Thursday, March 17, 2011

Android Phone App

Android Phone has a new app you can download for free. It is an app you can read books from and you can buy books that are set up in volumes according to age. The books are for 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, and 13+ so you should be able to find a age range of books for all of your children.

The name of the app is ZigZag Stories.

The books differ in genre from sci-fi to fiction to young adult adventure. Most of the books ave pictures and the younger the age age, the more pictures you will have in the book.

The books are great for moms or dads who need an attention holder while at the grocery store or waiting for an appointment.

You can view the app and see the books at this link:

https://market.android.com/search?q=zigzag&c=apps

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

How to Think of Ideas

Take a few moments and sit down and simply write. Write whatever comes to mind. This is what I am doing right now and I'll show what happens:

A ship
Take a trip
History in the making
Vintage
Retro
Camels
Time Travel
Silk Dresses
Loving to hate
Purses

Now, these are the ideas that just popped into my mind as I wrote. No meditating. No reading someone else's book or article. I started with the word ship and simply wrote down the first thing that popped into my mind. Now, I am going to take a couple of the thoughts and turn them into a one line idea that I may be able to expound on in the near future.

A ship- Like the Titanic. Unsinkable, yet not promised and someone actually paid the passengers to gamble with their lives.

Take a trip- To an exotic island where a known murderer has been hiding for 5 years, alone, and wants to make things right with his victims family, but is tempted to take on the visitors to his island.

History in the making- A cure has been discovered for Aids, but at what risk to the developers of the cure?

Vintage - A young girl becomes enamored with a vintage trunk that contains a vintage dress and finds it holds more secrets than she can bear to reveal to others: the secrets may jeopardize her family and her life.

Retro - A disco? Hmm... A novel set in 1960, centered around the mystery of a missing boy.

Camels-??

See how I took a simple word or phrase and turned it into an idea?

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Improve Your Writing

What is your main objective in writing? Do you even have an objective? Just about anyone can throw together some words on a piece of paper, or computer screen, and call it writing. But if you want to write a strong, compelling article, one that will help others see through different eyes, you must do more than write for the simple sake of writing.

Great writers always have one goal in mind - to change their readers.

You must really know who your targeted audience is and write from their perspective. Walk in their shoes for a mile. Learn their lingo and language. For instance, if your targeted audience happens to be between the ages of 18 and 35, you will want to write in a fresh, new, creative tone. Use modern words such as cutting edge, innovative, and brand new. This is the language of a younger generation.

For older people, words that connect them to the tried and true methods and way of life will draw them in to what you are writing. Words such as safe and sensible or proven and effective will relate to them.

By writing to your audience in ways they are most comfortable with, your readers will be more likely to respond to your book, or article. Moving pieces will move the world - change the way people respond and interact with those around them. If that happens because of your writing, then you have accomplished more than many writers ever hope to achieve.

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Creating Sound in Your Writing

How do you engage audio learners in your story? Many readers are visual people. They like to see things, and thus enjoy reading. (Which, by the way, I am a visual!) Audio people enjoy books on tape, music, and all things connected to the ears!

In order to draw your reader into the world you created on the written page, it is most imperative you entice them with their senses. Engagement of your readers happens with sound words. This is otherwise none as onomatopoeia: words that sound like are written. Please include words with flavor, resonance, texture, aromas, and pictures in the mind. Your readers will come back again and again when they know they can step into your world and feel as though they are actually living in the pages of your book.
Call out to your readers in a way they can relate!

Here is a wonderful list of sound words for inspiration:
clink, clang, clatter
boom, burst, explode
crunch, crackle, crinkle
gurgle, garbled, groan
murmur, cooed, whispered
plunk, splash, dripped
sizzle, splatter, splat
rumble, rick-a-shay, echoed
rattle, bang, creaked
whiz, whee!, whoa
thud, ker-plunk, drizzle
zing, zip, zoomed

Monday, October 11, 2010

Scents for Imagination


How many memories do you have wrapped up in a smell? Favorite cookies from Grandma? Perfume sprays from that special night?
The other day, I was cooking dinner and I had chicken broth in one pan and vanilla extract in another. The two combinations together reminded me of Thanksgiving and I suddenly got a familiar yearning for family.
Scents have a way of moving on our emotions the same way sights can draw us into another world or time. Don't overlook the power of scent to spur your imagination while writing. If a certain smell -perfume- elicits feelings of romance, and the character in your story is in love, spritz our favorite fragrance while you write. Are you writing a home scene where everyone is happy, comfy, and cozy? Bake some chocolate chip cookies and let the scent circulate around you. At best, light a candle you love. Your home will smell wonderful and your creative nose will inspire your pen.

Friday, October 1, 2010

Instant Inspiration

How do you inspire yourself? When you run into a brick wall, what is the best way to see light again? I don't recommend busting through it. That might hurt! But you can climb over it, or possibly dig under it. My next series of post will encourage your creativity through ordinary surroundings.

New writers, as well as established authors, occasionally walk around in the dark, needing some creative light to spark their pen! That is not always easy. What can you do to motivate your thought process?

For starters, take a look around you. What do you see? Flowers? Old books? Cars? People? Billboards?
Your inspiration could be right in front of you~
Look for fascinating colors, intriguing art, peaceful lakes, or rustling streams. Your sight has the power of  innovation through seeds of beauty. Or anger. Or fear. What scares you? Heights? Then take a look at tall buildings, or climb a mountain for views of height. Visit museums and look at the objects and artifacts on display. One small arrangement of jewelry, statutes, utensils, or tools might excite your imagination enough to pull you over that wall.

Monday, September 13, 2010

New Blog

I found a brand new website/blog I wanted to share with my readers. Be sure and visit
thepagecount.wordpress.com
Remember, this is a new blog. The author and owner will be adding post in the near future and you will be able to read great advice really soon. I'll be posting a guest blog, so keep your eyes open. Not bragging or promoting myself, you know!