The Writer's Comfort Levels ~ PART 16(b) ~ "Anger" ~ Extended Version [Self Assessment]

The Writer's Comfort Levels

PART 16(b)

"Anger"

Extended Version

[Self Assessment]

BLOG SESSION

February 13th, 2018

Welcome back Blog Readers, Writers, Followers & Visitors ~  We will be continuing our Blog Session today with an extended version of The Writer's Comfort Levels in connection with the emotion of "Anger".

The reason we will share a touch more on "anger" with everyone here today is so that everyone may also gain a clear assessment of where they stand as it relates to the emotion of "anger" within self (personally).

Many of us never stop to assess if we may possibly have an "anger management" problem.

So if you would, please grab your Journal for this Session so that you may have notes readily available for further review at a later time when you can sit down with yourself...

Journal Notes

"Anger"

Self Assessment

As we discussed in our last Blog Session, in order to come to terms with an anger management problem that you may be facing, you must first determine the difference between simply being upset or having a real anger management problem.  Being upset also has various levels.  While some people may have prolonged bouts of being in an emotional "upset" state of mind, others may be extremely upset for a very short period of time.  You must know yourself to truly and honestly determine where you stand personally when it comes to anger control/management.

Being upset and fuming within yourself is a lot different from being upset and throwing things around, or punching holes in walls with your fists.

Being upset in an adult way wherein you are able to express your feelings calmly and succinctly is quite different from being upset with the frame of mind of a two (2) year old and throwing temper tantrums.

Temper Tantrum in progress

Children at the age of two (2) years old often have temper tantrums and melt~downs during their second year of life because it is a time when language skills are starting to develop.  Because toddlers can't yet say what they want, feel, or need, a frustrating experience may cause a tantrum.  As language skills improve, tantrums tend to decrease.  [Now some of you are raising you eyebrows because you are thinking of a person who throws temper tantrums, but they are not two years old]...which leads to another area:  Maturity.

As we mentioned in our last Blog Session, if you think that you may have an anger management problem, it is important to seek the help of a trained medical professional.

Let us do an anger management assessment. . .

Take a moment to check yourself in the following areas:

1)  Do you get mad over little things?

      If you get upset over inconsequential things, like being

      cut off in traffic by another driver, or having to wait for

      an elevator ~ then you are likely to have an "anger

      problem".

2)  Do you interrupt people when they are talking?

       Angry people tend to be impatient people.  Often they

       have trouble waiting for others to finish what they are

       saying.  And even when they are able to let the other

       person talk, they might not actually be listening to them.

       They may just be pretending to hear them, and faking

       their listening.

3)  Are you a complainer?

      People who spend a lot of time complaining about the

      transgressions or shortcomings of other people may have

      an anger problem.  [Please Note:  Some angry people

      may rant and rave about politics, others rant and rave

      about sports, others complain about the Block Club

      Members, still some others complain incessantly about

      family members or friends, but make no mistake about it

      ~ the venom comes from the same source ~ Anger.

4)  Are you holding a grudge?

       Relationships suffer when someone has trouble

       forgiving someone who has wronged him or her in the

       past.  Here is where you need to make a note in your

       Journal that people who have "anger" issues often have

       trouble doing just that ~ forgiving...Instead, they 

       continue to re-experience the frustration, pain, hurt, and

       resentment each time they recall the wrong -- whether

       perceived or real.

5)  Do you find yourself getting hot or red in the

      face?

       Getting hot can make your face red ~ and that goes for

       emotional "heat" as well as hot temperatures as measured

       on a thermometer.  Anger can also cause laborious

       breathing, fidgeting, and even pacing back and forth.

       Anger clearly affects the body as well as the mind.  In

       fact, numerous studies have shown that angry people are

       more likely to have high blood pressure and to suffer a

       stroke or heart attack.

6)  Are you overly sensitive?

      Angry people are quick to take offense.  Comments that

      others might laugh off can get under the skin of someone 

      who has an angry disposition.  Some people with an anger

      "problem" are hyper vigilant, always waiting for others to

       screw up.

7)  Are you Cold-Hearted?

      Angry people tend not to be very compassionate or

      empathetic.  Some take pleasure in the misfortune of 

      others ~ a phenomenon known as *schadenfreude.

      And some are quick to condemn and slow to praise.

      *NOTE:  Schadenfreude is a feeling of enjoyment that

       comes from seeing or hearing about the troubles of other

       people.

For the sake of Anger Management...

Get your Journal out

Write down all the things that upset you.

Then turn the page ~

Breathe ~ and write down . . .

All the things you are grateful for.

OUR NEXT BLOG SESSION: 

(Will resume as normally scheduled)

The Writer's Comfort Levels

PART 17

"Disgust"

~ See you in our next Blog Session! ~

Peace, Love & Light

By René Allen

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

The Writer's Comfort Levels ~ PART 13 ~ "Fear"

The Writer's Comfort Levels

PART 13

"Fear"

BLOG SESSION

February 9th, 2018

We're all here for another fabulous Blog Session relative to the 13th emotion on our list of 21 emotions ~  we'll be covering the emotion of of "Fear" today in our series about The Writer's Comfort Levels.

When it comes to dealing with fear, we first need to go over the description of what fear is . . .

FEAR is a feeling induced by perceived danger or threat that occurs in certain types of organisms, which causes a change in metabolic and organ functions and ultimately a change in behavior, such as fleeing, hiding, or freezing from perceived traumatic events.  Fear in human beings may occur in response to a specific stimulus occurring in the present, or in anticipation or expectation of a future threat perceived as a risk to body or life.  The fear response arises from the perception of danger leading to confrontation with or escape from/avoiding the threat (also known as the fight-or-flight response), which in extreme cases of fear (horror and terror) can be a freeze response or paralysis.

In humans and animals, fear is modulated by the process of cognition and learning.  Thus fear is judged as rational (appropriate) or irrational (inappropriate).  An irrational fear is called a phobia.

Irrational Fear (Phobia)

Some fears are very much rational

(As in escaping from a killer)

Psychologists such as John B. Watson, Robert Plutchik, and Paul Ekman have suggested that there is only a small set of basic or innate emotions and that fear is one of them.  This hypothesized set includes such emotions as acute stress reaction, anger, angst, anxiety, fright, horror, joy, panic, and sadness.

Fear is closely related to, but should definitely be distinguished from, the emotion of anxiety, which occurs as the result of threats that are perceived to be uncontrollable or unavoidable.  The fear response serves survival by generating appropriate behavioral responses, therefore it has been preserved throughout evolution.

Fear can be learned by experiencing or watching a frightening traumatic accident.  For example, if a child falls into a well and struggles to get out, he or she may develop a fear of wells, heights (acrophobia), enclosed spaces (claustrophobia), or water (aquaphobia).  There are studies looking at areas of the brain that are affected in relation to fear.  When looking at these areas (such as the amygdala), it was proposed that a person learns to fear regardless of whether they themselves have experienced trauma, or if they have observed the fear in others.

In a study completed by Andreas Olsson, Katherine I. Nearing and Elizabeth A. Phelps the amygdala were affected both when subjects observed someone else being submitted to an aversive event, knowing that the same treatment awaited themselves, and when subjects were subsequently placed in a fear-provoking situation.  This suggests that fear can develop in both conditions, not just simply from personal history.

Fear of the unknown . . .

Fear of the unknown or irrational fear is caused by negative thinking (worry), which arises from anxiety accompanied with a subjective sense of apprehension or dread.

Irrational fear shares a common neural pathway with other fears ~ a pathway that engages the nervous system to mobilize bodily resources in the face of danger or threat. Many people are scared of the "unknown".  The irrational fear can branch out to many areas such as the hereafter, the next ten years or even tomorrow.  Chronic irrational fear has deleterious effects since the elicitor stimulus is commonly absent or perceived from delusions.  In these cases specialists use False Evidence Appearing Real as a definition.  Such fear can create comorbidity with the anxiety disorder umbrella.

About comorbidity ~ In medicine, comorbidity is the presence of one or more additional diseases or disorders co-occurring with (that is, concomitant or concurrent with) a primary disease or disorder; in the countable sense of the term, a comorbidity (plural comorbidities) is each additional disorder or disease.  The additional disorder may be a behavioral or mental disorder.

Being scared may cause people to experience anticipatory fear of what may lie ahead rather than planning and evaluating for the same.  For example, "continuation of scholarly education" is perceived by many educators as a risk that may cause them fear and stress, and they would rather teach things they've been taught than go and do research. This perception by educators can lead to habits such as laziness and procrastination.  The ambiguity of situations that tend to be uncertain and unpredictable can cause anxiety in addition to other psychological and physical problems in some populations; especially those who engage it constantly, for example, in war-ridden places or in places of conflict, terrorism, abuse, etc.

Fearful Baby

PLEASE NOTE:  Poor parenting that instills fear can also debilitate a child's psyche development or personality.  Scaring children verbally, physically, mentally, or emotionally is abusive.  Allowing your child to be bullied is an example of poor parenting -- (bullying by other family members or school classmates).

Another example of poor parenting skills:  Parents tell their children not to talk to strangers in order to protect them.  In school they would be motivated to not show fear in talking with strangers, but to be assertive and also aware of the risks and the environment in which it takes place -- Be aware that ambiguous and mixed messages like this can affect their self-esteem and self-confidence.  Researchers say talking to strangers isn't something to be thwarted but allowed in a parent's presence if required.  Developing a sense of equanimity to handle various situations is often advocated as an antidote to irrational fear and as an essential skill by a number of ancient philosophies.

If you are writing a self-help book, or planning to write a self-help book, dealing with the topic of "irrational fear" may possibly be a good area for you to explore.

"Irrational Fear"

There are various fears and phobias that we will not cover completely today, but you are encouraged to do further research on the emotion of "fear" and to look into the various phobias associated with fear for the purposes of your future writings.

Until our next Blog Session, enjoy your week dear Writers ~

The Writer's Comfort Levels

PART 14

"Hate"

Peace, Love & Light

By René Allen

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

How to write from the heart

How to write from the heart

BLOG SESSION

December 26th, 2017

Welcome back Writers, Poets, Artists, Blog Readers, Followers & Visitors ~ It is time for another informative Blog Session.  If you are new to our Blog, please be sure to Bookmark our Blog now.  Also, if you have not already done so, please be sure to sign up to "Follow by Email" by looking over in the right-hand column and typing in your email address in the space provided, and then click the "Submit" button.  You will then receive each Blog Session as it is published.

If you were here for our last Blog Session, as you'll remember, we went over how to decorate your Journal so that you will be inspired to use it, and get busy with writing your book for 2018.  If you do not want to take the time to decorate your Journal or make your Journal, you can always purchase a Journal that is already decorated.  There are beautiful Designer Journals that will appeal to your taste, and all you have to do is shop around for the perfect one for you.

You may review any prior session by scrolling down at the end of this current Blog Session to see the past few Sessions, or you may look over in the right-hand column, and take a look in our "Blog Archive" to pick any of the Sessions you may have missed or that you may be interested in reviewing.

Another resource that may be helpful for you is to get involved not only with writing groups, but also artistic communities where you can be inspired by the artworks, writings, and ideas that are shared.  You are welcome to visit the many Friends that are Artists, Authors, Poets, Photographers, Designers, and Creatives of various backgrounds possessing multiple talents in our associated Artistic Minds® Community.  Many of the members of our associated Google community are also Blog Followers here.  You'll be inspired by what you find in the community, and you are certainly invited to join the community by using the link to get there so that you may sign up (click the "Ask to Join" button).

Our Session for today is about how to learn to write from the heart.

How to write from the heart

If you have your Journal out, please grab your ink pen and get ready to take notes on today's Session.

The first thing you'll need to remember is that writing from the heart is about being true to yourself.  You'll have to have a good long talk with yourself about what kind of writing you are going to be doing.  Are you going to be writing a fiction novel?  Or would you rather write a Memoir?  Do you want to write a self-help book, a documentary, or a Science Fiction Novel?  Would you prefer to write a Mystery, a detective story or a Crime Novel?  Maybe you prefer to write a book of poetry...

A good way to engage with yourself is to purchase a Diary...

Diary

If you already have a Diary, that is good news.  If you do not yet have a Diary, now is a good time to get one so that you will be ready for the upcoming year.

The benefit of using your Diary on a daily basis is that you will learn a great deal about yourself.  Not only will you be more in touch with the activities that are taking place in your life, you will also be more in touch with your emotions, feelings, hopes & dreams.

Your heart's desires are important.  Learning how to write from the heart is also important.  When you write from your heart, your writing will contain emotion and passion.  Your writing will be moving, whether you are writing a drama, a comedy, a mystery, or a tragic story.  You must feel what you write.  Your writing has to be both engaging and believable.

Your readers should enjoy reading what you write

If you would like to go a step further, it is a good idea to also have a personal Journal dedicated to what the book you wish to write will entail.  You can use your personal Journal to keep track of the notes in relation to your book/novel.  The activity that takes place in your Journal will keep you engaged in the story that is inside of you waiting to be told in book form.  Your personal Journal about your book/novel will help you to keep all of your ideas in relation to your story in one place.  You can work on the Introduction, Synopsis, list of characters, chapter notes, story location notes, scenes, character interactions, background on each character, the plot, conflicts, and any other information specific to the book you intend to write.

Be sure to keep an eye toward making sure that the look of your personal Journal is inviting and inspiring so that you will be more than willing to write in it on a daily basis.  A dull looking Journal will not be motivating, so do get something that will motivate you to pick it up and write in it...

Decorative Personal Journal

(For your Book/Novel Notes)

Writing from the heart starts with you ~ your thoughts ~ your feelings ~ your emotions ~ your dreams ~ your passions ~ your hopes ~ your struggles ~ your challenges ~ and your faith.

Your Readers await, so please be sure to join us for our next engaging Blog Session!

OUR NEXT BLOG SESSION:

How do I write if I feel sad and depressed?

Peace, Love & Light

By René Allen

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

Let's Learn ~ What's the difference?

Novels ~ Novelettes ~ Flash Fiction

Novellas ~  Micro Fiction ~ Short Stories

What’s the difference?

Welcome back all Writers, Authors, Aspiring Authors, Emerging Authors, Film Writers, Journalists, Creative Writers, Editors, and Poets ~ We are here for another informative Blog Session!

For everyone who is new to our Blog, please take a moment to Bookmark this Blog, and to also "Follow by Email" so that you do not miss any Blog Sessions.  You will be able to follow by email over in the far right column under my eyeball...just add your email address and click "Submit".

Another note for new Blog Followers, be sure to pick up a nice Journal so that you may take notes each time you visit the Blog.  Decorative Journals are nice, and you may also create your own decorative journal if you are artistic and creative...

Journal Notes

Today's Session is going to dive into the topic of Novels, Novelettes, Flash Fiction, Novellas, Micro Fiction & Short Stories.  We are going to find out what the difference is between them...

In short, the difference between them is length.

Another important point is that every Publisher and Editor has their own guidelines on lengths.  Before you write for a submissions call or submit to a publisher, check to see what category you fall into, and what length that particular publisher is looking for.  Do your research.

Here are some rough guidelines for the lengths of each category...

Micro fiction

500 words or less.  There are specific categories within this, including six-word stories and 100-word stories, and a host of other names – you might have come across ‘sudden fiction’, ‘short short story’ and ‘immediate fiction’.

Flash Fiction

500 – 1000 words, but ‘flash’ often includes micro fiction too, so it’s usually anything below 1000 words.  If in doubt, check the submission guidelines or with the Publisher.

Short Stories

Usually between 2,000 and 10,000 words.  Most publishers prefer 3,000 – 8,000 words, so aiming for the 4-5k mark is pretty safe.

Novelette

Approximately 8000 – 20,000 words.  Essentially, novelettes fall into the gap between short stories and novellas.  They are a pretty new category, and you’ll likely have a hard time publishing these if you don’t already have a market.

Novella

20,000 to 50,000 words, with the usual aim for length being 40,000 words.  Novellas used to be a hard sell but they have grown in popularity over the last five years.

Novel

50,000 to 150,000 words.  You can aim higher, but you’re likely to end up with a book more suited to being an Epic Novel, and it will have to be extremely fascinating!  If you’re hitting the 200k mark or above, consider splitting the book into two, or writing a series.

Ideally, you want to aim for 80 – 100k words for a standard Novel, which roughly equates to the 300-page books you see on fiction shelves.

Today's Writing Tips

• Carry around a Journal or Notebook to catch ideas as they come up.  For example, plot ideas, or interesting names for characters.  Keep it by your bed at night as well.  The mind is often best at free association when it is on the edge of sleep.
• Consider an App for your smart phone or tablet that will allow you to enter notes for your story.
• Also consider carrying around a Photo Album to capture the perfect scenes that you come across in your daily travels that inspire you to write your story.  Place your photos of scenes that you come across that will help you to keep your mind on your story, and be inspired.

Until Our Next Blog Session . . .

~ Sit and enjoy the scenery ~

Enjoy some ART this weekend...

Artistic Minds®

Peace, Love & Light,

René

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