Tag Archives: Writers

A Quote & Some Tricks for Being More Creative

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I like quotes, as I’m sure you’ve noticed.  Some people just say the right thing and why not share their words of wisdom?  So here is this week’s quote, something as writers we probably all need to keep in mind…because we all have those days. 🙂

Patience is not the ability to wait, but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting. – Joyce Meyer

TypewriterFontWriterAnd not to leave it at that, I thought I’d share this article from the wonderful people at The Write Life, 3 Ways to Train Your Brain to be More Creative, which is designed to help freelancers in particular, but from which we could all benefit.

One trick is to get into a routine.  And we all love that.  I write my screenplays primarily at night when the house is quiet, the courtyard of my building is quiet, it’s dark and I can’t see how lovely it is outside, and when my phone won’t ding.  I’ve always been this way.  I switched to writing my blog and doing “homework” during the daylight hours though, so I feel there’s a separation in my work.

One of the other tricks is to do something fun beforehand in order to warm up your brain.  The author references Pavlov.  On my old laptop I used to play a few hands of solitaire, now I play a little Tetris on my computer, because my original Nintendo system is old.  Yes, I still have it.  I don’t need to do this all the time, not anymore, I’ve trained myself.  But when I get stuck on some facet in my writing, I will play a little Tetris, which doesn’t take any thought process, my hands just keep working, and I can usually work out the problem.  I think it has to do with not trying to force the solution.  I allow my brain to work it out without concentrating solely on it; it keeps working even though I feel like I shut it off.

I hope you find this helpful.

Have a wonderful and productive week!

Let’s Celebrate (With a Little Reflection)

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200I’ve read a few times that as writers we need to celebrate any and all victories.  Because the process of writing can take a while to find resolution, and due to the thankless nature of our chosen path, writers suffer from a whole range of maladies, so we need to remind ourselves of why we do what we do and find joy whenever possible.  Depending on the victory; a finished chapter, first draft, final rewrite, etc. the reward should be commensurate to the accomplishment.  Maybe you buy yourself a new pen or keyboard, you enjoy that limited reserve you drink only for special occasions, or whatever it is you would do for yourself for getting over that particular hurdle.

Hence, I am celebrating that after a couple of weeks of watching that follower counter teeter (and why I finally removed it) at the 200 mark, it’s official.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you!  Now don’t go anywhere, okay? 🙂

Now the question…what shall I do to celebrate?  When I hit 50 followers I shared a little personal insight into the evolution of my first script, Fate(s), somehow I missed the 100 follower mark, but did post a little celebration for 100 posts, but this means a great deal more to me – that you share your time with me.  So I thought I’d share a little about myself today, something I rarely do.

My name is Rachael, but I do write under a pseudonym.  In the novel Timeline by Michael Crichton, one of my favorite books, I fell in love with the character of Andre Marek, portrayed by the lovely Gerard Butler in the horrible film.  By the way, it is one of my goals to remake this.  The character loved all things about the past, learned how to speak old languages, and to swing a broadsword, so he was the perfect companion to travel into medieval times with, and as I had always felt a little out of place myself, I took his name for my own.

It began when I was nineteen, when I traveled to England for the first time.  I can still remember to this day, even though my memory is detestable, the feeling of seeing England for the first time.  We hadn’t even landed, we were still flying overhead.  My feet hadn’t touched the earth, but I had the feeling that I was home.  That moment changed a great many things for me.  Not only has it affected my writing, but every other facet of my life.  (This will give you a little insight into my love of Jane Austen, Dragon Age, British actors (Hiddleston, Cumberbatch, Tennant, Firth, and so many more), etc.) *Quick edit, I mentioned the boys, therefore I must insert pictures.

HiddlesInBomberJacketBenedict(closeup)

Now this is the strange thing.  My sperm-donor, yes, I will say that aloud due to the fact I’ve had no association with this person since I was maybe five years old, was English.  So it makes me wonder about what things are inherent.  I am English by proxy basically, but am more drawn to it than anything else I can think of, besides my writing.

I’m pretty certain I was born a story teller.  When I was a kid, I used to tell stories about how things, accidents even purposeful ones, happened which can be construed as lies.  Let’s call it early lessons in imagination.  I can sort of remember saying a monster burned a whole in the back of the car seat with the cigarette lighter…yeah, that was me.  I maintained that “story” for years, never fessing up.  I was also stubborn, a somewhat know-it-all, with a lack of respect for authority.  Couldn’t tell you why.  Oh, and this was all before I became a teenager.

When I was in fourth grade, I started working on my biography, because, you know, so much had happened in my nine years.  But it was in fifth grade I was given a blank hardcover book to create a story all of my own design.  I think that’s when I was hooked.  I wrote about running away from home after my bicycle was wrecked and living in the back of a convenience store of a family friend.  There’s a whole lot of backstory to that one.

I tried my hand at short stories, poetry, lyrics, stage plays, and novels but nothing ever felt right.  I never really finished anything either.  Not until I decided to go back to school and took my first screenwriting class.  That’s when I found my passion.  And that’s why I decided to write this blog.  To share what I’ve learned, to keep track of my progress (you know, because of the bad memory thing), and hopefully help a young writer find their passion.  I have a few friends who are still struggling to find theirs, and I can’t imagine living a life not connected to something.

So I must thank, Mr. Sean Clark, my university advisor who introduced me to screenwriting.  It changed my life.  My writing gives me drive.  It makes me look at the world and continually think, “What if…”.  It allows my imagination to run wild.  And it is for these things I will forever be grateful.

And to all of you, my new friends who are on this journey with me…

Thank-Youxx, Rach

Now…how should I celebrate? 😉

A Few Rewriting Tips

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EditingIn a recent post, I mentioned the brain dead side effect of rewriting.  I am happy to relay that I have at least kept up the momentum, for a whole three days now.  My goal is 15 pgs. a day and I have made it to page 50 in my script, but I am nearing the corner towards that dastardly Act III, so the ambitious page count may falter in the coming days.  And of course, I’ve had another idea for the third act.  Maybe I should write a novel, then I could use all the story ideas I’ve had and propose them as “if you turned left instead of right, this could’ve happened” story lines.

I went to film school, but many of the tools I have learned for screenwriting have come from my own research and interest in bettering my writing; books, articles, and teleconferences.  If you’ve read some of my other posts in regards to the differences between screenwriting and novel writing, you’ll understand what a different mindset screenwriting requires, but I’m not going to go into those details here.  This one is meant for rewriting.

I thought I’d share a few tips, some good ones, or those that I think are good because I found they made the biggest direct impact.  These tips are more inclined for screenwriters, but some of them should be helpful to writers of all forms.  Most of us know about cutting scenes that don’t move story, creating subtext in dialogue, and making sure there’s conflict, etc. but here are a few others I’ve been keeping in mind during this final (please let this be my final) rewrite.  Also, thanks to irscriptwriter who encouraged me to stick with my two spaces after a period rule because it was causing aneurysms. 🙂

1. Wordsmithing – more meaning with fewer words.  For screenwriters this is key as a page count limits us.  It also means to take generic words like “walks” and replace it with saunters, struts, or lumbers which immediately gives the reader a visual and negates further description.

2.  Imagine the location or setting and try to describe it in three vivid and evocative terms.  Do the same with your characters.  As with wordsmithing, the right word can have multiple meanings, and immediately stir the reader’s imagination.

3.  Make the script fun to read.  Screenplays have a specific format, but you can build momentum and action by the style on the page.  We create the story and how the reader will follow it, so in that we have freedom.  There’s also an unspoken rule of making blocks of action only four lines a piece so the reader doesn’t skip through larger blocks of text, just FYI.

4.  Make it a silent film.  Read only the action.  Would a reader still understand what’s happening?  This helps solve the “talking head” problem where exposition is given via dialogue.

I have pages upon pages of rewriting tips, so if anyone is interested in more, I will share them in another post.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Writing Prompt #31

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Last night, I painstakingly rewrote 16 pages; broke out the thesaurus, cut scenes, changed two spaces after periods to one (because that’s evidently the new standard, *ugh), rewrote dialogue and description, and today I’m brain dead.

I was immediately drawn to this image; the contrast of color, the vibrancy, the imagination runs wild…

BoraBora

Happy Writing!  And I look forward to your creations!

Writing Prompt Challenge Accepted #4

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CanyonLake, ThailandAs writers, we like our routine.  I’m starting to fall into one with my blog, which I like.  So, it’s Tuesday, which means a review of Writing Prompt submissions.

This week, redgypsophila of Adventures in Writing decided to try something different; writing six pieces from different perspectives to convey a variety of moods.  So far she’s posted two, and I can’t wait to read what else she has in store for us.  Take a look at this creative idea!

And don’t be shy.  If you’d like to participate, find an image I’ve posted, write/create something, and share it!  C’mon, you know you want to. 🙂

As for me, this week I didn’t accomplish much writing.  I started the framework for a tv pilot that will most likely become an enormous endeavor because it requires creating worlds, races, and all the other ingredients of a space odyssey.  Yep, too much Star Wars, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, Firefly, Farscape, and Doctor Who.  Luckily I have my partner in crime, my sister the Star Wars expert, to help.  It should be fun, and I’m excited about the story.  I’ll share more once I’ve developed it a bit more.

In the meantime, here’s a little more of my Dragon Age fan fiction.  Continuing on…

I could barely think clearly as pain shot through every inch of my being.  The prison had this side effect of lifting its victim mid-air while it inflicted its pain, my feet dangled pathetically just above the ground.  I would remain helpless for a short time, unable to offer support to my companions, defend myself, or even be released unless the casting mage was incapacitated mid-spell.  The pain was too intense to do anything beyond riding the waves as they ebbed and flowed.  I could barely see beyond the glimmer of the surrounding bubble of magic, so I could not tell how many enemies were present or how my companions were faring.  Surprisingly, I could just make out the form of Morrigan standing in front of me as my guardian.

Morrigan, the apostate, a powerful shape-shifting mage, hardened and mistrustful from years of the solitary existence she shared with only her mother as her companion, had become an unlikely ally.  She was honest, brutally so, and had lived a life so different from my own, that she sometimes pitied me, and I her, but we had shared a common bond, magic, and a respect for one another’s gifts, and thus the beginnings of a friendship had been born.  She was quick to react, both physically and verbally, and she was powerful, a useful instrument in a fight.  I felt her reach into the prison, trying to diffuse it, but pulling back quickly from the searing pain.  I appreciated her effort nonetheless.

The sounds of swords striking were distorted, as was Keiko’s low warning growl, and the commanding shouts of Sten and Alistair as they ordered everyone into position for defense.   There were strange sounds filling the cavern, and I could tell everyone had joined forces to fight off multiple enemies.  I felt the prison’s effect waning, the spell was nearly at an end.  I would have to react the moment it released me, having been weakened dramatically from the spell, and thus opening myself up for further attack. 

Freedom.  The moment my feet touched the ground, I sent out a shock wave to stun the surrounding enemies; it lasted just long enough for me to get my bearings and for us all to regroup.  It took a great deal out of me and I fell to the ground exhausted, but I was able to see what had decided to infiltrate our group.  Spiders.  Enormous, horrifying spiders. 

At the rear of the cavern, where it led beyond, stood a being distorted by the forest itself, a mage, perhaps once, but now a vessel for the magic of the forest.  Vines and branches entwined its legs and torso.  The skin had turned green, mostly, with hair that stood on end, twisted into a bizarre mass caked with mud and flora.  It held no staff, but called forth energy from all the life forms surrounding it.  This is what might lie in store for me here, if I dared to give into the wild, unharnessed side of my nature.  I involuntarily shivered at the prospect.

Have a great week everyone!

Quote of the Week

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Recently I was talking with someone about goals and dreams, and I realized how mine have changed over the years.  When I was in my early twenties, trying to figure out what I wanted to do with myself, a screenwriter was nowhere in the vicinity.  I’ve always considered myself a late bloomer; where I thought I’d be, and where I am now…life can be funny that way.  I had the following quote on my graduation announcements, when I finally decided to go back to school and finish on my own terms.  I graduated two months before I turned thirty (*Shh, don’t tell!). See, late bloomer.

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined. – Thoreau

Watch out world, here we come!

Another Tool For Screenwriters (& Maybe Your Next Interview)

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HelpfulTips“Tell me a little bit about yourself.”  A statement we’ve heard time and time again during interviews, but who knew the importance of that question when you’re trying to sell a screenplay?  Thankfully I came across this article, The Deal Closer: Your Personal Narrative by screenwriting career coach Lee Jessup, because as screenwriters we needed one more thing to worry about. 😉  To sum up the article, the basic idea is that our writing can be wonderful, but so must we.  Selling our work the first time out is rare, but in order to work – staff writing positions, contract work – we must be able to sell ourselves as well.  Let me add this to my Professional To Do List: #19.  *I exhale a heavy sigh at the revelation of one more element to master.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Insight & Input

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Happy Friday everyone!

I’m sort of taking the day off.  I’ve been under the weather (what a strange term) since Monday, and I’d like to relax and do a little gaming before my sister gets home and takes over the television.  I got my priorities. :/

QuestionMarks

I’ve been thinking…

When I started this blog, I really had no expectations.  I didn’t even know what I was doing.  Still don’t.  I see followers come and go and endure a small roller-coaster of emotion with every change in that number, so I’m thinking about removing it all together.  Then I wondered, maybe I should ask you if there’s something in particular you’d like more of?  What are you looking for out of a blog?

I began with sharing screenwriting information (a rather niche market), then wanted the blog to be a bit more personal.  I wanted it to be encouraging, hence the Writing Prompts, and I’m hoping to build a community, but what else would you like?  Please leave a comment, suggestion, idea, etc.

I appreciate you all!  I feel like I’ve developed relationships, albeit virtually, with many of you, and I look forward to our interactions.  Keep up your good work and I wish you all the best!

 

The Book Blogger Test

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bookbloggertestThis was fun!  And made me think a bit more than I expected.  I was tagged by redgypsophila of Adventures in Writing to answer the following questions.  As a screenwriter, I do read, but not as much as I’d like, so some of my answers may relate to screenwriting as well.

What are your top three book hates?

1.  I don’t care for writers who try to copy the style of other writers.  Someone like Chuck Palahniuk or Quentin Tarantino who have unique storytelling voices are bound to have followers who wish to emulate them, but because these new writers are trying so hard to ride on the coattails of another’s success, they often fail because they don’t understand that these established writers worked on their craft and their voice for years.  There is nuance and style, and not appreciating this only creates copycats with no substance.  Each writer has a unique voice, and it is knowing that which makes the difference.

2.  I do not like when writers use the deus ex machina – the “magical” plot device that solves the current dilemma in order to achieve a goal.  Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings immediately come to mind because they are both offenders.  I realize that as readers and storytellers the further we delve into a world, the more we will learn, but don’t bring in ideas in one book that you never utilize again.  For me, in Harry Potter it was the Time Turner in particular, but there are others.  In Lord of the Rings, it’s the eagles that save Frodo and Sam.  Either find another way out of the situation, or use the damn thing again.

3.  Writers who don’t know their genre.  I’m going to call out Twilight as well because one of the things that bothered me, in addition to a great many other things, was that the author said she really knew nothing about the vampire mythology.  Then call your creatures something else!  The vampire mythology has evolved over the years, but there are certain traits and presets we expect.  An entire generation now believes that what she created is the norm.  I have long been a fan of vampires, since I first read Dracula by Bram Stoker when I was a teen, so if you read that or watch Nosferatu then you’ll understand that sparkles ruined a genre.

Describe your perfect reading spot.

I live in an apartment in LA, and my dream is to have a house one day with a hammock in the back yard under a big tree.  That would be the perfect reading spot.

Tell us three book confessions.

1.  Okay, I will confess that I have not finished reading either Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings.  So my #2 book hate is based on the films…mock me and correct me if I’m wrong.

2.  Due in part to #1, if I have seen the film I have a hard time finishing the novel.  The Princess Bride is one of my favorite films.  I’ve tried to read the book, but can’t finish it.

3.  My literary education was not the best.  There are a great many novels that are “must have “or “should have” reads that I have not read.  I have a couple of lists that I work off of now.  I alternate one mandatory read with one pleasure read.  The nice thing about this is that I probably appreciate them more now than I would have had I been forced to read them.

When was the last time you cried during a book?

I cry during movies all the time, but in novels, not so much.  When I was teenager, I read a book by Judith McNaught called Paradise.  It’s one of my favorite books.  There is a scene near the end when the lovers are reconciling that I remember really feeling their pain and joy.  I’m expecting as I get further through Game of Thrones (see below) there may be tears.

How many books are on your bedside table?

Three.  The first Game of Thrones, which I’m struggling to get through because of the above mentioned confession – I’m an avid fan of the show – Stephen King’s On Writing, and a screenwriting book.

What’s your favorite snack to eat while you’re reading?

I usually don’t eat while I read because I don’t want to get anything on my books.  I usually have a cup of tea though.

Name three books you would recommend to everyone.

1. Invisible Monsters by Chuck Palahniuk

2. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

3. Timeline by Michael Crichton

Show us a picture of your favorite shelf on your bookcase.

A small sample of my history section…

R'sBookshelf

 

Write how much books mean to you in three words.

Escape.  Adventure. Mind-expanding.

What is your biggest reading secret?

I’m a huge fan of Jane Austen. I’ve even been introduced as a Janeite, but haven’t finished reading all of her work.  *cringes

Who I’m Tagging:  (Because I’m very interested in their responses)

1. Dysfunctional Literacy

2. Heart of a Lunatic

3. Stephanie Plus Verb

4. World of Harley

Happy Thursday everyone!