Moving This Blog

This blog is currently be moved to a different site. It's still a work in progress, but for all future posts, please visit: http://thestoryinme.wordpress.com

I hope to see you all there. :) It will be a bit different than this one. It's not only going to be about my writing experiences and inspiring others, it will also be about life experiences and other passions of mine. So, feel free to visit and discuss topics with me. Don't be afraid to subscribe and let me know how I'm doing! I appreciate the feedback.

100th Post!

Happy 100th post everyone. It's been close to a year since I've started this blog. It's funny how times flies.

Now, let's get down to business. My novel is still progressing slowly but surely. I will get to the finish line whether anyone believes it or not. There are people who still don't believe that I can do this. It isn't something they find logical these days. I don't know how many times people say to me, "Nobody actually reads anymore. Why even try?" Let me answer that for you. I don't think being a writer is such an unobtainable goal, and I also feel that there actually are people out there who still enjoy to read. They buy books and enjoy them. I realize we do live in a very shallow, materialistic world now where literature isn't that important anymore, but not everyone is like that.

That frustration lives in anyone who wants to be a writer. You just have to come to terms with people who say such things. You won't please everyone with your writing, and you really shouldn't do that. Learn to be proud of what you're doing for yourself. Remember, the first critic you should learn to please is yourself. After that, think about others.

So, push all of the negative criticisms that people (or yourself) may be saying to you and continue writing. If you falter and need any help at all, don't be afraid to contact me. We can all make it to the finish line together.

In other news, I'm seriously considering making a small website along with this blog. I'm not exactly "HTML" savvy, so if anyone wants to assist me with this project, I would greatly appreciate it. I'll keep you informed.

Conquering Your Self-Doubts As A Writer

The other day I was sitting in front of my laptop when frustration came over me. My writing document was opened, and all I could do was stare at the cursor as it kept blinking. It was at that moment when my self doubt began to creep back in, and the questions invaded my thoughts. 


What makes you think you're a writer? Why do you even think you can do this?

Everyone doubts themselves. It's a part of life to feel uncertain about our future or if we can achieve our goals. It's how we get over those doubts that really matters. In these past couple of days I've realized there are ways to do this.

First, you should realize that doubting yourself is a natural process. It happens. And, there is nothing wrong with it every once in awhile. It keeps you from making horrible mistakes.

Stop beating yourself up for not writing as much as you wanted or for not achieving a certain daily goal. As long as you try, then you're getting there.

Quit thinking that you can't do something. You can do it. We all have potential to be better whether we believe it or not. We should start believing in that.

Even though I may think everything I'm writing is awful, I can read just one passage or sentence and find it amazing. That keeps me going.

Always keep in mind that a writer is just a person who writes. Nothing more than that. Writers aren't superheroes who can swoop in and save the world from the bad guys. We're just people with a passion for writing and want to share it with the world. We have the capability of being great writers as long as we don't let self doubts win the fight.

How To Find Your Own Writer's Voice

Today, I was asked about writer's voices and what to do if you don't necessarily like the one you have. Is there any way to change a certain voice you may have in your writing if you don't like it? Some say yes, some say no. A person's writer's voice is something that makes each author unique. Without them, each book would sound the same even if you may not realize it at first.
Here are some ways you can tweak your writer's voice or discover one if you aren't sure what yours is (and it's okay if you don't know now.):

• Become familiar with famous author's "voices" and how they manage to make it come across on the pages of their novels. 
• Just don't compare your voice to others. Your voice should be different and is what makes you stand out amongst all the other writers out there. 
• Make it simple. Sometimes simplifying what you're trying to express will make it easier for your voice to become stronger. 
• Be comfortable with your writing and have confidence in your own talent. You have to let your own voice shine on the page. 
• A few simple writing exercises can help either change up your voice if you aren't happy with it or find how yours sounds like. I suggest a quick free-writing exercise: Using a pen (or pencil) and a sheet of paper, close your eyes and write down anything that comes to mind. It doesn't matter how silly or random it may seem. Just write. Sometimes that's the best way to discover your voice.
• Write your novel with only one type of audience in mind. Trying to please every single person will only lead to more frustration and a major case of writer's block.

Just keep in mind that we're all different. We shouldn't sound the same in our writing anyways. Be who you are and be proud of what you write. For the first draft, write for yourself only. During the editing process,  then you can think of others. It's okay to feel some frustration if you can't get your voice to where you think it should be. It takes work and patience, but you can get there. 

If you're still in  need of help or advice, feel free to contact me! I'm here to help. Also, if anyone reading my blog wants some advice on any other writing topic or has a blog post suggestion, contact me with that as well.

Progress

If you can inspire and help at least one person in your entire life, then you have truly accomplished a great deal. There is always this constant need to want to impress everyone, but I'm beginning to realize that I may not be able to reach out to every human being in this world. But, as long as I inspire one person to do more with his life, then I have helped make a difference somehow.

I'm still working on the novel. Whether or not I actually do any "writing", I'm always thinking about the plot, the characters, the setting, etc. I've realized that this is also progress, no matter if I'm actually able to get my fingers to start typing or not.

So, I'm going to stop beating myself up if I don't actually write that day. I'm making mental notes throughout the day so it is progressing.

For All the Literary Types

This is a post to reach out to all of the honest literary people out there. I'm at a point where I really need a support group who I can reach out to and can lend a hand when someone hits a writing brick wall.

The main purpose of this blog is to show the progress I'm making with my writing projects. It's also here to inspire others to do more with their lives and not let others hold them back. On the other hand, I also want to have such a group that lends support to anyone who feels stifled creatively, give out constructive advice, or applaud any such effort they make.

I'm hoping that happens soon. It's always nice to make progress with people who understand what you're going through. People who have the same interests and want to help you reach the finish line because they're headed in the same direction.

So, if you're out there, let me know. A literary support group would be a great thing.

Aspire

Sometimes I just don't understand the lack of interest. What I'm doing and the purpose of this blog isn't something some people really understand anyways. I get that. I'm okay with that.

In my life, I have always had to struggle to achieve things. I know what it's like to have to push myself to the end result of my goal. Accomplishing my dream as a writer is definitely no different. In fact, it's the clearest example in my life when it comes to having to do this on my own.

My goal for this blog isn't really for myself. It's to help others realize their own potential; to really push themselves to see the end result of their own goals and dreams.

I want people to aspire to be better. Not just for themselves but for everyone around them. It's a selfish thing to only do things just for yourself. Don't be concerned how others may perceive you. Who cares what they think? It shouldn't be what you look like on the outside that matters. It's how you are in the inside that should matter. Everyone should think like that. Do they? No. Not at all.

I want what I'm doing to matter in the world. I want to help aspire people to stand up and achieve things. Life is too short for trivial/materialistic ways of thinking.

One day, people will realize what I've been doing is important. Then, maybe, it will spark interest. People will aspire to be better. You'll see that one day this wasn't all for my own sake. My writing isn't for me.

Take a moment and think about what you truly aspire to be. Don't be afraid to discuss it with people. You can discuss it with me if you want. I don't mind at all. I want to help people realize their own potential and dreams.