Writers Diary #2
Updated: May 21, 2022
Welcome to Writers Diary! A place where you can find out about all my personal projects and writing experiences! Writers Diary is also a place to share your thoughts and stories of being a writer. Here, you'll also find writing advices, personal resource tools and book recommendations. Let's begin!
Welcome to the second edition of Writers Diary! If you want to read the first edition... go here. In this post, I'm going to be talking about a new workshop I've recorded for the new year, and a small little something for the New Year! Read till teh end for a Bonus Freebie and a little note from me.
New Year New Novel New Successes
I decided to kickstart this new year by diving into the deep depths of novel outlining. Outlining my Novels was one of the most fun aspects of deciding to write one, it got me excited to begin writing and is something I look forward to every time I begin a new writing project. And I'm here to make it fun for you too!
It's overwhelming to actually commit yourself to writing an entire book. What took me nine-weeks to actually bring myself to start typing on my keyboard for my first book, only took me a week for my second. Its called the 500 to 5 page plot formula, and its what we'll be using to outline our book idea throughout the workshop.
This formula is basically cutting down the 500 pages of your novel into 5 simple pages worth your entire story! The first page is all about the plot, and creating your story pitch, the second page is about the characters and identifying them not only as a simple character in your story, the third page is all about the setting, which is the most integral aspect of your entire novel if it's all about different worlds or a is a fictional setting. The fourth page is about Chapter outlines and what scenes will be going into each chapter, and finally, the last page is your chapter notes.
Now you may be thinking, this looks more than 5 pages, and its true because it all depends on your story. If you have multiple protagonists you may need more pages on the Characters, if you have forty or fifty chapters you may need extra pages for chapter outlines and notes, ultimately it all relies on your plot.
Follow along as I take you through the steps to having a complete outline which as a reference when you're starting to write the chapters of your novels, and as a guide to when your describing the protagonist or setting! There are a lot of ways you can use this outline in your novel so I suggest you print it out, on both sides of the paper to save the environment, and keep it in a folder on or near your writing desk. The goal is to be able to write without doubts and to clarify your story idea, so you'll be able to complete your novel stress free. Keep an extra page along with the outline for when you get random bursts of ideas or scenes for your novel.
Access the resources mentioned in the Workshop at the bottom of the page. Make sure to fill in the 4 day challenge workbook to get a clear and well defined story idea to use while outlining your Novel during the workshop! Download the E-book to access Bonus blog-posts, Podcast episodes, Writing Templates and Samples. The transcript is also available in case I'm going to fast or you're not able to understand the process. The transcript includes the instructions and examples given in the workshop and the details of where you can contact me at the end.
Book recommendation
THE RED QUEEN
by Victoria Aveyard
Since I love its book cover, I can’t help but expect a lot from it. But unfortunately, I was disappointed because I find its first few chapters a bit boring. I was even tempted to take this book aside, but I don’t know what drove me into continuously reading it. And I am really happy that I did because as I went on, my admiration for Aveyard’s unique writing style was even better than its cover!
I’m still adjusting and adapting into reading books with themes like this, so I thought it’s the reason why this book didn’t add fuel to my curiosity at first. The very first “supernatural” themed story that I’ve read was the Supernatural Series by Kelly Oram, and it actually went well. So I had very high expectations when I added this book into my cart on amazon.
I have to admit that while starting this story, I was also confused. The main reason why I only lit the four stars above was because this story started so fast. I mean, there’s no introduction or even glossary on what those “terms” are referring to. But fortunately for me, I was able to catch up though it was after reading its second chapter. And also, it wasn’t just about the terms used but also about the rules the characters are practicing in this story. It was a bit confusing at the start, but when you can finally get a hang on it, you’ll absolutely enjoy this story like what I did.
As a first time reader from the author, I have to say that I was really impressed. Her writing style was undeniably amazing, which I noticed as early as its first chapter. And so far, I wasn’t able to encounter any hard to understand words that I need to check with my friend. The only concern I have in this book was the introduction of those alien terms that this book was using.
It was hard to connect with the characters at first because I was bored with the first few pages. You know I only ever got the chance to quicken my reading pace when the extraordinary Mare was known and then became slow again inside the palace and then bam! The second half was ACTION-PACKED, especially the ending. Never would have expected it!
The number of characters that were introduced weren’t that hard to remember and you can easily tell them apart. The main male and female characters were also very effective. The spark they have crept into me that even if they’re just talking made me want to continue to the next page.
Though I am still adapting, I have to say that I am starting to really like super-natural themed stories now. There were some questionable scenes that I’ve encountered from this story but so far, it didn’t hinder me to enjoy this book.
The ending was painful so I am really looking forward to reading the next book and read more about Mare’s journey.
A little note for the new year
I remember once, when I just turned five, I was brought up under piles and piles of rules, that time I was an only child and my parents made it a law that I shouldn't do things I wasn't asked to. Being brought up by these rules impacted me on how I behave. After my siblings were born, I was free from most of the rules that bound me from my pen and I was free to do most things I wasn't allowed to when I was five. I wasn't monitored as much as I used to be and I was given a bit of freedom than what I was brought up by.
Do you know what happened when I got that freedom? Nothing.
I was so afraid to try anything I wasn't supposed to by being limited to the rules I used to follow that I never experienced utter freedom. The rules I followed still seemed to be attached to me. These rules still kept me bound to things I already knew. And these rules are exactly what prevented me from finding out what I was worth.
Self-discovery is the first step to experiencing life. You can't love yourself unless you know yourself. Don't let the rules of life limit you, because there are none. Sometimes you have to break a few rules to find out where you can stand, sometimes you need a little push to fly, sometimes you need to leave that support to build your own.
Rules are there for you to grow up, once you've grown you make your own rules, your own paths and your own successes. Don’t let your limitations define you, you are capable of so much more.
Happy New Year 2022!
new year advice
Every person was created for a reason. Everyone has a purpose in life. Everyone has a hidden potential that either you or someone else has to help uncover. There are times you feel that you are useless, worthless, made to fit in. No! No one is "made to fit in" not a single person in this world "fits in" why? Because they create their own path, they do things no one dares to do and they get credit. They do new things, they explore themselves to find out their worth. No-one remembers who climbed Mount Everest the second, they only remembered the first. Be the first to dare, be the first to see your true value. Letter from the editor Before finding your "what '' find your "why" it may not come to you all at once, some people are born with their talents, others have to keep digging. I never knew what I was capable of until I found the motivation to. Before finding your "what '' find your "why" do you want to do this? Why don't you give it your best? Why can't you try harder?
Bonus: Freebie
If you want to buy a house or a car, it's common practice to create some kind of strategic plan for getting there, right? You save up some money, you do some research, and eventually, you accomplish your goal -you buy the house, or you buy the car.
So, why is it that when it comes to writing, so many people fail to approach their projects strategically? Why don't we treat our writing practice like our finances? Or like any other big thing we want to accomplish or achieve in life?
Creating a strategic plan for your writing projects and your writing career is key when it comes to achieving the big goals you have like writing a book, or submitting stories to publishers, or whatever it is that you're hoping to do.
Download this workbook on how you can Plan Your Yearly Writing Projects!
Happy New year, I cant wait to keep posting new articles and editions for you in the upcoming year, 2022!