A Night in Paris

Writer's Advice

                    

Full disclosure: I'm not a super talented, publish-worthy author. I just happen to know how to put words on a page and make up a story. I do think I have some experience writing, so I just wanted to do something new and write down some of the things I struggled with in writing "A Night in Paris". I did add a couple tips I found helpful too, so it's up to you if you want to read it. Thanks!

                    

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Writer's Advice: Reasons

I never considered posting my stories online. I didn't even dare write them on online documents. I'd always known Wattpad existed, but I never figured myself to be someone who would be absorbed in the thousands of multi-cultured, diverse books on the platform, much less be someone who wrote one of those stories. It wasn't until a really good friend of mine who's sister published a book from Wattpad, that I figured posting stories online weren't that bad. That really good friend has also been one of my #1 supporters who really pushed me to post some of my stories online, so thank you (you know who you are)!

When I write, I don't think about how many views this is most likely going to get. Thinking like that really gets you nowhere. When I write, I think about what I will feel proud of when I post. Sometimes, it helps to think from a different perspective if reading this part will make sense, but I find writing from the heart is really something that is cheesy, but true.

                    

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Writer's Advice: Prologue

Imagery and Synonyms

You can probably thank my English teacher for this. I've always thought imagery was important, but I never knew how well I could put it together until she made me do an assignment on it. You don't need a million metaphors and insane writing tactics, just a vivid image in your head and the right words to put it all together.

The synonym function on Word was my best friend in more than the prologue. I'd like to think I have an expanded vocabulary, but I know it's not true. While it isn't bad to use simple words sometimes to phrase and emphasize points, I found that finding the right word to describe something can change the entire tone of the story. Complexity or simplicity?

A tip I find useful (I used it in a different story) is that if you are looking for sophistication in your character, avoid using contractions (change the I'd to I would).

                    

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Writer's Advice: Chapter Four

Inspiration and Outlines

This is where I stopped. Although it was only a one-week hiatus on Wattpad, it was actually a few months for me. Like I said in my author's note at the end of the chapter, I don't like writing when I'm not inspired. Of course, you might never find the inspiration again for finishing a story, but it is better to leave it than writing something you don't feel like writing. Without inspiration, the story is just dull; without the fire that comes from that one eureka moment that comes when you start to daydream.

Usually, when I write, I don't follow an outline. But I got an inspiration rush when I first thought of Paris and Nathan's story, I wrote it all down in a vague outline. The biggest factor that brought me back to the story was reading what I had once imagined and realizing that a story like this is something worth finishing. Plus, at this point, I had already published half of the story and I wouldn't dare leave all my lovely readers hanging!

                    

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Writer's Advice: Chapter Five

Climax and Mentalities

Writing the climax of a story like this was difficult for me. With the entire buildup, it was simple when I needed to fill in a couple blanks or add in a couple hints, but it took a lot of work to find the right way to phrase everything, the right order. One of the biggest mottos that I follow as an author is "If you aren't proud of it, don't post it." While I did begin writing again with the full intention of wanting to finish the story by the Watty's 2018 deadline, I realized that with that kind of mentality, the things I was writing wasn't really what I wanted. So, I put on my favorite music and reread some of my favorite books by inspiring authors and put together this chapter. Although I have to admit it isn't my favorite chapter in the entire book, I am proud that I was able to put everything together in the way I wanted it to be like.

                    

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Writer's Advice: Chapter Six

Third Person and Messages

This was by far one of my favorite chapters to write. With third person, you are able to experience more because you can switch perspectives and experiment with little clips of everyone's true thoughts. When you put it all together, it forms a nice story that shows events in a larger perspective. Even if you want the story to be told in one full perspective, to have a feeling of constancy in your book, you can peek into another character's true feelings through dialogue as I did here:

"'She deserved to live, damn it! It was supposed to be me and her, writing our own songs, our own lyrics, and our own story!' Perfect French spit out of Alton's mouth..."

I loved writing this chapter mainly because it gave you a sense of what kind of battles Alton had been going through. It really brings together the entire message of the story, from the despair to the heartache to the recovery of losing someone you loved, and how one death can affect more than one person. The sense of family really appeared in this chapter and I'm really proud of being able to tie it all together.

The goal of my writing is to be able to make my audience feel something, whether it is the romance or the sadness.

                    

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Writer's Advice: Chapter Seven

Finale and Conclusions

So, you remember when I said that it is important to be proud of what you wrote? I don't hate my last chapter, but creating a finale isn't really the easiest thing in the world. Especially the open-ended one I left here. I decided that with my story, it was best left open. Although I usually hate open endings, it only seemed fitting for Nathan and Paris. Yes, I have considered a sequel, but I don't think I will write one. Their story is best left here. It is important to know when to stop writing before the story gets repetitive or a tad boring.

All stories need a conclusion, or a sort of fall to the climax. You've reached a high point of a roller coaster, and you can't leave riders hanging there. They've got to come down, you know?

                    

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Feel free to message me with any questions or comments on any of my stories. My absolute favorite thing about posting my stories is being able to interact with my readers. I have friends (you know who you are, and I love you) that are really supportive, but I also have some online readers that have been so active. Your comments mean the most to me. I don't know how many times I can say it, but I'm always left smiling after I read it. Just knowing the impact I have left with one chapter, even if it's just the feeling of wanting to read more, it makes me want to write more. So, thank you so much for reading and for voting and for commenting and for just clicking on my profile. You all have a special place in my heart.

Special Thanks To:
breeeanna77
ArellaKim
Stephanie
houseofmirrors
Jared_Shane