Jars of Words

Being a villain is easy; all they do is try to kill the hero, right? Not exactly. While the villain opposes the protagonist's goal, he is more than a source of conflict. He has a heart and soul like everyone else in your story world, so develop him properly and write him well. Your villain can make or break your story. Here are a few ways to write a solid villain: 1. The villain must be as complex as the hero. Give them goals (outside killing the hero), fears, quirks, and hobbies to make them sympathetic. Sometimes, complexity comes when the villain lives in morally gray areas, which creates more conflict for the hero, too. 2. To create depth and better understand your villain, give him adequate motivation and a background. The villain must believe she’s is right. For motivation, take a common emotion and expand on it. Dig into her past and remember: one event doesn’t make a villain. One event can be a spark, but there has to be more. If you’re having troubl...

I love organizing my bookshelves; it’s relaxing, satisfying, and I feel accomplished once I’m finished. If you love it too and aren’t sure how to organize your shelves, a method below may inspire you: 1. Alphabetically a. By the author’s last name. b. By the author’s first name. 2. Color a. Rainbows are gorgeous and versatile; I’ve seen them done horizontally, vertically, and diagonally. Each shelf can be a solitary rainbow or just one color. Try an ombre, full-shelf rainbow (group all books of the same color together and have them transition into the next color as you descend the shelves). b. Create a picture with your books. Flip them around (spines facing in) and use the white pages for your design. 3. Physical characteristics a. By height (all the same, descending, ascending, or alternating). b. By the type of book (hardback vs paperback). c. Stack them. d. Have some covers face out, like in a bookstore. 4. Details a. By genre. Try delv...

I am in love with hummus. It’s creamy, healthy, and delicious. It's perfect to share with your writing buddies or to savor alone. Here's my favorite clean hummus recipe:   Simply blend: 3 tbsp water 1 can chickpeas (15.5 oz) ¼ tsp cumin ¼ tsp paprika ¼ tsp salt ¼ tsp pepper 1 ½ tbsp lemon juice 1 tsp olive oil 2 tbsp tahini ⅛ tsp garlic powder ¼ tsp onion powder

By now I’m sure every writer has made New Year’s resolutions. Probably big ones, like: write more, finish my novel, read X amount of books this year, etc. Maybe small goals, like: write for one extra minute with each writing session. Those goals can sound daunting, but they don’t have to be. While discipline is integral to the writing process, inspiration has a role, too. When writing is fun, you’ll want to do it and be more likely to. Here’s how to make writing more enjoyable: 1. Write somewhere you love by creating a space you’ll want to be in. Choose somewhere comfortable and with few distractions. It could be a desk, a recliner, a corner of your bedroom, or a blanket fort. Decorate your space with personal things that delight and inspire you: photos, trinkets, figurines, lights, origami animals, quotes, etc. Let some sunlight in, put fun plants around to clean the air, and keep it organized. If you get bored in one area, change it up - write in different places to keep ...

2018 is upon us, so it’s time to plan. It’s easy to think of unfinished resolutions and unmet expectations when thinking of a new year. But 2018 will be a good year because you make it a good year; it’s all about your willingness to accept change. With a little preparation, changing can be fun. 1. Mindset. First, know your worth doesn’t depend on what you accomplish next year. Your worth was fixed by your Creator before you were born, and He calls you priceless. Second, as you make resolutions for 2018, think about how you will improve your life so you can make the most of it. It’s true, we need to fix ourselves before we can help others. Yet, remember helping others is a big part of fixing ourselves. Finally, don’t think, “I won’t be happy until __”. Happiness is a choice; a good one. You are in control of your life, so choose to learn from and find a blessing in every situation. 2. Brainstorm. Dump your goals and expectations for the new year on paper. Write what y...

There’s a yearning in every human heart for deep connection with God and other people. Ultimately, our legacies and our quality of life are determined by our presence in the lives of others rather than what we can physically give them. Thus, focusing on the simple act of being present can increase your joy and the joy of those around you. Humans are communal creatures, so when I eliminate distractions to spend time with my family, we’re all happier. I start by learning to say no. You don’t need to buy everybody you know a present, and you don’t have to spend so much. Presence is a greater expression of love than gift-giving, and we only have so much time on this earth to give it. This daily reminder eliminates items on my to-do list and simplifies my life. God’s love in our lives is what crafts us into who we are meant to be. Nurture your relationship with God by being present with Him. Take some quiet time every morning to reflect on who He is, analyze your heart, and pray wi...

Pentatonix wrote an original song a few years ago called “That’s Christmas to Me.” It’s dulcet, tranquil, and captures the nostalgia of Christmas memories. So it inspired me to write a list of ten things I love about Christmas. Writing this list allowed me to reflect on all I have to be grateful for and to get into the Christmas spirit. I encourage you to try writing a few small things you love about this time of year - and share the joy by commenting them below! Here’s my personal list of things I love about Christmas: Togetherness. In this season of giving, the most irreplaceable and special gift we can give is our presence to others. Christians and non-Christians alike treat Christmas as a celebration of family, love, and giving back, which is beautiful. Christmas break. The two weeks off school is well-needed and long-awaited at this point in the year. It’s an opportunity to forget work, spend time with family, and catch up on writing and reading. Snow. Even light fl...