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Bakergirl’s writes articles, reviews, and much more!Archive for lists
Making time for Writing.
January 21, 2009 at 12:57 pm · Filed under fiction, writing and tagged: author, blogging, fiction, lists, novel, novels, online life, short stories, short story, stories, tips for writers, write, writers, writing, writing advice, writing ideas
I’m sitting here after a busy day, and I can’t help but pause and think, “Why haven’t I written anything today?” This poses an interesting question to me, and it makes me realize that during my work week I write much less than on my three days off. This leads to the realization that I don’t WANT to write less. I want to be able to keep writing all week long.
So, my thought for today is, how can writers put more time for writing into their days?
I use to be a morning person (back in the days before I worked third shift) and I would write best in the morning. Interestingly enough I am now a “night” person and I write better at my “night” even though it is the same time! (around 730-930 am) Do you think that is just when my body is ready to settle down and write at this point? I’m rambling, please forgive me.
Anyhow, here are some of my ideas at how writers can carve time into their days to actually, well, WRITE.
1. Schedule a time. Sit down at the same time every day. Your body will get use to this being your “writing time”.
2. Let people in your family know not to disturb you during this time. Keep bugging them about it. Eventually they WILL learn. My 11 year old does know, that when Mommy is writing, it is best to back away from the room and leave her alone. Unless there is fire, smoke, death or destruction (IE the cat is into the garbage, the stove is on fire, ect!)
3. Set up writing goals for that time frame – and stick to them! Do not let yourself be distracted by online life. Its very, very easy to be distracted.
4. Set goals for tomorrow’s writing session at the end of today’s writing session. This way your muse is thinking about what you want to write all day, and you already have a general idea about your writing when you sit down next.
5. Write on work breaks. For those of us who have to work, going to a quite place and writing is a great way to get in some time. I do “crosswords” at work. What I’m really doing is writing notes on the edge of my crosswords for my next ideas. This way it looks like I’m doing something, people don’t chat at me, and I get to write in peace without a lot of annoying questions.
6. Have a device that records. This way, when you are in the car; if you are lucky enough to be by yourself, you can record ideas as you drive. Make sure that it is something you don’t have to mess around with to much. No need to endanger yourself while you are driving!
7. Have something to write on next to the bed. Heck, have notepads all over the house, and in the car. You never know when you will be inspired. You’d be amazed what you can write while your at the laundry mat.
8. Remember, writing is your time, and it’s something you do to express yourself. If you don’t get to express yourself creatively you will end up feeling stifled, and that is not a good feeling.
It will become easier and easier with practice to squeeze writing into our days. It just takes willpower and determination. Happy writing… I’m off to write some now… I’ve done my “online procrastination” for today and now I’ve motivated myself again. Hope this helps you get motivated to write too!
12 Tips for Newbie Writers.
January 19, 2009 at 1:56 am · Filed under fiction, life, writing and tagged: 10 tips, author, fiction, lists, newbie writers, novel, stories, tips for newbies, tips for writers, writers, writing, writing advice, writing tips
Every new writer needs to do a few things when they are starting out. Since I’m a new writer, I thought I would be able to share with you all the items that I think a writer needs to start out – or at least needs to keep up with the competition. I have gathered this information as I walked the path to self discovery, and learned that no matter if I like it or not, I am a writer. Information has come from various places that I have explored, I just gathered what I deemed necessary all in one place. Hopefully this information will help you out in your writing.
1. A place to write. This can be a home office, a computer, a desk, or the local library or coffee shop. It can even be, as in my case, the bedroom. (My desk is located in the bedroom. Everyone knows not to disturb me when I’m writing.) It should be someplace where you can write in peace, and concentrate on what you are doing.
2. Backup. There are various ways to do this. Google.docs is a good solution. Another solution that people use is printing out a hard copy, or handwriting a hard copy, but that takes a lot of effort, and ink. Yet another solution is to either burn your documents to a CD, or back up on a zip or a usb drive. It doesn’t matter HOW you do it, it just matters that you do it, preferably every time you write. My recent experience with spilling soda over my computer tower is a prime example of how technology can sometimes fail you due to human error.
3. New Writers need to know how to research. They don’t have to love it, but they do need to know how to do it. How else can you write a romantic novel set in the 1800′s so that its realistic? Or write about inner city life if you live in the country? Or heck, how can you describe what’s on a Navy Ship, and how military people live, if you can’t research and connect with the military online?
4. A good internet connection. I know not everyone agrees with me, but hear me out. If you have the internet at your fingertips, you can complete a lot of the research right from the comfort of your home. If you have the internet, you can email potential clients, or work with a group (I recommend joining some sort of writers group – they can be useful when it comes to critiquing your writing. I haven’t joined one yet, so if anyone has a good one they can recommend, please let me know.) You can also connect with clients, look up jobs, find writing tips… as you can see, the list is endless.
5. Access to the local library. This is highly important for both research, and another quiet place to write. It is also a place to work on your writing skills by checking out books by authors you love, and you can also check out books on writing. As an aspiring author, books are our friends, and we should use them, and the local librarian with her recommendations, to our advantage.
6. A “business” email account. This can be something as simple as a gmail or yahoo account to work from. Keep it separate from your personal information, so that you always know what is work related and what isn’t.
7. A paypal account, or its equal could be useful also. Its always nice to have a way for clients to pay you after all.
8. Some writers insist that you need a business checking account – a business account if you will, where all the money related to your writing goes. I don’t know if this is necessary when you are small time, but if you do have a novel in progress, or are a freelancer, this might come in useful. To me it is a optional item on the list.
9. A website. Websites are useful as a way to put yourself out there. They are great for displaying articles, your work, and your bio. This is a way for you to get noticed by the writing community, so when you do put yourself out there, make sure you put your best foot forward.
10. Business cards. Again, one of those optional things. It might be nice to be able to put yourself out there as a professional writer, if you have meetings and important events to attend. It also is a way for people to remember who you are, and that you may have writing services they are interested in. This is especially useful for freelancers.
11. Word of Mouth. Let everyone you know both personal and professional what you plan on doing for a living (even if it -is- on the side) Let them know that you are looking for work related to writing. Let them know you are willing to negotiate rates and availability. Network with everyone you can, because you never know where the next gig – or even the -first gig- will come from.
12. Hard work, dedication, and the willingness to rewrite are all a part of being a writer. The will to write, the knowledge that the pay isn’t great and the hours are long is also important. What matters is that you have decided to start writing, and in making that decision you are changing your life forever.
Good luck, keep the faith, and go where the muses take you. If you have anything to add to my list, please let me know.
A List of my Favorite Draco/Ginny Fan Fiction.
January 10, 2009 at 6:19 am · Filed under fiction, review, reviews, writing and tagged: draco, Draco&Ginny, fanfiction, favorite fan ship, ginny, ginny/draco, harry potter, lists, ships
In case you missed it, the defination of fanfiction is simply fans writing stories about their favorite fictional characters.
Tonight’s blog is going to contain a list of some of my favorite stories. I know, lists can be boring sometimes, but for you Draco/Ginny shippers who are looking for the next good read, this list is for you!
We’ll start with my very favorite Author, the one who got me into the whole thing in the first place.
Echo – Echo started my fan craze with the story A Drop in the Ocean. This classic Buffy/Harry Potter crossover was the reason I got into Harry Potter in the first place. It is a tale about two worlds colliding to go up against a common evil, and it takes the two universes and beautifully entwines them into a work of fiction to be proud of.
The sequal is Snake Charming. It is unfinished, and may never be finished, but its a good long read, and a prime example of how to do fanfiction the right way. These are just two of her charming stories.
You may find more stories at her profile page at Twisting the Hellmouth. I highly reccomend all of her fiction.
Another great crossover, and a must read is The Eighth Weasley. Willow gets a new family – and finds out she has more siblings and love than she ever dreamed she would recieve.
And another crossover, by the same Author, Frye that is well worth the read is Heir To Voldemort. Xander’s Mother has a past that she has never told anyone about. Xander’s family holds more secretes than he has ever realized, and Xander may be more than just the simple guy next door that everyone believes he is. This epic fanfiction takes place in both the buffyverse and the potterverse and we get to see how Xander would react to the magical world. I love this and the sequal “Legacy of the Fathers”.
There are many lists across the internet that can lead you all to D/G classics.
Mynute’s classics list can be found here.
The Fire and Ice Classic Library can be found here.
Reasons for the Draco/Ginny loving can be found at Mynute’s Why Draco & Ginny.
