Jars of Words

Fleshing out a story is both painstaking and fun. For me, it begins with turning an idea into a scenario. Develop a scenario and focus. A scenario is a conflict or a simple event. What happens? How is it interesting? Does it have the potential for a focus? A story’s focus is what you want to draw attention to through your scenario. What are you passionate about? What disturbs you that disturbs no one else? What do you have to say that’s never been said before? Why are you saying it through this story in particular? Example for Frankenstein : Scenario: A man scientifically creates a hideous monster out of dead matter. Focus: How people treat what they don’t understand. The essence of human nature. The consequences of arrogance. How our families affect us. Where the boundaries of scientific research are. Example for The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe . Scenario: Three siblings go through a wardrobe and find a magical world where a wicked witch has coldly reigne...

A platform is essentially the writer in an online form. Your platform is how you reach readers and writers and how they can glimpse your personality. Furthermore, agents and editors seriously consider how an author presents themself online. They look at what you’re posting, how consistent you are, your audience, your popularity, and much more. 1. Create a concise description of yourself as a writer. List a few major accomplishments, passions, and what you offer to potential readers. This can go in your bios or it can be used when submitting articles. 2. Ask yourself who you want to reach and how you want them to view you. Based on your conclusion, brainstorm three to four topics your platform will focus on. Choose things you are passionate about and that mesh well together. In continuation, the way people feel about you is largely determined by your use of color, font, article topics, and so on. 3. Select social media sites you will use. Remember, it isn’t necessary to use all...

Personally, I’m tired, over-worked, and stressed because of school. I don’t feel like God is near. When we don’t feel His love, it’s like He’s abandoned us. But that isn’t true. He loves us and promised to always be with us regardless of how we feel about Him. While it sucks when we can’t feel Him, it won’t last forever. To stay close to God when you don’t feel Him, try this: 1. Search comforting Bible verses on Pinterest or Google. I like Matthew 11:28-30, Matthew 6:25-34, and Romans 8:37. These verses break my heart in the most unexpected ways, letting Jesus in. 2. Drop the rituals. If praying isn’t working, go out in nature or listen to melancholy music and cry. Crying is a catharsis that can bring us closer to Him. Take some quiet time and don’t feel guilty about relaxing. Spend time with your family. Being with others helps us get out of ourselves and closer to God. Remember: you’re only human. 3. Find Youtube videos on feeling far from God or other spiritual subjects clo...

Purple Moon made me appreciate YA contemporary Christian fiction. I like science fiction, but there’s something enchanting about a normal boy and girl meeting and falling in love. Back cover:         Selena's life isn't turning out to be the fairy tale she imagined as a kid. That hope seemed to vanish long ago when her dad kicked her and her mom out of the house. This summer might finally hold the chance of a new beginning for Selena ... but having to live with her snobby cousin in Lake Lure, NC while waiting for her mom to get out of rehab wasn't how Selena was planning on spending her summer. She soon begins to wonder why she committed to giving up her "bad habits" for this. Things don't seem too bad, though. Especially when Selena gains the attention of the cute neighbor next door. But when her best friend back home in Brooklyn desperately needs her, a secret that's been hidden from Selena for years is revealed, and when she bec...

I finished my first draft two months ago and have been looking for things to write about during my break. It was tough at first, and I’m still working through it. If you, too, are struggling to find a story idea, I’m here to help. Asking God for guidance in your search could lead to something greater than you expected. Here’s a quick prayer before you get started:           Abba, thank You for this great calling to write. I appreciate this gift and thank You for every blessing in my life. Please let me glorify You with my next project. Guide my heart to the right story idea, one that is fruitful, pleasing to You, and satisfying to work on. In Jesus’s name, Amen. Let’s begin! 1. Journaling gets creative juices flowing. Knowing your own unique worldview can help you write your character’s. Take note of simple things that interest you, like a funny anecdote or an inside joke. 2. Word sprints are great because you don’t...

Character creation is among the toughest skills to master. Readers will spend hours with your characters, so you want them to be good. It’s helpful to know what readers want before beginning the creation process. Mostly, readers want to see themselves reflected in your characters. They want people who get what they’re going through but also fascinate them. How I Create Characters 1. Journal. Readers sympathize with characters when they have a worldview that touches on hidden truths we all forget. So practice writing honest characters by keeping a journal of details you notice about the world. 2. Who is your character? What quirks, stances, flaws, habits, preferences, contrasts, beliefs, and attitudes (even towards small things) make her unique? This is where journaling is important. Take interesting details about other people and give them to your character. Character Bios are useful, too. 3. Dig deeper. What does she fear most, and what happens when she must face it? What ...

I love reading spooky books during the Halloween season. To get in the spirit, I reviewed A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness. Here is the back cover: At seven minutes past midnight, thirteen-year-old Conor wakes to find a monster outside his bedroom window. But it isn't the monster Conor's been expecting - he's been expecting the one from his nightmare, the nightmare he's had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments. The monster in his backyard is different. It's ancient. And wild. And it wants something from Conor. Something terrible and dangerous. It wants the truth. From the final idea of award-winning author Siobhan Dowd - whose premature death from cancer prevented her from writing it herself - Patrick Ness has spun a haunting and darkly funny novel of mischief, loss, and monsters both real and imagined. The idea of A Monster Calls was conceived by Siobhan Dowd who did not finish it before dying of cancer. However, the idea was so brillian...