I’m sure everyone has gotten really into something before, whether it’s a movie, book, new school, relationship, whatever, only to be very, very let down by whatever it was we were anticipating. It happens, pretty often. It’s probably why we often ask whether or not something “will live up to the hype” surrounding it.
That, is how I feel about summer almost every year. (more…)
There are so many different things that go into writing a novel. You need to have a killer plot, or at least one that hooks people (since people have said there are only anywhere from 3-9 original plots in the universe). You need to make your characters relatable and realistic. You need all these things. So, sometimes as a writer you need to do uncomfortable things in order to polish your craft. (more…)
Ah. It’s been a little over a week now since I last posted, signaling my return to this little blog I’ve got going here. And it’s really a shame, since I’ve been meaning to post more regularly on here, but it’s just time, and the lack of it. Even though it’s summer now (school got out for me about three weeks ago), I still find it so hard to find time to do anything, especially write, much less blog. It’s a terrible feeling, to be strapped for time even after school is out. (more…)
I would like to pose several indirect questions with this post. Most of them you should be able to pick up on. Please let me know your thoughts in the comments.
But first let’s get some things straight.
Now, typically I prefer to rant to someone in person so as not to become known as one of those internet trolls who simply rants on about anything and everything all the time. In fact, this post doesn’t even relate to writing at all, however, I hope that it will be relatable in general nonetheless as I’m sure this has happened to several people.
For a little bit of background, I am a rather punctual person. I absolutely detest being late to any sort of event, and usually arrive around 15 minutes early to most things. I also (and this has been observed by others) highly value the time I get to spend with people in person seeing as it is so scarce now, having to plan around schedules for work, school, and other such things.
That said, I find that many other people don’t seem to have the same kind of respect for other’s time or scheduling. Things always seem to occur very last minute with the people I know, and not in the spontaneous “oh hey, let’s go the beach right now and have a picnic” sort of way. (more…)
Hello fellow writers and any other readers 🙂
I know this is my first update in quite a while and I’m really sorry for that! It’s been a busy summer and I’ve been working hard to keep up with all of my weekly page goals, maintaining a social life, moving, and my job of course.
As the title suggests, I want to address something that pertains strongly to the writing community: the impending release of the Mortal Instruments: City of Bones film.
I think that this is a wonderful opportunity, as are other films based on books, to give the fiction community more exposure.
Now, while I don’t often actually make it to the theater to see movies, I do manage to see my own fair share of teasers and trailers and things like that on TV, online, and other such media. From my experience, it seems to me that Hollywood is running out of ideas for films. Each seems to be more of the same, raunchy, comedic, and thoughtless films that, while commercially successful most of the time, require little actual writing and effort to produce I think. Whereas, for novels to become movies, they must so exceptionally well-written (excluding the Twilight Saga…) to draw in readers that Hollywood seeks to profit off of their success and fame. Harry Potter and The Hunger Games come to mind immediately.
Of course, that’s not to say that every comedic film is unworthy of being scene. In fact, quite the contrary is true. I often find myself tired of the slew of action movies that Hollywood also churns out, and would like something more relaxing to indulge in. To that I reference Pitch Perfect. If you’ve not seen it (which I conclude to be highly unlikely) you must.
My point is simply that I find it incredibly exciting to see another film based off of a quality novel that I have still yet to complete. The writing world is not as easy to break into as other sectors of the entertainment industry in my opinion. As writers, authors, and novelists, we do not have the luxury of a plethora of highly publicized TV shows searching for the next big thing. I do not mean to belittle the work that winners of American Idol, The Voice, X Factor, or any other competition do. Artists successful in those areas have worked hard and deserve what they have earned. I only mean to point out that as writers, we often do not have the same level of exposure as other industries do.
In light of more and more films being based off of novels, I solely redirect more of my hard work to finishing my own novel in hopes that someday I could be that successful. In addition, I encourage anyone else reading this post to press on with your writing even if it seems like you’re getting nowhere. We must always remember that these writers also had to build their audience and start somewhere.
I once read that J.K. Rowling was hardly making rent before she finished the first novel in her Harry Potter series. That first novel took her several years to complete, but she is now wealthier than the Queen of England.
Perhaps none of my novels will ever be that successful, but if my writing is able to one day pay my bills, I think I would be content. However, these novels becoming renown and famous, that is one of my dreams and goals as a writer.
Needless to say, it’s impossible to say who will draft the next bestseller that becomes a motion picture, but it could be any of us. So press on. Every page you write every day will make you better and more polished, even pages that you end up erasing or scrapping later on. Every word you write will further you toward your goal and refine your craft.
Goodnight and keep writing always~
I promised I would post about writing again! Here it is, albeit it’s a short post.
Anyway, today is already off to a great start! Like the title says, I’ve started a new morning routine
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April 22, 2013
This post today feels so much like a journal entry, but I suppose that’s alright since “StoryCloset” is really an outpouring of my cluttered mind. My thoughts seem to be swirling even more than usual on this snowy April today. I guess we can start there: the weather.
This morning I woke up at 6 am. I had an early morning class. 7:45. When I got outside to leave around 7, it was cold, but not too chilly and overcast. That didn’t change too much throughout the day. About two hours ago it was raining. Now, it snowing like powdered sugar, but doesn’t seem to be sticking for the meantime. Good.
Aside from the depressing weather, I honestly think that today was just one of those mentally distracting days, which I took in stride considering my jumbled thoughts. It was a day where I could just keep moving, not having to think about anything too seriously except for what was at hand. I like those kinds of days, especially when I was as flustered mentally as today. (more…)
Wow well, that title sounds way creepier and deeper than I thought it was going to, but I suppose that’s alright. In reality, this post is a little profound just because I’m analyzing myself and thinking on a post.
As the title vaguely points to, I find myself captivated by dark writings recently. In all sincerity, I don’t think this is a bad thing in and of itself, because I’ve also been seeing that I can write dark pieces fairly well. Of course, this could also be a major misconception since I’m really only referring to a few pieces: You’re Not Sorry, Warehouse, and It Won’t Hurt a Bit which are all published on this blog. You can find them through the “Short Stories” tag/category if you wish to read them!
If you read them all, you’ll see that death seems to be a common theme as well as relatively dark settings to begin with. You’re Not Sorry takes place in a dark hospital room, It Won’t Hurt a Bit takes place in a dark alley, and Warehouse occurs in its namesake. Oh there’s also a healthy (or unhealthy I suppose) amount of revenge staining two of the stories. (more…)
So I’ve been craving to write something different than the short story contests and novel I’ve been working on (also, let me know if you guys want to see any more of either of those things, because I know I definitely haven’t posted any of my current novel stuff on my blog yet!).Â
I’ve been thinking about starting either a fuller length story just in an episodic/short story format. So the whole story would be completely fluid and cohesive, just posted in sections! For that, I was thinking of starting something along the lines of like a detective/relationship (wow, terrible description, but I can give a more in-depth synopsis if I decide to pick it up [which you could influence if you give me feedback]).Â
At any rate, just a kinda random post. Mostly just stuff on my mind and whatnot 🙂
Let me know YOUR thoughts in the comments!
So in 12 hours from now, I’ll be sitting in some windowless classroom with only fluorescent lighting taking a four-hour-long test that I really don’t want to be taking again.
There will be almost utter silence aside from the scratching of wood pencils (no mechanical mind you), rubbing of erasers (Pentel Hi-Polymer no doubt, at least that’s what I’ll be using), and rustling of paper.
Oh I forgot something. There will assuredly be sighing and probably yawning as well, considering that this trial granting passage into the higher level of academia occurs quite early in the morning.
And of course, many who are about to take this almost inescapable exam are probably fidgeting about in their homes right now, stressing themselves out over this exam. I know I am.
In contrast to many, I don’t find myself overly nervous for this rigorous testing. Rather, I end up simply annoyed or frustrated that I must take it in the first place (or in this case, the second place). Indeed, perhaps many like me are frantically trying to push other commitments, pleasures, and emotions out of their minds tonight as they prepare for this test. I find myself thinking to myself, “No! I don’t have time to worry about that! I need to be in a clear state of mind for tomorrow!” Because of course my internal monologues are that polished and concise.
At any rate, what comes in the morning is inevitable. Perhaps some are even being forced to take it. No, certainly many are. However, as much as there is to worry about, there is also a degree of peace I realize. We have prepared for this all our years of school and whatever the result we get tomorrow, there is nothing that can be changed at the present. For a future test, yes we can control how we prepare for that. However for tomorrow, we must simply do our best and let what come, come.
StoryCloset 