@CheriRenee
Just spent the first bit of my morning on the deliberate practice of fiction writing for #AE22. Read "Elizabeth, Marlowe, and Shakespeare," an imaginative tale for the Classic Authors prompt. #aimtoengage with #historicalfiction https://www.wattpad.com/myworks/312942583/write/1288965001
Who is participating in Aim to Engage 2022 during the month of November?
https://www.wattpad.com/story/325175453
Do you wake to the sound of dialogue? Write your way through big ideas? Enjoy wrangling language into vision, whether gorgeous or gritty?
If the answer is “Yes” to any of these, then come romp with me through The Writer’s Notebook. Let's laugh together, as we cruise along this mountain pass that is a writer’s road. The Writer’s Notebook aims to aid the writing community, at Wattpad and beyond, by teaching individuals to take their work, not themselves, too seriously.
It is late summer of 2022, as I make this announcement. For those of you who read my first book Trust, I just released a new first chapter, “Master of Puppets,” exclusively at The Writer’s Notebook. You’ll find it there as Part 3, which immediately follows the article, “How (and how not) to take feedback on your fiction” (Part 2). Finally, if you’re in the mood to hear what “real hillbilly” sounds like, visit Part 4 to read dialogue written in Southern American Vernacular dialect before I revised it based on feedback received at the Big Sur Children’s Writers’ Workshop.
Of course, I want you to read Part 1 of The Writer’s Notebook, too. When I wrote that first article, “Deliberate Practice for Writers” in June, I noted that one of my writerly weaknesses is slow delivery of (free) content. As I attempt a new tempo of weekly updates for The Writer’s Notebook, improving craft by identifying areas of weakness is one recurring topic I’ll cover.
What’s the funniest writing feedback you were ever given? The most absurd dialogue you ever wrote? Here in Parts 2 and 4 of The Writer’s Notebook, you will hear some of mine. If you’re feeling brave enough, come share yours with me!
https://www.wattpad.com/1255409006-the-writer%27s-notebook-by-cheri-renee-how-and-how
Dear Kiddos (if you still have “teen” at the end of your age, I’m talking to you),
Many of you are the same age as my students. To the best of my ability, I supported several of them through name and pronoun changes; as they struggled to understand their identities; what it means to have healthy relationships; what and how to reveal to their parents, guardians, and peer group.
First, let me say that, if you are LGBTQ+, and you have parents or guardians who support you, please go thank them (as soon as you finish this post) and seal the deal with a big hug. If you are fearful of how they will respond, whether for religious reasons or because they are behind the times, first consider this Recovery International spot: Excuse don’t accuse. The adults who love you are likely still catching up.
Know that you are not alone, and that there are organizations and counseling available to help you deal with your feelings, and to learn how to navigate approaching your parents or guardians. Please realize that feelings are not facts; and that hormones are powerful biochemicals that can wreak havoc on our bodies starting in puberty and lasting into late adulthood.
I want to reiterate that last point: Hormones are among the most powerful chemicals in the human body. And scientists now know that the human brain does not reach full maturity until about the age of 25; this impacts how young people make decisions. So, please respect these beastly biochemicals and wait, wait, wait until you are no longer a minor--ideally until your brain is done growing--before you change your body in irreversible ways. Delayed gratification reaps positive rewards.
If you or someone you love is LGBTQ+, or still questioning whether they are, the JED Foundation, The Trevor Project, and Advocates for Youth can help. Adolescence is rarely easy, but when teens and the adults who love them are #bravetogether, this stage of life can be one of the best. I genuinely hope you enjoy it.
So excited to see what your future work has in store! I'm sure your students must have appreciated you being so aware of their wellbeing!
@RemiWray As teenagers, some appreciated it more than others. I'm starting at a different magnet school for the upcoming academic year, so I'm excited to introduce them to the Power Your Mind program. (Crossing fingers that it gets approved by the District, as my principal has already given it the green light!). Thank you for your kind words!
I returned to Wattpad last week with the intention of writing about #mentalhealth. Having worked with teenagers for the past three years--teaching them how to write well :-)--I decided to start sharing my expertise and experiences in this area, here with you, Wattpadders. I was as thrilled to find Maybelline's #bravetogether Write-a-thon, for #mentalhealthawareness month, as I am to be back on Wattpad. For Week 2, I wrote about the Power Your Mind program, which was created by the non-profit Recovery International, especially for teens and young adults. You can learn more about Power Your Mind, by reading my comment at the Brave Together page. Please spread the word about this Write-a-thon (here and on other social media) and comment on this thread, as your words add up to money for non-profits doing great work in this area. https://www.wattpad.com/story/308319970
Can you recommend me to your followers plz...... ☺️☺️☺️
Why HARLEQUIN?
During this occasion of giving let us take time to enjoy the simple things. May this eventful time of the year touch your heart in a special way. Wishing you much happiness today, tomorrow and forever.
@Becks2780 What a thoughtful message. Thank you for these kind words. I apologize for the delayed reply. I took an unexpectedly long hiatus from Wattpad.
You write and edit for a living! Then you're probably living the life. Not much people are brave enough to become a writer because of society. Congrats on being a brave soul.
@Becks2780 One of my best friends recently stated that "Writers have a carefree life." "Laugh out loud," I replied. Life as a writer is full of ups and down, feast and famine. One of my open tabs has an article titled: "William H. Gass’s Advice for Writers: 'You Have to be Grimly Determined.' Indeed. I am teaching and writing now, as consistent income is a beautiful thing. The teaching income allows me to work on my own projects, rather than write assignments exclusively for others. I enjoy teaching young people to write well and think critically, so it's a win-win.