The Writing Pages

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

2. bona fide (Latin): genuine; real

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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!!

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!

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:

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

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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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!

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

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!

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.

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.

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!

Whether it be a webpage, a book, a short story or even business articles- first impressions are often made on the creativity of the titles. And as they say, first impressions are the best impressions.

Whatever you do, please understand that titles hook the reader. If surfing the net, the reader will not waste time on a title that reads Harry Potter but something that says, Harry Potter- the 8^th Part! Everyone knows that there is no further sequel so the reader will be intrigued to read on.

Thus stands the creativity of the author in writing titles. Finding a creative and suitable title is pretty much a skill in itself.

Finished with a story and still confused about a suitable heading? This is a very common problem for me. So today I decided to share some tips with you that I prefer using when trapped in such a mess.

Usually, I read my write-up at at least thrice. It acts as a good revision, and along with, some lines or a phrase may strike you as a suitable title.

Be as tangy, wild and imaginative as possible. Go out to a garden, look around…..and who knows? But if yours is a moral article, often age old phrases are best preferred.

If nothing strikes you then too, then it is better to give your brain some rest and leave it alone for a day or two. Read your story again after a day and something is sure to thump you.

It’s often better to take help from friends. They might strike on the magic word you’ve been missing.

Or better, I’ve recently found many a sites for writing prompts which provide you with suitable headings based on which you form a story. I often use Serendipitous Story Title Generator or Title-O-Matic for this purpose

I hope these help! Do share your views and ideas.

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• When someone throws a stone at you, throw back a flower-- M.K Gandhi..........But remember to throw it along with the pot! - Today's Youth!
  
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• You are the window through which you must see the world -- Laura Ingalls Wilder
  
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• There are two types of employees: Those who do the work and those who take the credit. Try to be in the first group; there is much less competition there. -- Indira Gandhi
  
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• I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can still do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something I can do." -- Edward Everett
  
• The only trouble with being punctual is that there is no one to appreciate it!