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My Writing Inspirations  

Meghna , , , , 2 comments

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  

Meghna , , , , 20 comments

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  

Meghna , , 2 comments

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

 

How To Find A Creative And Suitable Title  

Meghna , , , , 1 comments

Title

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 8th 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.


Related Posts:

  • 10 Tips On How To Write For Children
  • Writing A Books Review!
  • How To Keep Your Writing Simple?
  • Writing Prompts For Kids


    • The Diary Of A Young Girl -by Anne Frank  

    Meghna , , , 5 comments

    Anne Frank


    Recently, I read a heartrending novel which has impelled me to write about it. Though it has been a week since I have read it, the novel is intent on not leaving my mind. It has left a deep impression on my heart and soul.

    The book is The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank.

    “The Diary of a Young Girl” is a diary written by Anne Frank during the Second World War days. It begins from 14 June, 1942, when she was 13 years old to 1 August, 1944. When she died died in a concentration camp in Germany, Anne Frank was only fifteen. Through her diary, she tells us the problems faced during war; how lives would be anguished and how families would be shattered. The descriptions and emotions are so intense and captivating, written with the touch of an adolescent and teen, that you can ideate her life with your own eyes.

    Anne Frank, though being a Jew, enjoyed a normal life before war, but when Holland was invaded by Germany, the anti-Jewish sentiments and the atrocities faced by the Jews, forced their families to move into hiding.

    Anne and her family moved to Amsterdam in 1933 after the Nazis gained power in Germany, and were trapped by the occupation of the Netherlands when the government began to persecute Jews by the implementation of restrictive and discriminatory laws; mandatory registration and segregation soon followed. As persecutions against the Jewish population increased, the family went into hiding in July 1942 in hidden rooms in her father Otto Frank's office building.

    They left their apartment in secrecy and at their hiding there was another family of the Von Daan, Mr. Deusel a dentist was also later included. Only Kugler, Kleiman, Gies, and Voskuijl were the employees who knew of the people in hiding, and helped them by visiting and bringing occasional presents and other needful.

    All through the diary, Anne expresses her emotions wonderfully- her grief, her occasional bouts of happiness, her helpless struggle to be content, her gratefulness and her love.

    She confides in her dairy as a friend, whom she calls Kitty. She writes letters to Kitty in her diary, telling about the atmosphere at the hiding and her thoughts and emotions.

    In August 1944 their hiding place was discovered by the Gestapo, German Secret Police. All the eight members in the hiding were sent to concentration camps in Germany where all, except Otto Frank, died in the hands of Nazis. Anne Frank died in 1945 when she was only fifteen. Her diary was then circulated by her father.

    The diary is really touching read telling about Anne Frank and her troubled relationship with her mom, her darling father, the slowly improving relationship with sister Margot. The strife they have with other dwellers at the hiding. All the suffering she had to go through, transformed Anne Frank from a young bubbly chattering thirteen year old to a serious, thoughtful and rational minded fifteen year old.

    Her experiences are real life filled with hope and fear. The diary implies a sense of sympathy and is one of the best examples of the troubles during war time.

    The diary, which was given to Anne on her 13th birthday, describes her life from 12 June 1942 until 1 August 1944. It has been translated into many languages, has become one of the world's most widely read books, and has been the basis for several plays and films. Anne Frank has been acknowledged for the quality of her writing, and has become one of the most renowned and most discussed victims of the Holocaust.

    This book is a must read for all mothers, daughters, fathers and brothers. A re-read actaully. I bet a thousand bucks that it will impress one and all who read. It is as inspirational and touching as you can imagine.


    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



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