Huzzah! I’ve been meaning to have a contest on this site for a while now, so here it finally is. A contest for all school-age Writers and Artists: write a short story (any length) about a Senior Citizen with a secret identity/amazing past OR illustrate any scene from Eldritch Manor. Or do both, if you’re super ambitious.
For all the details on prizes and where to send entries go here.
I can’t wait to see what you can do… just be sure to enter before March 15, 2014!
Comments Off on Big News! It’s a Contest!
Filed under Contests, Get Writing!
Some topics just keep expanding the more you explore them! I’ve already written Killer Openings Part 1 and Killer Openings Part 2. Here’s the 3rd and final look at them. Previously we talked about these different kinds of first sentences:
1. DESCRIPTION
2. ACTION
3. INTRODUCE THE HERO
4. INTRODUCE THE VILLAIN
5. THE DIRECT APPROACH
Now let’s carry on with…
6. PARADOX, or SURPRISE TWIST
It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen. (1984, George Orwell)
As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect. (The Metamorphosis, Franz Kafka)
The end of the world started when a pegasus landed on the hood of my car. (The Last Olympian, Rick Riordan)
These are opening sentences that include some kind of odd twist, surprise, or joke. Depending on the kind of story you are writing, you can use this kind of opening to unsettle the reader, creep the reader out, or make the reader laugh. These openers are extremely effective, but the more time and care you take in writing them, the better they will be. Choose and place each word carefully for maximum effect. Continue reading
Comments Off on Writing Club: Killer Openings part 3
Filed under Get Writing!, Writing Club
Things are pretty busy on the road here, but here’s a little prompt for anyone who wants to keep their pens moving… From the Writer’s Digest, here’s a prompt for their November challenge to write a poem every day this month:
For today’s prompt, write an appearing poem. This could be a poem about something (or someone) appearing out of nowhere. Or it could be about appearances–appearing one way to some people; appearing another way to others. (c/o Robert Lee Brewer, on the Writer’s Digest website)
It may be a prompt for a poem, but I think it’s a good springboard for a story too.
Comments Off on Keep that Pen Moving…
Filed under Get Writing!
In my last Writing Club post I wrote about two kinds of opening sentences, 1. Description, and 2. Action. Let’s continue …
3. INTRODUCE THE MAIN CHARACTER
This is an extremely popular and effective way to open a book. It can be in first person-
Call me Ishmael. (Moby Dick, Herman Melville)
Look, I didn’t want to be a half-blood. (The Lightning Thief, Rick Riordan)
Comments Off on Writing Club: Killer Openings Part 2
Filed under Get Writing!, Writing Club
I’ve been having trouble getting going on a book… getting stuck – procrastinating – doing other things – napping – getting stuck again… you get the picture. So today I revisited notes I took while reading Stephen King’s great book On Writing.
He says that the first draft of a book should take no more than three months. He aims for ten pages a day, or 2,000 words. Some days he’s done by 11:30 am, other days it can take him until 1:30. And all he needs is a “serene atmosphere”.
So my atmosphere here is pretty serene, ridiculously serene even. I should have no excuses!
I don’t get to write every day – I’ve got a lot of projects on the go right now – but by keeping my goals humble (1,000 words per working day, 3 or 4 days a week) I hope to have the first draft of a sequel to Eldritch Manor done by the end of January. Of course I also have going for me the fact that a YA novel is way shorter than one of King’s books!
I also have as a secret weapon an Outline, one I’ve been pondering and building on for a year or more. That’s enough time to percolate… now I’m going to get to work!
After the first draft is done, he recommends setting it aside for six weeks and not looking at it or talking about it. Once you’re thinking of new projects and immersed in other things, then it’s time to pull it out, get reacquainted, and get back to work on it.*
I love having a plan! (Today’s 1,000 words – check!)
* Stephen King, On Writing (New York: Scribner, 2000), pp. 154, 211-212.
Comments Off on Sometimes all you need is a plan.
Filed under Author Info/Biographical, Get Writing!, the Writing Life
(5-minute, stream-of-consciousness exercise, write whatever pops into your brain on the topic. Don’t bother with sentences, paragraphs, or punctuation. Just write.)
For this one you can write about your own grandmother(s) or grandmothers from movies or books. What do you think of when you think “grandmother”? Continue reading
Comments Off on Writing Club: Killer Openings Part 1
Filed under Get Writing!, Writing Club
I just read a good article about creating effective villains here – “5 Characteristics of an Epic Villain” by Antonio del Drago, who is right on the money when he says Darth Vader is a fantastic example of an Epic Villain.
His advice and 5 characteristics are good, but it really depends on the style of your piece how powerful and brilliant you want to make your villain. There is a whole continuum available here, from the flawed/foolish/not-so-bright/extremely human baddie to the all-powerful/crazily dangerous/nearly-unbeatable villain. Which fits the best in your world?
A real gem to keep in mind is this, from the comments: Remember that the villain is the hero of his own story.
Though the author says you shouldn’t create dumb villains who make foolish mistakes, don’t forget that if you’re writing comedy, or for very young children, this is actually the perfect villain to have. You don’t want to scare wee ones right out of their socks, and allowing them to feel a little superior to the bad guy will help them to enjoy the story. (Remember King John in the old Disney cartoon version of Robin Hood, who cried for ‘mama’ and sucked his thumb? For preschoolers that is comedy gold!) The bottom line: know your world/genre, and know your audience!
Comments Off on Some Advice Regarding Villains
Filed under Get Writing!, Writing Workshop
deadline: Nov. 29, 2013
Cash prizes!
Visit their website for more information and entry forms.
November is the month to write your novel! Sign up at the NaNoWriMo kid’s page , registering as a “young writer”, and set your word goal count. Start writing on November 1st, and update your word count as the month progresses. You will have access to writer resources on the site, as well as Pep Talks and other help for when you get stuck or run out of ideas. Go to the website for more information and to sign up.
Adults can join in too, just go to the NaNoWriMo site for you:
Comments Off on Poetry Contest and NaNoWriMo!
Filed under Contests, Get Writing!
Here we are in our new home at the library, the smaller, cozier Teen Room.
(5-minute, stream-of-consciousness exercise, write whatever pops into your brain on the topic. Don’t bother with sentences, paragraphs, or punctuation. Just write.)
Comments Off on Writing Club: Who is Telling the Story?
Filed under Get Writing!, Writing Club
Another meeting of the Writing Club has come and gone. We’re still working out who’s coming and when, but we seem to be settling in… Here’s what happened:
(5-minute, stream-of-consciousness exercise, write whatever pops into your brain on the topic. Don’t bother with sentences, paragraphs, or punctuation. Just write.)
Comments Off on Writing Club: Where do story ideas come from?
Filed under Get Writing!, the Writing Life, Writing Club
