I'm not the type of person who can listen to music while writing. In fact, I can't even have the T.V. on, or sit in the same room as people who are talking. I get distracted really easily.
I wish I could though. Because there is some amazing music out there, and it's so good for inspiring/setting the right mood!
I.Love.Fairy Tales.
So I often find songs that sound very fairy tale-like to me. Or adventure-like. Or anything that sounds like a 'book' I would read, lol. In fact, I would die happy if there were music genres like "Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-fi". O.M.G. I would die from happiness.
Could you imagine a soundtrack like that? If the lyrics of a song told stories like the ones you most love to read. Beauty and the Beast for example.
You'll never know when things will change
Father got lost in the forest, now he's in chains
It's ok, the decision I've made
My life for his, I'll make you a trade
Or something like that... Could you imagine an entire song that told that story? It would rock my world.
Anyways, every now and then I find songs that have that feel to me, so I thought I'd share them :D
Rabbit Heart -Florence and the Machine
Viva la Vida -Cold Play
The soldier and the Queen -Suzanne Vega
I love these songs. They tell a story (I know a ton of songs tell a story, but these feel like stories that could be books. I dont know what I'm saying...They're just different somehow?). In Rabbit Heart, and Viva la Vida, it's the protagonist singing to you. That's how I see it. :)
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
The importance of a Prologue.
That's right, I said (wrote) it! The IMPORTANCE of a PROLOGUE.
Yep. That ugly thing that can sometime be found sticking to the front of your MS. Yes, that.
Now, I know that the poor, unfortunate Prologue has been called some ugly names before. Unnecessary, pointless, distracting, a waste of time. And while it sometimes can live up to those names, it's important to keep things in perspective. While a prologue is the wrong way to go most of the time, there certainly are times when a prologue is not only useful, but completely necessary.
"WHAT?" you say.
"You're absolutely out of your mind!"
Well, yes, that's true too... But hear me out!
It's all about beginnings (well duh, that's why it's called a prologue). But really, it is! Look at it this way... How many published authors have had to completely rewrite their beginnings? As in, a totally new, nothing like the original, good wholesome rewrite. A lot, right?
It's a way to get started. If you're anything like me (ok, so maybe you're not. For your sake, lets hope not) then you have a hard time getting started. It's even worse when there are all of these rules and tips you are trying to adhere to when writing. Start with action! No prologues! No info dumping! Etc!!!!
Sometimes you get so wrapped up in trying to be perfect the first time, you fail to remember that most people don't get it perfect the first time. So go ahead. Write a prologue. Set up the story, not for whoever will be reading it once it's published, but for yourself. Let yourself break the rules, because hey, you shouldn't be too attached to your original beginning anyways, right?
Letting myself type out those useless, ugly words was a great help. It let me get started. It gave me somewhere to build my foundation from. It let me get to know the world I was creating, and the characters in it. I know it's not an awesome way to the begin my story, but at least it lets me begin. And several thousand words later, I'm working on a better, stronger beginning, which will cut out the prologue all together.
But I'm still glad I wrote it.
Yep. That ugly thing that can sometime be found sticking to the front of your MS. Yes, that.
Now, I know that the poor, unfortunate Prologue has been called some ugly names before. Unnecessary, pointless, distracting, a waste of time. And while it sometimes can live up to those names, it's important to keep things in perspective. While a prologue is the wrong way to go most of the time, there certainly are times when a prologue is not only useful, but completely necessary.
"WHAT?" you say.
"You're absolutely out of your mind!"
Well, yes, that's true too... But hear me out!
It's all about beginnings (well duh, that's why it's called a prologue). But really, it is! Look at it this way... How many published authors have had to completely rewrite their beginnings? As in, a totally new, nothing like the original, good wholesome rewrite. A lot, right?
It's a way to get started. If you're anything like me (ok, so maybe you're not. For your sake, lets hope not) then you have a hard time getting started. It's even worse when there are all of these rules and tips you are trying to adhere to when writing. Start with action! No prologues! No info dumping! Etc!!!!
Sometimes you get so wrapped up in trying to be perfect the first time, you fail to remember that most people don't get it perfect the first time. So go ahead. Write a prologue. Set up the story, not for whoever will be reading it once it's published, but for yourself. Let yourself break the rules, because hey, you shouldn't be too attached to your original beginning anyways, right?
Letting myself type out those useless, ugly words was a great help. It let me get started. It gave me somewhere to build my foundation from. It let me get to know the world I was creating, and the characters in it. I know it's not an awesome way to the begin my story, but at least it lets me begin. And several thousand words later, I'm working on a better, stronger beginning, which will cut out the prologue all together.
But I'm still glad I wrote it.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
2011 resolution + Daily writing goal = Book
This year I will write 250 words a day (or 1,750 words a week) without fail. In fact, I hope to increase this number to 500/day. This year I will finish the first draft of a book. This year my crit partners will expect an email with new material from me every single day. Oh, and I guess maybe I'll go on a diet or something too. :P
Not only is this goal important to helping me build a good habit of writing something, anything (hey, 250 is nothing) every day, but I also get to add this nifty banner to my blog (look on the right sidebar! ^-^), courtesy of Inkygirl.com
http://www.inkygirl.com/inkygirl-main/2010/12/20/1000-500-and-250-words-a-day-personal-writer-challenge-with.html
You know you want a banner too! I'm going to try to post a tiny snippet from what I write every day in the "Show and Tell" on the side bar, so check back every day to keep me in check. XD
If I can figure it out, I might add a chat/comment thing on the sidebar for you guys to post your own 'daily snippets' from what you've written that day (but you only get to post if you met your goal for that day!). This sounds like fun, I'm curious to see what you guys are writing! :D
EDIT: Ok, so I couldn't figure out how to add a chat thingy (honestly, I don't even know how to reply to comments on this blog... I'm used to LiveJournal). So, instead, maybe I'll just make my daily snippet and actual post, and you guys can share your snippets in the comments? Tell me what you think. :)
Happy writing! :)
Not only is this goal important to helping me build a good habit of writing something, anything (hey, 250 is nothing) every day, but I also get to add this nifty banner to my blog (look on the right sidebar! ^-^), courtesy of Inkygirl.com
http://www.inkygirl.com/inkygirl-main/2010/12/20/1000-500-and-250-words-a-day-personal-writer-challenge-with.html
You know you want a banner too! I'm going to try to post a tiny snippet from what I write every day in the "Show and Tell" on the side bar, so check back every day to keep me in check. XD
If I can figure it out, I might add a chat/comment thing on the sidebar for you guys to post your own 'daily snippets' from what you've written that day (but you only get to post if you met your goal for that day!). This sounds like fun, I'm curious to see what you guys are writing! :D
EDIT: Ok, so I couldn't figure out how to add a chat thingy (honestly, I don't even know how to reply to comments on this blog... I'm used to LiveJournal). So, instead, maybe I'll just make my daily snippet and actual post, and you guys can share your snippets in the comments? Tell me what you think. :)
Happy writing! :)
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