The Writing Pages

About writing, books, authors, reviews & much more....

Ten Foreign Words or Phrases  

French, Latin or even Russian words used in English Literature have often confused and troubled me, thus compelling me to research and find their meanings. For you convenience here is a list of ten most commonly used foreign words:

  1. au fait (French): having a good or detailed knowledge

  1. bona fide (Latin): genuine; real

  1. carte blanche (French): complete freedom to act as one wishes

  1. de facto (Latin): in fact, whether by right or not

  1. déjà vu (French): the sense of having experienced the present situation before

  1. prima facie (Latin): accepted as so until proved otherwise

  1. faux pas (French): an embarrassing blunder or indiscretion

  1. joie de vivre (French): exuberant enjoyment of life

  1. haute couture ((French): the designing and making of clothes by leading fashion houses

  1. grande dame (French): a woman who is influential within a particular sphere

A List Of The Longest Novels  

There has always been a dispute over which is the longest novel in English Literature. Different researchers and critics have always taken different names. However, today I bring before you an easy access to whoever is intrigued by the mystery of the longest novel in literature!!

After a lot of research, my work bore fruit for I found a fabulous guide to all the longest novels from around the world.

Who hasn’t heard of Wikipedia? Every internet user, avid or immature, certainly knows what Wikipedia is. And if you do not (:gasp:), please click HERE.

So, as I was telling you, Wikipedia came to my help again. It is there where I found a list of all the longest novels in the world.

Did you know Wikipedia had a whole page dedicated to it? I’m sure you did not so here’s why I am sharing it with you!

Here is an extract from the page:

Like determining the list of tallest buildings, figuring the list of longest novels would yield different results depending on what criteria are used.

While word and character figures are common standard, word and character become interchangeable depending on the language used. In alphabetic writing, several letters are combined to make a syllable, which are combined to make a word. In the Korean language, each letter expresses one syllable, significantly reducing the number of letters needed to express one word. Japanese, borrowing its word roots in part from Chinese, uses a combination of ideographs combined with syllabic symbols for inflection.


To read the complete text please visit- List of longest novels

And for your convenience, here is the list:

1. Madeleine and Georges de Scudéry, Artamène
2. Marcel Proust, À la recherche du temps perdu
3. L. Ron Hubbard, Mission Earth
4. Madison Cooper, Sironia, Texas
5. Anthony Powell, A Dance to the Music of Time
6. Samuel Richardson, Clarissa
7. Xavier Herbert, Poor Fellow My Country
8. Marguerite Young, Miss MacIntosh, My Darling
9. Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged
10. Alexandre Dumas, père, Le Vicomte de Bragelonne, ou Dix ans plus tard
11. Vikram Seth, A Suitable Boy
12. Leo Tolstoy, War and Peace
13. Carl Sandburg, Remembrance Rock
14. Victor Hugo, Les Misérables
15. Marija Jurić Zagorka, Gordana
16. Robert Musil, The Man Without Qualities



I hope this was a help….and hey!! Do you not recognize some names out there? Please share your views and I would love to know which one out of them, you’ve read, without even knowing it to be one of the longest texts in history!!

Big Money by P.G Wodehouse  

Big Money by P.G Wodehouse

I am not such a big lover of classics but after my friend’s suggestion, I decided to give PG Wodehouse a try and oh boy, it was certainly worth it!

I read Big Money by PG Wodehousee and would suggest it to all those who love the taste of humor in writing.

The story is about two friends Lord Biskerton or Biscuit and Berry Conway and their financial troubles. The twists and turns in the story make it difficult to keep down. The love life tangles of the two friends, the covetousness of their family, the knowledge of bogus shares not being so and so many other tiny parts of the plot make it an awesome read!

Patterson Frisby is the miserly boss of Berry Conway, who is interested in a copper mine held by Conway. He employs his abettor, more of a bawling man who performs any duty a rich man will ask him to perform to be in the rich man’s good books. But Hoke gets a brain wave and spots the money making opportunity of a lifetime in the mine.

And Big Money is not all about money, but equally balanced with a humorous love tale of two friends engaged to the same lady and then one deciding on other.

By the summary I give you, I am certain you find he book interesting. The style of writing is quite modern and well enough for a modern day fiction lover.

The intricacies of the plot have you in splits at quite a few times throughout the book.

A prudent read for all so go……..hurry and catch a copy!!



Related Posts:

  1. Three Men In A Boat by Jerome K. Jerome
  2. David Copperfiel- by Charles Dickens
  3. Murder Of Roger Ackroyd- by Agatha Christie
  4. Marker- by Robin Cook
  5. Twilight- by Stephenie Meyer


Writing For Yourself  

The main aim of an author is to please the reader. And the most successful writers are the people who succeed.

You know why? Because they keep in touch with the audience but do not write only for them. They write for themselves too and so do not loose their individuality.

Most amateur writers are too obsessed with the idea of pleasing the reader. But they seldom remember to please themselves!

Maybe you do get satisfaction after writing a post, maybe you enjoy the compliments of your readers, but before you decide, just read the post and think- DO I REALLY LIKE IT MYSELF?

The first objective of pleasing a reader is to please yourself because remember that, you yourself are your biggest critic.

There are people I know, who like writing long emotional articles but keeping an internet reader in mind, they cut down their posts to 10 lines just so the reader doesn’t flip away. More often than not, it reduces the quality of their work.

I do not say it is wrong. Practicing new stuff is never wrong, but forgetting your first love and almost abandoning it, is not good either.

So remember, while writing; first keep in mind YOURSELF and then the reader.

Just try it once and then tell me if it helps!!


Small Wonder!  

Adora Svitak
Recently, I read an astonishing news which almost made me jump off my chair in surprise!

70 pounds and not an inch taller than 4 feet, but hey! don’t go by Adora Svitak’s size my friends…..for she stood proudly atop the stage addressing students of one of the best public high school at Chicago, which also counts Michelle Obama as one of the prestigious alumina, giving them advises on how to publish their books!

Yes!!! Can you believe it?

She stood lively in her pink pompom boots and sweat pants in a cherubic blue. It is supposed that almost 135 students listened with rapt attention to her words and most were encouraged and aspired to reach her level.

She told the students to become much more serious about their writing if their dream is to publish a book, and to limit their television time.

Just 11 years of age, and already the happy author of two published books, Adora from Redmond, Wash, was on cloud nine as she shared her experience as a writer with the students. She has already penned down more than 400 short stories and more than a dozen poems. She says that by the ripe age of 4, she conquered the art of reading chapter books and started writing soon enough. She has her own blog which you can visit by clicking here.


In a patent voice and gesticulations that contradict her age, Adora used prudent literary vocabulary like “protagonist,” “conflict” and “plot” as easily as girls her age use words for their favorite pop stars and television shows.

Adora, prefers watching nightly newscasts and reading fantasy, historical fiction and biographies than sitting in front of the idiot-box.

I just wish I was as smart as her. All I can do now is look up to her as an inspiration!



T*Witches- by Reisfeld and Gilmour  

T*Witches- by Reisfeld and Gilmour

It’s been long time since I finished reading T*Witches. But seeing it in my shelf I could not resist taking it out for another read and that’s when I thought I ought to write about it!

T*Witches is a popular young adult fantasy novel series by H.B Gilmour and Randi Reisfeld.

This book is in a series which have a total of ten books. It is also been amde into a popular Disney Channel Movie. The book is the story about identical twin sisters separated at birth, Camryn Barnes and Alexandra Fielding, also known as Apolla and Artemis DuBaer (their names as witches).

The only sign of recognition they have about their real life is a pair of matching amulets of the sun and the moon and also similar powers to said celestial bodies. The twins' guardians are Ileana, a cousin; and Karsh, a mentor.

In the real world, the two live completely different lives, miles away from each other, not knowing of their powers until they met in The Power of Two.

The book has a wonderful plot which goes through an avalanche of emotions, surprises and thrills. It will certainly be a good read for most teenagers. It is about magic, reunion and love- themes which can be enjoyed by one and all.


Related Posts:

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  2. David Copperfiel- by Charles Dickens
  3. Murder Of Roger Ackroyd- by Agatha Christie
  4. Marker- by Robin Cook
  5. Twilight- by Stephenie Meyer

The Best Time To Write!  

The Best Time To Write!

There are always people asking me how to decide when is the best time to write? How to decipher when your mind is at its creative best and when it can provide the maximum result?

It was then that I decided to write this post.

First, get down to thinking which ambience soothes you best. Some like the early morning bloom, or some the late night moon….some the musical melodies and some prefer the quiet parody.

What do you like? When do you let your mind relax the best?

Or question yourself as to when do you enjoy reading a book?

Some like that late at night, someone the morning ….. and others have diverse ideas as to when and where!

The same stands for your writing. You just need to peek inside and then you’ll know!

And still if you do not get your answer, just sit down, relax and arm yourself with a pen and paper…and 123…..

Start scribbling or writing!!!!


And then you’ll know, the best time to write is:

NOW!


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  • Simple Genius by David Baldacci  


    I just finished flipping through the last pages of the latest thriller I read, a book called Simple Genius by the impeccable writer David Baldacci. It is a commendable book and a suggested read for all.

     

    I am most thrilled to read such a book, when I had not given it a second look on first chance. It is a sure-shot page turner.

     

    The story revolves around Michelle Maxwell and Sean King doing a private investigation on the U.S Government’s or the CIA’s forbidden property and the physiological problems faced by Michelle.

     

    In the beginning the author adroitly describes the physiological conditions of Michelle and how Horatio Barnes, physiologist and friend of Sean helps Michelle deal with it but unsuccessfully!

     

    Being in a financial crisis, this is how Sean pays for her medical fee by accepting an investigating offer by ex-girlfriend Joan Dillinger. As Seann goes through the puzzling events of death in Babbage Town, Micelle is solving her own set of mystery (which is just a side kick).

     

    Finally Horatio and Michelle and Sean team up to solve the mystery at Babbage Town and the puzzling events at Camp Peary.

     

    The result is spine chilling and much surprising than what you can believe!

     

    So do not waste time, pick up a copy and leave of your praises at the comment box!

    Fixing A Goal For Your Writing  

    Fixing A Goal For Your Writing
    Rome was not built in a day, and so is your work. A good piece of writing cannot be written on first attempt.

    As I have always been telling my readers, constant practice and writing is the only key to a successful writer.

    Just yesterday, my friend asked me, "You always keep telling me to write. But HOW MUCH do I write?". This got me thinking.

    What I do is follow a plan. In the beginning of the year, I set an objective for my writing. I fix a goal to finish three good pieces of my personal writing each week. It keeps me busy in my leisure time and also helps me improve my writing skills.

    One can plan as he/she wishes and is suitable for him/her. If you are not too busy to devote much time, you can fix a goal of finishing five pieces a week. Or you can settle down on a monthly basis, of finishing thirty to fifty pages of your novel or anything you wish. Even making a yearly plan comes in handy to our busy-bees.

    The first thing to get down to is to make the plan or objective. While doing so, keep in mind what you write, how and when. Remember how much time you can devote each day and find a suitable goal.

    But the most important part of this is to stick to you timetable. No use making overambitious plans and goals just to build castles in the air!

    Just try my idea once and share the result with me here. I'd be glad to hear the pros or cons.

    The comment section awaits you :)


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  • World's Longest Poem  

    World's Longest Poem

    While surfing the net, I recently came across the world's longest poem.


    Ever thought of who wrote the longest poem in literature?

    If yes, I give you your answer.

    World's longest poem in English literature is written by Nigel Tomm who is a writer and artist.

    Here's an excerpt from the first page:

    Blah me. Blame you.
    Blah you. About you. You blame me. Blah you.

    I blah as you or blah by blah,
    You know. You blah. You blah it out of blah.
    Blah blah. Blah blah.

    His book "The Blah Story, Volume 8" consists of one poem which contains 98,728 words, 449,441 characters (with spaces), 23,161 lines, 728 pages. This becomes the longest published poem in English. The poem is called 'My Blah Story'. The book was published in February 9, 2008.

    Intrigued, I searched more about this incredible author. Nigel Tomm is a writer/artist who time and again pushes the limitations of literature. His novel "The Blah Story" is a clear example of that.


    "The Blah Story" is based mostly with sturdy beat with over usage of the word 'blah'.

    Isn’t this really interesting? Have you ever imagined writing a poem more than 1000 words? And think of this incredible author sweating over writing a poem almost 1,00,000 words long.

    Other known long poem "Pieces of Hope" by Patrick Huet, has nearly 7,600 verses written on a roll of fabric that stretches to almost one kilometer. The poem is not published. Other really long poems were written by ancient Persia or India poets and an example is, Mahabharata.

    So here’s your turn. Don’t shy away from sharing your longest piece of poetry with me. I’d be pleased!

    Twilight- by Stephenie Meyer  

    Twilight


    After my examinations got over yesterday, I decided to lay my hands on a good book, and one of my book loving friends suggested that Twilight by Stephenie Meyer would be a good choice. I too had heard a lot about the book, so I decided to give it a try.

    Twilight written by Stephanie Meyer is series of books about Vampire love story.

    The theme of the novel pricked my interest. It is a teenage love story but the twist in it is that there's a blood drinking dangerous vampire existing!

    It is a story about a teenager called Isabella Swan who has moved to Forks, Washington with her father Charlie. She abhors the new city, truly unlike Phoenix, where she lived earlier. She has no interest in her new school, new friends, until.....she meets a guy called Edward. Edward has intrigued her since she first set her eyes on him. Then they turn out to be Lab partners in Biology.

    Edward has an exquisite beauty, and the way Stephenie describes it in the book is awe inspiring and out of the ordinary. His eyes are the basic communication for Bella. She initially learns that he abhors him with trying to change his class timings, disappearing for a week or more and then giving her frustrated looks.

    When deep down she is resenting and anguished, he turns back to normal, and out of the ordinary gets talking to her courteously. And then Edward changed before her eyes...

    Bella was unfortunately entangled in an accident, where Edward rescues her heroically. She was going to be run down by a van, when Edward comes and saves her. The troubling part is that the van was coming at full speed and Edward was nowhere near. Bella was certain that it was some sort of magic, that he rescued her, but Edward denied everything being anything other than ordinary.

    Bella persuades him to disclose his secret, his exquisite beauty and looks unlike all others, everything about him was intriguing. Then they get to talking, and Bella slowly discovers that both love each other, and with the love comes another shocking revelation-

    Edward was a blood thirsty vampire!!

    The rest of the story revolves around how Edward protects her, how she gets approved by his family and how Edward stops himself. The scent of Bella blood always aroused him, bu his love for her, gave him the strength to overcome it.

    Their relationship is thrown into bedlam when another vampire group comes to Forks. James, a tracker vampire who is intrigued by the Cullens' relationship with a human, wants to hunt Bella for sport. The Cullens attempt to distract the tracker by splitting up Bella and Edward, and Bella is sent to hide in a hotel in Phoenix.

    The rest of the plot revolves around how Bella is rescued or caught and finally, her desire to trun into a vampire herself.

    It is one of the most extraordinary and mystical plot you can come across. The author's narration is fabulous too. So what are you waiting for? Just go and grab a copy of this sensational novel !

    A Personal Diary  

    Diary

    The Wikipedia describes the journal as a daily record of events or business; a private journal is usually referred to as a diary.

    Do you all keep a journal? I have been keeping one since I was in grade 6. Often, in the beginning, I thought that it was a sheer waster of time, energy and ink. But then I realized how it wasn’t as I thought.

    If you do not maintain a journal, here are ten reasons for you to do so immediately:

    1.      One does not always have a person in life with whom you can share any or everything. A diary can be the best of your friend and the worst of you critic. You can share anything with it, and express the deepest of your thoughts easily.

    2.      Anne Frank never imagined that every teenager would someday read her diary and get inspired. Even if yours is not read by others, you might be inspired by it yourself, nonetheless.

    3.      It is similar to talking to oneself, but talking to yourself in a café can be awkward or embarrassing. But certainly, writing a journal wouldn’t be inappropriate at all. Writing a memoir becomes an output of pure emotion; purer than you can ever imagine.

    4.      It might unexpectedly act as you inspiration for writing a story, novel or anything else.

    5.      You can write in second person and advice yourself or motivate yourself, like no one has ever done. You can be the best of your advisor or friend.

    6.      You can chill out with it too. Your journal can be anything- a friend, a guide, a cuppa coffee for refreshment, a relaxation, a way of refreshing your pent up mind.

    7.      It is a safe way to keep your secrets :P

    8.      While reading through yourself, you can analyze yourself and see through your invisibility. Often, one can be surprised at how well he/she writes too.

    9.      It’s the easiest way to go to bed with a sound mind.

    10. You will always have someone in the time of need. I bet you will never feel lonely.

     

    These days, the trend is to keep an online journal. You can keep a blog, which can be kept private or share it with the blogosphere. It is quite the same as a traditional dairy.

    And to encourage you even further, there are different simple techniques that can be used. 

    You can write a dialogue journal which can be written as a letter to yourself when you are down in pits. When you find a solution to your problem, write another letter. This could serve as your own bank of wisdom.

    You could write a gratitude journal, where you can make yourself realize that life is not always bad and there are good things that happen to you too. Write them all down in a diary. When you are feeling low, look into these pages and you’ll feel better.

    You could even write a goal journal which is especially handy for those who can never stick to their resolutions. Goals are likely to be met if penned down.

    Art Journals are for those whose creativity knows no bounds. Not one to use ink?? Use colors and paints and splash it all the way!

     

    So get to work. Choose you journal today and start writing!

    To Kill A Mockingbird- by Harper Lee  

    To Kill A Mocking Bird- by Harper Lee

    I just keep on wondering why I did not review this book earlier.


    To Kill A Mocking Bird- by Harper Lee is one of the most brilliant pieces of literary fiction I have ever read.  It was the first and last book published by the author and also won a Pulitzer prize.


    It deals with many serious issues like racial discrimination in America, but the style of writing is such, that all will enjoy it!


    It is a story about a six-year-old Jean Scout Finch, who also narrates it in her lively and bubbly manner. She lives with her older brother Jem and their widowed father Atticus, a middle-aged lawyer. Jem and Scout become friends with a boy named Dill who visits Maycomb to stay with his aunt for the summer. 


    The three children are terrified of, and fascinated with, their neighbor, the solitary "Boo" Radley. The adults of Maycomb are hesitant to talk about Boo and for many years, few have seen him. The children feed each other's imaginations with rumors about his appearance and reasons for remaining hidden.


    Soon, the children find that someone is leaving them small gifts in a tree outside the Radley place. 


    Atticus, her father, is assigned to defend a black man named Tom Robinson, who has been accused of molesting Mayella Ewell, a young white woman. Although many of Maycomb's citizens disapprove, Atticus agrees to defend Tom to the best of his ability. Other children taunt Jem and Scout for Atticus' actions, calling him a "nigger-lover". Scout is tempted to stand up for her father's honor by fighting, even though he has told her not to. For his part, Atticus faces a group of men intent on lynching Tom.


    The book has a serious storyline which deals with aspects of racism, and involves other phases of violence and alienation. To Kill a Mockingbird is Harper Lee's classic novel which one cannot miss reading.


    The novel is memorable because of the adventures and personal tumult the character undergoes in her development as a human being. Some characters reach out to millions of hearts with the veracity of cruelty in the world--with war, violence, death, racism, and hatred--while others deal with family, friends, or community issues.


    The book is a unique, one of its kind read, that you cannot afford missing! It stands really high in my reading list.

    My Writing Inspirations  

    Writing Inspirations

    Reading my creative writing blog, Delve Into The Mind Of A Budding Blogger, many people have questioned me about my inspiration and ideas for writing? Where do I get the ideas? How do I cultivate them?


    So today I decided to share it with you!


    Inspirations for writing a story, poem or any other kind of article/ write-up depends upon a writer. Different writers acquire ideas by different ways.


    For me, my ambience, the things happening around are enough to provide an idea.


    Often writing prompts on the web are a big help!


    I prefer writing while sitting in my garden, for the lovely blooming flowers and the beautiful view outside is a good source of inspiration.


    My personal journal or diary is the biggest help, Flipping through the pages gives a number of ideas that keep swarming in the head!


    It just depends on a person. If you observe and notice what happens around you might get a multitude of ideas, and then all is up to you, how you present it and how you develop the story line!


    As I shared my ideas and inspirations, I would love to know how you get an idea for a particular story. Please post comments telling me about your sources for writing.


    Reading Helps Improve Your Writing  

    Books

    How did you learn to speak? By listening to others. How did you learn to walk? By watching others? How did you learn to eat and drink? By seeing how others do it.
    So how will you learn to write? By reading!

    That’s the logical and simplest answer of all. Many people believe that a writer is born but unfortunately, they are utterly mistaken.

    A reader may be born, and thus develops a writer. If you want to write, you need to read!!
    Reading a book is not utterly necessary. You can read the newspaper, scholarly articles on the net, poems, and other people’s works of fiction (like short stories). They may help improve your vocabulary and expose you to new writing styles.

    Reading not only improves writing and knowledge but gives you an idea of the craft! It is important to read good books and retain them. You cannot absorb new ideas, improve vocabulary or writing unless you read.

    Read, read and read…..that’s the best thing to do to improve writing.

    Thinking further, I wouldn’t even have thought of writing until I read. Books are the gem of a writer’s life. They are far more valuable than a large pot of gold!

    So reading is thus the basic for writing and a writer cannot improve until he reads!
    Writing a mystery novel is not possible unless you read a mystery novel. A book/story is not born out of the air.

    Only reading a book and forgetting about it may not help always.

    When reading, always keep in mind to identify the genre and the author. Do a bit of additional research on the book, by reading reviews on the net. In a notepad, copy down the new words or phrases or sentences that you liked. Write your own thoughts about the book. Think how you could have molded it better.

    I hope these tips help. Please share your ideas through comments!


    The Deep End Of The Ocean- by Jacquelyn Mitchard  

    The Deep End Of The Ocean

    Recently one of my friends presented me with a book called The Deep End Of The Ocean written by Jacquelyn Mitchard.


    Frankly, at first sight, I had not heard much about the author nor the book. Searching Wikipedia, I got good reviews and decided to go on reading the book.


    And I’m glad I made that decision, for it was certainly a wonderful book. One which leaves an indelible impression on the mind.


    It has a strange, enthralling storyline like you’ve never thought before.


    The Deep End of the Ocean is a best-selling novel by Jacquelyn Mitchard, published in 1996. It is the wonderful story of a normal American middle class family that is having it’s share of problems in daily life.


    But suddenly, their lives are torn apart when the youngest son is kidnapped. Wisconsin photographer and housewife Beth Cappadora is excited about a her high school reunion. She leaves her youngest son, Ben, alone with his older brother for a brief moment in a crowded Chicago hotel lobby. The older brother let go of Ben’s hand and when Beth returns…..her son has disappeared. Just vanished out of the blue!


    Mental breakdown leads to shunning of her life and it is left to her husband -owner of a restaurant, Pat, to force his wife to mechanically care for their remaining two children, 7-year-old Vincent and infant daughter Kerry.


    The first half of the story is based on Beth and Pat and how they struggle with their lives. Beth loosing all hopes. A mother, who feels that she has failed her lost son and her family. She feels stifled from the sympathy that she receives from people around her, yet without them she could never face the world again and try to move on. Friends and relatives frantically on the lookout for young Ben. The Police force helping as much as  possible. Pat, on the other hand, positive and determined not loose life.


    After nine years of struggle, the Cappadora family somehow manages to hold ground and has moved to Chicago. One day a young boy named Sam asks Beth if she needs the lawn mowed. And the unimaginable happens…….Ben lands up to be Sam.


    The rest of the story revolves around how Ben adjusts to his new life, his attachment to his guardian father. The scenes between Vincent (and Ben) , who is not ready to accept a new brother, who feels guilty and some feelings that cannot be described…..are the most interesting.


    The author has done a really unimaginable commendable job, writing from the thoughts of a teenager and a strangled mother. The book is certainly worth a read and I am sure you’ll praise it too!


    Related Posts:


    1. Three Men In A Boat by Jerome K. Jerome
    2. David Copperfiel- by Charles Dickens
    3. Murder Of Roger Ackroyd- by Agatha Christie
    4. Marker- by Robin Cook