#about creative writing

[solitaryspark]

Dialogue: How to Hear Voices in Your Head

One of the hardest parts of writing is getting the dialogue right. You ask yourself question after question, debating line after line:

Does that sound natural?

Would she really say that?

This is the stiffest argument I've ever read.

Oh. My. Goodness. Why did ever I think that sounded right?

Pffttt. Who is he? Homer? No one would phrase it like that in 2016!

I've found that many times I just cannot connect with the dialogue in some books that I read, leading me to reflect on my own dialogue style. It seems that sometimes when trying to make something sound realistic, it's easy to try too hard. So how do we fix that? How do you make dialogue a strength?

One of the more interesting resources I came across was Nadia Kalman's TED-Ed original titled "Three Antisocial Skills to Improve Your Writing." Check out the short video below and find out how eavesdropping, imagination, and muttering to yourself may help to improve your dialogue skills. As Kalman puts it, it shows "how to hear voices in your head" and improve your writing.

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[solitaryspark]

11 Reasons Writing Is the Worst, But Nothing Else Is Better

Some days there's nothing good about writing. Everything you type stinks...if you even get that far. Other days, everything flows right out, racing like a storm-ravaged stream onto the page. Next time you're having a day full of "writer's block," self-doubt, and extreme self-criticism, remember that you're not alone and take a moment for a laugh or two before taking a deep breath and diving back in. Because the only way to fix it is to write, right? 1. You're completely fickle about what you write...

2. ...but that's when you actually write...

3. ...and stop getting distracted by online "inspiration." Or Facebook.

4. Of course, you spend a lot of time doing legitimate research and are full of a ton of random information. It's always great to drop a "fact" bomb later when all that research becomes relevant to real life...

5. ...but then you worry that you're on a government list somewhere since you just researched things that could be considered dangerous in the hands of the wrong people, such as your characters.

6. You have to keep a notebook, or your phone, on your nightstand because the perfect character, dialogue, or plot twist always strikes in bed.

7. Of course, when it's time to write it later, your mind goes blank; you should have got up to write right instead of sleeping. 

8. That moment when everything you planned goes out the window and your characters take you in a direction you never expected.

9. When you have to make the hard decisions to stay real and keep your readers on their toes.

10. You love to start a new book, you but find yourself very critical of the character development, dialogue, and plot in everything you read. 

11. Depending on the day, it's both the hardest and the easiest thing you do!

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[solitaryspark]

5 Writing Tips to Beat the Hectic Holiday Season

'Tis the season! It's that time of year for decorating, shopping, attending holiday parties, and all-around preparing for those precious 24-hours at the end of December. The holidays get everyone in a tizzy! However, while it brings us together, it also tends to eat up much of our free time. As a writer, it's easy to let the holidays sidetrack you and put a quick halt to writing. Perhaps you'll use this time for a welcome break, but if you want to stay on track, try these five simple tips to avoid holiday-induced diversion.

While you're waiting on those holiday cookies or treats to bake, take a few moments to write. Make every spare moment count.

Waiting on family or friends while they shop? Bring along a journal or break out that phone! Grab a cup of coffee and write while they get things done.

Don't take on too much! Decorate, attend some parties, and do some shopping online to save time, but keep your holiday fever in check. People often don't take the time to really enjoy the holiday season because they're so busy. Apply this to writing, too! Take time for you this season.

Choose a special time daily, before bed or early in the morning, to sit down and write. Use an alarm to remind you if needed.

Set a weekly goal. Even if the holidays may distract you from writing every day, having a weekly goal will let you catch up and stay on track.

Happy Holiday Writing!

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[thebearnamedlar]

I Am A Rock

Oh my God, Pete Rock is trolling us hard.

[thebearnamedlar]

Funnel of Pun

Pete Rock is so great. Any time he came across an outwardly egregious pun while commenting on my work, he would write "LORD!" as if to attribute some heavenly quality to it. (That is what that means, right?)

[solitaryspark]

Word Prompt: Summer Sails

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[solitaryspark]

Exercise: Personification of Kitchen Appliances

Next time you need some practice, try this exercise on for size! Look around your home and choose four appliances. Let your mind be your guide, but here's a list if you just want to randomly choose:

Blender Microwave Toaster Stand Mixer Hand Mixer Coffee Pot Food Processor Refrigerator Freezer Dishwasher Stove

Teapot Rice Cooker Waffle Maker Pasta Maker Bread Maker Toaster Oven

George Foreman Grill

Crock Pot/Slow Cooker

Once you've made your selections, write a poem or short story where you bring these four appliances to life. Not literally, figuratively. Use personification (giving human qualities to animals, inanimate objects, or ideas) to make describe these objects in a new way. Does your teapot whistle? Maybe your toaster spits out a bagel. The fire of your gas stove could hug pots and pans. It doesn't have to be complicated, but I ask you to challenge yourself! One final tip: avoid usual descriptions (like a teapot whistling). Your imagination is your only limitation!

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