cupkakekitten-blog

[cupkakekitten-blog]

And just like it predicted, it happened and it’s time to say goodbye. I’ll always remember the craziness, how happy and excited we’d get over new interviews and photos. The way we would freak out over new music. The over analyzing of relationships and shipping names. The pure heartbreak when the breakups happened, even though they weren’t happening to us. The way the music made us feel and brought us all together. The fandom wars and jealousy and late night Twitter Q&A’s where we spent forever trying to get noticed. All I can say is THANK YOU! You’ve all changed my life for the better. I’m crying as I type this out, but I know it’s time. It’s been an incredibly journey. 

To Katy: You have impacted my life in ways I never knew possible. Your music, spirit and determination helped me get through challenges and obstacles and believe that I COULD SUCCEED! Thank you for that. So many songs are full of memories--good and bad. More than once it felt like the lyrics were written just for me in that moment. They gave me the answer I needed and the strength to make the right decision for me. Thank you for those. I am so proud of you and everything you’ve accomplished, overcome and continue to do. I couldn’t have picked a better inspiration if I tried. Stay true to you, keep writing from your heart and chasing your dreams. That’s what I’m going to do. 

Love, Cupkakekitten.

If you still care to keep up with my real life, you can follow me on Twitter @RachaelWabel

I. AM. CRYING.

[cupkakekitten-blog]

Hello! Would you mind doing an example of not using filter words in a first person point of view? While I know that you can just switch out the pronouns for I/me/my, I just want to see it in action and when you should (and shouldn't) use the filter words. Thank you!

Hi there! I would love to! I think I’ll start out with an example with filter words and then cut out the filter words to show you the difference.

For those of you who haven’t seen my post on Filter Words.

Now, for the example:

I felt a hand tap my shoulder as I realized I had made a huge mistake. I knew the consequences would be unsettling, but I had no other choice. I saw the light of my desk lamp bounce off of the officer’s badge before I had even turned around. It seemed like I always found my way into trouble.

It was the first thing off the top of my head, so it’s a bit rough sounding….

Now for without filter words (And a bit of revision):

A hand tapped my shoulder as it dawned on me: I had just made a huge mistake. The consequences would be unsettling if I didn’t get out of this mess, but I had no other choice. The light of my desk lamp bounced off of the officer’s badge. I always found my way into trouble.

By taking out filter words, you get right to the point.

I’d also like to add a few more notes that I didn’t have the chance to post previously.

Some Examples of Filtering:

I heard a noise in the hallway.

She felt embarrassed when she tripped.

I saw a light bouncing through the trees.

I tasted the sour tang of raspberries bursting on my tongue.

He smelled his teammate’s BO wafting through the locker room.

She remembered dancing at his wedding.

I think people should be kinder to one another.

How can you apply this?

Read your work to see how many of these filtering words you might be leaning on. Microsoft Word has a great Find and Highlight feature that I love to use when I’m editing. See how you can get rid of these filtering words and take your sentences to the next level by making stronger word choices. Take the above examples, and see how they can be reworked.

FILTERING EXAMPLE: I heard a noise in the hallway.

DESCRIBE THE SOUND: Heels tapped a staccato rhythm in the hallway.

FILTERING EXAMPLE: She felt embarrassed after she tripped.

DESCRIBE WHAT THE FEELING LOOKS LIKE: Her cheeks flushed and her shoulders hunched after she tripped.

FILTERING EXAMPLE: I saw a light bouncing through the trees.

DESCRIBE THE SIGHT: A light bounced through the trees.

FILTERING EXAMPLE: I tasted the sour tang of raspberries bursting on my tongue.

DESCRIBE THE TASTE: The sour tang of raspberries burst on my tongue.

FILTERING EXAMPLE: He smelled his teammate’s BO wafting through the locker room.

DESCRIBE THE SMELL: His teammate’s BO wafted through the locker room.

FILTERING EXAMPLE: She remembered dancing at his wedding.

DESCRIBE THE MEMORY: She had danced at his wedding.

FILTERING EXAMPLE: I think people should be kinder to one another.

DESCRIBE THE THOUGHT: People should be kinder to one another.

See what a difference it makes when you get rid of the filter? It’s simply not necessary to use them. By ditching them, you avoid “telling,” your voice is more active, and your pacing is helped along.

The above list is not comprehensive as there are many examples of filtering words. The idea is to be aware of the concept so that you can recognize instances of it happening in your work. Be aware of where you want to place the energy and power in your sentences. Let your observations flow through your characters with immediacy.

Ok, sorry for the lengthy answer, I know you just wanted an example…. sorry!

If you have any questions, feel free to ask at my ask box

[cupkakekitten-blog]

[cupkakekitten-blog]

Lazy record store employee

[cupkakekitten-blog]

I entered my novel into a writing contest on Wattpad. If you haven’t checked it out yet, are a sucker for a love story and always wondered what it would be like to tour with a band, this is the book for you! I’d love for you to check it out for FREE on Wattpad. If you do, leave me a comment and let me know what you think. 

[cupkakekitten-blog]

pick-me-ups for writers

for the self-conscious beginner: No one makes great things until the world intimately knows their mediocrity. Don’t think of your writing as terrible; think of it as preparing to contribute something great.

for the self-conscious late bloomer: Look at old writing as how far you’ve come. You can’t get to where you are today without covering all that past ground. For that, be proud.

for the perfectionist: Think about how much you complain about things you love—the mistakes and retcons in all your favorite series—and how you still love them anyway. Give yourself that same space.

for the realist: There will be people who hate your story even if it’s considered a classic. But there will be people who love your story, even if it strange and unpopular.

for the fanfic writer: Your work is not lesser for not following canon. When you write, you’ve created a new work on its own. It can be, but does not have to be, limited by the source material. Canon is not the end-all, be-all. 

for the writer’s blocked: It doesn’t need to be perfect. Sometimes you have to move on and commit a few writing sins if it means you can create better things out of it.

for the lost: You started writing for a reason; remember that reason. It’s ok to move on. You are more than your writing. It will be here if you want to come back.

[cupkakekitten-blog]

Basically

[cupkakekitten-blog]

#bodygoals

[cupkakekitten-blog]

Too cute

[cupkakekitten-blog]

She looked so pretty tonight!

performing at the #DNC in Philly

[cupkakekitten-blog]

Now accepting blank checks to help fund my Disney addiction.

[cupkakekitten-blog]

Cheers to 61 years of magic.

[cupkakekitten-blog]

So much gingham, John!

John Mayer and Andy Cohen at Fenway Park 

(July 15, 2016)

[cupkakekitten-blog]

According to her website, it doesn’t sound like this is part of KP4, just a promo song and something for the olympics...I think we might never get KP4...

[cupkakekitten-blog]

We’re all human, aren’t we? Every human life is worth the same, and worth saving.

J.K. Rowling (via quotemadness)

[cupkakekitten-blog]

(via I Illustrated Disney Princesses As Modern Day Girls Living In The 21st Century | Bored Panda)

Adorable Modern Day Disney Princesses

Artist: anooshasyed.com

[cupkakekitten-blog]

Camp NaNoWriMo starts on Friday.