WARNING...The contest is officially over in one day, so if you want the chance to win one of the 3 books stated go here and leave a comment. You have better chances of winning this than the lotto, so why not join in.
Have a great weekend!
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
50 Followers Contest...
THANK-YOU FOLLOWERS, I have reached 50! The magic number. And as promised a contest. This is a contest about great books. Your favourite books that inspire you to want to be a better writer, or made you want to write.
The Rules:
1. You must be a follower of the blog to enter.
2. You can only be entered in the draw once.
3. Enter by making a comment on this blog post telling me what your favourite book is. You will not be judged on what your favourite book is, the contest winner will be picked at random.
The Prize - The choice of either one of my favourite books. Each of these books left me amazed and hopefully one of them can do the same for you.
- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
- Graceling by Kristin Cashore
- Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey
The contest will close on Monday 28th at 6pm, Brisbane, Australia time. I will leave a comment when the contest is finished.
The contest winner will be notified personally, and also put up on the blog.
Goodluck!
The Rules:
1. You must be a follower of the blog to enter.
2. You can only be entered in the draw once.
3. Enter by making a comment on this blog post telling me what your favourite book is. You will not be judged on what your favourite book is, the contest winner will be picked at random.
The Prize - The choice of either one of my favourite books. Each of these books left me amazed and hopefully one of them can do the same for you.
- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
- Graceling by Kristin Cashore
- Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey
The contest will close on Monday 28th at 6pm, Brisbane, Australia time. I will leave a comment when the contest is finished.
The contest winner will be notified personally, and also put up on the blog.
Goodluck!
Another Award!
Big hugs for Lydia on giving me my second award. Thanks so much! I got to pick it out, so I coordinated with the blog.
Thanks again Lydia.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Quotes
Sometimes I will come across a quote that really strikes me. One of those quotes where I just have to write it down because it seems so perfect I don't want to forget it. Even if I do get the quote down somewhere I may lose track of it among the clutter of my life, but here are some quotes that have stayed with me...
"Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, it's at the end of your arm, as you get older, remember you have another hand: The first is to help yourself, the second is to help others." - Audrey Hepburn
"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." - Eleanor Roosevelt
What's your favourite quote/s?
"Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, it's at the end of your arm, as you get older, remember you have another hand: The first is to help yourself, the second is to help others." - Audrey Hepburn
"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." - Eleanor Roosevelt
What's your favourite quote/s?
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Writer Wisdom Award!
Since blogger awards seem to be making the rounds lately I thought I would join in the fun. I'm all about sharing the love around : ) So, every month, starting from July I will choose one awesome person for the Writer Wisdom Award. This person will share compassion, or knowledge to other fellow bloggers. I would love you guys to pitch in and offer up suggestions of fellow bloggers you think deserve this award.
This award is just my way of saying thank-you to all the great bloggers out there.
Also, I would just like to say a big thanks to everyone for following me. You guys are the best! And I did promise that when my followers hit 50 I will hold a competition, including a PRIZE to show my appreciation to you all. Of course, only my followers will be able to enter the competition. Spread the word around, the faster I hit 50 the sooner the contest starts.
This award is just my way of saying thank-you to all the great bloggers out there.
Also, I would just like to say a big thanks to everyone for following me. You guys are the best! And I did promise that when my followers hit 50 I will hold a competition, including a PRIZE to show my appreciation to you all. Of course, only my followers will be able to enter the competition. Spread the word around, the faster I hit 50 the sooner the contest starts.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Fundamentals of Writing Creatively
I am very lucky to have an awesome writer "Kim Wilkins" who teaches at my university. In my writing course she came in and gave a lecture on the Fundamentals of Writing Creatively. My next Author of Note will be the lady in question. So, since this lecture was very informative for me I thought I would share it with you all. And hopefully you will get something out of it. Enjoy!
1. Be Specific
GOOD VERBS
Use good descriptive verbs, they may help cut down bulky sentences. Sometimes you need short, sharp, and sweet. It can add more empathise.
For example: Instead of - He put the folder on the table forcefully.
Make it - He slammed the folder on the table.
2. Be Clear
SYNTAX
Make sure your words and sentences are relating properly.
Incorrect: The boy went missing in his school uniform the first day he wore it.
This makes it sound like the boy actually went missing inside his school uniform instead of while he was wearing it.
Be careful where you place your modifiers. Find ways to achieve sentence variety, and break sentences up. You don't want to overload the reader with to much information.
MIND YOUR METAPHORS
For example: The heat leeched him, settling like dust in his throat.
This sentence is not wrong, but too many metaphors can sound pompous. You shouldn't overlap a metaphor with another metaphor. Make the metaphor work, and once you have achieved the perfect metaphor walk away from it. No one likes a metaphor show off.
DON'T HEDGE
Say what you mean to say. Don't use unnecessary words.
For example: Instead of - He went out and touched the edge.
Use this - He touched the edge.
3. Be Careful
QUALIFIERS
Use good descriptive words.
For example: Instead of - He was quite tall.
Quite is not a very good descriptive word. Words such as rather, pretty, a bit, a little, somewhat are also not great descriptive words. Instead what you could say is...The top of my head came up to his chin.
INTENSIFIERS
Be careful of them. Words such as very, and extremely.
REPETITION
You don't need to explain every little thing. Your reader is a smart cookie. Like with metaphors if it works walk away from it.
4. Be Relaxed
THESAURUS SYNDROME
A test: Do I know this word?
If the answer is no you should probably not be using it.
Also, don't use words if you know it, but don't need it. No one likes a show off.
Check out How to Write a Novel by Newman and Mittlemark.
5. Be Creative
Read a-lot. Try some of the great masters.
BREAKING THE RULES
Once you understand how grammar works than you can break the rules, and make your own rules. It's about the only time you will be able to break grammer rules, so have fun.
1. Be Specific
GOOD VERBS
Use good descriptive verbs, they may help cut down bulky sentences. Sometimes you need short, sharp, and sweet. It can add more empathise.
For example: Instead of - He put the folder on the table forcefully.
Make it - He slammed the folder on the table.
2. Be Clear
SYNTAX
Make sure your words and sentences are relating properly.
Incorrect: The boy went missing in his school uniform the first day he wore it.
This makes it sound like the boy actually went missing inside his school uniform instead of while he was wearing it.
Be careful where you place your modifiers. Find ways to achieve sentence variety, and break sentences up. You don't want to overload the reader with to much information.
MIND YOUR METAPHORS
For example: The heat leeched him, settling like dust in his throat.
This sentence is not wrong, but too many metaphors can sound pompous. You shouldn't overlap a metaphor with another metaphor. Make the metaphor work, and once you have achieved the perfect metaphor walk away from it. No one likes a metaphor show off.
DON'T HEDGE
Say what you mean to say. Don't use unnecessary words.
For example: Instead of - He went out and touched the edge.
Use this - He touched the edge.
3. Be Careful
QUALIFIERS
Use good descriptive words.
For example: Instead of - He was quite tall.
Quite is not a very good descriptive word. Words such as rather, pretty, a bit, a little, somewhat are also not great descriptive words. Instead what you could say is...The top of my head came up to his chin.
INTENSIFIERS
Be careful of them. Words such as very, and extremely.
REPETITION
You don't need to explain every little thing. Your reader is a smart cookie. Like with metaphors if it works walk away from it.
4. Be Relaxed
THESAURUS SYNDROME
A test: Do I know this word?
If the answer is no you should probably not be using it.
Also, don't use words if you know it, but don't need it. No one likes a show off.
Check out How to Write a Novel by Newman and Mittlemark.
5. Be Creative
Read a-lot. Try some of the great masters.
BREAKING THE RULES
Once you understand how grammar works than you can break the rules, and make your own rules. It's about the only time you will be able to break grammer rules, so have fun.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
I'm gone for a couple days and already an AWARD!
After my brief exam disappearance I'm back. One more exam to go and semester break...oh how I love thee! Wish me luck cause I'm gonna need it.
HUMONGOUS, MASSIVE, HUGE (can I go any bigger, lol) THANKS to Amanda Sablan of the That Unpublished Writer blog for awarding me my very first ever blogger award. Isn't it pretty!
The Rules:
1) Thank and link back to the person who gave you this award.
2) Share 7 things about yourself.
3) Pass the award along to 15 bloggers who you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic for whatever reason! (In no particular order...)
4) Contact the bloggers you've picked and let them know about the award.
So, I guess I will start with sharing 7 things about myself. What to write hmmm...
1. Lets start with the obvious - I love to read and write...Contempory, scifi, fantasy, YA. The only genre I really don't get into is crime.
2. I love food. I'm big on baking especially, but recently I've had to go gluten free due to an intolerance...how ironic! lol.
3. On the 21st of November this year I am going on a mega holiday for 2 months around Europe and USA. I can't wait!
4. I'm 19, though I have been told that I act way older than I am. 19 going on 39.
5. I'm in my second year of university majoring in writing and psychology. We'll see how that all pans out. I'm hoping for the best :)
6. My love life is a mess, lol. Though it's better than nothing.
7. I love to play with fire ;) Their is a yummy vanilla candle burning next to me right now.
Now on to the fantastic bloggers I've recently stumbled upon who also deserve this fantastic award:
(Not quite 15, but close enough)
Keep up the great work everyone!
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