the lady moustache

amandaonwriting: 10 Ways To Get Out Of Your Writer’s Rut There is no such thing as writer’s block. I don’t believe in Writer’s Block. I believe writers simply get stuck when they’re writing. There are many reasons why this happens. At Writers Write, we always encourage writers to plot their book before they start writing. You need to know where you’re going before you begin. I have also interviewed more than 100 authors. Most of these writers have a plan, they have a writing routing, they are open to learning, and they know how their book is going to end. They don’t believe in waiting for the muse. They believe in hard work. These are the most common reasons why writers stop writing. 10 things writers struggle with when writing a book They avoid writing uncomfortable or difficult scenes. They can’t get beyond the synopsis. They can’t seem to finish anything. They don’t know how to start the book, the next scene, the next chapter. They enrol for new courses but they take the same old ideas with them. They haven’t written a synopsis. They keep on repeating what they’ve already written. They talk about writing but never start. They write their characters into corners.  They write, edit, rewrite, and edit the same scene instead of moving on. Once we identify these problems, I am able to help my students. Here are 10 simple ways to solve these problems Change the sex of your protagonist or antagonist. Change viewpoints if you’re stuck. Write it from another character’s perspective. Try writing in a different viewpoint. Write in first person if you always write in third person. Commit to the writing life. Writers write. Enrol in a writing class. Leave your old, tired ideas at home.  Make to do lists for your character. Or send your character shopping for a character he hates. Play the what if? game for your character. Rewind and get the story back to a point where your character can move on with the action. Promise yourself a meaningful reward when you finish. Stop editing. Carry on writing. You can fix the draft later. You’re looking at a minimum of eight rewrites anyway - plenty of time for editing. Use a timer for the scenes you find difficult to write. Just do it. Write a synopsis. Set up a daily writing routine. Set aside a minimum amount of time or commit to writing a number of words. by Amanda Patterson From Writers Write

amandaonwriting:

10 Ways To Get Out Of Your Writer’s Rut

There is no such thing as writer’s block.

I don’t believe in Writer’s Block. I believe writers simply get stuck when they’re writing. There are many reasons why this happens. At Writers Write, we always encourage writers to plot their book before they start writing. You need to know where you’re going before you begin.

I have also interviewed more than 100 authors. Most of these writers have a plan, they have a writing routing, they are open to learning, and they know how their book is going to end. They don’t believe in waiting for the muse. They believe in hard work.

These are the most common reasons why writers stop writing.

10 things writers struggle with when writing a book

  1. They avoid writing uncomfortable or difficult scenes.
  2. They can’t get beyond the synopsis.
  3. They can’t seem to finish anything.
  4. They don’t know how to start the book, the next scene, the next chapter.
  5. They enrol for new courses but they take the same old ideas with them.
  6. They haven’t written a synopsis.
  7. They keep on repeating what they’ve already written.
  8. They talk about writing but never start.
  9. They write their characters into corners. 
  10. They write, edit, rewrite, and edit the same scene instead of moving on.

Once we identify these problems, I am able to help my students.

Here are 10 simple ways to solve these problems

  1. Change the sex of your protagonist or antagonist.
  2. Change viewpoints if you’re stuck. Write it from another character’s perspective. Try writing in a different viewpoint. Write in first person if you always write in third person.
  3. Commit to the writing life. Writers write.
  4. Enrol in a writing class. Leave your old, tired ideas at home. 
  5. Make to do lists for your character. Or send your character shopping for a character he hates.
  6. Play the what if? game for your character. Rewind and get the story back to a point where your character can move on with the action.
  7. Promise yourself a meaningful reward when you finish.
  8. Stop editing. Carry on writing. You can fix the draft later. You’re looking at a minimum of eight rewrites anyway - plenty of time for editing.
  9. Use a timer for the scenes you find difficult to write. Just do it.
  10. Write a synopsis. Set up a daily writing routine. Set aside a minimum amount of time or commit to writing a number of words.

by Amanda Patterson

From Writers Write

(via fuckyeahauthordog)

lizjamesbitch: I tell people this all the time.  The scary part? There are lots who don’t believe me.

lizjamesbitch:

I tell people this all the time.  The scary part?

There are lots who don’t believe me.

(Source: tbskyen, via duod)

bandbutts:

If masturbating while stoned isn’t called weed whacking I don’t know how to live my life anymore

(via dontcrossryanross)

broegansnook:

butterbeer cupcakes
(makes around 18)

for the cupcakes:
2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed
3 large eggs
1 tablespoon butterscotch schnapps
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup cream soda

For the filling:
5 1/2 ounces butterscotch chips (half an 11 ounce package or a little less than a cup)
1/2 cup heavy cream

For the frosting:
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1/3 cup butterscotch filling
1 tablespoon butterscotch schnapps
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 1/2 to 4 cups powdered sugar
Splash of cream soda (as needed)

directions:
1. to make the cupcakes, preheat oven to 350º and line cupcake pans with liners.
2. in a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt and set aside.
3. in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter on medium speed until light and fluffy. add both sugars and continue beating until well combined. on low speed, add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
4. combine the schnapps and buttermilk. add the dry ingredients in three batches, alternating with the cream soda and buttermilk.
5. mix until just combined, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. fill each cupcake liner about 3/4 full, then bake for 15-17 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. cool completely on a wire rack.
6. while the cupcakes are cooling, make the filling by combining the butterscotch chips and heavy cream in a glass bowl set over a pot of simmering water. stir occasionally until combined.
7. remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature. transfer to a squeeze bottle and fill each cupcake just until the filling comes to the top.
8. to make the frosting, cream the butter on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add the butterscotch filling, schnapps and salt and beat until well combined.
9. on low speed, beat in the powdered sugar one cup at a time until desired consistency is reached. Add cream soda as needed to thin the frosting.
10. frost cupcakes and drizzle with remaining syrup.

enjoy!

(via markbellygrino)

writeworld: amandaonwriting: We are often asked if characters should describe themselves at Writers Write. We are asked how they could describe themselves. When we came across this post by Stephanie Orges, we wanted to share some of her ideas with you. (If you want to read the full article, follow the link at the end) Six Ways First Person Narrators Can Describe Themselves By Stephanie Orges 1. Don’t describe him at allDo your readers have to know what the protagonist looks like to understand the plot? If not, consider leaving it out altogether.  2. Give it to your reader straightIf you are actually telling the story with frequent quirky asides to your “dear reader”, your hero can simply describe himself during introductions. But be warned: don’t try to force it if this isn’t your style. 3. Embarrass themMake them self-conscious about a physical flaw. She only smiles close-mouthed because she’s embarrassed by the gap in her teeth. He wishes he had biceps like the head jock. 4. Compare and contrast with another character‘My daughter has my crooked smile, but her father’s blue eyes’. These can even create a poetic effect, as you can simultaneously compare and contrast personality traits as well. 5. Use dialogueHer best friend gently explains dark roots are out of fashion. His father remarks he really ought to cut his hair (he looks like a hippie). Her enemy asks if she’s a natural redhead. Use compliments and nicknames. 6. Show, don’t tellIf they are short, have them struggle to reach something most others could get. If tall, have them duck through doorways. If they are unattractive, make them self-conscious around people of the opposite sex. Your hero’s appearance is reflected in the way other characters react to it. Read the full article: Source Source for Image Awesome advice here! More helpful tips on describing first person narrators can be found in Literary Criticism, the Mirror Cliche, and Describing a First-Person Narrator.  -C

writeworld:

amandaonwriting:

We are often asked if characters should describe themselves at Writers Write. We are asked how they could describe themselves. When we came across this post by Stephanie Orges, we wanted to share some of her ideas with you. (If you want to read the full article, follow the link at the end)

Six Ways First Person Narrators Can Describe Themselves

By Stephanie Orges

1. Don’t describe him at all
Do your readers have to know what the protagonist looks like to understand the plot? If not, consider leaving it out altogether. 

2. Give it to your reader straight
If you are actually telling the story with frequent quirky asides to your “dear reader”, your hero can simply describe himself during introductions. But be warned: don’t try to force it if this isn’t your style.

3. Embarrass them
Make them self-conscious about a physical flaw. She only smiles close-mouthed because she’s embarrassed by the gap in her teeth. He wishes he had biceps like the head jock.

4. Compare and contrast with another character
‘My daughter has my crooked smile, but her father’s blue eyes’. These can even create a poetic effect, as you can simultaneously compare and contrast personality traits as well.

5. Use dialogue
Her best friend gently explains dark roots are out of fashion. His father remarks he really ought to cut his hair (he looks like a hippie). Her enemy asks if she’s a natural redhead. Use compliments and nicknames.

6. Show, don’t tell
If they are short, have them struggle to reach something most others could get. If tall, have them duck through doorways. If they are unattractive, make them self-conscious around people of the opposite sex. Your hero’s appearance is reflected in the way other characters react to it.

Read the full article: Source

Source for Image

Awesome advice here! More helpful tips on describing first person narrators can be found in Literary Criticism, the Mirror Cliche, and Describing a First-Person Narrator. 

-C