Thinking about Writing?

Thinking about Writing?

BLOG SESSION

December 21st, 2017

Greetings Writers, Blog Readers, Followers & Visitors ~ Today's Blog Session is about you...

Are you thinking about writing a book in 2018?

If so, then you are in the right place!

Time to grab your Journal so that you can take notes...

JOURNAL NOTES

The first thing you need to make a note of is a title entitled, "Overview" at the top of your Journal page.  Underneath this heading, you are going to do an overview of your life during 2017.  You'll jot down the following items:

1.   Things you enjoyed doing this year;

2.   Things you absolutely detested doing this year;

3.   Things that moved you this year emotionally;

4.   Issues that concern you because you were stirred up by

       those issues;

5.   Goals that you reached that you are proud of;

6.   Goals that you seek to reach in 2018;

7.   What your passions are;

8.   What you dream of doing in 2018 that you foresee being

       gratifying to your soul;

9.   Places you'd like to travel to; and finally, 

10.  What you'd like your book to be about.

Many of the Blog Readers here are writers, authors, poets, music enthusiasts, journalists, documentary writers, film writers, playwrights, song writers, artists, and creatives of various genres.

There are many directions you can choose to head in if you plan to write a book in 2018.  One recommendation is for you to get involved with Writers Groups online or in person.  Another suggestion is for your to participate in NaNo Writing Camp in April 2018 and July 2018 and/or National Novel Writing Month in November of 2018 online at NaNoWriMo.org.

If you are a Writer, it is always a good idea to do your research in relation to the Genre that you are interested in.  There are many genres to consider if you are new to writing.  We have gone over some of those genres in previous Blog Sessions, and you will find some of those Sessions in our "Blog Archive" over in the right-hand column.  Do take a moment to explore some of our previous Blog Sessions when you have time.  If you have any questions, be sure to place them in our "Comments Section" at the bottom of the Blog.

After you have gone over the answers that you placed in your Journal to the ten questions above, you will be moved to think a little further about what you'd like your book to be about in 2018.

Doing a personal overview at the end of each year is eye-opening.  You can always ask yourself any questions that you feel you personally need to explore.  Hence, it is a great idea to have a Diary for 2018 to keep track of you and what is going on with you -- it makes for good writing!

Think about what you'd like to write about...

We'll be back for another Blog Session tomorrow!

OUR NEXT BLOG SESSION:

Getting into writing

Peace, Love & Light

By René Allen

©Copyright - René Allen - 2014-2017 - All Rights Reserved

Creative Journal Writing

Creative Journal Writing

BLOG SESSION

July 2017

Good Afternoon Blog Readers, Writers, Followers & Visitors ~  Welcome back to another great Blog Session that will stimulate your mind!

Our Subject matter for today is "Creative Journal Writing".  Many people underestimate the power of using their Journal to create unique literary works of genius.  Once you get started using your Journal in a creative way, you will never run out of taking advantage of the many avenues and the various possibilities for innovative Journal Writing.

I have a question for you:  What do you think "Creative Journal Writing" is?

You'll need to have your Journal to really participate in this Blog Session in a beneficial way.  If you are new to the Blog, then you will need to get a nice Journal to bring to these Blog Sessions so that you may take notes that will help you with your Writings, as well as other areas of life that we explore from time to time.  We discuss Writing Tips, Novel Genres, Writing Resources, and other pertinent issues such as Mental Health Month, Camp NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month,  and other areas of interest to our friends and Readers here.

Create your own Journal Cover

If you were here for our last Blog Session, then you were able to check out the link that was supplied for you to get to our connected Site on Google where Artists, Poets, Authors, Painters, Photographers, Architects, Designers, Musicians, Singers, Song Writers, Videographers, Film Makers, Short Story Writers, Novelists,  Playwrights, and other Artists of various gifted backgrounds come together to share their Artworks, comments, thoughts, and share their Friendship.  The link was supplied because Art has a way of inspiring the Writer, and sparking the literary genius in you.

Here is the link once again in case you missed checking it out in our last Blog Session:   Artistic Minds® Collection

If you are a Google+ User, you are welcome and invited to join us in our connected Artistic Minds® Community ~ where you will meet other creative Writers, Artists, and talented beautiful people like yourself.  You can join and share your Artworks, Poetry, Writings, Messages, Photography, and more!

One thing about being creative:  Just the simple act of creating energizes you, inspires you, and uplifts your spirit.

Creative Journal Writing is about doing unique and innovative things that are not typical of most Journal Writers.

Most Journal Writers who are writers of fiction, drama, or poetry, are aware that their Journal Writing builds their writing muscles and helps them to generate ideas.  The Journal can be used as a Laboratory of sorts for the Writer, Author, Novelist, Memoirist, Poet, and Creative Writer.

Song Writers, Film Makers, Playwrights, Designers, Architects, and other creative individuals can find good use for Journals by experimenting with different approaches.  You can use your Journal for the important details of your artistic creation ~ be it writing, design, or otherwise.

If you are in the habit of keeping Journals or Diaries, then you know the importance of these precious tools for the Creative Author as well as Artist.

Diary/Journal

Whenever you need a source of inspiration, you can always look back at one of your Journals from the past to inspire you to create new literary or artistic works.

Diaries help you to notate your thoughts, ideas, activities, and special happenings in your life.  Diaries also help you to smile, because when you go back to read what you have written years later ~ you'll laugh!

See you back here for more ~

Creative Journal Writing TIPS!

(Be sure to pick up a Journal for our next Blog Session!)

Until we meet again Friends ~

Peace, Love & Light,

René

© Copyright - René Allen - JULY 2017 - All Rights Reserved

Ok Writers ~ Let's use our IMAGINATION . . .

Ok Writers ~ Let's use our IMAGINATION . . .

BLOG SESSION

July 2017

It is a new day, and we are back here on the Blog to do something different. . .

Let's pretend for a minute that you are in your vehicle (choose in your mind what type of vehicle you are riding in). Look at the scene at the top of this Blog, and take a moment to imagine that it is the view set before you as you are riding along ~ breathe ~ breathe in newness of life, and exhale your rusty thoughts.

Now grab your Journal and your ink pen. . .

Writer's Journal Exercise

The first thing you are going to do today "gifted" Writer ~ is to use your imagination.  As you look at the scene set before you at the top of this Blog you are going to notice the scenery.  You are going to look to the left, then to the right, then straight ahead.  This is a Writer's Journal Exercise in mental scene shifting.

Why do I want you to do this?  Because, as a Writer you must learn how to use your imagination to shift the atmosphere around you and make of it what you will.  When you have a scene before you, the question is ~ what do you SEE?

Your Vision is your Imagination

Writers, your vision is your imagination at work.  We can all have the same scene set before us, and each of us here on the Blog will SEE something different.  We will look at what is before us, and we will make of it what we will.  We will do this, because our entire life is made up of scenes and our interpretation of what we see becomes our reactions and actions.

The movement of life is based upon how we flow.  Whenever you decide in your mind to freeze up, become stagnant, or procrastinate, the world just keeps on turning . . .

Some of us will write from a place of open vision.  Others of us will be regimented writers.  What I mean be this is that if you are writing from a place of open vision then you will imagine and create what is not readily seen by others.  When you write from a regimented (very strictly organized or controlled stance), then your writing will reflect the cement you have mentally placed yourself in.

As the world turns, the movement of life is bringing forth new things.  The question is will you be a part of the newness of life or not?

Now let's pick up our pens and get ready to write down what it is that we see from our vehicles in the scene at the top of this Blog.

When you look to the left, you will see a patch of light.  When you look to the right, you will see mountains and a darker sky.  When you look straight ahead (middle of the road, you see both light and dark).  Which side of the road are you driving towards?  Are you going to the left or to the right?  Since the road does not allow for you to drive straight ahead, choose which way you are going to go, and make a note of it in your Journal.

In our last Blog Session we discussed your soul and your brain.  And, if you will remember, we said ~ "your soul is the Novelist, and your brain is the Researcher".

With that in mind, your soul already knows which way you are going to go on the road in the scene at the top of this Blog.  It is your brain that is going to research and decide which genre you will choose after you go to the left or to the right.

Remember, we are Writers.  As you make your decision on which way you are going to go, you will also need to choose a genre, because you are writing a Novel . . .

Will you choose Romance?  Fantasy?  Science Fiction?  Historical Fiction?  Humor?  Travel?  Journalism?  Sports?  Documentary? Fiction?  Comedy?  Drama?  Horror?  Non-Fiction?  Realistic?  Satire?  Tragedy?  Tragicomedy?  Mythology?  Memoir?  Crime/Detective?  Fable?  Legend?  Folklore?  Mystery?  Meta Fiction?  Short Story?  Tall Tale?  Suspense/Thriller?  Essay?

In your Journal notes, please make a note of your choices.  Left or right?  Straight ahead or stuck?

Please make a note of your genre choice and why?

What exactly is it that you SEE in the scene that propels you to choose the genre that popped into your brain?

The Scene

Enjoy your Travels Writers!

Brain at work . . .

Write about it!

See you back here for the next exciting

BLOG SESSION

Peace, Love & Light,

René

© Copyright - René Allen - JULY 2017 - All Rights Reserved

FICTION BOOKS

BLOG SESSION

July 2017

Good Evening Writers, Authors, Aspiring Authors, Novelists, Creative Writers, Film Writers, Script Writers, Playwrights, Emerging Authors and Poets!  If I missed you, it is not intentional ~ Of course we have amongst us some very talented Research Writers, Documentary Writers, Short Story Writers, Journalists, and many others gifted Writers...

We're here on the Blog today to discuss Fiction Genres.  We'll get our Journals out to take notes for future reference.  Many of the Blog Readers here are writing their Novels and working on their Writing Projects for Camp NaNoWriMo.  The online writing Camp is wonderful.  If you have not had a chance to check it out or sign up, it is not too late.  Just click on the link to join many Writers like yourself who are taking the time during the month of July to work on their Novels.

If you write Fiction or are interested in writing Fiction, then take a look at some of the Genres . . .

For Your Journal Reference

Notes about Adventure:  An adventure is an event or series of events that happens outside the course of the protagonist's ordinary life, usually accompanied by danger, often by physical action.  Adventure stories almost always move quickly, and the pace of the plot is at least as important as characterization, setting and other elements of a creative work.

Adventure Fiction is fiction that usually presents danger, or gives the reader a sense of excitement.

Action Adventure - "action" is the key element (overshadowing characters) and involves a quest or military style mission set in exotic or forbidding locales such as jungles, deserts or mountains.  The conflict typically involves spies, mercenaries, terrorists, smugglers, pirates, or other dark and shadowy figures.  Note:  Action Adventures tend to attract a male audience.

Classics are books accepted as being exemplary or noteworthy, for example through an imprimatur such as being listed in a list of great books, or through a reader's personal opinion.  Although the term is often associated with the Western canon, it can be applied to works of literature from all traditions, such as the Chinese classics or the Indian Vedas.

What makes a book "classic" is a concern that has occurred to various authors ranging from Italo Calvino to Mark Twain and the related questions of "Why Read the Classics?" and "What Is a Classic?" have been essayed by authors from different genres and eras (including Calvino, T. S. Eliot, Charles Augustin Sainte-Beuve).  The ability of a classic book to be reinterpreted, and to seemingly be renewed in the interests of generations of readers succeeding its creation, is a theme that is seen in the writings of literary critics including Michael Dirda, Ezra Pound, and Saint-Beuve.

Fantasy literature is set in an imaginary universe, often but not always without any locations, events, or people from the real world.  Magic, the supernatural and magical creatures are common in many of these imaginary worlds.

Fantasy is a subgenre of speculative fiction and is distinguished from the genres of science fiction and horror by the absence of scientific or macabre themes, respectively, though these genres overlap.  Historically, most works of fantasy were written.  However, since the 1960s, a growing segment of the fantasy genre has taken the form of films, television programs, graphic novels, video games, music and art.

A numbering of fantasy novels originally written for children, such as Alice in Wonderland, and the Hobbit also attract an adult audience.

Ghost Stories - the term "ghost story" can refer to any kind of scary story.  In a narrower sense, the ghost story has been developed as a short story format, with the fiction genre.

Historical Fiction - A fictional story set in a recognizable period of history.  As well as telling the stories of ordinary people's lives, historical fiction may involve political or social events of the time.

Horror is a genre of fiction which is intended to, or has the capacity to frighten, scare, disgust or startle its readers or viewers by inducing feelings of horror and terror.  Literary historian J. A. Cuddon has defined the horror story as "a piece of fiction in prose of variable length...which shocks or even frightens the reader, or perhaps induces a feeling of repulsion or loathing".

The above Genre descriptions are for your Journal Notes, and we will be back here on the Blog to continue sharing more genre descriptions in our next Blog Session.  Look forward to learning more about the remaining Fiction Genres that are on today's Listing:  Humor, Mystery, Romance, Sports, and Science Fiction!

What can you expect in our next Blog Session

that you will be happy to gain more knowledge about?

Up Next on the BLOG:

Learn more about Science Fiction

Friends, until we meet again back here on the Blog,

Keep Writing!

Peace, Love & Light,

René

© Copyright - René Allen - JULY 2017 - All Rights Reserved

It's a new day!

Good Morning Journal Writers and participants in our Balancing Stones Sculpture Writing Project.  It is time for our next important step heading to our Stone 9...

Please take your Journals out, and your Balancing Stones Sculpture print-out with your words placed on your Stones as instructed.

You should have had plenty of time to answer the questions about the full Journal page that you wrote using all of the words that you chose for your Stones.  We have completed eight (8) Stones so far, and some of our participants may have less Stones.  The following questions apply regardless of how many Stones you have completed.  Every participant should have written a full Journal page using every word chosen for their Stones.

Here are the questions again for Review...

1)  What did you write about?

2)  Did you use any of your words more than once?

3)  Did your writing take a particular direction?

4)  Were you inspired to write further after completing

       your full Journal Page?

5)  Did you find this Writing Project to be helpful in

       terms of getting you focused on writing in a 

       Journal?

6)  Can you find something in your writing that points

       you in the direction of your writing genre or the

       Writing career that you seek?

If you did not write down the answers to the six questions above, please take a little time to write your answers down at this time.

Also, be sure to have your Balancing Stones Sculpture diagram printed out and at hand with all of your words placed on your Stones.

Here is my example for viewing of our Balancing Stones Sculpture print-out with my eight Stones inserted as instructed . . .

What we all want to do now is consider question 1:  What did you write about?  Your answer will tell you a lot about your writing direction.  I ended up writing about (for the most part) how to write Novels as a Novelist.  There was also information about using your mind to pull out the details of your Novel, and the various ways to get your writing in order, such as Journals, research, and recording the behaviorism of the people you come in contact with.  Think about what it was that you wrote about and your style of writing.

Now let us go to question 2:  Did you use any of your words more than once?  If so, which words were those words?  And, which word did you use the most?  The words that I used more than once were:  Stone 2 (1728) - four times; Stone 3 (Opera) - five times; Stone 4 (Novels) - three times; and Stone 5 (Journal) - three times.  The remainder of my words were used only once.  The word that I used the most was "Opera".  There is something about the internal process of writing that leads you to gravitate to certain words.  That is why the Journaling process is very helpful -- Journaling helps you to take a good look at how you write and what you write about.  Editors are used for a very good reason.  Most Editors have a passion for reading and correcting errors.  As a Writer it is much better to let your writing flow -- hence the use of Journals.

Now for question 3:  Did your writing take a particular direction?  My writing seemed to be directed towards "Inspiration for Writers".

As for question 4:  Were you inspired to write further after completing your full Journal Page?  If you were inspired to write further, what were you inspired to write about?  I was inspired to write further about the Psychology of Journaling.

Now on to question 5:  Did you find this Writing Project to be helpful in terms of getting you focused on writing in a Journal?  Hopefully you answered "yes" to this question.  If you did not, may I suggest that you take a notepad around with you and start using it to jot down ideas that come to you during your day.  The process of actively using a Journal daily will lead you to getting a bigger Notepad, or a Journal, so that you may expand your daily thoughts and ideas into something very beneficial for you in the area of Writing.

And finally, the last question...

Question 6)  Can you find something in your writing that points you in the direction of your writing genre or the Writing career that you seek?  This is a very important question, and if you remember, it was the question that was asked when we first started our Balancing Stones Sculpture Writing Project.  If you seek to be a Novelist what genre would you choose?

The definition of Genre in Writing is as follows...

Genre (noun)

1:  a kind of literary or artistic work

2:  a style of expressing yourself in writing

      [syn:  writing style, literary genre]

3:  a class of artistic endeavor having a characteristic

      form or technique.

Writing genres (commonly known, more narrowly, as literary genres) are determined by narrative technique, tone, content, and by critics' definitions of the genres.  Writing genres may be fictional or non-fictional.

The classic major genres of literature are:

• Fiction.
• Comedy.
• Drama.
• Horror.
• Non-fiction.
• Realistic fiction.
• Romance novel.
• Satire.
• Tragedy
• Tragicomedy
• African American
• Fantasy
• Mythology
• Historical Fiction
• Sci-Fi
• Crime
• Fable
• Fairy Tale
• Fan Fiction
• Folklore
• Legend
• Magical Realism
• Mystery
• Mythology
• Suspense/Thriller
• Tall Tale
• Western
• Chic Flick (Chick Lit)

There are also other areas to consider as a Writer, such as:

Common Genres: nonfiction

• Biography/Autobiography – narrative of a person's life; a true story about a real person.
• Essay – a short literary composition that reflects the author's outlook or point.
• Owner's manual - (also Instruction manual, User's guide) – an instructional book or booklet that is supplied with consumer products such as vehicles, home appliances, firearms, toys and computer peripherals.
• Journalism – reporting on news and current events.
• Lab Report – a report of an experiment.
• Memoir – factual story that focuses on a significant relationship between the writer and a person, place, or object; reads like a short novel.
• Narrative nonfiction/personal narrative – factual information about a significant event presented in a format which tells a story.
• Reference book – such as a dictionary, thesaurus, encyclopedia, almanac, or atlas.
• Self-help book – information with the intention of instructing readers on solving personal problems.
• Speech – public address or discourse.
• Textbook – authoritative and detailed factual description of a topic.

The list of Genres given is not all there is, but the list should help you in terms of pinning down which genre(s) fit you personally.

Think about all of the above for a bit, and we will take a short break and we will be back here later on this evening to continue...

Short Break from our Balancing Stones Sculpture

Writing Project ~ See you this evening!

Peace, Love & Light,

  René

©Copyright - René Allen - FEBRUARY - APRIL 2017 - All Rights Reserved