The Writing Blues

                                                                                 



Writers what do you do when you have the writing blues? It's ALOT different from having writer's block. You have those times when you literally get frustrated when you are writing.  Often times you are crying, or stressing over the people in your head. Trying to talk to the characters that are living in your head. I've had the writer's blues several times and the only thing that seems to work for me is to keep writing!! I know that may sound weird, but it's true. The more you write the more the story comes alive. Even if you think it's garbage, it still may be some potential that lies within the pages. I get it, no one wants to walk through the swinging door of confusion and developing possible writer's block.  But having the blues can make or break any writer. There's always the possibility of writing a really GREAT story filled with adventure or writing the worst story none to man. But, there is always a risk to take right? Dr. Seuss got turned down 32 times before anyone gave him a yes and there isn't one person on the earth that doesn't know about green eggs n ham. As writer's  we have to grab our pens, paper, and laptops by the horns and get to work. Never stay stagnant, keep moving. Having the writer's blues is okay to have for a moment. Sure, you can sulk, cry and even feel guilty for your writing career, but once you've gotten down and out just ask yourself, How will anyone know my story if I don't tell it?  If you have the writing blues, here are some tips that I have developed to help you along the way. I like to think of it as a prescription that will help you get over your illness. Happy writing folks! Until next time always remember, " Everyone has a story, what better way to tell it then through words!"
Krystol

Below are some signs that you have the writer's blues

1. You stare at your story for hours without writing anything.
2. You add fluff without any description
3. Loose will power to pick up your pen
4. Say, " I'll get to it later when i'm inspired"
5. Expect the story to come alive just because you say so
6. Stop writing for long periods of time because it' on the back burner
7. Develop writer's block and say F it.
8. Stop reading books that deal with the genre you are writing (Always a good tool)
9. Say you will write everyday and don't
10. Bang your head against your laptop because you no longer have or see your vision for the story.

Tools to help you to have the Writing Spirit

1. Make an outline of each chapter
2. Be as descriptive as possible when writing.
3. Showing your story to readers and not just telling it.
4. Have a clear and open mind.
5. Write as much as possible whether it's a journal, blog, etc.
6. Read books for leisure
7. Talk to your friends about your story and getting them excited for the read
8. Sitting in a comfortable atmosphere writing your heart out.
9. Giving yourself a deadline to complete the first draft
10. Getting excited about your rewrite and sending it of to the editor

Let's Discuss!
What helps you recover from the blues?

No More!!!

A Great Read!!!!! Available on Kindle, Nook and Paperback!!! 

Synopsis: Zoela Best is the new girl at school. Trying to get used to the new school and people she meets Vincenza Catucci. They are two peas in a pod until the "Jawbreakers" make their presence known and tortures the girls with bullying and hazing. Vincenza and Zoela are asked to be a Jawbreaker and the two are ecstatic. But, the leader has a trick up her sleeve to turn the two girls into frenemies. Will they see the danger ahead or will they put an end to the Jawbreakers once and for all?

 http://www.amazon.com/Jawbreakers-ebook/dp/B00B527CKI/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1359224872&sr=8-10&keywords=Krystol

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/jawbreakers-krystol/1114225225?ean=2940016042862

 Jawbreakers is a book that is near and dear to my heart. Being bullied when I was just a freshman in high school, I can relate to what the main character, Zoela endures. Although bullying has a greater effect today then when it did when I was in high school, it's still a big epidemic that is going on today. Statistics show that there is at least 77% of students who are bullied verbally, psychically, mentally, and verbally. In my case it was just verbally but that was all it took. But, I will say that it has made me a better woman today and I am able to over come it. Some children aren't lucky today. They are loosing their lives with suicide which is such a tragedy. No one should want to end their life from being ridiculed on. I started writing Jawbreakers when I was reflecting on my high school experiences. I was only bullied for one  year because I switched schools, but It still happend and it's apart of my growth as a person. I hope that readers of all ages mainly Young Adults take something from Jawbreakers and help someone who may be going through or know someone who is affected by bullying. Please help them before it is too late. Writing this story has taught me to respect everyone in spite of their downfalls and short comings. Enjoy the read and be blessed. Krystol 

My Writing

                                                                           

Hey everyone! I hope that your new year is going well so far. Me, I am going to sign up for a gym and buy some cardboard for  a vision board that i'm going to make. What is a vision board you say? A vision board is a big piece of cardboard and you decorate it with your goals that you have. Once you achieve one of those goals, you remove it from your vision board. I hear that it is VERY successful.  If anyone decides to make a vision board, please leave a comment below or send a picture. I will post mines once it's finished. Now, how is your writing going? Do you have writer's block? If so, check out my blog on writer's block. With my writing I have been working on my script called If It Ain't Broke.  I just wrote twenty more pages so in total I'm at 61 pages!! Yes i'm so excited. I only have 40 more pages to go and then I will be complete!! It feels good to be able to actually take something from school and use it. I was just talking to my dad this evening, and he told me who would have thought that you would have been a writer. I had to agree with him. When I was younger I wanted to be a psychiatrist. I know, weird right? But I think that life can surprise us in a way that we can't fathom. If you would have told me ten years ago that I would be a successful writer, I would have called you a liar. But here I am writing for magazines, books, scripts, publishing aspiring authors, who knew? I will say this, I'm glad to have the gift of writing in different genres. Now that I am getting good at it, I wouldn't trade it for anything else in the world, would you? 

Talk to you guys soon, 

Krystol 

Writing For Games

                                                                                 

As I embark on a new phase in my school career, I have become afraid. The feeling of the "Unknown" has made me skeptical as to what comes next! I am four classes away from receiving my Master's Degree in Creative Writing. The next class on the list is WRITING FOR GAMES! Now, I must say that I like to play games, but i'm not a "gamer". Sure, it's a fun way to kill time and they come in many different genres.  If you were born or alive during the 80's especially 1984, that's when the great gaming device called the Nintendo was invented. I was born in 84, but I was about seven years old when I was introduced to Duck Hunt, Jaws, and Super Mario Bros.  The feeling that I felt playing the game was so unreal. I realized how addicting it was. I was able to be in another world that was my very own when I played the game.  Then Nintendo graduated to Super Nintendo, Sega, Playstation 1,2, and 3, Xbox, Xbox 360, Kinect, Wii, Wii U, and many hand held games like Nintendo DS. I will have to say that after Sega I was non existent to the gaming world until the Wii entered my life. It was SO different then the usual joy stick game that I played in front of my tv with my big bird chair when I was seven years old. But times have TRULY changed because now there are not many games that are that fun anymore. They now consist of shooting, being made from films, fighting in a war, and killing Zombies. Yea, talk about a big change in the game! Games have evolved from doing things as a game and acting them out in real life, especially with the violence and war games. It's hard to decipher what's a game and what's real life.  Let's not talk about arcade games!! Who remembers Pac Man, Tetris, and Ms. Pac Man? Classics, right? My brother B and I used to always play and I could never beat him!  In my opinion games aren't what they used to be. But in this class I'm going to design a game that is fun and will be epic! Who knows, you may even get a chance to buy it one day. I knew that this class was coming up so I bought a game that I used to love to play when I was kid. My favorite game was the orginal Super Mario Bros. I played this game every day until I was able to save the princess. When I was kid, I loved the competition that the game provided for me. Everytime I would die where i ran into a fish while swimming or unable to beat bowser I had to keep trying. When i would win a board the feeling of victory consoled me. Now that it's fifteen years later and I'm playing the same game but on a WII console instead of the Nintendo, I'm not so good. I keep dying, and can't get past the third level. But it's funny, I remember all the tricks that I learned when I played as child by myself and with my cousins. When i would play with my family I really tried to win all the boards so no one else could have a turn. But evenutally I would die. Playing the game when I was a kid up until now I still am able to feel that happy emotion and giddiness that over whelms me. I still enjoy playing and i'm now really going to try and beat bowser so that I can know I still have it after all these years! 


Books that I recommend: 


The Ultimate Guide to Video Game Writing and Design by Flint Dillie and John Zuur PLatten 


Writing For Animation, Comics and Games by Christy Marx


Until next time Writers, Write on! 

Krystol