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Showing posts from April, 2020

Do Books Really Need A Moral?

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Yeah, yeah, we've all heard that we should add a moral to our stories to make it good. It's just so cheesy. And it's hard work. And opens you up to criticism. Who listens to it anyway? To that I say, all good points. I can watch something with absolutely no and here's the moral of the story, kids!  and still like it. Let's be real, we all can. Is it really necessary to have a message? There may be some spoilers from the  Ranger's Apprentice  and  Little Women  series. During quarantine, I've been reading John Flanagan's books and the Little Women saga. Quick: comment your favourite characters. Either or all series! They're on completely opposite sides of the theme spectrum. Flanagan's books have almost no moral and  Little Women   borders preachy. I love both series, but is there a difference? Oh absolutely. The unconscious effect: A difference in treatment   Action scenes are epic, especially when they use objects m...

Disney + Virus + Author = Disney Quarantine Writing Parody

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Maths time! Wait, don't run away! It's a good one, I promise. What do you get when you have a virus and a musical obsessed author who likes Disney? A Disney medley parody about writing during quarantine! A couple nights ago, I was in bed and without thinking, lyrics to this parody came into my head. I have no idea why they appeared, but it came so suddenly and so memorably that I couldn't get it out of my head. I couldn't keep it in. I had to let it go. When You Wish Upon A Star If you write dystopian That features some kind of plague Take this time to take some notes 'Cause we're in one now Under The Sea  The people are forcing you to- To stay inside all day long now What are you to do except to write your Next blockbuster story book (ah!) It's not much, I know. To make this post a bit longer, I found an awesome Disney medley by DCappella . You have to check them out because their covers are awesome! (Be Our Guest, Beauty And T...

Lost Your Writing Voice? How To Get It Back

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Have you felt like your writing isn't yours anymore? Maybe you feel like it's another author's writing. Maybe you're trying to break out of that stiff, formal writing teachers force you to use. Looking at you, essays. Whatever the reason, here's some tips on how to break out of your fake voice and get into your real voice. Some time after school, I was chatting with a friend. It was normal small talk. The weather's nice, life is great and I have a steady supply of chocolate. Then my friend told me that I sound formal. Pfft, what? When I read over my writing, I realised my friend was right. I didn't consider myself to be too formal. Before the epic essay heist (I reckon all schools have it), I didn't talk too formal either. Because of all the essay writing, it changed how I naturally wrote. I didn't want to sound like a scientist  formal because that's not me. I spent time trying to break out of it and honestly, I'm still trying. Bu...

Writing Is A Real Job! An Author's Purpose

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You'll hear this a lot in your writing career. Writing isn't a real job. No one reads books anymore. Stop writing and be an Instagram influencer. Or something. Stop the lies. Writing is a legit job and we authors have a purpose. We play one of the most important roles on Earth, if I do say so myself. 1. Our purpose. "The purpose of a writer is to keep civilisation from destroying itself." - Albert Camus   I  love  this quote. It makes me feel powerful.  You got it. Source: Giphy Not only do you have power, your job as an author is to tell the world about their problems so they can fix it. Unlike other people *coughpoliticianscough*, writing done well is much more discrete and readers are less likely to slam you or your book down the trash. I'm not saying you won't gain haters. you probably will and that's the harsh truth of it, but it a way, it's more real. Take Zootopia for example. Read the reviews. They say they went in ...