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Thursday, June 30, 2011

Inspiration: It's Found Near And Far

Have a question? Agree, disagree,
with me? Leave me your opinion.

Reach In Any Direction for Inspiration

There's no shortage of inspiration,
because it's in life, God, Google
or people. Reach in one or all of
the mentioned places to be inspired.
Inspiration is sitting there, waiting
for a chance to show-off in a
writer's project.

"Which direction should I reach into?"
You asked out-loud.

The direction is up to you. Let's
narrow down a possible category.
What's comfortable for you? Life?

Life offers a boundless feast of
inspiration. Take inventory of
your life. Or, take a close look
at any life.

Is there a disability you'd like
to write about? Bring insight to
a condition? Did something happen
that is begging to be written
about? A crisis in a friend's
life would benefit others if shared.
You know of a better way to handle
stress? Many would benefit.

What stood-out on Monday, Wednesday
or Saturday?

You received an award. A step-by-step
guide to tell others how to get the
award is write-worthy.

A mystery showed itself. People have
wondered about a certain mystery for
years, even you. One day, you were
trying to piece it together and the
solution dawned. Write a whodunit.
The list can go on.

Peel away any moment in life to
spin-out fiction, non-fiction or
poems.

The next category is God. Writers
take information, small or big, to
carve a word picture.

"In the beginning God created the
heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1,
"New World Translation of the Holy
Scriptures."

I took a passage from the bible at
random.

Some people have a different view-
point, and believe in evolution.
The theory, with evolution, is that
all species evolved, developed,
from earlier forms.

An essay to address it, your belief,
is a possible writing project.

A second writing idea: Create a
world that displays a third view-
point on the development of man,
plants, the moon.

The third writing idea spot-lights
dinosaurs, extinct prehistoric
reptiles. Why are they extinct?
Smaller versions alive today?

Pin-point other aspects of God
to write about. Your own
experiences as it relates to God?

A direction to look into as
inspiration is Google. Google
as a spring-board to inspiration
involves many features to pick
from.

Google's features is a place to
start, G-mail is but one. The
name, corporation or business
mission are directions to explore.

Would you like to imitate Google?
A goal based on Google's mission
in a specific area? The choice
is up to you, the writer.

Last, people near and far, are
full of inspiration. People bouncing
about everyday, in a different culture,
can set a writer's creative flow
into action.

Have you talked with someone, listened,
and writing ideas zoomed to mind. A
person's mannerisms is fictional
character friendly. A problem re-told
five times pushed you to do research
and write about it?

Inspiration is found near and far, in
any direction. Look for inspiration in
life, God, Google or people.

http://hubpages.com/hub/Inspiration-Found-Everywhere

Friday, June 24, 2011

How to Make Time for Writing

Have a question? Agree, disagree,
with me? Leave me your opinion.

It's easy to give yourself excuses
for not making time to write,
and complaining that a writer's
work is sub-standard.

Before long, people will make fun
of you. When words related to
writing part-from your lips, most
will ignore you or nod. Like:

"Sure," A friend.

Or, slice-away two hours, during
the morning or evening, for writing.
When to write is up to you, your
life-style.

The early morning hours, before
your day begins could work well.
Dawn may suit you better. Midnight
is the hour?

Select the same time each day for
writing. It'll become a good
writing habit. It's never too
soon to develop good writing
habits. This time is just for
you, your writing.

Prior to writing time, as you're
preparing to write, think writing
thoughts. Look at a specific
writing idea inside-out. How will
you start writing it? What angle?
What information will be included?

You'll write, often, more than two
hours. Some days, less than two
hours of writing will get produced
by you.

Life is always throwing curves and
blocks. Continue to write through
them. A few written paragraphs has
the ability to make you feel better
than not to have done any writing
at all.

"I still don't know what to write?"
You sighed.

Write a poem. Fiction? Non-fiction?
Or, write anything that comes to mind,
free writing.

The word sun popped into my mind,
for example. Turn the word into a
poem. I came-up with Limericks.

Ms. Sun

There was a lady called Ms. Sun
Of whom ate a large steak bun.
The wastebasket, she bent
Her stomach lost its contents,
On the floor she muttered, "Hun."

The second Limerick follows.

Here comes picky Jenny
Searching for a certain penny.
Lost years ago.
Or, so told by Ringo
Another story is being spread by Lenny.

Take a look at the last Limerick.

A rising sunshine
Beaming on a jar of pine.
Kicked by feet.
Along the beat
Made the air smell fine.

A Limerick is a non-sense poem in five
lines, humorous. The first, second and
fifth lines rhyme with each other. The
shorter third and fourth lines rhyme.

Experiment to see where your free
writing takes you.

The word sun can spin into son, Jenny
or penny for fiction. It's up to you,
your creative flow.

Non-fiction leads to a study of the
planets, possibly. There's no limit
on your creative flow.

In conclusion, writing requires practice.
Schedule time, morning or evening,
to explore it.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/8142321/how_to_make_time_for_writing.html?cat=38

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

To Keep A Diary Or Not

Have a question? Agree, disagree,
with me? Leave me your opinion.

Purpose Of A Diary

The purpose of a diary is to
scribble about routines,
experiences, events and
issues that happen in life.

Certain books are sold as
diaries, journals, but
there are other ways to
record. Notebooks, lined
8 1/2 X 11 pads, index
cards and an online
file/blog, for example,
can serve as diaries.

There's no age limit
for recording in a diary.

A diary, for writers,
holds bits of writing
ideas, later to be painted
into word pictures.

Diaries are tools to keep
writer's block away too.
Jotting down bits of
writing ideas keeps a
ready supply to draw from.

Some think of a diary as
listing the day's events
before retiring, which is
fine. Write daily, weekly
or monthly. How often you
write in it is up to you.

The bits of writing within
a writer's diary must have
substance. Take a look at
the following.

-- had lunch with my mother,
talked about kids

--it's hot, humid, today- uh.

--shopping day, remember to make
a list and stick with it

The above entries wouldn't make
exciting writing projects. Would
they? Most likely, the diary
would be shoved into a draw
and ignored.

Sometimes, you're not in a place
to write long, detailed, writing
ideas. Get into the habit of
writing words, phrases, that
will ignite exactly what, when,
where, how and why of an incident.
Provide yourself key-words.

Practice to find-out the method
to best help you create writing
projects. Do you know of a
better method? If yes, stick
to it. Let me know about it.

A possible writing idea.

It's another day of busy activity
at work, lots of whispering among
Research and Development(R & D).

Key people, in R & D, are the only
ones privy to certain information
about the new project.

You go back to answering the
telephones.

The day dragged near the end, but
finally closed.

You popped-up, rushed to the parking
garage and noticed Ted from R & D
conversing with a man.

"Where's the device?" The hooded
man said.

You ducked down between two parked
cars.

"I can't just walk-out with it, takes
planning."

"Your problem..."

What notes do you write about the
conversation? Do you take any notes?
Tell someone at work? Call the
police?

Let's identify key-words.

What was talked about?

R & D's device.

When?

Shortly after work.

Where?

Work's parking garage.

How?

Change the name. Bill instead of Ted.
Bill exchanged information with a
hooded man.

Why?

A good question. Espionage? A joke?
Misunderstanding? Something to
investigate?

The point is that each person has
a unique reason to scribble in a
diary. A diary's purpose depends
on the owner, but a writer's diary
must record bits of writing ideas
with substance.

Source: http://hubpages.com/t/269e33

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Factors of Poetry

Have a question? Agree, disagree,
with me? Leave me your opinion.

Tempo

Tempo is the speed of a poem.
It swings or slows according
to the poet's mood, words or
how he/she writes a specific
poem.

A party beat poem calls for a
jog. The stroll down memories
of great grandmother requies
a slower tempo. Some poets
naturally have a slower or
faster tempo.

You poems will tell, expose,
tempo.

Slice-in a slower tempo between
paragraphs of faster tempo
poems. Add a dash of pepper
to slower tempo poems.

The objective is to have a
natural flow of poetry.

Lines Vary

Lines grab attention and then
stop. They develop into two
words, three words, five words
or more. Lines beat in tempo,
sway in rhythm and dance to
your beat. Lines jump into
essays, mark stanzas, take
paragraphs at will and knead
songs.

You, the poet, determine how
lines support, shape, your
poetry.

Poems are centered, set to the
left or right margin. Simply,
be creative.

A Thought

Make a note of words, thoughts,
that tickle your interests.
Concentrate on what ignites your
creative flow. Let your thoughts
flow freely.

One Incident

When one incident or thought
helps you write a poem, don't
stop. Twirl the one incident into
as many poems as possible. I've
turned the poem "Auntee" into
several different poems, one
incident.

It's written in Free Verse.
Free Verse poems aren't set
in pattern or length.

Plopping dishes in the sink
Brought those last minutes back,
Of Auntee-
The blank stares,
She slapped hands over her ears
Fighting to block something.

Eyes darting around the room
Rolling to the floor,
Struggling for a hold-
But she lost

Now, Auntee have days
When she's not trembling in fear
Pacing from the loud voices
That reside in her head,
Or screaming at space.

Awakening to focus on me
Small glitter of childhood,
Just as it was--
Then the blank wall stands up.

Patty-Cake
Brings a smile to her lips,
While Buckle My Shoe
Puts glee in her eyes.

It's my turn
To care for Auntee,
With love.

Flashback

I used a flashback in the following Free Verse poem.

Auntee stares became blank,
She slapped hands over ears
Fighting to block something.

Eyes darting around the room,
She folded to her knees
Struggling for a hold
Auntee Lost.

The moment peeled away
When her dish plopped to the floor.

Now, she has days
Of trembling in fear,

Pacing from loud voices
That reside in her head,
And screams at imaginary people.

It's my turn
To care for Auntee.

In closing, lines of poetry grab attention and pause. They develop into two words, three words, five words or more. Lines beat in tempo, sway in rhythm and dance to the beat.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/8129189/factors_of_poetry.html?cat=38

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

A Memorable Character

Have a question? Agree, disagree,
with me? Leave me your opinion.

Make A Character Memorable

"Hope there's a sequel." A fan
stated.

"That character reminds me of a
cousin, sweet but smart." A reader
declared.

"If only I could be half as strong
in a situation like that." Someone
said.

"His emotions were conflicted,
because he/she was on the wrong
side." A person commented. "Shame."

"The main character had looks and
morals."

Or, when a friend or relative looks
over some of your work and say,
"I'm enjoying this...it's relaxing."

"I'm glad." A writer responded.

"I didn't know you could write like
that."

"I try."

"I'm going to bookmark your blog,
want to visit it again." A
friend/relative.

"Leave a comment. You might not
like some posts."

"How long have you had it?"

"Two, three or more years."

"Yeah?"

A character, in fiction, becomes
memorable by standing-up for a
cause when doing so is dangerous,
possibly life threatening.

The memorable character is placed
in a situation that makes sense.
The goal is to provide a world
readers can escape into from
theirs, and enjoy the created
world. Readers should like or
hate the main character, feel
sorry for any character. Throw
angry words at disliked
characters. Cheer for a secondary
character.

The memorable character is gossiped
about, lied on and called unfavorable
names.

Memorable character walks on,
chin-up, through the haters.

The taunting continues, but memorable
character finds a chip of happiness.
Some people resort to poking fun at
memorable character's life, family.
They take stabs at tampering with
memorable character's work on the
job.

Memorable character holds onto
morals, values and beliefs to
sustain him/her.

Memorable character's enemies look
like fools, become more aggressive.

The character could call the police.

The character isn't moved, scared,
by enemies. He/she continues to
live his/her life.

Memorable character gets sick,
loved ones pass-away but enemies
hammer harder.

The character survives, to the
dismay of enemies.

Still, the character never gloats.
He/she takes each day as it comes.

Enemies hurt themselves trying to
belittle memorable character.

Memorable character, in the end,
lives well but is forever changed.
Now, how a character lives at the
end depends on the writer.

In closing, all issues, problems,
introduced are resolved at the end.
The issues, problems, slammed on a
character, how he/she handles them
and survives explodes into memorable.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Ideas On Writing

Have a question? Agree, disagree,
with me? Leave me your opinion.

Writing Ideas

The answer to that starts with
whether or not you're going
to write about fiction or
non-fiction.

Fiction is a world created by
a writer. He/she populates it
with memorable characters, an
interesting setting and a plot
that takes the reader down
various twisted paths.

Non-fiction is based on facts,
researched information. The
research route leads to the
Internet, library, interviews
too.

Writing ideas await at home,
in gatherings and at the
doctor's office.

At home, you're sitting and
relaxing. The room is warm,
shelter from the winter season.
A sudden cold breeze push at
your back. You snap your head
around to see nothing.

The incident can be spun into
fiction or non-fiction.

In fiction, the writing idea
surrounds a haunted house.
People rumor that it's haunted
because death of a popular
person happened in the house
under suspicious circumstances,
or anyone who sleeps in a
certain room of the house
dies mysteriously.

A non-fiction idea centers
around researching owners of
one house, several generations.
The idea is to locate people
who can give eye-witness
accounts of paranormal activity.

Gatherings are opportunities for
collecting writing ideas. There's
usually more than one generation
to get writing ideas from.

A topic is talked about that
you'd like to write fiction
or non-fiction about.

Perhaps, a family secret was
whispered about. Do you write
fiction or non-fiction about
it? The choice rests in your
hands, the writer.

A possible idea follows.

"You stole grandmother's money?"
A cousin shouted.

"Weren't talkin' to ya," Billy
said.

Mouths dropped, sighs and aws
could be heard three miles away.

What should happen next?

A non-fiction project could
focus on a study of your family.
Your idea?

The doctor's office is a place
most people would prefer not
to visit. Still, writing ideas
live there.

Have something happened in a
doctor's office you'd like to
share?

Like: "Where's Amentis Cordo's
file?" A nurse rushed to the desk.

The lady at the front desk looked
in a wall covered file cabinet,
but couldn't find it.

"Not here."

The sound of someone bouncing
against the wall shot from the
back.

"Help..."

The story has many paths to
take.

Possible Writing Ideas

1. The accountant's job

2. What's required to be an
effective manager

3. Harmful/Helpful Sun Rays

4. Soothing Home Remedies

5. Benefits Of Relaxing On A Beach

6. The Writer's Life

7. How To Tell A Joke

8. Why Use Recycled Paper

9. Benefits Of A Smile

10. Why Write Hubs

Ideas on writing exist anywhere,
everywhere. Be the sponge to soak
them up.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

How to Write Poetry

Have a question? Agree, disagree,
with me? Leave me your opinion.

Poetry Forms

Ideas for poetry, poetry forms,
are in experiences, something
dreamed, from books or at work.

A past relationship offers tons
of poetry friendly material.
Write about how the relationship
improved, hindered, you. Week
one gave a display of two people
completely wrong for one another.
Only, you were committed and
decided to go where it led.

In a dream, you conversed with
ladies and gentlemen of another
time. Imagine the poetry that
can be created. Research will
guide you to language of the era.

Characters from books are an
endless supply of poetry ideas.
Each book has a unique world
with interesting characters.
Your poetry should be as
different and individual as the
original works.

The work place is stuffed full
of poetry ideas. Every office,
individual, have a tale. The
decorations are possible
creations. Leave no door closed
when on the look-out for poetry
ideas.

Song/Sonnets

Some poetry forms use lyrics
that are set to music. Words
picked for a song opens the
mouth, not close it. Simple
words work well. The Sonnet's
first eight lines are termed
sestet. Line eight marks the
ending of a sentence.

In other words, introduce the
theme, develop it, continue and
the sestet takes a new direction.
Carry the new direction to a
point and end.

Haiku

A Haiku poem is the well known
Japanese form. The structure for
the Haiku form is three lines:
five syllables in line one, seven
syllables for line two and line
three is five syllables.

Rain beat at my pane
While flowers blossom proudly
In my room I sit.

Villanelle

The Villanelle explodes on the
page with five three line stanzas
and ends with a Quatrain.

Line one in stanza one becomes
line three of stanzas two and
four. In stanza one, line three
takes number three position
within stanzas three and five.
Lastly, stanza one's line three
grabs fourth position of the
last stanza.

Survivor

I survived deceit
Of family and friends
Those mistakes I'll not repeat.

I refuse retreat
Standing strong without kin-
I survived deceit.

For all to see I'm complete
On top about to spin,
Those mistakes I'll not repeat.

Segregated at new feats
Still, mobs try to descend in-
I survived deceit.

Success manage to beat
Snake tongued ones wonder how-when,
Those mistakes I'll not repeat.

I'm not afraid of heat
Fighting to some end,
I survived deceit
Those mistakes I'll not repeat.

Quatrain

A stanza or poem with four
lines is a Quatrain.

Moment

His stare was razor sharp
fear tipped up my spine,
shots rang out
the store was robbed.

Ideas for poetry are everywhere.
Explore them as I did in my book
of poems, "Piece Of Life."

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/8093499/how_to_write_poetry.html

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Purpose Of Plot

Have a question? Agree, disagree,
with me? Leave me your opinion.

How To Write A Story

Stories have plots, and they
are steps to an exciting new
world for readers. The steps
to a new world discovers
what's happening to whom,
when, where and why it's
happening.

The short story, in fiction,
dramatizes one issue,
situation. The one issue,
situation, is the one factor
that makes it different from
novels.

Short stories starts with an
interesting character in some
place, and involved in a
serious issue, situation.

The main character, protagonist,
is in the middle of an issue,
situation. The issue, situation,
suspends disbelief and takes
the reader to a believable world.

The story must move forward,
or readers will toss it aside
for the next writer's work.
The main character is thrown
into complications that gives
insight to his/her character
and issue, situation.

The main character's aunt,
uncle, brother, mother or
father can't solve it. Or,
he/she can't walk away from
the issue, situation.

The protagonist grows at the
end of a story. The last
effort at resolving an issue
pushes a protagonist to sources
that he/she wouldn't have
considered before, or didn't
know existed.

Story development must resemble
life. Good fiction creates
illusions of real people trying
to correct an issue, problem.

The middle increases pressure
on the protagonist to resolve
the issue, problem. The pressure
is conflict.

Conflict shows a character's
involvement, and his/her life
depends on the success/failure
of resolving an issue, problem.

Surround the main character with
a cast of characters that have
a stake in it.

Conflicts, setting and characters
help bring the plot to a conclusion.

The beginning and middle are
developed. The story comes to an
end.

The main character works to fix
the issue, problem, at least,
three times.

One more try, and all the stops
are pulled out. Every nook and
cranny is examined to help the
main character with an issue.

The main character's solution
surprises everyone. Still, the
ending is foreshadowed by
preceding actions. Every action/
reaction leads to this moment.

The mixture of circumstances and
effect brings a story to its
climax.

In conclusion, plot is how a
story unfolds into a unique world.
Conflict is poured in to move the
story forward, and it's up to the
protagonist to resolve an issue,
situation.

Source: http://hubpages.com/hub/How-To-Write-A-Successful-Story

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

How to Write a Dramatic Scene

Have a question? Agree, disagree,
with me? Leave me your opinion.

A dramatic scene is four paragraphs,
two pages or ten pages but explode
onto the page in vivid images.
It must have a reason to exist,
purpose. A dramatic scene is
well thought-out.

A successful dramatic scene
happens when opposing forces
are in the same space. The
opposing forces believe in
their position, cause. They
resist change and have
convincing arguments. Plenty
of emotion is stirred into
the situation.

The encounter of opposing
forces gives information,
seeks information, informs,
convinces, compels, or logic
prevails.

The final action delivers a
winner, loser or quitter.

A sequel follows. The sequel
explains how the opposing
forces feel, their state of
mind which leads to the next
scene.

Visualize a scene before writing
it. Ask questions during the
visualizing process. How will
opposing forces react to factor
A? C? What's at stake? What's
the state of mind?

See the scene from beginning
to end in your mind. Act it out,
if necessary. Experiment to
determine what works best.

Take a look at an example from
my book, "Grave Street House,"
published in 2007. The main
character, Amanda, is having
another conversation with her
cousin, Lena, about dare taking.
The story is told from Amanda's
point-of-view.

"I didn't mean to spy, but you
have another dare going? Let's
talk about it."

"Dare is to ask out an older man,
nothin' else to talk 'bout."

"Do you and the caller play games
like that often?" I sighed.

"Jealous? I bring the only
excitement to ya're borin'
existence?"

"I'm just trying to help you,
Lena."

"Who asked ya?" She snapped.
"Ya can't even help ya'reself."

"You're not going to upset me.
Don't you feel bad for what
happened to Mrs. Rosetti? That
alone should make you not
want to do another dare."

"If ya hadn't tripped over Mrs.
Rosetti's orthopedic shoes she'd
never woke-up. It ain't my fault
her heart is bad. Last time I
wanna hear 'bout that dare.
We got one last dare for old time
sake. Place of my choice."

"You didn't hear a word I said.
No, I don't think so."

"Amanda!"

"We're both nineteen." I tried
to plant doubt. "Don't you think
we're too old for childish games?"

"Feel better? Now, the dare: The
person that spends two hours in
Grave Street House is winner of
all time.".

"You nuts? Let me tell you the
story of the Kane family. Before
you came to live with us nice Mr.
Kane lived there, his wife and
five-year-old daughter. He stayed
to himself, and worked at the
factory where Mother retired from.
Mrs. Kane was only seen outside
shopping or going somewhere in the
car with him. She never sat on the
porch or walked outside to chat."
I took a deep breath and said, "One
Halloween night he stabbed her
fifty times and killed himself.
Their daughter slept through the
whole thing."

"But what that got to do with
our dare?"

"You've seen how anyone going
in the House is either carried
out or changed forever."

"We'll be together."

"I better leave for work."

I couldn't muster up the
energy to confront Lena again.

In conclusion, a successful
dramatic scene involves opposing
forces occupying the same space,
in conflict and emotionally
charged.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/8079157/how_to_write_a_dramatic_scene.html

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