Our Aspiring Writers League (O.A.W.L)

[~Celestia~]

Username:~Celestia~

What will we call you: Cel. :3

What are your goals as an author? (list at least three)
1) I'd love to get my book published. ^^
2) I'd also love the book to be recognized by people, and not to just sit and gather dust.
3) To actually finish this book. XD

Can you give us a sample of your writing? (one paragraph or more)
Yes, I shall. ^.^ Please note that it is terribly messy and untidy at the moment, since it is unedited.

''Are you bloody serious?'' Brian rolled his eyes. He'd been first to see Alexia step out of the bathroom. She looked like the product of Pink growing her hair out by two inches. It was around the length of David's hair, to be precise and just as messy. Truthfully, it suited her. She'd also given herself raccoon's eyes with heavier mascara than normal and thick eyeliner. It extended out in the corners of her eyes and formed teardrop shapes at her cheekbones. To top it off, the purple lipstick dominated her face.

David soon came running out. ''Forget anything?''
Alexia look a second to think. Rolling his eyes, he handed her industrial peircing over.
''Right'' she said, taking it from him and kissing his cheek in a meaningful kind of way, making him blush slightly. She threaded the bar in, making both boys look away. Neither of them had ever gotten used to her and that damn peircing.
''Daniel!'' she called out, her and David going to join Brian in the lounge room. After trudging through the hallway, he came to them with Richard. Both had become bald and Richard was missing his beard. The children couldn't help but stare at him- They'd never been able to fully see his features before. Minus a few exceptions including a differring nose and chin, Richard just seemed like a mildly unfit version of his brother.
''Looks as though we've had quite the transformation, Miss.''
She nodded, still being firm.
''And I can also see that because you've followeed through with my wishes and have enjoyed yourself in the process, that you feel as though I think I've gotten the better of you.''
Alexia frowned. ''It doesn't concern you.''
''Then why would you call me?'' he asked.
''I thought you'd be interested in seeing the transformation.''
''God never made you easy to handle, did he?'' he laughed, patting her on the back.
''Nope. Evolution never intended for my manipulation'' she hid a snicker and a smile. ''And I know I've forgiven you, but I don't want to lose my dignity by saying so. 'Cause I'm too proud.''
It became hard to hide the smile. It was infectious.

Are you currently working on any books?
Yes, I'm working on "Crawling in the Darkness" which has been going on for about a year and 4ish days now. I hope to have it finished, edited and sent off to a publisher by little past mid year. Then again, with school really picking up, it could be slower...

Why do you want to join?
To get some motivation, finish this book, and to meet others like myself. :'D

Do you have published books yet?
Sadly not. >;<

Do you wish to find a "writing partner"?
Sorry, but no... I think I'd scare people off with how much of a control freak I am. >.>

What Role(s):
Call me stupid, but what exactly are you referring to...? (Maybe I just need a coffee.)

What's your favorite Genre?
Oh my god. I can never go past anything bloody, gory and grusome. I love it. Anything with refference to Stephen King or Darren Shan is a must have, especially when it ties in with fantasy and sci-fi. 'Lord of the Rings' and such is also amazing.

What kind of books do you write?
The same as I read, actually. But I tend to include a bit of swearing and depressive themes, such as a loved one being underneath his partner whilst crawling in the darkness... and being torn limb from limb. o-o My mother never said I was a normal child.

[~Celestia~]

I is mini-mod now? :O Gasp! *does the happy dance* 8D [/offtopic]

Do you guys often find you're losing motivation for writing?
...I do ;u; And I think it would be pretty useful to have somebody to remind you to keep writing once in a while...
Ehh, the caffiene's getting to me. Ignore that.

Well, whenever I start writing things, I just completely forget about it, and, when I remember it, I just lose the motivation to continue writing it...

THIS. Yes.

Motivation, where hast thou gone? RETURN! *cries in my corner*
I dunno, i find it really hard to keep myself motivated a lot of the time. It's not that i don't enjoy writing, and it's not that i can't do it, it's just that.. well... I can't be bothered. I'll catch myself staring at a blank screen thinking "i should be writing" and then i'll try and nothing comes out ¬.¬ i get writers block like no other! it's so frustrating!! Anyone have any good motivational tips? I always try to write something at least once a day... but yes, it's hard.

Also - Not sure if anyone here is good at critiquing poetry, but i just tried my hand at some free-form prose type stuff, and was wondering if i could get someone to read it over for me? I'm not even sure if it makes any sense XD But I would like some critique

So I haven't been accepted to join yet, but I must barge in and save the day! XD

Ok ok. So for a start, find which time of day/night you write best and under what conditions. For me, I smuggle chocolate chip cookies into my room, have character art on my wall, sneak some coffee before bed, and then write from 10pm until 3am in the morning. 'Paradise' and other songs that I can relate to my characters is also a must have. Make the atmosphere all 'soulful' and stuffs. It really helps. Also, make a page or so on your lappy/phone (if you have quickoffice) and put down a few notes. For my notes, I have chatacter name meanings, the chapter I'm up to, what the next scene will consist of, and "Go into size 19 to find out how many pages you'd have if you were Darren Shan!', since Darren usually has about 28 lines per page. (Not much, I know, but I get stuck in his books for hours). Keep all annoying siblings locked away in a cupboard while you write, and it also helps if you have nothing on your mind that'll distract you. I.e: "Must do dishes... Must do dishes...".

If nothing really works, getting some character art and compliments can really lift your spirit. As can getting out and about and taking your writing with you. Having a phone with quickoffice reallyreally helps. I don't think I'd write as much as I do without it! On a similar note, you can take your writing off the page. I don't mean literally trying to peel the ink off the page like Superman, since that's just stupid. What I mean is if you have some kind of fantasy creature like I do, run around the house when you're home alne and have no friends standing with a camera to get some blackmail. Honestly, you'll feel like an idiot at first, but once you get into it, it really works. I've spent countless hours running around pretending to be a banshee. Heck- I even did it this afternoon. It'll give you a bit of an idea as to what the anatomy of the creature is. Feel where your leg hurts? It's because your creature had more muscle there than you do. Find it hard to balance? Maybe a tail would stop your creature falling over like it's just been tasered. This helps you make a realistic and believeable creature, and it'll also work for all your other characters. Pretending to be a charater is a lot easier, though. It probably won't involve pretending to pee on a carpet or tear a body apart.

So I hope I've helped. I think I've also helped myself, actually, just by writing this response. It's gotten me into a good mood. ^^
~Cel! x <3

[{{ f i a s c o }}]

I often find that I get random plot ideas, such 'what would happen if' type of things, and then I go from there. I usually start with the climax of the plot or an interesting point in the plot and go from there, eventually adding the ending, the beginning, random one-shots in the middle, and adding them together. I'm in the process of doing that now, actually; it's a fanfiction with canon characters and I'm constantly editing their personalities because I never get it right, but one day I'll get there. :3
And also, I always listen to music. Whether I'm in school or just sitting at my desk doing nothing, there's a song playing by 90% of the time Coldplay or other bands that worm their way into my field of interest. Anybody got any good reccomendations for songs that you can play on repeat? Usually I get so caught up in finding a song Ilike on shuffle that I spend more time on the music than the actual writing.

Do you guys often find you're losing motivation for writing?
...I do ;u; And I think it would be pretty useful to have somebody to remind you to keep writing once in a while...
Ehh, the caffiene's getting to me. Ignore that.

U.O Writing twin! *High five* I adore Coldplay, and find Death and All His Friends a great replay song to listen to... whenever. Also Dog Days Are Over inspires me greatly. The lyrics are just.. pure luff. The remind me of my main character in The Seven Talents.

And, yeah. I just lost all motivation earned during the Christmas holidays. It seems my book is an on-and-off kinda project -.-''

[Lasesi]

So I haven't been accepted to join yet, but I must barge in and save the day! XD

Ok ok. So for a start, find which time of day/night you write best and under what conditions. For me, I smuggle chocolate chip cookies into my room, have character art on my wall, sneak some coffee before bed, and then write from 10pm until 3am in the morning. 'Paradise' and other songs that I can relate to my characters is also a must have. Make the atmosphere all 'soulful' and stuffs. It really helps. Also, make a page or so on your lappy/phone (if you have quickoffice) and put down a few notes. For my notes, I have chatacter name meanings, the chapter I'm up to, what the next scene will consist of, and "Go into size 19 to find out how many pages you'd have if you were Darren Shan!', since Darren usually has about 28 lines per page. (Not much, I know, but I get stuck in his books for hours). Keep all annoying siblings locked away in a cupboard while you write, and it also helps if you have nothing on your mind that'll distract you. I.e: "Must do dishes... Must do dishes...".

If nothing really works, getting some character art and compliments can really lift your spirit. As can getting out and about and taking your writing with you. Having a phone with quickoffice reallyreally helps. I don't think I'd write as much as I do without it! On a similar note, you can take your writing off the page. I don't mean literally trying to peel the ink off the page like Superman, since that's just stupid. What I mean is if you have some kind of fantasy creature like I do, run around the house when you're home alne and have no friends standing with a camera to get some blackmail. Honestly, you'll feel like an idiot at first, but once you get into it, it really works. I've spent countless hours running around pretending to be a banshee. Heck- I even did it this afternoon. It'll give you a bit of an idea as to what the anatomy of the creature is. Feel where your leg hurts? It's because your creature had more muscle there than you do. Find it hard to balance? Maybe a tail would stop your creature falling over like it's just been tasered. This helps you make a realistic and believeable creature, and it'll also work for all your other characters. Pretending to be a charater is a lot easier, though. It probably won't involve pretending to pee on a carpet or tear a body apart.

So I hope I've helped. I think I've also helped myself, actually, just by writing this response. It's gotten me into a good mood. ^^
~Cel! x <3

@Cel - You're accepted
Don't worry about the role thing... I think pretty much everyone is slightly confused by that, it was meant to be like "author" or "poet" or "insert other form of writing style here" kinda thing but wasn't well explained on the first page (and we can't access the first page anymore ¬.¬ so it hasn't been updated for a while)

I find my main problem with keeping notes, unless they're super general/ have nothing really to do with plot (so character referances i guess?) is that, as soon as i write it down, it's gone! It just is how it is, how i've written it. It's not gonna change itself, cause if i try too it sorta yells at me that it's "in the past" and you cant change the past ¬.¬ stupid, right? Meh. I often find it hard to get into the zone of writing - but i'll give your ideas a shot Cel they look interesting! Though, cookies at midnight? I wouldn't be able to sleep XD!

I really like your idea of pretending to be your character! XD I do that in a much less.. real way 'Cause i have an overactive imagination (wayyyy overactive) and i've sorta mastered a weird form of WILD's (waking lucid dreams) I actually just sit and stare off into space, letting myself be enveloped into my own little world it's pretty sweet!

[kitten;]

U.O Writing twin! *High five* I adore Coldplay, and find Death and All His Friends a great replay song to listen to... whenever. Also Dog Days Are Over inspires me greatly. The lyrics are just.. pure luff. The remind me of my main character in The Seven Talents.

And, yeah. I just lost all motivation earned during the Christmas holidays. It seems my book is an on-and-off kinda project -.-''

Those songs are amazing, I know! :D Moving to Mars is good for death scenes and stuff, since it's so quiet. But seriously guys, all of you, thanks for the music recommendations and advice. Once I finish my massive amounts of homework I'm going to lock myself into a writing hole with some chocolate... :3

[*~.Imagination.~*]

I do that character thing too! ^.^ But not the same way. I do the same as Lasesi and get envoloped into my own little world. ^.^ But if I'm having trouble writing a specific scene (Like a sword fight XD) I get my brother, and 2 plastic swords, and kind of play it out to make sure that it would actually work, realistically speaking. XD

And no matter what I'm writing, be it a death scene or a romantic one, I always listen to up-beat catchy music, because it makes you want to keep moving your fingers and typing. And since I write late at night, it also helps me stay awake.
Mayday Parade, Simple Plan. and Relient K work, if its one of their rocky-er songs. However, if all else fails, I have a specific playlist full of my 'Muse Music'. It includes the NaNoWriMo Song (I don't care if I'm not writing my NaNo Novel! It rocks!), some Luke Conrad songs, a few All Caps, a bit of Wizard Wrock (Yeah, I'm a nerd XD) and just random tunes. Anything with Meekakitty is bound to work, bsides maybe the one about Navi; if anyone really wants it, I think I can put a link to the playlist, though since everyone has their own specific music type, it may not help. XD
I also NEED food while I write, at least at first. If I get stuck, my mind always reels into a sense that I need something, like food, and than it justs makes excuses for me to go and get it. So instead I keep a writing snack, like a batch of Popcorn, candy, canned fruit, or cookies up on my loft bed (I have a basket for everything XD) and if I get stuck, I think over what to write next as I eat.
And, if you are in desprate need for motivation, than you MUST use Write or Die!
Here 'tis the linky- http://writeordie.com/#Web+App
Basically, if you don't keep writing, it will punish you. You can choose your level of punishment, but if you keep writing you won't get punished. It will begin to turn red if you stop writing, and if you start writing again, it will return to white. Try to keep it white, or else get punished. >:D It rocks!

[kitten;]

Ahaha, I love WoD! It worked for me for a while, until I figured out a way to circumvent the rules and take internet breaks. xD It's a really good idea though, even if it doesn't work for me; I just may buy the desktop edition so I absolutely have to keep writing.

[Lasesi]

And, if you are in desprate need for motivation, than you MUST use Write or Die!
Here 'tis the linky- http://writeordie.com/#Web+App
Basically, if you don't keep writing, it will punish you. You can choose your level of punishment, but if you keep writing you won't get punished. It will begin to turn red if you stop writing, and if you start writing again, it will return to white. Try to keep it white, or else get punished. >:D It rocks!

Talking of WoD, I'm completely in love with their sister website, Editminion. (http://www.editminion.com). It's still in it's early testing stages, and it's not exactly 100% proofed yet, but it'll go through your work and highlight certain things. For me it's really helped (especially with useless adverbs and passive voice) and it brings attention to the way you write certain things etc.. ^_^

Though with kamikaze mode in Write or Die, i often find i'll need to pause cause i'm not sure of my word choice, and then suddenly half of my page is gone!! but for general ideas / getting stuff down it works really well ^_^

[violacherry]

I think its a nice start. I would add like a real climax or something

[~Celestia~]

So I haven't been accepted to join yet, but I must barge in and save the day! XD

Ok ok. So for a start, find which time of day/night you write best and under what conditions. For me, I smuggle chocolate chip cookies into my room, have character art on my wall, sneak some coffee before bed, and then write from 10pm until 3am in the morning. 'Paradise' and other songs that I can relate to my characters is also a must have. Make the atmosphere all 'soulful' and stuffs. It really helps. Also, make a page or so on your lappy/phone (if you have quickoffice) and put down a few notes. For my notes, I have chatacter name meanings, the chapter I'm up to, what the next scene will consist of, and "Go into size 19 to find out how many pages you'd have if you were Darren Shan!', since Darren usually has about 28 lines per page. (Not much, I know, but I get stuck in his books for hours). Keep all annoying siblings locked away in a cupboard while you write, and it also helps if you have nothing on your mind that'll distract you. I.e: "Must do dishes... Must do dishes...".

If nothing really works, getting some character art and compliments can really lift your spirit. As can getting out and about and taking your writing with you. Having a phone with quickoffice reallyreally helps. I don't think I'd write as much as I do without it! On a similar note, you can take your writing off the page. I don't mean literally trying to peel the ink off the page like Superman, since that's just stupid. What I mean is if you have some kind of fantasy creature like I do, run around the house when you're home alne and have no friends standing with a camera to get some blackmail. Honestly, you'll feel like an idiot at first, but once you get into it, it really works. I've spent countless hours running around pretending to be a banshee. Heck- I even did it this afternoon. It'll give you a bit of an idea as to what the anatomy of the creature is. Feel where your leg hurts? It's because your creature had more muscle there than you do. Find it hard to balance? Maybe a tail would stop your creature falling over like it's just been tasered. This helps you make a realistic and believeable creature, and it'll also work for all your other characters. Pretending to be a charater is a lot easier, though. It probably won't involve pretending to pee on a carpet or tear a body apart.

So I hope I've helped. I think I've also helped myself, actually, just by writing this response. It's gotten me into a good mood. ^^
~Cel! x <3

@Cel - You're accepted
Don't worry about the role thing... I think pretty much everyone is slightly confused by that, it was meant to be like "author" or "poet" or "insert other form of writing style here" kinda thing but wasn't well explained on the first page (and we can't access the first page anymore ¬.¬ so it hasn't been updated for a while)

I find my main problem with keeping notes, unless they're super general/ have nothing really to do with plot (so character referances i guess?) is that, as soon as i write it down, it's gone! It just is how it is, how i've written it. It's not gonna change itself, cause if i try too it sorta yells at me that it's "in the past" and you cant change the past ¬.¬ stupid, right? Meh. I often find it hard to get into the zone of writing - but i'll give your ideas a shot Cel they look interesting! Though, cookies at midnight? I wouldn't be able to sleep XD!

I really like your idea of pretending to be your character! XD I do that in a much less.. real way 'Cause i have an overactive imagination (wayyyy overactive) and i've sorta mastered a weird form of WILD's (waking lucid dreams) I actually just sit and stare off into space, letting myself be enveloped into my own little world it's pretty sweet!

Ooh! Thankyou! :'D
Now I get it. e.o I knew I had to write something like that somewhere in the application.

My notes are pretty messy and short. They don't have to make sense to anyone else though, so it's all good. And yes... Cookies at midnight and a quick coffee actually does work in keeping me up. >.>

WILD's? O.o Never really heard of them before. I'm gonna do some googling.
I tend to stare off into space, too. It's kind of a way of planning out the next scene, I suppose. Tends to happen when the coffee and cookies wear off and I fall asleep. I find that I get really awesome dreams when all I've thought about before sleeping is my book. It helps. ^^

And, if you are in desprate need for motivation, than you MUST use Write or Die!
Here 'tis the linky- http://writeordie.com/#Web+App
Basically, if you don't keep writing, it will punish you. You can choose your level of punishment, but if you keep writing you won't get punished. It will begin to turn red if you stop writing, and if you start writing again, it will return to white. Try to keep it white, or else get punished. >:D It rocks!

Talking of WoD, I'm completely in love with their sister website, Editminion. (http://www.editminion.com). It's still in it's early testing stages, and it's not exactly 100% proofed yet, but it'll go through your work and highlight certain things. For me it's really helped (especially with useless adverbs and passive voice) and it brings attention to the way you write certain things etc.. ^_^

Though with kamikaze mode in Write or Die, i often find i'll need to pause cause i'm not sure of my word choice, and then suddenly half of my page is gone!! but for general ideas / getting stuff down it works really well ^_^

I just tried out Editminion. I think I'm in love. :0
I put in a chapter to see what my new minion could come up with, and let me tell you, it was terrible. Now it's moderately polished!