Monday, May 23, 2011

How To Make A Character

Sometimes, the greatest part of a book is the people. In many great novels, the characters are probably the most important part of a story. If one of them dies, that has a HUGE impact on the story, making it more powerful and deep. But it is very hard to make a good character. SAM TO THE RESCUE!
First, ask yourself these questions to make your character.

  •  Are you an optimist or a pessimist?
  • How old are you really? Forget your biological age. Are you a playful 7 year old? 
  • What is your biggest fear?
  • What is your smallest fear?
  • What is something you know most about? (Computers? Animals? Fishing? Sports? Mermaids?)
  • What are things you would like to do before he dies?
  • Things you would want for Christmas that don't cost money?
  • Things you thinks the world could do without?
  • What is your favorite color? Why?

    Answer them, and there's your character! It can be based on you, a friend, a family member or someone you don't even know! After you're done, make a drawing of him/her, use your imagination! Good luck on writing your masterpiece. Hope I helped!

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Procrastinating: A Lesson

I HATE procrastination. What is procrastination? It's when you take aside doing something productive to something that will give you immediate satisfaction. So, basically it's when you're putting of  or delaying an action to a later time. So pretend you have an essay due tomorrow, but you NEED to check your e-mail, or see whats on in TV, or see what happens in the fifth Harry Potter book, etc. These are examples of procrastinating, and the more you do procrastination, the less work you get done. Procrastination is something everyone has to deal with, but you can actually lower your temptation, once you know how it actually works.
When you procrastinate, two individual parts of your brain are battling out with each other. The first half, called the  prefrontal cortex, does the "I need to get some work done or I will be in detention!" type of thinking, while the other half, called the limbix system which thinks "I'll just do it later, let me just take a short nap!" Unfortunately, the limbix system is much more powerful, because it's connected to your pleasure center of your brain. So right now, you might be asking yourself, "What can I do, Sam?!" Well, the limbix system gets more powerful whenever the temptation to do something other than work becomes more tempting (i.e. you can smell it, hear it, touch it, etc.). So for example, you need to get your work done, but you're blogging (yes, I'm reffering to myself), so maybye turn off your internet! I think everyone can deal with their temptations if you learn how to control  it.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Why Being A Writer Is AWESOME

Being A writer is pretty frickin' sweet. Especially if you love to stay in your PJ's and be lazy!

  • You get paid to make stuff up.
  • You can stay home and work in your pajamas!
  • You get to travel to different parts of the world because it's "research".
  • You get to do strange, interesting things because it's also "research".
  •  You can sleep 'till noon, work 'till midnight, and take time off whenever you like.
  • You get to act stranger than other people, and it's considered OK, because you're a writer.
  • You get to read a book in your study while other people do boring and lame stuff. 
  • "Writer" on a passport looks better than "dental hygienist". (No offense to you doctors, I'm sure you guys are interesting as well).
  • Your peers are weird, wild, wise, and wonderful.

    There are WAYYY more reasons why, just ask my dad. Tell me why YOU think being a writer is cool.

Friday, May 6, 2011

Why The Beatles Are Better Than The Music Today

I understand and strongly believe that everyone has their own opinions, and that everyone can think differently, even great minds. I, also have opinions. Lots of them. While a lot of people may not agree with me, but I think what music is what it is today is ruined. I have nothing against modern pop today, I just don't listen to it, I listen to The Beatles and other rock and blues bands that make real music. Seriously, I barely consider rap a genre of music, auto-tune sounds like a dying cat, and male teen singers that sing like girls just won't do. The Beatles, a band of four lads who revolutionized music by their talent and lyrics, and not by their appearance or a song about being drunk. Of course, it's your opinion, and you can think whatever you want. All I'm saying is give real music a chance

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Tips To Keeping A Journal Of Thoughts


  1.  It's your journal! Write and/or draw anything you like! Your expressions, feelings, thoughts, sketches, anything, pretty much. There's no wrong or right way to keep a journal, so do anything you like to it. Even destroy it like Keri Smith. http://www.wreckthisjournal.com/
  2. Add pictures. Either printed out or drawn is fine, or even Polaroid photographs are awesome. You're obviously not forced to, but it keeps the creativity and fun alive in your journal. 
  3. Add dates. Yeah, I hate to be organized as much as you do, but it really helps when you look back in those moments where you feel at a certain emotion and can reflect upon it.
  4. Bring it wherever you go. Whenever you have a deep and meaningful thought about something, the best thing to do is write it down, and I can't remember all my thoughts and THEN write them. Plus, writing on the spot makes you look thoughtful around others ;-).
  5. Always collect things from outside like flowers leaves, sticks, and other things that might be interesting to have in your journal and to observe.
  6. Last but DEFINITELY  not least, have fun writing down in your journal! If it seems like too much work, you're not forced to write in it. Writing down journals should become a habit and a fun one too, but it definitely shouldn't be a tiring or un-fun labor. Don't struggle :-) 

Monday, May 2, 2011

Book Series That Inspired Me To write

  • The Harry Potter saga. Especially the first one.  J. K. Rowling
  • The Secret Benedict Society series. I like the idea   Trenton Lee Stewart
  • The Keri Smith books. They're so artistic, creative, and unique. Keri Smith (duh)
  • Lewis Carrol The Fully Illustrated Works. Who DOESN'T like classics. Lewis Carrol
  •  The Bartimaeus Triology. It is very related to Lord of The Rings. Jonathan Stroud
  • The Amulet Books. A very awesome graphic novel series. Kazu Kibushi
  • Bone Series. An even AWESOMER graphic novel series. Jeff Smith

    What are your favorite books that inspire you (in any way)?

    See ya! :D