of practice, time, and care. Both are also useful and interesting skills that bring accomplishment and make great gifts for others.
    Although, if you're a writer or a knitter, you know how boring either craft can sometimes get.
    Especially when you've been working on a long project. Hand-knit cardigans and scarves are beautiful masterpieces, but they can take days and sometimes weeks to finish. Likewise, writing a novel takes endless hours of planning, daydreaming, and typing/handwriting. It can really tire a brain out! And sometimes a person just gets plain tired of doing something that seems (at the moment) monotonous. Another long row of the same stitches, one more chapter already plotted out . . . And the crafty part of our brains begins to direct its talents towards brainstorming ways to find a shortcut. That sweater can just be a short vest, can't it? This story might be more suitable as a short story rather than a novel . . .
    Then there's the diligent part of the mind that shouts: "Don't ditch the sleeves!" "It's not a good idea to cut a story down just to get it over with!"
    And when that voice is heeded and the project is completed thoroughly, I've found that it's totally worth it in the end. In fact, the days of sameness and perseverance are what make it even greater of an accomplishment. You know what I mean?
    Does anyone out there knit or crochet? :)

Robert Cormier: Writers Are Not Brain Surgeons

"The beautiful part of writing is that you don't have to get it right the first time, unlike, say, a brain surgeon."

~Robert Cormier

    Well, that's a relief. And it's a good thing to remember when the perfectionist in your brain starts screaming at you.
    Writing is a tool, but it's also an art. Making mistakes in the first draft will not ruin the story. Like with sketching, when you can erase a mistake or something not as fantastic as it could be, you can re-write and edit and make lots of changes to make the work even more beautiful. No time limit. No dire stress.
    Robert Cormier puts it in a pretty simple and practical way with this quote, doesn't he?

A Few Tips For Note-Taking

    Note-taking is awesome. Not only is it fun, but it can be really useful in improving writing. Plus, it's a way to watch your favorite shows for hours on end and still be productive! :D
    When taking notes, it helps to have an idea of what to take notes about. Here are a few suggestions:
  -Characters and their roles.
  -Sources of conflict.
  -The way details are given. Does a character bring it up, are there flashback scenes, or can the reader/viewer notice it themselves as the action's going on?
  -Relationships between characters. What makes them significant? Do their actions truly show their feelings?
  -Characteristics of both characters and settings.
  -Things that can be improved, and how you would improve them.
  -Things that provoke emotion, and why.
  -Methods of humor. What type does the genre use? Slapstick, corny jokes, sarcasm, irony?
    So, are these helpful?

Having Heart In What You Do

    Everyone who's taken on a trade or tried to learn a new practice knows that you've got to care about it--really care about it--and be glad to improve it. Otherwise, as time goes on, you notice imperfections in your work that make you really upset, grasping new concepts becomes more difficult, and practicing becomes tiresome and even boring sometimes. That's when the temptation to quit shows its deceitfully relieving and tempting face.
    You've got to have passion for what you do--not just thinking "I have to do it", but taking heart and really enjoying doing it. Knowing that it's not for nothing.
    For a writer, every paragraph written with eagerness and attentiveness creates a heart-felt passage and flexes their creative muscle. Every song a pianist practices faithfully keeps their fingers flexible and produces beautiful, harmonious sound. Whenever an actor works hard and gladly in the play/musical/opera they perform in, they gift an audience with a real and heart-felt performance.
    When someone really cares about what they do, and they put all they've got into it, the work can really be amazing.

Charlotte Woods On Sacrifice

 

"The first thing is to really commit and be serious about it. You have to say 'no' to other things."

~Charlotte Woods

    Agh, one of the difficult parts in a writer's life. Sacrifice.
    Time is short--especially when you go to school and/or have a job, so every hour is precious. Great writing takes time, so often a writer has to give other fun things up so they can use that time. Sometimes it's something small, like putting off a chore, and other times it's something more difficult to give up, like watching the season finale of an awesome series, or sleeping in on a rare day off.
    It's not fun, giving those things up. But when it's done and the time is invested in writing, it really shows in the final product. Don't you agree?

Why Do You Write?

    In school, as I was walking down a hallway, I saw a poster of sorts put up. On it, there were a number of index cards with writing on it.
    Each card had a sentence on it, someone's reason to write. There was a plethora of statements: To show the world my thoughts. To express my soul. To go into another world. Because I'll fail English class if I don't.
    Every writer has reasons for writing. For one, we just love to! Writing is fun! And we like the characters we write, enjoy going into a world we imagined, adore creating something as intricate and awesome as a story . . .
    When the well of inspiration has run dry, remembering your reason to write can really give you encouragement to keep writing.
    Why do you write?