Some of My Favorite Writing Resources Part Two

Why hello. Might I say that you look fabulous today.

Wasn't July Amazing? I had so much fun Writing Something Everyday in July that I almost decided to give August a try. Just kidding. That would be a lot of work.

So, today I went to volleyball, but after that I came home and sat down at my computer. I stared at the screen and told myself that I should probably do something productive. After checking my e-mail and Facebook, I rechecked my e-mail because I had an idea. Don't you love ideas? One e-mail had caught my eye. The message was from a blog that I follow called The Flourishing Abode. April Starr, the lady who writes the blog, titled the post 10 things you shouldn't miss. In the post, Starr writes about 10 websites. Two of these websites caught my eye and looking at the post also reminded me of a Part Two post I never did.

Some of you might remember my post titled Some of My Favorite Writing Resources Part One. If you don't, click the hyperlink and a new window will open with the post. All of the sites are really fun and helpful in writing.

I did promise a Part Two post with seven more sites. So, here they are.

Daily Writing Tips

This site does exactly what someone would think the site would do. It gives you writing tips on a near daily basis. The writers cover everything from Yiddish Words to using Artist or Artisan. Some of the posts require a higher than freshman level of english knowledge to understand, but all posts contain useful information as all posts should. 

The NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program, NaNoWriMo, and Script Frenzy

I know, I talk about these sites way too much. I find it hard to stop talking about awesome things. In a nutshell, the Young Writers Program and NaNoWriMo are the same thing. Both are about writing 50,000 words in one month and both are managed by The Office of Letters and Light. There is one big difference. NaNoWriMo is for people thirteen and older while YWP is for the youngsters. Cool right?Script Frenzy starts in April. Basically, you write a 100 page script in one month. I have yet to complete a single Script Frenzy. 

Writer's Digest

Writer's Digest is all about the writer's digestive system. I'm just kidding with you. A writer's digestive system is a very scary place full of adverbs, replacements for said like gasped and exclaimed, and tons upon tons of coffee. Or tea. Whatever floats your boat. If you are a subscriber, to Writer's Digest, then I envy you. Not only do you get great writing content, you get awesome advise on everything to do with writing. If you are running a little short on cash, you can always subscribe to the free weekly newsletter. The newsletter includes writing prompts, advise on getting published, news from the writing world, latest blogs from WD bloggers, and more. 

And finally, the last two sites are the eye catching sites from the Flourishing Abode post. 

Rainymood.com

If you are anything like me, nothing gets you more in the writing mood like a good rainy day. Rainymood.com does exactly that. Just plug in your nice comfy headphones, grab a cup of Joe or that tea you have been wanting to try, and type away to the sound of a never ending rainstorm. 

43 Things

Ever have trouble setting, remembering, and following through with goals? Just sign up on 43 Things and enter all of your goals. People using the website can cheer you on. If you have a goal that requires more than one person, a team can be created. 43 Things let you set reminders for goals and write a diary entry about the progress made on the goal.

To finish things off, I love hearing from the people who read what I write. Don't be afraid to comment. I have never been a fan of saying that, which is why I made this...

~Snowie

Feeling Amazing(ly tired)

With track, softball, Script Frenzy, and the Night Stalker taking up all of my free time..... That sentence was going somewhere..... I just can't remember where.

Anyways... I feel like I should do more write-y stuff and tips....

But first a few updates....

Script Frenzy-

Status: Very Suckish

Data: I am on page 23 and have been for the past week. I am supposed to be on page 43, I think.... Maybe, just maybe I'll have time over the weekend. =D

The Night Stalker-

Status: Amazing!!!!

Data: I can't believe how well it's going. So far I am right where I want to be. I just filled my third notebook and I am on page 446. The final battle is just barely 11 hours away and so far in the last "hour" Gail has had a melt down and two people have been stabbed by Justin.  I can't wait!!! Then over the summer I am editing and typing it up. I have no idea when I will start Night Stalker 2.0. It depends on how much free time I have in the summer.

Track-

Status: Tiring but fun

Data: Our first meet was Monday and our team won second place.

Now- Write-y stuff.......

I think that this week I will share the tips that I try to follow while writing. You do not have to use them, but you can modify them to fit you're needs....

1. Forget everything- don't think.
2. Include as much detail as you want, it can always be edited out later.
3. Don't worry about overusing words in the rough draft
4. Stay to say, said, asked most of the time
5. Don't know how to spell it? Just keep writing.
1. When I don't know how to spell something or a piece of information may not be correct, I put a question mark in the margin to remind myself to check it while editing.
6. Try writing junk during writers block. 
1. When you write junk, you're basically getting a new sheet of paper and writing what ever is on your mind on it. Usually mine look something like this- My foot hurts. My pillow smells funny. Gail should jump off a cliff and nearly die.... Sometimes new ideas can spring forward or something you write down will make you start to think again.
7. Try to stay in the mood that you started writing in. 
1. If you're like me, then you're mood will change often. When I write, I like to try to stay in the same mood. Why? Because my writing style depends on my mood. If I'm angry, my writing voice will sound angry. Or if I am happy, good things will happen to my story and my characters will sound a bit happier. 
8. Write down ideas while you still remember them. 
1. I have terrible trouble with this one. An idea will pop into my mind and either I won't have paper near by or I'll get sidetracked. By the time I finally have time to write it down, I won't remember it anymore. The best solution that I've come up with is to carry an "Inspiring Notebook" around. I can write down beginnings to stories and story ideas or anything else that inspires me in it. 
9. Keep going even if it doesn't make sense.
10. Put blanks if you don't have names yet.
11. Wing it with whatever information you have.
12. So what is its a bit cliche? You can always go back and edit.
13. Try writing a poem if you're stuck.
14. Write it even if it's not grammatically correct
15. In one way or another, get it on paper.
16. Weird conversations can make a book interesting
17. Laugh at your own jokes
18. Doodles are pretty and often inspirational
19. If it's not really real make it fantasy
20. Quotes are fine, but not all the time
21. When in doubt kill a character, then nearly kill the main one.
22. Show, don't tell
1. I know, I know. You've heard this so many times... But what does it really mean? It means instead of telling, show it.
1.  Here's an example of telling: A long time ago in a far away place there lived a Queen and King who had a beautiful daughter named Rose. One day as a child Rose was kidnapped and never seen again for ten years.
2. An example of showing: Rose picked up the sea shell and ran her tiny fingers over the rough edges. She turned it over, smiling at the pretty pink glimmer on the inside. A sea gull squawked loudly and she looked over at it as it flew off. Not ten feet form her was a crippled woman. The old woman smiled and beckoned Rose with a long, knobby finger.
2. See the difference? No? When you tell, the reader is just getting the basics. They don't know what exactly the character did, how they did it, or what they looked like. In my example, you know that Rose has been kidnapped, but you're being told straight to your face. Can't see Rose or the kidnapper. In my second example, the showing example, you can see Rose looking at the shell and rubbing the edges. You can imagine the old woman beckoning her over. You can guess what will happen next but you are never actually told "Rose was kidnapped." You can see it happening, unfolding right before your eyes. 

Well, I hope that helped a bit. If you still have questions, just comment below and I'll try to answer the best I can.

I have an idea for next week's blog. I think I might try to email some well known writers and ask them- What inspires you? What are some writing tips that you have?

http://inkpop.com/projects/101095/epic-nerd-war-/

Peace, Love, And Writing!

Snowie

Please subscribe because you're cool like that! =)

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?

=)  

Who's up for a movie?

Well, Script Frenzy is well underway. I'm already fourteen pages in and hopefully I will be close to thirty by tonight.


Joisie and Annie have already found one clue and teamed up with Todd. They are discussing the clue and trying to figure out the secret message that is on it. And the plot thickens as they say.


This morning I was also pleasantly surprised when I learned that my friend who moved away texted me. It's a long story that I'd rather not tell.


After a run and lunch, I sat down and just thought a bit about last night. Last night was one of the saddest nights ever. I can't tell you why I cried because it will completely ruin the Night Stalker.


I'll say this- someone really close to someone died from something and the dying someone said really inspirational and heartbreaking words to someone right as the someone died. Then the someone who the now dead person told the inspirational words to went completely insane and completely closed everyone out until about two weeks before the final big battle. Now the insane someone is being comforted by someone so the insane someone can help lead the army to somewhere to fight the Alliance.


I think that the Night Stalker will be finished within the next thirty pages. I'm so emotional right now. I'm happy that book one will soon be done and proud of myself for actually finishing a book and so sad that this story will soon be over. I don't want it to be over but at the same time I do. It's so complicated!!


Now that you are thoroughly confused, I will continue. =)

"You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching,  

Love like you'll never be hurt, 

Sing like there's nobody listening, 

And live like it's heaven on earth." 

— William W. Purkey

I think that that quote is amazing. One it is inspirational. Two it tells you to just be yourself. Three No one's perfect, but it is those imperfections that make us human and lovable.

Think about that for a while.

Snowie

P.S. Doctor Who Season 6 Starts April 23!!!!!!!

Updates!

Because everyone loves a good update!


First off...

OMJ. Script Frenzy is just 28 HOURS AWAY!!! AHHHHHHHH!!!!! I managed to get one of my friends to write with me. She still doesn't know what she's going to do. I'm winging it which won't turn out very well, but at least the first two scenes are kind of plotted out.


Second...


Wow! Almost 500 page views! Last time I looked it was at 498 views. Yeah it's not a lot, but I try. Please subscribe!

Third...

The Night Stalker is nearing the end! After eight months-ish of hard work and determination, I have reached 424 pages and I am about to go into my fourth notebook! Yay!

Right now Gail is just waking up from her cold sleep after almost freezing to death in the hard Montana winter. For about the past five pages, the story has been in the perspective of James, one of Gail's friends. He is in love with her, but she is secretly hung up on Noah after breaking up with him and Gail won't acknowledge the fact that she kind of likes James. She knows he likes her.
They are about half way into January 2019 (A pretty bad winter) and probably will attack in March. So they have a little time for a lot to happen. Some major events WILL take place, but I won't say here because I really don't want to ruin the book for you!

I am planning to be done in the next two months. The summer will be full of editing Night Stalker 1.0 and beginning Night Stalker 2.0. I haven't named the second book yet, but I am thinking about The Night Stalker's Son. It's a little unoriginal, but I kind of like it. If you have any ideas, comment!

I'll try to get more info on 2.0 soon!

Lastly....

A pretty picture to happy-ize the post!

Washington's Secrets

Well with Script Frenzy only like nine days away and my D.C. trip already over with =( I decided that it would be good to actually figure out what my short movie will be about. So I spent a bit of time working on a cover (yeah doesn't help with the plot, but it looks cool) because I am an artsy person=).

Washington's Secrets Cover with my pseudonym

• Main Character
• Joisie (sounds like Jersey with a thick New York accent)
• Played by my best friend VVZ
• A treasure hunt 
• Full of CIA and FBI stuff and agents
• My first actual Script

Washington was amazing and really fun. I got a bunch of pictures and lots of story ideas. My favorite monument was the Washington Monument. About 40% of my pictures somehow include that monument. Sad thing is that I dropped my camera and broke it on my second day there. Be expecting more stories in D.C. !!!!!

You can keep track of my progress here and after April you can view it on inkpop.com!

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. =)