TheLoyalMoon

NaNoWriMo 11/1/2020
          	Wrote 1394 words! My first draft is absolute garbage but I just have to keep reminding myself that this is a first draft. This is me telling myself the story and that I can't edit a blank page. So I have to just keep going and FINISH IT.

TheLoyalMoon

NaNoWriMo 11/1/2020
          Wrote 1394 words! My first draft is absolute garbage but I just have to keep reminding myself that this is a first draft. This is me telling myself the story and that I can't edit a blank page. So I have to just keep going and FINISH IT.

TheLoyalMoon

To my readers: in the process of brainstorming and outlining some ideas, trying to pick between them so that I can work on something for you guys to read! Until then I am considering entering into a short story writing contest, if I do I will post my entry here for you all to read! Hope you all are well and happy reading!
          
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          To my fellow writers: Currently reading, annotating, and learning from GOAL, MOTIVATION & CONFLICT: THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF GOOD FICTION by Debra Dixon. (Grab a copy here: https://www.gryphonbooksforwriters.com/product/23/Goal-Motivation--Conflict-Dixon-Debra) It is really helping me understand and get to know my characters. Before I had a faint understanding of who they are but I never understood why they do what they do and what they even do? GMC has helped me discovered that I and the characters need to know their GOAL, their MOTIVATION, and their CONFLICT both external (A story or A plot) and internal (B story or B plot).  The other book I picked up and am loving is SAVE THE CAT! WRITES A NOVEL: THE LAST BOOK ON NOVEL WRITING YOU'LL EVER NEED by Jessica Brody, I started this book, am LOVING IT but realized that I need to first learn about GMC before continuing with Save the Cat! and learning about story beats. The first chapter in Save the Cat! kind of talks about the concept of GMC but not as specifically and thoroughly as Debra Dixon does in her book. So I am pausing Save the Cat! to read GMC by Debra Dixon.
          
          Do you have any books about writing/characters that you recommend? I would love it if you shared them with me! I am always trying to learn and grow as a writer.

TheLoyalMoon

Here are some of the other books on writing that I have
            
            ++ ON WRITING AND WORLDBUILDING (VOL 1) by Timothy Hickson [A friend of mine, who is also a writer but a screenplay writer, not a novel writer gave this book to me, they have told me they love it and I am excited to read this one]
            
            ++ WHAT IF? WRITING EXERCISES FOR FICTION WRITERS by Anne Bernays and Pamela Painter [haven't read this one yet but it goes over beginnings, notebooks, characterization, POV, dialogue, plot, story elements, resolution, transformation, etc. I am super excited to read this one and try the exercises in it!]
            
            ++ THE MAKING OF A STORY: A NORTON GUIDE TO CREATIVE WRITING by Alice LaPlante [this one feels kind of like a college textbook, it has over 600 pages, since I am not majoring or minoring or taking any creative writing classes in college. I am excited to read this book and go through it treating it like a college class, doing all the exercise, annotating, etc.]
            
            ++ GOTHAM WRITERS' WORKSHOP WRITING FICTION: THE PRACTICAL GUIDE FROM NEW YORK'S ACCLAIMED CREATIVE WRITING SCHOOL by Gotham Writers' Workshop Faculty [have not read; similar to the book above, this one feel more like a textbook but again, as I am not taking any creative writing classes I am excited that it is more like a college class, bound in a book]
            
            ** The following books are Thesaurus books specifically for writers, I have read them (not cover to cover but flipping through). They are my go-to books while brainstorming/outlining and while editing/rewriting, I highly recommend them.
            
            ++ THE EMOTION THESAURUS: A WRITER'S GUIDE TO CHARACTER EXPRESSION by Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi 
            
            ++ THE NEGATIVE TRAIT THESAURUS: A WRITER'S GUIDE TO CHARACTER FLAWS by Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi 
            
            ++ THE EMOTIONAL WOUND THESAURUS: A WRITER'S GUIDE TO PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA by Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi 
            
            ++ THE POSITIVE TRAIT THESAURUS: A WRITER'S GUIDE TO CHARACTER ATTRIBUTES by Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi
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TheLoyalMoon

Wow! A lot has happened in the world since my last update. I have temporarily started a blog on here. If you are interested in my random thoughts and stories go check that out. Otherwise hopefully after this college semester end is a few weeks I will begin writing for fun again and having some stories to share with you. Fictional stories.
          
          Hope you are all well, safe and health! If you are going through a hard time don't hesitate to reach out. Someone is always there for you, including myself.

TheLoyalMoon

Hello everyone!
          
          Long time since my last update, I hope you are all doing well.
          
          I am revamping everything. Slowly but surely.
          
          My current projects include writing some micro-fiction/flash fiction that I hope to share with you all soon!
          
          Stay safe out there, especially with the global spread of coronavirus.
          
          Wishing you all only the best,
          Toni