Character Diaries. Because They Have Thoughts and Feelings Too.

Most writers have kept a journal at some point in their life. I was no exception. I may have gotten my first diary in grade school, having one through middle school. In the pages of that diary are details of my first crush, angst over being punished by my parents, as well as all the exciting details of my life then, going out with friends, and what not.

Back then I was writing something called The Mystery Club. It was based on The Babysitter's Club, only it was characters based on myself and friends and we solved cases instead of watch kids. I even gave us an adult advisor of sorts based on an actor I had a crush on at the time. I had all kinds of fun writing it. At the end of each story in the back of the notebook I wrote it in, I would actually have journal entries of each character and their thoughts on how the case ended up.
That was the first time I revealed character's journal entries. As a writer, you are always in your character's thoughts at least when they are being cooperative. But in journal entries, sometimes like with us, they reveal thoughts and ideas that do not get brought up in the story line.
In Twisted Revenge, the main character Jocelyn Barnes reveals some of her inner most thoughts in journal entries that are ordered for her to write by her psychologist. In them she talks about her feelings about what has happened to her, and she also talks about things from her past. She also reveals the story line of her book, as she is also a writer in the story line.
Writing character's journal entries is a really fun way to not only get into the character's head more, but it can bust writer's block at the same time. A character's thoughts and feelings and experiences can be enough to spark an idea and realize more about the character.
So, here's my thoughts. Writers, which character from your book(s) would you like to see journal entries of, or for that matter have your readers see? Next month, I'd like to feature authors with a journal entry from one of your characters. You can add links, blurbs, cover photos, even have a giveaway. If you're interested, or want more details, feel free to message me at JenniferBrownAuthor@gmail.com.

Some Writing Advice on Nanowrimo from Author Ellie Potts.

First off, thanks Jennifer for inviting me over. I will not be taking part in this year’s NANOWRIMO, as I will be spending my November editing. Last year was actually the first year I won. Writing a book in 30 days is hard!

My first year doing NANOWRIMO was in 2009, I never finished because my husband got really sick and two months later after contracting MRSA and having blood clots he had to have open heart surgery. So you can understand why writing was the last thing on my mind. The next year we had a loss in the family. Again you can see why writing was not a priority. And then in 2011 I started a new job that November. One I had never done before, and by the time I got home I was way too tired to think about writing. Last year I had some obstacles to overcome but most where towards the end of the month, and by that time I had made it over the halfway point which made it easier. I finished the rough draft actually a few days early then the 30 day mark.

I do want to say that you need to do NANOWRIMO at least once, and actually complete it. Writing is hard, so don’t let anyone convince you that it is easy. I learned that not to worry about correcting something you don’t like, just continue to write. You can always fix it on your rewrite. I actually had to train myself to do that or I would go back and fix it, get frustrated with the story and just put it on the side. By charging on it helps. I find it easy to know how my story is going to end. If I don’t have an ending I am not sure where the story is going. That might work for short stories, but not for actually books. I will actually say this as well, don’t give up. Even if you don’t complete it in 30 days don’t stop keep going until you’re done. The feeling you get from finishing your story is the best feeling in the world, okay one of the best feeling in the world. ;)

For more info on Ellie and her books check out her blog:

http://authorelliepotts.blogspot.com/

The Impact of Bullying.

October is lot of things, a month to celebrate Halloween, a month to raise awareness for Breast Cancer, as well as watch the trees change color and welcome in Fall. But the one thing that hits closest to home for me is the fact this is Anti Bullying Awareness Month.

As a long time victim of bullying growing up, and even some as an adult, I strive to try and take part in the Anti Bullying campaign in some way. Last year I was proud to be a part of a campaign online that allowed authors to have guest posts and give away books. I couldn't do that sadly this year, since my former publisher closed so I am posting on my own blog about it, and telling you how bullying has impacted my life and writing.
I went to three different schools growing up before attending high school. At each school before ninth grade, I was picked on and bullied. Granted, in elementary school it wasn't as bad as it got in middle school. I was actually physically hurt once I was in middle school, getting my hand slammed in a locker, a triangle was thrown into my eye in Industrial Arts class which sliced it open and required a trip to the ER, and I had a basketball thrown in my face on a bus. Yes, everything was reported to the school officials about each incident, but nothing was ever done to the perpetrators because, and I quote my sixth grade homeroom teacher, "They came from a broken family." That was the excuse that made it perfectly fine for them to assault me.
I did manage to have one or two friends throughout all this at each school, even though they acted embarrassed to be associated with me at times. But between the few friends I did have, and my writing it is what kept me sane throughout my childhood. The same goes for me today.
Due to the bullying, and the anxiety I have acquired since, combined I have developed severe depression over the years. I also had epilepsy as a child which affected the emotional part of my brain. Some days for a long period of time, it's a struggle for me to even function as a normal adult. Unfortunately a lot of people do not understand this and constantly expect me to have a smile on my face even when I feel horrible. Therefore, instead of having an understanding friend to talk to, I get someone who just brings me down even more and criticizes me for feeling the way I do. It gets to the point that I am afraid to even voice my opinion online for fear I will have someone coming down on me. I have had others tell me in the past not to be so negative, but when you get in these states it is very hard to be positive. All I need sometimes is just someone to listen and pray for me.

I always try to be there for my friends when I feel like I can be mentally, and it hurts when I can't have the gesture returned. All this has built up over the years to the point that I feel like really all I truly have is my writing. It is what makes me happy, disappearing into a whole other world and dealing with other's problems that are a lot worse than my own.
I cannot stand bullying, and it sickens me to see where it's gone all these years. With the internet it's even easier now to make a kid's life a living hell, and for what? A laugh? Because you're bored? And it's not just kids now, it's adults! My own generation. Authors bullying other authors. Give me a break, people!
It's a horrible issue that should not even be an issue but I have a feeling it will be for a long time to come if more people do not take a stand. For now, all people like me can do is blog about it, take part in a campaign, have a special giveaway to raise awareness, and write about it. I have a few ideas in my new series for a cyber bullying storyline, as well as perhaps a school shooting stemming from someone who has been bullied for way too long while parents and officials did nothing about it.
For now, in the words of Ellen, "Be kind to one another."
Seriously, is it really that hard??

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The Inspiration behind Island of the Zombie King, coming soon from Ellie Potts.

Thanks Jennifer for asking me to popping in today. Happy October everyone. I am a fall baby, born in November but it is October I love. When the changes of fall are all around. The temperature is falling; you can wear thin long sleeves, well here in California anyways. Of course October brings thoughts of pumpkins, candy, baking, and of course Halloween. But to me October brings my favorite movie time to TV! 31 days of Horror movies.

I have always been a horror nut. I love the scary. I love a good scary movie that will make me want to cover my eyes, or that gets me to jump. I would have to say that it all started with my dad showing me Night of the Living Dead when I was around four. Zombies terrify me to this day, but I cannot look away! I need more. MORE. But as the zombie craze comes and goes, so does the good and the bad. It is okay though, sometimes even bad movies are fun to watch to make fun of.

For your enjoyment I wanted to share the first chapter of Island of the Zombie King which will be released in 2014:

The World of Decay. . .

Hungry and in need for fresh water a young man is driven from the safety of his apartment. He sneaks out, the sun making him shade his eyes briefly. He hadn’t been outside in over three weeks. The sun felt nice on his skin. He hadn’t seen one of the undead for over four days. He thought they were all dead as he walked. Today he was finally going to get out of this virus infested city. He had walked all day in thought. He saw the bridge. And then behind him came the moans. Had he heard them earlier?

He turned. His cotton candy pink hair flapped in the coastal air filling his nose with the stench. There they were. All his optimism bottomed out. A huge group of men, women and children slunked after him. Their skin no longer living, torn, ripped in colors of off-blue and greens. The bites or wounds that had caused them to be one of the undead clearly showed under the clear sky. He did all he could think of and started to run. He had made it to the middle of the Golden Gate bridge, stopping suddenly.

In front of him came another horde of the undead. He was trapped. There would be no way to fight his way out of it. Dead no matter what. He went to the edge of the bridge, and looked over at the rough waves below him. He would have one last choice on how he died, and climbed over the edge. The moans of the dead got louder as they got closer. He closed his eyes and said a small prayer of forgiveness. His hands let go of the railing, and he fell, eyes still closed.

There was no life before his eyes, or bright light at the end of the tunnel. Blackness. The rough saltwater waves ate him. Tossed and turned his dead body. When the body was faced up, the dead eyes stared up at the sky now clouding over. And something darkened in them, not much, but a small spark. And his mouth opened filling with saltwater. All memories of who he was gone, and now he was just there. It craved flesh, but the water sucked him under. It could not swim, and as the body moved slowly the ocean current pulled it out.

A woman screamed. The high pitch shriek filled the empty city, echoing off the empty buildings. New York, once loud and filled with people, lay in ruin and death. The undead walked the streets, moving to the scream. She thought her plan would have worked, but it hadn’t. There was just too many of them. Her screams died off as the zombies pulled their own piece of her away to eat. Blood covered the streets and windows of the empty store fronts, and moans filled the air as the sun started to fall.

The world now lay in ruin, the dead bodies of millions waited around for movement. Waited to feed. They walked around the north, as the winter clouds threatened snow and rain. They walk around the south where the government had dropped a bomb hopping to stop them. But it didn’t, they walk around the desolated area. The dead owned the world. No more fighting based on religion or race. Beautiful wonders left to ruin. A race left to extinction. A world left to the dead to crumble away just like them.

For more info on Ellie and her work check out her blog:

http://authorelliepotts.blogspot.com/