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

Your Novel

BLOG SESSION

December 1st, 2017

Novelists it is time to visualize your Novel.  If you are planning on writing a Novel in 2018, then now is the time to start thinking about what your story is going to be about.

Here's a starter for you ~ try tossing these questions around in your head...Have you figured out the genre that your Novel will be?  Do you have a certain love for particular stories?  Are you a Poet?  Do you have an interest in Science Fiction?  Would you like to write a Memoir?  Do you have a Novel Cover in mind already?

Here is a list of items to think about this month . . .

1.  Scenes in your story

2.  Goal of your storyline

3.  Obstacles

4.  Conflicts

5.  Resolution

6.  The number of Chapters that you have in mind

7.  Characters in your story

8.  Background information on your Characters

9.  Total number of words you are aiming for

Of course, there are other items that you may like to add to this list, and you are welcome to add your comments and thoughts here on the Blog in the "Comments Section" at the end of this Blog post.

If you were here with us during the month of November while we were participating in NaNoWriMo online for National Novel Writing Month, then you may already have your next Novel in mind.

Congratulations to all Novelists who hit the 50,000 word mark and completed the journey online with your fellow Authors, Novelists, Writers, aspiring authors and emerging authors.

If by chance you did not make it to the 50,000 word mark and gave it your best shot, then you still have a great amount of writing material to work with for NaNo Summer Camp, or NaNoWriMo 2018!

If you did not happen to participate in NaNoWriMo at all this year, then it is a good opportunity for you to simply check out the website and get ready for all of the upcoming Novel Writing events ~ just click on the link above to get there.  You'll have to sign up in order to fully see all of the material available to you.

Be sure to join us back here for our next Blog Session as we discuss more about writing geared specifically for the Writer in YOU.

Enjoy your day!  

Peace, Love & Light

By René Allen

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

NaNoWriMo WINNER ~ NOVEMBER 30th, 2017

BLOG SESSION

November 30th, 2017

René Allen  ~ Author of HouseCapades

 ~ November 30th, 2017 ~ NaNoWriMo WINNER!

TOTAL WORD COUNT

50,433

Genre:  Satire/Humor

Good Morning Novelists! ~ If you have completed your 50,000 or more words this month and verified your word count online in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), and have claimed your winning goodies, then . . .

CONGRATULATIONS!

If you are still finishing up your Novel or writing project on NaNoWriMo today ~ wonderful!

Once you have completed your Novel and verified your word count of 50,000 or more words, then you will be able to claim your winning goods ~ Some of those Goodies are pictured at the beginning of today's published Blog Session.

I purposely left the Winning Certificate blank for the purposes of showing you how it looks before you insert your personal name/or pen name as Author on your Certificate, and your Novel title information, as well as your Win date.  After you have added all necessary and needful info, then you can print it out for framing!

You may also like to donate to NaNoWriMo to keep the Novelist dream alive.  Check out everything available to all participants and Winners for this year's NaNoWriMo.  There are very nice Badges that you can place on your Blog Site, Website, Facebook Page, or Twitter Page.  You may also like to shop around in The NaNoWriMo Store online and see if you'd like to purchase a wonderful NaNoWriMo 2017 Winner Shirt (there is a pre-sale going on now).  Just click on the Store link above to get there to check all commemorative items out for yourself.

Here is a peek at the design of the NaNoWriMo 2017 Winner Shirt . . .

Click here to see the shirts!

We're still having FUN, so I'll see you back here on the Blog later on Novelists!

~ Best wishes Novel Writer! ~

Peace, Love & Light

By René Allen

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

~ Novel News ~ Ready. Set. Write! ~ National Novel Writing Month

~ Novel News ~

BLOG SESSION

November 22nd, 2017

Good Evening Novelists ~ The reason why we are gathered here this evening is to have a Blog Session in which everyone can learn more great information about writing your Novel online this month.

If you are joining us for the first time, you may be here because you have already started writing your Novel this month, and you'd like to be among other Writers who are participating in National Novel Writing Month this year. We all have signed up to participate in NaNoWriMo (which stands for National Novel Writing Month), online at nanowrimo.org (click the link to sail over there).

If you have not yet signed up, please do, even if you do not think you can write your 50,000 words by the end of the month -- November 30th, 2017 -- give it a shot anyway.  Keep in mind there are also Summer Camps online wherein you can write your Novel or any other writing project that has been on your mind, including Poetry Books, Documentaries, Historical Materials, Memoirs, Diaries, Biographies, you name it, you can write it during Summer Camp.

And, let us not forget that National Novel Writing Month happens every year.  If you get started this year, and do not complete your Novel, you can always keep working on it at your leisure, and work on it some more during NaNo Summer Camp.

November 2017

Novels in Progress!

Surely, you'll be all geared up by the time National Novel Writing Month rolls around again in 2018, and you will already have your Profile set up online on NaNoWriMo.org so that you will be ready to rock & roll with the clicking of the keys come November 1st, 2018.

Don't forget to connect with others once you are adding your Novel Chapters onto NaNoWriMo for your word count.  If you have any questions, you may ask your questions online on the Site or here on the Blog, and I will assist you as best I can.  I've participated in NaNoWriMo for years, and also during NaNo Summer Camps.  Loads of fun!

You may also be interested in checking out NaNoWriMo's  . . .

Virtual Write-Ins 

(Click the above link to go to the Events Page where you will find Virtual Write-Ins going on in Video Form -- scroll down the page to view all material)

If you can’t make it to an in-person write-in, do Join us at a virtual one online ~ streamed live from NaNoWriMo HQ.  After all, writing is that much easier in the company of writers from around the world!

OUR NEXT BLOG SESSION:

How many words have you written so far?

Novelists, until our next Blog Session...

Keep your Novel ideas flowing ~

Peace, Love & Light

By René Allen

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

~ Novel News ~ Do YOU want to write a NOVEL in November?

BLOG SESSION

November 18th, 217

 ~ Novel News ~

Good Afternoon Novelists!  We're going to be discussing the information that answers the question that has been on the mind of many ~ Do YOU want to write a NOVEL in November?

If you immediately answered 'yes' to that question, then you are in the right place for a little Novel News.  If you have an interest in writing a Novel this month, then you are most likely just about to cross into the home~stretch.  November 30th will be here before you can blink ~ but don't stress.  You still have time to get your 50,000 words completed.

And, do keep in mind that you can always, and in fact will no doubt continue to work on your Novel well after the month of November has ended.

While you are working on your Novel, take a few minutes to look over the wealth of information that you will find online at . . .

INFORMATION LINKS:

Click on the above link to find information on...

1)   NaNo Prep (Planning your November Novel)

2)  Prepare for your Novel at a NaNo Event

(Virtual Write-In's and Coach Meets)

Listed Events starting Saturday, November 25th, 2017

3)  NaNo Prep Webcast: Watch the recording!

4)  NaNo Prep Webcast with author Jack Gantos:

Watch the recording!

About Jack Gantos

NaNoWriMo teamed up with Newbery Award-winning author Jack Gantos to talk about just how to write a novel, drawing inspiration from Writing Radar, Jack’s brand new writing guide.

Check out Jack’s website for more Writing Radar videos, writing tips, and information about his other books.

5)  Interact with the NaNoWriMo community.

6)  Have Questions?  Check out NaNo FAQs.

There is so much more to share with you, so be sure to join us back here on the Blog for more . . .

~ Novel News ~

Novelists, until our next Blog Session...

Keep your Novel ideas flowing ~

Peace, Love & Light

By René Allen

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

A peek at NaNoWriMo

A peek at NaNoWriMo

BLOG SESSION

November 15th, 2017

Good Morning Novelists ~ Welcome to another glorious day to work on and write another page-turning chapter of your Novel ~ As we all step back in here to enjoy our Blog Session, those here online with us include Writers, Readers, Poets, Short Story Writers, Novelists, Journalists, Film Writers, Playwrights, Creative Writers, aspiring authors, emerging authors, published Authors, Blog Followers and many new Visitors to our exciting Blog Sessions.  We're all here because we are participating online as we write our Novels during the month of November and/or to work on another writing project that we have been toying around with for a while.

We are also participating in National Novel Writing Month this month (November 2017).  Our vehicle to do this amazing 50,000 words writing of our Novel is online with a host of other people who have the same idea.  In this fabulous month of November, we join others with like mind doing the same sort of writing over on NaNoWriMo.org

If you have not heard of this wonderful event that goes on each year, just remember to grab your cup of coffee, your laptop, a couple of ink pens, and a tear~off brick of notepaper to take notes, because you are about to take a peek into NaNoWriMo . . .

NaNoWriMo.org

If you would like to hear more about the experience of Participants of NaNoWriMo, please check out the following link . . .

NaNoWriMo ~ Participants discuss why

they participate, and why they donate to

this worthy cause.

If you are one of the Writers joining us on the Blog today, then you are probably one of the many here who have been saying to theirself that they would definitely like to write a Novel in November . . .

...well here is your chance!

Join us for our next Blog Session for more...

 ~ Novel News ~

Friends, until our next Blog Session...

Keep your Novel ideas flowing ~

and be sure to sign up here on the Blog

to "Follow by Email" so that you will

receive a timely publication of our Blog Session

(Look in the right-hand column for the link to sign up to follow by email).

Peace, Love & Light

By René Allen

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

Writers Write When You Are Comfortable

Writers Write When You Are Comfortable

BLOG SESSION

November 10th, 2017

As you think about writing your Novel dear Novelist, keep in mind a very comfortable space for you to sit down and write what comes to you.  Let your mind be open to receive words, thoughts, visuals, and inspirational insight that can be included in your Novel writing.  Bits and pieces give you a good roadmap from which to expand upon.

If you have several ideas for several Novels that seem to keep nagging at you, do take time to write your ideas down on paper.  You'll find that the right time to work on your ideas will come, and at that time your ideas will blossom and your ink will flow out onto your paper producing the story that you alone were meant to write.  You could not possibly imagine your story right out, and you will not believe the results of all of your various ideas until your Novel writing is completed.

Notepad to capture your ideas

It is vital that you carry a nice notepad with you wherever you go so that you can write down the ideas that come to you during your daily travels.

Putting your thoughts on paper is one step closer to getting your Novel typed up.  Some Writers prefer to write their complete Novel on paper, while other Writers prefer to type their Novel up from beginning to end -- including all thoughts, notes, ideas, and inspirational insight.

The Typewriter

The typewriter is a Novelist's best friend.  Be sure to place your typewriter or computer in a space that is both comfortable and inspiring.  Your typing space should call out to you to 'relax and let your writing flow'.

Everyone has their own way of doing things.  Of course, the Novelist is not exempt from personal directives.  As long as your passion to write is nourished, you will find no problem getting to work writing the Novel that has been placed in your heart to write.

Enjoy your writing journey, because you'll find that the journey that you are now on will open doors that you could never have imagined.  Many surprises are in store for you, so keep writing!

OUR NEXT BLOG SESSION:

About Editing

Friends, until our next Blog Session...

Keep your Novel ideas flowing ~

Peace, Love & Light

By René Allen

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

Thinking about writing a Sci-Fi Novel?

Thinking about writing a Sci-Fi Novel?

BLOG SESSION

November 5th, 2017

Novelist, are you ready to put your hand to writing a Sci-Fi Novel?  Well, if so, then we are going to talk a little about writing Science Fiction here on the Blog today.  Novelists, Writers, Authors, and Sci-Fi enthusiasts, get your notepads, and get ready to write! . . .

Sci-Fi Notes

Science Fiction has become more popular than ever these days!  Writing science fiction can be challenging, exciting, and complex depending upon where you intend to take your Readers with your sci-fi adventure.

The first thing you need to do if you are planning to write a Sci-Fi Novel this month is to get busy with your research, if you have not already done so.

Public imagination and curiosity fuel the desire for exciting Sci-Fi Novels.  Just so that you have a framework in mind, note that Science Fiction frequently builds upon the scientific developments that have already captured public imagination and attention.  You'll do well to turn to current scientific developments to gather further information to help you along your way with writing your Novel.

While doing your research, remember to make a note of the scientific developments that capture your attention.  If you are interested and captivated by what you find during your research, then you'll probably have a lot of other people who too have the same interest as you do!

As an Author, Novelist, Writer, you'll need to have a story that people will be excited to read ~ thus let us not forget the design of your Book and/or Novel Cover dear Novelists and Authors.  Remember many people are first attracted to a Book because of the design of the cover or their attraction to it.  If you can see a particular scene in your head for your Novel cover, draw it out and work with it artistically speaking, and see what you come up with.  There are plenty of images that can help you to get your mind flowing in the direction of the content of your Sci-Fi Novel . . .

Science Fiction Images

~ help to give you ideas for your Novel ~

Take a good look at some of the Science Fiction books at the Bookstore.  Read a few of them, and be sure to check out the design of the Book Covers.  Let the content and look of the Science Fiction books inspire you.

There are plenty of good examples of Science Fiction books, and if you are interested in writing Science Fiction, then you have probably read some of the best Sci-Fi out there.  When you get inspired after reading some of the classics in the area of Sci-Fi, you'll notice that you will find yourself building up enthusiasm and you'll be more eager to write the Sci-Fi Novel that you have been longing to write.

When you read other Novels in the genre that you are interested in writing in, you will find that you will discover what works and what does not work when writing a Novel that you'd like your Readers to not want to put down.

In particular, Sci-Fi Novels usually look and/or sound  a certain way.  You can decide to stick to the same aesthetics or break free from them totally.

If you are a Sci-Fi Reader, then you have probably read, "Dune", "The Handmaid's Tale", and/or "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy".

You should also check out other genres of Science Fiction as well.  Please note that Sci-Fi is a very unique and complex genre that includes many sub-genres.  You may want to check out hard science fiction, soft science fiction, steampunk, space opera, cyberpunk, and post apocalyptic.

As you think about writing your Sci-Fi Novel, remember that you can package your Novel in a different way.  For instance, think about the background of the Novel, 'Dune' by Frank Herbert.  Dune is a 1965 epic science fiction novel by American Author Frank Herbert, originally published as two separate serials in Analog magazine.  It tied with Roger Zelazny's, 'This Immortal' for the Hugo Award in 1966.  And, Dune also won the inaugural Nebula Award for Best Novel.  It is the first installment of the Dune saga, and in 2003 was cited as the world's best-selling science fiction novel.

Please note that Dune is a classic sci-fi novel that is really about post-WWII conflict in the Middle East, and the story is told in such a way that it makes it easier for the Reader of this modern day to understand the point of view of the desert people, and the desert life.

We can't wait to see what you are going to come up with for your Sci-Fi Novel.  If you any thoughts, comments or words to share with us here on the Blog, remember you are always welcomed to do so in the "Comments Section" at the bottom of every one of our Blog Sessions.

When we come back, there will be a surprise subject matter for you dear Novelist . . .

Voilà ! . . .

F R I E N D S

Until Our Next Blog Session ~

Write, write, and write some more!

Peace, Love & Light

By René Allen

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