#bookauthor

[thethirdgenesisbooks]

How to Put Words in Your Book - 5 Tips to Actually Start Writing

There is a problem among a great many writers and aspiring authors: so many of us never actually put any words into a Word document. Some writers will spend years developing a story idea. They’ll think of everything; the world-building, the characters, moving scenes, but never actually sit down to write the story.

Sometimes this comes from a lack of confidence. Writers think, “What if my story isn’t good enough?” These writers need to realize that the only thing worse than a bad story is the story that’s never written at all. For other writers, the reason why they can’t seem to actually get anything written is because while they know where the story has to go, they don’t know how to start. For still others, the problem is simply a matter of motivation.

Here are five tips to help you get your story rolling:

1 - Read the Opening of Someone Else’s Novel.

Sometimes, it can be hard to know what sorts of details to introduce first in your story. Do you start with a physical description of the character? A quote? A scene with characters in peril? Seeing how other authors started off their books can be helpful in this regard. I’d recommend reading the opening of a novel in a different genre from the one you’re writing. That way, you aren’t tempted to borrow too heavily, and can focus on putting out your own material.

2 - Listen to Music.

My wife and I developed this game that we sometimes play that utilizes her skills as a musician and mine as an author. I’ll sit or lie down on the couch with my eyes closed, and she’ll start playing an original, improvised piece of music on the piano. As I listen to the tune, I’ll start to describe a scene that the music brings to mind and tell a short story. Similarly, whenever I sit down to write one of my books, I listen to instrumental music that’s appropriate to the story I’m working on. I recommend that if you choose to use music to inspire your writing, you make sure it has no lyrics, as your writing may start to reflect the words you hear. I also recommend not using music that you associate with a particular scene. For example, when I tried writing while listening to “The Barber of Seville,” all I could see when I closed my eyes was Bugs Bunny shaving Elmer Fudd. You want music into which you can put your own meaning.

3 - If You are Spiritual, Pray or Meditate.

This piece of advice is pretty simple. If you are a spiritual or religious person, then before you write take a moment to stop and either pray or meditate. There’s a reason the Greeks thought goddesses called “muses” inspired art. The right side of the brain is associated with creativity, intuition, and spirituality. So, activate that side of your brain by doing something spiritual. Personally, when I was writing the first novel in my Third Genesis fantasy series, I prayed every time that “words would flow from my fingers to the page.” Most days, I wrote around 3,000 words in that book.

4 - When Stuck, Get Up and Walk.

You’d be surprised what even the tiniest amount of exercise can do for you. Do you have stairs in your home? Walk up and down a few times. Do you have a stationary bike? Ride it a little. Any form of exercise, however small, can get your mind going.

5 - Act Out the Scene.

Do you know your characters well enough to know how they speak to each other, what their goals are, and what they want out of life? Then play pretend for a bit, as you might well have done when you were a child. Improvise the scene, and pretend that you are all of the characters in the scene engaged in a discussion or struggle. You may find that you’re not good at improvising their dialogue, but that’s alright. When you say it out loud, you’ll get a better idea of what’s natural conversation. You’ll also gain some insights into what the characters would or wouldn’t do, based on what they want.

These are just a few things you could try to get the creative juices flowing. All of these have worked well for me. Good luck and happy writing!

[jbodenauthor]

[georgedelong]

The Illuminati are real, the fallen angels, reptilian entities, benevolent extraterrestrials, Ascended Masters, and divine angels are all real, and each has an agenda. It revolves around either keeping us asleep or waking us up. Check out the new book coming up by Author George DeLong.

[unfoldingmoments]

Gene Luen Yang

Quotes inspired from American Born Chinese series: “Children are mirrors; they will always show you exactly what is going on inside of you. Each phase of their growth is an opportunity to heal your own pain, to go deeper inside yourself and become more truly human”

― Vimala McClure, The Tao of Motherhood

“Kids are like a mirror, what they see and hear they do. Be a good reflection for them.”

— Kevin Heath

Popular answered Q for Gene Luen Yang from Goodreads: Q: I'm a writer & Catholic convert & I really enjoy how you explore catholic themes in a way that non-Catholics can still relate (esp in Boxers&Saints & TheEternalSmile) Any advice on how you pull that off?

Gene Luen Yang : My Buddhist creative writing professor at U.C.Berkeley told me to never write about faith directly. Instead, you should live your faith and write your life. I've been trying to follow that advice ever since.

Q: What are you currently working on?

I'm working on a middle grade graphic novel series called Secret Coders with an amazing cartoonist named Mike Holmes.

Gene Luen Yang : It's kind of like Harry Potter - tweens discover a mysterious secret school. Only instead of magic, the school teaches computer coding. We're hoping that as the readers read about our protagonists becoming coders, they'll become coders themselves.

Q: When you were writing American Born Chinese, did you actually hear those stories from your parents or did you just make it up? Also how did you start writing and drawing? Huge fan of all your books!

Gene Luen Yang : Thank you!

I first heard the Monkey King's story from my mom. Great character -- you should read Journey to the West if you want to experience the original.

I started drawing when I was two and haven't stopped!

Q: I teach English as a second language and American Born Chinese has brought excitement and depth to the conversations about the craft of writing to my classroom. My students' wonder - why did you choose to become a writer? Also, what books do you recommend for elementary students?

Gene Luen Yang: Thank you so much for teaching American Born Chinese! It's an honor to be a part of your classroom.

Both my parents are storytellers. It was a part of my childhood, so I always wanted to tell stories myself.

There are all sorts of great graphic novels for elementary students! Check out work by Raina Telgemeier, Dave Roman, Kazu Kibuishi, Jenny and Matt Holm, Frank Cammuso, Ben Hatke, Jarrett Krosoczka. 

[natalspublcation]

Hello

Author we are #Natals.in, our Publication House has an offer for you... For Offer Read the post carefully to understand the offer and contact us. Check our website for more - www.natals.in or G-mail us. natalspublication@gmail.com FOLLOW - @natals_publication Hastags - #natalspublication

[searchbugblog]

Are you tired of endlessly searching for the right book agent to take your writing career to the next level? Look no further! 🙌

Our easy step-by-step guide will show you how to quickly and efficiently get access to the contact information of the top US literary agents in just a few hours or minutes.

Swipe left to learn more. ➡️

[taylaedraws]

A super cute commission I did for @spicybookswbb, thank you for commissioning me 🌸

commission me: tainah.larissaferreira@gmail.com

[dronacharyagroupofinstitutions]

Celebrating Excellence : 

Celebrating Excellence : A Heartfelt Congratulations to Dr Kamal deep Jangra (Associate Professor) of Dronacharya Group of Institutions, Greater Noida on the Remarkable Achievement of Authoring of Book "Role of Artificial Intelligence in IoT".

[nerdsworld]

Jamie Lee Curtis 📚 @SDCC 🦹

Actress Jamie Lee Curtis returns to San Diego Comic Con as an author,to promote her latest book.

Jamie Lee Curtis has been known to attend comic conventions wearing a mask or in cosplay,walking among the attendees with no one the wiser. 🎭

Friday

07.21.2023

L.George

[thethirdgenesisbooks]

What is Magipunk?

Magipunk (also called Magepunk, Spellpunk, Aetherpunk, or Dungeonpunk) is a genre of fantasy taking place in a world where all the technology runs on magic. Combustion engines in such a setting may only work because of fire elementals inside, or instead of telephones people may have circlets that allow them to communicate telepathically with someone far away. In such a setting, magic is not some mysterious force, it is a science that has been honed to make life easier.

The roots of magipunk can be traced back to a blend of genres, primarily fantasy, steampunk, and cyberpunk. Elements of high fantasy, such as wizards and magical artifacts, are paired with the gritty, dystopian settings typical of cyberpunk or steampunk. The resulting genre is a captivating fusion of the supernatural and the mechanical.

Like its parent genres, magipunk often explores themes of power, corruption, and the human condition. Characters navigate a world where magic is both a blessing and a curse, where technology brings progress but also danger. Furthermore, such technology often raises questions such as “just what makes us human?” and “Even if someone is not human, can they still be a person?” These themes are often underscored by rich world-building, intricate plots, and captivating character development.

The appeal of magipunk lies in its ability to blend fantastical elements with familiar settings. A wizard may walk with a staff and wear a pointed hat as he walks into a private detective’s office. Lightning elementals powering a city’s grid might cause a major crisis when they go on strike. A dark lord may rise to threaten the world with his army of steam-powered robots. It offers a fresh take on traditional fantasy tropes while exploring themes that resonate with modern audiences.

Some popular books that fall into this genre include “Mistborn” by Brandon Sanderson, “Mage Against the Machine” by Shaun Barger, or “The Iron Druid Chronicles” by Kevin Hearne.

My own fantasy series, “The Third Genesis,” also falls into this category. It has automatons (robots) powered by magical cores, people send messages instantly through enchanted wooden boxes called “bendboxes,” and there are airships that fly because of enchantments placed on them.

[artshoppingtoday]

The Literacy Bag @Bonfire

https://www.bonfire.com/the-literacy-bag/

[swetasamota]

Caption this image 😌 Best caption will receive a mention here. 📸: from my recent talk at Quantum Retreat 2023 - mastermind of the top 100 coaches of India led by my mentor @siddharthrajsekar #bookcoach #bookauthor #qcr2023 #sharktankindia #swetasamota #siddharthrajsekar #ilh #thoughtleader #bossbabe #bosslady #insights #successgyan #successtips (at Mahabalipuram) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpIQecDrLGB/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[thenewmizzluvliblack]

I'm starting from the beginning of my Spiritual journey to help ppl INNERstand the process. My new book SPIRITUAL GAWDDESS the SPIRITUALIST will make you think and want to know more. The publish date is March 1st. So PRE ORDER NOW! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BTRZ6MBR?ref_=cm_sw_r_mwn_dp_X2AKW3R18E53DAK1PBHX #bookstoner #bookauthor #SpiritualGawddess #spirituality (at Georgia) https://www.instagram.com/p/Co-lkxxv5Hi/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[wdcgardener]

Local DC-area friends! Please join me at the 12th Annual TAKOMA PARK BOOK FAIR on Saturday, December 17, 2022, from 1 – 4 pm. This is at the Busboys and Poets on 235 Carroll Avenue NW DC (right on the Takoma Park, MD border and just steps from the Takoma metro station). I will be selling and signing "The Urban Garden." It is $27 and makes a great gift for new homeowners, beginning gardeners, etc.! I can take credit cards, PayPal, ApplePay, checks, cash, etc. You are also welcome to bring the book for me to sign and personalize for a gift, if you bought it elsewhere. There will be several other local authors selling and signing their books as well. I'm excited to spend the afternoon with such cool company! #takomapark #takomaparkmd #takomadc #dc #dmv #urbangarden #urbangardening #citygarden #citygardening #smallspacegardening #gardenbook #bookauthor (at Takoma Park, Maryland) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl62aHcOg5l/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[wedragonsruletheworld]

Creating a Well-rounded Character. - What is a Character?

Making a character for your story has many steps.  I’ll walk you through some of them in a series of articles.

Firstly, what is a character? Are there different types?

In a novel, a character is a fictional person or being that plays a role in the story. Characters are often the driving force behind the narrative, and their thoughts, actions, and interactions shape the plot and engage readers. They are typically developed with unique personalities, backgrounds, motivations, and relationships to make them believable and relatable.

Yes, there are different types of characters in a novel, each serving different functions within the story. Here are a few common character types:

1. Protagonist: The central character around whom the story revolves. They typically face challenges, pursue goals, and undergo personal growth or transformation. 2. Antagonist: The character or force that opposes the protagonist, creating conflict and obstacles to overcome. Antagonists can be individuals, groups, or even internal struggles. 3. Supporting characters: These characters complement the protagonist and help move the story forward. They often have distinct personalities, roles, and relationships with the main character. 4. Foil characters: Foils are characters who contrast with the protagonist, highlighting their qualities and characteristics. They can emphasize different perspectives or motivations. 5. Dynamic characters: These characters undergo significant changes or growth throughout the story, often as a result of their experiences or interactions. 6. Static characters: Static characters remain relatively unchanged throughout the narrative, maintaining consistent traits and behaviors. 7. Round characters: Round characters are complex and multi-dimensional, with a mix of strengths, weaknesses, and internal conflicts. They often feel more realistic and relatable. 8. Flat characters: Flat characters are less developed and have fewer complexities, serving specific roles or functions within the story.

These character types provide a framework for understanding and categorizing the various individuals within a novel, but keep in mind that characters can also exhibit traits from multiple types or evolve over time. Ultimately, a well-written novel typically features a diverse cast of characters that contribute to the story’s depth and impact.

Remember, they’re more than just a cardboard cutout!