How to Find your Writing 'Voice.'

Given it is NaNoWriMo, I thought it'd be appropriate to write at least one post on an aspect of writing. I haven't gone to uni for nothing, you know?

I thought I'd talk about a pretty important detail of the writing process: the authorial voice.

It's one of the few things I feel like I can confidently talk about when it comes to writing (and that's saying something, because usually I can't talk about a lot). Anyway, here are the four major tips that have been drilled into me in my classes, and I've found work for me.

Tip #1: Read Widely.
I'm sure you guys have seen something like this around.
                   'Read a lot,'
                              'Read as much of your genre as you can,'
                     etc. etc.
When I mean read widely though, I mean across as many different genres as possible. It doesn't matter if it's fiction or non-fiction; if you're interested, read it. Through exposing yourself to so many different styles, you're gaining an understanding of what you do and don't like in your stories. This will ease way into your stories. It's amazing what you pick up subconsciously.

And to go on from that, be critical of the books you're reading. Look very specifically at the writing and what you do or don't like about it. Make a list! This might be a very technical approach to the form of writing, but if you do it, you start to find what elements should make their way into your personal writing style.

Tip #2: Experiment.
This tip was drilled into me all throughout my first year of uni (and it still is, actually). Experiment. I mean it. One of the best ways to learn is by doing. One thing I maintain is that writing has got to maintain at least a little of bit of an element of fun. By experimenting with your writing, you're doing this. It's not a pre-requisite, but it should be.

But seriously. By trying out certain style, you again, find what does and doesn't work for you. Your writing should never feel too forced (I say this, acknowledging that sometimes it has to go that way with NaNoWriMo, but that isn't the point). If there is a chance it is, then you might be trying to push something that isn't you.

This isn't just limited to fiction, by the way. It's just as appropriate for poetry. Possibly more appropriate in some ways.

Tip #3: Don't Be Scared of Being Bad.
Again, it's all apart of the learning process. Not everything has to be perfect 100% of the time (and that's saying something coming from me).
         Write something with as little punctuation as possible. Write something with too much of it. Write overly flowery prose. Keep it to the strict facts.
          It's all about figuring out what you do best, and failing is a major part of that process.

And, if you really don't know where to start,

Tip #4: Try and Imitate the Writing Style of Your Favourite Authors.
This sounds weird, but just trust me on it. Figure out what makes them tick, and see if it works for you. Try and make your writing a medley of the best parts of your favourite authors' writing. Admittedly, this may be a little difficult if, say, you adore the poetic prose of someone like Nova Ren Suma, but also love the staccato stutter of someone like Raymond Carver or Cormac McCarthy.

I digress. Just give it a go. You never know what will happen.

&&&

And that, my friends, is the end of my writing advice post. Was is helpful? I hope so. I don't really talk about writing much on here, so I thought I should change that.

Hope everybody participating in NaNoWriMo hasn't had a breakdown yet! I have fallen off the bandwagon (thank you very much, final exam and assignment). Hopefully this'll change once I'm on holidays.

NaNoWriMo

Is a thing I'm doing. This'll be the second year. The first year I did this little project was in 2010, and I didn't win. I think I got to about 20,000 words then stopped? There were a plethora of reasons with the main one being that the timing was completely terrible. It fell just as I had assignments and exams due.

This year however, I am determined to win. Right now, at this moment, I've written approximately 9,250 words, and I plan on getting to maybe 12,000 today. It's going to be great fun. This year has been a lot different for me in that I've just gone about the whole project completely differently. In 2010, with it being my first year, I had no clue what I was doing; I didn't know where my story was going to go, how it would shape, how to be organised and everything like that. I had a lot of moments where I had writing blocks and just couldn't do anything.

This year has been holistically a completely different experience. I've been a lot more organised, and my knowledge of the direction the story has been taken has really, really helped. I've been doing chapter outlines and everything's working! I haven't had one moment of writing block, and it's absolutely fabulous.

The style and genre of this story is way different in general. I mean, generally the stories I think up are of a fantasy, dystopia, sci-fi vein, but this isn't. It's a fun (and a little bit ridiculous) contemporary love story. Likewise, I usually do first person. This year, I'm writing third.

So, what's my story about you ask? (You probably aren't asking, but it's my blog, so shhh).
The synopsis I created for NaNoWriMo is this:

When Adam Gormley and Dorothy "Dot" Lucas first kissed each other, they didn't think about the consequences. Primarily because they thought they would be too dead to think about it afterwards. But they aren't, and the thieving community now think that the Rogue Shadow (Adam) and the Fox (Dot) are working together to pursue the biggest robbery of the century. And to top it all, they don't know a thing about each other and are now forced to pull it all off before somebody else does. Oops.

So I don't know if that excited you at all, but it's there. And while I'm at it, why don't I just show you the excerpt I've added for NaNoWriMo (it's rather large, so you can skip it if you'd like):

" At first she’d thought her phone ringing was just her alarm; after all, they were the same tone. She’d been annoyed that it’d be another day where she’d be exhausted and not pay 100% attention to her classes. But the vintage style telephone ringing kept on going, even after she put it to sleep. It was definitely an insistent caller. 

Dot launched her hand full throttle towards the phone and groggily sat up in her bed. “Hello?” She grumbled, “Hello, Dorothy ‘Dot’ Anne Lucas, also known as Lady Fox,” someone responded (in a particularly too chipper tone for three in the morning). Dot groaned and made no qualms about him hearing it. How on earth did he find her phone number? “Well, Miss Lucas, you should really be more careful with your belongings. It doesn’t take much for someone to stalk you.” She hadn’t realised she’d spoken the question aloud. Damn him. Instead of telling him this, she just mumbled, “What?” “You left your leather gloves back at the café. I just happened to see them and save them for you. They’re of such good quality, it would be terrible to lose them.” Oh, so that’s where they had run off. Dot had just thought she’d left them at school or somewhere in the apartment. “Why are you calling me?” She asks, stifling a yawn, “What? You aren’t going to ask me how I found your number or compliment me on my efficient detective skills?” “No. It’s three in the morning, and I was asleep. I’m not going to compliment you for waking me up.” “Oh,” Adam sounded disappointed. Well boo hoo to him, Dot thought. This didn’t swerve him too much, of course, because less than a second later, he was speaking again, “Guess what? Guess what I heard earlier tonight?” “Do I really have to?” “Well, no. Not if you don’t want to. But guess, please guess,” “No,” “Oh, come on. It isn’t that hard,” “Are you drunk?” “What? No. Please just come meet me, I know a great 24/7 café.” “I’m not an idiot. I’m not going to meet someone who I barely know at three in the morning.” “Come on, please.” He was starting to plead. “Can’t you just tell me via this conversation?” “Well, yea. But that’ll ruin everything!” “I can honestly tell you that I really do not care.” “Fine then. There’s a rumour going around town about us partnering up.” Dot snorts. Her partnering up with someone? Maybe in their wildest dreams. “No, Dot, listen.” “Don’t call me Dot,” she said suddenly, “What?” He seems confused, “Don’t call me Dot. Only friends call me Dot. You are not a friend.” There was an awkward silence. Adam clearly didn’t know where to go with this. After a brief interlude of silence, he decided to power on. “But get this, right? We’re supposed to be partnering up together to-“ “You’ve already said that,” Dot interrupts. Adam continues as if he didn’t hear her,“But we’re partnering up to steal the masterpieces of the TATE Modern.” There was silence. No, wait, there was silence on Dot’s end of the phone. She could practically hear the orchestral music on his side as if she were at the theatre hearing them live. “I’m not going to do that,” she says. “Please, Dot,” Adam stops to correct himself, “Dorothy, Lady Fox, I don’t know. Can we please talk about it? Come to this café at –“ Dot interrupts him again, “No, Adam. It’s three in the morning. I have more important things in to do in a few hours,” “Like what?” “Like fricking school! Haven’t you ever heard of it?” “I’m nineteen.” Before Adam could get another word out, Dot hung up on him and huddled back into bed. She slept soundly for the rest of the night"

So, yay for that! I guess I should probably link you to my account if you wanna be writing buddies. Here it is! So, yea.

On a side-note, I have two exams left and then I'll graduate. Scaryyyy. Mixed feelings all around, people. On another side-note, who's doing NaNoWriMo? What's your story about? Are you having fun?

Words written this month: 9,242
Currently Reading: 'The Mark of Athena' & 'The Paris Wife'
p.s. Sorry about the link of correct grammar in regards to when they're speaking. Blogger did something funky and when I go to change it and put it correctly, it just freaks out.

The Massive Update that is My Life.

HELLO! *pats heads of readers fondly*
I've missed each and every one of you whole-heartedly but I'll admit that I've been particularly lazy with my blogging recently. As much as I want to say it's because of work, etc, etc, I'll own up to it and tell you that, no, I'm just avoiding making amusing posts because I can't be bothered. HOWEVER, just so you know right now, in two days time, I am actually starting school again, so there WILL be a reason as to why there are either more or less blogs (that depends on my procrastination level).

I feel it necessary to tell anybody who'll listen that the first day of school and I have a bit of a bitter sweet, rocky relationship. This has spanned over many years, but it's kind of properly hit home this year due to the unnerving fact that I start a day later than everybody else because I'm in Grade 11, and therefore my grades need to be tip-top by the end of this year if I want to get into a good rank for each of my classes in Grade 12 (this is all Australian education system, and I suggest that if you know what's best for you, you don't ask any questions because I could begin to ramble). Also, because I'm a huge idiot, I decided it best that I do all the 'hard' subjects for the next two years. This involves Geography (which I've never done), Modern History, Maths B (or harder maths, whichever you prefer knowing it as), English, Biology and Music. The 'hard' subjects are Modern History, Geography and Maths B. So, you know, FUN.

ALSO, I've not totally given up on my NaNoWriMo novel, but I really need a break from it (so, I'm taking a break, obviously). Before you say anything else, yes, I have indeed not been at all imaginative with the NaNoWriMo novel's title due to my lack of creative energy flown towards that department. However, I did start another book, though my being a perfectionist makes it hard for me to start because I'm frustrating myself with how to begin, etc (which, I feel you should know, I do very well for someone of the ripe, old age of 15). It's a contemporary drama, titled 'Georgie & Olive' (and before you type a comment asking if one of my friends thought that up because it's horrible/brilliant, no I did. 'Tis very creative, I KNOW *sarcasm). But since that isn't going anywhere at present, I've decided to try out another idea of mine (hence, the reason I'm starting a new paragraph, because not only is that correct grammar, but also, this paragraph is starting to become far too long for my liking).

Thus far, I have a vague plot which involves parallel universes, wars and all that jazz that goes along with it. So I suppose it could be classified as a Supernatural/Fantasy thriller? *shrugs* It doesn't really bother me at the moment because I'm just seeing where it goes (which is lacking all that I did for the planning for 'Georgie & Olive'). I'll show you a little excerpt now, because I feel like it.

So what do you think? It sounds kind of depressive at the moment, but I've started to realise that most of my writing projects are naturally like that at the start (which, you know, is kinda sad, but still). Also, if you'd like to help in any way, feel free to suggest names (whether that be character names or made up names for countries, planets, etc) and TITLES (because, as we all know, titles are Jocie's nemesis). I've gotta go ask my writing buddy now her opinion on this project thus far (and before you say anything else, yes that's all I've written, and no, even if you do want to read more, you can't because, a) as aforementioned, I haven't written anymore and b) I don't feel like showing/telling you anymore (despite how mean that sounds, I mean it in the nicest way possible)

ALSO, on the topic of books, I maybe, possibly, did splurge some money on some books (which I haven't recorded because, remember, I'm the lazy person). I have a picture though, so here ya go!

I only realised after I took the piccie that I doubled up from last blog post (so sorry). But here are the books (from left to right):
Alpha Beta by John Man
The Book of Awesome by Neil Pasricha
Evernight by Claudia Gray
Tithe: A Modern Faery Tale by Holly Black
Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
Will Grayson, Will Grayson by David Levithan & John Green
An Abundance of Katherines by John Green
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.

No need to discuss my problem with buying books. Yes, I bought all of them. Yes, I have a teensy bit of a problem. Everybody buys too much of one thing. Also, these books weren't all bought in one sitting. They were bought on SIX different days.

Now, I can't remember if I posted a blog before Christmas wishing you a merry Christmas and I realise that even if I hadn't it would be far too late for me to say it now, but I still hope you all had amazing/wonderful/brilliant/awesome/magnificent/glorious Christmas' and New Years'. I will try to post more often, honest.  :)
Continue being lovely
&dftba. xox

BOOK CURRENTLY READING: Matched by Ally Condie.
p.s. I'm sorry if this blog post bored you to death, but I hope someone revived you in time for you to continue living, because otherwise that would really be quite unpleasant.

HUZZAH! (An Extremely Long Blog)

This is my post of HUZZAH-iness because I'm celebrating my release from the gates of school (that's a dodgy metaphor). It is a little late, I'll admit that but I was busy being a homebody and loner. On Monday, I went out with friends and we had a 'finished school for the year' dinner and we talked and ate and everything was pure bliss. Some photos shall now appear magically:


Unfortunately, I couldn't find a picture of all of us together, because my friend who decided to take all the pictures decided to not put it up on Facebook (also, there were more of us).

Over the past couple of days, I have probably read more than I have in the past month (due to no more schoolwork and such). I've finished 'Beautiful Darkness' (by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl) and 'The Iron King' (by Julie Kagawa). I plan on writing a review of 'The Iron King' quite soon, though I'm not sure when exactly.

I've failed NaNoWriMo sadly. After the meter said I had to write about 4,000 words plus each day to win, I knew I was doomed. I believe this is because of the fact that I had to focus on my schoolwork and everything, though, had I the time, I would've been capable of producing a better written novel. However, I am still very pleased with myself, due to the fact that I have never written as many words as I had in this past month. I will continue to write (or attempt), but after scanning the text a little, there is much work to be done.

   One thing, for instance, is that my continuity is completely off, so I think I'll have to write a detailed outline and timeline once finished writing this first draft. There is many things that I learnt during this month and I won't regret them. As much as I do regret not winning NaNoWriMo, I still learnt a lot more about writing. Sadly, I won't actually be able to participate in NaNoWriMo for the next two years due to my mum wanting me to focus all my attention on school, which I can understand, it's just a little sad.

On a brighter note, last night my family and I put up the Christmas tree! It is, as per usual, overly dressed with tinsel (my brother has an obsessive love for it), but it's still got a lot of TLC that goes with it. My mum being a teacher gets presents from her students and as such, since we don't have presents as of yet to put under the Christmas tree, we are using her pressies from her students as an illusion that we really are a lot more organised than we actually are.

I have become a little obsessed with quotes and if someone says a word that ticks something off in my brain, I state a quote aloud. Like yesterday, for instance, I was writing something with a keyboard and instead of writing 'wow', I accidentally wrote 'woe' instead. It made me think of the last line in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and I said aloud (to no one, as no one was in the house) 'And there never was such a story of woe, as of that of Juliet and her Romeo' (or something along those lines). I haven't looked at Romeo and Juliet in at least two months, and that still popped into my head. It confuses me profusely and when I asked a friend about it later that night, she stated me to be abnormal. Which is slightly cruel, but I'm not exactly normal so I didn't really take offence to it.

WOW, I'm kind of rambling now. I'll just stop writing this exceptionally long blog now and say 'farewell' until next I see you with a review. A thousand times goodnight/good day (depending where you are in the world)

Continue being lovely,

&dftba. xox

BOOK CURRENTLY READING: The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa.

Biology Can Go Die in a Hole.

So, I realise that right now, instead of blogging, I really should be doing my Biology assignment, but I just can't be bothered. It's my very last assignment for the year, before summer holidays (and then, if we really want to further the calender, grade 11), but I've worked my butt off for pretty much all of my subjects for the past 3 or 4 weeks. I'M NOT EVEN KIDDING. I got 100% on my Maths B exam. I think that, that sums it up. So, even though I know I should be doing classification work with Biology, my mind is wandering off into blogging land, and what's going to happen on Glee and Vampire Diaries tonight.

I've become a teensy bit obsessed with Vampire Diaries, and I realise that this isn't healthy, but, to be honest, I don't actually watch very much TV, if any at all. So, when I finally do find a TV show that I actually enjoy, I tend to watch it for, like, ever. Like, for instance, I've become completely obsessed with Castle. Other shows that have captured my attention include: Vampire Diaries (no duh), Merlin, Midsomer Murders, Doctor Who (big thumbs up for Doctor Who and Matt Smith), and Sherlock.

Speaking of TV, who here has seen Harry Potter? *raises hand awkwardly* And guess what? I'm seeing it again tomorrow! THAT is how much I think you should see it. One of my other friends has already seen it twice, and may quite possibly be going to see it a third time tomorrow as well. I'm re-reading the blog post and I'm kinda wondering how I got Harry Potter from TV, but oh well.

Since I'm such a good student, I'll probably go back to writing about classification and sea stars in about five minutes, but I'm still procrastinating, so shh! Now, I can't remember what I wrote in my last blog post about NaNoWriMo, but I haven't really written anything new. I'm still just over 23,000 words. Why? One can't help but wonder. Why? Because I've been busy with school work, BUT I plant on using my early time off wisely, and write the 10,000+ words within a matter of a couple of days, to catch up. I know, I'm a freak.

Reading my biology assignment, I can't help but question - does anybody else know how hard it is to write about supra littoral, littoral and sub littoral zones, as well as sea stars on one page. WITH pictures. I've had to minimise the font heaps. Probably not good.

Oh well, continue being lovely, lovelies!
&dftba. xox

p.s Who of you wants a new book review? And, if so, what book?
p.s.s. Oh, and you know what else? I've become pro at writing bibliographies recently. THAT IS LEGIT. ;)
BOOK CURRENTLY READING: Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

How's NaNoWriMo going?

Hello all,
just decided to write a quick update into my life whilst completing NaNoWriMo (this is also a new use of mine that I also call 'blogging when procrastinating', it works surprisingly well).
So, I've just passed 16, 000 words (I think, I can't exactly remember), and I'm very, VERY happy with that. I'm really proud of myself, but I'm seriously starting to expect that the novel will be far over 50, 000 words. Which, is good, because I shall have all Summer to draft it. WHICH IS EPIC.

As stated before, I'm currently using this as a procrastination tool as I'm very close to finishing my Modern History essay draft, and I quite literally have a pen hanging out of my mouth, but I just need a little time to chillax away from the stress of the NaNoWriMo and school.

Speaking of which, I figured out I have like six pieces of assessment/essays/exams due in the next two weeks. Oh, my life. It shall be worth it though, once I've finally finished school for the year!
Continue being lovely!
&dftba. xox

BOOK CURRENTLY READING: Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl.

NaNoWriMo.

HELLO ALL!
This, I promise, shall be a somewhat decent blog post. Why, you may ask? Because I have a somewhat semi-decent subject to blog about!

Who here, my fellow bloggers/reader, is doing NaNoWriMo? I am very much curious, so please let me know! Well, I'm doing it and I had a bit of a mini freakout a couple of days ago because I wasn't sure of anything, but all is well now! What is you novel going to be about, you may be asking. Well, I need to start a new paragraph to show you! (Also, it is a very basic outline, I honestly don't know what I'm doing for it for about two-thirds of the novel)

It's almost like a retelling of the poem 'The Lady of Shallott' (by Alfred, Lord Tennyson), but at the same time it's not. Here's the summary:
Charlotte Mayflower has lived her whole life in the tower. For nearly 500 years. She knows she should have never manipulated her admirer, Lance, into loving her, and now she has to pay. His mother, who just so happened to be a witch, cursed her into the tower and forbids her from leaving, otherwise death shall occur.

Arthur 'Artie' Pendra has just come to Camelot Academy escaping from the misery of losing his little brother. Family life isn't stable, and his house is just full of sadness. All he wants is to find his 'soulmate' (if there is such a thing) and live his life without misery.

But now Charlotte has been set from her curse and is able to leave the tower. On one condition, she kills the guy who she fell in love with and prevented her from marrying Lance. Now time is running out and Charlotte doesn't know what to do.

This is a very, VERY basic outline of my story, but anyways. Thoughts? And, ALSO, as I'm sure you are very much aware, I suck at figuring out titles. So this is where you, my lovely readers, come in. Might you give me title suggestions? I would love you far too much if you did!

continue being lovely!
&dftba. xox

BOOK CURRENTLY READING: Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson.

p.s this is the link to my account if you wanna be writing buddies: http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/user/619564

Proactive Day.

Today is my day for proactiveness (I hope that's a word). So far I've read, drank some tea, filmed and edited my new video for YouTube (going up soon) and washed my hair. To some people, this may not seem like a lot, but it could easily be the most I've done all holidays. AND I'm still in that weird inspirational stage where all I wanna do it write.

I realise that I should start planning my NaNoWriMo book, but I just don't want to. I keep telling myself, wait 'till October, then all the ideas will be fresh in your mind, but subconsciously, I realise this is just me, telling myself that I don't want to do it because my focus is on something else. Which, I suppose, could be a good thing, it being that I'm actually concentrating on something, but GAHHH it just isn't working!

The weather's pretty cloudy today. I know what you're thinking, 'this girl has already run out of ideas and has decided talking about the weather would be interesting.' I KNOW YOU'RE ALL THINKING THAT, but it's really eerie, in all reality, because it's spring. The rainy season is Summer, yet it's cloudy and rainy in Spring. It's truly weird.

Anyway, I think the rest of this 'proactive' day shall contain me writing as much as possible, practicing piano for the first time these holidays, feeding the budgie (Yes, that's my pet, a budgie. Everybody else in the world gets a dog or cat, but I get a budgie) and maybe, just maybe, cleaning my room.

My brother's out fishing with my uncle at the moment. I've never seen the interest in fishing, as is with golf. Mind you, I'm the most unco-ordinated person alive, and I'm the more academic sort of person, rather than sporty athletic person.

I was also taunted last night when some of my family came over to eat dinner with us about my refusing to eat lamb. My uncle told me that it wasn't actually lamb, but I didn't care. I don't like any sort of steak, beef, pork, lamb, or anything that was originally a sheep, cow or pig (or really any animal, except chicken). I only like chicken. I don't even like seafood. Does that make me a semi-vegetarian? Hmmph, oh well, my life is pretty boring at the moment, so sorry if this post bores you.

have a lovely day, loverlies
&dftba. xox

BOOK CURRENTLY READING: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare.