teensparklewriter

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Okay but A Study in Pink and A Study in Scarlet have one thing in common: Sherlock = right, Lestrade & Anderson = wrong

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Something about hawking will always say “Medieval,” no matter what year it is 🕰. ;)

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I see what you did there

I love it when authors put cameos in their books. A similar name or place or restaurant will have me wiggling my eyebrows with an “I see what you did there.”

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Anyone ever put inside jokes or foreshadowing jokes in their writing, cackling all the while like some billionaire writing riddles?

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Pepper the Aussiedoodle 🐶

Custom pet portraits at https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/1026834437/custom-pet-painting-custom-pet-portrait?ref=shop_home_active_1

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Me

Some writers will understand

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https://www.wattpad.com/story/268092494-starling

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Mott: Jaron, I know all about your diabolical plan.

Jaron: what diabolical plan?

Mott: [holds up a document that says “My Diabolical Plan by Jaron Artolius Eckbert III”]

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Prompt 62

“Hello-oh, it’s you.” Sidekick leaned against the door frame, already bored. They stuck their head back inside.

“Villain!” they shouted. “Hero’s back for another apology attempt.”

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The Formula for Any Horse Movie

Ok, so this isn’t related to writing or art (film writing, I guess), but I’ve given this some thought and I now have the plot of every horse movie:

• MC (Main character) is a teen girl living on a farm. Her parents are in danger of losing said farm.

• MC sees a wild horse (usually black) running around the country near the farm. Let’s call it Star.

• Her parents warn her to stay away from Star, but she obviously ignores them and ends up being the only one able to befriend Star (she sneaks out to ride it at night)

• Against her parents’ wishes, MC enters a horse race. She wins. The prize money is enough to save the farm. MC’s parents are proud of her.

• (Cut to end of movie which includes MC, Star, and sunset)

• Optional:

    MC and/or Star suffers and injury but overcomes it.

    (Insert copy and pasted romantic subplot here)

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Why it’s SO IMPORTANT to keep a writing deleted scenes document

There you are, minding your own business, writing your story, when suddenly...

Bam. An amazing idea for your plot hits you out of nowhere. You can see it now. Your novel will be the new bestseller, with publishers lining up, begging to print your book. But what about that scene/chapter/half your book that you worked so hard on and was so great?

Copy. Cut. Paste. Keep your deleted scenes, deleted characters, dialogue that you thought up in the middle of the night that won’t fit anymore.

Why?

• Your book can’t tolerate a scene that doesn’t actively work for the plot. Get rid of it.

• BUT maybe you’ll change your mind

• Or you can reuse it for another story, move it to a different spot, etc.

• You love your writing. We get it. You can keep it, while still doing what’s best for your book.

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How to jumpstart an interesting and original plot (especially in Dystopia)

Trying to plot a new story/book (or even a new piece of art)? Have a vague idea but don’t know where to start? My favourite method is to come up with a world-changing invention/scam/organization that interests you. Connect it to politics. Connect it to religion. Connect it to influential groups such as the healthcare system. Give your characters different beliefs on it, lives that have been saved by it as well as lives ruined by it.

You've now given your worldbuilding a huge head start, introduced conflict that isn’t solely the government’s fault (the unfounded government corruption is a way overused trope), and laid the groundwork for characters of vastly different ideologies.

Plus, your interest in your invention/scam/organization will push the “what if” factor to a whole new level, potentially destroying the dystopian society cookie cutter.

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A weird writing tip that actually works:

Put your favourite book/movie/story characters in your story. Change the name, gender or appearance, etc. and drop them right in there. Obsessed with Enjolras from Les Miz? Inigo from the Princess Bride? Indiana Jones? Make them yours. The result:

• A strong character voice from already knowing them so well (but it’ll always be different in the end, from different setting/plot and your unique writing style)

• A super fun-to-write first draft

• An easier time getting past the sticky bits (just think: what would X do in the circumstances?)

• No more writing characters as yourself (or a family member who might not like your portrayal)!

I know it’s scary at first, but unless you make it super obvious (don’t name your OC Janie West after your fav character Jeanie East), nobody will EVER KNOW.

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One of the most exciting moments of my drawing “career” - when I posted sketches of Tobias, Jaron and Roden (respectively), and Jaron with Mystic - and Jennifer Nielsen commented on them 🤩

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I’m glad I’m not the only one who writes scenes that may or may not ever fit with a book I’m writing. 😂 I even have a spam/deleted scenes document with random lines and paragraphs and such

EXERPT FROM THE BOOK I'LL NEVER WRITE

“We used to be inseparable. I was so scared of letting you know how I felt because it might ruin the friendship we have. But that’s a risk I willingly took because I thought you cared enough not to hurt me.” For months I tried to swerve away from this topic, but I couldn’t run from it forever. I was rooted to where I was standing hoping to be anywhere but here, to be at any moment but now.

“You pushed me away. You didn’t talk to me for weeks. You shut me out!” His voice grew louder with every sentence. He ran his fingers through his hair and looked up, a habit whenever he’s frustrated.

“I swear, I tried to forget. I dated, jumping from one girl to another. And just when I thought I’ve moved on, I saw you, your smile, your eyes and how you could easily make me laugh, how I don’t have to try to be anyone but myself around you, and everything just came crushing back.” His voice slowed and I was suddenly aware of the tears streaming down my cheeks. I hate seeing how hurt he is and to make it even worse, I’m the one causing it.

“I welcomed the pain because I thought maybe then it will change my feelings.” He looked at me intensely. His gaze, sad and longing.

“But it didn’t. It’s crazy because I fell for you even more.” I wanted to say something, anything to wipe all the sadness in his eyes. I care about him deeply but I don’t feel the same way. He’s waiting for my answer, looking at me hopefully. But when my silence lengthen as I struggle for a word to say, he heard my feelings loud and clear.

#books #ideas #exerptfromthebookillneverwrite #writings #stories

[teensparklewriter]

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle - Book Review

By Avi 
Most Notable Award: 1991 Newberry Honour

What it’s about: • Charlotte is a high-class young lady in 1832 (the same year of the Les Misérables rebellion, may I add - good thing her boarding school was in England) Her parents arrange for her travel from England to America as the sole passenger on a merchant ship Charlotte butts heads with the cruel captain of the ship, Captain Jaggery Mutiny takes place, and Charlotte is tried and found guilty of murder

The Aesthetic™️: Pirate/Old Ship,

Includes: Treachery, Plot twists, Strong female lead, Hidden symbols

Age Range: 9-16

Best Character: Charlotte - she’s brave, resourceful, tomboyish without being try-hard, and has a compellingly unique narrative voice

Similar to: Moby Dick, Mutiny on the H.M.S. Bounty, Jacob Have I Loved, The Captive Kingdom

Cover art: 9/10 Writing: 9.5/10 Setting/Worldbuilding: 8/10 Characters: 8.5/10

Fun fact: A movie based off the book was planned in the early 2010s, which was to star Saoirse Ronan as Charlotte, Morgan Freeman as Zachariah, and Pierce Bronsan as Captain Jaggery, but never went into production.