Inspirational Writing Quotes

“If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.” 
― Toni Morrison

“Fantasy is hardly an escape from reality. It's a way of understanding it.” 
― Lloyd Alexander

“You can make anything by writing.” 
― C.S. Lewis

“Don't bend; don't water it down; don't try to make it logical; don't edit your own soul according to the fashion. Rather, follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly.” 
― Franz Kafka

“One day I will find the right words, and they will be simple.” 
― Jack Kerouac

“All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know.” 
― Ernest Hemingway

“I love writing. I love the swirl and swing of words as they tangle with human emotions.” 
― James A. Michener

“You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.” 
― Jack London

“And by the way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise. The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.” 
― Sylvia Plath

“We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect.” 
― Anaïs Nin

“I write to give myself strength. I write to be the characters that I am not. I write to explore all the things I'm afraid of. ” 
― Joss Whedon

“You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you.” 
― Ray Bradbury

“Fiction is the truth inside the lie.” 
― Stephen King

“Words can be like X-rays if you use them properly -- they’ll go through anything. You read and you’re pierced.” 
― Aldous Huxley

“We live and breathe words. .... It was books that made me feel that perhaps I was not completely alone. They could be honest with me, and I with them. Reading your words, what you wrote, how you were lonely sometimes and afraid, but always brave; the way you saw the world, its colors and textures and sounds, I felt--I felt the way you thought, hoped, felt, dreamt. I felt I was dreaming and thinking and feeling with you. I dreamed what you dreamed, wanted what you wanted--and then I realized that truly I just wanted you.” 
― Cassandra Clare

“I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.” 
― Anne Frank

“The most important things are the hardest to say. They are the things you get ashamed of, because words diminish them -- words shrink things that seemed limitless when they were in your head to no more than living size when they're brought out. But it's more than that, isn't it? The most important things lie too close to wherever your secret heart is buried, like landmarks to a treasure your enemies would love to steal away. And you may make revelations that cost you dearly only to have people look at you in a funny way, not understanding what you've said at all, or why you thought it was so important that you almost cried while you were saying it. That's the worst, I think. When the secret stays locked within not for want of a tellar but for want of an understanding ear.” 
― Stephen King

“Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.” 
― Anton Chekhov

“After nourishment, shelter and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world.” 
― Philip Pullman

Music That Inspires Writing

Writers often have a playlist of songs that inspire their writing. I've tried writing while listening to music, but sadly I can't concentrate and I have a hard time letting myself dissolve into the scene when music is playing. It distracts me and I even end up typing the lyrics accidentally.

But...just like anyone else, I do get inspired by music. Only I have to listen to it, turn it off, then write. So, if anyone cares, I will add my favorite songs that inspire me to write, and maybe these wonderful bands and songs can help you!

These are not in any kind of order and they don't really represent my favorite songs. These are just the bands and specific songs that inspire my creativity, and I hope they can help you! Don't be alarmed when you see a lot of them have a melancholy feel. That's just what really inspires me. Also, these were kind of on the top of my head. When I have more time, I will delve into my playlist and really go at it.

So here goes...

                                     Anything by:                      Death Cab for Cutie

                The Strokes

                           Mumford and Son

               The Shins

                    Evanescence

But then there's also those random songs that really inspire me like:

Iris by The GooGoo Dolls--I know it's from City of Angels and it probably inspires a lot of people but that's what makes this song truly magical.

Demons by Imagine Dragons

Yellow & The Scientist by Cold Play...really anything by Cold Play

100 years by Five For Fighting

Look What You've Done & Come Around Again by Jet

Somewhere Only We Know by Keane

Once Upon A Dream by Lana Del Rey (This is the Sleeping Beauty song, but Lana sings it so hauntingly beautiful)

I'm Lost Without You & All Of This by Blink 182

 I don't love you,  the ghost of you, & Helena by  My Chemical Romance

I caught myself by Paramore

Wake me up when September ends by Green Day

Hey Jude & I want to hold your hand by The Beatles

Goodbye My Lover & You're Beautiful by James Blunt

I Get It by Chevelle

Asleep by The Smiths

Your Song by Elton John

That's All by Nat King Cole

Just a Book

This post is going to be a little different than the others. This post is about one book...just one book: The Fault In Our Stars, you've probably heard of it, I'm guessing since your on a blog that focuses on reading and writing, haha.

First, I love John Green...who doesn't? He has this way of taking thoughts and feelings you had as a teenager--the thoughts and feelings you had going through your mind during those first time experiences--and morphing them into actual words. When you read his work it's almost scary. Like, he somehow saw into your mind.

Right?!

For my birthday in 2012, one of my best friends got me the book. As you know, when you unwrap a book, it's like the best feeling in the world. I saw John Green on the cover, I saw the cute clouds, and the pretty blue and I hugged the book. I loved it. I didn't care what it was about. It was from John Green and it was a book. That's all that mattered.

The next day, I was lounging on the couch, and my husband was mowing the lawn. I carefully opened the book, I smelled it, then I began reading.

And then I slammed the book shut.

Cancer.

My husband's aunt was battling cancer, and she was young, and she was losing. It was the first time I was truly introduced to the disease. Of course, I had heard of it, but never had it happen to me or mine. Not only that but Hazel (the main character of the book) tells her story in first person, which really draws you in, as if you are her going through the things she's going through. And as I said before John Green has a way of making your own thoughts appear in the book, making you feel like you're that person.

Not to mention, I'm also a hypochondriac and suffer from anxiety. From reading the first ten pages, I already felt an attack coming on.

I couldn't read the book.

I let my best friend know and she understood. She said, "It's okay. But you should really read it. It's a great book."

I said, "I know," I knew it was a great book.

I let my other best friend borrow it and she read it and every time all three of us got together, they would talk about it. I told them it was okay if they said spoilers in front of me--I never planned to read the book.

So, I know what happens. I know about the book and author Hazel loves, I know about the Anne Frank house, I know about the fake leg and eye, the infinities in infinities, the death.

I've tried to read the book three more times and still can't, I'm not sure I ever will be able to. The thing is, I hate sadness, and I hate crying and that book is the epitome of those things.

The reason why I wrote this in my blog is because I feel guilty. As an avid reader and an aspiring writer, I feel almost like a traitor--especially to one of my favorite authors. I feel like as his fan, I owe it to him to read his well accomplished book. But, I can't and it's just my own problem.

I'm happy the movie was popular, and like all books-to-movies, I urge you to read the book! For John Green...and for me.

The Importance Of A Manuscript Hook

Another hook!

The first three paragraphs are the most important in your book. More specifically, the first sentence is the most important. You see, if an agent liked you query letter, they will want to see your work. And they will be very critical of the beginning. A query letter may be difficult to write, but with the right tools and critiques, a writer can have a great and flawless query. But that doesn't necessarily mean their book is great and flawless. It's a lot easier to revise a one page query rather than 300 pages of a manuscript.

I recently read from an agent's tweet, that having your MC wake up as the start of your manuscript is extremely common. And one may think common is good in novels, but it isn't. In the opening of your book you want to really WOW the reader. You want to entice them and force them to continue reading by using words. It can be a hard thing to do, but it's necessary. Now, agents read and critique on a daily basis. They've practically seen it all, so that's where you must really impress them. Just as your query starts with a hook, so must your book.

Reread, revise, and rewrite your first sentence over and over. Then have as many people as you can read it. And with this, not only have your beta readers and critique partners give you advice, ask you friends and family if the beginning hooks them. They don't have to be writers, or readers to have the first sentence of a book hook them, and if you have your brother who hates reading tell you the first sentence really draws him in...then you know you have truly done it!

What is a Critique Partner and How to Get One

A critique partner is someone you switch manuscripts, or any work with and you each critique and edit each others'. Even published authors have CPs! To keep it less bitter and more sweet,  I suggest being up front about what kind of critique you want. Whether it's a soft or hard critique. If you feel you'd get offended easily, then make sure to ask for a soft critique. I always ask for critical critiques, because an agent is going to be very critical, so it's a good idea to already have had someone who tore your work to pieces. (In a good way!)

NEVER  send your work out before having it critiqued by real CP. By real CP, I mean not your mom, sister, husband, best friend or brother unless they too, have writing experience. The best advice you can get is by another writer, who is writing in somewhat the same genre as you. Such as fiction, YA, maybe even fantasy. If you've never wrote a non-fiction adult book, then you probably wouldn't be much help critiquing it. And usually someone that has written a YA book has read a lot of YA books, so their advice should be pretty sound.

I say critique partners can be bittersweet because sometimes things can go a little bitter. I, thankfully, have not had this happen to me. As of right now, I have three critique partners that I adore. All three of them have been immensely helpful, and I hope I have been just as helpful! With all three of mine, we have critiques each others' queries, synops, and manuscripts. And I would not be where I am today had it not been for them. The great thing about CPs is you also build a relationship with them that makes you feel not so alone in the literary world. Yes, your family and friends may be super supportive, but if they aren't writers, they just don't get it. But with CPs, they are going through everything you are. You can compare your agent lists and switch great articles you've read. 

Best of all is celebrating when each others' manuscripts are fully critiqued and revised!

Before you send any work out to a CP, make sure they are legit. Check out any forums they belong to, check their posts, see if they have a query posted. Start by sending queries, then move on to chapter one. There's nothing worse than sending your whole manuscript to someone and then never hearing back from them. 

If you love reading and writing, you'll love having a CP. Not only do you get great help, you also get to read great books, and help polish them. It's a lot of fun! Just remember to be respectful, genuine, supportive!

Hi Dawn!! 

How to write a synopsis

After you finish your query, you should work on a synopsis. I'll warn you before hand: you'll want to pull your hair out. When you start to get that feeling, just breathe and count to ten. You wrote a book! You can do this! A synopsis is kind of like a query, except it's longer and more detailed. A synop is usually between 1-2 pages. Nothing more. The shorter, the better. You have to remember, agents are very busy people and most of them get around one-hundred queries a day (give or take, I'm not an agent, so don't quote me on this.) So, they want to read something short and sweet.

 You'll remember I told you not to add the ending or spoilers in you query. In fact, in your query, instead of coming out and revealing, you want to hint. Now, with a synop, you just come right on out and reveal everything. See, a synop's job is to provide someone with enough information that it seems they read your book, when they haven't. They should be able to know exactly what happens in your book, such as, the overall plot and the climax.

Now, you can google "How to write a synopsis" and you'll find many people telling you how to write one many different ways. But, here's how I tackle them:

Again. I am far off from being a pro, but I have written a few of them. You want your first paragraph to be strong by telling about the protagonist, setting,  and conflict. Then, the best tactic for me is to go chapter by chapter and write down the key points and major plot turns. You should finish the last of it by revealing how the conflict gets resolved. If characters fall in love, add that. If they die, add that. If it helps, write an outline to organize everything. And just like with queries, Agentqueryconnect also has a synopsis critique forum. I highly suggest it.

How To Write A Query Letter

You have just written a book, and feel like you're on top of the world. Here's your thoughts: Not to brag, but all you really need to do is send the first page of your manuscript to an agent and they'll be begging to represent you. You're pretty much the best writer ever...it's whateves.

WRONG. And if you do send your first page to an agent, they will sigh and delete it immediately. It would be like going into a store you wanted to work at and just start working there and then telling the manager, "See, I'm awesome. Hire me." You'll just be kicked out. If you want to work at a store, what do you do? You turn in a resume. Same thing with an agent. You send them a resume, except it's called a query and it's a little different.

First, you want to add something personalized to the specific agent. Tell them why you are querying them. Did you read something on their blog stating they were looking for a superhero baby that has lazer-eyes, which is exactly what your book is about. Or maybe you read an interview where they said they love YA horror, which is your genre.

Next, a query starts with a hook. A hook is a sentence that...well, hooks the reader. It needs to be short, sweet, and clever. For help, look at the back of books and check out the first sentence for an example.

You want approx. two paragraphs telling a bit about your book. TWO PARAGRAPHS. Be specific without revealing the ending. Stick to key points. Don't ramble. Tell about the protagonist, what his/her goal is and what's at stake.

The last paragraph should consist of your achievements with writing or what you are doing in your writing career. People's own opinions vary on what to include, but mine is: if it doesn't have anything to do with your writing, don't add it. Now, if you don't have any degrees, achievements or awards, that is okay! Just tell the agent what you are doing with your writing. If you are working on an English degree, or part of a writing group. An agent is looking for good writing, not someone with a Doctorate.

Last, but not least don't forget to add the title in CAPS, the word count, the genre, and a thank you.

Also, and this is really important. Have fellow writers critique your query. If you have not, join the free site: Agentqueryconnect.com and put your critique up.

I'm no pro at queries. Really, I'm not sure there is such a thing. But, I do have experience--not to brag or anything...I mean, it's whateves.

What To Do After You Write A Book

Now, what the heck do you do?


When I first started writing, I did it for myself. I didn't want people to read it. And then, when I did let someone read it, she told me it was amazing and it could be published. I was speechless.

 But it was my mom.

Try to get someone a little more critical to read your work first. But still, after that, what do you do? How do you even get your book published? I'll tell you what I did. I googled, "book publishers." And then I read that if you want a publisher to look at your book, you have to get an agent. Yes, there are small publishers that will probably publish your book, but you have to be very, very careful and do your research and make sure they are legit. That brings me back to 2010, when I found a publisher online and I sent him some of my work. I think like the first couple chapters. The website made them seem legit, but after a little more research I figured out it was from a guy's house (google is great for researching people, BTW) and it would cost me money for him...yes, just him, to print my book. Way more money than I would even get for a book that was (at the time) riddled with errors.

So, after more research, I found if I wanted a good publishing house to publish my book, I needed an agent. To find agencies, you have to research them. Now, there are lots of websites where you can find agencies or you can use google. And when you find an agent that represents your genre, you need to research them even more and get a feel for them. You can do this by reading their bios on their agency's page, checking out their Twitter, blog, and interviews. Are they someone you would want to work with? Do they love the same books you do? What are they looking for and is it in your book?  After you get a good list of agents, you need to write a query letter to send them.

Before you query an agent makes sure you have all of these:

A COMPLETE manuscript

A query letter

A synopsis

First three chapters revised a million times

A critique partner

Beta reader

Not sure what some of these are? Don't fret. I will have posts on each and every one soon. Check them out.

Now, if an agent is interested, they will write you and ask for a partial request, or if you're lucky,  a full request. A partial depends on exactly what the agent wants, but most of the time it's the first three chapters. A full is--you guess it! They want to see the full manuscript. All of this has sometimes long waiting periods. Most agencies respond to queries 4-8 weeks. Partials are 2-6 months and that's about the same for fulls. But again, it all depends on the agency. And if they don't like your query? They don't respond, or they send an automatic response politely rejecting your work. It's not very pretty. But if you even think you want to be a writer, you have to completely toughen your skin. Criticism is your best friend.  

WallFlower's first post.

This is my very first post on my very first blog. So, if you are reading this, know that this is kinda a special moment. Well, for me, anyways. To be honest, I never even contemplated starting a blog. Why? Why would anyone care what I have to say? I'm pretty boring. But hey, if you're interested in what I have to say then...

hehe, all right.