More about . . .Camp NaNoWriMo

TODAY'S BLOG SESSION

More about . . .

Camp NaNoWriMo

April 2nd, 2018

Good Afternoon Blog Readers, Writers, Followers & Visitors ~ This Session is for all of the Creative Writers, Authors, Novelists, emerging authors, poets, Memoirists, and individuals who are interested in working on their books for publication and/or your Writing Projects.  If you have been dreaming of writing your book, or if you are working on a new Writing Project, you are in the right spot!

Everyone who was here for our last Session was provided with the link to sign up for participation (for free) in CampNaNoWriMo.  Inside the Camp you will be able to set up your profile and list the information in association with the book or writing project that you plan to work on during the month of April.

Springtime is a good time to work on your book.  If you will, please grab your Journal to take a few notes on what you can expect while working on your book writing project in Camp . . .

JOURNAL NOTES

Once inside CampNaNoWriMo, you will first set up your Profile if you have not ever participated in Camp before.  If you have participated in National Novel Writing Month during November online, then you will already be able to sign in with the same Profile information that you use for NaNoWriMo.org.

First, you'll need to set up your Profile (under the tab MY CAMP NANO ~ Camper Info).  Your Camper Info will include your Author name, your Location, your Occupation, your Hobbies, your Favorite Books/Authors, your Favorite Noveling Music, your Favorite Camp Activity, your Website, and your Brief Bio.

If you have already decided on the name of your Novel, be sure to put that information in under the tab:  MY CAMP NANO ~ My Writing Projects.  You'll be able to add the title of your Novel, the Category that your Novel falls under (choices are Novel, Nonfiction, Poetry, Revision, Script, Short Stories, or Other).

Next, you'll need to insert your Goal information ~ i.e., 50,000 words (which is the length of a Novel).  You can have a goal of as many words as you like.  It can be more or less than 50,000 words.

You'll also need to decide on a Genre for your book.  The choices of Genres on the pull-down screen are:  Adventure, Children's Fiction, Erotic, Fanfiction, Fantasy, Historical, Horror/Supernatural, LGBT+, Literary, Mainstream, Mystery, Personal, Religious/Spiritual, Romance, Satire/Humor, Science Fiction, Thriller/Suspense, Women's Fiction, Young Adult, or Your Choice.

Then you can add your Synopsis.  And next an Excerpt.

You'll also need to input your Book Cover design file (Your cover will be resized and cropped to 230x300 pixels (portrait).  Maximum file size is 1 megabyte.

There is more to be done, and you can explore once inside the Site.  Getting acquainted with CampNaNo is not only exciting, it is also a lot of fun.  Working on writing your next new Novel is always exciting.  If this is your first time writing a Novel, it will be all the more interesting for you.  Be sure to come back here to gain more insight about CampNaNoWriMo!

OUR NEXT BLOG SESSION:

More insight about CampNaNoWriMo!

Peace, Love & Light

By René Allen

©Copyright - René Allen - 2014-2018 - All Rights Reserved

The Writer's Comfort Levels ~ PART 8 "Hurt"

The Writer's Comfort Levels

PART 8

"Hurt"

[How can I forgive when it hurts so much]

BLOG SESSION

February 4th, 2018

We're here for another great Blog Session dear Writers!

Please grab your Journal for this Session because we are going to be talking about The Writer's Comfort Levels once again, and the emotion for today is "Hurt".

As an overview, the reason why we are going through twenty-one (21) different emotions is for each of us to understand what the emotions consist of.  Not only does this help us with assessments of ourselves, but also it helps us as Writers to understand how to bring these emotions forth in our writings when it comes to the characters in our stories.

Journal Notes

The Writer's Comfort Levels

PART 8

"Hurt"

We all know that there is physical hurt.  But there is also such a thing as emotional hurt.  Emotional hurt is of a different origin.  Emotional hurt involves psychological pain or mental pain and is an unpleasant feeling (a suffering) of a psychological and non-physical origin.  A pioneer in the field of suicidology, Edwin S. Shneidman, described it as "how much you hurt as a human being."

Psychologically Speaking, dwelling on the possible causes of emotional pain is more likely to cause one to assign blame.    Thus causing the beginning of a vicious cycle.  To justify blame, we tend to magnify pain.  Attributing blame then stimulates anger to punish the perceived offender.

Biologically, the association of pain/vulnerability with anger is almost irresistible; anger has survival-based analgesic and amphetamine effects ~ it temporarily numbs pain and provides a surge of energy and confidence to ward-off threat. But each repetition of this process reinforces perceived damage and vulnerability by making defense seem more necessary.

Please make a note in your Journal that over time, the blame-anger response congeals into chronic resentment, which is a generalized, automatic defensive system geared to protect an ego made fragile by the perceived need of protection.

To the resentful, painful emotions are not motivations to heal and improve but punishments inflicted by an unfair world. Resentful people try to control what other people think by devaluing or coercing them, thereby reinforcing the vulnerability they seek to avoid.

For those who have been hurt emotionally, there is an area of concern that we need to cover, and that is:  "The Illusion of Control" ~ which involves looking for it (control) in all the wrong places...

Consider the following:

How little control we have over the things that most profoundly influence our lives.

How many of us got to choose our parents?

Did we decide the illnesses, accidents, medications, and substance use of our mothers during pregnancy?

Who decided where and when they were born; how much money their families would have; what early childhood sickness or accidents they would experience; which schools they would go to and what kind of teachers and friends they would find there?  Who chose whether other children would like or bully them, support or antagonize them, respect or humiliate them?

Think about it...

How much control over your young life did you really have?

How much control over your life now do you really have?

Controlling the Meaning of Your Life

You cannot control most of the major influences on your life, but you have absolute control over what they mean to you.

If you control the meaning of events in your life by creating as much value as you can, you will have a sense of purpose and personal power.  If you control it by devaluing yourself or others, you create a chronic sense of powerlessness, characterized by roller-coaster rides of adrenalin-driven resentment that crash into depressed moods.

Rather than focus on the possible causes of pain and vulnerability, try to sort out what each hurtful incident means to you and what you can do to heal and improve.  But do this important assessment with self-compassion, not self-criticism.  

Here's an example to help you with your assessment...

Assessment Example:

My spouse cheated on me.

What does that mean to me?

I'm alone, isolated, betrayed.

What can I do to improve and heal?

I can recognize that I have the strength, resilience, and value to heal this hurt over time.  I will stay true to my deepest values, focus on creating more value in my life, reach out to friends and other loved ones, recognize human frailty in my spouse and in myself, evaluate my options for a better future.

A large part of what is needed in many of our lives at one point or another is self-worth otherwise known as self- esteem.

What Is Self-Esteem?

Possessing little self-regard can lead people to become depressed, to fall short of their potential, or to tolerate abusive situations and relationships.  Too much self-love, on the other hand, results in an off-putting sense of entitlement and an inability to learn from failures.  (Please note:  It can also be a sign of clinical narcissism.)

Perhaps no other self-help topic has spawned so much advice and so many (often conflicting) theories.  The best insight can be found by learning how to strike a balance between accurate self-knowledge and respect for who you are.

As a Writer, you can work through your personal life challenges by writing in your Diary or Journal on a daily basis.  This will help you to not only understand yourself better, but you will also learn to see more clearly about the many things in your life that bypass your recognition because you do not take the time to do something that you are gifted to do -- Write.

As you write in your Diary/Journal on a daily basis, you will use the material that you learn about yourself to formulate your writings and character interactions based upon what you have experienced in your own life.  Not only will you have epiphanies (moments of sudden revelation or insight) from doing so, but you will also ignite a passion that rests within your being . . .

Writing

After all, you are a Writer

OUR NEXT BLOG SESSION:

"The Writer's Comfort Levels"

PART 9

Peace, Love & Light

By René Allen

©Copyright - René Allen - 2014-2018 - All Rights Reserved

Writers ~ Let's get started!

Writers ~ Let's get started!

BLOG SESSION

January 2nd, 2018

Well, now that you have had your new year's day moment to reflect, and you've had a chance to inhale and exhale, it is now time to breathe again and get it in gear to start writing.

Journal Notes

All you need for today's Blog Session is your trusty Journal...

If you did happen to get a chance to get your Diary as was suggested in our previous Blog Session, then you should have taken a moment on the 1st day of this new year to start writing about your feelings and emotions as you stepped into another year of your life.  Believe me, by the time the year is coming to an end once again, you will be glad that you have a Diary that you can read that tells you all about your self.  No one knows you better that your soul.

Writing your heart-felt thoughts helps you to stay in touch with what is going on with you.  Like we discussed in a previous Session, the practice of daily diary writing is very therapeutic.

If you don't have a Diary yet, use your notebook or notepad for now.

Today, turn your attention to your Journal for a moment...

Take a moment to write down which genre you are going to write under.  If you are deciding between a few different genres, then write which genres those are in your Journal.

Please make a note of this information in your Journal:  Genres of literature are important to learn about. The two main categories separating the different genres of literature are fiction and nonfiction. There are several genres of literature that fall under the nonfiction category. Nonfiction sits in direct opposition to fiction.

Here is further information to help you out...

Types of Nonfiction:

Narrative Nonfiction is information based on fact that is presented in a format which tells a story.

Essays are a short literary composition that reflects the author’s outlook or point.  A short literary composition on a particular theme or subject, usually in prose and generally analytic, speculative, or interpretative.

A Biography is a written account of another person’s life.

An Autobiography gives the history of a person’s life, written or told by that person.  Often written in Narrative form of the person’s life.

Speech is the faculty or power of speaking; oral communication; ability to express one’s thoughts and emotions by speech, sounds, and gesture.  Generally delivered in the form of an address or discourse.

Finally there is the general genre of Nonfiction.  This is Informational text dealing with an actual, real-life subject. This genre of literature offers opinions or conjectures on facts and reality.  This includes biographies, history, essays, speech, and narrative nonfiction.  Nonfiction opposes fiction and is distinguished from those fiction genres of literature like poetry and drama which is the next section we will discuss.

Writer

Genres of Fiction:

Drama is the genre of literature that is the subject for compositions.  It is considered dramatic art in the way it is represented.  This genre consists of stories composed in verse or prose, usually for theatrical performance, where conflicts and emotion are expressed through dialogue and action.

Poetry is verse and rhythmic writing with imagery that evokes an emotional response from the reader.  The art of poetry is rhythmical in composition, written or spoken.  This genre of literature is for exciting pleasure by beautiful, imaginative, or elevated thoughts.

Fantasy is the forming of mental images with strange or other worldly settings or characters; fiction which invites suspension of reality.

Humor is the faculty of perceiving what is amusing or comical.  Fiction full of fun, fancy, and excitement is meant to entertain.  This genre of literature can actually be seen and contained within all genres.

A Fable is a story about supernatural or extraordinary people -- usually in the form of narration that demonstrates a useful truth.  In Fables, animals often speak as humans.  This genre includes legendary and supernatural tales.

Fairy Tales or wonder tales are a kind of folktale or fable. Sometimes the stories are about fairies or other magical creatures, usually for children.

Science Fiction is a story based on impact of potential science, either actual or imagined.  Science fiction is one of the genres of literature that is set in the future or on other planets (real or made up).

Short Story is fiction of such briefness that it is not able to support any subplots.

Realistic Fiction is a story that can actually happen and is true to real life.

Folklore are songs, stories, myths, and proverbs of a person of “folk” that was handed down by word of mouth.  Folklore is a genre of literature that is widely held, but false and based on unsubstantiated beliefs.

Historical Fiction is a story with fictional characters and events in a historical setting.

Horror is an overwhelming and painful feeling caused by literature that is frightfully shocking, terrifying, or revolting. Fiction in which events evoke a feeling of dread in both the characters and the reader.

A Tall Tale is a humorous story with blatant exaggerations, swaggering heroes who do the impossible in a nonchalant way.

Legend is a story that sometimes involves a national or folk hero.  Legend is based on fact but also includes imaginative material.

Mystery is a genre of fiction that deals with the solution of a crime or the unraveling of secrets.  Anything that is kept secret or remains unexplained or unknown.

Mythology is a type of legend or traditional narrative.  This is often based in part on historical events, that reveals human behavior and natural phenomena by its symbolism; often pertaining to the actions of the gods.  A body of myths, as that of a particular people or that relating to a particular person.

Fiction in Verse is full-length novels with plot, subplots, themes, with major and minor characters.  Fiction of verse is one of the genres of literature in which the narrative is usually presented in blank verse form.

The genre of Fiction can be defined as narrative literary works whose content is produced by the imagination and is not necessarily based on fact.  In fiction something is feigned, invented, or imagined; a made-up story.

Writer working on her book

As we continue to work on getting our stories ready to type up, be sure to check back here on the Blog for more discussions for the Author/Novelist in YOU!

[Poets you too!]

Peace, Love & Light

By René Allen

©Copyright - René Allen - 2014-2018 - All Rights Reserved

How do I write if I feel sad and depressed?

How do I write if I feel sad and depressed?

BLOG SESSION

December 27th, 2017

Welcome back Blog Readers, Followers & Visitors!  We are here for another fabulous Blog Session with all of the Writers, Authors, Novelists, short story writers, and Poets among us in mind.

If you are planning to write a book, novel, poetry collection, biography, historical book, documentary, self-help book, children's book, memoir, or another type of writing in 2018 for publication, then you are in the right place.

If you would, please grab your Journal and pen so that you can take notes...

Journal Notes

(How do I write if I feel sad and depressed?)

We are quickly approaching 2018, and with that in mind, we want to clear out all sadness and depression, and learn to overcome any melancholy feelings that any of us may be feeling at the current time.  This Blog Session today is about how to write if you may feel sad or depressed.  Since everyone may have moments in their life when this may happen, you can keep these Journal Notes for any time when you may need to refer back to today's Session.

Sometimes Writers have times when they may feel sad, sorrowful, unhappy, or outside of themselves for no real apparent reason.  Not only does this condition affect Writers, but every other type of creative person and other individuals on this planet.  A lot has happened over the years, and many things in particular have happened in 2017.  I might also point out that the Holiday Season is not always a pleasant time for everyone.  So rest assured there is always a brighter day ahead, and thank goodness we are about to turn the corner and enter into another year!

Here is where we get down to the business of gearing up, perking up, and putting on a new attitude.  We're going to write a book in 2018, and we've got a lot of good things to look forward to!

If you were here for our last Blog Session, you'll remember that we discussed both personal Journals and Diaries to get you into the groove of your 2018 book writing journey.

Here is how your Diary can help you to get over any sadness or sorrow that you may be feeling...

Your Personal Diary

The first thing you need to do to get your Diary to operate as your trusted friend and personal therapist is to be honest with yourself.  Use today to do some writing in your Diary...

First, write down how you feel right now.  Happy, joyful, reserved, sad, mad, angry, hungry, tired, irritated?  Whatever the case may be ~ write down today's day, then write down your emotional state.  Then make a mention of what the weather is like, and where you are exactly -- at home, at a relative's house, at a friend's house, on vacation, in the office...

Then, turn the page and write down the list of things that may be bothering you.  No matter how trite the issue may seem to you when you really think about it, still write it down.  It could be something as simple as a missing item that you still can't find after three months...write it down.

Next, for all of the people that you are holding grudges with (about various things -- no matter how big or small), list them.  If you have not forgiven people, list them.  If you have not forgiven yourself, write down what those items are that you have not forgiven yourself about.

After you list your items of annoyances, grudges, and unforgiveness issues with others and/or yourself, turn the page, and list the items that you seek to accomplish in 2018.  Start with your book writing -- what will the title of your book be?

The key here is to write down all of the items above so that you can get them off your chest.

Now, let your Diary sit, because you've unloaded and what will happen next is an upbeat turn for tomorrow when we pick our Diaries back up.

OUR NEXT BLOG SESSION:

Time to come up off the bench

Peace, Love & Light

By René Allen

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

Use ART as your source of Inspiration!

Use ART as your source of Inspiration!

BLOG SESSION

July 2017

Good Evening Blog Writers, Readers, Followers & Visitors ~

We are back here for a Session that will inspire you to write your Novels, Memoirs, Poetic Works, Documentaries, Short Stories, and/or Creative Writings.

One source of inspiration is Artwork.  If you are an Artist or a Designer, then you already know how inspiring it is to create an artwork or a design that flows forth out of your spirit.

For all of us who are Writers, there is the same sense of satisfaction when we have created a literary masterpiece, be it a Novel, a short story, a Memoir, a poetic work or a book of poetry, or any other type of Creative Writing.

Taking time to look at Artworks or even taking in the scenery in your day to day travels will help to uplift our spirit.

For those of you who are Google Users, you may like to check out the following link to view beautiful Artworks created by talented and "gifted" individuals (some of whom are Followers of this Blog).  The Artworks that you will find will inspire you! . . .

Artistic Minds® Collection

After looking at a beautiful Artwork, take a moment to simply write from your soul in your Journal . . .

Journal Writing

You'll be amazed at how looking at an Artwork will inspire you to write something amazing.  Be it words of wisdom, poetry, or a short story.  Artwork has the power to move your mind to a place of creativity!

Architectural Designs, Sculptures, Paintings, Watercolors, Drawings, and Acrylic works are all sources of inspiration.

If you know an Artist or a Designer, just watching them at work is a source of inspiration.

If you are a Memoirist or seek to be a Memoirist, (a Writer who writes an autobiography or a written account of one's memory of certain events or people), then you can use photographs and written materials as your source of inspiration.  A Memoir is a historical account or biography written from personal knowledge or special sources.

Poetry comes from the soul, and most Poets write without thinking about what they are going to write.  They simply write what comes out.

All of us know about Famous Poets who have inspired Emerging Poets ~ like Edgar Allan Poe . . .

Edgar Allan Poe

1809 - 1849

Edgar Allan Poe - Poet - Born in 1809, Edgar Allan Poe had a profound impact on American and international literature as an editor, poet, and critic.  Find out more about Edgar Allan Poe by clicking on his name here . . .

Edgar Allan Poe

FAMOUS LAST WORDS and further background on Edgar Allan Poe . . .

Edgar Allan Poe:   “Lord, help my poor soul.”

No stranger to the mysterious and macabre, Edgar Allan Poe died amidst peculiar circumstances.  On October 3, 1849, Poe was found semiconscious in Baltimore wandering around in cheap, ill-fitting clothing—so ill-fitting and unusually contrasted against Poe’s usual mode of dress, in fact, that many believed Poe’s own clothes had been stolen.  Poe had left Richmond a week earlier, intending to arrive in Philadelphia; how he arrived in Baltimore was a mystery. Poe was taken to Washington College Hospital, where he spent days in varying states of delirium and unconsciousness until, on his fourth night at the hospital, he started calling loudly for a “Reynolds”—a figure who still remains a mystery.  On the morning of October 7, Poe uttered his last words, “Lord, help my poor soul” and died from what was determined to be “congestion of the brain.” However, no autopsy was performed, and Poe was buried two days later.

What is Inspiration?

Inspiration is the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.

Use your Journal Daily

Make a note of what inspires you!

Until our next Blog Session, be inspired by noticing the scenery around you, look at beautiful Artworks & Designs, and don't forget to listen to music that lifts your spirits.

Relax with Music

See you in our next Blog Session!

Peace, Love & Light,

René

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