Readers Make Better Writers (1)

   Readers Make Better Writers is a new series of blog posts I am creating.
I believe the more active readers we are the better writers we can become.
By reading stories I can see what works well and use good writing examples
to better my own writing. In these posts I will include a piece of text I enjoyed,
why I enjoyed it as a reader, and how I can use it in my writing.

Opening to Gossamer by Lois Lowry An owl called, its shuddering hoots repeating mournfully in the distance. Somewhere nearby, heavy wings swooped and a young rabbit, captured by sharp talons, shrieked as he was lifted to his doom. Startled, a raccoon looked up with bright eyes from the place where he was foraging. Two deer moved in tandem through a meadow. A thin cloud slid across the moon.
  (Source)

Reader: I loved this piece by Lois Lowry it is very poetic. This piece of 
writing played with my senses very well. I could hear the hoot of the owl, 
see the rabbit being taken, and hear the shriek as the rabbit is captured. 
   After I read this short paragraph I had to stop and think about it for
awhile. The images in my head were running wild.  I felt like I was in
nature with those animals. A nice peaceful feeling swept over me then.

Writer: Lois Lowry reminds us that much can be said in just a few
sentences. Sometimes our writing gets too wordy which makes the
story harder to follow. Simple can be better.
   Picking words appropriately is also important. If words are hard to
understand a lot can be lost. Take into account the audience when
choosing words. Would your audience understand the jargon or 
technical words used? Are the words absolutely necessary? If they 
are then find a great way to describe the words in your story.
    
Sincerely,
R.J. Ropsen

Five Sentence Fiction: Harvest

  A tear rolls down my face stopping at my cheek then slowly continues
downward to the bottom of my chin. I lean over kissing beautiful baby
Emily in the middle of the forehead. She was only born a few hours ago,
yet her body already rests limply against my arms and her lips hold a
bluish hue.

   "It is time," a nurse tells me; leaving the room quickly she shuts the
hospital door tightly behind her.

   Saying my last goodbyes I let them take my baby away, even when
they have to pry my fingers off of her. No matter how hard it is I let her
go because I know that another baby, close to death, is waiting to be saved.  

Sincerely,
R.J. Ropsen

In My Diary (6)

First Novel
   When I was growing up I used to love reading R.L. Stine books. I really
enjoyed reading anything in a long series; something I could read for awhile.
R.L. Stine met my criteria exactly.
   In the beginning I read Goosebumps which weren't very scary, but then
I got into the Fear Street Series. I thought the Fear Street books were
terrifying. They definitely didn't help my overactive imagination.
     After reading quiet a few of R.L. Stine's books I decided I wanted to be
a writer too. I thought of a R.L. Stine type story, and began typing it on my
families computer. I was super secretive about the whole thing. I didn't want
anyone knowing I was writing a book. At the time I found it quiet embarrassing.
What if no one liked my story?
     I wrote almost six chapters of the book and didn't even get into any of the
scary parts, until I finally called it quits. At ten years old I decided I could wait
a few more years before I tried to write my first novel. As for my scary story, it
still sits saved on a floppy disk somewhere in my childhood home. Who knows,
maybe one day it will be inspiration for a novel.

Sincerely,
R.J. Ropsen

Five Sentence Fiction: Faeries

 This post has moved. It can now be found at http://rjropsen.com/faeries/

Sincerely,
R.J. Ropsen

Writers Tip (1)

Relate characters to people in your life.

  When I am writing a character for a story I like to relate the characters to
certain people in my life. This helps me when I am developing characters
for a story. It makes the character have stronger personalities and seem
more real.

   First, I decide on how my characters will act their traits, and personality.
Then I figure out who in my life is like that character. In the Privileged,
Matthew, is a lot like a good friend of mine. They are both very curious
and want to learn everything.When I write scenes where Matthew is
present I think of my friend and how he would react in that situation.
This makes it easier for me to create a strong character.

Try this writing tip if:
1) You are having a hard time creating a character.
2) Your character seems a little flat.

   This has helped me with my writing. I hope it helps you with yours.
Best of Luck!

P.S. Do you already use this tip in your writing? Then tell me a
character you have written and how they relate to that person in
your life!

Sincerely,
R.J. Ropsen