How to...

So, some of you may know that I also love love love to write. I am currently working on a book that is 180 pages at 12-point Times New Roman font. But that's besides the point at the moment. I haven't done a post in awhile because I have been busy with school and other things, but it's Friday so I took the time to post this How To on...

How to Start A Story!

Now, there is a slight catch. Once you start a story... Try your darnedest to finish it! I know, we've all started stories that we never finished. But, if you finish one, that means you've accomplished something AND then you can go back and edit it and see how much better it can be. So anyway, I'll give you some tips on how to start a story... You just have to try and finish it!

TIP #1: Start your story in the middle. Yeah, that sounds crazy. But it captures the reader's attention. I mean, if the first sentence of a book is "No, he can't be dead!" than you definitely wanna know who he is and if and when he died and so on. One of my absolute favorite things about starting books in the middle is that you can have "flashback scenes" as I like to call them. Remember in Just Listen where you go through about half the book wondering what "Shhh, Annabel, it's just me" means? That drove me nuts! But it also captured my attention and I wanted to know what happened. Also, by starting in the middle you have more opportunities to explain things as you go. Books are boring if they explain everything at the beginning, leaving you with no questions. Good books make you ask questions!
TIP #2: Start your story with a good character name. Okay, so the very first sentence doesn't have to say the protagonist's name. But do introduce your character(s) within the first chapter. Now, when I say a "good character name" I mean a character name that describes your character. It's sometimes ironically funny to give a big, burly character the name Tiny or whatever, but I like to have character names that really fit my character's personality. First, you can either search for names that mean a certain trait you are looking for, OR you can go onto Baby Names and if you have a name in mind, find out what it means. Keep in mind that it's best to have unique character names. Yeah, Mary or Bill are fine names, but don't you want your reader raving about what an interesting name the main character has? Baby Names has tons of unusual names so find one that suits your character and your taste. Characters with good, unique names will be memorable! 
TIP #3: Start your story on an experience. How can you write about something if you have no idea what it's about? I find that it helps to incorporate things that have really happened to you into your writing. It gives the story a really authentic feel and you might even have a cool twist to add to it. For example, everyone knows the story about a backstabbing best friend. And that's probably happened to most of us. So write about that exactly how it happened to you, because I guarantee it will be different from the person sitting next to you. Every little detail counts, down to where it happened. Now, I'm not saying everything has to be something based off of your life. All I'm saying is it might be good to start with something you know. That will make it much less difficult to ease into the rest of the story, making up things as you go and adding bits of personal experiences here and there. Stories based on real events can be the starting point for a great realistic fiction novel! 


ATTENTION: These are all just suggestions. You can feel free to try them if you like or you don't have to. I just know that when I have a good idea but not quite a good start, I just remember these and my story starts to come together a lot faster. And, these may not work for everyone. But it couldn't hurt to try if you're stuck. Because being stuck is not the best feeling in the world to an aspiring author. 


Hope these encourage you to do some writing, I know I will be! Happy reading, and writing! :)

Lacking!

Hey guys!

I'm am so so sorry that I have been lacking in the area of Book Reviews and Contests. I have been busy with school this year (some would say it's the hardest year of high school, uck!) AND I have at least ten books on my bookshelf crying out to be read... Because I have a problem with buying books I want or that are on clearance, even when I don't have time to read them at that moment. So all of those are adding up and I really need to get to reading them ASAP. I will still try to post random blogs, but the book reviews and contests are limited at this point. I promise it will not be forever, just for now.

I hope you all understand!! :)

The Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging Widget

Check it out! This is from one of my favorite movies: Angus, Thongs, and Perfect Snogging! I discovered it on YouTube and have since then ordered the DVD off line so I can have it all to myself come this Wednesday or Thursday. Anyway, check out the main character, Georgia's blog diaries, about the movie, and more! It's pretty awesome (especially because it's British and I love British accents haha). You know what's even more awesome? It's based on a YA British book series called Confessions of Georgia Nicolson by Louise Rennison. I hope to get at least the first book in the series (Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging) soon. So if you haven't already, go onto B&N's site and look up the series and/or click on the link to the official site and/or go onto YouTube and find the movie to watch. You won't be disappointed, it's hilarious and very cute :)

FF: Fabricated Friday

Yes, I wish I had a Twitter, then I could do a "Follow Friday", but no. I check all my favorite people's Twitters everyday, even though I don't have one. I really want one, but everyone in my family is against it, saying it will be addicting and I'll never want to get off the computer.

Which is probably true.

But anyway, I'm going to do a Fabricated Friday instead. What is a Fabricated Friday (FF), you ask? Well, I shall tell you. An FF is a day where I will post a random book and you guys will tell me if you think I have read it or not. Just leave a comment below, saying if you think it's a fabrication or a truth. The first person to guess right (in the comments) will receive a very special award... A Fabricated Book Award! Now, this is an award I, obviously, made up, but it is an award, nonetheless. And I have yet to create it or... well, give it to anyone, so whoever guesses right first will be the VERY FIRST to receive one. What an honor right? So, let's get to it then. Is the book below a fabrication or truth (have I read it or not)?

Mandy by Julie Andrews Edwards (it wouldn't let me post the cover, something is messed up with my Blogspot I guess)

P.S. I will post the winner, and their award, in my next blog post!
P.P.S The font on this post is being really weird... My apologies.