So the most common excuse I hear all the time about writing is "I don't have any time to write".
It's amazing how many people will actually say that, and then expect you to feel some form of sympathy/empathy towards them? I don't really know.
Now, I know I'm sort of being a hypocrite here, seeing as I used to use that excuse all the time. But, I am a reformed procrastinator, and now, I know how to use my time efficiently and wisely. Many people will always say they don't have time, and then read you this whole list of everything they had to do that day. Now, that list, whether there are one hundred or ten things on it, does not account for their whole day.
They'll take a one-hour break in the morning, and then a two-hour break at lunch and yada yada yada.
Now, if you actually took the time to assess your time-spendage (that's not a word) abilities, you would realize that you actually have much more time than you realize.
I recently read on goteenwriters.com, that they have this sort of competition/promotion where participants write 100 words a day. If you think about it, 100 words is not a lot at all. It would probably take you around ten minutes maximum. You procrastinators out there will only need about 30 minutes to complete this task.
In light of this recent find, I have decided to re-vamp my writing tactics completely. Since I have homework and extra-curriculars and God-knows-what-else, my schedule is actually pretty packed. But, from this day forth, I am making a pact to write at least 100 words a day, just like the people at goteenwriters.com helpfully suggested.
The question is, will you join me?
Wednesday 6 February 2013
Monday 14 January 2013
#2 Become A Better Writer!
When I first started writing, I was a little apprehensive. I know this sounds silly, but I was afraid that I would be a bad writer. And now, I know there is no such thing.
Well, of course there are people who aren't very good at writing, but what I mean is, there is no such thing as a person who is born with the natural ability or skill to be a bad writer. It's not like it's encoded in your DNA, and it's not a gene that passes down from generation to generation. I think when we all first start out, we are pretty much all on a level playing field, seeing as you can only get better with practice.
And I found that I did get better with practice. Much better. Looking back now at the cringe-worthy story I wrote three months ago, I actually laughed while reading it. I'm being serious. And I the type of person that hates being laughed at, so you can imagine my surprise when I found myself laughing at what I wrote.
In the small space of three months, my writing ability has doubled, tripled, maybe even quadrupled.
Why?
Because I practiced.
I had all of these great ideas in my head, bursting to get out. And in the beginning, I found it really hard to put them on paper. What I wrote was never as good as what I had imagined in my head, there was sort of this invisible barrier between my brain and my hands, preventing me from letting my creativity flow. And I found that with practice, the barrier became thinner and thinner, and soon it was nonexistent.
Of course, coupled with writing almost everyday, I read. A lot. I started to read at least three books a week.
And doing those two important activities, my writing skills blossomed. I'm not saying it was overnight, everything, no matter what it is, takes hard work and dedication- but it did happen faster than I projected.
So, to wrap things up, if you are an aspiring writer, yet you can't quite get the words on the page to match the thoughts in your head- read and then write. I know it's sort of reverse logic if you think about it, but reading broadens the horizon that is your vocabulary range. Not to mention your brain becomes inundated with new ideas and thoughts, just from reading a simple story. I'm not saying go out and copy from published books. That, my dear friends, would be plagarizm. But what I am implying is, you can adapt things, change them, mix them and in the end you come up with a completely new idea!
So, to be helpful- as I usually am ;)- I have one book suggestion here that I think is a perfect novel to start the new year with.
Title: Beautiful Creatures
Authors: Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Well, of course there are people who aren't very good at writing, but what I mean is, there is no such thing as a person who is born with the natural ability or skill to be a bad writer. It's not like it's encoded in your DNA, and it's not a gene that passes down from generation to generation. I think when we all first start out, we are pretty much all on a level playing field, seeing as you can only get better with practice.
And I found that I did get better with practice. Much better. Looking back now at the cringe-worthy story I wrote three months ago, I actually laughed while reading it. I'm being serious. And I the type of person that hates being laughed at, so you can imagine my surprise when I found myself laughing at what I wrote.
In the small space of three months, my writing ability has doubled, tripled, maybe even quadrupled.
Why?
Because I practiced.
I had all of these great ideas in my head, bursting to get out. And in the beginning, I found it really hard to put them on paper. What I wrote was never as good as what I had imagined in my head, there was sort of this invisible barrier between my brain and my hands, preventing me from letting my creativity flow. And I found that with practice, the barrier became thinner and thinner, and soon it was nonexistent.
Of course, coupled with writing almost everyday, I read. A lot. I started to read at least three books a week.
And doing those two important activities, my writing skills blossomed. I'm not saying it was overnight, everything, no matter what it is, takes hard work and dedication- but it did happen faster than I projected.
So, to wrap things up, if you are an aspiring writer, yet you can't quite get the words on the page to match the thoughts in your head- read and then write. I know it's sort of reverse logic if you think about it, but reading broadens the horizon that is your vocabulary range. Not to mention your brain becomes inundated with new ideas and thoughts, just from reading a simple story. I'm not saying go out and copy from published books. That, my dear friends, would be plagarizm. But what I am implying is, you can adapt things, change them, mix them and in the end you come up with a completely new idea!
So, to be helpful- as I usually am ;)- I have one book suggestion here that I think is a perfect novel to start the new year with.
Title: Beautiful Creatures
Authors: Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Enjoy!
Wednesday 9 January 2013
#1 Best Writing Websites For Teens!
After spending a considerable amount of time researching on the internet, I have created a list of websites that I think are the most useful, well maintained Teen Writing websites on the internet. So without further ado, I shall begin.
1. Wattpad
Wattpad, if you didn't already know, is a writing community where you can post your own stories, read those of others, share book covers/opinions/criticisms, etcetera. This list could go on for quite a while. It is a website made entirely out of unpublished online stories, written by people of all ages (though the majority of it's users are teenagers.) Though you must remember to be vigilant at times, and you must also be able to swallow harsh critiques of your work. But, of course, the people on Wattpad are generally very nice. I found that through the continued usage of this website, my writing skills have improved immensely. Still, it's not all a smooth ride, since the millions of other writers on there are all fighting for a spot on the 'What's Hot List'.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Link: www.wattpad.com/home
2. Go Teen Writers
This is the most recent website I have visited, and though I haven't been able to analyze it thoroughly, I can tell you that I am very impressed with what I have seen so far. The best thing there is their competitions. They have numerous ones every month or so, and not only do they help you improve your work, but just entering a competition gives me a sense of achievement that I absolutely love. They have a copious amount of writing prompts, that help further your creativity. They also have articles on the in's and out's of the Publishing world, which I have found to be very enlightening.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Link: http://goteenwriters.blogspot.co.uk/
1. Wattpad
Wattpad, if you didn't already know, is a writing community where you can post your own stories, read those of others, share book covers/opinions/criticisms, etcetera. This list could go on for quite a while. It is a website made entirely out of unpublished online stories, written by people of all ages (though the majority of it's users are teenagers.) Though you must remember to be vigilant at times, and you must also be able to swallow harsh critiques of your work. But, of course, the people on Wattpad are generally very nice. I found that through the continued usage of this website, my writing skills have improved immensely. Still, it's not all a smooth ride, since the millions of other writers on there are all fighting for a spot on the 'What's Hot List'.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Link: www.wattpad.com/home
2. Go Teen Writers
This is the most recent website I have visited, and though I haven't been able to analyze it thoroughly, I can tell you that I am very impressed with what I have seen so far. The best thing there is their competitions. They have numerous ones every month or so, and not only do they help you improve your work, but just entering a competition gives me a sense of achievement that I absolutely love. They have a copious amount of writing prompts, that help further your creativity. They also have articles on the in's and out's of the Publishing world, which I have found to be very enlightening.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Link: http://goteenwriters.blogspot.co.uk/
Monday 7 January 2013
Introduction
Welcome To My Blog!
For two years now, I have been an avid writer. I spend most of my spare time hunched over my computer, and if I'm not there I'm riveted by a new book. If- for some mysterious reason- I am not participating in the former activities, I will probably be watching old re-runs of Ugly Betty, or screaming at the TV while Emily from Revenge almost reveals her identity.
From the aforementioned activities, I think it's safe to say that my life isn't like some Mission: Impossible movie.
But recently, I've been scouring the Internet daily. I find that I talk to Google more than I talk to real, live people- and when that happens, you know your life pretty much sucks. And so many of my questions have been unanswered. Nowadays, it's so hard to find accurate, legitimate websites that offer you help, rather than directing you to a page with the title 'New Wrinkle Loss Treatment Found: The Doctors Hate Her!'
So, in this blog, I hope to enlighten all young writers out there, by attempting to answer all of your burdening questions.
With a user name like 'KetchupOnEverything', I haven't really given you any incentive to take me seriously. But I can assure you that I am.
I hope to help all of you young writers out there to develop your writing skills, sharpen your knowledge on the Publishing world and give you confidence in your work.
So let's get started!
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