Jars of Words

The Lost Art of Building Up Others By: Jenny Lynn We live in a society today in which everyone likes to point the finger and condemn rather than practice grace and forgiveness. How much more do we witness everyone from celebrities to your next door neighbor being slammed for things like unwise choice in words, unpopular fashion choices, or their body composition rather than being praised for good works something constructive? DRAMA PAYS These days television and media outlets love to promote negative drama because that’s what gets a response from their audience. Mo s t people are not interested in uplifting stories with a positive spin. Those of us who are really need to speak up and start making our voices heard. Maybe then, decent music and television would make a comeback. Our teenagers wouldn’t be acting like the women from Sex and the City. And our new mothers wouldn’t starve themselves and torture their bodies with brutal workout regimens just to “bounce back” from pre...

1. Don’t let the climax happen too early; build up anticipation. Do this by establishing a formidable, lethal villain and indicating the protagonist’s resolve to defeat them before you dive into the third act. Then, have your protagonist do what she would naturally do to get to the villain - or to get the villain to come to her. Furthermore, set the climax somewhere interesting or symbolic of or conducive to the character’s change. 2. Make the protagonist the expected loser and your villain unstoppable. Remove every tool at your protagonist’s disposal, and make the situation deadlier than ever. This will create interest and tension, and it will force the protagonist to work infinitely harder, making their growth and ultimate victory more satisfying. 3. Place the protagonist’s moment of truth before the climactic moment so they can use that change to defeat the villain. This change is what the character’s arc has been progressing toward for the entire book, and it’s all-or-noth...

I will now post every other Sunday, twice a month due to pressures in life and school. Plus, this new schedule will allow me more time to work on my novel and extracurricular activities. Thank you for understanding!

John Cleaver by Dan Wells Romantic subplot: … yes. Humor: Yes, it’s darker. Moving: YES. Sad parts: YES. Mystery: YES. Summary: The series follows the sociopathic teenager John Wayne Cleaver as he fights inner and external demons. John has enough trouble fighting his sociopathic tendencies, and when murders start occurring in his small hometown, he struggles to stay afloat in his own twisted mind. The main character’s cunning and wit make him a unique protagonist, to whom the villain is a successful foil. It’s definitely a deeper, more poignant series. It can be slower at certain points because it primarily falls into the mystery and horror genre. However, the plot never stalls out or fails to be amusing, and the supernatural elements and deep psychological aspects make it a novel anyone can read and enjoy. It is a character-driven, unforgettable series. Rating: 4.5/5. For young adults, but can be enjoyed by anyone. Full Tilt by Neal Shusterman Romantic ...

1. Make both the hero and their friend likable and full characters. This means the friend needs strengths, weaknesses, and a life outside the hero. Their problems don’t have to be subplots, but they should be clear and present. 2. Give them reasons to be friends. Why do they like each other? What do they bond over or agree on? They must trust and care about each other despite their disagreements, and this love must manifest itself based on their personalities. Do they show affection through witty jabs or heartfelt conversations? 3. The friends should complement each other, meaning they must be different somehow. Based on your theme, what opposing viewpoints do they hold? What conflicting flaws could cause tension? 4. Give the friendship an arc. How can you allow them to care about, trust, and communicate with one another through escalating difficulties? Conflict and perseverance will both show what their friendship is made of and change it for better or worse. 5. In...

I’m sick of my standard oatmeal recipe, which means it’s time for some upgrades. Below are some savory options that take no more time to make than the sweet. Enjoy! ¼-⅓ cup of cooked oats ½ of an avocado 1 egg Salt, pepper, and/or garlic to taste ¼-⅓ cup of cooked oats 3 oz of leftover shredded chicken 1 tbsp of tahini Soy sauce, salt, pepper, and/or garlic to taste ¼-⅓ cup of cooked oats ¼ cup of shredded bacon 1 egg ¼ cup of cheddar cheese Salt, pepper, and/or garlic to taste ¼-⅓ cup of cooked oats 1 tbsp of pesto Handful of green beans/asparagus ¼ cup of sundried tomatoes Salt and pepper to taste ¼-⅓ cup of cooked oats ¼ cup of chickpeas/black beans/hummus Handful of spinach or cooked veggies Salt, pepper, and/or garlic to taste Let me know if you tried any of the recipes and how they tasted!

Mr. Penumbra’s 24 Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan Romantic subplot: Yes. Humor: YES. Moving: Yes. Sad parts: Sometimes. Mystery: Yes. Summary: The novel follows a man in his early twenties as he seeks employment in future San Francisco. He discovers a 24-hour bookstore that is more than it appears to be. The novel is humorous and meaningful with vibrant characters and a fast-paced, twisting plot. It displays the relationship between technology and books through a story that is reminiscent of classic magical adventures like Harry Potter . Rating: 4.5/5. For anyone. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness Romantic subplot: No. Humor: Some. Moving: YES. Sad parts: YES. Mystery: No. Summary: The novel follows a thirteen-year-old boy named Conor whose mother is dying of cancer. However, in the midst of all his pain, he finds a monster who may be able to help him - or very well destroy him. A touching and heartfelt story that made me cry several times. If you’...