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Why do I still know all the lyrics to Craig Ferguson's German Twitter/email song from 2010?

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How to Start Writing Fiction

Many readers feel the urge to write at some point. But getting started can be daunting. Do I need to build a world for years like Tolkien did? Do I need write it all at once? What structure do I need to use? What do I need to do to write a successful novel?

When you're new to writing, the key first step is... throw all that stuff out the window!

Writing isn't publishing. Writing isn't success. Writing isn't making money. First you've got to be able to write without any of that. If you're lucky, maybe those things will come for you. But you cannot control those things. And so, there is no "way" to make them happen.

Your sole focus should be on what you can actually control--on writing as an activity...

In the early days, you may feel discouraged at not writing amazing stuff. But don't be so harsh on yourself. Think about your favourite book. Do you think it came out as amazing and perfect as it is when you read it? I can tell you for a fact it wasn't.

It came out with glaring flaws and huge issues and grammar problems and all the rest of it--just as yours will. They then spend months, even years polishing it, redrafting, revising, editing, using feedback... to turn it into something that looks like it just "came out that way" effortlessly.

Think of what you first write as a first draft, not the final version you'd see on the shelves for the world to see. When you start writing a new story, your job is to throw down messy blobs of clay--simply getting raw material on the table so you can work with it. Later you'll shape it into something pleasing to the eye... something that looks like it just fell out of the sky fully formed, painted, and glazed into its beautiful final form.

You don't know how to shape it yet. You will, over time. But for now...

All your focus should be on throwing down messy clay.

And by that, I mean, get used to writing new stuff. You don't need it to be good, you don't need it to be the next hit, you don't need it to be long. You don't even need others to see it! You just need to be able to write words.

Writing short pieces or short stories is a great thing to aim for at the start. Nothing fancy. That way when you want to improve later down the line, you'll at least be able to write something new to try out what you've learned. You could even make a new draft of something old you wrote with your new understanding.

But then... even knowing how to begin that stage can be daunting. How do people write? It varies.

Every writer has their own process, their own methods, their own style. There are generally considered two extreme ends to the method of writing:

Discovery writers make stuff up as they write the story. If you don't yet know what your preference is, I'd recommend starting here.

Just sit down, put pen to paper, and write what pops into your head. Find out what comes next as you write it.

Note, you don't have to put literal pen to literal paper. But "pen-or-pencil-to-paper, or finger-to-key, or voice-to-dictation-software" isn't nearly so pithy. However you like to record words, record them! XD Don't worry about what medium to use, what equipment, what software... use whatever is easiest to get out of the way and get on with writing!

A good way of getting started with this is an exercise: Freewriting Exercise to Stretch the Writing Muscles This gives you a short challenge that forces you to stop worrying about what comes next and if it's good and how to publish it and stuff like that... put all those aside, and get into the flow! Just start writing!

Give it a good try at least. Even if you don't turn out to be a discovery writer, being able to get into the flow of writing is still going to be a valuable skill as you progress.

And you may come up with new ideas for full stories, and start on those!

If you're finding you lock up in the face of the infinite possibilities of making-it-up-as-you-go... you may want to try a little outlining.

Outline writers make stuff up before they write the story.

So... they still sit down, they still put pen to paper, and they still write what pops into their head. But they don't do it in prose form. They do it in outline form. Then they turn their outline into prose form later.

This might be bullet points of important plot beats. It may include summaries of various characters and world elements.

I'd recommend just dipping your toe in before going full-bore into being an outliner. Somewhere else, just write a short line for something that will happen in the scene after the one you're writing. Or a short line about what happens at the end. You don't need to stick to that plan. It's simply a little pointer to give you just enough direction to not feel lost while writing.

Outlining can be a lot of fun by itself though! You can spend hours, days... years noodling with worldbuilding and moving plot points around, and never actually writing any of the story at all!

The problem is, it can be too fun. You can feel productive while actually spinning your wheels in worldbuilding-land. Getting stuck like this is referred to as (thunder sound effect) "WORLDBUILDER'S DISEASE!!!" (evil laugh)

Remember that writing isn't worldbuilding. Writing isn't outlining. Those can be part of your process. But...

A writer is a storyteller

You can do all the worldbuilding and outlining you want to and still be unable to write that story, because you have no practise writing.

So please, please, practise writing. Whether you're an ouliner or a discovery-writer, you still need to actually write to get started as a writer.

It can even happen that you have great fun outlining a story, but when you try to sit down and put pen to paper all that drive and fun has left you.

You may think, "How could I do such a grand vision justice?" Or, "Writing the story just isn't as fun as inventing the world and what happens!" "Am I destined to only make up worlds and outline things but never write a real story?"

These are telltale signs your brain enjoys discovering new things the most. That's probably what made outlining and worldbuilding so fun! But it also means that when you come to writing the story itself, you're no longer discovering anything, no longer imagining new things on a blank map of possibility...

Now you're following a very narrow route you've set for yourself and feel like you can't put a foot out of place because it's so carefully constructed that it could ruin everything if you do!

If you recognise that feeling, back off from outlining. You're probably a discovery writer. Sure, you can just worldbuild and outline for fun. Nothing wrong with that if you enjoy it. If your goal is to write stories, however, you've got to dial in that balance of planning and improvising that your brain likes.

This is why every writer has their own way of writing. Their own routines, their own process... it's whatever method their brain likes that also lets them get a story down.

So this is how to get started writing. To write stories. To figure out how you like to write.

When you've got past that point, and you're comfortably writing new stories... still try to hold off from wanting to become the next hit author and write the next epic fantasy or 5-book series. You can get to those if you want to, later down the line.

To even get published in the first place, you'll need to not just be a writer, but a good writer. So next, focus on becoming a good writer.

A good writer isn't publishing. A good writer isn't success. A good writer isn't making money. Those things do not define who is a good writer and who is not.

A good writer crafts the experience of the reader

You can only do that if you a) know what experience you want the reader to have, and b) know how to use language to shape the reader's experience into what you want it to be.

How can you do that? It's actually fairly simple. I have another article about the different things you should be doing to reach this next step: How to Become a Better Writer

So start your writing journey today, and I'll hopefully see you over there soon :D

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https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/irs-complaint-process-tax-exempt-organizations

3. Nature of violation

Directors/Officers/Persons are using income/assets for personal gain

Organization is engaged in commercial, for-profit business activities

Income/Assets are being used to support illegal or terrorist activities

Organization is involved in a political campaign

Organization is engaged in excessive lobbying activities

Organization refused to disclose or provide a copy of Form 990

Organization failed to report employment, income or excise tax liability properly

Organization failed to file required federal tax returns and forms

Organization engaged in deceptive or improper fundraising practices

Other (describe)

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I would have this feeling, but I can't remember what I'm supposed to be not doing with it so I'll sit around feeling nothing. Waiting for the Waiting Mode.

I don't see people talk about it much so you know what sucks?

what I call a variation of the "waiting mode" , the "what the fuck am I forgetting" feeling that won't go away so you constantly feel like you can't do anything else until you do the thing but you actually have no idea what "the thing" IS and so you feel on edge or uncomfy for hours until you either remember or somehow convince yourself to ignore it (usually this method it still come back but you don't remember what the thing is STILL ) .

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No Limits.

And more motivation.

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# 4,5,6 every day, damnit.

The adhd modes of food

1. You ate that burger so fast. You ate that burger so fucking fast and now the whole Red Robin is staring at you god what the fuck

2. You started eating like a normal person, but then you started talking or daydreaming and now the waitress is handing you the check but you’ve still got half a plate of cold fettuccine

3. You were going to go out to eat, but then you saw a video in your YouTube recommendation that drew you towards it like moth to a flame, and now it’s 10 pm and you’ve got an empty bag of tortilla chips in your hand and shame in your heart

4. Mac And Cheese

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UPDATE: I showed this to my boyfriend and he said, "That's the woman I fell in love with, so yes."

😍

I want to post this honest search history and ask: am I adulting well?

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Hooray, she crosses out things as much as I do! I am validated.

“Shown here is Mary Shelley’s (1797-1851) working draft of the turning-point in Frankenstein – the moment when Frankenstein’s Creature comes to life.” (Read more here.)

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As Russia prepares to invade Ukraine (or maybe is already doing so), I wanted to share this message and request from Rabbi Avraham Wolf, Chief Rabbi of Odessa & Southern Ukraine. It’s from a few days ago and I’m not sure if there have been any updates but it just feels really important to signal boost this:

“The Jewish community in the Ukraine is in need of your assistance during these dire times. As the threat of war intensifies, Mishpacha Chabad Odessa is preparing to support the hundreds of Jews who are unable to evacuate the country including orphans, students, and Holocaust survivors. Preparations are also underway to absorb Jewish refugees from the surrounding regions of Kharkiv, Kiev, and Dnieper.

$300,000 in donations are urgently needed to purchase medical gear, protective equipment, and basic necessities such as clothes and sleeping bags. Money is also needed to help stock emergency shelters with several tons of cereal, buckwheat, sugar, rice, flour and other non-perishable staples. These donations will also help defray the costs of additional security personnel arriving from Israel to help protect the Jewish community.

Your generous donation will help ensure that the Jewish community of Odessa is prepared for all eventualities and is able to provide security, shelter, and food for everyone in need during this dangerous time. $130,000 has already been spent in food alone - but much more is still needed.”

https://www.mishpachaorphanage.org/templates/fundraising/default_cdo/aid/5405630/jewish/Campaign.htm

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Spread the word. I would actually work at such a place.

I think the counters at popular chain coffee shops I won't name should be replaced with a fully covered area where customers can't see the employees faces or what they're doing. I'm talking once ler levels of obfuscation. The counter should look like this

secondly, the whole enclosed area should constantly emit various steams and smokes like a horrible machine, and employees should be encouraged to make as much conspicuous noise as possible. I want customers to walk up to what is basically a steel wall on a steel counter, nervously place their order in a microphone, hand over their method of payment through a small door, have it returned, then the cashier slams shut the door, they hear an absolute cacophany for a minute and their drink and receipt are unceremoniously slid out the very same little door in the wall

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Make it this and I’m in.

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ADHD checking in for my assignment, Captain.

I don’t want to feel addressed

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Once plane travel became more affordable for the non-rich, airlines diminished quality and separated us into classes.

Prove me wrong.

Amazing photographs show how it was like to travel with a Boeing 747 in the 1970s. See more here…

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My boyfriend once told me if I ever brought anything into our that said live, laugh, love, he would burn it. Challenge accepted. Pattern by Fuchsiahoops on Etsy! by kira_paige

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This is how I want to greet people from now on.

No, this is how I MUST greet people from now on.