What Inspires the Writer in Me- Comic Books

Comic books are just like watching a story unfold in front of you.  I have fun reading comics.  They are great entertainment.  Just the other day I had this dramatic scene unfold in front of me.  I had spilt my coffee, and was on my way to a meeting.  No, not really, but I am sure there are a lot of you that can relate to that in some way.  Just like that, a comic book can relieve a days stress.  It can also allow you to escape to a whole new world to get your mind off of things.  So, that is exactly what inspires me.  When I have rough days I am inspired to have something ready to get people in a similar situation to enjoy what I have to share.

Fantasy Books Make the Best Movies

Fantasy books bring out the most unique perspectives of every story.  It is not surprising that they make unforgettable movies.  One of my favorite fantasy books made into a movie is The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis.  The book series made the movie series of the same name.  Other popular fantasy movies based on books are Game of Thrones based on the book A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin, Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling, and Alice in Wonderland based on the book Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll.

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What Inspires the Writer in Me-Children's Books

Children's books are probably one of the most fun topics for me to write about.  Brightening up childrens lives is something that inspires me to write a children's book.  Some of the most simplest concepts, like baking cookies, can make the best children's book.  I get inspired to write a book for children by thinking of simple and good things that are fun.  I also think of what was fun to me as a child.  A child sees so many things.  Most of them remain unoticed to adults.  Because of this, some of the biggest changes come from things that remain unseen.  Small things, like baking cookies, can make all the difference to a child.  You can bring this out in a book.

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Writing Ideas- Activities For Your Book

     It's never too late to get to know your character.  If you're having trouble writing, your time could be better spent catching up with these guys.  That's why I say, I love it when I have writer's block, because it gives me an excuse to slack off, in a good way.  One comical way to do this, is to put the characters in a group.  I choose a plain room, with dim lights and a circle of chairs, with one chair for you.


     Record what order everyone is sitting in and have everyone introduce themselves, starting with you.  Think about what everyone's body language looks like, what they are feeling; thinking, and what they think of you.  Ask yourself, who knows each other already, when is this taking place in respect to my novel, did some of them have to change their schedule to be here, and depending on the time it takes place, would meeting each other today somehow change their relationships and the outcomes that are featured in the book?

The Power to Write- Get Inspired

     Authors that put their time into their work and love what they write should be proud.  Not everyone can say they wrote it to their liking.  If you start to feel uneasy about the quality of your novel, i.e. its selling potential, just look at some of your works that you were happy with.

     Every author is filled with emotions when they write something they're happy with.  Think about how you felt when you wrote that piece.  What inspired you to write that book?  Or- think about a part of your book that you are particularly fond of.  I like to capture that feeling, even write about it.  It's inspiration.

Writing Ideas- Activities for Your Book

     What if everything you wrote was trash?  (Raising of hands.  Murmurs, "That's happened to me before.")  Okay, that's horrible to call any writing trash, I know, but us writers set such high expectations for our work that sometimes that's exactly how we feel.  High expectations are great; don't get me wrong, but often the expectation of 'better work' puts us in a block.  Here's a helpful tip: don't always force your writing to work.


     I always think, this isn't good enough!  But I think that is partly due to my insisting that it should be.  So I create a trash book.  Yes, - a trash book.  I write on my trash book, knowing that whatever comes out is trash anyways, and actually end up using the material a lot of the time.  I do love my trash book! : )

Horror Books Make the Best Movies- Revisited

I love horror genres!  Besides a good scare, reliving the horror makes a good piece of the action.  Horror books are well written, and manage to keep your interest on one thing-to make you scared.  You don't see what is coming, or maybe you do, and that is what is so traumatic.  There are so many horror books made into movies, it is well worth blogging about it again.  Some are The Wicker Man written by Anthony Shaffer, The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty, and The Rite based on the book Rite: Making of a Modern Exorcist.  Some more are The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and Psycho by Robert Bloch.  Some of my favorites are Deliverance by James Dickey and The Ring based on the book Ring by Koji Suzuki.  I am sure there are some more to come.

What Inspires the Writer In Me- Romance Genres

I am inspired to write a romance book every day, just by looking at the beauty of life, and simple things that make people happy.  The simplest things are what feeds into peoples emotions the most.  I notice what makes people happy and I take note.  I pay attention to things that take people back, where they are just in awe of the beauty of things.  You can apply these to a variety of situations.  These simple things that nobody really notices are what really plays at the emotions in a romance book.

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Short Stories Make the Best Movies

Short stories are so irresistible to someone who wants to sit down and read a nice story for a break, and finish at the end of the break.  I am one of those people!  With this in mind there is no wonder they make great movie material.  The Stephen King stories are some popular ones, like the movie 1408.  The Fly is another movie based on the book by George Langelaan.  The Headless Horsman is one of my favorites by Washington Irving.  There are countless short stories out there that have full potential to be a movie.

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The Writer And The Reader- The Author That Cares

     In writing, there begs a cause; in truth, in embellishment, and in reason.  Every writer must give the reader a reason to read on, the means to become engaged, and to provide indefatigable details/material.  Through the tools available we persist at this with the writing techniques that we learn.


     Why should I care about what happens to so-and-so?  Where is this leading- (pages being skimmed to find the next climatic point).  All of these questions, and more that the individual author thinks of, should be answered before advancing plot.  You know your story, keep in mind what has to happen- write it down, advance the character, the plot, and the interest as much as possible, giving every piece a reason to be there.  Then you can say, "Now we begin."

Writing Ideas- Activities For Your Book

     I like poetry because I like singing.  I like singing; because I like poetry.  A song is like poetry.  Some are written for the performance standpoint and others are written for the idea, the challenge.  Thinking this way helps me, when I am writing a poem.

     This can help your novel as well.  Books can have a poetic sense to them.  A rhythm and a pace.  I think that is what I love so much about poetry, it allows for prestige development; beyond limitations, bringing readers into a plan with a purpose, imagining at the precise moment in time, the order and sequence of events.

     Poetry, a pace maker.

The Power to Write- Get Inspired

     Take a piece of literature that you know, one that you might admire, and mirror its format onto what you are writing.  At times, when we are stumped, this is comforting; knowing how you felt when you read it and then producing that same sensation, with different material- your own material.

     This doesn't mean that you have to keep or publish what you write, but rather ease writing tension so that you are able to write something down and possibly move onto your story again.  Break the block.  Always see your writing as a success.

     Power- the production of intended effects.

What Inspires the Writer in Me- Western Genres

I love to read westerns.  It is something all of us can relate to in our history.  I am inspired to write western stories when I am out in the country.  Just by being out in the wild, and seeing detail first hand, I can catch it in my mind to record for my plot in my book.  You can create a variety of great characters with a plot of fine detail for the wild.  This makes a great western.  The part about being out in the wild, is what makes a western what it is.  This is one of many ways that inspires me to write my western book.  There are so many ways you can study the wild nature of our country.  I find the best way is to be out there first hand and catch all the detail for myself!

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Western Books Make the Best Movies

Western books show a part of our history that the US can date back to.  All of us love to remember these times, and a Western story is the best way to relive them!  Some more recent movies based on books are True Grit and Cowboys and Aliens.  True Grit is based on the book written by Charles Portis and Cowboys and Aliens is written by Scott Mitchell Rosenberg.  Lonesome Dove is based on the best selling novel by Larry McMurty.  I don't remember a western I read that was not one of my classics.  They make classic movies!

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What Inspires the Writer in Me- Mystery Genres

I love the unkown, better yet, I love finding out the unknown.  People have been solving mysteries since man made fire!  Everyone rejoices when mysteries are solved.  What inspires me to write a mystery book, is to see the great unkown solved for myself.  Like when man discovered the moon a lot of writers where inspired.  Particularly science fiction writers.  Mysteries can take place anywhere.  The answers can be right under your nose.  I like watching mystery movies.  Most of all I like reading mystery books!  That gets me inspired.  There are countless mysteries we encounter every day, whether it is on the news, or in our own lives.  Take note, and use these ideas for your book.  You solve the mystery.  That is what works for me.

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Mystery Books Make the Best Movies

I love Mystery books.  They make some of the best story lines.  People love it when they get to search for answers in their stories while reading it.  A good mystery goes a long way in imagination.  That is the best part about mysteries, you are looking for answers, and you find them in the end.  Some of the best movies I have seen were based on mystery books.  The Unknown is one of my favorites based on the novel Out of My Head by Didier Van Cauwelaert.  Other movies based on novels are Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane and The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly.  The Buck, by Danica Knutson, is another short story mystery that should be made into a movie.  These are some of the ones I have seen.  I am sure there are others.  I look forward to seeing the others in the future.

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Writing Ideas- Activities For Your Book

     Small things do make a difference.  Don't forget to make small impressions in your book.  Sometimes, these small impressions help to bring us into the book, while the large impressions carry out the story.  If you want your reader to be partial to your material, then don't forget them.

     An example would be Tom drinking a cup of coffee.  You may describe the cup of coffee, but most of the time there is no need to, it just adds an extra sense to the story.  I for one never cease to be adulated by the precious "cup of coffee".  It never gets old!  I already have a picture, taste and smell in my mind and I think everyone else does too.

     Making a list of these small adorations can help.

The Power To Write- Get Inspired

     Inspiration can be many things.  Inspiration can come from a few words that you write on paper, an exercise that you do, pictures that you look at, or going outside and taking a breath of fresh air.  Whatever you do, always inspire yourself to do good.


     I like to write down what I learned through an experience or trial in my life.  Looking at what I have overcome and grown into breaks the tension holding me back.  I quote myself in a few words, like "You owe yourself."


     Quoting your favorite character, favorite author, book, song, or even a definition, can spark the desire in your heart.  Everyone has something to say; how you say it is what counts, in literature.  Picture that camera filming your book and see if your readers appreciate your poor handling of the equipment as the screen shakes in front of them, making them dizzy.


     Power- the production of intended effects. 

What Inspires the Writer in Me- Comedy Genres

When I think of a nice plot and find some humor in it, I am inspired to make it into a comedy story.  A nice plot, whether it has action, horror, or romance in it, makes a great story when humor is added.  I like how the story Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter mixes comedy with the detailed history of Abraham Lincoln.  I like to think of a nice story that I am familiar with.  Then I like to add some humor to it!  This is the best part for me!  I like to develop a new story out of my oh so familiar one with something no one would have guessed would be included in the plot I have created.  I am inspired to think of the obvious, then think of the not so obvious, that is sort of comical when you think of the two together.  That is fun to me! 

Romance Books Make the Best Movies

The most touching romance stories start with novels.  I am not sure wich one is more popular; novels or movies.  Either way the great stories start with the book!  Twilight is one of the popular movies right now.  It is based on the book by Stephenie Meyer.  Of course many have heard of the Notebook, based on the book by Nicholas Sparks.  Gone with the Wind is another movie based on the book by Margaret Mitchell.  One of my favorites is Confessions of A Shopaholic.  There many more movies to be made!  I have a lot of books on my list that I would like to see to be made into movies!




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What Inspires the Writer in Me- Science Fiction Genres

 Science fiction makes one of the most exciting plots that can be interchanged with many other genres.  I love to write science fiction and read it!  With science fiction you can explore all of the possible unknowns out there.  You can make a great "what if kind of a story."  I am inspired every day to write science fiction just by asking these questions.  This really inspires me when I come up with a really good question.  A book with a good question like this one is a really good story to me!  It does help to know about science to come up with these questions, but I have come up with some great questions for my plot just by looking at the nature in my own backyard!  One of the most inspiring things in writing my book is when I come up with an answer to my question.  Writers always think of the unthinkable, that's why they have awesome books!

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Children's Books Make the Best Movies

When I think back to all of my entertainment as a kid, I remember all of the classic movies that I watched.  Recently, I have come across a lot of movies that I have seen as a child that I had no idea were based on books!  Some of my favorites are Jumanji, The Rescuers Down Under, Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey, and One Hundred and One Dalmatians.  One Hundred and One Dalmatians was written by Dodie Smith, Homeward Bound was written by Sheila Burnford, The Rescuers Down Under is by Margery Sharp, and Jumanji is based off the book by Chris Van Allsburg.  All of these movies I watched time and time again when I was a kid.  Some more recent movies based on books are Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of GaHoole based on the book by Kathryn Lasky and How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell.  I am sure these are classics for children today!

Writing Ideas- Activities For Your Book

     Diagnosed with writer's block?  Well, it's just another one of those toppings, to add to the pie!  That is, if you're one of those people, that try to make the best, out of every bad situation.  Lucky for you, I'm one of those people; that put the brightside on sunshine!  Writer's block just got fun!

     Writer's block is like a way for your mind to tell you, "It's time for a writer's retreat," taking you in depth into your story, into what you haven't captured yet.  Or maybe it's like shinning a spotlight on your story, and you see something that was hidden in the dark.  See where you were headed- you might be surprised of the direction.

     Don't get lost, depressed, use six fun ways to cope!
1.  Writer's Block Poem or Story
2.  Expand Vocabulary
3.  Enhance Characters
4.  Timeline
5.  Brainstorm Bubble
6.  Clear Your Mind

Writing Ideas- Activities For Your Book

     The last idea you should know about might be the hardest one!  But don't get scared- it should be relaxing.  Although, if you are anything like me, there is no "one way" to do this.  The last idea is to clear your mind.  Don't think about anything.  And if you really want to write, it is hard to do that.

     Try to get work, people, problems and ideas out of your head and come to the writing table with an open mind.  A scattered mind is an already determined idea and usually results in failure.  Whether it's a school paper, work, or a story, try to give that material a chance to develope on its own.  Relax.

Writing Ideas- Activities For Your Book

     Next, of course, is the brainstorm bubble.  I learned this in middle school.  It is really a great idea and there is a reason that people still use it.  It works.


     Brainstorm bubbles simply start out with a word written in the middle of a page.  This word can be a characters name, an event, a chapter, and anything else you can think of.  Once you have written that word, draw lines extending from it to anything that pops into mind when you hear that center word.  If you create a new idea off of the word extending from the center word, then make this word another center of another bubble.  Simply put, write all the words or questions you can think of and don't stop.  I have many pages of bubbles per novel.  Go crazy!

Can You Learn About Your Character?- Writing Books

I learn about my characters everyday!  Whether or not I am taking notes, I am learning.  This is the best part about writing because each writer's characters are so unique.  You think you know that character when you are reading a book, but what you know doesn't always hold true.  The same situation goes for real life!  Characters are based off of real people whether it is a mixture of people or not.  There are so many individual people with different qualities and flaws out there, and a hundred times more characters when you mix these qualities and flaws up.  I learn from people.  Every person I meet has the full potential to be a character in my books, or part of a character.

My Book- A Movie?

     Have you ever watched a movie in writing mode- I mean, focusing on the acute movements that that powerful actor is making, thinking how you would write this in words?  The only approach that brings you back is a grim look from your buddy when he notices that you look like a zombie.  Not cool, but if you can keep your composure, thinking of a movie as a book can be helpful.

     When you're ready to write sometime, put your book on the big screen and see how it would look.  Close your eyes if you have to.  What do you notice first in a sequence of events?  And what pace were they noticed?  What kind of mood did the setting present?  How does your buddy feel in that theater chair- considering that he does'nt have a zombie distracting him?

     Now, how does that feel?  It should feel pretty good.  The only thing left, is to put all of those observations into words and let your writing set the tone, picture, and pace. 

Comic Books Make the Best Movies

The list of movies from these books never ends.  Comic books make some of my favorite movies.  I am sure you have some favorites also.  You could probably guess, but Superman is at the top of my list.  Comic books are becoming ever so popular as movies these days.  Just to name two of my favorite recent ones, Kick-Ass and Iron Man 2.  Alien vs. Predator (published by Dark Horse Comics) is one of my favorites of all time!  Some good ones that I have not yet seen include Transformers 3 and Cowboys and Aliens.

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