Are You Tired And Unmotivated? Check This Out!

For the low, low price of nothing at all, I bring you the Ultimate Guide to Getting Over Writer's Block and Procrastination (UGGOWBP)!

It's fun! It's sparkly! And it's not guaranteed to help you in any way, but, hey, we'll try!

Drumroll, please...

Close enough.

Step One
Stop staring at that blank page. It's not going to move. It's not going to fill itself with beautiful, crappy writing. And that blinking bar (also know as the insertion point) will just drive you into a deeper form of insanity.

That's right. Stand up. Walk out that door. Continue walking for... I don't know... An hour. Or until people start staring at you because you haven't bothered to change out of your pajamas. 

Step Two

While walking, acknowledge this simple fact–

Writing is hard!! And not all people are cut out for it. You, however, are a mighty warrior who will fill all sheets of paper with drama and tension and death. Ok. Maybe not death. 

Step Three

Once you've returned home, shut the computer off. Yes, you heard what I said. SHUT IT OFF. NOW.

Good. 

Now pick up a pen/cil and some paper. That's right. We're going old school.

Step Four
Write. About anything, anyone, anywhere. Write about a memory of yours or a distant land. Write about a girl you've never met. Good, bad, disgusting, I don't care. Just write something. You don't have to finish it. You don't even have to like it. Challenge yourself to write one page, then two, then three.

If you still have Writer's Block at this point, return to Step One. If you still have Procrastination, well, you probably haven't made it this far yet. 

Step Five

Now that you have successfully reached Step Five, repeat Step Four for a couple of days until all is right in your world. At that point, you may return to the computer and fill that blank sheet of paper with joy and sadness. Should Writer's Block ever strike again, just return to step one. 

Now, may the force be ever in your favor, Mr. Potter. 

Love, 

Gandalf

That's pretty much it. I hope UGGOWBP really helped you because I know it helped me! Just follow these steps and you'll go from this:

To this:

In very little time!

The Best of Writing,

~Snowie

P.S. Sorry for the long vacation. I guess I needed a break. I couldn't think of anything to write about.

The End of All Things (Or At Least a Few)

When something ends, another thing must begin.

NaNoWriMo ended. And the beginning of novelling after of NaNoWriMo began.

November ended. December began.

2012 is ending, and 2013 is about to begin.

And according to some people, the world is ending soon. The beginning of a universe without an Earth populated by people will begin. To you I say... Yeah... Sure.

And last, but not least, The Night Stalker will be ending soon. I will finally allow myself to begin editing, polishing, and looking for a wonderful and very talented agent/publisher.

If you ask me, this November was very successful. I (re)wrote a novel!! You wrote a novel!!! You sat back and laughed at our craziness! You only wrote half a page! What ever you did, I clap for you. We had fun, I think. I nearly made it to 60,000 words in a month. I am actually just over 59,000 words and counting.

Soon, I hope to be posting more both on here and on YouTube. I have a book picked out to start recording, and I have a ton of Night Stalker Q&A I am really excited about writing for Writing Thoughts. 

During the month of December I am doing a No T.V. Challenge. You can stay updated with all of that on AnAwfulLotOfRunning, my nerdy workout blog and tumblr. Feel free to check it out while listening to awesome music. 

In the mean time, get some sleep. You deserve it.

Happy writings,

~Snowie

An Overabundance Of Words

Welcome to July! June was full of awesome and overflowing with words. In fact, there were so many words in June that some spilled over into July. July, I have decided, is Write Something Everyday In July Month (WSEIJM... Oh, yeah. Acronyms!). I will try my absolute hardest to post one piece of writing a day even if it kills me. I think this sounds like a really good challenge. I have a feeling that 90% of the posts will be poems. Don't click away now! There might be a short story or two in there somewhere.

And, to kick off WSEIJM (Pronounced Weh-Cee-Gym), here is a little poem written by yours truly, Snowfire.

Stay Still

If I stay still long enough
I can feel the world spin
Everything seems to stop
Be still.
The birds stop singing
All the sound drifts away
And, for a moment,
The wind stops blowing.
It's almost as if
The whole wide word hesitates
... Then gasps
Time slows down
Making moments into hours
The only thing I hear
Is my heart
Thudding slowing
Beating in time
With the rest of the world
If I stay still


~Snowfire

The End

Do you no how good it feels to type The End at the end of a month long haul of full on novel-ing? If you don't then you obviously have never tried and won a NaNoWriMo. I actually think that this NaNoWriMo was the best one yet for six reasons.

• 1) It was in the summer, so no school to worry about, and plenty of time to write.
• 2) I actually finished the novel, a feat I haven't actually done in a NaNo before (The 13th Games does not count)
• 3) I wrote almost everyday and stayed on track with the word count
• 4) I was trying something new with writing- a new genre
• 5) There was a really interesting character and a pretty interesting character who were really fun to write
• 6) I used a lot of people and events from my own life in my novel which over all made the whole thing seem a lot more real, but that's because I know what character is drawn from what person.

I should also say that a lot of the problems that are in Love By Text (New Title wanted, Old Title irrelevant), come from my life. Writing about them and incorporating them into the story helped me to better understand them and figure them out. It was like my own form of therapy.

A lot of ideas and events that I had planned to write, I never got around to writing because I felt like they didn't fit in the story just right at the moment. Some of these ideas include Ben hooking up with Julia again and Amy finding out when she surprises Ben at college, Amy and Ben writing letters back and forth to each other (Which was at first the entire reason for the story), and the Epilogue when Amy graduates and drives to see Ben in college. 

So, time for a two week break from novel writing. I have an announcement, I think, set to post on July 1st, so I better start preparing for whatever that may be. Time to catch up on some much needed sleep. 

Still looking for New Titles. Can't wait to start revising... Wait, what?

~Snowie 

Camp NaNoWriMo 2012

Oh yes. It is that time again! Time to write another 50,000 words in the name of writing. But wait! What's that you say? It's not even November yet? It's May, you say? That is why the lovely people over at the Office of Letters and Light put a Camp in front of NaNoWriMo. This year there are two Camp NaNoWriMo sessions, one in June and the other in August. Camp NaNoWriMo is exactly the same as regular NaNoWriMo. You still write a 50,000 word novel in one month, there are still "winners" and t-shirts, and of course, and the words per day goal is still 1,667. The one thing that is different from NaNoWriMo are the cabins. Cabins are exactly what they sound like. You can either pick who you want for cabin mates, let a computer make the decision, or not be in a cabin at all. Cabin mates are supposed to provide encouragement and ideas for you along your month long novelling adventure. Another great part about Camp NaNoWriMo is that if you have done NaNoWriMo or Script Frenzy before, then you do not need to sign up again. Your NaNoWriMo Username and Password work perfectly with the Camp NaNoWriMo website.

I have participated in Camp NaNoWriMo once before. I used it to start writing Light, the sequel to The Night Stalker. At about 25,000 words I realized that TNS doesn't need a sequel, so I stopped writing. I am actually quite fond of Light. It would be a good story on its own. I liked Camp NaNoWriMo since it was in the middle of summer and I had more time to write because I wasn't in school.

This year I am planning to write in June, but probably not August. In August, school and volleyball start up again and writing will be put back burner of my life. I am planning to write a full on romance which is something that I've never done on a grand novel scale. This time (Unless I get really bored), the main plot will be focused on the romance, not supernatural beings or a war. I am a little bit worried because I don't have a lot of things or ideas on romance and what problems will affect it. I want the romance to be perfect, but that's the problem. Romance is not perfect, there are conflicts. I just have to find exciting conflicts.

And here is the Rough Plot.

I know that I want it to be a sort of Romeo and Juliet forbidden romance type novel. I even have the perfect songs to go with the novel.



and




(Going through an Adam Lambert phase, sorry)

The two main character's names are Amy and Ben. I want to tell the story from either both their points of view or just from Amy's view. They meet in high school and Ben graduates a year before Amy. They meet at a party and hang out for the rest of the summer until Ben goes to college. Amy and Ben talk to each other via text and letter and find comfort in each other away from their lives. (Learn more about the plot and characters HERE.)

.... This should be a great Camp NaNoWriMo.... As you can see, romance is not my thing. That's why I need to work on it. The novel (Title: Love By Text... maybe?) could turn out really good or really bad. My money is on really bad, but that is ok. I'll learn how to not write a romance novel.

~Snowie

P.S. Perhaps Camp NaNoWriMo is a good way for a certain Blake to get his novel done.... =)

P.P.S. Here's a link to a letter Amy writes to Ben. And another link to a short romance that I wrote.

An Amazing Person Destined For Amazing Things

In April I went on and watched one of Charlie McDonnell's new videos: Cooking With Charlie, and of course recognized Charlie and Michael Aranda. There was one other person that I didn't know though so, of course, I checked out her youtube channel. After watching two or three of her vlogs, I was hooked and the rest as they say is history. Today I still watch her blogs just for a laugh and a sprinkle of inspiration and happiness. The person I am talking about is the wonderful Cassandra Croft aka NerdzRL aka Nerdz4L! Welcome to the blog Cassandra! ...Sorry. I've never actually really talked to her... Maybe I'll send her a letter! In the mean time, no interview from my second childhood hero, the first being J.K. Rowling.

Moving on to the reason for telling you all of this. There is a game of sorts called King of the Web. According to kingoftheweb.com this is what it is:

King of the Web is a free-to-play online game of skill and persuasion in which players create campaigns and solicit votes in a competition for cash, prizes, and recognition.
King of the Web is also a place where you vote for who and what is awesome on the web.

What Cassandra and her 12,000+ subscribers on youtube would love is if you would vote for her to become this months King Of The Web!!!!!! Please?  Vote Here!  Watch some of her vlogs. You never know, you may like them. They may become the daily things that make your day. 


Where ever you are, I hope you have a goodnight. 


Soon to be FTB-Snowfire... but not really. 
=)

Inspiration

I love nature, always have, always will. This video is amazing and I'd love to see these things before I die...
And the music is amazing.

Beautiful Link!

So, what inspires you?

Make a list or start an inspiration notebook to writing down your ideas or musings.

You never know when they will pull you out of writer's block.....

If Friday were a Person...

If Friday was a person, I'd date him. I mean I'm sure that somewhere there is a person named Friday, but I'm talking about the day. For me, Friday is the best day ever. It means no school for two whole days, sleeping in til noon, staying up til midnight, seriously recking your sleep habits, and managing to play sports and still write thirty pages.
I've taken to drinking coffee in the morning (actually I can't stand coffee unless it's in Mocha form) because if I didn't I'd fall asleep in reading on one of those comfy bean bags. And, I've heard that coffee in the morning is good for you. I try to get at least seven hours of sleep, but psychological questions and chats with my friend about them usually keep me up until one in the morning. I'm going to get in to Aristotle pretty soon. And Homer. And more Shakespeare. Okay, Shakespeare has nothing to do with psychology, but I love Midsummer Night's Dream. =)

Okay, enough about my sleeping habits. Lets talk scripts.

Washington's Secrets has been falling behind all week mostly because when I come home from track, it's shower, eat, and bed.

I am supposed to me on page 26, but I am only on page 23. It's better then what I did last year before my computers died. RIP Little Laptop. But, I've gotten to that awkward part. You know, that awkward part when you're writing and it's going absolutely amazing then all of a sudden you come to that point where you don't know what to do next.
Currently Annie, Todd, Joisie, and Holly, Todd's sister, are looking over letters written by this 19th Century lady named Christine Rose de Ronchambeau. Holly just came in the room and Annie and Joisie introduced themselves. Now, it's kind of awkward and I'm not sure what to put. Comment below with ideas! Please?

Now, this is a writing website, so I do feel that I should do something involving writing. So, to better your writing I came up with these writing prompts and challenges.... I actually made them up during the 2010 Winter Olympics for a writing website that I sometimes use, behindthename.com. The writers there enjoyed them, so I hope you will too.

Writing Olympics Challenges

-Day One, the 16th

Squirrel Challenge: The story must involve a squirrel, must be in the past, and involve plumbing. 

-Day 2, the 17th

Minus the letters Challenge: Write a story. You can't use the letters y, q, z, v,  or x.

-Day 3, the 18th

The Misunderstood Challenge: The story takes place in the evening. During the story there is a misunderstanding, a question of authority, and a cat riding a dog down Main Street.  

-Day 4, the 19th

Shakespeare Challenge: Nay! A Shakespeare challenge! Upon this day tis thou's turn to scrawl a tale o' magnificent wonder using Shakespeare's language. (Example: Tis time for thee to retire to thou's bed.)   

-Day 5, the 20th

Disney Challenge: Create a twisted Disney type story. Include an undefined evil character that does evil and good, no happy endings, and anything else to make it unDisney-like.   

-Day 6, the 21st

Elmer Fudd Challenge: I'm gunna get that wascally wabbit! Include an animal that's smarter than it's predator and a human who has twubble with the lettew r.

-Day 7, the 22nd

Harry Potter Challenge: Include a wizard or two that has a quest to complete, but is killed by Lord Moldywart in a vehicular crash.  

-Day 8, the 23rd

Evil Animal Minion Challenge: Include an evil animal minion. It might not be all that serious, but haven't you always wanted to say "Release that radioactive super-intelligent bunny rabbit!"

-Day 9, the 24th

People Challenge: Include an annoying screw-up sidekick who seeks to avenge the murder of his family, a super-smart and super-tough genius adventurer whose odd ideas are actually true, the last survivor of an alien race who surprises people with his/her ability to survive and has a treasured personal weapon, and a wanderer with a unique gift.

-Day 10, the 25

The Glory Challenge: Write a story including the Olympics*, being mistaken for Shaun White, the Harry Potter look alike, or a Olympian from your country**, having to do that Olympian's sport, and winning the Gold!

*Winter or Summer

**Some people of the world would prefer if you didn't write about the Luger that died. But, if you want you can in his good memory. 

Well, I hope you try a few of those. I'll have to post a sample or two....

Peace, Love, and Unicorns .)>   <=== A really bad unicorn....

Subscribe if you liked this post!! Please?

=)  

Its the Second Most Wonderful Time of The Year!!!

The First would be NaNoWriMo Time, Second is Script Frenzy Time, and Third is well Christmas.

Today's post is about the middle --- Script Frenzy. =) Not as good as NaNo, but still pretty good. It is run by the same people who do NaNoWriMo (Office of Letters and Light). The Website is scriptfrenzy.org. For those who don't know what Script Frenzy is I'll give you a little info.

What? Script Frenzy!
Who? You!
When? The Month of April
Where? On your computer
Why? To become a better writer of course!

Like I said it starts April 1st (No I am not joking =)) and goes til the 30th. The Challenge is to write 100 pages of script whether it be for a play, opera, movie, TV show, comic, ect. in the month of April.

I tried to do it last year, but my poor, poor laptop died a slow painful death. Now as you can see by the colorful print on your screen that I have a new laptop (thanks Dad!) and I am completely ready to take on Script FRENZY!!! Muhahahahahaaaa! Now I just have to think up a few ideas.

Ideas.....
1. Movie script of the Night Stalker (388 pages baby!)
2. Doctor Who Script
3. A movie/ play featuring D.C. (where I am going on a school trip in less then a month) Yay!
4. ..... idk


I'm throwing the gauntlet down. I challenge you to SCRIPT FRENZY!

Come on. Join the Frenzy.

Both images owned by Script Frenzy... I think. =)