Whether you devour words daily and spout them forth on paper, or whether you simply like reading a good book every now again, all readers have at some point encountered that one story, or maybe several, that changed them. We are forever thankful for those stories. Perhaps they influenced your writing style, or even altered the way you think and act when it comes to daily life. I thought I wouuld share with ya'll some of the books I am most thankful for, which seemed especially pivotal at the time I read them. Enjoy!
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S Lewis. This was the first book I fell in love with. Yes, you CAN fall in love with stories, sometimes much more easily than you can fall in love with people. I remember starting it one week day night when I was seven. The next day I brought it to school to read between classes or when the teacher wasn't looking. When my mother picked me up I was standing outside my elementary reading the last chapter. I especially identified with Lucy, and for many years after I would day dream of and pretend I lived in Narnia. A part of me still belives that somewhere a magic wardrobe does exist, and all I have to do is tread through it with faith to find Narnia.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. I bought this book when I was ten years old, and read it aloud to my mother. As someone with no sisters who has always longed for them, that book enhanced my thirst while at the same time quencing it. The way the March sisters lovingly related to each other and practically approached their problems showed me at a young age how much more enjoyable life could be if I approached it with a thankful persepctive instead of focusing on the petty things. I've never really identitifed with the modern culture of teeange girls who seem permanently preoccupied with fashion, boys and the latest Starbucks drinks. The March sisters demonstrated how to enjoy the material things while never forgetting what was truly important. Furhtermore, Jo March mirrored me exactly, even down to the fine physical details. It's a little creepy.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Now this is kind of a weird one, considering this book is quite the downer. I read it for the first time when I was 14, and didn't fully understand it. Even so, the writing is beautiful and I remain in awe of Fitzgerald's clever cadence and knack for creating one-liners that stick with you even after one reading. Yes, all the characters are selfish and not all of them get what they deserve, but the fact that a book which leaves such a bad taste in your mouth could also remain so cherished, taught me a valuable lesson. Classic stories are not necessarily the most happy ones, or the ones that satisfy the reader. On the contrary they cause you to reflect, and maybe shake your head at the story.
What books are you thankful for? Let me know in the comments!
Taking a Break from Writing
14 November 2013
For these next couple of weeks, I will be taking a break from writing in my book. I've recently completed the second draft, so I'm taking a leave of absence in order to be able to look at my manuscript with fresh eyes. And what am I doing in the meantime? A couple of things, but mainly, reading.
Yes, I read all the time anyways, but now I'm reading with more intention. For example, currently I'm reading Huckleberry Finn, and revisiting To Kill a Mockingbird. Why? Well I'm so glad you asked. In order to better understand first person, I will be reading and studying those famous books written in first person voice. If you need to take a break from writing, I would encourage you to spend that time in reading books that are similar to your story.
And what else?
I'm doing a lot of observing, and day dreaming-two things I am very good at. As romantic minded people, writers oftentimes find more romance and story material when we isolate ourselves from the indulgent outlet of writing. What I mean to say is, seperating yourself from the creative and imaginative process of writing, will force you to channel those same strengths into daily life. Let me give you an example.
A few days ago, my friend and I watched the BBC version of Great Expectations. It was fanastic by the way. And it just so happened the actor who played Pip (Douglass Booth) is jaw-droppingly gorgeous. Okay, you caught me red handed. I can be a giddy teenage girl sometimes, but I would wager than few women would be able to keep their cool around that face. (Can you tell I have a little crush on him?) Consequently, whilst reading Huckleberry Finn and occasionally thinking about Pip's beautiful face, a story began to form in my mind. That which I read and that which I thought about melded together and gave me an idea which I have been excitedly mulling over ever since. It's been a while since something like that has happened.
While writing regularly is wise and advisable, writing incessantly can drain the very thing you are attempting to sharpen. Therefore I would encourage you to step back for a little while and start looking at the world through your writer's spectacles, and see what you find.
Do you need to take a break from writing? What have you done in the past to help you become a better writer? Let me know in the comments!
Yes, I read all the time anyways, but now I'm reading with more intention. For example, currently I'm reading Huckleberry Finn, and revisiting To Kill a Mockingbird. Why? Well I'm so glad you asked. In order to better understand first person, I will be reading and studying those famous books written in first person voice. If you need to take a break from writing, I would encourage you to spend that time in reading books that are similar to your story.
And what else?
I'm doing a lot of observing, and day dreaming-two things I am very good at. As romantic minded people, writers oftentimes find more romance and story material when we isolate ourselves from the indulgent outlet of writing. What I mean to say is, seperating yourself from the creative and imaginative process of writing, will force you to channel those same strengths into daily life. Let me give you an example.
A few days ago, my friend and I watched the BBC version of Great Expectations. It was fanastic by the way. And it just so happened the actor who played Pip (Douglass Booth) is jaw-droppingly gorgeous. Okay, you caught me red handed. I can be a giddy teenage girl sometimes, but I would wager than few women would be able to keep their cool around that face. (Can you tell I have a little crush on him?) Consequently, whilst reading Huckleberry Finn and occasionally thinking about Pip's beautiful face, a story began to form in my mind. That which I read and that which I thought about melded together and gave me an idea which I have been excitedly mulling over ever since. It's been a while since something like that has happened.
While writing regularly is wise and advisable, writing incessantly can drain the very thing you are attempting to sharpen. Therefore I would encourage you to step back for a little while and start looking at the world through your writer's spectacles, and see what you find.
Do you need to take a break from writing? What have you done in the past to help you become a better writer? Let me know in the comments!
A Day in the Life of a Teenage Writer
10 November 2013
I saw this feature on some other blogs and it looked like fun, so I'd thought I would give ya'll a little taste of what goes on in my life. DISCLAIMER: I am not Batman, Wonderwoman, or anyone else equally interesting. The ensuing activites will most likely not throw you off your seat with the awesomeness of it. That being said, enjoy :P
7:30 am Wake up. (That's when you open your eyes and moan at your alarm clock, get up, look in the mirror and scream at your dishevled appereance.) Eat breakfast, get dressed, walk dog.
8:00 Make a cup of coffee or tea (depends on the mood. But if you make me a chai latte I will love you forever. I also really like coffee, but only if there's creamer in it. Otherwise, it tastes like the tears of abused puppies. That's just my opinion.) Then I usually read my Bible for a little while.
8:30 Start school. By far, the most least interesting part of my day. I like to start with my favorite subjects and gradually move on to the more boring stuff. For example: governement, british literature and world geography
11:30 Lunch time. Yeah, I eat before noon sometimes. WHATCHA GONNA DO ABOUT IT?!? Then I make a super healthy smoothie because according to my friends I'm "super healthy." Fun fact.
12-12:30 Go the gym with my dad and work out. It's just about as fun it sounds.
12:45 Get ready for chemistry class. I have a few minutes to spare before take off, so I read some Sherlock Holmes
1-3 Chemistry class. At the end of class, the teacher has us play this little science trivia game and somehow, I always win. Not because I'm smart...ew, no me gusta scienco. There's this guy in my class who likes to doodle, so when I said that if I had a band I would call it "The Weasel Nostrils" he drew me a hilarious flyer. Then I left it in the folder for the teacher to find hee hee.
3:30 Get home and finish school a.k.a do geometry. Blech
4:00 FREEDOM! I immediately pick up Sherlock Holmes and read for about half an hour.
4:30-5 I read "Mutiny on the Bounty" to my mom who works from home. This is a fun tradition that we've had for many years now. At a certian age, she stopped reading aloud to me and I started reading to her instead. It's very much a man's book, but I'm enjoying it.
5-6 Write in my book <3 I'm currenlty working on my second draft--this is the stage where all the writing is re-writing. Somwhere during that time my brother who lives three hours away at college called to talk me. My favorite part of our conversation was when he said to me, "Hold on, I need to put down the phone so I can pour my second pancake." Me: "College sounds really hard."
6:15-6:45 Eat dinner with da fam
6:45-7:15 Write a little bit more, and put on my choir uniform
7:30-9 I go to choir and ya know...I sing, cause apparently that's what you do. We practice for our concert on Monday. It's getting me into the Christmas mood a litlte prematurely with all this festive music. Carol of the Bells is my favorite :) I also drove there, and driving in the city at night when it's raining is sort of scary!
9:30 Arrive home. I shower, put on my pj's and romp with my adorable corgi for a few minutes.
10:00 I write for a little while and browse all ma social media websites.
10:30-11 Read some more. This time it's "Vienna Prelude". That's right, I read multiple books at once. Can you tell that I like reading?
And at 11:15 I finally hit the hay.
Well, I hope you enjoyed this little glimpse into the life of a teenage writer. Even though on this blog it may seem as though I take my writing very seriously which I do, as you can see, I have to squeeze that into everyday life.
What is your life like as a teen/student writer? Let me know in the comments!
7:30 am Wake up. (That's when you open your eyes and moan at your alarm clock, get up, look in the mirror and scream at your dishevled appereance.) Eat breakfast, get dressed, walk dog.
8:00 Make a cup of coffee or tea (depends on the mood. But if you make me a chai latte I will love you forever. I also really like coffee, but only if there's creamer in it. Otherwise, it tastes like the tears of abused puppies. That's just my opinion.) Then I usually read my Bible for a little while.
8:30 Start school. By far, the most least interesting part of my day. I like to start with my favorite subjects and gradually move on to the more boring stuff. For example: governement, british literature and world geography
11:30 Lunch time. Yeah, I eat before noon sometimes. WHATCHA GONNA DO ABOUT IT?!? Then I make a super healthy smoothie because according to my friends I'm "super healthy." Fun fact.
12-12:30 Go the gym with my dad and work out. It's just about as fun it sounds.
12:45 Get ready for chemistry class. I have a few minutes to spare before take off, so I read some Sherlock Holmes
1-3 Chemistry class. At the end of class, the teacher has us play this little science trivia game and somehow, I always win. Not because I'm smart...ew, no me gusta scienco. There's this guy in my class who likes to doodle, so when I said that if I had a band I would call it "The Weasel Nostrils" he drew me a hilarious flyer. Then I left it in the folder for the teacher to find hee hee.
3:30 Get home and finish school a.k.a do geometry. Blech
4:00 FREEDOM! I immediately pick up Sherlock Holmes and read for about half an hour.
4:30-5 I read "Mutiny on the Bounty" to my mom who works from home. This is a fun tradition that we've had for many years now. At a certian age, she stopped reading aloud to me and I started reading to her instead. It's very much a man's book, but I'm enjoying it.
5-6 Write in my book <3 I'm currenlty working on my second draft--this is the stage where all the writing is re-writing. Somwhere during that time my brother who lives three hours away at college called to talk me. My favorite part of our conversation was when he said to me, "Hold on, I need to put down the phone so I can pour my second pancake." Me: "College sounds really hard."
6:15-6:45 Eat dinner with da fam
6:45-7:15 Write a little bit more, and put on my choir uniform
7:30-9 I go to choir and ya know...I sing, cause apparently that's what you do. We practice for our concert on Monday. It's getting me into the Christmas mood a litlte prematurely with all this festive music. Carol of the Bells is my favorite :) I also drove there, and driving in the city at night when it's raining is sort of scary!
9:30 Arrive home. I shower, put on my pj's and romp with my adorable corgi for a few minutes.
10:00 I write for a little while and browse all ma social media websites.
10:30-11 Read some more. This time it's "Vienna Prelude". That's right, I read multiple books at once. Can you tell that I like reading?
And at 11:15 I finally hit the hay.
Well, I hope you enjoyed this little glimpse into the life of a teenage writer. Even though on this blog it may seem as though I take my writing very seriously which I do, as you can see, I have to squeeze that into everyday life.
What is your life like as a teen/student writer? Let me know in the comments!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
