This morning and the past few days I've been thinking about using my childhood memories of Mole, my biological mother and family to use in fictional stories. I still can remember the times Mole would get drunk. Either me or my brother Ian would get his vicious tongue and physical outbursts. He'd beat and tell us horrible things he'd do to our mother if we didn't do certain things for him. Life was hell.
Now he is dead, long since gone. Plus I have endured being raped, stabbed and sexually abused by friends, family and even stabbed by someone who I thought loved me. Now I live in the US. I still miss England, but I do still have the memories of my childhood and I use those memories in my stories I write. I might not be a good writer, but I love writing.
Just want the youth of today that they aren't alone. I'm in several Yahoo Groups on the subject of writing fiction. I get advice when I can. I take in the advice from professional writers. whether they are published or not. Right now i know I'm not a good writer. I have good ideas, I plot my stories and come up with names that fit the characters for my stories. I believe one day I'll have my books published. I'm not writing for riches. Just to show the youth that they aren't alone in the world of dysfunctional families. Either they'd be like mine, or maybe totally different.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Show not Tell
Anger
Telling: Bob storms out of the room in anger.
Showing: Bob storms out of the room with his clenched, red creeping up his neck all the way to his cheeks, and his eyes narrowed.
There is no denying, in either sentence, how Bob is feeling. The second sentence, however, shows the reactions to the emotion, rather than stating the emotion itself.
Happiness
Telling: Sally skipped down the street happily.
Showing: Sally skipped down the street with her arms waving easily at her sides, a brightness in her features, and a lighthearted whistle on her lips.
In this one, I exaggerated a little, perhaps showing a little too much description, but I did want another example. I will only torture you with one more.
Sadness
Telling: Sandra shook her head sadly as she looked at the ruined present.
Showing: Sandra shook her head, a small pout touching her lips and moisture rising into her eyes as she looked at the ruined present.
These are just a few guides to show you that showing is better than telling. It gives the reader a chance to to imagine how the emotions and feelings of the characters. I believe this is helpful tip...
Telling: Bob storms out of the room in anger.
Showing: Bob storms out of the room with his clenched, red creeping up his neck all the way to his cheeks, and his eyes narrowed.
There is no denying, in either sentence, how Bob is feeling. The second sentence, however, shows the reactions to the emotion, rather than stating the emotion itself.
Happiness
Telling: Sally skipped down the street happily.
Showing: Sally skipped down the street with her arms waving easily at her sides, a brightness in her features, and a lighthearted whistle on her lips.
In this one, I exaggerated a little, perhaps showing a little too much description, but I did want another example. I will only torture you with one more.
Sadness
Telling: Sandra shook her head sadly as she looked at the ruined present.
Showing: Sandra shook her head, a small pout touching her lips and moisture rising into her eyes as she looked at the ruined present.
These are just a few guides to show you that showing is better than telling. It gives the reader a chance to to imagine how the emotions and feelings of the characters. I believe this is helpful tip...
Friday, December 30, 2011
Poem - Promised
A tear dropped.
I tumbled to my knees.
My face skyward.
Looking at the stars above me.
I thought clearly.
"How could you do this? How could you take her from me?"
My heart ached.
I gasped for breath.
The words rang in my ear, repeating over and over again.
"She's gone.....her fight..wasn't strong enough."
Questions on the tip of my tonge.
Why her? Why now? What did I do to deserve such pain?
Memories of us together flashed by my eyes.
One straight after another.
Tears were bleeding down my face.
I remembered times when she held my hand told me everything would be alright. We could fight this world together. We could be scared together. We would be together forever.
I could see the sky darken.
Clouds tumbling in.
It didn't sprinkle it poured.
It poured just like my tears poured down my face.
I looked down.
Below my foot was a sharp jagged rock.
I picked it up.
I touched it to my skin. Amemory so vivid. Past by my eyes.
She was leaning in close. She held my hand close to hers face and whispered "Promise me that no matter what happens. No matter what the future holds for us. You will never harm yourself. You wont ever take such a risk with your life again."
I remembered the tender beautiful kindness in her eyes.
The love.
I bowed my head close to her ear and whispered "I promise. No matter what happens."
The memory gone.
I looked toward the sky again.
Soaked from the rain.
I whispered "I promise"
Another hot tear skidded down my face.
The rock dropped and forgotten about.
I wept.
Knowing I could never brake such a promise.
Knowing I had to fight......Alone.
I tumbled to my knees.
My face skyward.
Looking at the stars above me.
I thought clearly.
"How could you do this? How could you take her from me?"
My heart ached.
I gasped for breath.
The words rang in my ear, repeating over and over again.
"She's gone.....her fight..wasn't strong enough."
Questions on the tip of my tonge.
Why her? Why now? What did I do to deserve such pain?
Memories of us together flashed by my eyes.
One straight after another.
Tears were bleeding down my face.
I remembered times when she held my hand told me everything would be alright. We could fight this world together. We could be scared together. We would be together forever.
I could see the sky darken.
Clouds tumbling in.
It didn't sprinkle it poured.
It poured just like my tears poured down my face.
I looked down.
Below my foot was a sharp jagged rock.
I picked it up.
I touched it to my skin. Amemory so vivid. Past by my eyes.
She was leaning in close. She held my hand close to hers face and whispered "Promise me that no matter what happens. No matter what the future holds for us. You will never harm yourself. You wont ever take such a risk with your life again."
I remembered the tender beautiful kindness in her eyes.
The love.
I bowed my head close to her ear and whispered "I promise. No matter what happens."
The memory gone.
I looked toward the sky again.
Soaked from the rain.
I whispered "I promise"
Another hot tear skidded down my face.
The rock dropped and forgotten about.
I wept.
Knowing I could never brake such a promise.
Knowing I had to fight......Alone.
Poem - I love you
You don't know
You can't see
What really goes on
Inside of me
My eyes shield
How I feel inside
You don't know
How much I've cried
My mouth restricts
What I'd really say
And make you think
I'm perfectly okay
I know you tried
You mean well
But I have things
I'd never tell
To truly laugh
To really smile
Is something I haven't
Done in a while
You'll never know
How I really feel
I don't know how long
It will take to heal.
Just know that
I still love you
After everything
That I've been through.
You'll never see
Inside my mind
I'm protecting you
From what you'd find.
I protect you because
I love you so much.
This is my pain
You'll never know
You can't see
What really goes on
Inside of me
My eyes shield
How I feel inside
You don't know
How much I've cried
My mouth restricts
What I'd really say
And make you think
I'm perfectly okay
I know you tried
You mean well
But I have things
I'd never tell
To truly laugh
To really smile
Is something I haven't
Done in a while
You'll never know
How I really feel
I don't know how long
It will take to heal.
Just know that
I still love you
After everything
That I've been through.
You'll never see
Inside my mind
I'm protecting you
From what you'd find.
I protect you because
I love you so much.
This is my pain
You'll never know
Poem - Till Death Us Do Part
I'll never deceive you,cheat or lie.
It,s just not in me to be such a guy.
The promise i make is to take care of you.
To give you all things in my power to.
A life full of happiness love and more love.
It will appear it,s like from heaven above.
I want to make this a heaven on earth.
And give you everything i am worth.
You are the object of my desire.
And of you i will never tire.
Everyday until your last breath.
I will carry on loving you till my own death.
It,s just not in me to be such a guy.
The promise i make is to take care of you.
To give you all things in my power to.
A life full of happiness love and more love.
It will appear it,s like from heaven above.
I want to make this a heaven on earth.
And give you everything i am worth.
You are the object of my desire.
And of you i will never tire.
Everyday until your last breath.
I will carry on loving you till my own death.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Choosing Character Names
This morning I have been toying with the thoughts on how I go about choosing names for my characters. I found that you have to choose the right first and last name that suits the characters. My protagonist has to have the right name, to suit their personality and who they are and what they are about to achieve in the story. Sometimes I struggle if I don't have the right name that suits the type of character the protagonist is and will do during the story.
I usually write christian stories about the main character is aged between 11 - 15 years old. Plus they are mostly male characters for the most part. I just love writing with my main character is male, even though I'm female myself. I just feel I can justify the feelings, thoughts and emotions. I guess it's because I'm so tomboyish in nature.
Sometimes I have to write with my main character is female, but not often. Just going with the feeling and knowing what my character wants to do, become or accomplish within the story. Remember to think a lot about what emotional, psychical and behavioural components in the build of the character. Make sure you make the right choices for each character in the story. Never just do it hap hazardously. Just think of who the character is, what they'll accomplish and also their friends and family. Make sure each component of a character is well thought out and will fit into the right places in the story you're about to write.
I usually write christian stories about the main character is aged between 11 - 15 years old. Plus they are mostly male characters for the most part. I just love writing with my main character is male, even though I'm female myself. I just feel I can justify the feelings, thoughts and emotions. I guess it's because I'm so tomboyish in nature.
Sometimes I have to write with my main character is female, but not often. Just going with the feeling and knowing what my character wants to do, become or accomplish within the story. Remember to think a lot about what emotional, psychical and behavioural components in the build of the character. Make sure you make the right choices for each character in the story. Never just do it hap hazardously. Just think of who the character is, what they'll accomplish and also their friends and family. Make sure each component of a character is well thought out and will fit into the right places in the story you're about to write.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Goals for 2012
I have decided to begin the new year with some important goals I've set myself for the year 2012. I think if you set goals, you can slowly or as quickly as you feel meet those goals. It is hard to be a writer, but when you set yourself goals and a agenda for the things you'd like to accomplish.
Yancy hates it when his mother tells him they have to move. He knows he has to be mature boy and assist his mother in moving to Indianapolis. Starting a new school and new church. Trying to blend into the community as he is dark skinned and mostly a lot of mixed raced people around. But because he is a geek/nerd finds it hard to fit in.
After being in the new place, hiss father appears at their new home. This is something he isn't ready for. He left a few months before Sanjay was born. He is the only one out of him and his sister to remember their father. His father is married and with a woman who has twin boys. Both boys are his father's.
Yancy struggles with the fact his dad wants to raise his half brothers, but not be with them. The thoughts of making sure he never hurts his mother or siblings. He is hard hearted and makes every moment to ruin his father life whenever he can.
Slowly he learns that he has to accept that his father and mother don't love each other. He learns that it's hard to be around his father and the family he knows has. Plus he has to let his sister and brother learn that truth about their father. Accepting that he can spend time with him, and also be loyal to his mother.
- Finish third story
- Edit both finished manuscripts
- Start a daily writing goals
- Write 500-1,500 words a day
Not sure when or if I can do these, but I intend to try my hardest to write daily, and work on these goals each month. Something inside is telling me to work hard, but enjoy the writing process. My partner and I are still writing our Christmas story. The thing is they keep not wanting to write on it. So I'm writing my other story that I'm working on.
Circle of Friends:
Yancy hates it when his mother tells him they have to move. He knows he has to be mature boy and assist his mother in moving to Indianapolis. Starting a new school and new church. Trying to blend into the community as he is dark skinned and mostly a lot of mixed raced people around. But because he is a geek/nerd finds it hard to fit in.
After being in the new place, hiss father appears at their new home. This is something he isn't ready for. He left a few months before Sanjay was born. He is the only one out of him and his sister to remember their father. His father is married and with a woman who has twin boys. Both boys are his father's.
Yancy struggles with the fact his dad wants to raise his half brothers, but not be with them. The thoughts of making sure he never hurts his mother or siblings. He is hard hearted and makes every moment to ruin his father life whenever he can.
Slowly he learns that he has to accept that his father and mother don't love each other. He learns that it's hard to be around his father and the family he knows has. Plus he has to let his sister and brother learn that truth about their father. Accepting that he can spend time with him, and also be loyal to his mother.
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