Jars of Words

There’s so much writing advice out there, it’s overwhelming. Who knows what to follow and what not to follow? Really, I don’t think anybody does; what works for some writers won’t work for others. The only way to find what works for you is through practice. However, there are some basic “rules” to storytelling that may help you if you’re stuck: 1. First, if you want to write, you need to keep an honest, unpublishable journal that nobody reads, nobody but you. Where you just put down what you think about life, what you think about things, what you think is fair and unfair. And second, you need to read. You can’t be a writer if you’re not a reader. It’s the great writers who teach us how to write. The third thing is to write. Just write a little bit every day. Even if it’s for only half an hour - write, write, write. - Madeleine L’Engle 2. Before you sit down to write a novel, here are essentials you’ll need. 1. A knowable protagonist who will fascinate readers. 2. A problem ...

Melodrama is unrealistic, over-the-top emotion. Generally, readers hate reading it, and writers hate writing it. However, it’s hard to convey non-melodramatic emotion because A) humans like to hide their emotions, and B) description gets boring. To illustrate, people don’t have constant external outbursts (sighing, gasping, crying, etc.) to convey their feelings. Furthermore, emotions can only be described so much. If the character’s heart is pounding or thudding or slamming against her ribcage every time she’s afraid, her fear gets repetitive and boring. The solution? Stop describing and use introspection. Introspection is an examination of one’s own thoughts. It lets readers connect with your characters and experience their emotions through the character’s unique world-view, reactions, interpretations, and thoughts. An example of introspection would be this excerpt from The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness: “Mayor Prentiss, see, has a Point of View. ...

Sometimes you need a pick-me-up after a long day; I’ve found music is a quick solution. Here’s a list of my fifteen favorite “power anthems”. 1. Brave by Sara Bareilles 2. How Far I’ll Go from Moana 3. Roar by Katy Perry 4. Confident by Demi Lovato 5. Survivor by Destiny’s Child 6. Fight Song by Rachel Platten 7. Shake it Off by Taylor Swift 8. Scars to Your Beautiful by Alessia Cara 9. Wings by Little Mix 10. Try by Colbie Caillat 11. Born This Way by Lady Gaga 12. By Our Love by For King and Country 13. That’s My Girl by Fifth Harmony 14. Me and My Girls by Fifth Harmony 15. Let it Go from Frozen         What are your favorite power anthems? What songs lift your mood?

With everything going on in life, reading usually gets brushed under the rug. School, work, and chores take its place. But there is value and joy in reading. Have you ever regretted hours spent engrossed in a book you enjoyed? It’s hard to make time for, but totally worth it and self-gratifying. Here are a few ways to read more: 1. Schedule a fixed and realistic reading time for yourself. Perhaps for fifteen minutes after waking up or twenty minutes before bed. Small increments add up quickly! 2. Always have a book with you. This way, you can read whenever you have a spare moment: in the bathroom, in waiting rooms, between classes, etc. Instead of launching Netflix, reach for a book instead. 3. Keep a physical book, an ebook, and an audiobook. With multiple platforms, you can read many books at once without losing interest or putting one down. Plus, audiobooks allow you to multitask and read when you usually can’t.   4.  Read what you love and get passi...

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