Friday Flicks: The Wolf of Wallstreet

Goodness gracious me!

I know I'm way behind on the film side of things.. but I watched this film a couple of days ago on Sky and boy I was more than entertained!

Leonardo Dicaprio of course was the main man in this film, as well as he also being the most hilarious narrator that I have ever heard. He played the character of 'Jordan Belfort', who becomes a very successful broker in the stock market, as well as battling his excessive drug addiction and sex escapades, he has it made.. until (I don't want to give it away) something happens...

If I say anymore I'll give the rest of the story away-- if you have seen it.. then you know what happens.

But Leonardo never fails to please with his superb acting (I'm a fan), very humorous in this film, with a touch of heart, the film is a great watch.

If you don't mind a little colourful language and imagery (orgies and snorting of coke lines) then you are in for a treat.

Haha.

I have this movie Sky+'ed so I'm definitely gonna watch it again.

Comment time: Raven Symone and The View

I love Raven Baxter! I mean.. Symone, Raven Symone!
And for about a week or so I have been seeing a plethora of news headlines with her name plastered all over it-- primarily about the comments that she makes while being on American Day time talk show, 'The View'
I wrote a little bit of my opinion on my Glipho page; and I want to expand a little here.

Now.

What is such the big deal with comments from Raven? I understand that she had a couple of hiccups recently with the whole 'I'm from every continent in Africa except for one... etc' comment... and the 'I'm not an African American.. I am an American' but you know what.. everyone has their own opinion, so why can't Raven also have her own?
No opinion is wrong, that is why it is an opinion and everyone is entitled to one.

As for Raven on The View.. I am more than ecstatic for her. I believe she is a great role model-- been around on TV since 'The Cosby Show' and nothing but good has been seen from her. She has blossomed into a beautiful young lady and she is back in the media swing with also being in EMPIRE! And her and Jussie Smollett are so cute, I  follow them both on Insta and they are so awesome together, they have beautiful auras and they are just plain ol good peoples!

I always hate to see people and their negative comments, but again, they are also entitled to their own opinion.
One thing that did annoy me though was the whole infatuation with Raven's sexuality  I mean... can't a person be who they are? Why are you so hung up on if she's straight, bisexual-- whatever? You will STILL watch her on TV... you will still google search her.. you will still forever have her name in her mouth.. at the end of  the day she is doing her thing.

*snaps fingers.* Ya Nashteee!

But yeah, love ya Raven!
x
#commenttime

#22 Types of writers

I primarily know (most) of the ins and outs of writing, when it comes to stories and articles (I'm still learning everyday though!)

And it has come to my attention that there are a variety of writers who have different writing habits and attitudes when it comes to the written word, whether it be via a laptop, mobile phone, or the old school way of the trusty pen and notebook.
Here are the Top 5 that I have come to witness (just a little bit of fun):

1) The organized writer

The writer that just has it all together; they have everything set in place, their characters, their plot, they have done all of their character profiles; and they plan how many words a day they are going to write. AND their desk looks something like this picture. I may be exaggerating a little, but the latter is all true. And that's not a bad thing, there are writers who do all well and good with doing everything to the 'T'!

2)The hopeful writer

That writer that doesn't necessarily go by the book, but just writes... and writes.. and hopes that it will all work out in the end. I would have to say I think to a certain extent we're all a little bit of the 'hopeful writer', but this writer just writes.. no necessarily plan, but they have the main idea and focus of the story and runs with it.

3) The OCD writer

Not as full on as this.. but the writer that self edits as they are writing.. (and it's only the FIRST draft).

The writer that doesn't like the way the sentence sounds (as they are typing it) and completely re-edits. And re-edits. And re-edits, and by the time they have got to a point, they find that they still haven't got where they wanted to be.

We all do it at some point in our writer journeys. Eventually, it will subside a little.. that's why we have so many drafts..

4) The 'I-want-to-find-another-word-to-say-this' writer

I'm so guilty of this--- you quickly go to google and look for another way to say 'scared' or another way to say 'happy' because after a while when you read your story and you see too much of the same word, it looks too repetitive, so spice it up with synonyms!

5) The old school writer

Whether we are in the new age of computers.. or we enter another new age where computers are even obsolete.. there are a group of writers that will stick it ol' school.. the pen and notebook kind of way. I find it therapeutic to do this.. it's like I'm pouring myself through my pen onto the page... 

Yeah.. I'm old school like that.

So!

Which one can you categorize yourself in?

#21 Collaboration

Have you ever thought of teaming up with someone and writing together?

It's good for motivation, it's good for inspiration, and it's hella good practice, I tell ya!

I was able to have this experience at University.. but since then I haven't really found the 'right' group of people.
It's best to collaborate with people who have the same type of interest as you-- it doesn't really matter the type of format, as long as the are is similar, there will be some kind of flow.

Just how song writers and producers collaborate.. they collaborate with particular people because they 'get them', or they believe that if they come together they will be able to create something amazing.

Same case with writers! Or, if one writes, and one proofreads, it's all the same-- as long as you have a little team or a network of collaboratives, I don't see why it would be hard to create anything!

There is something called 'Collaborative Fiction' where you can both write parts of a story-- I've done that before and it is absolute fun. These are all different ways of not just keeping the motivation going, but to be able to work differently and to be exposed to different techniques.

I know there are some writers that are just well and good working by themselves; but once in a while it is good to come out of that shell and meet other writers, and put your heads together!

It's great fun.

#20 Dialogue

I believe all writers know about Dialogue and its purpose.

If not, all dialogue is, is a conversation between two or more people. How it is written on the page will look something like this:

"I don't like the way you said that to me, at all!" She exclaimed

The basics you need to know are the speech marks that are at the beginning and at the end of the statements; and one thing you also need to be aware of is at the end 'She exclaimed' or 'She yelled', you don't always need to put that at the end; but when we first learn about writing we are introduced to this.

But this is why we also have these: '! ?' They cause us to know if it's something that is said with expression or if it is a question-- you can always add 'She exclaimed' but sometimes it can get very repetitve, especially when it's between 2 people. If it's only one person, it's not as bad.

Anywho!
Enough of the technicalities, what I really wanted to grip my teeth into is the overall effect and purpose of what dialogue brings to the story.

Dialogue brings life to the characters and the overall narrative-- it gives you more of a clearer vision of how the characters are-- it adds to the whole 3D effect of these people we have created out of our own imaginations!
It gives you a clearer idea of personalities and character traits, and it makes us as the reader to relate to them more while we are reading.

I believe dialogue is a key trait in a story and without it, it would be a little boring-- whether it is a little or a lot of dialogue, it makes the narrative 'come alive', and it breaks away from the overall 'narrative voice'.

You can write a story just in dialogue. The dialogue alone will tell the narrative and you as the reader are a little more interactive, having to kind of grab onto what's going on, Dialogue is as much as a narrative than us summarizing and describing back story. Yes.
Ernest Hemingway's 'Hills like White Elephants' is a perfect example!

Check it out. How will you implement dialogue in your stories..?

Friday Flicks: Being Mary Jane

YES!

So.... this is another one of my guilty pleasures during the week.

I love it. I love Gabrielle Union. I love the show-- I personally can relate to it and it's just.. great.

Unfortunately.. it's nearing its end,(not the entire show, but its second season!) but the story is basically about Mary Jane Paul.. a successful business woman-- a news anchor to be specific.. she practically has it all... but really all she wants is a relationship.. and a family.

A lot of the show revolved around her and David.. a 'ship' (I call it a ship.. there were no relations involved, unless you count all of their sexual encounters) who she did love, but he is married.
Mary Jane just wants a man who will love her, and will want a family with her.. minus all of the drama.
As well as so many other things that are around her.. her friends.. her somewhat dysfunctional family..

It's a great watch, and for an hour too-- whoo chile! My Monday nights are all well and good!

#19 More inspiration

'Darling, I'm a writer-- I use troubles as an inspiration. So go ahead- have a try'

I saw this quote on Tumblr last night and OH MY GOD. In just a sentence describes the nature of writers.
We use what we go through as inspiration.
We use what we go through to capture that real and raw emotion.
We use what we go through to teach.

I screengrabbed that tumblr post and put it on my instagram, hashtagged it '#writers' because I really believe this to be true.

What do you use as your inspiration? What can you take from your life, your experiences, or even from other people's experiences that you have had the opportunity to listen to?
I believe as writers, we have a duty to uphold to write about the truth in its most rawest form--words are powerful and as much as we think that they do not have an effect on us, they do, and what we hear or say end up manifesting themselves at some point in our lives.

We as writers use our words positively to get across all of the tribulations and troubles in life, and to make it known that there are happy endings, and that there are times where life will take its toll-- we portray both sides of the spectrum-- we capture those 'kodak' moments in life, and we capture the times in life that we don't want to think about, but we need to acknowledge that it does happen and it strengthens us as human beings.

Our words impact.
Our words CHANGE LIVES.

Darling-- we are writers, and we can change the world.

And for a little humour to end this post...

x

#18 The story is never finished

One of my little sisters, (She isn't my biological; but she might as well be)
asked me about a story she is writing.. she said 'The story's finished, but I don't know what else to add'

I replied to her 'Are you sure the story is finished.. there is always something else to add'

And truly, there was-- she added more to the story!

What am I trying to say here... we as writers-- what we write never really has an ending-- but we need to gather to some type of conclusion otherwise the story will drag.
But all of the stories that you have written, can you tell me that they are COMPLETELY finished? That you're not able to expand on at least one thing in that story?

For some.. I know your answer is yes.. you know why? Because you've written it in that way. But for me I can definitely say no. There are so many other stories  that can come out of the stories I've written.

But then it's also good to keep your readers on their toes.. which is why sequels and prequels are absolute GOLD.
Especially when they are good... (I was going to reference something but my lips are sealed.. :|)

I recently had a look at my old notebooks and their are tons of unfinished stories...
I challenge you to dip back in your old books and see if you can revive any old stories you have written.

You never know!

#17 Motivation: The Past can be used as writing inspiration

It's good to dip into the past-- for a positive effect.

By no means should you ever go to your past and pick out a negative memory, unless it will be used in a positive way. Your past shouldn't haunt you, it should rather push you to do even better-- and motivate you to do more.

As writers generally.. we need to be brave.. we need to be courageous-- because we may be compelled to write something so dark and grim, but in the end it may liberate someone else; and that is the purpose to why we write.. we say the unsaid!

I learned from one of my tutors at my university that there are sometimes you have to dig deep and go to the places that you don't really want to go.. those dark places that we have suppressed and pushed to the back of our minds.

That is where the truth is, and that is what we write.

So my dear writer. Try this. 

Take a moment and dig deep to that memory, or that time that was dark in your life-- it can be uncomfortable.. and it can be scary.. trust me, but what you will get out of it will be nothing more than a masterpiece.

#16 Don't let the passion die

The moment you write because of income-- that's when the real love for writing fades. Ever since I was 12-- I've always wanted to be a writer and it has never left.

Yes... sometimes you can get discouraged.. lose motivation.. and even want to stop. 

But it never did. And that's how I knew that it was something that I love to do.

Anything that you love to do-- just do it. If money happens to step into the picture, thank God for it because it is more than a bonus.

But think to yourself, why do you write?

Do you love the feel of release after?

Do you love to create characters that you know and believe people that read it will relate to?

Do you love to create stories that are so close to life and you know that people will be impacted by it?

Do you love to create futuristic or new worlds for children or adults to escape in?

Whatever the reason maybe, once that reason is in you, don't let it go. 

There is a reason why you are writing, and there are people out there that need to read it.

There is something special in that story of yours that needs to be seen by at least one person. 

If the passion does die, reflect back to why you started to write in the first place. Of course life and others things may become a bit challenging and cause you to pause from it for a time, but by no means do not lose that passion-- that love that you have.

Friday Flicks: Pitch Perfect 2!

I forgot to start this last week...

Friday Flicks!

Ok.. well I haven't seen this movie yet.. but I've seen the first one and the first one was AWESOME!

This was one of the best moments in the first one:


But anyway! I'm hoping it will be much better than the first one! I have faith it will be good.

Woo!

Comment Time: E4 'Jane the Virgin'

Has anyone started to watch this show?

I really like it-- it's a little quirky in some aspects-- but it's good.
I'm only in the third episode.. and I don't really want to reveal what's happened already..

But overall it is a good show.. the premise is basically this girl, Jane, is a virgin, and she accidentally gets inseminated with someone elses sperm at the doctor's...
...and yeah... I don't want to say too much!

All the episodes are on youtube...

Tune in!

#15 Stationery

Hi, my name is Diana and I am a Stationery addict! *waves*

I will admit it so proudly because I AM A WRITER!

I love books.
I love pens
I love PRETTY diaries
I love bookmarks
I love pencils
I love SMOOTH writing pens (Aw, watch out now i'm getting specific!)

You get the point though, right?

When I'm writing on the page, I love to use pens that flow with my thoughts-- I know that sounds so artsy-- but I know what I'm saying!

There is a particular feel with certain pens that when you write on the page, it feels a bit gravely.. and sometimes it's so smooth that you don't want the flow of writing to stop. Depending on my mood.. I don't mind a clicky pen.. or just a normal pen with a lid...

Are you with me?

There's particular books that I like.. I prefer books that don't have spirals for my diary and my 'ideas' book- I'd prefer to just have a leather bound book with that little ribbon in the middle to mark where I am... and that elastic band that keeps it closed and secured-- something like this:

I hope I haven't lost you!

I get so excited when I get stationery... it kind of gives me a little push to write. I don't know about you my dear writers.. but I love my stationery!

Are there any particulars that you can't do without? What kinds of pens, or books do you prefer?

I believe it does contribute to the whole writing experience.

#14 It's not stealing if you make it your own...

Well.. nothing is new in this world-- everything that we have seen being done has been reused and recycled (see the tad bit of wordiness there, lol) into something else, but it's never the same to how it was.

That's what we need to do as writers.. we come up with so many ideas; and a lot of them have already been done, and been acclaimed for their good works, etc.. so HOW are you going to make it work? What spin are you going to put on it?

You see, anyone can sing Beyonce's 'Pretty Hurts' or Stevie Wonder's 'Isn't she lovely?' but there is a WAY they sing it, to make it their own.. (I know.. I watch too much X Factor/American Idol) there is a uniquness in the person that is singing the song that makes it different to anyone else that will sing it.

The millions of articles we read; do you not think the ideas that were pitched have been done before? But there is a different angle they are coming from, or a particular perspective they want to show that maybe wasn't shown the first time it has been pitched.

Do you get it?

So don't be discouraged if your story idea has already been done, because it is more than likely that most ideas you get have been done but dig a little deeper and come with it from a completely different direction-- write it-- and make sure you get people to read it to help you spot what maybe you could spot (4 eyes are better than 2 I always say!)

But yes, Oh no no.. us writers don't steal.. we just make it our own :)

#13 Wordiness (Fluff writing)

I was THE serial fluff (wordy) writer in my earlier writing days; if you have a look at the image below, the first sentence would be something I would regularly write; now as I read it, I want to rip my hair out! Writing is forever a learning process!


Wordiness or fluff my dear writers is another fault we tend to make, (usually in our first couple of drafts) because we want to make our writing sound very descriptive, or we want to showcase our vocabulary; whatever the case maybe the more clearer a sentence is, the more the reader will be engrossed in everything else. Depending on what you are writing, you can use the most simplest words to get your meaning across to the reader; and that doesn't make you any less of an intellectual person. Vocabulary is very good-- yes, but it has to be used in moderation, and there must be a purpose to why you are!

Remember the 'Show don't tell' rule? It applies very well and it is absolute KEY to eliminating wordiness in your stories-- and in your general writing.

Instead of writing something like:

"Jennifer walked slowly down the hill, tears flowing from her cheeks; forming small wet spots on her long pencil skirt; she didn't know what she wanted to do or where she was going."

You can write this:

"Jennifer walked slowly; tears flowing down her cheeks, dropping on to her long pencil skirt. Where she was going, she didn't know."

Can you see the difference?

You don't have to be overly descriptive, and overly foretelling; sometimes leave the imagination to the reader-- UNLESS there is a reason to it. For example, I took out the 'down the hill' part, I found it irrelevant; unless something is going to happen on the hill, or the hill has some type of significance, then by all means, keep that in, otherwise take it out. Wordiness can also be a way of 'filling in the gap' because we don't know what else to write-- if that's the case, read back at what you have already written and make another connection-- it's better to write one or two good sentences, than to write a paragraph of fluff!

The whole point of the sentence is to alert the reader that something has upset  'Jennifer' and has caused her to wander to the point that she doesn't even know where she will end up.
I've showed  that she is upset by mentioning 'tears' but not actually stating that 'she is upset'

Unless you have a purpose to your overuse of words (Your character is a serial wordy speaker.. etc ) or you want to show that a character is nervous or anxious-- because as human beings when we get frazzled, anxious, nervous. etc we tend to speak more than we normally do, right? Wordiness in itself is a tool, but it can be abused sometimes! But all in all, always stick to the 'show don't tell' rule, it's very enjoying to read, and to also be the creator of it is that much more fun.

#12 Share your work

As a young writer at the time (When I was like 16) I absolutely DETESTED showing my working or sharing my work with other people. My writing was for me and nobody else-- I didn't want anyone to criticize or say they 'didn't like' my work.

Pretty immature huh?

After a couple of years, and on top of that my Creative Writing course I went on at Uni-- that changed as quick as dropping a hot potato.

You see.. the beauty of sharing work, exchanging it, showing it to people is that you can get a response and know if your writing is liked by other people besides yourself.

Don't get me wrong, I know there's a lot of people that have no shame in sharing their work-- in fact they LOVE it-- I was just the emo writer that just wanted books and books of unedited writing stored up in my room.

Not anymore. lol.

But really, it gives you a boost because not only do you get criticism, (not always constructive, mind you..) you get a fresh perspective, because we can read our writing a million times and not see anything wrong with it after 1,000 edits-- so to get the opportunity for someone else to look over it, or just to read it is a blessing.

You can receive good advice, especially if you have writer friends in your circle, or if you're connected to people who have been published or are established writers..

Really, it's all to your benefit-- if you don't share your work, you don't grow as a writer; you won't learn anything new, and it may cause you to be stagnant.

Exchange your work with friends, colleagues people you KNOW that will help you to become better.

#11 For the everyday writer

Happy Thursday all!

Now.. what I mean by the 'everyday' writer is someone who writes everyday, but it's nothing specific-- it could just be about their day, or their thoughts, or future plans, goals, whatever it maybe.

The only thing I have to say about that is to KEEP WRITING!

And also, to keep everything organized and separate, get a book for each thing you want to write about.

So for example, if you want to write about.. your day, or you want to rant; get a book for 'thought's or keep a diary. (I know people nowadays don't 'keep' diaries.. but for the people that do..)

If you want to write about daily/monthly/yearly goals, have a book just set for that.

So whenever you want to refer back to it, you know where to look and you aren't frantically flicking through pages of every book you have to look for it!

It's much easier, and make sure you keep them all in one designated place!


Just a small tip.

#10 For the Poetry Writer: Finding your type

I'm not a poetry writer, but I've had the pleasure of learning a little about some different types of poems and how to construct them.

Haiku
Free Verse
Shakespearean

Those are some I've actually been able to write during my time on my Creative Writing course as well as in my spare time.

I absolutely LOVE Haiku poetry.. the beauty in how just a small amount of words can create such a burst of imagery and emotion:

The blowing of the wind

The tickle of spring in my nose

Purple petals fall

This was one I wrote out of leisure.. I'm no expert, but I just love how much imagery this created in my head!

Anyway! Enough about me and my poetic endeavours; you my dear poet, are you struggling to find your type?

Do you like writing freely?

Do you like writing with a specific constraint?

Are you more of a rhymer?

Or one that likes to create imagery.. the type to escape?

You could even be all four of these and more; but there is a plethora of different formats of what you could write..

Based on how you like to write.. no harm in doing a search..

And most of all.. keep writing!

:)

#9 For the Story Writer: Character Profiles

In my last post I briefly mentioned about 'Character Profiles', (in the past) I was a writer that didn't bother to do this. I just wrote the story, and as I went along I created more and more stuff about the character(s), but I quickly realized that no one could relate to my character because they seemed a little two dimensional.. or there was an 'uncanny' likeness to me, (which is what I DON'T want!)

But something that I came to learn at my Creative Writing course at Uni (Yep.. I'm cool like that!) is a very useful tool called a 'Character Profile' and it looks something like this:

I believe we all have come into contact with something like this in our lives-- it's just something to make up the parts of a character that can make them seem 'real' so to speak. So their:

 -Name

-Age

-Gender

-dislikes

-Likes

 -nationality

-Their appearance

-Any other specifics like if they have children or a job, siblings etc

Some writers go as far as even attaching a picture that is closely related to their description.

Because in creating this, it determines how much a reader can relate to them, how likeable they will be etc, and it makes it easier for you as the author to be able to specify particular aspects of your story in accordance to one or more of your characters.

Character profiles are more associated with Novels, seeing as you have enough room to expand and allow for your character to be known by the reader.

It's a good tool none the less, though. See how you like it, test it out.

:)

#8 The Lazy Writer

Be honest.

We've all been a little lazy when it comes to our writing. We've scheduled for a whole day of just writing, or we've set a certain amount of words to achieve before the day ends, or we've planned to do a specific character profile (depends on the type of writer you are..), or to brainstorm scenes.. etc...


...and yeah it doesn't happen.

We get completely sidetracked with other things like Facebook or Instagram, life, or random internet surfing and you find yourself on YouTube watching people pop boils and wonder how you even got there in the first place!

Do not worry my dear writer, it happens to most of us-- if not all of us at some point of our writer journeys.. and this is ok. Allow yourself a couple of days (when I say couple..  I literally mean 2 days.. any longer and it starts to become a habit!) because maybe in those couple of days you may get an epiphany, or something else may dawn on you for you to include in your chosen piece of writing.

Otherwise.. those 2 days.. breathe.. and get back to work!
I know we can feel lazy when we feel like nothing is flowing or nothing is working.. that's the art of being a writer.. we have that creative power to manipulate, or completely start over afresh and create something brand spankin' new.

As for me... I'm going to enjoy my bank holiday Monday.. (No work)
*puts legs up and switches on Sky+'ed Empire*

Happy Monday :)

x_x

#7 I don't feel like....

It's finally Friday! (And we're in May.. eek!)

Starting from next week, I'll be doing a 'Friday Flicks' post; just to review the TV shows I'm watching and comment on the episodes and hopefully you guys will like it!

But for today..
Do you ever get that feeling like 'I don't feel like writing...' 'I'm not inspired anymore..' 'I've lost my muse'?

Not to worry.. it happens to all of us.

This kind of correlates with being in writer's block, except it's kind of the opposite-- you have the idea written down somewhere, or it's in your head-- you can envision everything.. it's just to gather the strength to sit at the desk or to grab the laptop or the notebook and write it.

Why do we feel like this? Have you been writing so long and you feel it's not going anywhere? Do you find it pointless to write anymore because you feel you could be doing something more meaningful?

As a writer, thoughts like this do pop in our minds; (I get them) but as long as you can remember why you write. Do you write for release? Do you write to express your innermost thoughts and feelings? Do you write because that is the best way you can communicate? (My reason!)
Whatever the reason maybe, go back to it-- there is no point to be writing so long and then you just stop!

When I get those thoughts, I go back to stories I wrote in the past.. and my random diary entries and that love for writing comes back-- sometimes I do get discouraged, but people around me encourage me and it's something that I've always loved doing--- just when you get angry with someone you love.. the love always remains.

Keep writing. Your words are an inspiration/encouragement/upliftment to someone.