Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Things I've learned as a writer

When writing and we think that we have an amazing piece, short story, novel or poem, we think that nothing should be changed in our work. I learned this in Intro to Creative Writing and it's a big fault we all have.

If someone is reading our work and doesnt understand something, DO NOT brush them off. We are NOT the reader of our work, we are the creator. We know what this person really meant to say, or how we picture the character acting, replying or standing. When a reader reads our work they don't see inside our head. The thing that seems SO obvious to us, does not come so obvious to them.

Think about it. Listen to someone else's opionion. Find someone that will take your work and give you an honest answer. NOT YOUR MOM. Sorry MOm's you just think everything we do is great. *Even when it's not*

Also. When you write and you have a character going to school, going to mars, going to the bathroom! I DONT CARE, make it realistic. Even a fiction novel or piece, make the reader relate to the character.

Example.

She turned and pushed me so hard I fell onto the wooden floor beneath me. I stood up and turned around to leave. Then next day.

NOOOOOOOO!!!!! What person after being pushed down, even if doing the bigger man thing wouldn't be screaming in their head!


She turned and pushed me so hard I flew back into the hard wooden floor. MY face was burning from humilation. It took every ounce of my body to lift myself up and walk the other way. I clenched my first and drug my feet the other direction.

See the difference, we can relate to the second person, because we feel that pain and humilation that person is feeling.



Just some thoughts about writing.


Hugs,
Brittany. <3

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Hints, advice, and help with YA Heros.

So, I went to the Dallas Forth Worth Writing Conference, as *cough cough* a junior literary agent. :)

I learned how it actually is and not to be worried or freaked out. :) Especially when you're meetin your boss for the first time in person. :)

Anywho. To the point of this blog. Which I haven't blogged lately, due to a busy school, work and reading schedule.

So, when going to this conference I learned a few things when I wasnt listening to pitches. (Man it's good to say that.) Anywho.

First off, we all know Young Adult Fiction is a good selling genre right now. So, I was going to share some advice I learned and advice from myself to you authors that are having trouble or looking for some ideas.

When writing about a hero in a book, we all think about hero yay, good looking, saves the day. NO! STOP! HALT! When we look at ourselves what do we see? Perfection! No! (Well maybe some of us do, get over yourselves) We see flaws. #1 thing we need to have in a hero is flaws. We all have them and our heros need them. It brings out a sense of realization to our characters. When we go to work or school we have obstacles we have to overcome. #2 Obstacles. Our hero needs them, what would the story be about if not? #3 No one likes a story where on the first attempt the hero wins...what would be after that? THE END. Negative Ghost Writer. We need the Hero to fall down and not make it at first. We need him to struggle and just when we think he has won, something else happens and bam, he loses it.

But! TA DA! He has another chance and wins the crown, goal, girl, position, war whateves is going on in your book.

-Flaws
-Obstacles
-A rough go.
-A ta da I made it ending. :)


We have to have these things in a Hero.


We also want Romance. Let me tell you think from my point of view. I DO NOT READ A BOOK WITHOUT A LOVE INTEREST. I hate to say it but sex sells these days and people want it badly. They want the couple to end up together and skip along happily ever after!

--Those are just some thoughts I had while sitting here reading.

--Hope they helped. :)


Hugs
Brittany