2.05.2018

What Acting Taught Me About Writing

Last Friday and Saturday, I was in a play.  I've been in a few plays over the years and I've grown to really love it.  When I'm on stage, I get this feeling inside of me because in that moment, I'm a storyteller.  That got me thinking, because I'm also a writer.  Here's how my drama experience has helped my writing.


1. Getting into character is like writing in deep POV.

When acting, directors tell you to "get into character."  For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about, getting into character is a method of acting where you mentally put yourself in the character's shoes.  You actually become the character.  It's similar to writing a book in first person.  You move your body in the way the character would move, you talk like they would talk, and you feel the emotions they would feel.  This all translates into believable acting.  The audience no longer sees you as actor so-and-so; they see you as The Character.

This should translate into writing.  Authors should write in their character's POV so that the reader only "sees" and feels what the POV character feels.  Everything should go through that character's filter.

2. Putting on a play takes practice, just like writing.

Putting on a play takes work.  For the play I was in last weekend, we practiced for about three months.  Some of those practices were four hours long.  We spent hours and hours perfecting movement on the stage, gestures, acting, costumes, lines, and the set.

Writing takes practice too.  This is called editing.  (This is where the tears come in.)  Authors perfect the "acting" (POV), description, wording, and really everything here.  And this is SO necessary.

3. Putting on a play requires many, many people.  Writing does too.

Think of all the people you need to successfully put on a play: director(s), actors, playwright, stage manager, stagehand(s), and tech people (for lights and sound).

You may think that writing a book only takes a single author, but you're wrong.  (Yes, there are exceptions, but the norm is that without other people in the process, the end result isn't great.). An author needs an army of people behind her to support her, help her develop her story, edit her work, and ultimately publish her work.

I know I never could have gotten my agent if I hadn't had people supporting and guiding me.

Have you ever been in a play?  What did it teach you about writing?


1.15.2018

Tips to Force Yourself to Write (even when you really don't want to)

Sometimes I have a difficult time writing.  I sit down to write, and I know what I'm going to write next, but I don't have any motivation to write.

Here are my tips to help you force yourself to write.


1. Set daily deadlines.

Instead of a far away deadline that allows for easy procrastination, set a deadline for today.  That way, you can only procrastinate to the end of the day.  I've been doing this for the past few days with rewrites on The Clockshifter.  I try to write a little bit in the morning and finish up my 1000 words right before I go to bed.  Obviously, that's different on weekdays because I am not going to get up extra early to write before school.  (I'm so not a morning person.)

2. Love your keyboard.


I just got a new computer and I am in love with my keyboard.  It allows my fingers to fly across the keyboard almost as fast as my brain can think of the right words.  Having a good flow of thought to page really helps you get in the storytelling mood.

3. Be ready to write a little by hand throughout the day.


Sometimes at school, I get a random piece of inspiration and I must jot down a scene.  I can type it up later.  Also, it does give your routine a bit of a shake-up, which can eliminate some writer's block.


Do you use any of these tips?  Do you love your keyboard?  Have any other tips?  Please share them below. :)


12.28.2017

End of the Year Wrap-up + New Years Resolutions

2017 was a year of growth for me.  It was the year which I think I sort of "found myself."  Yes, I know that has a lot of weird connotation, but it's true.  I found my identity in Him.  I definitely struggled a lot, but God helped me overcome those struggles.

Highlights

  • I got a literary agent!
  • I overcame a lot of fear.
  • I conquered depression.
  • I met Hosanna Emily in person!  (On Tuesday, actually!)
  • I went on a mission trip to Peru.
  • I developed my writing and graphic design skills more.
  • I found the college I want to go to.
  • I wrote the first draft of another book.
  • My trip to Peru pushed me toward Christ.

Resolutions


  • Finish The Clockshifter revisions.
  • Exercise regularly.
  • Get an internship at a graphic design company.
  • Go to college.
  • Write/edit more books.
  • Grow deeper in my relationship with the Lord.
  • Go to Realm Makers.
  • Read more.
  • Post here regularly.  (Sorry this blog has been falling to the wayside lately!)
Someone please force me to accomplish these goals.  :)

What are your 2017 highlights?  What are your resolutions for the new year?


12.19.2017

No, I haven't died.

Hello everyone!

I'm sorry for my unexplained hiatus.  The last few weeks have been crazy with school and attempting to win NaNoWriMo.  How have you been?

Hopefully, I will write up a real post soon.

-Alea

11.13.2017

Introducing another Nadine Brandes Novel... | COVER REVEAL + ARC GIVEAWAY

Remember my love for her Out of Time Series?  It hasn't died.  Also, my love for Nadine hasn't died and never will.  (Seriously, she's one of the kindest people I've ever met.)

This pic = Nadine's sweet personality.  (Photo Cred: Instagram)


AND SHE'S PUBLISHING A NEW BOOK!

Introducing Fawkes, a historical fantasy novel!

(Also feast your eyes on this cover)

Thomas Fawkes is turning to stone, and the only cure to the Stone Plague is to join his father’s plot to assassinate the king of England.

Silent wars leave the most carnage. The wars that are never declared, but are carried out in dark alleys with masks and hidden knives. Wars where color power alters the natural rhythm of 17th century London. And when the king calls for peace, no one listens until he finally calls for death.

But what if death finds him first?

Keepers think the Igniters caused the plague. Igniters think the Keepers did it. But all Thomas knows is that the Stone Plague infecting his eye is spreading. And if he doesn’t do something soon, he’ll be a lifeless statue. So when his Keeper father, Guy Fawkes, invites him to join the Gunpowder Plot—claiming it will put an end to the plague—Thomas is in.

The plan: use 36 barrels of gunpowder to blow up the Igniter King James.

The problem: Doing so will destroy the family of the girl Thomas loves. But backing out of the plot will send his father and the other plotters to the gallows. To save one, Thomas will lose the other.

No matter Thomas’s choice, one thing is clear: once the decision is made and the color masks have been put on, there’s no turning back.



Doesn't this sound like a fantastic book?  When I got the email containing the cover, I wasn't sure about the cover, but now I love it.  I really hope you do too.  I cannot wait to see it sitting on my shelf when it releases on JULY 10, 2018.  (So far away, I know...)

Nadine has some awesome things planned for this book and future books, so make sure to check out her cover reveal post!

(Photo credit: Instagram)


ARC GIVEAWAY

Wouldn't it be amazing to get to read this Fawkes early?  Nadine's giving away one of these prized advanced reader copies as a part of her cover reveal tour!  Be sure to enter below or by clicking here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway




for your following convenience...


About the Author

NADINE BRANDES once spent four days as a sea cook in the name of book research. She is the author of the award-winning Out of Time Seriesand her inner fangirl perks up at the mention of soul-talk, Quidditch, bookstagram, and Oreos. When she's not busy writing novels about bold living, she's adventuring through Middle Earth or taste-testing a new chai. She and her Auror husband are building a Tiny House on wheels. Current mission: paint the world in shalom.