Why do we feel the need to write?
Rory C. Keel
The reasons people write are as varied as the individuals doing the writing.
Some are motivated by a desire to be famous and others write to express their personal feelings or beliefs. Some want to share their imaginations and others record the realistic facts that surround them.
For me, I have an appetite to learn about the past. It motivates me to write about how other people felt and their thought processes during their life experiences.
For me understanding the strength and wisdom of those who have written about their past struggles of life, as well as their ideas and hopes for the future, inspires me to share my thoughts for others to read in the future.
What are your hopes and dreams? What struggles do you face today that others could learn from tomorrow? Write about them.
Putting a Slant on things
Rory C. Keel
When words are slanted to the right, they are in Italic. In writing, this can indicate several things to the reader.
Italic word are used to accent words with emphasis or importance. They can also indicate book, magazine or play titles, even words from a foreign language.
Standard practice when writing of typing a manuscript is to underline the words to be Italicized.
National Novel Writing Month
Rory C. Keel
November is National Novel Writing Month, NANOWRIMO for short. For thirty days writers from all over the world will be cranking out words on computers and word processors trying to reach 50,000 thousand words.
The goal is to encourage writers to put out a novel size piece of work in a very short period of time. With that many words completed, the work can then go through rewrites and editing for clean up to produce a polished and completed novel.
This year, I’m going to attempt this challenge as a way of motivating myself to write. It will certainly be a challenge at an average of 1667 words a day. My plan of attack will be to put the outline of my story down, then fill in the spaces. Maybe I should have participated when I had a chatty six year old at home who couldn’t stop talking. I could have taken dictation and made the word count!
If you are interested in participating, go to www.nanowrimo.org and sign up. It’s free, fun and who knows, you even might get a novel out of it.
Rory C. Keel
Where Do I get my Characters?
Rory C. Keel
When we begin to write a piece of work, we need characters to fill our pages. Beginning with our protagonist, our main character, who will normally be opposed by the antagonist. Supporting characters fill in the gaps and make our stories interesting and full of life.
Characters are all around. Every day you’re surrounded by characters such as a spouse, children or even pets like a cat, dog or a goldfish. Maybe your boss at work or co-workers could add that personality you need for a story. And animals can offer the type of character you need based upon the creature’s instincts and habitat.
As you go through the day, notice who is around you and take notes on how they act and what they say.
Before long you will have the perfect characters for your work.
Little More Work
Dialogue’s realistic,
the story moves along.
The character’s are believable,
But the point of view is wrong.
The ending makes more sense,
The conflict gets resolved,
With proper punctuation
And use of perfect tense.
Author: Rory Keel
Little More Work
Dialogue’s realistic,
the story moves along.
The character’s are believable,
But the point of view is wrong.
The ending makes more sense,
The conflict gets resolved,
With proper punctuation
And use of perfect tense.
Author: Rory Keel
Be successful
Rory C. Keel
The word “Successful” is an adjective that is defined as accomplishing an aim or purpose.
As writers, success is accomplished when you start. With every step from learning how to write, doing research for materials, to putting letters on a page, each action is success.
Others reach success when they complete a piece or when they market a published work.
Being successful is not static or a finite level that a writer achieves, but success is a description of someone moving forward step-by-step accomplishing their goals.
Start writing today and be successful with every step.
Writing Contests Benefits
By Rory C. Keel
It cost money; why should I enter? What benefit will a contest be for my writing and me? I’m not good enough so I’ll never win.
Those who are looking at entering writing contests frequently express these statements and questions. I know, I’ve asked most of them myself.
Having entered my share of writing contests, let me offer some positive benefits from my personal experience.
Wordsmith Six 