Small Writing Tips

A few tips I have picked up from being a story lover for many years. 

Disclaimer: I've never actually written a book.

Unfulfilled Desires

If you're going to kill off a character, consider killing them off before they've achieved something important to them. Let the reader know exactly what they're leaving behind. For example, they couldn't wait to see their mom after many years, but they died right before being able to make the trip, and their mom will never see them again. Or, it was their lifelong dream to see the ocean. They wanted to tell their best friend they loved them. It really rips the reader's heart out because they weren't finished with life.

Powerful Villain

Be sure we know how powerful your villain is. Before your hero must confront the villain in the climax, make sure the hero (and your reader) sees first hand the kind of damage the villain can do. You have to instill that fear of the villain as organically and early as possible in the story.

Keep Old Drafts

Never throw away your old drafts, even ones from story ideas you've trashed. Keep them, and re-read them occasionally. You never know what important things you will want to go back and use.

Model Real Personalities

Be real. Especially with your main character. Figure out your hero's personality, and learn as much as you can about that personality. It will help you write your character more authentically. (I like to take this test through the eyes of my character. One of my favorite powerful characters I worked with back when I was still writing was an ESTJ personality and I loved using all the ESTJ information I found online to strengthen her characteristics). But don't forget to make your hero change and grow overtime (a.k.a. a 'character arc'). That's what real people do.

Watch Movies & Read Books

Watch movies and read books. Make notes of what you like/dislike about the stories and the characters. Remember them when you write your own stuff.

Reference

Don't forget to use references. You'll never get anywhere if you expect to figure out what to say and how to say it all on your own. Where do people go these days when they need inspiration? The internet. Welcome to the future, people. You want your character to express how they feel without being cliche? Go create a Pinterest account, follow some 'writing reference' boards.

Write Horribly

At the top of the rough draft of your story, label it 'The Dumbest Version'. It will help your mindset to allow yourself to write terribly because the rough draft doesn't have to be good it just has to be written.

Thanks for reading- I hope some of these can help you out sometime. :) 

// -Amaris //

// Concepts //

--- 

                                

// Concept {1} // 

Owl City Ocean Eyes is playing softly in the background  // pink 'vanilla twilight' sky overhead // the sun begins to set // you're on the back porch // a warm mug of coffee next to you // a classic novel in your hand // a soft animal snuggled on your lap // a gentle, but not chilly breeze // nothing stressful going on in your life // everything peaceful


// Concept {2} //

Riding in a convertible with the love of your life // full tank of gas // sunset behind you // on a winding road on the side of a mountain // an atmosphere of adventure chills your bones with excitement // the breeze is invigorating // your hair is blown behind you // your cheeks ache from laughing // no destination, but that's ok


// Concept {3} // 

A clearing in the woods // surrounded by your dearest friends // campfire in the center // the warmth of the blaze caresses your face // fire makes popping and crackling sounds  // sticky hands from eating s'mores // all is quiet save for hooting owls and the laughter of friends // faces glow from the shine of the flames // the air is crisp // you close your eyes and feel peace // happiness radiates from your group // all is well


// Concept {4} // 

A quaint villa in the city // the pleasant bustle of city atmosphere outside your window // antiques and oddities on shelves all around // house plants and succulents on windowsills // your favorite teas are in the kitchen pantry // sunlight gleams on a full bookshelf // glowing fairy lights are draped in the hall // you wear your most comfortable fluffy sweater // coffee smells are all around // you are alive



// The End //

I hope you enjoyed these concepts! I thought of these in my spare time. :)
Which is your favorite?

-Amaris

Book Hacks

I know what you must be thinking.
What, by all that is sane, are book hacks?
(Firstly, you assumed sanity. Shame on you. Secondly, allow me to explain.)
I've been a bookworm for a long time. And I've learned a lot of things. Not just about reading books, but storing them, using them, buying them, even remembering them.
If you are a bookworm too, you might know some of these. But most of them I thought on my own, so I just wanted to share.
Basically A Post For Random Tips And Tricks Related to Books.

Buying New Books:
When you happen to go to a new book store (somewhere like Barnes & Noble that is NOT a used store) and you see a book you want, STOP RIGHT THERE. Immediately look the book up on Amazon. Chances are, it's going to be way cheaper. Go home and order the book, and you'll thank yourself for saving the money later.
Needless to say, new books are overpriced.

How to Remember What You Think of a Book:
Do you ever have trouble remembering which of your books you liked? Or say you just finished a book, and it's really good, but you don't feel like writing a whole review online (or don't have enough thoughts to do so)? How are you going to remember what you think of it?
I have a method for this. As soon as you are finished with the book (if it belongs to you), get a little sticky note and write 1 or 2 sentences about it, and how you like it or dislike it.
Something like:
"Not my favorite story. It had some good parts [insert a few page numbers here, perhaps], but most of the time I was bored. 2/5 stars."
or
"Probably one of my favorite books! The writing was good, the plot was twisty and amazing, and I was falling in love with the characters. Would recommend to anyone! 5/5 stars."
Put the sticky note on the inside cover, and you have an easy reference that you can glance at.
This also helps if a friend asks you if you have any books to recommend, you can just glace at your sticky notes instead of searching around online to find a review. 

How to Cover up a Swear Word in a Book (Without Damaging the Pages!):
I used this method of covering up cuss words in The Book Thief (if you've read that one, you know what i'm talking about). Some people like to just mark it out with a Sharpie, but that bleeds onto the other side of the page and makes the book all messy!
And if you are marking out for children, a Sharpie won't work because they can easily hold the page up to the light and see what you marked out.
But I figured out this method so that NO ONE can see what you marked out.

~

I'll put it in steps to make it easier.

1. Take a regular ink pen and scribble over the language.

2. Cut a small strip of Scotch tape the size of the marked out spot, and place it over the scribbles.

3. Take a Sharpie marker, and make little dots ON TOP OF THE TAPE STRIP that you have placed on the page.

~

No one will be able to read through it, and because you put the tape down first, the Sharpie won't bleed through and ruin the page. 

When You're Out of Shelf Space But You Can't Afford Another Shelf:
Don't panic if your shelf is full and there's nowhere else to put your books. The solution is quite simple, really. Just decorate your room or space with them.
Is there a vase on top of your bookshelf? Put a stack of 4 or 5 books underneath to give it some lift. I also keep stacks underneath my alarm clock, on top of a vintage hat box on my vanity, and I even put some on top of my shelf, under a wooden birdhouse. Just be creative, and don't worry about buying a new shelf (of course, if you can find a cheap on at the thrift store in good condition, by all means, buy it).

Don't Get Rid of Books You Hate:
Suppose someone gave you a book (they were trying to be nice and all), but you HATE IT (yes, I hate some books too...)? What do you do? You COULD give it away, or you could use/recycle it!
Even books that are in bad condition can be used for all sorts of crafts!
Here are a few of my favorites:

• Paper roll-up flowers
• You could Mod Podge the book pages onto anything: A box, the side of your shelf, your wall even.
• Cardmaking
• Scrapbooking
• Paper dolls! Bring 'em back from the Little House on the Prairie days!
• Art- you could draw or paint something (such as a rose) over the words on the pages and make a really neat mixed media collage
• Bookmarks - just cut a book page into a rectangle, put a ribbon at the top and you're good to go! 
• Birdcage lining (if you have a bird)
• Here's something random: If you're the type of person who likes to make gift baskets, you could make a book-themed basket, and use shredded book pages for filling
• And lots of other crafts!

Thrift Shoppers: Don't Ever Leave a Thrift Store Without Checking the Book Section!
Used books at the thrift store are usually super cheap, and I have found early edition books as well as brand new books at super-low prices at lots of different thrift stores! At one place I like go, their books are 15 cents AN INCH. I got a ton of books last time for like $1.00.
Just because a book might be used, doesn't mean that you will not enjoy it. Chances are the person who gave their books to the used store just finished them and wanted to pass them on. They are not necessarily bad books.

How to Remember Who You Lend Your Books to:
I've seen this hack on Pinterest before, but for those of you who haven't, a good way to remember who is borrowing what books (or even movies) from you is to take a picture of the borrower holding the item you are loaning them. Every time you see the picture, you'll be reminded that they have your book or movie (or whatever). It's a great reminder, especially when you're sorting through your phone pictures months later and you realize they haven't returned it yet. 

When Reading A Book: Give Every Book The 'Two 'Chapter Test':
I think it's fair enough to say that not every good book has a great beginning. Some books start off downright boring. This is how I felt about Elizabeth George Speare's books. I don't think her books start off very well. But I couldn't close her books just because I don't like the beginning, because the rest of the book is great!
That's why I give every book I read what I call the 'two chapter test'. It basically means 'don't give up on a book until you've read at least two chapters', because that gives the book a chance to redeem itself. It might be a good book, after all.
If the story still hasn't interested you by the time you've given it two chapters, chances are the entire book is the same.

Photo Credit: ME

Well, that's all I have for today. I have used these hacks a lot since I started reading (which has been almost forever), so I wanted to share, and hopefully you got something out of it!
Happy reading!
(Or crafting. Or book shopping. Or recycling. Or decorating. You know.)
-Amaris

This is the End

Before you ask, no.
This post is not my farewell letter to the world.

This is the end to that little ghost story that I was telling you a couple of posts ago.
And my apologies for taking so long to post it.
I was quite busy. More on that later.
I shall continue where I left off (that is, if anyone CARES anymore after like a million days...) :

"Look. They're gone."

What. On. Earth.

Who in the heck is down there?  

What is?

I called my sister again, this time in near panic. I begged her to help me try to find the whisper once more. Reluctantly, she joined me as I went up and down the stairs countless times over again.

My heart pounded. What could this possibly be about?

Finally, I figured it out.  

I discovered that underneath the stairwell (in which there is a little cubby where we keep things like Christmas decorations and so forth), there is a puzzle sitting on top of some boxes, probably left there by some kids we had babysat a few days earlier. 

It's one of those special puzzles that, when you put a piece in, a recording says the name of the shape. 

"Triangle." 

"Circle."

"Square". 

I peered closely at this puzzle, and noticed the pentagon piece was missing. In the center of the empty space is the little sensor that makes the sound, "Pentagon", when you put the piece in.

Upon closer scrutiny, I realized that this particular sensor was especially sensitive. 

Even the smallest vibration, I found, could set it off. 

And a voice, declaring "Pentagon", would ring out. 

And I discovered that, sometimes, the vibrations that I caused from pounding up those stairs all the time was causing the pentagon puzzle piece to go off. 

"Pentagon."

"Pent-a-gon"

"Look-they're-gone"

And of course, from the top of the stairs, it sounded like a whisper coming from behind me. 

And that is the story of the only ghost encounter I ever had... except it was a puzzle.

THE END.

So there you have it! You see that it really wasn't a ghost at all... but believe me, it sure SOUNDS like a ghost story until the end, so I didn't exactly tell you a falsehood when I called it a 'ghost story'. 

Anyways, it was pretty creepy until I figured it out. 

I just realized that this is the first 'story snippet' I have ever posted on this blog! Except that this one is a true story...

Well anyways. Have a good day, my friendly peeps!

-Amaris