So, I revamped the tagging system on this blog after developing one I quite liked for my other blog, Dots n Dolls.
Inspiration - for posts about ideas and inspiring things
Preparation - for posts about outlining and other planning activities
Education - for posts about how to write
Initiation - for posts about starting stories
Continuation - for posts about continuing stories
Completion - for posts about finishing/finished stories
Submission - for posts about submitting stories and waiting on submissions
Publication - for posts about getting published
Competition - for posts about competitions, including NaNoWriMo
Fascination - for posts about interests other than writing
Information - for posts about what's going on in my world
Observation - for posts on life and the universe
Procrastination - for posts about everything
Showing posts with label inspiration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label inspiration. Show all posts
01 April 2011
Loving books for their looks
I've been discovering that my love of books is not merely related to my love of the written word. I love writing. Or shall I say: I miss writing as I don't do much of it outside the realms of university. I often feel compelled to write something down, not leave it floating around my head. I've also been finding excuses to write people good-old-fashioned letters more and more often.
However, words aren't my only love when it comes to communication. It all began come out when I worked on my church's e-newsletter. I loved it. I loved finding great combinations of fonts and colours and shapes and images. And while rearranging my collection of RSS feeds, I've developed a longer list of design/font/brand related feeds than I have writing feeds. (On that note, if you have any good writing related blogs or sites you follow, please do make a recommendation!)
There's nothing like capturing action, imagery and emotion in a precise collection of perfectly-picked words. But the satisfaction increases when those words are written in the ideal font with a delicious colour scheme that sets of the right amount of white space with maybe some inspiring images or eye-catching shapes.
To that end, check out my other blog Dots n Dolls where I explore the visual side of my communication fascination along with other stuff I love such as needlecraft and baking!
So back to this love of books. I love having something tactile full of words and information and the visual aspects are the icing on the cake.
However, words aren't my only love when it comes to communication. It all began come out when I worked on my church's e-newsletter. I loved it. I loved finding great combinations of fonts and colours and shapes and images. And while rearranging my collection of RSS feeds, I've developed a longer list of design/font/brand related feeds than I have writing feeds. (On that note, if you have any good writing related blogs or sites you follow, please do make a recommendation!)
There's nothing like capturing action, imagery and emotion in a precise collection of perfectly-picked words. But the satisfaction increases when those words are written in the ideal font with a delicious colour scheme that sets of the right amount of white space with maybe some inspiring images or eye-catching shapes.
To that end, check out my other blog Dots n Dolls where I explore the visual side of my communication fascination along with other stuff I love such as needlecraft and baking!
So back to this love of books. I love having something tactile full of words and information and the visual aspects are the icing on the cake.
15 September 2010
Dry Inspiration
It's been rather quiet on the writing front for me lately. I wrote some lyrics to a song last night but no fiction has come out of my head onto paper in the last month or so. Come to think if it, no fiction has come into my head.
Anyway! I did have an idea for a writing exercise which I'll try the next time I have a spare 10 or 15 minutes. It goes like this: pick two words, one describing an emotion and one describing a place or object. The challenge is to write a scene/story/15 minutes of something incorporating that emotion and place or object.
Have fun!
- Lol
Anyway! I did have an idea for a writing exercise which I'll try the next time I have a spare 10 or 15 minutes. It goes like this: pick two words, one describing an emotion and one describing a place or object. The challenge is to write a scene/story/15 minutes of something incorporating that emotion and place or object.
Have fun!
- Lol
18 July 2010
Useful random generators
Here's a collection of a few generators I've found. They're great for keeping stories moving or starting them off. Have fun!
- Plot Twist Generator - http://nine.frenchboys.net/plottwist.php - Gives you a random event to keep your story moving
- Short Story Ideas - http://shortstoryideas.herb.me.uk/index.html - A site with various generators for characters, scenarios and other things
- Random Word Generator - http://watchout4snakes.com/creativitytools/RandomWord/RandomWordPlus.aspx - Trying to somehow involve a random word into your story gives you a problem to get your creativity going
- Seventh Sanctum - http://www.seventhsanctum.com/ - Large range of generators for silly and serious ideas
- Lol
16 July 2010
False Hope of Spring and It's Relationship with Words
For some reason--maybe the blue skies, maybe playgroups meeting outside, maybe colleagues walking around in caps and shorts--I keep feeling like it's spring. The stuffed sinuses might contribute as well!
Anyhow, this is significant because it's really inspiring me to write. Perhaps that's because the number one writing event on the Internet happens in Australia's spring: NaNoWriMo. Excitingly, this semester's exam period finishes mid-November so I might be able to participate in the 50k sprint this year. Especially if I get early exams.
For now though, I haven't actually been translating this mysterious inspiration into words--although I laid down a few sentences for Miss Galaxy last night--but it's a good feeling.
Over and out, chums.
- Lauren
Anyhow, this is significant because it's really inspiring me to write. Perhaps that's because the number one writing event on the Internet happens in Australia's spring: NaNoWriMo. Excitingly, this semester's exam period finishes mid-November so I might be able to participate in the 50k sprint this year. Especially if I get early exams.
For now though, I haven't actually been translating this mysterious inspiration into words--although I laid down a few sentences for Miss Galaxy last night--but it's a good feeling.
Over and out, chums.
- Lauren
17 July 2009
I'm now past the 3k mark with Miss Galaxy and still enjoying spending time with the characters. I have another idea for a story of sorts--a collection of letters written by one person throughout her life right from a primary school pen pal to writing to her grand-children. It will be titled "All My Love". For the record, the title came before the concept.
The main reason I came to post today, though, is to make note of a new opportunity I've stubled across. Aspect Press in Melbourne is aiming to publish a series of 6 single-author anthologies under the title Long Story Shorts. Check out the info here.
I think Miss Galaxy may have potentional, and maybe even All My Love. I estimate that I need about 5 stories of 8000 words each. I thought I could throw in a few shorter stories as well, to bring it more between the 40000 and 70000 needed.
So there's the goal. Let's get to it.
~Lol
The main reason I came to post today, though, is to make note of a new opportunity I've stubled across. Aspect Press in Melbourne is aiming to publish a series of 6 single-author anthologies under the title Long Story Shorts. Check out the info here.
I think Miss Galaxy may have potentional, and maybe even All My Love. I estimate that I need about 5 stories of 8000 words each. I thought I could throw in a few shorter stories as well, to bring it more between the 40000 and 70000 needed.
So there's the goal. Let's get to it.
~Lol
06 January 2009
Split Ends by Krisitin Billerbeck
Sarah Claire Winowski knows there's more to her than being the town barfly's daughter. In a fit of short-lived courage she moves to Beverly Hills, but when Hollywood success doesn't yield the results she expected, Sarah Claire is left to wonder about the girl she left behind and whether God will ever give her the validation she craves. - TheNile.com.auSarah Claire's tale will draw you in and push you to find out what happens in the end. However, those looking for an super intelligent read won't find what they're looking for. (Hint: chick lit isn't the best place to start anyway!)
Kristin creates interesting characters in Split Ends. However, this novel falls down a little in the development of the relationships so crucial to most chick lit. There are almost too many plot lines to handle--for reader and author both--and I was left confused about which one could be classified as the main plot. If you can get around a few moments of awkward wording and "Where did this come from?" I'm sure you'll get involved in Sarah Claire and her friends' lives.
The story is filled with entertaining scenes and great lines even if sometimes the glue between them isn't quite sticky enough. A light read, it will keep you entertained to the end--even pull a few tears if you're in the right mood at the right time.
My recommendation: Read it. You may love it; you may be ambivalent like me.
This review also posted to TheNile.com.au.
08 October 2008
Recording some inspiration:
I've been browsing Picture Australia for my history unit and came across this photo of a mower part. At first glance it looked like some wacky aeroplane. Then I thought it could be some sort of mech/insect thing. Anyways! Save that in the memory bank.
I've been browsing Picture Australia for my history unit and came across this photo of a mower part. At first glance it looked like some wacky aeroplane. Then I thought it could be some sort of mech/insect thing. Anyways! Save that in the memory bank.
10 June 2008
Hooray! It's time for another random update from me.
Bahram Jones was born this week. He's a narkity British Jewish steampunk/world war airship pilot who hates just about everyone but still acts like a gentleman--generally. His stories won't be serious as such. He'll go around fighting for the Associated World Trade Office with a bunch of Germans (I think. The story changes every two seconds.) and thwarting mecha beasts while acting as a vent for my frustration and something fun for me to write.
Lez and company are still waiting. They are top priority once exams are over. 19th of June, watch out.
Hannah from RSSA is likewise not doing much. I made a realisation at some point between my last post and now how I can finish the NaNo plot perfectly so that I can begin the next book with the very first scenes I ever concieved for little miss Hannah Lee and her familiar Pollery. Which is awesomesauce.
For now, microeconomics review calls. As do alarm response invoices. Woo-hoo!
(You can cut the sarcasm with a knife... interestingly so, because that's what sarcasm means: to cut someone. Which begs the question, why do I let myself be so sarcastic? Maybe this is something Captain Jones and I will investigate while battling flying pirates.)
Until the future,
Lol
Bahram Jones was born this week. He's a narkity British Jewish steampunk/world war airship pilot who hates just about everyone but still acts like a gentleman--generally. His stories won't be serious as such. He'll go around fighting for the Associated World Trade Office with a bunch of Germans (I think. The story changes every two seconds.) and thwarting mecha beasts while acting as a vent for my frustration and something fun for me to write.
Lez and company are still waiting. They are top priority once exams are over. 19th of June, watch out.
Hannah from RSSA is likewise not doing much. I made a realisation at some point between my last post and now how I can finish the NaNo plot perfectly so that I can begin the next book with the very first scenes I ever concieved for little miss Hannah Lee and her familiar Pollery. Which is awesomesauce.
For now, microeconomics review calls. As do alarm response invoices. Woo-hoo!
(You can cut the sarcasm with a knife... interestingly so, because that's what sarcasm means: to cut someone. Which begs the question, why do I let myself be so sarcastic? Maybe this is something Captain Jones and I will investigate while battling flying pirates.)
Until the future,
Lol
16 July 2007
Bah, so I'm sitting here staring at this blank page trying to write up a post. I cannot get Blogging Writer's Block!
Basically what I came here to say is that I have begun a project that I've christened the Book-in-a-Year project. I have planned out, step-by-step, what I will need to do to complete a novel, revise it and send it off to at least one publisher/agent within a year.
It begins with choosing a book, which I have. It's titleless and completely plotless at the moment. All it has is a genre (fantasy) and a world (this one... sort of).
Now I have three and a bit months of brainstorming, making characters and plotting till I begin writing in November with NaNoWriMo. The brainstorming will include, hopefully, creating a language and drawing maps.
After November, I'll continue writing through December and January, though at a slower rate most likely. I should be finished by February. I'll lay it aside for a week or two and then begin a four step editing process including having someone else's eyes read it. Finally in June I will track down appropriate publishers and agents and by the 9th of July--exactly one year since I began--I will send it off to the first name on my list.
Now, the hard parts will be to stick to the plan and to not get sick of the novel during the year.
Needless to say, Night Magic is being put on hold. Also in other news, there's only about nine days till I find out who won The Competiton. The August issue of Woman's Weekly comes out on the 25th and it will contain the winner's name and story. It seems both a very long time and no time at all since I entered that story.
Hopefully I'll drop by here more often to keep you updated on the Book-in-a-Year project.
BOOK-IN-A-YEAR Update
Goal: Research/brainstorm to find a plot
Date Begun: 9-Jul-07
Target Date: 30-Jul-07
Basically what I came here to say is that I have begun a project that I've christened the Book-in-a-Year project. I have planned out, step-by-step, what I will need to do to complete a novel, revise it and send it off to at least one publisher/agent within a year.
It begins with choosing a book, which I have. It's titleless and completely plotless at the moment. All it has is a genre (fantasy) and a world (this one... sort of).
Now I have three and a bit months of brainstorming, making characters and plotting till I begin writing in November with NaNoWriMo. The brainstorming will include, hopefully, creating a language and drawing maps.
After November, I'll continue writing through December and January, though at a slower rate most likely. I should be finished by February. I'll lay it aside for a week or two and then begin a four step editing process including having someone else's eyes read it. Finally in June I will track down appropriate publishers and agents and by the 9th of July--exactly one year since I began--I will send it off to the first name on my list.
Now, the hard parts will be to stick to the plan and to not get sick of the novel during the year.
Needless to say, Night Magic is being put on hold. Also in other news, there's only about nine days till I find out who won The Competiton. The August issue of Woman's Weekly comes out on the 25th and it will contain the winner's name and story. It seems both a very long time and no time at all since I entered that story.
Hopefully I'll drop by here more often to keep you updated on the Book-in-a-Year project.
BOOK-IN-A-YEAR Update
Goal: Research/brainstorm to find a plot
Date Begun: 9-Jul-07
Target Date: 30-Jul-07
29 May 2007
Random Word Brainstorming
And here it is! It looks fantastic. I think I shall go and brainstorm the idea about radioactive parrots killing Hitler now to see if there's enough to write a whole screenplay about.
Laters, m'dears!
ADDENDUM: I used this to help me flesh out my gangster/waitress plot (Conveniently Missing) and it was quite handy. I did use it for the parrot plot too and I actually got a bit to work with so I might write it later... maybe as a comic or something.
And here it is! It looks fantastic. I think I shall go and brainstorm the idea about radioactive parrots killing Hitler now to see if there's enough to write a whole screenplay about.
Laters, m'dears!
ADDENDUM: I used this to help me flesh out my gangster/waitress plot (Conveniently Missing) and it was quite handy. I did use it for the parrot plot too and I actually got a bit to work with so I might write it later... maybe as a comic or something.
Merlin's Cave ~ The Land of Arthur King Arthur & The Knights of the Round Table
The whole site that is linked to up there looks extremely interesting but that page gave me a spark of inspiration. I just went to 'The Land' and picked the first location in the list on the right that jumped out to me and it happened to be one called 'Merlin's Cave'.
This is the first time I've heard of this cave. I mean, I didn't even know that some legends said Merlin found Arthur on the water (oh, so Moses!).
Anyways, down to business. My idea is in reference to the scuba divers that visit the cave now days. I was thinking something along the lines of Merlin's reincarnation or bones or something. And there would be this big danger for the world that some how the scuba diver's discovery could help advert.
But, ta-ta for now. I'm off to find the brainstorming site that my sister, Caitlin, found a while back. I might blog it if I find it.
The whole site that is linked to up there looks extremely interesting but that page gave me a spark of inspiration. I just went to 'The Land' and picked the first location in the list on the right that jumped out to me and it happened to be one called 'Merlin's Cave'.
This is the first time I've heard of this cave. I mean, I didn't even know that some legends said Merlin found Arthur on the water (oh, so Moses!).
Anyways, down to business. My idea is in reference to the scuba divers that visit the cave now days. I was thinking something along the lines of Merlin's reincarnation or bones or something. And there would be this big danger for the world that some how the scuba diver's discovery could help advert.
But, ta-ta for now. I'm off to find the brainstorming site that my sister, Caitlin, found a while back. I might blog it if I find it.
So... I've changed ideas completely for Script Frenzy. I'm now going to write a crime screenplay about a gangster and a waitress who marry to give themselves alibis for a murder. The people over at ScriptFrenzy have been absolutely fantastic in helping me brainstorm out this plot but special thanks go to Tias42, Little Wing (who gave me the idea in the first place), PFMoi and TwistedFirestarter.
Despite this, I'm now not feeling like I'll have the time to write a script in June. I'll be studying lots, I have my SAT on the 2nd and work is beginning to pick up (read: I actually have work to do). I also want to get my Ls.
Then I weigh all that against the fact that I only have to write 20k words, which will take 10 days if I go at NaNoWriMo rate. I only have to write 667 words a day to win with 10 extra words thrown in.
Blargh. I'm not sure. Maybe I'll just start and write whenever I've got spare time and see if I win or not. I'd just love to be able to say I took part (and won) the first SF ever.
Laters,
Lauren
PS. The following posts are two that I meant to post earlier this month but Blogger was acting up.
Despite this, I'm now not feeling like I'll have the time to write a script in June. I'll be studying lots, I have my SAT on the 2nd and work is beginning to pick up (read: I actually have work to do). I also want to get my Ls.
Then I weigh all that against the fact that I only have to write 20k words, which will take 10 days if I go at NaNoWriMo rate. I only have to write 667 words a day to win with 10 extra words thrown in.
Blargh. I'm not sure. Maybe I'll just start and write whenever I've got spare time and see if I win or not. I'd just love to be able to say I took part (and won) the first SF ever.
Laters,
Lauren
PS. The following posts are two that I meant to post earlier this month but Blogger was acting up.
14 May 2007
I'm sitting here at work with little to do. I've had a couple of story ideas while working last week and today. Not nearly as many as when I'm studying.
The first is a bit wild. It's about a man who suddenly finds himself able to understand what birds are saying just as a tree full of rosellas or something starts squawking about the end of the world. And strangely, just this Saturday I was at www.scriptfrenzy.org and on the random plot generator, I got another wild plot this time involving radioactive parrots.
Speaking of Script Frenzy, to interupt the broadcast, it looks really interesting with a very snazzo site. I'm tossing three options: do it and write a movie about radioactive parrots trying to kill Hitler, do it and write a more serious screenplay about three blondes in Paris (serious?!? I hear you scoff) or not do it. Option 2 would involve a lot more research than the other two and there's not really much time as it starts in June. Also, I do my SAT on the 2nd of June and that might pull me behind. Plus I'll be starting school again on either the 5th or 6th of June and with my job as well, time might be a little... nonexistant. Anyways, if you have any opinions or suggestions or anything, hit me with a comment.
Now, back to my ideas. The next one is the only one that has come from my actual job. I was entering an offence which involved a Year 3 teacher and her assistants' bags being stolen with witnesses from a next door classroom. I thought maybe a mystery story/series about two Year 3 students who solve schoolyard mysteries would be interesting.
And lastly, just today, I had this idea about a cleaner or random who is a serial killer attempting to wipe out all women. One of his attempts involves gassing them in the toilets. Freaky and disturbing, I know, but there it is.
An update on WoDNM:
Work was really slow on Friday and I was pratically finished by lunch so I used Google Docs to work on WoDNM a little. Still unsure of word count as I have bits and pieces all over the place but Lez and friends are just trying to escape from beneath the deck of the Duchess.
Anyways, I'd better go get some work done.
Laters,
Lauren
The first is a bit wild. It's about a man who suddenly finds himself able to understand what birds are saying just as a tree full of rosellas or something starts squawking about the end of the world. And strangely, just this Saturday I was at www.scriptfrenzy.org and on the random plot generator, I got another wild plot this time involving radioactive parrots.
Speaking of Script Frenzy, to interupt the broadcast, it looks really interesting with a very snazzo site. I'm tossing three options: do it and write a movie about radioactive parrots trying to kill Hitler, do it and write a more serious screenplay about three blondes in Paris (serious?!? I hear you scoff) or not do it. Option 2 would involve a lot more research than the other two and there's not really much time as it starts in June. Also, I do my SAT on the 2nd of June and that might pull me behind. Plus I'll be starting school again on either the 5th or 6th of June and with my job as well, time might be a little... nonexistant. Anyways, if you have any opinions or suggestions or anything, hit me with a comment.
Now, back to my ideas. The next one is the only one that has come from my actual job. I was entering an offence which involved a Year 3 teacher and her assistants' bags being stolen with witnesses from a next door classroom. I thought maybe a mystery story/series about two Year 3 students who solve schoolyard mysteries would be interesting.
And lastly, just today, I had this idea about a cleaner or random who is a serial killer attempting to wipe out all women. One of his attempts involves gassing them in the toilets. Freaky and disturbing, I know, but there it is.
An update on WoDNM:
Work was really slow on Friday and I was pratically finished by lunch so I used Google Docs to work on WoDNM a little. Still unsure of word count as I have bits and pieces all over the place but Lez and friends are just trying to escape from beneath the deck of the Duchess.
Anyways, I'd better go get some work done.
Laters,
Lauren
04 May 2007
So, wedding plans have been dominating my time this week. Yesterday (Thursday) saw the wedding rehersal without a best man, the person doing the readings or the musician but it still went well. I'm not feeling a bit more relaxed and yet excited and nervous about the whole thing. The most stressful thing is probably the speech at the reception.
But! Despite the fact I did write the speech, this blog isn't about weddings and whatnot so back to writing:
I haven't been updating here much (or checking my email) because I have been writing stories on the Pocket PC I mentioned in the last post. I've been working on Night Magic and I've also concieved a few new ideas.
Firstly we have a cheerleader story. It's about an injured international ballerina who is employed at a school by her brother. She wants to teach ballet but said brother doesn't know if she still has the skill to make a ballet class worth the expenditure so he challenges her to take on a different class to prove she's worthwhile. When the cheerleading coach has to go on maternity leave just four weeks before the interschool championships, he tells his sister that if she can take the cheerleaders to the championship and win, he will get her her ballet class. The main characters are the ballerina and the captain of the cheerleading squad.
Another idea I had is called Blondes in Paris. It's about three different blondes who meet in a New York airport/aeroplane and travel to Paris together. One is trying to earn a scholarship, one is escaping her family to meet her Internet beau and the other is running from her employees.
And just today in fact I was messing around with Publisher (on a real computer) when I came up with an idea for another story called Knights of the Crow. It's about a girl who discovers an order of knights in the 21st century.
As our network is acting up (as it likes to do), I can't get an update on Wizard's of Dianthus but I'm at about 58k and they're still all on the pirate ship.
In other, almost writing news, I am now employed and am looking into buying a laptop which will make writing a lot easier and funner! At the moment, I like the sound of a convertible notebook like the Gateway CX200X.
Laters!
But! Despite the fact I did write the speech, this blog isn't about weddings and whatnot so back to writing:
I haven't been updating here much (or checking my email) because I have been writing stories on the Pocket PC I mentioned in the last post. I've been working on Night Magic and I've also concieved a few new ideas.
Firstly we have a cheerleader story. It's about an injured international ballerina who is employed at a school by her brother. She wants to teach ballet but said brother doesn't know if she still has the skill to make a ballet class worth the expenditure so he challenges her to take on a different class to prove she's worthwhile. When the cheerleading coach has to go on maternity leave just four weeks before the interschool championships, he tells his sister that if she can take the cheerleaders to the championship and win, he will get her her ballet class. The main characters are the ballerina and the captain of the cheerleading squad.
Another idea I had is called Blondes in Paris. It's about three different blondes who meet in a New York airport/aeroplane and travel to Paris together. One is trying to earn a scholarship, one is escaping her family to meet her Internet beau and the other is running from her employees.
And just today in fact I was messing around with Publisher (on a real computer) when I came up with an idea for another story called Knights of the Crow. It's about a girl who discovers an order of knights in the 21st century.
As our network is acting up (as it likes to do), I can't get an update on Wizard's of Dianthus but I'm at about 58k and they're still all on the pirate ship.
In other, almost writing news, I am now employed and am looking into buying a laptop which will make writing a lot easier and funner! At the moment, I like the sound of a convertible notebook like the Gateway CX200X.
Laters!
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