Writer's Essentials You Should Carry with You this Summer

Chances are, if you're a writer, you're jumping at the prospect of summer and beside yourself with joy that you'll have so much more time to write now! Or maybe you're bemoaning the fact that your summer just filled up with barbecues and social events and vacations, and now you won't have ANY time to write.

Well, don't start crying or binge-watching Netflix yet, because I'm going to show you how you can still write this summer even if you're busy, and what kind of things you should carry with you to make that happen.

First of all, let's get something out of the way. You might be thinking, "But, I never have any free time! How am I supposed to keep up with writing when I never stop moving?"
Good question. Here's the answer: You always have time.

Oh, don't give me that blank stare, you know what I mean. The hours you spend on Facebook and YouTube? Excellent writing time. All those shows that you HAVE to keep up with? Also great writing time. Taking a five-hour plane ride to visit relatives? Get writing! Waiting at the gas station or in line at the bank? Perfect opportunity. And while you may argue, "How do I write on the go when I don't carry a notebook with me?"
Also a valid question, to which I would say "Carry a notebook anyway." If you don't prefer that, you have your phone... use it to take notes!

The bottom line is, if we (yes, I included myself in that statement) want to get better at writing, we need to be proactive about MAKING time to write. And if you can't make time... then just hop in your TARDIS and rewind your day. Or have Barry Allen change the timeline for you. (JK, please don't ask Barry to do that, he's already messed up enough.)

And, moving on to the specifics of helpful writer's things to carry with you...

Items to Have in Your Bag

1. A good book
I don't know about you, but there's little else quite as satisfying as sprawling outside on the grass in the shade of a tree, reading your favorite book. And even if you're so busy you barely have time to SIT DOWN, much less read, you can still do that! Just carry one with you in your bag and take it out on the go or when you have some time to kill. Plus, it beats playing Candy Crush on your phone any day. Just, please don't read in your car. That could be disastrous.

2. Your phone and earbuds
When used as an item for writing, the smartphone has several functions, which includes, but is not limited to:
*Taking notes
*Recording audios and lines of dialogue
*Googling something for research purposes
*Taking pictures if you see something cool or inspirational
*Listening to music
(And no, it's not for playing games when you get bored, you dollop-head.)

3. Your laptop and extra USB drives
Now, it may be hard to carry around a laptop in your purse (unless your purse is the literal Time Vortex), so this isn't exactly necessary. However, if you're venturing out with the sole purpose of writing somewhere that isn't your house (and if you do so, I applaud you), then the laptop is not only necessary, but required. Unless...

4. A notebook
...unless you're one of those writers who likes jotting things down on paper rather than typing, in which case a notebook would be ideal. A notebook is easier to cart around, so that's a plus. You may also find notebooks handier to map out backstory, chapters and story-lines with, rather than having your plot scattered on different documents on your laptop.

5. Pens and pencils (colored or plain)
These are obvious writing tools, but some people prefer one over another. I like pens (especially blue ink) because the pen writes more smoothly. But, if you're constantly rethinking and erasing, pencils may work better. And if you're an artistic person who likes to draw their characters, then colored pencils are great! You'd also need a sketchpad if you're going to sketch out portraits or your fantasy-world map.

6. A snack and water
Because writers get hungry too! (And there's nothing worse than being hungry when you're writing.)

7. A bag, obviously
Literally any type of bag will do... designer purse, backpack, satchel, book bag... whatever is the most comfortable for you!


 So now that you know the essentials... time to be adventurous and get out there! Find a quiet spot to think and relax (or a noisy spot if you like that better) and just start writing. You'll never write if you don't start somewhere.


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Types of Female Action Characters (And How to Avoid Making Them Cliché) Part 1

We all know from watching action/adventure movies that the female characters in them seem to fit into at least one of two categories: either weak and helpless, cowering in a corner and sobbing because they're scared, or out there with the rest of the guys saving the world and looking totally awesome while they're at it.

Hold up. I mean, I love action movies just like anyone else, but can't we be a little more creative? Don't the characters deserve more than just cliché personalities? I think we could do better. 

First, I'm going to outline ten six types of female characters commonly used in movies and TV shows, and then give you a few parallel examples of what you could do to twist that in writing the female makeup and mindset. (And no, I don't mean the makeup that goes on your face.) 

Cliche:

1. The Flawless Babe

Despite the fact that she is living in an apocalypse, complete with a dictatorial government and some kind of widespread epidemic, she somehow manages to never grow armpit or leg hair or have periods. Like ever. 

Solution:

Have her be real. She's human; humans have body hair and body odor and a lot of other disgusting things. Make her be weirded out about her hairy man's legs because she hasn't shaved in like, two months. Go ahead and have her go on a rant because her period came at a totally inconvenient time. Just make sure not to have her be too fickle or inconsistent; that's no fun watching or reading. 

Cliche:

2. The Healing Female

The magical, soothing woman who can cure any of the male protagonist's ailments by gently putting a wet cloth on his forehead, even if he has a broken leg. 

Solution:

Just... no. It's perfectly alright to have your female character be nurturing and caring, but... give it a little more substance. (Helpful hint: the injured guy she's tending to does NOT need to be her love interest. How about if they're just good friends? I know, I can hear your gasps of disbelief.) It would also be cool if she wasn't afraid of inflicting pain in the name of doctoring and keeps a calm, level head in the midst of all the stress. (Or, you can have her stress out just a little. She's human, remember?) 

Cliche:

3. The Boss Lady

She's the only female in her FBI or CIA unit, and is consequently the best at everything, squelching her male counterparts in the process. Her closet consists entirely of all-business blazers and high heels sharp enough to stab somebody. (This may or may not reference Peggy Carter, but she obviously doesn't apply to this cliche because she's awesome.)

Solution:

I just feel like this one is really overused, especially by Marvel (although they did a heck of a good job with Peggy). I am certainly not against having a dominant female character, but use in moderation. You can make this cliché really cool if you can rework it into something more believable. 

Cliche:

4. The Invincible Maiden

She's in a galactic war, fighting side by side with a bunch of her alien friends while explosions rain around her, and she only manages to get that attractive little cut across her cheek. Meanwhile, her comrades are blown to pieces, but she presses on, completely unhindered and invincible. 

Solution: 

Obviously, make her get more injuries and let her suffer. (JK, that's not required. But highly encouraged if you want to.) But honestly, there are more cool wounds than just that little cheek slash. Again, she's human. Wouldn't it be super neat if she maybe got a limb blown off and had to get a bionic leg? Now THAT would be cool. 

Cliche: 

5. The Tireless Dame

Her stamina is unparalleled. She can sprint through steaming jungles and across scorching deserts and never break a sweat. And if she does sweat, heaven forbid her sweat look unattractive and run down her face and arms like it's supposed to. 

Solution: 

Make her get a stitch in her side while she's running, and kick her while she's down. Anything to break her; if she gets back up, it will show how resilient she is. 

Cliche:

6. The Mysterious European Lass

She's the foreign woman, preferably an undercover agent, whose sexy accent can never really be identified. French? Romanian? Russian? No one knows. Also, she can kick butt like nobody's business. Looking at you again, Marvel.

Solution:

Make her American. She could be from the Midwest, or the Southern States, or the West Coast. If you don't like America (we got baseball, eagles, and deep fried freedom, ya'll), she could be from Puerto Rico, Belize, the Dominican Republic. To name a few more, Norwegian, Icelandic, Scottish. 

If you wanna really branch out, make her Canadian. I'm positive that she would be the nicest secret agent ever. 

Now, there are actually a lot more than what I have listed here, but since it's pretty long, this will be a two-part post. So look for the next part two weeks from now!


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The Do's and Don'ts of Writing Romance in Stories

In honor of Valentine's Day (otherwise known as Single's Awareness Day, for those of us who haven't been so blessed with the presence of a significant other), I decided to do a post about... romance.

I know. Gag.

It's everywhere these days, whether in the form of real-life couples or in countless young adult books. And most of those categorically named "Romance" books have almost no plot and covers of shirtless dudes and bare-legged ladies who have nothing better to do than prance around and display their hotness for all to see. (Double-gag.)

So, being the nice person I am, here's a post about the do's and don'ts of writing romance.

DISCLAIMER: I am by no means an expert on the subject of love, and have never been in a relationship. So that being said, you are completely welcome to *politely* disagree with my point of view. These are just some of the things that I feel could be done better in romance writing.

I understand that certain genres have more romance than others, so this post will mostly discuss writing side romance in stories that have higher stakes, like fantasy, action-adventure, historical fiction, etc. As someone who has a low tolerance for pointless romances where the two main characters ALWAYS hook up because there's literally nothing else to do, you can expect a fair amount of sarcasm ahead. You've been warned.

DO's:

1. DO have your characters be (at least) friends first. This is important if you want to have more than just a superficial relationship between them. Besides, it provides opportunities for some friendly, teasing banter, whereas two people crushing on each other might be offended by a sarcastic comment from the other. Friends are also more likely to stick up for each other, defend their buddy, and have a closer bond than two people who just met, like, three seconds ago.

2. DO have conflict between them. As much as this one may sound like a thing you'd want to avoid, it's not. Couples clash in real life; so why should book characters be any different? Just because they're dating doesn't mean they have to be super lovey-dovey and fake all the time. They are supposed to be people; they're allowed to disagree and have arguments and get mad at each other. That's where the forgiveness and reconciliation comes in. (And I'm not gonna lie, I love emotional conflict in stories.)

3. DO have them go through hard stuff together. What better way to draw your characters closer than by making them suffer? Ehehehe...
Just kidding. You shouldn't purposely do bad things to your characters just for the sake of seeing them suffer or getting a reaction out of your readers. But, in doing so, your characters will find out what their relationship is really made of. If you're writing action/adventure along with the little romance, then obviously that should be the main plot, and the romance should be more of a side thing. Interweaving backstories with a high-stakes plot is also really cool, and makes for some interesting and unexpected twists.

4. DO have them be older than fifteen. I probably covered this in my last post about teenagers, but I'll say it again. Teenage romances are cute, but only when they're done the right way. When they're obsessing over their boyfriend/girlfriend and needing to spend every single moment together, then they just become annoying. I find it more worthwhile to have younger adult characters get into relationships, because they're more likely to stick it out and have more maturity, responsibility, self-control, etc. They're also more likely to stay together and not be so perturbed by hormones and emotions.

5. DO have both the guy and the girl have some character development over the course of the story. One of the most frustrating things to me is reading a book and realizing that the main character never changed emotionally or mentally. I mean, what is the point of the book? That's why you need to have a deeper conflict than just a silly love triangle or two teens going behind their parents' backs because they're convinced they're in love. There are plenty of other motives and problems to write about; don't be afraid to brainstorm or ask real-life couples what some of their struggles were.

 DON'TS:

 1. DON'T make the guy and girl instantly fall in love when they first meet. I'm looking at you, Disney. As much as we all love a good Disney movie, I'm sure you've noticed how popular this is becoming in their franchise. *clears throat* Ahem, Hans and Anna, Jasmine and Aladdin, Cinderella and Prince Charming, and literally every other Disney couple. I mean, it's Disney, so you're completely welcome to slap me across the face and say:

I have a hard time reading books where the guy and girl are instantly attracted to one another just because they happen to be uncommonly pretty or handsome. No. This is NOT a relationship founded on anything solid, it's just about outer appearances.
Now, that's not to say that your character can't think the other is nice to look at. There is nothing wrong with that, just don't base the entire relationship on how hot of a body the other person has.

2. DON'T make everything about their love-life perfect and unattainable. I know that I personally get annoyed when you get on Instagram and see that one picture-perfect couple that just needs to announce to the world how wonderful their significant other is. Every. Single. Time. After awhile, it just gets old. Give me a break, we get that you guys love each other, like, a lot. Just kiss!

A good substitute would be mentioning the little things they do for each other; leaving notes for the other to find, doing the other person's least favorite chore, helping them with cooking, or bringing them food. Or letting them vent on each other after a particularly rough day. Remember, their relationship doesn't have to be bursting fireworks ALL the time for it to be romantic or sweet.

3. DON'T have the guy be a creeper. I've seen this trend more than I would like, and honestly, I don't even understand why it's done. You know, the books where the guy stalks the girl to get to know more about her and ends up being totally creepy in the process? Yeah, those. Don't do that. There's nothing admirable about being a stalker. And no, being a stalker doesn't include hermit fangirls who spend way too much time looking at pictures of Tom Hiddleston and Sebastian Stan on Pinterest.

4. DON'T have them kiss after only a couple weeks of knowing each other. Seriously? No. What's even worse is having them do it because they're bored. Purpose, people. There's more to life than shallow relationships.

5. DON'T have them be physically intimate just to put in shock factor or fill up the slow parts of the plot. This one... just doesn't work, especially if you're writing YA fiction. I personally don't like to read it. I think it just bogs things down, and shows that the teenage characters don't have enough patience and restraint to hold up.
And honestly, I really don't care about how they feel "drawn to each other." I wanna get on with the important part of the story! And teenagers doing the act DOES NOT make things any better. We are writers, and we should have higher standards for our writing than that. Besides, there's enough of that in the TV rom-com drama shows with hot vampire guys and brooding girls with dark pasts; we authors don't need to be exacerbating the topic. *glares at the Twilight series and every other cliche vampire romance novel*

I know it depends heavily in what genre you're writing, but if you're writing YA novels with high-stakes plots and fast-paced action scenes, having your characters run off to have sex isn't going to do anything but slow the book down, and that's something you don't want to do. If they're married, then that may be a different story, but use in moderation. Physical intimacy between a married man and woman is a beautiful thing, but shouldn't be taken lightly. Write with caution.

Also, just a few little things to add...

It's okay if your couple doesn't always get along. They're bound to cross blades sometimes, and besides, they shouldn't be completely compatible anyway, because then there's no diversity and the book becomes boring.

And, it's perfectly alright if they don't kiss. I honestly think this should be more of a trend. I hope that by now, everyone should have seen Rogue One, because this may be a bit of a spoiler. I really liked that they didn't force Jyn Erso and Cassian Andor together. While they certainly could have, they made it more important for them to trust each other first and accomplish their mission. And they never even kissed once, only hugged a few times. *commence ugly crying again*
After watching it, I was shipping them harder than Peggy Carter and Steve Rogers, and that's saying something. It was definitely a nice change from all the movies I've seen recently.
Another great example would be Flynn Ryder and Rapunzel from Tangled. They definitely didn't get along at first, and they were the perfect example of polar opposites, but gradually came together through some harrowing experiences and found that they loved each other.
Aravis and Cor from the Chronicles of Narnia, the Horse and His Boy, was also a good one. While they didn't have a whole lot of development (because C.S. Lewis was too busy ramping up the stakes to bother with teenage drama), it was mentioned that even though they argued and disagreed and got on each other's nerves, they still married when they grew up (key words: "when they grew up") and made a very admirable King and Queen of Archenland.

Overall, romance can be a touchy thing in writing, but as long as you have a good overview of what's appropriate and what's not, and get advice from other writers and friends, you should be good to go.

Or, you could just stay away from romance all together. That's good too.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to binge watch the Flash and Lord of the Rings by myself while eating Cheetos and cupcakes and writing my book. Happy Single's Day, everyone!

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