The Descretion of Reading

 

Readers be warned: Read This Before You Purchase A Book 

       

     As you are probably well aware of, there are millions of books in the world today and it can sometimes be quite difficult to figure out just what pieces of literature are worth spending your time reading. But I have been finding that sometimes, as lovers of words, we can often be a bit too careless in what we read. 

 

    Now suppose you walk into a book store, browse the genre that most interests you, and pick up a book that you believe would be an interesting read. You have never read this author's work before but based on the back-cover blurb you think that it might prove to be a good novel. So you buy the book and walk out of the store. 

     

    Think carefully now, before answering this question. What did you just do? Yes, you just bought a novel, as is the obvious, but dig a little deeper. You have just financially supported the author's work. At face value this may seem to be very basic. But contemplate deeper.

 

    Let's suppose even further that when you got home you immediately began to read the novel that you just purchased. A quarter of the way through you find that there is sex, violence, and some other unsavory subjects are mentioned. You are very disappointed at the money you spent on this novel, and naturally so. 

 

    Think. You have just invested money in supporting an author that writes of things you don't believe should be put down on paper and goes against your beliefs. Now of course you probably won't support that writer anymore but it's too late. By buying that novel you just basically stated "I agree with what this author writes" because you financially supported the author's work.   

 

    I have had to learn this lesson the hard way. I have wasted hundreds of dollars on novels that I didn't end up liking in the end. And I invested two hundred dollars in supporting the writers who wrote those novels. I can't go back and retract that. 

 

    So I'm asking you now to always know what you are buying. If you see a book in a bookstore that interests you, don't just pick it up and buy it. Go home, research the author, read some samples from GoodReads to get an idea of the story, look at reviews from others, and maybe you can even find some free Audio books on YouTube of the writer's works. After all all this research, most importantly, make sure that your findings are in line with what you believe in. The last thing you want to do is support a writer - even if it's just once - that writes contrary to your beliefs. 

 

    I have been following this process for a while now, and don't regret it one bit. Even novels marked under "Faith" or "Christian" should be diligently researched. Christianity has taken on a variety of meanings in the past few decades and even Christian writers can write questionable content. 

 

    I hope that you will take the advice above and not just pick up any old story off the shelf. It might make a bigger difference than you think...and it's all worth it when you can snuggle down with a good novel knowing that you are supporting the right person.  

 

~ Lydia Sherren  

 

Quote For The Week #2

 

"Faith is to believe what we do not see, and the reward of this faith is to see what we believe." 

                                   - St. Augustine

Quote For The Week

                  

"Worry Does Not Empty Tomorrow of Its Sorrows; It Empties Today of Its Strength." 

                  - Corrie Ten Boom

 

Character Building

Your Character Matters (Pun Intended)

    The main characters in a story matter, especially if it's character-driven, but it's imperative in plot-driven stories as well. The action of your main protagonists have a huge impact on your manuscript. Thus saying, it's very important how you shape your characters. Though it may take some extra time it will not only make your writing easier, but will also allow the reader to enjoy your book more. 

     

    There are numerous styles for building your characters...uh...character. I suggest that you investigate different techniques for character building, for as I previously stated, several exist and it's important to find the one that best suites your writing style. Or you may decide to make up your own unique style. But a writing (or graphing) out a character, you must always list their strengths and weakness.

  

    Piecing together your character is imperative. It gives you insight in how they will react to certain situations, what choices they will make, what would be considered a daring feat, etc. The reader of your manuscript will also be able to tell if you've put time into building up the characters. It wouldn't make sense if a shy, withdrawn young woman fleeing from an abusive relationship would suddenly pledge her life to a man she just met. That isn't real. Or is it? 😲Maybe this young woman though shy, is far too trusting. That would tie in pretty good with what we've said about her so far. (See what I'm getting at?)

 

    Whether you are writing fiction or non-fiction it's important that you take the time to form your characters accordingly. Once you've found a method that suites you, it might be helpful to get a bulletin board and pin up the character structures of your main protagonists...and antagonists, so that you can refer to them quickly and easily. Or perhaps store them in a binder, where you can easily flip through to refer back to how your character would logically react to a situation. 

     

    Just a warning. If you're like me, you may start adding one thing after another to your character's inabilities or abilities. I'm telling you right now: spare yourself the trouble. Set aside a good chunk of time to thoroughly build up your character...and stick with it. Don't start adding new things to it every week or else your character will have attributes that contradict his/herself

    

     Hope this was helpful! Write a comment down below of what method you like to use when forming your characters. 

 

 ~Lydia Sherren

Quote For The Week

                                                                               

                                     

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."     

                                  - ralph waldo emerson 

The Movie Side of Writing

 

ready? Camera? ...Action!

Facing writer's block? Need a solution? Well, keep reading to find out one way that seems to help me push through the barriers that seem to emerge to prevent me from putting my thoughts onto paper. 

Ever wonder why we love to watch movies? It's because they make a story seem real to us. Perhaps you're even one of those lucky people who have been able to see their favorite book turned into a movie or series. 

Whenever I feel like I can't get the words typed out or written down, I think of my story as a movie. Picture yourself as if you are in a cinema, watching your favorite movie, and make that favorite movie the novel that you are writing. Think about the scenes unfolding like movie clips, picture the close-up shots of characters as your first person POV. Once you start to think of your book as a movie, I believe you'll find that the words come much easier. 

Also, there has been the odd time when actually watching an adventure or romance movie did the trick. Having trouble writing down the perfect dramatic scene? You might try watching a drama/thriller. Wondering what your Amish protagonist should be feeling after their betrayal? Maybe it's time to watch Saving Sarah Cain or The Shunning. 

So make sure you're ready with pencil in hand, you're camera's rolling, and...action!

~Lydia Sherren

 

Quote For The Week

                                              

  if you want to change the world, pick up your pen and write.

                                                                                          - Martin Luther