Word War II

   Word War is a new writing exercise I created and developed recently.
A new Word War will begin every Sunday and last until the following
Saturday at midnight. This week will be the second Word War!
   I was inspired by Lillie Mcferrin's amazing Five Sentence Fiction blog.
I wanted to create a writing exercise of my own because I enjoy hers so
much. If you haven't you should checkout her site and participate in Five 
Sentence Fiction. Here is how a Word War works. 

Objective: Add a new sentence to the story until the end of the week.

Rules:
1) You can only add one sentence at a time to the story.
2) You have to wait for someone to add a sentence before you can
add another one. You can't have two sentences in a row.
3) You can add as many sentences as you want as long as you follow
the rules above.
4) Maximum characters for the sentence is 100.

How to post:
1) Click add a link at bottom of post.
2) URL: type in your blog link. Only add link for first sentence.
3) Name: type in the sentence you wrote to add to the story.
4) Email: add your email.

Here is the starting sentence:
A terrible cold came over me, I pulled my jacket tightly around my body 
and continued walking.

Let this weeks Word War begin!

Sincerely,
R.J. Ropsen

Word War

   Word War is a new writing exercise I created and developed recently.
A new Word War will begin every Sunday and last until the following
Saturday at midnight. This week will be the very first Word War!
   I was inspired by Lillie Mcferrin's amazing Five Sentence Fiction blog.
I wanted to create a writing exercise of my own because I enjoy hers so
much. If you haven't you should checkout her site and participate in Five 
Sentence Fiction. Here is how a Word War works. 

Objective: Add a new sentence to the story until the end of the week.

Rules:
1) You can only add one sentence at a time to the story.
2) You have to wait for someone to add a sentence before you can
add another one. You can't have two sentences in a row.
3) You can add as many sentences as you want as long as you follow
the rules above.
4) Maximum characters for the sentence is 100.

How to post:
1) Click add a link at bottom of post.
2) URL: type in your blog link. Only add link for first sentence.
3) Name: type in the sentence you wrote to add to the story.
4) Email: add your email.

Here is the starting sentence:
A terrible cold came over me, I pulled my jacket tightly around my body 
and continued walking.

Let this weeks Word War begin!

Sincerely,
R.J. Ropsen

Readers Make Better Writers (2)

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Pg 3    Sitting at Prim's knees, guarding her, is the world's ugliest cat. Mashed-in nose, half of one ear missing, eyes the color of rotting squash. Prim named him Buttercup, insisting that his muddy yellow coat matched the bright flower. He hates me. Or at least distrusts me. Even though it was years, I think he still remembers how I tried to drown him in a bucket when Prim brought him home. Scrawny kitten, belly swollen with worms, crawling with fleas. The last thing I needed was another mouth to feed. But Prim begged so hard, cried even, I had to let him stay.
 (Source)

Reader: The way Suzanne Collins describes Buttercup, mashed in nose, half of
an ear missing, made me laugh. Katniss has a love hate relationship with Buttercup 
which I really enjoy. It adds a comical twist to the story.
   When reading this I could also get a sense of how much Prim means to Katniss.
Even though Katniss despised Buttercup she let her stay because the cat meant 
so much to her sister. There is so much emotion in this short piece that I enjoyed 
reading Suzanne Collins writing.

Writer: Suzanne Collins gives us a great example of how to develop characters
within a story. Buttercup is a minor character in the Hunger Games but in this short 
paragraph we get to know a lot about Buttercup and Katniss's character. By using 
great descriptors we understand Buttercups physical attributes. Then by transitioning 
into a flashback by writing, even though it was years, we get a sense of who 
Buttercup is.
   Using flashbacks appropriately is a great way to add  depth to the characters, plot, 
and setting within your story. Flashbacks can help create a more meaningful story 
by adding details that the reader will not get in the present time of your story. Is there 
something that you  need to explain in more detail so the reader can better understand 
what is going on? Then use a flashback to show what is happening and bring more 
understanding to your story. That way your story will get away from the telling aspect 
which isn't as enjoyable to read.

P.S. Check back next Saturday for a new Readers Make Better Writers post. 

Sincerely,
R.J. Ropsen

Update On Novel (5)

   At the end of 2011 I made myself quiet a few New Years
Resolutions; goals I wanted to accomplish in 2012. We are 
almost half way through 2012 so I decided to reflect on my 
goals and see where I am at.

Goals from Early 2012: 
[ ] Put more excerpts of my books up on my blog.
[ ] Edit The Silenced early on in the year.
[ ] Publish The Silenced for the Kindle and Nook.
[ ] Write the next book in the series The Privileged.
[ ] Edit and publish the book for the Kindle and Nook.
[ ] Write the finally book of the series.
[ ] Think of another idea for a Young Adult novel.
[ ] Finish writing my Novella in January.
[ ] Edit and publish my Novella for the Kindle and Nook.
[ ] Write everyday this year without exceptions.
[ ] Get more followers on my blog.
[ ] Post more blog posts at least 2 to 3 a week.

Goals Accomplished:  4 out of 12

Revised Goals List:
[ ] Put more excerpts of my books up on my blog.
[ ] Create the cover art for The Silenced. 
[ ] Publish The Silenced for the Kindle and Nook.
[ ] Write the next book in the series The Privileged.
[ ] Edit and publish my Novella for the Kindle and Nook.
[ ] Write everyday this year without exceptions.
[ ] Get more followers on my blog.
[ ] Post more blog posts then last year on my blog.

Where are you at in your New Years goals? What are you 
working on and what do you hope to accomplish by 2013?

Sincerely,
R.J. Ropsen