Hi All!
You know that recently I've had my share of time being under the weather. What you might not have known is that this has been an ongoing issue in my life for the past 8 years.
Next week, I will be traveling to a larger city and better hospital to hopefully get a diagnosis and treatment plan so I can go back to my regular writing schedule and happy-go-lucky self. I am sharing this information with you because it may impact my ability to garner new posts every Tuesday for an indeterminate amount of time. Next Tuesday, especially, is the first day of my appointments. While the hotel I am staying at has Wi-Fi, I'm not sure if I'll remember or be up to blogging.
Know this, I will try my hardest to stay on schedule for you guys. I have made this commitment to myself and to you and I will not break it without a fight. But life doesn't always go smoothly, so I wanted to warn you all in advance that posting may be sporadic for the coming weeks, or sometimes, nonexistent.
But don't fret! In the meantime, let me share with you a few of my favorite writer-geared email subscriptions that you can check out.
First, Dictionary.com's Word of the Day. I chose this subscription because we've recently been talking about diction. It is also a fun way to learn archaic or quirky words to share with your friends.
What happens: Every day, Dictionary.com emails you a new word with a definition, the origin, and that word used in context. If you're not up to subscribing to the free email subscription, you can also check out the Word of the Day on their website. To discover the Word of the Day, go here.
Next, The Ripples Project is something I learned about two years ago when Paul (the founder) spoke at my college orientation. His emails filled with inspiration and quotes come out every Monday morning (when you need the push to get through your week). The quotes are awesome for writers to know and most often make you leave feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.
What happens: Every Monday, a new Ripple appears in your inbox. They all have themes that then include a short quote, long quote, and inspirational message from Paul the Ripples Guy himself. To sign up for Ripples, go here.
Hopefully these email subscriptions will keep you inspired to write, even if I fail to offer a new post every week until my health is back on track.
And remember: Write Every Day: even if it's simply a sentence, a word, or a punctuation mark. You are the only one who can write your book. You are the only one who will.
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Diction (a peek at the longest word ever)
I'm feeling better - thank you. Let's get back to where we left off. Blogging!
Today I'd like to touch on the subject of word choice - diction.
Whether you're searching for the correct word for verbs, adverbs, or adjectives, word choice is one of the most important aspects of your story. The right word can elevate your tension, or kill it.
The more I read, the more I understand that word choice is also governed by audience. Who is your story intended to reach? If it's other writers - break out that thesaurus and scribble obscure words to your heart's content. This is most common in literary novels or works for literary magazines.
However, if you're writing a mainstream adult novel, you might want to pull back a little. Because (be honest with yourself now) how many times have you read a current novel and come across a word you weren't familiar with? Probably once or twice per book, right? With so many words out there, we can't possibly know them all - all the time. Now, did you stop your progression of reading and look up that vocab word like they made you do in third grade? No, of course not. You don't have time for that. You skipped the word, the context of the situation being enough to just ignore it.
And if you've read children's writing (YA, MG, picture books) lately, you know the vocab is even more accessible because words that are old hat to us are just being learned by them.
Now, I'm not trying to suggest that we lose our diction. I'm not suggesting we resort to using just the words that we say in a normal work day. Heck, we'd be limited to a slim thirty or forty vocab words forever.
Instead, keep your audience in mind when writing. Will the word you just chose be more of a stumbling block for your reader rather than a helpful hint? Will they have to skip it and figure out the scene from the rest of your words? Is that what you want?
To leave you this week, I have found the longest word in the English language. It has 189,819 letters (enough alone for its own series of books) and is the chemical name for the element titin.
Want to see this word? Check out the YouTube video here. But be forewarned, it takes three and a half hours to pronounce.
Today I'd like to touch on the subject of word choice - diction.
Whether you're searching for the correct word for verbs, adverbs, or adjectives, word choice is one of the most important aspects of your story. The right word can elevate your tension, or kill it.
The more I read, the more I understand that word choice is also governed by audience. Who is your story intended to reach? If it's other writers - break out that thesaurus and scribble obscure words to your heart's content. This is most common in literary novels or works for literary magazines.
However, if you're writing a mainstream adult novel, you might want to pull back a little. Because (be honest with yourself now) how many times have you read a current novel and come across a word you weren't familiar with? Probably once or twice per book, right? With so many words out there, we can't possibly know them all - all the time. Now, did you stop your progression of reading and look up that vocab word like they made you do in third grade? No, of course not. You don't have time for that. You skipped the word, the context of the situation being enough to just ignore it.
And if you've read children's writing (YA, MG, picture books) lately, you know the vocab is even more accessible because words that are old hat to us are just being learned by them.
Now, I'm not trying to suggest that we lose our diction. I'm not suggesting we resort to using just the words that we say in a normal work day. Heck, we'd be limited to a slim thirty or forty vocab words forever.
Instead, keep your audience in mind when writing. Will the word you just chose be more of a stumbling block for your reader rather than a helpful hint? Will they have to skip it and figure out the scene from the rest of your words? Is that what you want?
To leave you this week, I have found the longest word in the English language. It has 189,819 letters (enough alone for its own series of books) and is the chemical name for the element titin.
Want to see this word? Check out the YouTube video here. But be forewarned, it takes three and a half hours to pronounce.
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Pinterest Will Heal Me...Right?
I've been a little under the weather these past few days, and so this week's blog post is going to be short and sweet (like my writing time lately). To keep you going, even when you can't type or sit up straight, here's a quote.
I found it, where else? Pinterest. http://www.pinterest.com/pin/476326098062726632/
Happy Writing!
Happy Writing!
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
What's Hiding Behind That Beautiful Prose? (Why I Write YA)
When people ask me what my current novel is about and I tell them it's YA, they often look at me sideways. This one's not right in the head. She never grew up. Why would she write for children when she could write for adults?
The criticism is harshest from other writers (especially those who harbor disdain for anything that isn't "artistic" "insightful" or "literary").
They never seem to ask me out loud why I love writing YA (and am considering a new fantasy MG idea - I'll keep you posted). But, I'm going to answer them anyway.
I write YA because as a writer, you can't hide behind beautiful metaphors or long strings of gorgeous prose. You guys know what I'm talking about: Those novels where every stinking sentences is a metaphor (most obscure) and the beautiful prose flows unbounded from overly-long chapter to overly-long chapter. Now, adults will read this. Millions of books like this sell every year. Adults will sit there and think, "There must be some artistic reason this character has done nothing for 150 pages but look at a stain on his favorite coffee mug. It must mean something!" or "I know I've already read 500 pages and nothing has happened other than me following this character to and from work, but in the 548 pages to go, I know this boredom is going to be revealed as something amazing and insightful."
Adults will ponder your philosophy. They'll say it's existential or Darwinian.
Teens don't care. They don't have time for that, and they definitely won't read 500 pages just hoping that eventually they'll figure out the meaning.
Teens want a good story with fast pacing and connectable characters. They want to feel, smell, and taste what your characters are experiencing. And they want it every chapter, every sentence, every word. No where in a YA novel can you hide behind your good writing. No where is there room for brainy dribble. Because teens don't care about it and they definitely don't want to read it.
To write YA you need both great writing and fantastic storytelling ability.
So, my answer to those sideways glances and bulging, judgmental eyes is this: I write YA because it forces me to be a better writer. It forces me to cut the crap and keep only the things that propel the story. I can't keep a paragraph of useless but fantastic writing - I must save that for my journal and my eyes only.
I write YA because everything counts.
Does that make me juvenile?
Maybe. Think what you want, but I still make a wicked frozen pizza.
The criticism is harshest from other writers (especially those who harbor disdain for anything that isn't "artistic" "insightful" or "literary").
They never seem to ask me out loud why I love writing YA (and am considering a new fantasy MG idea - I'll keep you posted). But, I'm going to answer them anyway.
I write YA because as a writer, you can't hide behind beautiful metaphors or long strings of gorgeous prose. You guys know what I'm talking about: Those novels where every stinking sentences is a metaphor (most obscure) and the beautiful prose flows unbounded from overly-long chapter to overly-long chapter. Now, adults will read this. Millions of books like this sell every year. Adults will sit there and think, "There must be some artistic reason this character has done nothing for 150 pages but look at a stain on his favorite coffee mug. It must mean something!" or "I know I've already read 500 pages and nothing has happened other than me following this character to and from work, but in the 548 pages to go, I know this boredom is going to be revealed as something amazing and insightful."
Adults will ponder your philosophy. They'll say it's existential or Darwinian.
Teens don't care. They don't have time for that, and they definitely won't read 500 pages just hoping that eventually they'll figure out the meaning.
Teens want a good story with fast pacing and connectable characters. They want to feel, smell, and taste what your characters are experiencing. And they want it every chapter, every sentence, every word. No where in a YA novel can you hide behind your good writing. No where is there room for brainy dribble. Because teens don't care about it and they definitely don't want to read it.
To write YA you need both great writing and fantastic storytelling ability.
So, my answer to those sideways glances and bulging, judgmental eyes is this: I write YA because it forces me to be a better writer. It forces me to cut the crap and keep only the things that propel the story. I can't keep a paragraph of useless but fantastic writing - I must save that for my journal and my eyes only.
I write YA because everything counts.
Does that make me juvenile?
Maybe. Think what you want, but I still make a wicked frozen pizza.
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
YA/New Adult Reading List
I've been fervently writing the first draft of a new YA novel. It's taken up all my time and brain power. My thoughts are planted firmly in the plot and characters of that world, but I still find time to read. It gives me a break from my own head. Also, it helps me understand the market I'm trying to break into. What's being published in YA? What works? What doesn't?
Here are a few of the books I've recently read:
Winger by Andrew Smith - it's vulgar and hilarious. Told from the POV of a 14 year-old boarding school boy. You will laugh, you will cry (I mean it), but most importantly, this stand-alone novel will stay with you for the rest of your life. It's so good. Check it out here on Amazon for a full description: http://www.amazon.com/Winger-Smith-Andrew/dp/1442444932/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1409072397&sr=1-1&keywords=winger+by+andrew+smith
The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson - this was an accidental find at my local book store. I went in in search of the second novel in a series, but found this instead. It's the first book in a series by Sanderson but he hasn't gotten very far on book two (hint, hint, Sanderson). I highly recommend this read. It's gearpunk (not normally a genre I read, even in YA) and is at once suspenseful and beautiful. You will not see the twist coming at the end (or shall I say, the double twist?). I won't give away more. Here it is on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Rithmatist-Brandon-Sanderson/dp/0765338440/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1409072433&sr=1-1&keywords=the+rithmatist
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell - I must admit, this is the first Rainbow Rowell novel I've read. I'd seen her novels in bookstores, but never picked one up. While researching agents, I saw that everyone wanted "a Rainbow Rowell" for their YA roster. So, if it works, read it, right? I was not disappointed. Rowell's descriptions are killer and spot on. She's funny and poignant and heart breaking in this New Adult novel. I haven't finished this novel yet, so no notes on the ending, but the first half (Fall Semester) has me hooked. It pulls me away from writing my own YA novel when I need a break. I now understand why all agents want their own Rainbow Rowell. Check her out for yourself here: http://www.amazon.com/Fangirl-Rainbow-Rowell/dp/1250030951/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1409072613&sr=1-1&keywords=fangirl
Happy Reading, fellow scribes!
Here are a few of the books I've recently read:
Winger by Andrew Smith - it's vulgar and hilarious. Told from the POV of a 14 year-old boarding school boy. You will laugh, you will cry (I mean it), but most importantly, this stand-alone novel will stay with you for the rest of your life. It's so good. Check it out here on Amazon for a full description: http://www.amazon.com/Winger-Smith-Andrew/dp/1442444932/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1409072397&sr=1-1&keywords=winger+by+andrew+smith
The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson - this was an accidental find at my local book store. I went in in search of the second novel in a series, but found this instead. It's the first book in a series by Sanderson but he hasn't gotten very far on book two (hint, hint, Sanderson). I highly recommend this read. It's gearpunk (not normally a genre I read, even in YA) and is at once suspenseful and beautiful. You will not see the twist coming at the end (or shall I say, the double twist?). I won't give away more. Here it is on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Rithmatist-Brandon-Sanderson/dp/0765338440/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1409072433&sr=1-1&keywords=the+rithmatist
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell - I must admit, this is the first Rainbow Rowell novel I've read. I'd seen her novels in bookstores, but never picked one up. While researching agents, I saw that everyone wanted "a Rainbow Rowell" for their YA roster. So, if it works, read it, right? I was not disappointed. Rowell's descriptions are killer and spot on. She's funny and poignant and heart breaking in this New Adult novel. I haven't finished this novel yet, so no notes on the ending, but the first half (Fall Semester) has me hooked. It pulls me away from writing my own YA novel when I need a break. I now understand why all agents want their own Rainbow Rowell. Check her out for yourself here: http://www.amazon.com/Fangirl-Rainbow-Rowell/dp/1250030951/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1409072613&sr=1-1&keywords=fangirl
Happy Reading, fellow scribes!
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Write Like a Child - Even If You Aren't Writing For Children
You know those play castles erected for children at restaurants, parks, and (most brutally) water parks? The ones equipped with slides, ball pits, water cannons, and monkey bars. Basically everything short of an actual cross bow?
And you think - whether as a parent or as a bystander - wow, those kids must really be having fun.
No. They're killing each other. It's like the Hunger Games in there.
How do I know this? Because the mini getaway I had last week took place at a water park in the Wisconsin Dells, where one of the best slides outside had a line that wove through the kid's play castle. I'm sure their goal was to cut as far back on the line as possible by drowning out 90 percent of the guests that attempted entry. But not I. I stayed even though some jerk of a child blasted a high pressure water gun at my head for five minutes, moving the flow back and forth across my scalp, so I was drenched both down my face and down my neck. Breathing became an exercise done solely through the mouth.
When he finally turned the gun to spray another slide hopeful, I spun around to see who this kid thought he was. And there, on level three of the castle, a sadistic, pudgy little nine year-old was the culprit. I was being tortured by a third grader. It didn't take long for him to tire of the other person ignoring his water jet, and his eyes set on me again. We stood off for about half a second and then he shot the gun right at my face.
I think I still have water behind my contacts.
What could this possibly have to do with writing? Well, other than making a good story, I want to use this barbarous child to prove a point about story structure and plot. (I guess I should thank him for making my wait in line so terrible, but, I just can't.)
Your characters need to unleash their inner sadistic third grader in EVERY scene. They need to take chances and do things unexpectedly - things we wouldn't do in normal life. That's why people read stories: to see how the characters react and then how they justify those reactions.
Have you ever seen a dog left in a parked car on a hot day? Did you call the ASPCA or just shake your head and walk on? Ever been to a wedding with a really good favor like an entire bottle of wine or movie tickets? Did you want to take more than one, but restrained yourself?
Make your characters push the limits. Have them call the ASPCA and break into the locked car to free Fido. Make them stuff four bottles of wine in their suit jackets or nick the entire roll of free tickets.
If your character was in my water park situation, have her chase the kid down through the watery torture dungeon, or maybe have her flip the kid off (and of course, his mother would be within the vicinity and then a whole 'nother can of worms can open).
Unleashing your characters' "inner child" will up the stakes of the scene and therefore create more tension. Not only that, but if your character acts predictably in every scenario, wouldn't you put the book down? Boring, right?
Push the limits and your plot will improve, your characters will be more dynamic, and you'll have more fun writing.
But, Alyssa, you say, I've been within the clutches of modern society too long, and I can't think of a way to push my characters to their inner heartless happy place.
My advice: go talk to your nieces and nephews. Take your friend's kids to the Burger King play center or, worse, add water. Just remember to bring extra padding and a snorkel before you leave. It's brutal out there.
And you think - whether as a parent or as a bystander - wow, those kids must really be having fun.
No. They're killing each other. It's like the Hunger Games in there.
How do I know this? Because the mini getaway I had last week took place at a water park in the Wisconsin Dells, where one of the best slides outside had a line that wove through the kid's play castle. I'm sure their goal was to cut as far back on the line as possible by drowning out 90 percent of the guests that attempted entry. But not I. I stayed even though some jerk of a child blasted a high pressure water gun at my head for five minutes, moving the flow back and forth across my scalp, so I was drenched both down my face and down my neck. Breathing became an exercise done solely through the mouth.
When he finally turned the gun to spray another slide hopeful, I spun around to see who this kid thought he was. And there, on level three of the castle, a sadistic, pudgy little nine year-old was the culprit. I was being tortured by a third grader. It didn't take long for him to tire of the other person ignoring his water jet, and his eyes set on me again. We stood off for about half a second and then he shot the gun right at my face.
I think I still have water behind my contacts.
What could this possibly have to do with writing? Well, other than making a good story, I want to use this barbarous child to prove a point about story structure and plot. (I guess I should thank him for making my wait in line so terrible, but, I just can't.)
Your characters need to unleash their inner sadistic third grader in EVERY scene. They need to take chances and do things unexpectedly - things we wouldn't do in normal life. That's why people read stories: to see how the characters react and then how they justify those reactions.
Have you ever seen a dog left in a parked car on a hot day? Did you call the ASPCA or just shake your head and walk on? Ever been to a wedding with a really good favor like an entire bottle of wine or movie tickets? Did you want to take more than one, but restrained yourself?
Make your characters push the limits. Have them call the ASPCA and break into the locked car to free Fido. Make them stuff four bottles of wine in their suit jackets or nick the entire roll of free tickets.
If your character was in my water park situation, have her chase the kid down through the watery torture dungeon, or maybe have her flip the kid off (and of course, his mother would be within the vicinity and then a whole 'nother can of worms can open).
Unleashing your characters' "inner child" will up the stakes of the scene and therefore create more tension. Not only that, but if your character acts predictably in every scenario, wouldn't you put the book down? Boring, right?
Push the limits and your plot will improve, your characters will be more dynamic, and you'll have more fun writing.
But, Alyssa, you say, I've been within the clutches of modern society too long, and I can't think of a way to push my characters to their inner heartless happy place.
My advice: go talk to your nieces and nephews. Take your friend's kids to the Burger King play center or, worse, add water. Just remember to bring extra padding and a snorkel before you leave. It's brutal out there.
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Mini Getaway from Stress
If you've read a few posts in this blog, you know I'm a big supporter of the "write every single day" rule. And I'm not backing down on that. Even if it's one sentence, a sentence fragment, or a word, you should write every single day.
However, everyone burns out. We've got stressful jobs, kids, chores, errands, and often times, it comes down to choosing writing or sleep.
That's why, next week Tuesday, there will be no blog post. I'm going to take a much needed break from life and stress and worry. I'm going on a girls' getaway with a friend and we're going to sit poolside and eat fattening junk food and not think about work or family or that guy that still hasn't called.
I suggest, if the pressure of life is welling up in you, too - take a break! You deserve it. Your novel will still be there when you get back. Just make sure you're truly resting so that when you return, you can get right back to writing another word per day.
Think of it as counterbalance for your personal life.
Positive thoughts, positive words, positive rest. That's my new motto.
And if a getaway just isn't financially applicable or timely in your life right now, I've attached some beautiful pictures from Pinterest below. Put on some calming music, take a deep breath, and pretend you're there.
Happy almost-end-of-summer, everyone!
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/487655465874624377/
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/152348399869639877/
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/299841287664158880/
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/299841287664158822/
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/214906213442184019/
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/490822059359971536/
However, everyone burns out. We've got stressful jobs, kids, chores, errands, and often times, it comes down to choosing writing or sleep.
That's why, next week Tuesday, there will be no blog post. I'm going to take a much needed break from life and stress and worry. I'm going on a girls' getaway with a friend and we're going to sit poolside and eat fattening junk food and not think about work or family or that guy that still hasn't called.
I suggest, if the pressure of life is welling up in you, too - take a break! You deserve it. Your novel will still be there when you get back. Just make sure you're truly resting so that when you return, you can get right back to writing another word per day.
Think of it as counterbalance for your personal life.
Positive thoughts, positive words, positive rest. That's my new motto.
And if a getaway just isn't financially applicable or timely in your life right now, I've attached some beautiful pictures from Pinterest below. Put on some calming music, take a deep breath, and pretend you're there.
Happy almost-end-of-summer, everyone!
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/489062840757988060/
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/490822059359971536/
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