What does being a Writer mean to you?

What does being a Writer mean to you?

BLOG SESSION

April 22nd, 2018

Welcome back Writers!  Today's Blog Session is just for you specifically.

Grab your Journal, because what we will talk about today will be something that you will need for the writing that you will be doing in the years ahead ~ mainly because that is who you are -- a Writer.

Journal Notes

As you take a moment to think about what it is that you truly want to write about, you will no doubt come up with a subject matter that is close to your heart.  Whatever that subject matter is, please take a moment to write it down in your Journal.  You may have several areas of interest that are close to your heart -- if so, please write all of those areas down in your Journal.

The subject matters that you cherish connect with certain genres.  If you already know what those genres are, also write them down in your Journal.  If you are unsure about the genres that tie into your area of writing interest, take the time to do your research on Literary Genres.  Here is a good place for you to start when it comes to research on Genres...

LITERARY GENRES LINK:

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_writing_genres 

You'll find many other places online where you can learn more about all of the Literary Genres.  Don't forget to list the links in your Journal that you use to do your research.  You'll do doubt refer back to those links from time to time.

Doing your Research

Doing your research will help you to answer the question that this Session is about:  What does being a Writer mean to you?

Being a Writer branches off into many different areas.  You may be interested in writing Novels.  There are a host of genres that cover Novels.  Be sure to research the genre(s) that you are interested in.

You may be interested in becoming a Script Writer.  If so, Script Writing is an area that calls for specific research on the proper format to use for writing Scripts.

Another area that many writers are interested in is Memoirs.  You could be a Writer who has had a dream to write a Memoir.  A Memoir is a historical account or Biography written from personal knowledge or special sources.

If a Memoir is an area in which you are interested in, please take time to read some of the Best Selling Memoirs such as:

1)  The Diary of Anne Frank (The Diary of a Young Girl)

2)  Barbara Bush:  A Memoir

3)  A Higher Loyalty:  Truth, Lies, and Leadership by James Comey

Biographies and Autobiographies

The key way in which Biographies and Autobiographies differ is in their Author.  A Biography is written about a person by someone else, while an Autobiography is written about a person by that person.

It should be noted in your Journal that both Biographies and Autobiographies provide essential information about their subject.

Documentary

You may be interested in writing a Documentary.  A Documentary is a movie, television, or radio program that provides a factual record or report.

You may want to check out the following link if you are interested in writing a Documentary...

TOP DOCUMENTARY FILMS

Searching your soul, and doing your research will help you to answer our question posed for today ~ What does being a Writer mean to you?

We'll see you in our next Blog Session Writer!

OUR NEXT BLOG SESSION:

About Poetry

Peace, Love & Light

By René Allen

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

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

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

Creative Scroll Project!

BLOG SESSION

August 3rd, 2017

Creative Scroll Project!

Good Afternoon Blog Readers, Followers & Visitors ~  This Blog Session is for all Authors, Novelists, Journalists, Aspiring Authors, Emerging Authors, Poets, and Creative Writers with ink.  If you are a Writer of any genre, or an Artist of any medium, then this Blog Session is for you too!

In fact, you'll enjoy this Blog Session no matter what your background is, or what you may think you are capable of creating or doing.

Today we are going to discuss how to get busy doing a Creative Scroll Project.  It is not common for people to be running around creating Scrolls, which is the very reason why we are going to do it!

First off, since we always come here to the Blog Session with our Journals in hand, you may want to get yours out at this point to take notes . . .

Creative Journals with pen & pencil holders

The reason why I am showcasing the above Journals is because it will put your mind into the zone of a Scroll.  In our last Blog Session there was a nice large Scroll for you to see so that you could begin to visualize doing something a little different from the norm...

Creative Scroll Project

Now the Scroll that you see above can be purchased, or if you are creative, it can be made.  Remember the old fashioned Scrolls that you have no doubt seen at some point in your life? . . .

Old Fashioned Scroll

Let's go over a little history lesson about Scrolls . . .

For centuries, people used paper scrolls to document information, much in the same way we use sheets of paper to document information today.  Scrolls were used for centuries in countries like China, Egypt, and Greece.  Whether you want to make a Scroll just to find out if you have it in you to do something unique, or you really think that you may like making Scrolls as a new hobby for yourself, it is worth checking this out.  Just for the sake of getting into the Literary Spirit and having some Writer's Fun, we are going to learn something new today.  The process is simple.  All you have to do is choose a type of paper and consider adding text or drawings.  If you want to make an ancient-looking scroll, you can age your paper with a tea or coffee stain.

Scroll Writers, here is what you need to do to get started with this great Creative Scroll Project:

1.   Do your Research

      Start by researching different scrolls.  In this new day and age, there is a wonderful tool out called the internet.  And there is also a Site called youtube, where you can find out anything, and learn anything.  Isn't that wonderful!

       Researching different types of scrolls will help you to decide how you want your personal scroll to look.  Check out all of the different types of scrolls online, and then see if any of the scrolls inspire you.  If you find that a particular type of scroll captures your attention, and you like the look of it, go with it!

2.   Next, make a decision

       Decide whether you want your scroll to look modern or ancient.  If you decide to go with the ancient look, then consider ageing your paper (use coffee or tea).

       If you would like to have your scroll look totally different from what you see online, then you can make a unique and innovative scroll.  You may also decide to combine various features that you like in the scrolls that you see when you do your research, and come up with a very unique and personal scroll that means the world to you!

3.   Next step, select your paper

       Choose the type of paper that you would like to use for your scroll.  You can use colorful construction paper, drawing paper, or plain printed paper.  All of these type papers can be aged later by soaking them in coffee or tea if you are going for the "ancient look".

        You can also consider using large brown paper bags for your scroll if you are going for the aged look.  If you use the brown paper bags, then you can forego the tea and coffee staining.  You will need to cut a rectangle shape out of the large brown paper bag, and use it as your form to make more rectangles to piece together.

         Using multiple pieces of paper, and taping them together to make an extra-long scroll will work just fine for your scroll project.

         Another genius idea for your scroll project is to mix and match different colors and/or papers ~ just make sure that each piece of paper that you use is the exact same size.

         Now, if you really feel like you want to get extra special with this fun scroll project, then try using papyrus like the ancient Egyptians did!

4.   Moving on to the next step ~ Decide what you want to write and/or draw on your scroll 

        Just remember that Scrolls were traditionally used to document information, history, and to tell stories.  Scrolls were also used as decorative literary displays.

        If you do Bible Studies on a daily or weekly basis, you may want to use your Scroll for recording your Bible Studies.

        If you are a Researcher, you may want to use your Scroll to record your Research Studies.

        If you are an Artist, your Scroll may be the perfect tool for your artistic creations.

        If you are a Fashion Designer, what a perfect idea and great instrument for you to lay out all of your latest fashion designs ~ Your Fashion Scroll!

        Of course Interior Designers will love the idea of a Scroll as well.

         Do you have an idea for a decorative new lay~out for your home or office?  Maybe a nice Scroll can be just the thing to get your ideas flowing.

         If your Drawings could use a new form of display to make your artistic creations jump out ~ Try a Scroll.  Animator?  Try a Scroll.  Graphic Designer?  Try a scroll!

5.   Be Innovative with your Scroll Ideas

       Try your hand at an Egyptian inspired scroll using hieroglyphics (the ancient form of Egyptian writing).

       You may also want to use your scroll for your language studies if you are studying foreign languages.

        Are you a World Traveler?  If so, you may want to use your scroll to map out your travels.

6.   Mystery Writer ~ try something new!

       If you are a Mystery Writer, you may want to use a scroll for your latest story.

7.    Are you into calligraphy?

        If so, what a perfect way for you to use your talent ~ on your scroll!  Use different colour inks to make your scroll interesting.

There's a lot more to making a Scroll, and we will go over more inspirational tips about our Creative Scroll Project in our next Blog Session.

Friends, Writers, Artists and Creatives ~ See you in our next Session with your Journal ready for more note taking!      

Be ready with your Journal in hand for our next Blog Session!

Peace, Love & Light,

By René Allen

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

Writers interested in Science Fiction

Writers interested in Science Fiction

BLOG SESSION

July 2017

Good Evening Writers ~ We are back for more about writing Science Fiction.

Top Tips on writing Science Fiction

• Read lots of science fiction.  As with any kind of writing, the best way to learn how to do it is to read it.  Classic science fiction writers include H.G. Wells, Ray Bradbury, and Arthur C. Clarke.  You probably have your favorite science fiction writers if you read a lot of science fiction Novels.

• Do your homework.  Learn about the real science and technology that is related to the imaginary world you are creating.


• Create an ordered universe.  Figure out the rules of your imaginary worlds ahead of time, and follow those rules consistently.


• Make it feel real.  You are inviting readers to visit an alternate reality.  They will want to be able to see, hear, feel, smell, and even taste what it's like.  Whether your Novel's about a world without disease or an undiscovered planet in another galaxy, help your readers feel like they're actually there.  Read up on how you can use specific detail to make your writing come to life. 

Become your Character

When you think about your Character, you must learn how to become your Character.  Feel the feelings that your main character is feeling.  If your main character has any specific personality quirks, make sure that you research those quirks.  What if your main character had an issue about certain color lights.  What if your main character could not walk to the right, only to the left.  Maybe your main character has issues with pronouncing certain words.  Get into the inner workings of your character.  Maybe your character has childhood issues that were never resolved.  Whatever the case may be, just really make sure that the reader can feel your character to the point of having empathy when and where needed.

If you need to, get images that will help you to actually visualize the places in your Novel.  If you are artistic, draw your scenes out to help you to embody your Novel.

The most important tip for all Writers who are writing Science Fiction ~ Use your imagination to the fullest!

Take your Reader on a Journey

Here are some basic ideas for Science Fiction Novels:

• Imagine the world in the future.


• Imagine the end of the world.


• Imagine that an actual important historical event had gone differently.


• Think of an existing technology, then imagine what would happen if it were taken much further.


• Imagine a new invention that would change the world.


• Imagine that time travel is possible.


• Imagine life on another planet.


• Imagine a new species of super-humans.


• Imagine extraterrestrials coming to earth.


• Change an existing law of the universe.

• Image Artificial Intelligence gone awry.

Final Tip for Today:  Think way ~ way ~ outside of the box.  Give your Science Fiction Novel a jolt by using your imagination like never before.  Amazing things happen when you write outside of reality as we think it to be.

Take a Journey outside of your mind then write.

Until our next Blog Session friends ~

Peace, Love & Light,

René

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