Nofretiris Dream Of Writing

WQ-30. Final Question.

2012-02-08T19:15:00.000+01:00

30 Days Of Writing Questions

Final question! Tag someone! And tell us what you like about that person as a writer and/or about one of his/her characters!

Actually, I already tag this person or better said link to one of her blogs with that little picture above every time I'm answering one of those Writing Questions. I'm talking about C.R. Ward.

You might argue, it's a little unimaginative, but there's more to name her. Both being writers, I currently feel very close to her. She's my beta reader, I'm her beta reader. It's very intriguing to share thoughts about your writings before everything is finally set and done. And how cool is that to find your name written in a book's dedication!

In addition her two blog serial novels:
- Elemental Water on Random Thoughts
- The Shades of Errol Flynn on Random Writings
are so inspiring, that very soon you'll find my own serial novel published here on my blog!

To use Carol's dedication words: 'The best friend(s) I never met. You (guys) rock!'

Wreck This Journal: Place For Your Grocery Lists.

2012-02-07T18:00:00.003+01:00

Honestly, I would be completely lost without my grocery lists, I wouldn't bring home half of the goods I need!

But WTJ is a whole different area: For myself and my taste I couldn't find a way to make this page at least a little interesting by only using my grocery lists, there's always quite the same written down on them ... so, I used my right for interpretations: Instead of placing a dozen similar looking, boring grocery lists, I made a collage of wrapping papers of goods and groceries I've bought. As for the fact, that most of the wrappings are quite huge, I bet, this page would look so much better on a larger scale ... but I'm quite satisfied with this result, too! What do you think?

And I Thought I'm Quite Familiar With That Topic!

2012-02-04T18:00:00.010+01:00

For 10 years my two cats Sheela and Amira share my home with me. Sure, my family had cats before, but those two are special. They are my first own pets and it's in my responsibility to take care for them.
I was a student back then when they entered my life. A student with boring computer classes and a free internet access. Only logical that I landed sooner or later in a forum discussing all the cats' maters.

In about two, maybe three years I left almost 1.000 entries in the Fressnapf Forum. I discussed everything ... nutrition, toys, accommodation, behavior and diseases, wrote about funny events and posted pictures ... in short, everything a dediCATed owner is interested in.

In those times I also developed a favor for cats' literature. As student with a small budget I used eBay to satisfy my need for books. Have you ever registered how many novels about cats are out there?

To come to the point: I considered myself as a person with a broad knowledge of cats. As long as I just wrote short stories there was no doubt about it. But now ... how shocking is that! ... I have to face my lack of knowledge!

Even more - I want to publish this particular story as serial novel on my blog. Means, there's the need to write/translate in English. It's advantageous to have a basic cat vocabulary from the musical Cats, but more on first sight easy words become a problem, because my regular dictionary doesn't know them!

Cats seem to be just a minor problem, easy compared to topics like the law or the middle ages or the deep sea. Topics some of my favorite books deal with!

Now it's my own turn to combine fiction with facts, I learn to respect the importance of research and I learn to appreciate the hard research work of other writers - more than ever before!

Let's face it, research belongs to an author's most important tools!

WQ-29. How Often Do You Think About Writing?

2012-02-01T18:00:00.011+01:00

30 Days Of Writing Questions

29. How often do you think about writing? Ever come across something IRL that reminds you of your story/characters?

I'm an owl, no early morning bird. So, when my alarm goes off I give myself another 20 minutes snooze time. Not only to wake up properly, but also to remember and reflect my nightly pictures.

My dreams are always a wonderful source of inspiration and I want to preserve as much as possible in my dream diary.

Now, thinking about it, one reason for my nightly creativity might be those minutes before falling asleep, they are my most favorite time of the day to muse about books, movies and writing projects.

Then, with a brand new writing project in mind, a part of my online time is occupied with research.

You've also asked about 'something IRL that reminds me of my story/characters' ... well, as chance would have it the location of my new WIP requires a town, not too small, not too big, with a river, a castle and a monastery .... and voila: My hometown is the perfect role model. It's an interesting experience being in town with this new focus. Let's see how many impressions find their way into my 'real time writing'!

Wreck This Journal: Scrub This Page.

2012-01-31T18:00:00.001+01:00

'Scrub here!' Right! Sure, as if a plain eraser would do the job!!!
I guess, like everybody else who's done that that page I had to bring the big guns in, in that case I used sandpaper to scrub all the parts away I wanted ... add some lines and draw the left page and voila: sun and moon!

Does What We Write Limit Our Vocabulary?

2012-01-28T18:00:00.002+01:00

I'm currently editing a friend's novel. My focus lies on the story, because as foreign speaker - the story is written in English - I can hardly argue anything on the grammar and vocabulary front. But then in chapter 2 a single, little word has caught my eye and interest:

"He made the mistake of looking into her eyes. They were large in her elfin face, pale blue with a thick fringe of lashes, full of emotion that he was unable to keep himself distant from."

Elfin - a lovely word in a wonderful sentence in a fantastic story!

Only that this story is located in space. There are different species on various planets, there are space ships and laser weapons ... and I simply wondered: 'Are elfs known in this world?' I had a feeling like Captain Jean Luc Picard (from the U.S.S. Enterprise/Star Trek) would come to Hobbiton and share some smoke with Gandalf and Bilbo! Very weird!

What I'm talking about: Does What We Write Limit Our Vocabulary?

How far can I go with the words I use to describe things, people and places? Similar thought in contemporary writing: Comparisons with movies, music tracks, singers, living or dead VIPs, etc. Do I run danger to lose my readers because they might have no glue what I'm talking about?

Well, I should keep an eye on that question while editing!

WQ-28. Characters With Disabilities.

2012-01-25T18:30:00.001+01:00

30 Days Of Writing Questions

28. Have you ever written a character with physical or mental disabilities? Describe them, and if there’s nothing major to speak of, tell us a few smaller ones.

One of my good habits (or maybe disabilities) is to focus only on the current question. So, last week in WQ-27 I was a little too eager with my answer.

I've already told you about J.J.! A dear, wonderful boy, just 17 years old. A giant in his look, but a little puppy in his mind. He's like that from birth on. I wouldn't call it a mental disability, he's only a little slow in thinking.

Besides J.J. all my other characters in that particular story are normal ... or what we consider normal. But of course, they all aren't perfect. Everyone has flaws and fears and daemons to fight with. If everything was just too perfect the story would become quite boring!

Oh, and this is very new! Just a couple of days old:
I'm working on the basic design of a new story, the places, the characters, the string of thought. And for this story I'd already included a few characters with mental as well as physical disabilities. As for this moment I don't want to tell you more, you'll meet them very soon. They all will show up in my upcoming weekly serial novel! Stay tuned!

Wreck This Journal: Cover This Page. Using Only Office Supplies.

2012-01-24T18:00:00.002+01:00

The background is a collage of different office papers, like address sheets and post-its. I guess, I overdid it a bit with the ink, the ink pad was a little too well filled. And then on top a various collection of office supplies ... just like the instruction demanded.

WQ-27. Appearances In Your Story.

2012-01-18T18:00:00.003+01:00

30 Days Of Writing Questions

27. Along similar lines, do appearances play a big role in your stories? Tell us about them, or if not, how you go about designing your characters.

Once again I become aware that I'm just a foreign speaker. I'm not quite sure, if I'd understood that question correct. After checking Carol's answer I think I got it.

First, for my understanding, creating the appearance is a part of designing a character. And second, we'd already talked about Creating Characters in WQ-09. So, let's now talk about the look:

Of course, the look is important. How else should Hollywood know, who to cast! Although, sometimes I wonder, if they really had read the same book?!

Let's be serious!

The good thing when you write short stories about cats, everybody knows, how a cat looks like. Most of the time it's enough to write about the little baby tiger kitten or the black cat with green eyes. Sometimes it helps to describe the shiny, soft golden fur or the long, sharp claws or the long, sensitive whiskers. Just the information you need for a particular scene.

When I think on my human actors in my writings the grade of descriptions depends on his/her importance.

Let's take J.J.: He plays just minor role and has one big scene. I described him as 2m (6,5 feet) tall, 17 years old boy. I didn't write more about his look, nothing about his eyes or hair or anything else. It was better and far enough to describe him as this huge giant with the mind of a kid, to compare him to a young puppy who tries to find his way in this big world. I dare to say, everybody can imagine the type of person he represents.

So differently with Cathryn O'Connell, my main character: I have a very clear image of her in my head and I want my readers to have the same - or at least a similar one. And it's not only her look, it's also her mimic and her gestures. Sometimes these little details give her character more depth and support her nature.

But we all know 'Looks isn't everything'. What do I care about the look, when the story sucks?! I'm right, am I?

Wreck This Journal: Tongue Painting.

2012-01-17T18:00:00.001+01:00

With heart and soul, or maybe I should better say, with tongue and stomach, I'm a chocoholic! So, my first try following these instructions was quite a little failure ... what the hell do I know about other sweets?!? Well, I'd thought, lollipops would do the job, but those 'Chupa Chups' simply were colorless!!!

I had a plan C (using fruits like blueberries), instead I returned to plan A then and back to sweets I know, which brought me to 'M&Ms'! And as you can see, they finally made the trick!

Thoughts About Editing And English Grammar.

2012-01-14T18:30:00.002+01:00

Recently I wrote a story for Rattles Flash Fiction. Like the title says only a short story. As English is not my mother tongue I really needed some help with editing.

To my surprise there weren't so many problems with words and vocabulary, but my poor beta reader Carol had other bigger issues to deal with:

HOW TO FORMAT THE TEXT
When my story was done I had the required 800-1000 words, but only two paragraphs, well three if you count the sentence to lead from first part of the story over to the second.

Honestly, I've never given much thought about the importance of text formatting. But in the end my story was about a third longer, not because of more words, but more paragraphs ... and I tell you, the effect was amazing!

Not to mention that the story was easier to read with some air to breathe between the lines, but it also gave the whole story or maybe better said some particular scenes more significance!

A part of me thinks that I really have to learn quite a lot more about editing. Another, lazier part, argues with 'Is that really an author's job? What are editors for?' Anyway, for now I better leave it at that.

No German Rules for English Grammar
On the grammar front my poor beta reader revealed my favor for commas. Very obviously I transfer the German punctuation rules to English with the effect that I have much too many commas! A random example (not from the story):

Jack sagt,	dass Jill die Frau ist,	die er liebt.
Jack says	(that) Jill is the woman	(who) he loves.

Correct me if I'm wrong, no commas in both cases and the English sentence is even more simple in its construction!

Frankly speaking, when reading English books I've never paid much attention to punctuation. But this new cognition awoke the need to deal more with English grammar. So, I don't know after how many years dusting in my bookshelf I took my English Grammar In Use.

Unfortunately there were no explicit rules for punctuation, but 136 units that concentrate on a particular point of grammar. Somehow a boring and tedious imagination to study one unit after the other. Fortunately there's a study guide helping you decide which units you need to study. There were sentences to be completed using one or more given alternatives.

Okay, the book is for intermediate students, but first good experience was that I didn't need the dictionary for missing vocabulary, not a single time! Yeah!

After checking my answers the study guide suggested 27 units. No surprise that I really need some exercise with Prepositions, I know I'm weak here. My other big gaps were with Present Perfect & past and -ing & the infinitive. The other chapters included just minor problems.

Well, that's not too bad. I mean 27 out of 136 units, that's what ... *calculating* ... 19,85%. Quite acceptable for a foreign speaker. Or should I expect more from myself, considering that I deal with English for more than 20 years? When I see it that way, it sounds rather bad. What do you think?

WQ-26. Character Art.

2012-01-14T18:00:00.001+01:00

30 Days Of Writing Questions

26. Let’s talk art! Do you draw your characters? Do others draw them? Pick one of your OCs and post your favorite picture of him!

Frankly speaking, I never came up with the idea to draw my characters - for the simple reason, that my drawing skills, when it comes to people, are just pitiful.

Every passionate reader knows the disappointing experience when a movie is made of a book and you imagined your beloved characters differently. So, I leave it up to my (and my readers) imagination how the characters should look like.

The only thing I illustrate once in a while are chapters of my dream diary:

They are not particular main characters, but I also love to draw cats:

Wreck This Journal: Fill In This Page When You Are Really Angry.

2012-01-10T18:00:00.002+01:00

Well, I used quite a few techniques, that WTJ had already taught me:
- Crumple.
- Scribble wildly.
- Drip water and smear the lines.
- Burn.
- Poke holes.
- Tear stripes.
- Drip some ink.
- Cut through.
- Write one word.

P.S. I had to give that special treatment to a separate piece of paper, because the WTJ pages before and after were already well used! And, well ... it was a very controlled anger! My first attemps in destroying a sheet of paper that way were a total disaster - nothing left but a handful shredded confetti! *lol*
P.P.S. 'Rhage' is NOT misspelled, it's absolutely correct and by purpose! *g*

2012 Reading Challenge

2012-01-04T18:00:00.030+01:00

'In the case of good books,

the point is not how many

of them you can get through,

but rather how many can

get through to you.'

Mortimer Adler

My 2011 Reading Challenge was successful, maybe a little too successful. I literally got lost between all the pages and almost forgot my other spare time activities. This year should be a little different, more balanced.

Like last year I head for 52 book. Plus I want to borrow another of Dolly's wonderful ideas (who got it from Shelleyrae). The goal is to read at least one book in the 12 following genres:

Literary Fiction
Crime/Mystery Fiction
Romantic Fiction
Historical Fiction
Young Adult
Fantasy
Science Fiction
Non Fiction
Horror
Thriller / Suspense
Classic
Your favourite genre

Let's see, how I get along:

BOOK LIST 2012

The Hobbit - J.R.R. Tolkien
Anne Frank's Diary - Anne Frank
The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery
The Pillars Of The Earth - Ken Follett
Das Glueck Ist Mollig - Verena C. Harkensen
Felidae - Akif Pirincci
Twilight Saga - Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer
Die Goldhaendlerin - Iny Lorentz
The Silent Miaow - Paul Gallico
East Of The Sun - Barbara Bickmore
The Back Of Beyond - Barbara Bickmore
...to be continued!

Goodbye 2011. Welcome 2012.

2012-01-03T18:30:00.002+01:00

"Same procedure as last year, Miss Sophie?"
"Same procedure as every year, James!"

Everybody in Germany knows those famous lines. There's no New Year's Eve without Dinner For One. It's tradition.

It also seems to become tradition to start into the new year with the same blog post. Let's see, how good (or bad) I got along with my 2011 New Year's Resolutions. And let's talk about 2012.

BLOG
According to my blog archive I've done 174 posts. Calculating on the average, that's 3 posts a week - better than 2010. But I have to be aware of the fact, that I've done a few challenges helping on that count.

Anyway, 3 posts a week sound good. I'm going to keep the daily themes - they proved themselves. I'm also thinking on a weekly serial novel (Carol's are very inspiring! *g*).

READING
No question about that: I repeat the Reading Challenge. Read more about that in the upcoming blogpost!

ART JOURNALING
Out of 97 instructions in Wreck This Journal are currently only 10 left to do. Here on my blog I've posted until now 74 pages. So, you can still enjoy my artwork for quite a while.

As for my case, after finishing WTJ I have to think of a new art project! Any ideas?

WRITING
What do we have this far?
Blog - Good!
Reading - Excellent!
Art Journaling - Good!
Writing - ???

One of my 2011 plans was to finish my novel. *sigh* I totally sucked on that point. But there are some good news. When I was editing a friends (serial) novel, I got inspired for my own work. I had a couple of good ideas, which were instantly inserted as comments in my word document. As for my plan, less reading, more writing, plus that additional inspiration, I hope for a better outcome this year!

Besides my failure in novel writing, I did quite good with my dream diary. I filled a complete book, a wonderful inspiration for some more adventurous stories!

To end with another Dinner for One quote: I'll do my very best!
Keep writing, reading, being creative.

xoxo Karin

Merry Christmas.

2011-12-24T18:00:00.001+01:00

Faith makes all things possible,

Hope makes all things work,

Love makes all things beautiful,

May you have all the three for this Christmas.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

WQ-25. Character's Pets.

2011-12-22T18:00:00.010+01:00

30 Days Of Writing Questions

25. Do any of your characters have pets? Tell us about them.

Ah, no ...

... but I do have two purring, four legged roommates, a constant inspiration for some of my short stories. Have a look:

Wreck This Journal: This Page Is For Handprints Or Fingerprints.

2011-12-21T18:00:00.005+01:00

For a very long time I had the idea of making something with gypsies, palmistry and fortune telling, but somehow I couldn't make up anything ... and then suddenly without any sign, I came up with that simple design.

I used both of my hands. First the left one, where I obviously had a little too less color, washed it and the the same procedure with my right hand. Oh, and the heart is made with fingerprints.

Hope you love it as much as I do?!

NaNoJouMo - Epilogue.

2011-12-15T18:00:00.013+01:00

Do you know that phenomenon?
There's a particular date or a special event ahead ... and you know it coming. But when it's finally here, you are totally hit by surprise - how could that happen?

That phenomenon can be seen live in the cities on every 24th December. Why do Christmas shopping in peace, when you can enjoy time pressure and headless crowds? Similar with the first snow of the year. How can we only know that winter brings snow and our cars are in need of winter tires?

I experienced those symptoms during the last days of October. I knew, NaNo is held in November, no doubt about that. I also knew quite early, that I would switch over to the Journaling NaNo version, also held in November. And when a challenge is all about Art Journaling, you might also now, that you'll also need material, right?

WRONG! Of course I had a lack of a new Art Journal book. 'Special' as I am I wanted to have a particular book. To acquire it had cost me a couple of days, so my NaNo-start was a little late.

I can say, that Dawn had done a fabulous job with choosing the daily prompts. Very interesting, very inspiring. I can't say, that I've done a fabulous job ... in the meaning of being spontaneous. When I think on last year's NaNo, where I did the writing job, it was easier to write the required amount of words than to create every day a single journal page. When I create something, it should mean something for me. Not only creating for the sake of making. I want to think over it, to view the prompt from different angles, to find the suitable picture in my head. That all needs some time, obviously more than just a single day. In that case, I've failed the challenge. I couldn't do a prompt a day and I'm not ready yet. But I will continue, because - like written above - I really like the prompts.

To give you a little teaser, I want to show you my NaNoJouMo-cover. Have a look!

No matter, which NaNo you've participated, no matter, how well you proceeded, I'm quite sure, we all had a wonderful time with quite a few good experiences. As for my part, I'm looking forward to November 2012. See you then!

XOXO Karin

WQ-24. Killing Characters.

2011-12-14T18:00:00.012+01:00

30 Days Of Writing Questions

24. How willing are you to kill your characters if the plot so demands it? What’s the most interesting way you’ve killed someone?

One more time I'd like to extend my answer a little, else this post would be rather short.

DEATH TO READ

Since my teenage days I'm a fan of Stephen King. Considering the fact, that death is a constant companion in his books, the cognizance was rather shocking, that I feel quite indifferent about it. This made me think and I came to the conclusion, it's not death, that makes my neck hair tickle or wants me to let the light on ... no, it's more the possible horror in/of everyday situations.

My mind reminded me, that I've even read a boo, written in death's point of view: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Well, I was intrigued by that idea, but frankly speaking, I didn't like the book much.

With eyes on my bookshelves I wanted to find books, where death had really touched me:

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
Sirius Black's death in HP5 was already shocking, but that was nothing compared to Dobby's death in HP7. It made me cry and sob, it took me a while before I could continue with the story.

Black Dagger Brotherhood by J.R. Ward
Lash, son of Omega, was for me one version of the ultimate villain. I was so relieved, when he'd found his end ... BUT somehow it was a little too simple. I fear he might somehow come back.

As no fan of criminal stories, I obviously don't have many books, where death plays a major role. I guess, in that case I prefer the TV series version of CSI.

DEATH TO WRITE

Well, I've murdered one of my side characters in a quite uncommon way ... besides that, when you mainly write adventurous stories or nice little short stories, it's rather difficult to find an appropriate place for a death scene. Amen.

Wreck This Journal: Pick Up The Journal Without Using Your Hands.

2011-12-13T18:00:00.003+01:00

Do I really have to say something to THIS! ;-)

...maybe, copper wire is stubborn to work with on paper!

Wreck This Journal: Draw Lines Using Abnormal Writing Utensils Dipped In Ink Or Paint.

2011-11-29T18:00:00.001+01:00

From left to right:

A roll of TP
A fork
A clothespin
A bunch of toothpicks
A bolt and a nut
A bottle cap
A crumpled handkerchief

WQ-23. Time To Complete A Story.

2011-11-09T18:00:00.014+01:00

30 Days Of Writing Questions

23. How long does it usually take you to complete an entire story - from planning to writing to posting (if you post your work)?

All right, one thing I know for sure, if I have a deadline, I'll deliver perfectly on time ... even if it costs me sleepless nights!

Else ... honestly, I've never given much thought about the combination 'time & creativity'! Sometimes creativity hits you like a bolt and you've written down your idea/scene/story in no time. And some other time ... you stuck!

Okay, give me a little more time to think about time:

THE ONE MINUTE WRITER
It's within the name: 1 prompt - 1 minute. Well, as foreign speaker I grant myself a little extra time to think about vocabulary and grammar.

FREEWRITING
It's a little mysterious, how a ticking stopwatch can stimulate your creativity. Set time, e.g. for 10 minutes and not a second more, and you get a wonderful basic idea.

FLASH FICTION
E.g. Rattles Flash Fiction: A picture and some basic catchwords ... and you can practice your skills by crafting a flash fiction story of 800 – 1000 words. Plus a monthly deadline.

NANOWRIMO
Currently running ... 50.000 words in 1 month ... a good start or a basic draft for a novel.

In my writing history I could manage successfully everything from 1 minute to 1 month ... that includes blog posts, short stories and basic drafts ... if you want an answer of time for a completed book ask me again when I'm done!

Wreck This Journal: Create A Drawing Using Pieces Of Your Hair.

2011-11-08T18:00:00.004+01:00

This page is dediCATed to my two meowing room mates Sheila and Amira.
It's a locket with their pictures and hairs ... Real hair! Cut of some of their bushy curls! =^..^=

Wreck This Journal: Document Your Dinner.

2011-11-02T18:00:00.006+01:00

Actually, it wasn't dinner but lunch in an Asian restaurant.
I grapped everything available: the thing, where the chopsticks are in, the napkin, that papery thing under your plates, a take-away-menu ... and some pictures from the buffet!
The only thing from me is the page's background!

Enjoy your meal! :-)

Additional notes:

Again: Necessity begets ingenuity. I simply didn't want to smear food on the pages! Yuck!
BUT I Loved the preparations for that page ... that lunch buffet was really delicious! Yum!

NaNo Or Not NaNo?

2011-10-31T18:00:00.026+01:00

These days when I read my friends' blogs or emails, it's pretty obvious, that I'm not the first to ask myself this question.

If you wonder, what the hell I'm talking about, check this out:

Last year I did my first NaNo - successfully! It was literally a last minute decision, the circumstances were quite differently back then: I had a fantastic plot idea and NaNo was just perfect to let the story burst out of my head straight into the challenge. If you want to read the whole journey, check these out:

01 Nov. 2010: NaNo Writing Month
08 Nov. 2010: The First Week With NaNo
14 Nov. 2010: Week Two With NaNo
22 Nov. 2010: NaNo, Lucky Number 3?
28 Nov. 2010: Week Four With NaNo
30 Nov. 2010: Official NaNo Winner

What gone is gone, let's better talk about current events: NaNo 2011. For sure, this year I did a few challenges:

16 Jan. 2011: February Journaling Challenge.
09 March 2011: 1st Anniversary. 7 Links Challenge.
28 March 2011: April ABC Challenge.
05 September 2011: I'm Back For The 7-Sins-Challenge.

...but somehow my focus was/is more on Art Journaling than writing. In addition, I even made a blogging summer break and focused totally on reading!

I'd say, this trend is continuing, I leave out the NaNoWRITING-Month, instead I join in the NaNoJOURNALING-Month.
I already know, that I won't be able to post perfectly on every single day (like I did in our own FJC), but stay tuned, I let you know my progresses, my successes, my failures, everything interesting and my artworks (maybe *g*)!

No matter, if you join in NaNoWriMo or NaNoJouMo or nothing at all ... be creative ... be lazy ... just enjoy your time ... and I wish you a wonderful November!

xoxo Karin

P.S. Happy Halloween!

100 Books Make Not A Library...

2011-10-30T18:00:00.008+01:00

...but a good start!

Some drum rolls please!
Here, on this last October weekend I proudly like to announce, that I've done my Reading Challenge 2011 - successfully!

As long as I can think (... or let's better say read) I've always been a book worm. When I started this Reading Challenge, I considered 52 books, 1 book per week, doable and realistic, but not a chance for 100 books!

Just a few weeks ago, I was halfway through the epic Ulldart series, I doubted - again. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely fell in love with the world of Ulldart and I can't wait to read it soon again. You know, I have that bad habit, when I love a book (or a book series) very much, it's all about the story - first! I simply have to know, how the story continues. Will all my heroes/heroines, separated by dramatic fates really find their way back together in order to unite their forces and fight the evil and defeat the villain? And how for heaven's sake will these tricky situations ever work out well??? In case of English books I don't even care about any missing vocabulary. Evenings, nights and weekends are filled with fast reading and very little sleep!

After I'd satisfied my curiosity and calmed down my anxiety, I can give the book a second go. Now I'm able to pay attention to details, to the beauty and the style of writing and even some important vocabs. I'm not only a book worm, I'm a double-crazy book maniac!

And I'm loosing track ... focus! The Ulldart books made me doubt on the 100-book-mark, because every book has something between 400 and 650 pages. Remember, there are 9 of them! And when I take a look on my book list, there's rarely a book with under 200 pages! That I've come this far at all is only the result of my 'summer break', where I didn't feel inspired to write or blog, plus a really awful TV program and miserable summer weather, instead I did my reading - a lot of reading!

During my Ulldart time I can remember writing to a friend something like 'I should better read thin children's books.'! At that time I didn't really mean what I wrote. Right after finishing Ulldart (*sigh*) came the usual question: 'What's next?', somehow those one line had stuck in my head.

I took a closer look on my 2nd row books (Note: I really need bigger book shelves!). It's difficult to say, when I've read those Pucki and Hanni & Nanni books the last time - must have been centuries! I came to those conclusions:

How innocent and naïve are these stories - in a wonderful and very lovely way!
How fast and easy you can fill your 100-book-list, when one book has only 120 something pages!

So, my dear book friends, here I am ... I've really done 100 books ... and there are still two months left! Unbelievable!

Lots of love & keep reading!

Karin

WQ-22. Never Written Scene(s).

2011-10-27T18:00:00.013+02:00

30 Days Of Writing Questions

22. Tell us about one scene between your characters that you’ve never written or told anyone about before! Serious or not.

If we speak here of 'Deleted Scenes' or 'Bonus Scenes', then...

I mainly write short stories, it's a little difficult to cut out big scenes! And when you add bonus scenes, it's no longer a short story, right?
When I think of my one and only existing novel, I'm not yet ready to cut out anything ... I'm still adding and adding. Let's later, much later speak about editing and deleting scenes!

If we speak here of literally 'never written' scenes, then I wonder, what the sense of this question is?!? I mean, is it a scene an author considered and never wrote, because it's too ridiculous, too sexy, too embarrassing, too whatever? Honestly, which author wants to talk about scenes like that?

I came up with another 'if': If we speak here of plot ideas, character notes, dream sequences and similar stuff, which are written down somewhere in a notebook to keep it for later, but never published ... well, then I have to say: Yes, I do have such a book, where I scribble down my ideas and notes and dreams, and this one I do NOT publish, never! Not a chance! In the end somebody else 'borrows' my secret thoughts, makes a book out of it and earns millions with MY idea! Don't even think about it!

Wreck This Journal: Document A Boring Event In Detail.

2011-10-26T18:00:00.001+02:00

No, I didn't reinvent the wheel ... it's just a detailed report about the most boring speech I've ever been forced to attend to!

Wreck This Journal: Use This As A Test Page.

2011-10-18T18:00:00.007+02:00

From various other pages of my WTJ I've picked up here a background, there a material, then some elements, added some glitter, stickers and gemstones ... and here it is: My Test Page Mandala.

I've just added layer after layer and now I think, it's finished!

*hmm* Somehow I wished to re-do that page ... the initial idea sounded better than the result now is! I'd say, this is my least favorite WTP-page.

WQ-21. Character's Children.

2011-10-12T18:00:00.011+02:00

30 Days Of Writing Questions

21. Do any of your characters have children? How well do you write them?

Strange question. I slowly begin to wonder, who came up with those questions first?

Anyway, I'd say this question depends on the point of view. When I think of my main characters, none of them has children or cubs. But my supporting acts has children, like in my 'Voodoo Island' Richard O'Connell has a daughter called Cathryn.

Cathryn, who's supposed to be my main character, for her I used several techniques to 'write' her, e.g.:

Personal CV incl. her look
Chart with all her connections/relationships to family, friends and other characters in the story
Profile with strengths and weaknesses, favors and dislikes, abilities and handicaps.

Depending of how important a character is in my stories, I'd use more or less the same techniques, no matter if it's an adult or a child!

Wreck This Journal: This Space Is Dedicated To Internal Monologue.

2011-10-11T18:00:00.001+02:00

"To Wreck Or Not To Wreck, That Is The Question!"

WQ-20. Favorite Character Interaction.

2011-10-06T18:00:00.001+02:00

30 Days Of Writing Questions

20. What are your favorite character interactions to write?

THE CLASSICAL POINT OF VIEW
My first ideas for character interactions were scenes containing love, romance, conflicts, intrigues, fights, etc. between two or more people. But when I thought about all the various possibilities and the emotions connected with them, I came to the conclusion, that I don't have a favorite interaction ... not in the pretty obvious sense.

MY PERSONAL POINT OF VIEW
What I really love to write are interactions where a character meets nature, environment or objects. I love to play with the impressions, that the five senses give the particular person in such a situation/scene. I indulge to write, what can be seen, smelt, heard, tasted and felt. Plus the characters' reactions (appropriate or not).

I just have to think on 'The Perfume' by Patrick Sueskind. A wonderful book with the focus on the smell. It's amazing, how the author shows us the world of Jean-Baptiste Grenoille through his nostrils. At least I don't know any other book focusing so much on only one sense, this book is really unique and the joy of reading is immense!

This book is one of my role models, where the use of your senses makes a story interesting. That's why I love to write this type of character interactions.

Wreck This Journal: Trace Your Hand.

2011-10-05T18:00:00.004+02:00

I knew very early, how I want to design that page ... then finally I felt inspired to finally make it. For the background I used yellow and red 'Strohseide', on a seperate piece of paper I traced my hand and draw the Mehndi with a brown Stabilo pen. Add some shadows and ribbons ... and that's it!

Originally I also wanted to add some gemstones, but for my taste it would have been to much! Hope you like it?!?

P.S. I tried to find out, what's the correct English term for 'Strohseide', word by word translation would be 'straw silk'. It's silky, transparent and fibrous, like pieces of straw were woven in silky paper.

WQ-19. Favorite Minor.

2011-09-28T18:00:00.001+02:00

30 Days Of Writing Questions

19. Favorite minor that decided to shove himself into the spotlight and why!

Like already done with Favorite Protagonist and Favorite Antagonist, I'd like to verify this question a little, because the answer is very, very short.

FAVORITE MINOR TO READ
The character I instantly had to think on was Sirius Black from the Harry Potter series. With practically no family I wished to have a godfather like Sirius.

FAVORITE MINOR TO WRITE
I mostly write short stories, that for rarely have minor characters. But maybe from my 'Voodoo Island' the adventures of Richard O'Connell, Catherine's father, and Davis, his best friend, would be interesting to have their own story to be told!

Wreck This Journal: Scribble Wildly Violently With Reckless Abandon.

2011-09-27T18:00:00.007+02:00

Well, I thought 'Opposites attract!'
Wild and violent doodles VS. Love and peace!

7-Sins: Epilogue.

2011-09-25T19:07:00.013+02:00

Pride, Greed, Lust, Wrath, Gluttony, Envy, Sloth: For a week I had to focus on the 7 Deadly Sins. The start was easy; Sloth was scribbled down within a couple of minutes. The rest was ... a little more complicated!
In retrospect, when I reflect now on my entries, as for my part I can see a development: My first two sins were not really flash fiction, but more my own thoughts and questions about Pride and Greed. From Lust on I found my rhythm and created little scenes and stories, just like it meant to be. The easiest sin was - like already said - Sloth. The most problems I had surprisingly with Envy. First I thought, Wrath would be difficult, but it seemed that I'm less jealous than angry! My favorite is ... hard to chose ... maybe Gluttony, I truly have a favor for buffets! *g* I think, I'll repeat that challenge next year, then possibly really starting on 7/7!
How about you? What do you think? Did you give the challenge a try, too? What were your experiences? Would be fantastic to share a few sinful thoughts.

7-Sins: Sloth.

2011-09-18T19:07:00.001+02:00

No flash fiction available today.
You people should not waist your precious time here. You better do something more relaxing.
Go, have a little nap!

7-Sins: Envy.

2011-09-17T19:07:00.005+02:00

Envy then? What the hell should I write about envy? Of course, a ménage-à-trois was a good example, but what a cliché! And I'm no Stephenie Meyer, who found that special triangle thing with only two people included. I'm no Stephen King either, whose story would have and interesting twist of fear, revenge and horror. I'm also no William Shakespeare, who would create a big drama or romance. I'm just a plain, ordinary wanna-be-writer, who can't even create 100 words about 'Envy'. I wished I'd be a better writer ... or a writer at all!

---

Last, but not least: CU tomorrow with 'Sloth'!

7-Sins: Gluttony.

2011-09-16T19:07:00.024+02:00

Oh my God! Ice sculptures! And have you seen the carvings in the watermelons? This buffet is a piece of art, as far as the eye can see. And the smell - just mouthwatering!
Have you tried that Asian soup? It's just spicy enough to tickle your tongue. And the salad! I simply couldn't resist, I tried the dressing and it was heavenly creamy! Oh, and the antipasti, like straight from Italy! Then the main dishes ... it's difficult to pick a favorite. I tasted so many different flavors: the crispy chicken, the saddle of venison with that delicate pepper gravy, two ... no, three different types of fish, some crabs and other sea food, of course I couldn't resist a few bites of Sushi. Oh, there were so many other delicious things! Furthermore the beverages: Have you known that plain sparkling water could taste like that one from France? Or all that freshly squeezed juices - just delicate and refreshing! I also tried some red whine from South Africa to the venison, so rich! And all the sweet liqueurs served for desserts ... Speaking of that, I needed a short break before I could even think on desserts. There was ice cream and fruits and chocolate mousse and various sorts of cheese and ...

---

What a feast for pure overindulgence! OMG, I'm hungry now!

CU tomorrow with 'Envy'!

7-Sins: Wrath.

2011-09-15T19:07:00.005+02:00

You nasty little beasts! You came in the night. You were not alone. Your shrill voices made my ears ache. Your bites made my skin itch. In the night, confronted with dozens of you, I was defenseless.
But not anymore. In the light of day the scales had changed to my advantage. Now the power is mine and also my revenge. Behold of my wrath! I can see you now and my weapon of doom awaits you. Come and meet your death. You nasty little mosquitoes!

---

My first thought: His Royal Highness Wrath, Son of Wrath
"Wrath was six feet, nine inches of pure terror dressed in leather. His hair was long and black, falling straight from a widow's peak. Wraparound sunglasses hid eyes that no one had ever seen revealed. Shoulders were twice the size of most males'. With a face that was both aristocratic and brutal, he looked like the king he was by birthright and the soldier he'd become by destiny." (Dark Lover by J.R. Ward, Black Dagger Brotherhood)

CU tomorrow with 'Gluttony'!

7-Sins: Lust.

2011-09-14T19:07:00.004+02:00

»Wait!«
Just a single, ordinary word. But said in his wonderful low baritone, it made her whole body vibrate. Like in slow motion he came close to her, took the fruit in his hand. She didn't see, what he was doing, she was caught by the sparkles in his deep blue eyes. Fiery shivers rolled down her spine.
»Close your eyes and open your mouth!«, he whispered.
The taste of the strawberry and the chocolate were delicious, but nothing compared to the soft lips, that now found her mouth. Gently he kissed away the remaining juice. His tongue softly stroked her lips. Her breath speeded up. When he began to kiss her, she thought, that she'd never tasted something sweeter than that. An unknown hunger began to rose in her stomach and she knew, only he and his mouth and his wonderful body can satisfy this desire.

---

Well, sorry my dears, with 147 words I had to stop here. By far not enough words to catch such a scene - I hope you agree with me?

I also registered, that my English vocabulary is quite insufficient to find the appropriate words, it's so much easier to write something like that in my mother tongue. (Tongues ... yummy! *g*)

CU tomorrow with 'Wrath'!

7-Sins: Greed.

2011-09-13T19:07:00.002+02:00

Christmas wish lists. My brain produced that picture of enthusiastic children writing their sheer endless list of wishes to Santa Claus. What would a child from a Third World country write on his list? I'm quite sure, the list would be much shorter and the items very differently!
And I began to wonder, if 'Greed' is that one sin, that we all get trained for while coming off age. What makes us, that we constantly want more than we already have? Be honest, how many things, that you don't need or even have never used, do you have in your wardrobes and shelves?
And like yesterday with 'Pride' I asked myself, is there a good side of 'Greed', too? Maybe in its softer form 'Ambition', when we factor out all the jealousy and envy to achieve goals without harming others. That's not easy, because 'Greed' is so seductive!

---

All right, maybe I'm greedy for words, these were 148, I try to keep my word count under 150!

CU tomorrow with 'Lust'!

7-Sins: Pride.

2011-09-12T19:07:00.005+02:00

"Are you too proud, Mr. Darcy? And would you consider pride a fault or a virtue?"* - That's a very good question Miss Elisabeth is asking, is it not?
I mostly experience pride in my profession, when my clients did something for the first time. THEIR achievements, THEIR efforts, THEIR success fill my heart with warmth and joy and happiness. And that's just one little example, when I consider pride as a virtue.
But I also experienced the other side of the medal, pride as a fault, e.g. when you need help. Your situation is already miserable and you make it even worse, when false pride inhibits you to ask for needed help.
So, dear Miss Elisabeth, pride can be both: virtue AND fault. Like so very often in life it depends on the circumstances.

---

*Quote from the movie 'Pride & Prejudice' with Keira Knightley and Matthew MacFadyen, based on the novel by Jane Austen.

All right, that's my start into the 7-sins-week. With 135 words I've already broken the 100 words limit - it's really difficult to say something on such a capacious topic. Anyway, I'm curious to see, how my fellow writers got along with that task!?

CU tomorrow with 'Greed'!

I'm Back For The 7-Sins-Challenge.

2011-09-05T18:00:00.015+02:00

One sign that summer is slowly coming to an end is the light. On a late August evening - just like so many, many times before - I laid comfortably on my couch, held a book in my hands and enjoyed the adventures of reading. Through the wide open window shone a wonderful light, the sun had almost disappeared behind the trees on the Western horizon. A soft breeze brought the scent of freshly dried hay and now and then you could smell a whiff of barbecue smoke. Cicadas and grasshoppers gave their daily concert, only disturbed by the distant people's murmur. The evening was almost too perfect to stick your nose between the pages, but I simply can't help it, that's what I love to do! Much too early I had to recognize that I needed some lights to decipher the lines on the pages - the time of long summer days is coming to an end. The end of the summer is near. With this in mind, there's no longer a justification to be on 'Summer Break', isn't it? And here I am, right back, starting with a new challenge.

The 7-Sins-Challenge was originally held on 'Thoughts, Musings and Broken Promises'. (Unfortunately the blog has been deleted in the meantime!) As I was on summer break I didn't participate, but - just like it's the nature of sins - the challenge got stuck in my mind and I'm still too tempted to give it my own try!

The premises of the original challenge were as follows:
Seven Days
Seven Deadly Sins
Seven Flash Fictions up to 100 words
Starting 7/7

As for my part I intend to stick to that conditions ... all right, all right, the date 7/7 was much cooler, but already over and - as some of you know me - I don't want to wait for another whole year ... so, I looked out for another magical date. First, I was thinking on 9/9 starting time 9:00 h! 999 as inverted 666. I'm mad, I know! But then, 9/11 came into my mind. I want to respect that date! That for I decided to give us all another week of preparation and the dates are now as follows:

Monday, 9/12 - Pride
Tuesday, 9/13 - Greed
Wednesday, 9/14 - Lust
Thursday, 9/15 - Wrath
Friday, 9/16 - Gluttony
Saturday, 9/17 - Envy
Sunday, 9/18 - Sloth

Sins are broken rules, right?! That for, I think ... when you decide to join in ... you can break the 'Flash Fiction Rule'. Write more than 100 words, draw a picture, doodle, make a photograph, create a sculpture, do whatever comes into your mind!

Hope to see you next Monday for a sinful week!
xoxo

Karin

P.S. My Book List 2011 grew quite well over the last couple of weeks!

One-Minute-Writer: Reward

2011-06-02T13:00:00.002+02:00

Been quite creative that days ... a few days after Practice I received that:

Saturday, May 11, 2011

Reward: In what way to you reward yourself for accomplishments?

FOR

"Well, I'm quite unimaginative when it comes to rewards, because in 99% I find at least one new book for my shelves! What shall I say, I simply can't stand not buying books!"

And C. Beth was so nice to give me this, too:

Summer Break

2011-06-02T10:00:00.002+02:00

Obviously I'm not the first (nor the last), who's going to think over making a blogging summer break. For a while now I feel very little inspired to write. I have quite some ideas swirling round my head, but somehow I'm not able to bring them proper to paper or on screen. I even have problems with the very short prompts of One-Minute-Writer! *sigh*

With this being Nr. 143 I've produced more posts within five months than over the whole last year. Most of them so wonderfully made during two amazing challenges: February Journaling Challenge and April A-Z Blogging Challenge. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate that a lot. I don't want to miss them!

But now, when I look at my blog, I feel bored by myself. And if I feel that way, then it's only logical that others do, too! *double-sigh* That for I've decided to take a summer break. Developing my existing ideas and holding back my spirits as long as I finally have to write again!

I wish you all a wonderful summer and see you all hopefully back then after the break! Keep writing!

Karin

Take A Break!

Wreck This Journal: Color Outside The Lines.

2011-05-31T18:00:00.004+02:00

Sometimes I'm quite surprised, what weird/funny/different things my brain produces! In any case, WTJ is very inspiring!

Almost instantly I've seen the moon in that circle and for quite some time I intended to make a city skyline ... but after using that idea for WTJ: Cut Through Several Layers. I had to change that. I finally came up with some romantic beach scene! Aloha!

One-Minute-Writer: Practice

2011-05-30T18:00:00.006+02:00

Saturday, May 4, 2011

Practice: Write about something in your life that you've put a lot of time into practicing.

FOR

"I'm a perfectionist, but as we all know, life isn't always perfect. I'm still practicing to accept imperfection, see the beauty in chaos and enjoy the possibilities of spontaneity."

Friday-Fill-In: 2011-21

2011-05-27T10:00:00.001+02:00

This week I re-discovered one more time my fascination for Stephen King books.
The horror returns.
It's all about to find that inner part, that makes the hair in your neck crinkle.
He makes you wanting to look behind you if someone is following you, even in the sun.
I demand ...what? Stop reading his books? I wished I could, but...
Once started you simply have to follow his path, it's filled with addictive words!
And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to reading how Paul Sheldon escapes Annie Wilkes (Misery by Stephen King) - am I really looking forward to that? Honestly, it's rather creepy! Tomorrow my plans include thinking about a blog post about Stephen King (there were a few interesting cognitions I had during the last 4 books) and Sunday, I want to think about the fact, if I'm mad to read some more Stephen King!

WQ-18. Favorite Antagonist.

2011-05-25T18:00:00.019+02:00

30 Days Of Writing Questions

18. Favorite antagonist and why!

Like last week, where the question was about the Favorite Protagonist, I'd like to extend the question a second time.

FAVORITE ANTAGONISTS TO READ

Lash, Son of Omega
The Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J.R. Ward
He was the first I had instantly to think on. His character has everything I hate about a person: he's arrogant, a show off because of his wealth, cruel to others for no good reason and simply disgusting! I didn't like him from the very beginning and began to hate him when he was given even more powers. I didn't want to read his passages, because all he planed and did was against my beloved characters ... but of course I HAD TO read on! *sigh* When he finally was defeated I was satisfied, but somehow not really. I thought, his dead was much too easy. I guess, I hope and I fear, he's coming back somehow. He wouldn't be the first Lesser coming back!
And all those loathsome reasons make a good antagonist, because you truly hate him from your deepest soul!

IT & the (un)known evil
IT and other evil in the books by Stephen King
My first acquaintance with Mr. Stephen King was at the age of 14 or 15. Since then his books became my constant companions. To say, that I love his books would be the wrong word, not when you're sometimes too scared to continue reading or even get nightmares from particular scenes. It's more of a morbid fascination. He knows so well to tickle that inner part, that makes the hair in your neck crinkle or want you to look behind you or leave the light on during shadowy nights. He finds the unnatural and scary in every ordinary subject, may it be a car, a dog or a picture. I guess, he's the reason, why I don't like maize fields or shiver at the look of a clown. So, for me Mr. Stephen King is the true master of creating the perfect antagonist. Period.

FAVORITE ANTAGONIST TO WRITE

Well, when you write about cats, the most scaring subject is a big red ball of yarn! And in my other stories I have more physical and inner obstacles to overcome. Speaking, compared to those, who I adore, I have to admit, that I haven't created a true villain or antagonist. Not yet. BUT for instance Indian Jones or Lara Croft had - beside their hunt for treasures - always someone to conquer with. That for I had to give my poor demented Davis a bit more of action. I have to think about that!

Wreck This Journal: Draw Lines With Your Pen. Smear The Lines.

2011-05-24T18:00:00.006+02:00

Like so many times before I found my own way to follow the instructions: I moistened the page with water (my own spit wouldn't have been enough *g*). Then on the wet page I simply draw lines with ink.

And voila: Groovy 70th-Hippies-look! PEACE! :-)

Friday-Fill-In: 2011-20

2011-05-20T05:00:00.001+02:00

I see the love when I look into your eyes.
We belonged together, I knew that from scratch.
They begin registering that irrevocable love in the moment they saw us together.
I wished we'd met so many years earlier.
This I know: You bewitched my body and soul and I love, love, love you.
I wish to tell you something special tonight, so please accept my invitation for dinner.
And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a cold drink and some chitchat with my buddies, tomorrow my plans include writing an overdue letter and Sunday, I want to hopefully do nothing, maybe a little sunbathing and reading!!

I'm quite romantic, am I not? Must be spring feelings! :-)
HAPPY WEEKEND!

WQ-17. Favorite Protagonist.

2011-05-18T18:00:00.002+02:00

30 Days Of Writing Questions

17. Favorite protagonist and why!

I know these questions are supposed to be about writing, but I'm free to extend my answer a little to make it more interesting:

FAVORITE PROTAGONISTS TO READ

Edmond Dantes
The Count of Monte Christo by Alexandre Dumas
I've just finished rereading the book, so it's the freshest in my mind. Frankly speaking, the first time I had quite some problems, I was confused by all those different names, titles and disguises for/of the same person and different plot lines, which seemed at first view to have no connection to Edmond's story ... but in the end everything made perfect sense. From the second time on I could enjoy the full capacity of the whole adventure. Especially Edmond's development and his experience living through the whole palette of emotions. That's intriguing!

Edward Cullen
The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer
Here I have to make perfectly clear, that I speak of the character IN THE BOOK!!! Not a whiff of the movie actor ... sorry Rob, but you do so NOT fit to the image in my head! I truly love the character described in the book, even more in 'Midnight Sun', where Edward's POV of the story is described. He's just wonderful. This old soul, given with so many talents, struggling with the monster inside him, fighting against the forbidden love ... *sigh* Just wonderful!

Elizabeth Bennet
Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
Lizzy is just wonderful, she's beautiful, smart and so full of life. Her wit and humor are intriguing. She dares to say 'No', but also is strong enough to confess her faults and change her mind. She's definitely one of my most favorite characters. Well, and I dare say, in that case the movie from 2005 might have influenced my opinion a little, because Keira Knightley playing Elisabeth Bennet is just wonderful to watch!

Lea Goldstaub
Die Goldhaendlerin (The Gold Merchant) by Iny Lorentz
Another strong female character, who does everything to protect and care for her beloved ones. She disguises herself and hides her feelings, fights obstacles, goes on big journey until she gets her well deserved happy end. You can't help, but continue reading, you live, love and suffer with her!

For sure there are many more characters, who are just great to read, but those four came instantly in my mind!

FAVORITE PROTAGONISTS TO WRITE

You might already guess, I have a favor for strong female characters, not only to read, but also to write. Characters like Elizabeth Bennet or Lea Goldstaub can be considered as my role models for my most favorite character. My Cathryn is also a young woman with a strong mind, who tries to find her way in a men's world, but her flaws and imperfections and fears make her loveable and simply 'perfect'!

Wreck This Journal: Collect The Stamps Off Of All Your Mail.

2011-05-17T18:00:00.010+02:00

After the shocking weekend disaster with my missing blog, I'm getting back to business as usual! *sigh*

Took me a while to finish that page ... but *sing* with a little help form my friends *end-sing* I could finally complete it! Yeah!
Thanks a lot to all those wonderful people!

The stamps are from 4 countries: US, UK, Malaysia and (most of them) Germany! ... and my most favorite then? *thinking* I guess it's The Poor Poet Stamp.

Friday-Fill-In: 2011-19

2011-05-13T22:45:00.001+02:00

I know unconsciously, but now it's official how much I'm addicted to blogs!
I try to remember life before internet and blogs ... was there something like a life if at all possible?
This weather has been great for having the first BBQ of the year this weekend. This might distract me from my online obsession ... just a little!
My internet addiction seems to be kind of a problem.
I'm really happy I have the ability to live in the age of networks, blogs & co.!
Please, give me some FFI, or something to that effect. I NEED IT!!!
And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to finally do my Friday Fill-In, tomorrow my plans include ...well, I won't call it a plan, but I really have to do some paperwork and Sunday, I want to do nothing but some relaxing reading!

Wreck This Journal: Make Prints Using A Ink Pad And Cut Vegetables.

2011-05-10T18:00:00.004+02:00

A quick one, where the preparations took more time than the print! I used: A leaf Chinese cabbage, tomato, bell pepper, carrot, ginger and a cauliflower floret.

The Versatile Blogger Award

2011-05-09T21:15:00.004+02:00

Some drum rolls, please! I've been given this wonderful award!

THANKS SHEILA over at SHEILA SCRIBBLES!

HERE'S WHAT YOU GOTTA DO

Thank and link back to the person that has given you this award.
Share 7 things about yourself.
Award blogs you feel deserve the award.
Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award.

7 THINGS ABOUT MYSELF

I have one significant mark, a long scar on my right leg, where I broke my ankle.
The second book of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series is my favorite - Rhage rocks!
There are three pictures hanging in my living room.
From Harry Potter book four on I had to buy the English edition first, because I couldn't wait for the German edition to be released. Oh and btw: Of course I've bought later on the German edition, too!
I currently drive my fifth car.
The sixth book of the Warrior Cats series made me cry.
Currently I can't think of any seven of importance in my life.

BLOGS I AM PASSING ON THE AWARD TO

Writing Exercise 15: How Fables Can Help Your Characters

2011-05-07T18:30:00.003+02:00

A fable is a succinct story, in prose or verse, that features animals, mythical creatures, plants, inanimate objects, or forces of nature which are given human qualities, and that illustrates a moral. (by Wikipedia)

Some might say, the time for fables is gone. But they can also be a wonderful tool to work out your own characters. In addition you can use the 'story's moral' as a guideline for working on your plot. The simplicity of fables makes you think over the basic structure of characters. Add an 'animal' to your character's image and it can help you to stay true to the character. True to the motto 'A clever fox would never to that!' you can avoid unbelievable actions or unsuitable characteristics.

THE CHALLENGE

Take your favorite book or the book you're currently reading or any kind of book. Create a list of the main characters. Ask yourself, which animal would suit to those main characters. You can add to your list, which animal would be the complete opposite of characteristics.

Then, mull over the plot and try to find, which moral the story could have.

MY OUTCOME

I tell you, I had to nibble on that task. I better have claimed that 'Robin Hood' is one of my favorite books, because thankfully Walt Disney was already so nice to create the fable version. While reading the challenge I had instantly think on that movie! Oo-de-lally!

*sigh* But that would have been too easy, right?!?

You know, I've come to the cognizance, that it's NOT so easy, to press actual novels into the fable's scheme! At least I had quite some difficulties! But then a couple of days ago, I've started rereading a classic and it was surprisingly easy: 'The Count Of Monte Christo':

Edmond Dantes = lamb
As sailor, young and innocent, naively and defenselessly set out to the bad intrigues of his so called friends. He stays a sheep, but during his imprisonment he develops his inner wolf. That's what he is in the rest of the plot: a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Mercedes = lamb
Edmonds fiancée, she's beautiful as well as young and innocent.

Monsieur Morrel = badger
Ship owner and Edmonds employer, calm, eager, good at heart.

Caderousse = madge
The greedy neighbor, who grabs everything shiny, even when it doesn't belong to him, later on his greed becomes his doom.

Fernand = peacock
Mercedes' cousin, later husband, conceited, more illusion than reality.

deVillefort = lion
The prosecutor, proud and mighty because of his position and also dangerous, when somebody gets in his way and danger his reputation or his professional ambitions.

Abbe Faria = owl
The wise man in prison, teaching Edmond everything.

Luigi Vampa = fox
A robber and bandit, clever and sly.

Jacopo = dog
Edmond's reliable companion, the only one who sometimes carefully dares to speak as his conscience and remembers him on his own humanity.

Now, speaking of the story's moral:

Revenge is best served cold, but it soothes your pain only to a certain degree.
Every action has consequences, even when we become aware of them years and years later.
For some experiences there is no healing und no happy end (even if all the movies make you believe, the book doesn't have such an end!).

Friday-Fill-In: 2011-18

2011-05-06T14:45:00.001+02:00

'Main Hoon Na' is my favorite Bollywood movie, because it's a great story with lots of fun, action, love and smashing songs, not to forget that Shah Rukh Khan is a blast!
Go to page 45 of the book you're reading or of the book closest to you; go to the 6th paragraph and make a sentence out of 7 words from it: When we were in the south of castile, we'd tried a typical seafood dish including all the gourmet's desires, delicacies like langoustes and mussels.
I am currently reading 'The Count Of Monte Christo' and the words are taken from Edmont's engagement party.
After eating such a rich dinner, the best help is a long walk.
Take some time to watch a Bollywood movie, they are much better than their reputation.
A good Indian dish needs a bit of sharp spices (at least).
And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing on my couch and continue with my 'Monte Christo', tomorrow my plans include thinking over a present for a friend's birthday I (to my shame) have forgotten and Sunday, I want to cook an Indian dish!

ABC, Bonus: A-Z Favorite Booklist

2011-05-05T13:15:00.005+02:00

For 26 days we'd tried to find alphabetical topics to write about. Some of us even had a theme. Mine was writing. When writing is one side of the medal, than reading is the other.

No, I don't want to start the challenge all over again, I just want to find out, if my reputation as a passionate reader is justified. Can I make a A-Z list of my favorite books sorted by book title? If there's more than one choice for a letter, I've picked the most favorite book. Here's my A-Z FAVORITE BOOKLIST:

The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho
The Black Dagger Brotherhood Series, J.R. Ward
The Count of Monte Christo, Alexandre Dumas
Dead Poets Society, N.H. Kleinbaum
Emma, Jane Austen
Felidae, Akif Pirincci
Die Goldhaendlerin (The Gold Merchant), Iny Lorentz
Harry Potter Series, J.K. Rowling
I'm Off Then: My Journey Along the Camino de Santiago, Hape Kerkeling
-
A Kite's Eye View: India between Earth and Sky, Nicolas Chorier
The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien
Millennium Trilogy, Stieg Larsson
-
-
The Pillars of the Earth, Ken Follett
-
Ramses Series, Christan Jacq
The Stand, Stephen King
The Twilight Saga, Stephenie Meyer
-
-
Warrior Cats Series, Erin Hunter
-
-
-

That was fun ... and quite interesting! I should try that on my favorite movies, too!

What about you? How much can you fill an A-Z list of your favorite books, colors, sweets, names, movies, what ever? Go, have a try and share it with us!

WQ-16. Romantic Relationships.

2011-05-04T18:00:00.003+02:00

30 Days Of Writing Questions

16. Do you write romantic relationships? How do you do with those, and how "far" are you willing to go in your writing?

The only romance you can find in my fairy tale writing is the kiss in the happy end. Everything very nice and innocent before they live happily ever after.

Next, you don't even find a kiss when your main characters are cats. =^..^=

And then there's my current big WIP. In this story my focus is more on adventure, fantasy and mystery. Also growing of age and overcoming your fears play their parts ... but no romance. Well, not in this book! But there lures something like a sequel in the back of my mind, nothing in detail, only some possible shadows, including that my heroine has to find her love or better love has to find her!

So, for the moment I could only give you some hypothetical answers. I'm a highly romantic person, but I don't like clichés and kitsch. I say, that would reflect in my writing. You know, romantic scenes, very decent and elegant, which hopefully makes you sigh, too! As much as I like to read hot scenes, like in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, I can hardly imagine myself to do the same. Okay, I've never tried, but that for I should first find a strong cover story, just like in the BDB books!

Wreck This Journal: Glue In A Photo Of Yourself. Deface.

2011-05-03T18:00:00.025+02:00

TRANSLATION OF THE LEFT PAGE:

Name:	Nofretiri
Age:	Unfortunately old enough for water, fire, scissors, light and other tools.
Person:	Human or Na'Vi or whatever?
Caution:	Subject might be armed with at least a pen and dangerous! Don't let her close to your journal!

*hmm* I think the page speaks for itself! ;-)

---
These are the pages I've used to deface myself:

Also very cool are:

http://www.photofunia.com/
http://www.sp-studio.de/
http://simpsonizeme.com/ (not always available!)

ABC Challenge, Epilogue.

2011-05-03T06:30:00.001+02:00

It slowly seems to become habit, that every time writing a A-Z blogpost I hear a certain song in my head. This time it's 'Time To Say Goodbye' by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman:

Yes, it is a Goodbye, but a bittersweet one, isn't it? At least for my part, my experiences were mostly positive!

AMAZING PARTICIPANTS

From the start I was intrigued by the idea of A-Z themes ... obviously not just me! Somewhere after 1.200 bloggers joining in the challenge I've lost track! That's mind blowing! With that incredible list at hand I just picked up the blogs with promising, strange, interesting names and some by coincidence, too. It's hard to say, how many blogs I've visited in the end, but quite a few found their way on my reading list! I truly wished to have more time to stop by on every single blog!

What I wished for A-Z Challenge 2012: I would really appreciate to have something like an additional sentence or some keywords, what all those wonderful blogs are all about. I don't like the thought, to have missed some good blogs! *sigh*

Speaking of Nofretiris Dream Of Writing: Within this one month I could gain more new followers than in the whole year my little blog exists! I'd like to thank and welcome all the new followers here on my blog! You're awesome!

TOP 5 OF MY FOLLOWERS

MY PERSONAL TOP 3

I'd say my most fun post was Y for Yarn: Yo, Ho, Haul Together. Even if this double translation wasn't the easiest part (Pirate language à normal English à German), I had a blast of a time to cover A-Z Blogging Challenge into a little pirate story! Aaaarrrrgggghhhh!

The dediCATed cat fan I am, I loved to write those two little cat view stories: T for Tiere (Animals) / S for Show Not Tell Crusader Challenge =^..^=

MY PERSONAL ACHILLES HEEL

Surprisingly not one of those most feared letters X or Y ... despite or just because of the limited words I've instantly got an idea what to write about. No, my personal Achilles Heel was the letter U!!! After quite some obstacles I've landed with the very little elegant U for Urlaub (Holiday)!

LAST BUT NOT LEAST

Would I do it again? - Yes!
Would I recommend it others? - Yes!
But, please don't get me wrong, for now I'm happy it's over!

THANKS ELIZABETH!

ABC, Z for Ziel (aim, goal, end, last chapter)

2011-05-02T06:00:00.004+02:00

This is the end.
Beautiful friend.
This is the end.
My only friend, the end.

Of our elaborate plans, the end.
Of everything that stands, the end.
No safety or surprise, the end.
I'll never look into your eyes...again.

by The Doors

- we've reached the last letter of the alphabet. 30 days ago, who had have thought, how fast the end is here. And with this last letter today we want to think a little about the last chapter in a book, the big finale, the end.

In the Book Meme I've been asked: Tidy ending or cliffhanger?
I decided for cliffhangers, but frankly speaking, that's only half of the truth. First, my Top 100 favorite books contains mainly stand-alone books with a tidy ending. Second, I'm a huge fan of book series, like The Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J.R. Ward. Each book tells the story of one main character and brings it to a proper satisfying happy end, BUT she also continues with different subplots and leaves them open. So, at the end of each book you simply can't wait to get the next book in your hands. That's what I meant with my Book Meme answer 'cliffhangers usually mean, that the story continues'.

Honestly, I'm much better with beginnings than with endings. But I've realized the significance of a good ending, when Jamie DeBree fooled us on 1st April with a very sudden, very unsatisfying end of her weekly blog series 'The Bikers Wench'. So, what can be said about endings?

POSSIBLE ENDINGS

Hollywood Ending: This is the happy ending where the hero will get the girl or win over a villain and bring peace to the planet.
Ironic Ending: This is the bittersweet ending when the hero may win with a loss with a sort of Pyrrhic victory or may win in losing. Sometimes, stories in literary and mystery genres use this type of ending.
Tragic Ending: The hero loses and the antagonist wins or they both die, but even if the conflict is resolved at the hero's expense, the argument in the story idea is confirmed.
Surprise Ending: The surprise lies in a twist or a revelation that changes the understanding of the trajectory or the spirit of the story. If skillfully carried out, this type of ending is the most successful.
Vague or Undefined Ending: This is when the story is left open-ended, leaving the reader imagining what could happen. This type of ending is not very effective with most genres, except for horror.

TIPPS FOR ENDINGS

Identify the ending of your story.
Consider when is the best time for a story to finish.
Link the story to a larger theme to end on a high note.
Ask yourself "what is the main conflict in my story?"
You can surprise the reader but you must also satisfy them.
Don’t use sappy extraneous contemplation.
Don’t cheat and suddenly have everything work out fine.
Some genres have an expected ending that you can’t mess with, e.g. romance.
Don’t forget to end the book (or explain it is a trilogy/series!).
The resolution comes after the climax.
Ask somebody else to read your ending.
Revise, revise, revise!

So, this is it: The end of A-Z Blogging Challenge?
Yes, because we've reached the last letter of the alphabet.
No, because there's one more thing to come: A to Z Challenge Reflections Mega Post A to Z Challenge Reflections Mega Post

Stay tuned! :-)

ABC, V for Veni. Vidi. Vici?

2011-05-01T02:00:00.001+02:00

eni. Vidi. Vici. - I came, I saw ... but did I conquer? Obviously not yet. The A-Z Challenge is almost over. Delete the 'almost'. It's 1st of May, veraciously it's officially over! And me? I'm still struggling with that vicious letter V!

I veto! I'm not ready to vacate and go on well deserved vacation. This whole mission shouldn't have been in vain. I have to be valiant, stick to my values and vanquish the venomous thought! I have to verify the verifications and try some new varieties. It's me versus the vacuum in my brain. Maybe I should listen to my inner voice and take some more vocabulary into consideration?

It's like voluntarily going on a voyage and finding of my own volition the new vigorous point of view. I swear, I stick to my vow, fight the villain and get my vengeance. Victory is mine!

So, in the end I hope verses will be made to my venture and the last words would be: Veni. Vidi. Vici.

ABC, U for Urlaub (Holiday)

2011-04-30T12:00:00.006+02:00

A handful U-words were on my Writing A-Z list. I even had chosen one and written the post ... only with the result, in the end the text didn't fit anymore to the headline! Well, hard luck!
My problem, none of the other words didn’t inspire me in the slightest! Now, the challenge is slowly coming to its end and a solution was needed!
All right, there was Easter and I think a day off is well deserved! That's why:

for Urlaub (Holiday)!
Enjoy your free day!

Karin

ABC, Y for Yarn: Yo, Ho, Haul Together

2011-04-30T00:30:00.005+02:00

o, ho, haul together,

hoist the colors high.

Heave ho, thieves and beggars,

never shall we die.

Doodled by me while watching 'Pirates Of The Caribbean'

Ahoy, me hearties!

Dead men tell no tales, but do ye dare to hear mine? Avast ye, come a little closer. Landlubbers, ye sit down and listen, I tell. Savvy?

It was a calm, moonlit night ... too calm when you ask me, when from the sea an inscrutable fog slowly crawled onto the land. With the fog came a shadow and the shadow become a dark man entering the door of a shabby bar. It's said he's once been here before with the same purpose. He was searching for a crew. Brave, strong, intelligent men - and women! - following him, going on a crusade, conquering challenges and searching treasures.

Shiver me timbers! That seadog had a voice! Dark, rough and raspy. Once heard, ye never forget it. Like those poor ones, who listened to his seductive words. Till the end of the month he recruited over 1200 crewmen. He, ye want me to walk the plank and join Davy Jones' locker? Ye say I'm a liar, aye? Ye say, no ship can accommodate so many, ye would need a whole armada? By my dark soul I swear, there was only one ship. Blimey, what a ship! With the first light of the new month's first day all the buccaneers weighed anchor and hoisted the mizzen!

The journey kept them a whole month on board and six days a week they were confronted with adventures. Don't ye ask me about all of them, I'm just an Old Salt! I tell you, what I remember, savvy?

On the 3rd day they had to break a Curse, unlucky number 13 brought them Mermaids and just two days later a monstrous Octopus almost scuttled their ship. What else? Give an Old Salt a moment? Ye, they've told from a colossal Sea Serpent on their 19th day on board. And just 4 days before their goal a gigantic Wave threatened their lives. I wonder, if they've ever reached the fantastic treasures that this seadog promised?

Rumors say that those who remained will return right this weekend. So, if ye want to get stories by first hand, go to the harbor and watch out for black sails! Until then, let's drink loads of rum and shout 'Yo Ho Ho'!

P.S. Aye, it's unbelievable, there are Pirate Phrases and Pirate Vocabulary online available! Aaaarrrrgggghhhh!

Friday-Fill-In: 2011-17

2011-04-29T06:00:00.001+02:00

I love to see nature becoming green and alive during springtime.
It fills my heart with joy and a smile.
It's how you feel fresh and free and young again.
It's like a young Bambi jumping around out of pure joy. I know, it's a bit childish, don't tell me!
Well, would you talk otherwise, when you at least try to let this emotions fill your soul and become that young again, too.
If you don't like deer, then maybe spring peepers.
And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to writing my last official A-Z Blogging Challenge post, tomorrow my plans include to write the two posts, I'm still missing and Sunday, I want to be proud of my work and hopefully enjoy springtime like a Bambi!

Wish you all a wonderful, warm and sunny spring weekend!

ABC, X for X-beliebige Fakten (Any Random Facts)

2011-04-28T12:00:00.006+02:00

-beliebig is one of 54 x-words in my 'Duden' dictionary and the first of another 26 utterly useless, but also quite interesting facts about books and writing in my today's A-Z post:

There have been over 20,000 books written about the game of Chess.
The main library at Indiana University sinks over an inch every year because when it was built, engineers failed to take into account the weight of all the books that would occupy the building.
The Bible contains 3,566,480 letters, or 810,697 words.
The Library of Congress, Washington DC, USA contains 28 million books and has 532 miles of shelving.
Pope Pius II wrote an erotic book 'Historia de duobos amantibus' in 1444.
Paper was invented in China around 105 A.D., by the eunuch Ts'ai Lun.
A new book is published every 13 minutes in America.
Euclid is the most successful textbook writer of all time. His Elements, written around 300 B.C., has gone through more than 1,000 editions since the invention of printing.
The first volume of recipes was published in 62 A.D. by the Roman Apicius. Titled De Re Coquinaria, it described the feasts enjoyed by the Emperor Claudius.
The story of Cinderella first appears in a Chinese book written in the 850s.
315 entries in Webster's Dictionary will be misspelled.
85,000,000 tons of paper are used each year in the U.S.
Goethe couldn't stand the sound of barking dogs and could only write if he had an apple rotting in the drawer of his desk.
An original copy of Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales sold for a record £4,621,500 (9 times the expected price) at Christies, London, UK on 8th July 1998 by a private collector. The book was the first major work printed in England by William Caxton, in 1477.
Biggest books: The complete Buddhist scriptures were engraved on 729 white marble tablets and are regarded by Myanmar Buddhists as orthodox texts. The tablets are set up in a square, each being protected by a small temple. The 730th Pagoda is a conventional temple occupying the centre of the square. Each marble tablets are about 3' wide and 4' height. It is known as Ku Tho Daw Phayar, situated at the foot of Mandalay Hill, Mandalay.
Another world breaker is a book called the Super Book, which has 300 pages, measures 2.74 x 3.07 mtrs and weighs 252.6kg.
Barnes and Noble Bookstore, New York City, USA. It has 12 miles (20.71km) of shelving and covers an area of 14,330m² (154,250ft²).
Of all time, this accolade goes to Agatha Christie, detective story authoress. Since 1920 her books have sold over a billion copies in the English language and another billion in over 45 foreign languages. She is outsold only by the Bible and William Shakespeare.
J K Rowling's Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, the fifth book in the acclaimed series, had a first-run print of 8.5 million copies. This is approximately 80 times the average bestseller!
Between 1986 and 1996, Brazilian author Jose Carlos Ryoki de Alpoim Inoue had a massive 1,058 novels published. He writes westerns, science fiction and thrillers. Does he ever eat?
The sole surviving written record of Mayan history is three codices written in hieroglyphs on bark paper. All three are now held in European cities.
William Shakespeare's average annual income as a playwright was under £20, which works out to about £8 per play. However, he made about twice as much from writing plays as Ben Jonson, the only contemporary playwright who was better known at the time than Shakespeare.
Shakespeare used around 29,000 different words in his plays. About 10,000 of those words had never previously been used in any surviving English literature. Around 6,000 words only appear once.
Thomas Watson was one of the most popular and important playwrights in the Elizabethan age, but none of his dramas exists today.
The Guinness Book of World Records, first published in 1955, got into itself nineteen years later, in 1974, by setting a record as the fastest-selling book in the world.
In 1939 an author named Ernest Vincent wrote a 50,000 word novel called Gadsby. The only thing unusual about the novel is that there is not a single letter 'e' in the whole thing.

Continue here:
For Your Warehouse of Useless Knowledge (Not only book related!)
Fun Facts: Books and Literature
Some Interesting Facts about Books and Authors

WQ-15. Admirable Writers.

2011-04-27T18:00:00.010+02:00

30 Days Of Writing Questions

15. Midway question! Tell us about a writer you admire, whether professional or not!

You can't seriously limit that question to just ONE writer, can you?!? Fact is, I adore different writers for different reasons, e.g.:

J.K. Rowling: I adore her huge imagination. From book to book I was so excited to read about all those new animals, the new magical objects, the curses, the whole world of Harry Potter. In the DVD bonus material I was also impressed by the deep knowledge of her world. The movie makers needed e.g. for 'Order Of The Phoenix' Sirius' family tree and within a couple of minutes she pulled that detailed list out of the hat. Plus how clever she hides tiny little snipes, we just don't understand or don't pay attention to. But then after getting new information, everything makes more sense, like again in 'Order Of The Phoenix' when they clean the headquarter and find a locket, which doesn't let open! And becomes later one of the Horcuxes.
J.R.R. Tolkien: How can you not adore a writer, who spent his whole life with creating Middle Earth? All those races with their own history and their own language. That's simply mind blowing!
Stephen King: The master of horror. Even in plain, normal, every day situations he finds something creepy, hidden evil and makes you want to leave the lights on!
J.R. Ward: There are those strong alpha males, warriors by heart, each of them haunted by some kind of curse. And there are also strong women, who become the appropriate counterpart. Each of these women is able to tame the beast or bring light into the darkness of their mates. There are tricky, damned situations and every time you wonder 'How could that work out well?', but every time she surprises you! I simply love the passion in her books!
Dan Brown: Intense and intriguing, how he combines real places, facts, tokens with an imaginative story. I love the illustrated versions of his books, where you can see everything with your own eyes!
Other writers on that list: Stephenie Meyer, Alexandre Dumas, Jane Austen, Erin Hunter, Noah Gordon, William Shakespeare, etc. ... where should I stop?

ABC, W for Wie man... (How to...)

2011-04-27T12:00:00.006+02:00

This was originally written for the letter U, but after finishing I had to admit, that the content didn't fit properly to the headline anymore! Fortunately there was a suitable letter left:

ie man.../'How to improve your writing skills?'
One of the questions, I'm asking myself all the time. So, what can be done?

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

Let's assume, someone's being blessed with some basic writing skills and also have a brilliant idea for a plot, well, that's not enough! A book, a novella, a short story, whatever doesn't write itself - unfortunately! You literally have to sit on your but and practice, practice, practice or in other words write, write and write, rewrite and again write some more! And ... FINISH it!

READ

I'm wondering, if every writer is also a passionate reader? In any case, reading could help to improve your writing skills. My emphasis lays on could, because it doesn't matter what we read, but how we read! There's normal reading, where you turn pages from cover to cover just for the sake of entertainment, and there's reading. Then you read with focus on things beyond meaning, something like grammar, vocabulary, syntax, phrases, idioms and/or expressions. Or you do some kind of research in the genre you do your own writing. You do this special filter reading and your writing can profit from that.

Additional note: It may also help to lay focus on what we read ... there's no wrong to check out some how-to-books in order to study basic writing techniques. But don't forget: Rules are there to be broken!

WRITING TIPS

Why buy expensive how-to-books, when the internet is full of free writing tips? Just google 'How to become a better writer' and you get thousand of pages. My current favorite is 73 Ways to Become a Better Writer. Not to forget all those wonderful writing blogs!

On that just one word of advice: Don't make yourself crazy with ALL the tips. Just take one, maybe two tips per day and concentrate on this/them. It's like learning to drive, first you had to remember yourself to watch into the mirror before turning left or right, now you do it automatically! Hopefully!

FIND A PARTNER/GROUP

For me it was quite a revelation, when I started book-club-e-mails with some of my friends. We've usually started with some easy questions: Did you like the book? What was your most/least favorite scene and character? Who was the character you could identify most/least? We didn't just name, it was more interesting to know the why's behind! We've also discussed various themes depending on the book. I can tell you, I've learnt most, when I had a different opinion than my book-club partners! To understand the other's point of view ... and in the following to include some of the learnt lessons in my own writing!

Second, find a critique partner/group. The problem, I've experienced is to find a good critique partner! Just to say 'That's good!' or 'I don't like that scene.' is NOT a good critique, it doesn't help at all! Some general tips for feedback:

To give feedback:
- on time
- constructive
- detailed
- appropriate chunks
- readiness declared
- I-messages

To accept feedback:
- listen, perhaps request
- don't argue, explain, excuse
- think about, change
- thank for feedback

How to express feedback:
Create a positive basis for feedback, right time/place/tone
1. Perception + I-message: I see, I hear, I feel...
2. Effect: That's how I perceive it.
3. Wish: How would we reach...?
Result: Utilize

Example:
That dialogue is miserable! - Miserable feedback, doesn't help to improve. Better: When I've read that dialogue, the messages were clear. I also perceived it a little 'naked'. How was the tone, the speed, etc. of the voices? What emotions could you hear in the voices during the dialogue? Were there any looks (or other actions) between the partners?

ENTER CHALLENGES/CONTESTS

The best possibility to compare your skills with other writers. In addition you have to deal with given specifications, word limitation and/or deliver on a certain date. But be prepared for critical, perhaps even harsh, feedback!

Last, but not least:

KEEP WRITING AND ALWAYS STRIVE TO LEARN MORE!

P.S. I know, I still owe you two more post! I'm working on them! Please, stay tuned!

Wreck This Journal: Trace The Things In Your Bag.

2011-04-26T18:00:00.000+02:00

For this page I made negative paper-templates of things in my bag and used Blow-Pens/Airbrush-Pens for the outlines.

ABC, T for Tiere (animals)

2011-04-24T08:00:00.002+02:00

oo many to count! A sheer endless number of animal literature is available. In every genre, for every taste.
In my little private library are quite a few to find: Starting with classical fairy tales over some Cujo by Stephen King to Frank Schaetzing's The Swarm, not to forget Warrior Cats by Erin Hunter and all those magical creatures in the world of Harry Potter. As an author I'm also very fond of writing short stories of my four-legged, purring, little feline fur balls. *meow*

For today I've let myself inspire one more time by dear Rachael and her Second Crusader Challenge:

THE CHALLENGE

Write a flash fiction story (in any format) in 100 words or less, excluding the title. Begin the story with the words, 'The goldfish bowl teetered' These four words will be included in the word count.

MY OUTCOME

The goldfish bowl teetered, just teetered but nothing more. Damn! Again my paw scratched in vain over the glass surface. That stupid thing was simply too big and too heavy. Okay, the bigger the better, the view was amazing: Hypnotizing swaying water plants, curling raising bubbles and - best of all - a group of fishes! Yummy, mouthwatering, fresh fishes!
My human called it 'Big Brother for Cats'! Micebrain! IF it was really Big Brother, then every week an inhabitant would be eliminated - by ME! But I can by patient, very patient! I get what I want - ALWAYS!

Exactly 100 meowing words! =^..^=

ABC, S for Show Not Tell Crusader Challenge

2011-04-22T21:30:00.002+02:00

oo many wonderful S-words! It's really difficult to chose one ... but then I've stumbled over Rachael's Crusader Challenge - just perfect for the S-day!

THE CHALLENGE

In 300 words or less, write a passage (it can be an excerpt from your WIP, flash fiction, a poem, or any other writing) that shows (rather than tells) the following:

you're scared and hungry
it's dusk
you think someone is following you
and just for fun, see if you can involve all five senses AND include these random words: shimmer, saccadic, substance and salt.

MY OUTCOME

My stomach rumbled. It's been a while since I've eaten something. That was the law of the warriors, the clan's always first. Today I've hunted for those who weren't able anymore. My own needs had to wait. Unfortunately fresh bait was rare during the days of the empty leaves. The whole clan was starving. We've already lost a member. Who's going to be next? Another elder like Silvercoat? Maybe one of the kittens? Sure, we've tried to provide the Queens as good as we could, without their milk the next generation of warriors would be lost. The whole clan would be lost! What if this cold continues? What if ... No! I don't want to finish that. I would rather die than lose my beloved Sandcloud! I banned this scary thoughts out of my head!
In the meantime, the night slowly vanished, in the dusk between the treetops the first morning shimmers send some new hope in my heart. I knew there was fresh bait out there. I just had to find it!
Slowly I forced my way through the chest high snow. I felt the cold under my paws and despite the shelter of the trees the wind brushed heavy on my fur. My ears twitched, was there something behind me? I turned, but the only thing I could see were the soft movements of empty branches. I raised my nose and opened my mouth for a better sniff. But the wind came from the wrong direction, there was only the nasty stench of the biped's road and that strange winter substance called salt.
Maybe I should try my luck down at the small watercourse, every animal needs to drink. The taste of some fresh water would animate my spirits, too. With saccadic jumps I continued my way.

Wow, that was close: 299 words! =^..^=

ABC, R for Resources

2011-04-22T08:40:00.003+02:00

ituals, habits, good luck charms - my first thoughts on the letter R. BUT I've already written something similar in WQ-06. Writing Habits and also here: My Writing Journey and here: Meet A Journal Keeper
No retakes, remember? So, I've landed on R for Resources!

RESOURCE: EQUIPMENT

I dare to say, that the equipment we chose influence our writing! It's hard to imagine myself writing my novel by hand ... I would freak out, because of the lack of speed or possibilities of spell verification or easy editing. On the other hand there's journaling in my dream diary. There I need the contact of true paper and it feels right to hold a heavy pen in my hand. I like to lay comfortable on my couch, maybe some soft music in the background, having all the time in the world to concentrate on my nightly pictures and penning them down, maybe even illustrating them. In this case, pen and paper is the only right resource, anything else wouldn't work!

RESOURCE: INSPIRATION

I always try to pay attention to my senses. Everything I can see, hear, smell, taste or feel could be a sparkle of inspiration. Then I let these sparkles swirl around my head, transform and hopefully develop into some creative art. Another source of mine are my dreams. Sometimes I'm quite surprised what pictures my head produces during the night!

Besides those, I'm a very visual person. Pictures do very often inspire me or put my inspiration in the right way. That's what I use then:

RESOURCE: RESEARCH & HELP

Of course, one of my first targets for research is Wikipedia. I've also made very good experiences with forums, you get very quick good answers to basic and detailed questions! My favorite German speaking forum is wer-weiss-was.de. And, not to forget, my blog is written in English, so the German-English dictionary of my choice is dict.cc!

RESOURCE: WRITING & WRITING BLOGS

Quite an interesting page I've lately discovered is CreativeJuicesbooks.com. And to make a long story short, I ask you to have a look on my blog list!

What other resources do you use?

Friday-Fill-In: 2011-16

2011-04-22T03:10:00.001+02:00

Pardon me, it's now my turn on this week's FFI!
If you continue reading, it'll be a good deal.
I was surprised to find that I really like to quiz over missing gaps.
Reading is one of my favorite forms of entertainment.
Hi, my name is Karin and I'm a blogger and Friday-Fill-In-er.
These days feel like summer afternoons.
And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a nice long, free Easter weekend, tomorrow my plans include hopefully a sunbath and Sunday, I want to eat out in a nice restaurant!

HAPPY EASTER! :-)

WQ-14. Map Out Location.

2011-04-20T18:00:00.004+02:00

30 Days Of Writing Questions

14. How do you map out locations, if needed? Do you have any to show us?

Like written in my previous post WQ-12. World Building. most of my action takes place in the real world. So, Google Maps is one of my best friends to have a look at unfamiliar places. I sometimes only wished that there's a 'Time Machine Function', e.g. to see a harbor in South-East England around 1900!

Besides the public places there are some fictional private places, like the home of my heroine Cathryn. There I have a very clear picture in my head, how the garden looks like and where the rooms inside the house are located. That's by far enough!

But I've also learnt my lesson: My heroine strands on an unknown island, where the action takes place on different locations. First I thought: 'Well, it's just a simple island, what so difficult about that?' - Thought wrong! Sometimes it's really advantageous to create your own map, especially when you suddenly realize that your heroine stumbles in the wrong direction or visits a part of the island, where five chapters before the environment looked completely different! Then you simply need to map out locations!

ABC, Q for Quiz

2011-04-20T12:00:00.010+02:00

-words are limited ... so I decided to redo a quiz: Which Crazy Writer Are You?

MY RESULT is (again) Tom Wolfe:

Ah, the life of a wall flower. You get to hang out with the most interesting people - radio DJs, hot rodders, hippies, Hell's Angels, Wall Street tycoons, frat boys - and are completely happy putting them into the spotlight. You're completely happy hanging back with your martini and your little notebook, jotting down all your little observations, in sight but out of mind. Sure, everyone at the party knows who you are - but do they know the real you? And, more importantly, if you want to fade into the background, what's with the bright white suit?

Interesting: Tom Wolfe's birthday is the March 2. Mine is four days later! Coincidence?

ABC, P for Pilgerreise (pilgrimage)

2011-04-20T01:30:00.003+02:00

ilgrimage wasn't originally on my Writing A-Z list, but then, just yesterday, I've caught the word somewhere on TV and got instantly inspired.

A reader's pilgrimage

Sometimes I'm surprised by myself which books have found their way on my favorite book list. Just like 'I'm Off Then: Losing and Finding Myself on the Camino de Santiago: My Journey Along the Camino de Santiago' by HaPe Kerkeling.
I love this utterly frank and engaging book. HaPe has a wonderful entertaining style to fill his travelogue with unforgettable characters and historic landscapes, and his self-deprecating humor is unique. This is one of a kind, where the audio book is even better than the printed version!

A writer's pilgrimage

Isn't writing like a pilgrimage?
When you start you can't be sure, if you reach the finish line or not. On good days you'll walk in beautiful landscapes, where you can make a long distance. On other days there'll be hills, rather easy to cross, but you'll also be confronted with big mountains, that cause you sore muscles, headaches and sleepless nights. You'll have to invest a lot of effort and energy to reach the mountain top, but when you're finally there, you'll be so proud and have an amazing view.
You'll meet some interesting people supporting you with good advices and helpful critiques. But be sure, there'll be also some idiots! Just ignore them and continue walking!
On your way you'll also get much closer to another person: yourself! You'll explore parts of your personality and maybe discover abysses you'll never expect. In the end you'll have collected a lot of new experiences, maybe even an epiphany. And hopefully you can say then, your pilgrimage was all the way worth!

What's your pilgrimage like?

Wreck This Journal: Write Backwards.

2011-04-19T18:00:00.007+02:00

I sit and wait

does an angel contemplate my fate

and do they know

the places where we go

when we're gray and old

'cos I've been told

that salvation lets their wings unfold

so when I’m lying in my bed

thoughts running through my head

and I feel that love is dead

I’m loving angels instead.

That's the first verse of "Angels", performed by Robbie Williams (Youtube)

A short note to the design:
I'd found that beautiful angels wrapping paper, but unfortunately it got completely lost under all those layers. The top layer shows the "Angel of Grief", a grave's monument located at the Testaccio Protestant Cemetery in Rome, Italy.

Oh and btw: Writing backwards is more difficult than I thought!

ABC, O for Once Upon A Time

2011-04-19T01:00:00.001+02:00

nce upon a time not so long ago two blogger started their own Journaling Challenge. On 15th February 2011 the prompt of the day was 'Once upon a time' and one of the girls created a page looking like an old book and began a fairy tale. She published the page and promised to complete the story and also translate it. Now, two months later, the selected theme is again 'Once upon a time' ... so, what's more perfect than to fulfill the promise now?

Once upon a time a young woman lived alone in her little house on the edge of the forest. Some would have said, that living out there would be dreary, boring and lonesome. But it wasn't. Not for Rose, that was the name of the woman, every day she had something to do. She took fondly care for her house and her little garden, did a lot of handiwork, for company she was satisfied with the animals and numerous books. Now and then she went to town, where she sold her handiworks and bought that things she needed. It was a simple, humble life, but in her own way Rose was satisfied and happy.

On the other end of the town, up on a hill there was a castle. There lived the kindhearted and wise king with his wife and his son. Despite the judicious reign of the king there was a shadow laying over the castle. The prince had lost his cheerfulness. The doctors were helpless, because obviously the prince' physical health was perfect. Nothing could bring joy to the prince and he backed out more and more.

His caring mother, the loving queen, finally guessed, that maybe the right woman could distract her son's thoughts. Said, done. The king arranged a ball, where he invited all noble, young women. But the dear women were only occupied with their own vanity. They only thought on jewels and clothes she would wear as future queen. None of them was slightly interested in the prince and the prince, too, didn't show any interest in any of those arrogant chicks.

The king didn't want to give up that fast, for the next ball all daughters from good middle class families were invited. But it exposed, that the young ladies weren't able to deal with the ceremonial rituals, means they behaved totally inappropriate, or they were simply too shy to give a word at all. It doesn't need to be told, that there was no woman to be found, that hit the prince's eye.

Well, all good things come in threes, thought the king, when he decided to make a last daring step. On his command every young and beautiful women of age to be married were brought to the castle. But also the king had learnt his lesson well. Instead a formal ball, he wanted the young folk to meet in the royal gardens, playing games and casual parties. He further hoped, that not only the heart of the prince would open for a woman, but also that happiness and laughter would penetrate the castle's walls and banish the sad shadows.

That's how Rose found her way into the castle. Even though she didn't want to leave her quiet, peaceful home, she followed the orders of the king. But already on the second day she spoke to the king, when she could return back home. Her grace, modesty and fine words surprised the king and actually he could have let her go, but he refused her wish. Rose obeyed again. What else could she have done? According to her own personality Rose began to use her time well. She explored the castle, especially the library, offered her help wherever it was best needed, above all at the tailors and needle women. Of course she also participated in the little plays and parties, which were determined for the prince. And day after day she repeated her request in front of the king.

After a while the prince heard of the girl. He still didn't appreciate his parent's efforts, but however he got curious. He observed Rose. The more he saw, the less he understood her. Why was she behaving like that? Then one day he asked her: "When you don't like it here, that you ask my father every day to release you, why do you do all those things on this hateful place?"

Rose thought about it for a while before she answered: "It's not in my power to decide about my current residence, but it's possible for me to ask for change. Until this happens, I can decide freely, what I want to do with the time that is given to me here in the castle. What would it bring to spend my time pouting and inveighing? This wouldn't change the circumstances. It would only worsen my mood and the atmosphere among my fellows. Instead I use the chances, else I would have never been granted. I extend my knowledge in your large library and learn from the greatest handiwork masters of the country. That alone is all worth, even if I miss my simple life in my little house on the edge of the forest so dearly."

The words impressed the prince, for a pretended simple girl they were surprisingly clear and convincing and passionate spoken. He had to think over that a lot. Was his own situation not quite similar? Nobody knew, the prince felt like imprisoned in his own life. So many things were expected and he was very frightened to disappoint everyone. That was the true reason for his sad mood lately. I wanted to run off, but he couldn't.

While the residents of the castle and the village slowly returned to their normal everyday life, the prince and Rose were seen together very often, in the gardens, in the library, but also on other places. The prince began, to open his mind for his folk and Rose helped him to see changes, that would have been hidden for him before. It came what have to come, the joy returned back into the prince's life and with it the love to the young woman. The queen was right, the right woman could distract her son's thoughts. Soon a big wedding was celebrated in the kingdom and a couple of years later, when the king handed over his throne to his son, the new king and his beloved queen Rose reigned with care and joy and offered their folk further on glorious times!

The End

ABC, N for NaNoWriMo

2011-04-18T01:30:00.002+02:00

ational Novel Writing Month is a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to novel writing. Participants begin writing on November 1. The goal is to write a 50,000 word (approximately 175 page) novel by 11:59:59, November 30.

Read more on the NaNo-FAQs:

I tell you, when you finally cross that 50.000 words margin, you truly experience one of that magic moments. You're so proud, that you've really made it and feel like the writing king of the world! Then you get not only rewarded with a wonderful winner certificate, but also with an amazing basic draft of your work, with you can very well continue working ... that's worth all the stress and the pain. Because NaNo is not only a blessing, but also a damn curse.

At least, that's my experience. Okay, I've only participated once last year in 2010, but within those 30 days I've lived through both: heaven and hell. If you want to know the whole insane roller coaster ride, you'd like to read those:

NaNo Writing Month
There wasn't any full moon I could blame. Maybe I was still disorientated because...
The First Week With NaNo
All right, here we are, the first week of NaNo Writing Month is over. Let's make a short pause and muse a little...
Week Two With NaNo
On my honor, I've never consumed any illegal drugs in my whole life. But I'd made the acquaintance...
NaNo, Lucky Number 3?
I don't think so! Third NaNo-week started with a blast, with one of writer's worst case scenario...
Week Four With NaNo
I made a little NaNo-writing-break ... to write. How crazy is that?...
Official NaNo Winner

In my opinion, every writer should at participate least once! See you in November 2011?

ABC, M for Magic Moments

2011-04-17T16:00:00.002+02:00

agic moments, mem'ries we've been sharin'
Magic moments, when two hearts are carin'
Time can't erase the memory of
These magic moments filled with love.

It's a bit difficult to concentrate on writing, when you're rice krispies are humming Perry Como's song! All right, focus now!

Magic Moments in the real world

I'm quite sure every writer has experienced that magic moments in one way or the other during his/her writing experiences:

The moment, when in your brain a new idea is born. When you get anxious and feel the urgent need to grab pen and paper - or whatever is currently available - to note down that idea before you forget it again.
The moment, when you reach a certain number of words, 50.000 for instance, which is the magical number for every NaNo-writer. Be sure, that 100.000 words or more have the same exciting effect.
The moment, you write 'The End' under your finished work. When you finally know, I'm done! Sure a big moment to celebrate!
The moments, you receive the message that you have an agent or your book is going to get published. Or let's dream a step further, when your book enters the Top 100 bestseller list or even reaches a place under the Top 10!

Only thinking on moments like that causes goose bumps!

Magic Moments between the pages

For me it's that moment, when something magical happens between the writer/reader and the written scene. When the tension is so tight, that you simply have to continue, even if you don't want to. Every time, the emotion leaves the written pages and enters the real world. The moment, when you feel so strong with the characters, that you also feel the personal need to cry, laugh, suffer, sweat, love or whatever, too. That's true magic!

What are your personal magic writing/reading moments?

ABC, L for Linguistik (linguistics/language)

2011-04-16T16:15:00.001+02:00

ord of the Rings, Extended DVDs, Bonus Material: Different takes of Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn sitting in the Golden Hall of Meduseld speaking to Theoden: "Open war is upon you whether you would risk it or not."
The same words over and over again, but every take slightly different: some more emphasis here, a touch of higher voice there ... and suddenly this 12 words became a slightly different message. It's amazing, what an actor can do only with his voice, using modulation, articulation, accentuation and/or intonation to give the words intensity and depth.

Bad news: A writer doesn't have these tools.
Good news: A writer doesn't have to make such an effort with each and every single sentence, but IF then there are quite a few other options to play with words and language:

SHOW THE EMPHASIS, LITERALLY

Even on paper we can show the reader, what's important. Have a look:
»He was not the person I thought.«
»He was not the person I thought.«
»He was not the person I thought.«
or:
»You!« vs. »YOU!!!«
Can you hear the differences?

EXTEND YOUR VOCABULARY

I remember a particular lesson in elementary school, when our teacher tried to convince us to use other words than 'to go'. Give it a thought: How many synonyms can you find?

In most of the cases a simple 'he/she said' is enough, but sometimes it really helps to extend the vocabulary, e.g.:

With his dark booming voice he shouted at her.
He wanted to hold her close in his arms, when she whispered with her tiny voice like a little helpless mouse.

This extended vocabulary is not only limited to voices, but of course to all actions and descriptions!

DIALECT

You won't make your readers believe a person coming from Bavaria with speaking perfectly High German, BUT if you only write like a Bavarian person speaks, you'll risk losing your readers, because they simply don't understand what they are reading! Honestly, even I wouldn't understand everything! So, use local dialects, but decently!

Oh, the same naturally counts for all the English speaking folks, no matter if he/she comes from England, Canada or Texas! This time, I'm glad to be a bit late, because Carol's written a wonderful post about exactly this topic! Continue reading at L is for Language and Dialect

SLANG

Could you imagine strong alpha male warriors, dressed in black leather and equipped with loads of armor, fighting a vicious enemy, speaking lovely, neatly, like perfect gentlemen? Here you simply need heavy street slang with phrases like 'Fuck you!' and words like 'Shitkicker'!

So, use the slang the characters would use in their natural environment! It makes them more real!

TECHNICAL/SPECIAL TERMS

Have you ever read 'Forrest Gump'? The book is written in the same style like the person Forrest Gump is: easy, naive, simple minded. On the contrary 'The Illustrated A Brief History of Time' by Stephen Hawking. Even if it's said to be illustrated and comparatively easy to his normal books, it's stuffed with all the technical terms from physics, astrology and other sciences, not the most easiest lecture to follow.

In both cases, the stock of words is appropriate to its content! If needed, it's useful to add a lexicon or glossary for explanations!

Oh, I'm sure, there are quite some more options to play with words and language, but I guess, you know where I'm heading. Those techniques, well used, help your reader to get more and more into your world, your scenes and your characters ... and the movie in their heads becomes more alive!

ABC, J for Journaling - Art - Writing

2011-04-16T06:00:00.002+02:00

ournaling - Art - Writing.
Three disciplines belonging together for me. A piece of art inspires to a poem. An event, a dream, noted down in a journal as inspiration for a novel or a quick doodle.
The one conditions the other and at the same time they complement each other to a whole new thing. Not without cause it's called 'The Art of Writing' or 'Art Journaling'!

Friday-Fill-In: 2011-15

2011-04-15T11:00:00.001+02:00

For me, it was the feeling of pure freedom to sit on a motor bike.
Parking is never a problem at my local supermarket.
Behind the sound of the wind in the trees, I heard the blood rush in my ears.
Riding a motor bike is something I always wanted to do.
When it was over, I still could feel the warmth of the engine and smell the fuel.
You ride alone on your bike, but I never felt alone.
And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to nothing but a warm bed (I'm still ill!), tomorrow my plans include getting hopefully well again and Sunday, I want to take my bike and go for a ride (*sigh* I wished I could)!

*sing* Born to be wiiild! *endsing*
Wish you all a wonderful weekend and to the bikers out there: A good start into the new season!

ABC, K for Kurzgeschichte (short story)

2011-04-13T18:00:00.013+02:00

I know, I still owe you the J ... I'm working on it and as soon as I'm finished you'll be the first to know!

What the hack did I think to set this rule not to collide with my other series? That post here would have been so much easier, but ... says the logical side in me ... then you would also have some repeating! *sigh*

So, if you like to read some more, here are my other choices for the letter K:

K for Konflikt (conflict): WE-01: Plot Fireworks
K for Kreativitaet (creativity): WE-05: Clustering
K for Kultur (culture): WQ-13. Favorite Culture

In addition, some of you have already done some great post to exactly those topics on the letter C! Thank God, there are more German K-words than English ones.

ISS - Keep It Short and Simple.
Kurzgeschichte/Short Story is that one should be able to read it in one sitting. (by Wikipedia)

One sitting then ... I can remember quite a few books, where I've started on a Saturday early noon and ended late at night or even in the next morning hours, just because I HAD TO know, how the story continues or ends! Strictly speaking, this was also only one sitting ... but those 400-700 pages books can't hardly be called short stories!

I was thinking hard, what I could tell you about short stories, but I came to the result, that there are the same rules like for any other story, too:

Get Started
Write a catchy first paragraph
Develop your Characters
Choose a point of view
Write meaningful dialogue
Use setting and context
Set up the plot
Create conflict and tension
Build to a crisis or a climax
Deliver a resolution

With the only difference, that your length in telling the whole story is more compact.

I love to write short stories, but also to read. Before this post here becomes a total loss, I want to share a short story with you. There is a book series by the German writer Norbert Lechleitner with translated titles 'Sun for the soul', 'Vitamins for the soul', 'Oasis for the soul', etc. This story is taken from 'Wings for the soul' and suits perfectly to another K-word, Klatsch (gossip):

Once upon a time in a village lived a woman, who couldn't keep her mouth shut. She tattled and gossiped about all and everything. One day she'd gotten another woman in big trouble. She was now sorry about that, she regretted, that again she couldn't keep her mouth shut. She confessed her sin and asked, what her penance would be.
»Go tomorrow on the market and buy two chicken«, said the priest. »And to keep you busy on your way home, you pull out the feathers of those two chicken. Then come back here and inform me.«
The woman followed the instructions, went through the village to the market, bought two chicken und pulled out all the feathers while she was going home. Then she went to the priest and reported, that she done everything exactly like he'd told her to do.
»Well done«, said the priest. »There's only one thing left to make your penance complete: Go through the village and every single feather, you've spread, pick them up again.«

WQ-13. Favorite Culture.

2011-04-13T12:00:00.000+02:00

30 Days Of Writing Questions

13. What’s your favorite culture to write, fictional or not?

Nofretiri, AKA Nefertari, was one of the Great Royal Wives of pharaoh Ramses II., the Great. I've chosen my online nickname not only by accident. I love and adore EGYPT, I've lived its traditions and culture. That for I would simply love to write about that culture, too! Actually, for a couple of years now, I have a plot idea in mind, but I've never realized it ... well, that's not completely true, I've already written a short intro for Writing Exercises 00: To Write A Beginning.

When I think of traveling these days, only one word appears in my thoughts: INDIA. Incredible India. I've seen those wonderful traditions not only in Bollywood movies, but also in documentaries, and of course I've read a lot about it. In the meantime I can also count a few Indian people to my friends, but as long as I'm not been in India by myself and experienced everything by first hand, I wouldn't dare to write about.

Which is kind of ironic, because I've also never experienced any Caribbean island culture and have already written about it! It was, I have to admit, my most wonderful joy, to describe my Voodoo priest and with him, everything strange and exotic on that island. But in that case, I don't refer to a certain existing culture, it's all mine ... freely, freshly produced by my rice krispies! Well, it has advantages, when you don't have to stick to already existing facts. You produce your own reality and your own culture.

Wreck This Journal: Do Some Rubbings With A Pencil.

2011-04-12T18:00:00.005+02:00

The other day I was on the graveyard to prepare the family grave ... that's where I got the inspiration for my rubbings: some of the graves have wonderful engravings.
Packed with material I moved back the next day and chose this simple cross with a beautiful rose!

God bless you all!

ABC, I for Image

2011-04-11T19:00:00.002+02:00

mage is everything!
When I say image, I'm speaking of esteem, reputation, fame ... in this case, the image of authors, poets, writers.

Instantly I had two pictures in my head:

1. Carl Spitzweg: The poor poet	2. Stephenie Meyer at the ComicCon

Two pictures, that couldn't be more oppositional. On the one end the poor poet, living in a shabby chamber, obviously fighting to sell some of his work to get some food. And on the other end an author, celebrated like a rockstar, earning millions and millions of dollars.

Once caught track on that image idea, I sent my thoughts back in time and landed with Homer, famous Greek epic poet of 'The Iliad' and 'The Odyssey'. During his lifetime: Was he respected for his works? Was he famous? Was he rich? It's hard to imagine that he had to share the same fate like some poor painters, whose artwork became famous after their death or that poor poet in his chamber?

What about William Shakespeare? Sure, I've read and worked with quite a few of his plays, but I have to admit, that I don't know anything about the person Shakespeare. I'm happy to name his years of birth and death. And some information from 'Shakespeare In Love' couldn't hardly be counted as facts! That's quite pity, isn't it?

Practically as I am I did a basic online research, in the hope to find some dissertation like 'The image of writers in the course of time', which I haven't found. And obviously this topic would need some more effort than A-Z challenge allows. But if you have some sources for me, tell me! I'm interested!

Anyway, Homer and Shakespeare brought me to the question: What remains? The author or his/her work, only connected with the name of the person, who's written it? I would say, the latter - when it comes to the writers of the Antiquity. But in the days of internet, homepages, Facebook and Twitter, it's much easier for writers to share all those details of their lives (willing or not willing) with their fans. But there are also some current writers, like Patrick Sueskind, author of 'The Perfume', who still prefer to live in the background, avoiding public and publicity.

Honestly, now I granted 'image of an author' some space in my head, I wonder, IF one day I should become a famous published writer, what would I prefer? Celebrated like a rockstar with all the positive and also negative sides of the business? Or remain the secret in the background? That thought implies some romance and mystery (and privacy) for me.

What's your image of a writer? What image would you prefer for you as a writer?

ABC, H for Horror

2011-04-11T06:00:00.002+02:00

orror is subjective.
I wondered, when I'd bumped into a Boggart, what would I be confronted with? What would your Boggart become? What makes the hair on your neck stand up and leave the lights on at night?

Writing Tips for Scary Stories:

Write about what scares you: be willing to dig deep down inside yourself and confront yourself with your own fears.
Study the craft: get more acquainted with horror writing by reading horror stories and watching horror movies.
Timing and pacing: Take the time necessary to establish creepy moods and capture the fright of your story's surroundings and scenarios.
Avoid horror clichés: Explore original ways to create horror in your story.
Write realistically: it could actually happen.
Writing habits: Stay in touch with your characters and keep the intensity high by writing every day.

I leave it up to the professionals to write real horror, in my stories I appreciate a touch of tension, excitement and scary secrets. So, the following scene is just an experiment:

Just like any other day I spent some spare time in my living room, laid comfortable on my couch in my usual 'reading position' with a good book in my hand. Everything was calm and relaxed. Something caught my peripheral vision, some kind of irritated my view fell on my left forefinger. There, on the inside of the lowest phalanx, was something: a black round spot, the size of a pin's head. I couldn't remember having any freckle there, so I inspected that spot a little closer. What a strange location for a pimple, or was it maybe a scratch of my meowing sweethearts? Besides, there was nothing red or swollen, just that black spot. I scratched with my right forefinger nail over it - and was amazed: Had I unperceivedly gotten a splinter in my finger?
Cautiously, now with two fingernails, I pulled on that thing - and was no completely perplex what I pulled out. The moment I realized, what it was, I let that thing fallen out of pure shock. Already half frightened and panicked, I whisked that thing over my blanket on the floor and for the first time I dared a closer look. Indeed! Down there wriggled an about 2 cm long, transparent-white worm!!! That black part was its pin's size head!!! Out of pure horror I was totally paralyzed...
...until my gaze returned back to my left hand: There, on that place, on that 'hole' you could see very clearly the blood vessel, reaching under the skin up to the fingertip. But not just this: on the middle phalanx under the skin black dots were about to appear: One, two, three, five... then on the top phalanx the same! And those dots were getting slowly larger and lager, and more and more! The skin on top couldn't stand the pressure any longer and tore slowly open along the whole finger! Out there swell black eggs, black caviar ... constantly more and more ... the whole forefinger was covered with that black crap! Strange appeared that simple golden ring on my forefinger (since when was I wearing a ring there?)...
But the fright had no end, on the contrary: It still continued! Now on the inner surface of my palm. There too, first only black dots were seen, that ongoing got more and more and bigger and bigger, until they blasted up the skin...
Paradoxically I didn't feel any pain, maybe I was simply to shocked about that, what I saw in front of my eyes!
When the dreadfulness reached my wrist watch, I could hear myself shrilly scream, before everything went black in front of my eyes and I got unconscious...

P.S. The last sentence of that Writing Tips "Remember, the best way to know if your novel will scare your readers is if you are scared writing it." Is that so? Then after reading my little scene, you should be scared to death! It's based on a nightmare, where I woke up shaking and checking my hands double and triple! And I swore to never touch that pages in my dream diary again!

P.P.S. A Boggart is a shape-shifting creature that takes on the form of the viewer's worst fear. (Definition by Harry Potter Wiki)

One-Minute-Writer: Genre

2011-04-10T19:30:00.001+02:00

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Genre: A movie is being made of your life. What genre is it?

FOR

"It's going to be a Masala Movie. Masala originally means 'a mixture of spices', but it's also used for Bollywood movies. Every typical Indian movie is a mixture some drama, love, action, lost, family ... just like my life."

Creative Blog Award

2011-04-09T17:00:00.000+02:00

*big-cheshire-cat-smiles* What a fantastic award!

THANKS DEIRDRA over at A STORYBOOK WORLD

Friday-Fill-In: 2011-14

2011-04-08T17:30:00.001+02:00

In the near darkness the cats awake for Jellicle Ball.
Macavity is the biggest rascal in the neighborhood til further notice.
But this is only a matter of time when Mungo Jerrie and Rumpleteazer are going to follow.
The Rum Tum Tugger always lives in the stream.
It's always nice listen to Memories.
Enjoy your journey on a train with all the comfort and pleasant company of Skimbleshanks.
And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to listen to the Musical 'Cats', tomorrow my plans include getting my car tires changed and Sunday, I want to prepare some A-Z articles!

Karin & her 8 paws wish you a Happy Weekend! =^..^=

ABC, G for Gefuehle (emotions)

2011-04-08T12:00:00.012+02:00

ot your tissue box ready?!
A wise word of advice in consideration of some books, like 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows'. On more than one passage I couldn't read properly, because of the tears in my eyes were blurring the lines. There are other books, where something was so funny that I couldn't help but laughing. Sometimes you could hear me shout a terrified 'Don't!' or a disgusted 'Yuck!'. Or some other super sweet nasty kitsch made me gag. If something like that happens with a reader, the author has done his/her job well!

If you now expect some tips for "Expressive Writing" I have to disappoint you. I have something different in mind ... as soon as I'd managed to sort out that chaos in my head!

Quite some time later:

Do you know that phenomenon, when you have an interesting thought, or at least you think it's interesting and then you can't find a way to express yourself? Suddenly your thought seems to be not so interesting anymore!

Some more time later:

Okay, today is obviously not my Hercule Poirot day to deliver a watertight chain of arguments! Instead I just give you the thought snippets swirling around in my head:

Like written in the intro, in the best case there's an emotional connection between the book and the reader.
The other side of the medal: There's also an emotional connection between the book and the writer. Maybe even some interaction and emotional exchange.
How was J.K. Rowling's day before she began to write such emotional scenes? Did she feel good or anxious because of the coming? How did she feel while writing: Emotionally involved or more like a distant observer? How did the scenes influence her feelings afterwards?
Key question: When a writer has to be a director (like I've claimed just a few days ago), he/she also needs to be an actor? A good actor, who gets into character to convey the emotional intensity so believable, that it can be felt through the pages? Or is it enough just to be a good observer? Could you write happy scenes on a personal bad day, and vice versa?

Hope, you could make some of your own sense out of it? What are your experiences?

ABC, F for Freewriting

2011-04-07T12:00:00.005+02:00

********

reewriting - 10 Rules:

Chose term, title or theme as starting point.
Set a stopwatch on 10, 15 or 20 minutes.
Write, whatever comes into your head.
The writing hand is always in motion.
Don't read, what you've written. Continue writing.
Don't delete or correct.
Don't care about spelling and grammar.
Debaucheries and nonsense are okay.
If nothing's going on, then just write 'I have no idea.' (or something similar) until your next thought appears.
When the time is up, just finish the just started thought and then stop.

Enough with the theory, let's get practical! From creativewritingprompts.com I've picked Nr. 186: "Freewrite for 15 minutes using this opening line: Behind her, the noise escalated..."

Behind her, the noise escalated ... what has happened? What could make such a noise? An accident maybe. Maybe somebody is having a dispute, more and more and louder until not only being at daggers drawn, but also flying plates ... speaking of plates, it could also be a joyful noise. A ~~wedding~~, no, how is that called, where the pottery is shattered ... can't remember ... right! Eve-of-wedding party (Polterabend in German)! Maybe the noise came from a collapsing building, after Fokushima (is it written that way?) the thought on a natural disaster had to appear! All right, okay, the noise behind me gets louder and louder, how do I feel? Am I scared? Do I want to turn over, in order to know, what's happening behind me? Do I really want to know that? Just have to think on a growling dog, that's standing threateningly behind me! Cujo was really ... Yuck! Don't get sidetracked! Focus! I have no idea! I have no idea! Damn! Noises - That's not my thing! The noise behind me gets louder and louder - now I have to think on turbines of a starting airplane! That's it! Somewhere in the outback, a solitude in the nowhere, heat, dust, starting turbines, the tense expectations, a flight in a rickety nutshell, und the pleasant anticipation for a safari. Wild animals. Reclusion in the Kalahari or wheresoever, elephants on a river, lions yawning under the trees, luxury lodges.

P.S. I did that freewriting exercise in German, it's simply easier without thinking about vocabulary and grammar, but after finishing I've translated it for you as precisely as possible.

P.P.S. Another very creative 60-second-addiction is The One Minute Writer!

WQ-12. World Building.

2011-04-06T18:00:00.001+02:00

30 Days Of Writing Questions

12. In what story did you feel you did the best job of world building? Any side-notes on it you’d like to share?

World building then ... this makes me think of any kind of science fiction, where literally whole new worlds were created and Harry Potter with his magical world and not to forget J.R.R. Tolkien with 'Lord of the Rings'. In my opinion he's the master of world building: Middle Earth including new races, completely new languages and a detailed history.

This time I really can only think of the great work of others, because my own written worlds are plain and simple. Every story I've written so far takes place in the world we know, maybe in a different time and there might be some paranormal activities, but it's still our own world. Nothing really new! Well, I should think about that in future!

ABC, E for Einzigartigkeit (uniqueness)

2011-04-06T12:00:00.018+02:00

inzigartigkeit, uniqueness.
u-nique [yoo-neek], -adjective (Definition by dictionary.com)
1. existing as the only one or as the sole example; single; solitary in type or characteristics. 2. having no like or equal; unparalleled; incomparable. 3. limited in occurrence to a given class, situation, or area. 4. limited to a single outcome or result; without alternative possibilities. 5. not typical; unusual.

96.500 books were published in the year 2007, whereas 86.000 titles were new publications - only in Germany! (Source: http://www.boersenverein.de/, Buch und Buchhandel in Zahlen)

I read my lines, think of my plot and I get the feeling, that there is nothing unique in there. Everything has been here before in a similar way. It's like in that song of the German group 'Die Prinzen':

German refrain:	English translation:
Denn das ist alles nur geklaut, (eo!, eo!) das ist alles gar nicht meine. (eo!) Das ist alles nur geklaut, (eo!, eo!) doch das weiß ich nur ganz alleine. (eo!) Das ist alles nur geklaut und gestohlen, nur gezogen und geraubt. 'Tschuldigung das hab 'ich mir erlaubt.	Because it's all just stolen, none of it's mine. It's all just stolen, but I'm the only one who knows. It's all just stolen and lifted, just copied and robbed. Sorry, I took the liberty.

Karin's cuisine offers as current specialty a young 'Jane Austen' woman going on a ship, doing the 'Robinson Crusoe' on a 'Pirates of the Caribbean' island. Then becoming a female 'Indiana Jones' with a touch of 'Lara Croft' and spiced up with a touch of a mysterious curse.

Who should want to taste this, if the ingredients are already known? Just because the recipe is new? Or the way of flourishing and spicing up the dish? Is that the key to uniqueness? To find an unusual, solitary way to combine the familiar?

Do you concern about that topic? What makes your writing unique?

Wreck This Journal: Infuse This Page With A Smell Of Your Choosing.

2011-04-05T18:00:00.007+02:00

This page is dedicated to my most favorite smell 'In Love' by Betty Barclay.

Well, pink isn't necessarily my most favorite color, but that little bottle simply challenged it. But honestly, what's love without rose-colored glasses, right?

That sculpture is called 'Eternal Spring' by Auguste Rodin. I got a postcard of it hanging above my desk. So, I see 'love' every time I look up!