Tiffa & Julie

This is a blog shared between two writers who are struggling everyday as they try to keep their heads out of writers block and IN THE GAME Check out the ravishingly lovely Julie https://www.wattpad.com/user/Rosemary_Pate Check out the shockmasterin'...

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What does pepper taste like?

Spicy. Yeah, I know right, hurrah for the easy answers!! Well, not everything is as easy as this. Writing, for example, is tough. It’s like your life is crashing down on you, but you just NEED to put that LAST WORD down on paper. Except there’s like 50k words before you get to the last word that you so desperately want to write. So naturally, because you’re a human being (compared to other people, but we will get to that, don’t worry), you will want to give up. I do, I feel like giving up all the time and just start a new story - and I do, I start a new story every month, write like 10k words and give up, that’s just who I am, if you’re like me, don’t feel bad; you will find that one story that you keep comin’ back to - I found one..! Somehow, I found something good enough for me to continue writing it!! So if that’s where you’re at; you found a plot good enough to DIE for and you wanna keep writing, then keep reading this!! So here you are; you got the story. You got it all goin’ on. But then aunt Betty calls and invites you to your cousin Leslie’s birthday. And of course you go to cousin Leslie’s birthday. But when you come home, you’re tired. You don’t feel like writing, you feel bad about not writing, but you can’t get yourself together to actually write something down. The next day, you feel bad for not writing the day before and you’re super busy as well because Sundays are never resting days!! (Why is it that Sunday, the only day where you’re actually supposed to sleep late, stay in bed and watch Dirty Dancing and old Disney movies, you’re always so busy?). Well time passes and you feel bad about not writing, but you can’t put yourself together. What you need is motivation. So ask yourself, what would Ronaldo do in this situation? The answer is easy; sit down and cry. Now, what are you gonna do? Again an easy answer; you’re gonna step up your damn game. See, I’m all for the easy answers!! But this is just my opinion, you know? I think pepper taste spicy, but how the h*ll am I supposed to know? Pepper taste like pepper. Salt taste like salt. Strawberries taste like Heaven. So I can’t say if my method will help you, it helps me because I like stepping up my game. That is just my easy answer!! Motivation is different from person to person, I like to “tough love” myself, because then no one else has to. You need to find out what inspires you and just go with it, don’t listen to all those bloggers out there who thinks they have the best motivation for you. You can feel when it’s right, I can promise you that! So don’t give up and keep looking. AKF - Jules PS. Sorry I’ve been gone so long!! Hope you’re still following, I will get back to y’all from this day on!! And it won’t just be me rambling, I will try and actually say something helpful instead of… my pepper thingy. It actually happened this morning where I put pepper on my egg and I put sooooo much pepper on it cause I couldn’t really taste the pepper, so… well I got inspired!!

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So guess who isn’t dead! That’s right, turns out schoolwork and family matters kicked our asses but no worries, we are back, and ready to post some nonsense!!!

--Tiffa

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Story Prompt Wednesday

Royal Renegade

Write a scene about a Prince/Princess who is shunned by her own family. Explore their inner thoughts, why did they get outcasted? Or did they decide to leave? Where will they go and what will they do now? Is there promise waiting for the prince/princess or is there great a horrid ending awaiting? That is all up to you.

Well there is no minute like last minute to give you all a prompt! 11:30 on a Wednesday, NAILED IT

--Tiffa

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A few [long] words on writer’s blocks

I started this post not even knowing what to write about when it occurred to me; I’m gonna write about not knowing what to write about. Yes. Sometimes, you have no idea what to put down on that paper and then you read that you should “take a walk” (which almost always help, especially if you’re talking to someone about your story), but sometimes that’s just not possible. You walk around in the house, kitchen, living room, bathroom, living room, kitchen again. And nothing on the paper (yeah, for some reason, the genie doesn’t just finish that chapter for you).

It’s not that I don’t love taking a walk to clear my head, the problem is just that I don’t always have that opportunity. So how do you get over it and keep on writing? I’m gonna try and come up with some suggestions here!

Music. Oh, thank God for music. I usually make a playlist every month with my favorite songs that I listen to while writing and then when the month change, I usually make a new one with some of the same songs on, but I’m usually tired of them after listening for a whole month. I try to find songs that inspire me, songs where the lyrics speak to me. If you can’t think of a song, maybe just search on some words that you think it’d be good if the song was about. Like search “steady little boat take me home cause I'm far away lyrics” on google and listen to all the songs there. Or just find a song you like and AUTOPLAY ON YOUTUBE will take you to the next step of great music..! I use my old playlists too, if I’m sitting at my computer in September thinking “How on Earth am I supposed to write about the spring when it’s dark and cold outside?”, I just find my “April-Playlist” and then I usually get in the mood. (Music can be really distracting, though, so if you’re not into that, don’t use this advice. If you’re the type who skips to the next song every second, don’t use this; it’s just gonna distract you too much. I usually skip to the next song every minute, so I’m not really one to talk haha).

TV. I know, I know, TV can be sooo distracting when you’re trying to write, but I find it easier to write when there’s noise in the background. It is not like I put on a movie that I’ve never watched before cause then I’m definitely not gonna write anything, but maybe some TV shows that I’ve watched a hundred times anyway, so I know what happens. I, for one, tends to watch Supernatural (definitely the best TV show ever, sorry to say, Tiffa, but it beats Copper fair and square) while writing and it is somewhat distracting as I sit and say all the lines out loud while watching it (obsessive much? Aha), but it’s also providing me the noise I need to write. If you have a favorite movie, maybe watch it while writing. It usually makes me relax and when I’m relaxed, I focus better.

Outlining. It helps. If you don’t usually outline your story, it’s not like that’s wrong (I never outline anything till I’m halfway through because otherwise I’ll lose interest before finishing the first page), but I believe it helps to at least outline the things that you have already written. That way you find a way to focus on the whole thing and you can go back and see how you’ve described your characters and your locations.

Write your favorite scene. The ending is the best part. It’s where you finish everything and it’s what you write in the end. Or maybe it’s not. Maybe it’s the scene you write when you have nothing else to do. Maybe you don’t even like the endings, maybe you just want to write that scene, where he tells her that he killed her mother or the scene, where he kisses her sister for the first time and realize he picked the wrong chick. Maybe just write a little bit on that, go back to the scene where you’re stuck, try again and if it doesn’t work, start writing another of your favorite scenes. Sometimes, you change your mind and you won’t even use that scene that you’ve been writing, but that’s totally fine. I have a doc on my computer called “scenes to *whatever story I’m writing*” so I can put in the scenes that I really want to write. When I get a writer’s block, I go back and read them and then I usually get inspired.

COMMUNICATION. Whether it’s Tumblr, your mother, your archenemy; TALK TO SOMEONE. I find having a partner in crime (aka writing) is super helpful. Wattpad is a great place to get that (you can message me if you want, link is in the description of this page) and it has a great message function..! I have one person whom I share every idea I get with and then she tells me if she likes, loves or hate it. And having a writer-friend is really helpful, they’re usually supportive and nice (as writer’s are). So talk to someone, maybe not a partner in crime, but maybe your sibling or friend or mother. Maybe you’re shy or you’re on a writing vacation on Greenland, where you’re far, far away from civilization and any kind of internet connection, but then just talk to yourself. I mean, nothing is as pleasant as talking to someone who’s actually listening! That may seem very weird if you’re walking down the street, but then just pretend you’re on the phone or something. Be creative :D

Stop using the term “writer’s block”. A block is something you can’t just walk past. See your writer’s “block” as The Berlin Wall; it might be big and hard to climb, but it fell and so can your writer’s wall. And what is a wall, really, nowadays? Parkour has reached us. You can climb it.

Sorry, this was so long, go get that writer’s block send to Hell. Or, well, maybe to Mars where someone will take care of it… or maybe Heaven. Heaven would be a good choice, who wouldn’t want angels to take care of your writer’s block? It sounds better than demons taking care of it. SO GO WRITE YOUR BOOK :D

- Julie

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My characters at this point. Writers block is hitting hard, guys XD

--Tiffa

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Story Prompt (NEW DAY) Wednesday

Wings Of Life

Write a scene about a carriage driver hauling an unknown cargo. As this carriage driver and his/her assistant trot down the road the wall of the carriage burst open. They stop the carriage and go take a look. A young girl with wings sits in the back of the carriage. Surely there must be an explanation for this; And that my dear writers, is up to you.

Okay, i know its been literally like three weeks since i’ve done one of these but here it is! gonna try switching from Mondays to Wednesday's because Mondays aren’t really that great for anyone are they? 

--Tiffa

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Does your story need a sequel?

This is about writing book series. Sometimes, you start a book and you know that you’re going to make a sequel and maybe even a trilogy. And sometimes you think that your book can’t have a sequel and that planning on writing three whole books is crazy (it gets easier once you get into it, though, so don’t stop dreaming about making seven books like J. K. Rowling).

I personally love the idea of making a whole series of books, so I try to plan a sequel during the first book, or, if I have it all planned out, I just write it. How you write is not really the point right now. We’re gonna talk about sequels.

We all know that reading = writing, in order to write better stories, you must read. It doesn’t mean you have to read all the books you can get your hands on, it just means that personal experience is good. But, from my perspective, movies have a bit of the same effect. It’s correct that your language and way of writing doesn’t evolve from watching movies, BUT inspiration is just as important as talent.

So, at this smaller exercise, we’ll talk about which movies/books needs a sequel. I love open endings, I love being frustrated and I love thinking about what could possibly happen next, but sometimes, the book needs an ending. Or, maybe even a sequel. Think about a book or a movie where you didn’t like the ending. Maybe it didn’t explain what happened to the characters, maybe they didn’t even solve the problem. Maybe the murderer walked free?

Now write down a few things that the ending of the movie/book needed, or things that just wasn’t solved. Take a thriller, for example, where the murderer walked free at the end of the story and you didn’t hear about what he did afterward. If you have more than five things on your list, think about if the author could have made a sequel.

Now find your own story. If you don’t know how you’re gonna end it, it’s fine, you can just try and think a little bit about it and use that.

If you haven’t decided if you’re gonna write more than one book or not: write down at least five things that isn’t solved at the end of the book; you can just take some of the problems that you’ve planned to solve and pick a few ones that will make it worth reading on for the reader; put those on the list too if you don’t know what else to put there. Do you have enough unsolved problems to make a sequel? Or is it possible to just end the story right here with the reader still satisfied?

If you have decided to write a whole series: write at least five big things down that is going to happen in each book. If you can’t find five things, maybe you need to reconsider. Or just go for it; a lot of stuff happens when you don’t think about it.

Good luck yall! I certainly hope this was helpful! I have noticed that Tiffa has decided to post every Monday, but as I am not as well organized as her, I will just be posting whenever I feel like it. Hopefully on Fridays, depending on everything. Good luck becoming authors to everyone! See yall soon!

- Julie

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Write a first person story about a Tyrant King on his death bed.

What is the kingdom like? What was it like before him? What will it be like without him?

Is he proud of what he’s done?

Or...Is he full of guilt?

Was he holding the kingdom back?

Or was he protecting it from...Something else?

^^^

Whatever inspirations and stories come to your lovely minds, i need take no credit! It’s all yours. but if you could share this post or like it, it would be greatly appreciated! <3 

--Tiffa

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How To Finish A Novel (Struggle Hour)

The problem with writing novels is that....well...Writing the novel. But boy do i like scribbling on paper. HERE WE GO. 

Step One: Know how it ends. The last thing you want is a perfectly combined story of love romance and excessive danger with Billy Badass not knowing where to go when he leaves the grocery store! It’s so much easier to just say, “Ok, now were here in the story, Billy Badass is gonna go home and put the milk up before it spoils.” Ya feel?

Step Two: Write your ending first! Now that you feel all writer and you wanna finish that story in 2.7 seconds, write the ending now, so when you figure out you Can’t write that story in 2.7 seconds, you still feel accomplished! That shits gonna take TIME. And you will cry blood, drool tears, and bathe in shame until you get there. IT HAPPENS. Write that ending before writing kills your adolescent soul.

Step Three: Come up with an amazing scene! Probably the same scene that made you wanna write this story, your favorite characters, the clash! the romantic reveal! Yeah that one, ok now sell your soul to the devil and tell yourself you’ll be able to write that scene if you finish 5.6 million pages.

Step Four: Write about scenes about people you enjoy in your life.

 I fucking despise you Merdel.

Step Five: Use an Outline, Getting off track happens, it happens a lot, so use an outline to make sure Billy Badass doesn’t assassinate his mother on accident.

Step Six: Allow yourself to be surprised, Maybe Billy Badass has a good reason for assassinating his mother!

Step Seven: Write because you want to, not because you should. Billy will get to his goal soon enough....whatever that may be....

Step Eight: Write what you love, not what sells, You love pure homicide and pumpkin spice latte’s. THATS OK! And so is this story, and so is struggling.

Ok guys as fun as that was, Struggle Hour will only be coming at you once a week on Mondays, and this little “Helpful” writing “advice” is inspired by This.

http://hollylisle.com/how-to-finish-a-novel/

^^^^ --- It’s a good article and there is some good advice to be found there, so you guys should definitely check it out, because this IS a joke, i hope the author doesn’t mind. And that concludes Struggle hour.

--Tiffa

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When you check in on your friends story.

--Tiffa

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When people ask why you wrote a story about medieval kingdoms.

--Tiffa

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This spider's going down. That's right you little monster, I'm not scared of you! You're going down so fast even the shooting star that is now Misha Collins didn't fall this fast! (my mom's gonna kill you sucker-spider!)

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(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ActNuTuC_-w)

Would you look at that... This is what I thought of tumblr before I got addicted to it (thanks a lot, TIFFA)

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School started weeks ago...

When you're sick on a Monday: *happy/neutral face* When you're sick on a Friday: NO NO NO this isn't happening no no no!!! I am not sick, I'm fine, no no no...

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SPN FOREVER

When you suddenly hear Carry on Wayward son in the radio; YOU RUN TO THE TV, TURNS ON NETFLIX AND WATCH THAT SHOW!

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I want you to want to let me do it... Wait what?

That moment when you've been begging your mom to let you do something and she finally gives in but is so angry you realize: YOU DONT WANT HER TO LET YOU DO IT; YOU WANT HER TO WANT TO LET YOU DO IT.

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We went out to dinner last night just HOPING those guys would show up again…

J2 were PISSED about what happened to Misha (via astra-lux)