Sometimes you just say the wrong word.
Until next time, word nerds!
Packages and Reflections
I got some exciting mail this week!
Until next time, word nerds!
How to Create a Writer’s Room Anywhere
Today’s post was written by the lovely Katelyn Bolds, a friend and fellow Taylor grad. She wanted to share some tips on creating a writing space for those of us who love words. Thanks Katelyn!
Some writers can write anywhere. They keep a journal in their backpack or tote bag filled with colorful journals and pens they didn’t get for free. Whenever the mood strikes them, they can sit down and write.
I am amazed at what a gift that is. But after wasting hours being distracted and having “writer’s block”, I have learned that creating a writer’s space is an art. People who can write everywhere are simply good at tuning out distractions. It can be learned with practice, or avoided by creating a dedicated space. While I do not have a spare bedroom or even a broom closet to dedicate as my writer’s room, I used these tips to create a writer’s room anywhere.
Life After College
I’m finally making videos again! Just a quick look at what my post-graduation life has been like.
Until next time, word nerds!
Recent Discoveries
Due to traveling, holidays, unpacking, and general chaos, I was unable to film and edit a video for you this week. But I still wanted to share about an author with you. However, I ran into a problem.
I got three different books for Christmas and I can’t decide which one I’m most excited about.
I’ve started reading two of them and they’ve lived up to my expectations so far. So I figured why not tell you about all three of them? It’s a new year, I haven’t posted in a while, and I hate picking favorites when it comes to books.
Book 1: “How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy” by Orson Scott Card
I haven’t read anything that Orson Scott Card has written before, but he’s very well known as as prominent sci-fi writer (he wrote the Ender’s Game series that was recently turned into a movie). I’m excited about this book because while I own a lot (and I mean a lot) of books on writing, I don’t have any specifically on fantasy, which is silly. Fantasy is my favorite genre to read and it’s the genre I write.
So I’m pretty stoked to have this book.
I’ve flipped through it briefly and it has all sorts of great tips for world-building and structuring societies and all that fun stuff.
Though I can’t make a sure judgement on it until I’ve read it, it’s always a good idea to have writing books geared toward your specific niche.
2. “The Ocean at the End of the Lane” by Neil Gaiman
I can’t tell you how many people have recommended both this book and this author to me. This is the second Neil Gaiman book to come into my possession (I got an illustrated copy of two fairy tales he retold for my birthday).
I’m about two chapters into this book and I’m enjoying it a lot. From what I can tell so far, it’s a sort of adult version of a fairy tale, modernized and rather dark.
As soon as I finish it, I’ll let you know what I think of it.
3. “Wonderbook” by Jeff Vandermeer
This is probably my favorite Christmas present. It’s so many different things; a compilation of advice from famous writers (like George R. R. Martin and Neil Gaiman), exercises and charts to spark ideas and help you work through blocks, and beautiful illustrations to inspire you.
I’d say this is a must for all writers.
So did you discover any good books over the holidays? I’d love to hear about them! Leave the title, author, and a brief description in the comments.
Until next time, word nerds!
Endings and Beginnings
Happy almost New Year’s Eve!
I know I’ve been rather absent lately, but I promise I’m back to my regular schedule.
There’s been a lot going on in my life lately, so I’m taking this post to let you know what’s going on with me and to check in on those New Year’s Resolutions I made earlier this year.
The biggest, and most recent, development has been that I finished my last semester of college earlier this month!
I’ve been applying for jobs across the country, so I could end up in any number of places. It’s really pretty exciting.
So in regards to the goals I set for myself this year.
1. Edit book manuscript. Well, technically I did this, but I didn’t get a whole lot done, sadly. I got good at finding time to write, but I didn’t make editing a priority. So that’s still on the to do list.
2. Publish at least four short stories. I expanded this to include any publications after realizing my internship would involve writing articles. I’m happy to say that I was published well over four times this year in various publications.
3. Finish a second book manuscript. This was my failure of the year. I switched projects halfway through the year and got incredibly busy with school and work. But I did make progress, which is better than nothing.
4. Consistent blogging schedule. I think I did pretty well with this (except for the last month or so). For a while you guys were even getting three posts a week!
Looking back at my original resolutions, I realize that I’ve been been making videos a part of this blog for almost a year now. Have you guys liked seeing them? Or are they weird?
Anyway, I just wanted to thank you for your patience with me and the time I had to take off. I will try my hardest not to be gone for so long again.
Until next time (and it will be soon, I promise), word nerds!
A Brief Word
Sorry.
It’s both a brief word and applicable to this situation. I know I said I was going to come back after November was over. But I’m going to take an extra two weeks.
I hate to be a lying liar whose pants may or may not combust spontaneously, but I have finals next week and a lot of homework due this week.
I promise to give you all a nice long update on my life and a few installments of my short story as soon as I have free time again. Pinky swear.
Until next time, word nerds, thank you for your patience with me.
Deepest Apologies
Well.
It’s been a while, hasn’t it? The last month has been crazy for me, and unfortunately, I don’t see things calming down in the near future. So I’ve made a rather difficult decision.
I’m going to take the month of November off from my blog.
It’s sad, I know. But I’m in the thick of my classes, I have four jobs on campus, and I’m applying to jobs for after I graduate, so my free time is scarce and precious.
Until December, word nerds!
3 Reasons You Should Do NaNoWriMo
A wonderful post by my dear friend Elizabeth about the benefits of doing Nanowrimo. On a totally unrelated note, I am busy writing away and will only post once this week.
It’s November–the month of crunchy leaves, cold wind, the first snowflakes, and…rough drafted novels?
Yes, my word-loving friends, National Novel Writing Month is upon us again. All across my social media, the familiar abbreviation is cropping up, usually accompanied by expressions of excitement and terror. Word counts are appearing in people’s Tweets and statuses, and frenzied writers are placing desperate calls to friends for plot help.
NaNo, for those of you unfamiliar with it, is essentially a challenge: write a 50,000-word novel in a month.
Now, I get that not everyone is interested in a writing-related career. But if you have even the slightest interest in writing, I encourage you to dive into the NaNo challenge with the rest of us, and here’s why.
- Support
I’ve taken part in critique circles, editing groups, and submission calls, and these result in critiques, edits, and rejections (and, of course, sometimes, acceptance–which is always…
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Birthday Bylines
So today is my birthday, but that’s not why I’m posting. I got a great package in the mail today. Five copies of one of the magazines I worked on over the summer at my internship!
Here are some pictures of my bylines!
And another story I wrote is up on their website!
All in all, a pretty good birthday.
Kate G. Jameson 