Questions

What is this class like? Has anyone hear personally taken it?

I am a 10th grade, and thinkin about taking it next year as an elective. It sounds like a fun class, because ive heard that all you do is write stories and you get an A for them. I am good at that, and that would be perfect if i could get good grades for that.
- High School Junior

Good writer or great, writer’s block is one thing every writer must wade through every now and then. So what really is writer’s block? Nothing special, and entirely unnecessary, if you ***?k me. ****?, sadly enough, it happens. Symptoms when IT strikes are pretty simple: the ****?r writer sits down to write ****? all that comes to mind is either something shockingly irrelevant or a plain, blank *****?en. Think, think and again, think… Nothing. No idea, not a word on paper. Another thing that could happen is that the ****?r being sits down to write and ends up typing some stuff ****? thinks it is worse than gibberish, so off it goes into the trash can. ***?rfect-tragic-tale!

With writer’s block amply defined, let’s now ***?e what exactly can be done to beat it black and blue. If you’ve been hit by writer’s block, try some of these to fight it off:

* Write anything that comes to mind: The idea is to just put your thoughts on paper, irrespective of how relevant they are to what you’ve actually to write about. In a matter of minutes, you’ll start generating a ****?d flow of thought. Now switch to the topic you’ve to write on.

Keep in mind that you’ve not to delete that dummy write up. Save and keep it for a later date when you can possibly sit down and build a ****?d enough piece out of it. Else, use it ***? a quick-start method the next ***?me you’ve writer’s block.

* If you really think you cannot jot down whatever comes to mind, go browse the net or a ****?kshelf and find yourself something you enjoy reading. I often go around reading news updates and ****?k reviews. Another ****?d option- and it really is a lot better than it sounds- is to get a hand on some ball-by-ball cricket commentary texts (that, if you enjoy cricket, or are at least fond of a couple of guys playing the match;) ). These texts are great light reading material and you’ll be done with them in no ***?me.

The logic: you’re basically running short of ideas when having writer’s block, which, very often, could be due to a ***?red brain. What you do here is just treat yourself to some material that is interesting and enjoyable to you along with being not too taxing a read.

* Another ****?d idea could be to go around and have a ‘friendly chat’ with ***?ople around you about something you’ve to write on. Different ***?ople have different views and indulging in some info download will greatly help your cause. Collect relevant and interesting ideas and try put them on paper. Oh, and do remember to go thank the ****?d souls once you’re done with your task. With that, you’ve not just expressed some gratitude you ought to, ****? have also created some fertile ground for the next ***?me you just might need their ***?rvices.

* Whenever you write, make sure you’ve a copy at hand that you can refer to when needed. If possible, rate or categorize your work. This little collection can then be used to provide that power packed ****?st when you ***?em all at ***?a to come up with a decent write up. Read your work and observe the little details that make it the ****?d piece it is. Do a mini round of applause (even if you happen to be the only one doing it). Give yourself a pat on the back and a high five. Yeah, hit right hand on left if that is all that’s available!

Feel better? Now try jotting down some stuff for whatever you’re to write on. Don’t rush though. Make sure you do it only when you feel you’ve all the confidence in the world to come up trumps this ***?me too.

* The best reserved for the last. So here it goes: pack up. Yup, ***? simple ***? that! Just wind up for the day and give yourself a ****?dy-good treat by taking the rest of the day off. Do what you like best- eat, sleep, drink, talk, watch a movie, go out… do anything that lets you calm down, loosen up and chill.

Hey, life’s not all ***?n though. All play and no work will make you a dimwit. Not ***? ****?d ***? the original (in case you’re wondering, here’s the original: all play and no work makes Jack a dull boy), ****? it does manage to convey the meaning. Now what you do after this day of all ***?n and no play is follow it up with a ****?d, productive day at work. With a fresh mind at hand, get down to some ***?rious writing.

Now, now… if you’re sitting there and half-guessing this is all preach-preach and no practice, here’s a ***?ny-winy bit of revelation: each of these ‘methods’ have been put to use to come up with this little gem. So, yeah, they’re all tried and tested; and each comes with a badge of sure-shot-result-guarantee.


- Shaheen Mohiuddin

There are some simple rules to remember when writing form a character’s viewpoint, yet many forget them. Here’s a rundown of some to remember . . .

No matter what language you speak, regional accents and dialect always give away your origin - unless of course you have had voice coaching. In the UK accent differences can be very subtle - for example, I can tell if someone is from my home town or a town just ten miles away. You can probably do this too.

When ‘building’ a character for your story, their ‘voice’ is very important - and not just accent or local patois. Listen to your friends. Let’s say for the sake of convenience you all grew up in the same part of town. You therefore all have the same accent and probably use much the same slang words and idiom. So what sets you apart?

It’s the way you talk. Some people talk rapidly, some are slow and thoughtful. Some have little speech mannerisms that mark them out. All these things add up to them being an individual, a real, live, talking person. Using your character’s ‘voice’ is therefore a powerful tool that helps your reader to identify with that character and so makes them much more real.

Let’s take an example. Three people are sat watching TV - grandmother, mother and daughter. They’re watching a movie. Suppose it’s ‘Pulp Fiction’. Now how do you think they would speak if asked to describe that movie? Maybe the grandmother would be scandalised by the sex and violence. Maybe the mother would be uncomfortable about her daughter seeing it. Perhaps the daughter just loves it.

So they all have different attitudes to the movie - but how do you think they would summarise it? Let’s see how this sounds.

Grandmother: I thought it a good movie but really, is all that bad language and shooting necessary?

Mother: Yes it was a good film but I thought it was rather violent and I was concerned about my daughter seeing it.

Daughter: I really enjoyed the movie - it was very thrilling and full of action.

Garbage, isn’t it? It all sounds the same - as if one person was saying all three lines. Maybe this is better:

Grandmother: I thought it a good movie but really, is all that bad language and shooting necessary?

Mother: I kind of liked it but, you know, I was a bit worried about my daughter being exposed to all that bloodshed and goings-on.

Daughter: A really cool movie - it was just so laid-back yet full of go at the same time, you know?

Now I’m not pretending that they would really speak like that - it’s just an illustration of ‘voice’. In this instance I kept the way the grandmother might speak as that was they style I used for all three in the first run-through. Have a bit of fun - rewrite it as if the daughter was the ‘voice’ for all three - it comes out just as bad as my first attempt did!

This extends into all your writing. In a previous article I mentioned our all-action hero, Jake Bullet, as he enters a bar where a gunman is waiting for him. Here in a few lines is the same scene from Jake’s viewpoint and that of his adversary.

As he turned and saw the guy heave a pistol our from beneath his coat, Jake exploded into action, leaping the length of the bar and crashing a fist into the gunman’s chin. Stood over the guy Jake turned to Henry. ‘That’s one thing he won’t try again. If he gets up I’m gonna bust his face.’

Pulling the pistol from under his jacket, Sam thought what a posing daisy this famous slick cop looked in his fancy suit. He was going to be easy. Then he froze as his mark jumped toward him. He just had time to think what a bum story his boss had given him about this creep cop before he saw stars and hit the floor. Bummer.

Again, it’s not a finished piece! It just gives an idea of how using a slightly different ‘delivery’ can help to identify the character. A point to note also is that the character’s ‘voice’ goes beyond dialogue. Sam’s way of thinking and some of his character comes out in the way he is described as seeing the scene. This is another aspect of viewpoint writing and ‘voice’ - describing the action as would the character - not you. Keep to this as your scene unfolds - remember, it’s your character who is doing the seeing and talking!


- Steve Dempster

pelase help, i’m writing a myth and it’s kinda sounds like a story, but i want it to sound like a myth! thanks
- kiwiBONEZ

Tell me whatever you can about how sound can affect a poem. As much as possible please.
- dack042002

i have some ideas, but when i think of the novel itself.. it sounds like a book that ive read. how can i come up with ideas that are my own, and not stollen? And also, if i have a idea.. i keep thinking “oh this will be better”… or..” no i might as well stay with this” does anybody have any tips? me and my grandpa want to write a book and hopefully get it published.
- Samanthalovesbirds

i write songs about anything but lately i havent been able to write anything i think sounds good.
- Michelle

To be exact, the character name that i would like is something that sounds nice for a Nerdy girl. She is sickly due to a lung problem, and she is learning to be a Computer programmer. She’s nice, and likes to use her headphones a lot.

Can anyone give me any ideas on a nice-sounding name?
- The fuzzling

I get the most horrendous spells of writer’s block and it drives me crazy. You know the ones where you either can’t come up with anything for months or anything you do come up with sounds awful when you read it again later? What causes that? How do you prevent it from happening or at least make it go away when it becomes a problem? I haven’t been able to write anything new and interesting for the next scene in my book for a few weeks or so.
- ?Essence?of?Writing?

I’ve been writing a story for a long time, the beginnings of it disappeared long ago in a fatal hard drive accident, and I can’t remember what one character’s first name was originally.

It was either Anita Griffen or Elaine Griffen.

Which sounds the best? I can’t decide which it should be.
She’s an older, very sweet, kind woman, if that helps.
- Your Highness