EYE ON...

Once Upon a Time in the year 2016...

by René Allen

 

Get ready for Epic times ahead with all of the wonderful NaNoWriMo Authors, aspiring authors, writers, and poets gearing up for National Novel Writing Month that will take place online next month in November 2016!

      NaNoWriMo.org ~ Love, love, love it!  If you've never done so before, you must try writing for a month straight so that you can find out what you're made of.  I've participated for many years writing online for National Novel Writing Month (affectionately known as, "NaNoWriMo").  I started my adventure with Writing a Novel in a month during NaNoWriMo simply because a good online writing friend of mine urged me to do so many years ago (Jen~bless your Writer's heart) -- and I've been participating ever since....

      When I first heard of NaNoWriMo, (thanks to my friend Jen), I said to myself, (and out loud),  "what in the world is that about?" ... and, "what kind of name is that?" -- then I patiently listened as Jen explained why she enjoyed participating in this month-long writing phenomenon.  You'll really enjoy meeting other Authors & Writers (both online and in person) -- depending upon the area in which you live, you can meet up with other NaNoWriMo participants at Writing Events in your area.

      If you love writing, and/or are an aspiring author, do participate, because you'll also receive advice about your literary creation as you're working on it; you'll get plenty of tips if you seek them; you'll be able to obtain pep talks; you'll be able to join in on the Forums online inside the Site; and you'll also enjoy plenty of helpful support.  And don't forget to check in here on my Blog, because I'll be writing about my NaNoWriMo prep during the month of October 2016 ~ and I'll continue writing about pulling my Novel together by clicking the keys on the keyboard, as well as letting all Blog Readers know what is happening with my Word Count during the month of November 2016.

      Here's the good thing about striving to reach a goal that involves writing a Novel in a month's time -- it means you'll have to FOCUS.  Whenever you focus on the story (or stories) that live inside of you, then you open the pathway that leads to the birthing process.  And, my oh my, what a beautiful baby you'll make!

      If you plan to participate in National Novel Writing Month this year, don't think too hard about what you are going to create.  In fact, try to remember that focusing and thinking are two different things altogether.

Here ~ Let me help you, start now by going out and getting yourself a Journal.  If you already have a few nice Journals at home with dust on them, wipe them off, and open them up ...

      Of course, if you have a Journal with something written in it, you may have just found the makings of your November 2016 Novel!

         Otherwise, do purchase a nice new Journal.  When you first open up your Journal, there will be blank pages.  The Journal then begins to take on a life of its own once you focus on putting your pen to the paper.  Notice that I did not tell you to think about what you were going to write.  Simply FOCUS on putting your pen to the paper.  Let your hand do what it does best ~ WRITE...

      Once upon a time in the year 2016, you never would have found so many beautiful and gifted people writing Novels in a month's time online.  Well, we are about to step into November 2016, and together we've got our EYE on National Novel Writing Month...

See YOU there!

 

Writer's Insightful Tip for OCTOBER 2016:

 

If you stop and place your hands on a keyboard and create a story that makes you do a double-take because of the power of the words you've written; and if your story causes your emotions to stir, and your eyes start to blink and your eyebrows raise in amazement, then I suggest that you cherish the "gift", because YOU are a Writer!

Peace, Love & Light,

René

 

Friends:  You'll find more about my experiences with NaNoWriMo here on my Blog.  If you are not yet "Following" my Blog, you're invited to do so by clicking on the "Follow" button.  Do make yourself at home here, feel free to comment and ask questions, and by all means, take the time to cruise around my Blog so that you may check out all of my Blog posts.  Feel free to share my Blog posts by Email to your Friends who are participating in NaNoWriMo this year.  And, if you are on Google, don't forget to hit the G+ button at the top of my Blog!

 

Today is Monday, October 10th, 2016

Are you ready to write?

You're going to write what has been patiently waiting for you to pick up your pen.  It may even be faster for you to get to writing if you would simply sit yourself down at the desk and place your hands on the keyboard.

Don't try to figure out what you want to write, or how you want it to flow ~ just start writing.  Just create a character and make the character start doing something.  Then put that character in a scene, and describe the scene clearly so that anyone reading the scene can feel it and see themselves there.  Alright, now we're getting somewhere -- we have a character somewhere doing something.  Now, just keep going -- let the character stay busy doing things and meeting people.  As your character's life blooms, you'll find other characters coming aboard filling up your paper with their activities and friends, foes, and family members.

If that helps, good!

However, some Writers need to take another direction ~ like just start putting the thoughts in your head on paper.  Start out with how you are feeling.  Then, maybe you can start talking about why you feel the way you do.  This is called the "therapeutic" writing method.  It's all about getting a therapeutic result from your writing practice that helps you, as well as the Reader.

I'll tell you a little secret, just in case you've forgotten, everybody has a moment where they feel "stuck", or "frozen", or "tired", or "weary", or "disgusted", or "apathetic"...of course, I could go on and on listing various emotions and feelings that are momentary in everyone's life, but WHY?  We don't have time for that.

Alright, ready?

What is your character's name?  How old are they?  Describe the way they look --

What kind of a personality do they have?  Are they quiet?  Are they loud?  Are they stiff?  Are they rather obnoxious?  Are they at home, at work, at a friend's house, or out enjoying themselves doing something they love?

Think about someone you know, then take their personality and give them another name.  This is now the start of your Fictional Novel where the names are changed to protect the innocent. 

Maybe you need a bit of motivation.  It is possible to be inspired just by taking a moment to ask yourself what is it that you'd like to write about that would make you smile?  Maybe your fictional character will give you something to smile about.  You'd be able to really laugh, because no one would know who you are talking about if you change the names.  Everyone you write about can be people you know, but give them different names.  Actually this is really helpful if you want to take everyone in your life and give them therapy on paper.  You may even find a solution to a relationship problem this way.

OK, time for a REVIEW from many a Blog post ago . . .

You see, either you want to write something amazing, or not. Even if you just decide to sit down and jot down your thoughts for today, that would be better than just staring into space, or letting words twirl around in your brain like a hurricane without ever making a note of those magnificent words.  And, after all, many a genius Novelist created something from a scribbled line on a sheet of paper while sitting and drinking coffee in the middle of doing something off the beaten path.

Every now and then, you'll reach up and grab a snippet from a flash thought that comes barging into your mind.  Or you may catch a glimpse of inspiration while you are simply living life and going about your business.  You know, like the time you heard someone saying something so funny that it just slammed into the middle of one of your oh so-serious moments, and made you realize that it's really not that serious.  [You might want to write down the funny moments of life as a reminder to you on the days when you forget how it feels to laugh].  Just imagine how many people might want to read some of your funny moments.

If you like writing, it really isn't that hard to get going.  If you yearn to write, you will feel the nudge of the "gift of writing" every moment of every day, when you aren't clicking keys or writing in Journals or scribbling down thoughts on various pads of paper.

Here is my advice to you for today...

Go back into the catacombs of your mind, and remember, once upon a time, you had a dream -- you would write.  You even told your friends about your dream of being an Author.  You had coffee and chats about your destined writing career.  And, more importantly, there is something within you that yearns to be put on paper right now.  So, my friend...

            Just Write.....

Peace, Love & Light,

By René Allen

© Copyright - René Allen - 2016 - All Rights Reserved

I sure hope that you have your Camping gear!

It is that time of the year again, and if you are an Author, Novelist, a Playwrite, or a lover of writing short stories, then you need to get it in gear if you are not already at the NaNoWriMo Camp Site!

Let's just say that you are new to attending the Camp sessions that take place online in April and July every year...

No problem, you can still join in right now.  The July Camp session began on July 1st, 2016.  You can head on over to the Camp Site and sign up.  The idea is to keep your writing flowing.  And, there is no reason not to get started.

Here is the link:  http://campnanowrimo.org

Once inside, just take a look around, and you'll find that you can complete a writing project in a month, track your progress, get online support, meet new friends and writing partners, and the best part is that it is 100% free to participants and most of all, it is a lot of FUN!

If you are new to participating, just click the JOIN NOW button.  If you have participated in National Novel Writing Month (known as NaNoWriMo) in the past, then you can use your account info, and sign right in  -- you'll find the spot in the right hand column once you have clicked on the link above.

You can choose to have a private Cabin to do your writing in, or share a Cabin with friends.  If you are really adventurous, then you can choose to be surprised with a Cabin of fellow Writers that you don't already know.

What are Cabins?

Cabins are Camp NaNoWriMo’s version of a writing group. Up to twelve writers can bunk together in a virtual cabin to create a personal writing community.

You can choose to be part of a cabin:
1)  By being sorted into a public cabin; or
2)  By creating, or being invited into a private cabin.

You'll really enjoy Camp NaNoWriMo.  I started participating in National Novel Writing Month in 2008, and continued each year every November up to 2013.

In June and August of 2012, I jumped right into Camp NaNoWriMo for the first time, and wrote a Novel in June, and then another Novel in August.  After which, I wrote a Novel in November of 2013 during National Novel Writing Month.

In November, 2014 I took a break from NaNoWriMo, and jumped back onto the writing scene in November of 2015 with another Novel.

The idea is to write 50,000 words in a month.  It is really easy once you get started clicking the laptop keys.  Before you know it, you'll be over the 50,000 word mark!

For the discovery of what amazing tale is lurking inside of you, you know what I say, go on and click on the Camp NaNoWriMo link and "Try it!"

You'll find so much more once you go to the Camp Site.  I'll be back here to provide more insight about Camp, and I truly hope to see you over there...

 Get together with other Writers, and be INSPIRED!

Peace, Love & Light,

By René Allen

© Copyright - René Allen - 2016 - All Rights Reserved

René Allen ~ Author: [Image courtesy of Celia Basto Art]Today is July ...

René Allen ~ Author:
[Image courtesy of Celia Basto Art]Today is July ...: [Image courtesy of Celia Basto Art] Today is July 4th, 2016   "When you put your mind to it..." By René Allen ...



Be sure to visit my BLOG and share your thoughts!

[Image courtesy of Celia Basto Art]

Today is July 4th, 2016

 

"When you put your mind to it..."

By René Allen

There is something about placing an emphasis on a subject matter that pricks your soul that enables you to write like no one else on this planet can.

With so many topics to speak on, ultimately the topic you choose should matter more to you than any other in the current moment.  As it goes, moments pass...but your writing process should never allow any one particular  moment to pass wherein your scribeship hinges.  For that reason, you should always keep a notebook or journal handy.  For those Authors and Writers who know the meaning of capturing the lines as they spring forth, a tape recorder is a jewel to have.

Speak into the microphone on it dear Writer.  Let your words resonate on playback so as to feel the meaning of the story with every inflection of your voice.  You may find that the modulation of intonation or pitch in your voice changes -- that is what is known as "inflection".

Have you ever heard a Speaker or Poet who delivered a speech or poem with absolutely no inflection?  If so, then you are aware of what comes off to the listener as dry, dead, and/or unmeaningful words.  No one will want to continue to listen to someone with no rhythm or emphasis in the storylines they are delivering.  This includes both verbal and written words.

When you write, deliver your story with feeling.  It helps to become emotionally engaged as you write.  Picture your tale in your mind's eye.  See the drama unfold, and feel the emotions attached to your story.

Is your story sad, stressful, funny, or something that your Readers can relate to in such a way as to feel your story with each word  they read?

Let's take the example of writing a story about biking.  Biking can be fun.  It can also be an adventure.  And, some will tell you that it can also be dangerous.  Combine all of those elements together, and you can create a biking story that is an adventurous and dangerous tale that makes the Reader laugh or cry, depending upon the element of "danger".  If the biker in your story is on a path that takes them over a cliff, then the Reader will hang on to the story to see what happened to the biker -- did they get injured, or did something comical happen to them after going over the cliff?

Today's blog message is just to get you thinking about what you want to write next.  I'm sure it will be a wonderful read.  After all, amazing things can happen with the writing gift you possess ~ "When you put your mind to it..."

Just Write.....

Peace, Love & Light,

By René Allen

© Copyright - René Allen - 2016 - All Rights Reserved

 

By René Allen

 

Today is June 8th, 2016

 

Attention all Authors, Novelists, Writers, and Poets ~

If you haven't noticed, we are six months into the year.  Summer is upon us, and if you aren't careful, you'll look up and find those Autumn leaves dancing around in your front yard -- or in your Living Room if you happen to leave the front door open.

 

Here's the question for today...

Why does the notion of "Abstract Ground Work" matter?

Whatever it is that you seek to accomplish starts by laying the ground work for that fantastic vision that you have twirling around in your soul.  Your vision is twirling around in your soul to remind you that you need to pay close attention to the details that will assist you in making your vision a reality.  And that vision that you have is nudging you, or in some cases pushing you -- to get it in gear to unpackage the "gift" within you.

Have you ever felt butterflies when you focus on all the things that you really hope to do, miss doing, or can't seem to make manifest in the present moment?

Well, well, well...

Here's a gentle reminder ~ The Art of Writing is a "gift".  Abstract Ground Work is about snapping yourself into action whether your body is willing and ready or not.  It makes no difference if your mind is in a state of flux.  Abstract Ground Work does not care, and frankly is fertile if you find yourself in a flux state, so to speak.

All you have to do is get your materials in order.  Get your tools lined up.  Place your diagram in front of your face.  Whenever you find yourself whirling around or flip-flopping around from doing to not doing, excited, and then dropping down into the doldrums, then you need to get busy with your Abstract Ground Work assignment.

For the sake of schematic simplicity, by all means, be sure to ignore the various complications connected with time, which require some tedious but perfectly feasible elaborations.  Stalling and/or procrastinating is quite tedious you know.

Simply use abstract symbols to lead your mind to what it is that you are seeking to accomplish.  If you want to write a Novel, get your notepad and sketchbook out and start working on the ideas rolling around in your head for the design of your Novel Cover.

If you happen to be a Poet, but you can't seem to get your poetic juices flowing, then you need to relax and allow your internal poetic charm to come forth.  Poetry has a charm, and it rarely likes to get comfortable with uptight people.

Abstract Ground Work and Advice for today...

Just Write.....

Peace, Love & Light,

By René Allen

© Copyright - René Allen - 2016 - All Rights Reserved