Tag: writing

Twice a week to once

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

Not really a blog post but I though that I would let you all know that from now on I will be posting a blog once a week instead of twice.

I have made this decision as I am going to have a busy summer with a time difference to contend with. I also sometimes can struggle to find blog inspiration when I am posting two days apart

I will now be posting on a Friday only.

Many thanks, Caitlin X

(PS please comment how you feel about this change and if you are a blogger what your posting schedule is like)

The Title of a Book

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

The title of the book is one of the very first things you look at when you pick one up so therefore it is important for it to be a good one!

Here’s a few tips to a great title!

  • It has to fit with the story and give an essence of what the book is about. It has to show the essence of the book so that reader’s will know what they are buying and whether they will want to buy it.
  • It has to attract reader’s. It has to be able to make someone want to pick it up and read it.
  • Concise. It can often help to have a shorter title as they are quick and easy to read/find.
  • Highlight a part of the story. Often you don’t understand the title until you have finished the book.
  • It can also help to have it link with the image and have that on mind when choosing it. What will it look like on the page

Hope this helps!

Many thanks, Caitlin X

(PS please feel free to comment your hint and tips for writing a title)

The importance of viewpoints

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

There are masses of viewpoints that authors can use especially if they have a lot of characters. This can be vital in making a story engaging and realistic.

If you are looking at a crime novel, viewpoints are important. You can look at the criminals view which can tell you why they are doing what they are doing, the police view to show how they are trying to solve the problem as well as the victims view. Those are just a few and you can look at many different people in the book to shed a new light on the events. A good example of looking at different viewpoints is All The Hidden Truths by Claire Askew. I found this book that shared a different point of view with a lot of the book being focused on the parents of both the victim and the criminal. To show how crime effects those that surround those individuals involved.

It is also important to ensure the correct viewpoint is chosen so that it suits the story. Whether the book is written in first, second or third person it need to be write for the story. Most books are written in third person, past tense but that doesn’t mean your book should be!

You also need to make sure that you stick to these viewpoints. To ensure you are staying in the characters head and the book stays in first, second or third person unless for a specific reason. Continuity is also incredibly important and key for viewpoints especially if you have multiple in one book. You need to ensure that if one character knows something but another doesn’t you need to ensure that these are stuck to.

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please comment your opinion on viewpoints)

Unpublished Writing

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

Unpublished writing can be a variety of things. People who write stories and post them online, those who write dedicated to their favourite programmes or those who wish to be a published author and share their journey are all different kinds of unpublished writing. Even having a blog post can be classed as it.

The reason I am saying this is because not everyone likes to read novels or long stories however would be interested in unpublished writing. I think that reading can be something that when people hear it they automatically think about a physical book. If people are more open and aware of how much reading material is available online and often for free then more people may read. Short stories about your favourite programme may be something that would make you read and that’s good because any reading is good reading.

I think that it is also good for those who are writing these unpublished works as they are able to get there work out into the public without having the need to release a book. It can allow them to try different styles and genres and get real feedback to help them grow their writing skills and portfolio. This can help to build confidence in their writing and therefor the readers have more material to enjoy.

I just wanted to say that there are many ways that you can enjoy reading and become interested in reading as well as helping those who love to write.

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(Please comment if you have any unpublished writing you want to share or any you love to read)

Journals

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment
journal
Image Source: http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk

Journals have always been a good way to keep your thoughts organised and together and this has not changed. Recently, I feel as though journals have become much more popular again to keep your thought structured.

People use journals in multiple ways; to plan their time, to record the past and to put their ideas and plans in written form. I personally don’t really have a journal per say however I do have a book where I sometimes record my thoughts on certain books, what I would like to read next and what I have read in the past. This not only helps me keep my opinions on books together but also helps with my blog posts. If I have a thought about certain books I write them down and reference them when writing my posts. I find this extremely helpful as when I am writing a post I can struggle with trying to remember exact thoughts on the book I was reading.

Journals can be great fun and highly creative as it is common for people to design their journal in a way that works the best for them. Using different structures and content and pairing them with illustrations and doodles.

I personally think they are a great help and perfect for those who feel like they have to write everything down (like myself). I would also recommend it for those who write blog posts on any subject as it allows you to organise your thoughts and plan your posts. It can often bring more structure to your thoughts and allow you to look back on these when necessary.

 

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please comment your opinion on journals and whether you use them !)

 

The Writer’s Toolbox

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

The Writers Toolbox by Jamie Cat Callan

the writers toolbox

I have previously received a gift from my sister titles ‘The Writers Toolbox’ which helps you to write your stories and how to turn your thoughts into a written story. The box provides help with how to begin your story with the First Sentence sticks, as well as ways to help you develop a plot twist. There are also helpful tips on how to add drama to your stories and allow you to make your work more exciting if you are struggling. There are also a deck of ‘Sixth Sense’ cards which aid with phrases that need that extra bit of description.

the writers toolbox factors

I think that this box is very helpful as I find writing quite difficult and especially find it hard to start a story. I think that I have a good imagination for being an author however I don’t have the confidence or skill to write a good story and I think this box is very helpful at beginning my writing.

There is also a book inside the box which I found very interesting as it is split into helpful parts such as how to use the toolbox and how to keep going when you are struggling. I think that this is extremely helpful and is the best part of the box. It is motivational and inspiring to read whilst trying to write your first or one of the first stories.

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please feel free to comment whether you have ever used a tool like this to help you out whilst writing)

TAG – YOU’RE DEAD

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

By Douglas Skelton

tag youre dead

Tag- You’re Dead by Douglas Skelton is a book that surrounds the character of Dominic Queste who is a private investigator of sorts. As he is looking for a butcher by the name of Sam Price he realises that everything is much more dangerous that first thought and he is brought into a killers game. A simple favour has turned into his nightmare very quickly and he must play by the killers rules or be killed himself.

When I first started reading this book I was unsure if I was going to like it as the initial blurb didn’t necessarily catch my attention but upon reading it I have found that I in fact liked it a lot. The book is well  structures which always helps as it is laid out in short chapters. I prefer this structure when it comes to books as it shows constant progress and allows me to set goals whilst reading. The story itself is well thought out and portrayed well. The storyline has a lot of factors which you would assume to be quite a confusing read however I didn’t see this as the case. I do however feel as though the story was rushed. I didn’t get the time to fully understand the characters and be aware of their part in the book and in each others life before the action began. I would have preferred a longer book and further exploration of the characters and why the are the way they are. Even though I have said this it is the second in a series and I have read them in the wrong order due to it being a gift but I think that the character should still be explores slightly more so those who come across this book first understand more.

Although the characters were not explored in as much depth as I would have preferred  I liked the main character. Dominic Queste is someone who goes through life using jokes and smart comments to get him by. This allows humour to be present in the book which I feel is one of the reasons the book is likeable. Even although this is the case he can be serious when necessary (even if that’s very little). This comedic personality allows for his interactions with the other characters, especially with those against him and the police, to be interesting and take a serious problem within the book and a light hearted aspect. The character has been written well and this allows him to be likable.

Overall, I would recommend this book to people who enjoy crime novels and to those who would like to start reading this genre as although there are serious events and deaths there is a comedic aspect within the characters which allows for a good balance. I enjoyed this book and would love to read another book by this author as I feel it is well written and well structured.

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please feel free to comment if you have read this book or one similar)

Genres

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

genres

If you have read my previous blog posts you would know that I love to read crime and mystery books. I love to delve into the world of detective and spies and learn about the way in which each author portrays them. The investigation and excitement that goes along with these books engages me and hook me on to the storyline. I also love how after each detective or crime books their tends to be some sort of resolution and ending that isn’t necessarily always a cliff hanger and if there is a cliff hanger something explored within the story has been resolved. Even although this is my favourite genre of book I would say that I am trying to explore others a lot more.

I don’t tend to enjoy romance books as I find them to be based upon the same thing. Someone fall in love and they live happy ever after. I know that this isn’t always the case and I understand that I haven’t read an awful lot so my outlook on this genre is not necessarily accurate. Call me by your name by Andre Acimen is a recent book that I would say is within this genre that completely proved me wrong. It isn’t always about the happy ever after it is about watching a relationship find its way into the characters life and thanks to this book I would like to explore this genre more.

When it comes to Sci-fi or action/adventure books I read them less than crime novels however it is not that I don’t enjoy them. They are exciting and hold my attention and in a way I feel that the crime novels are also action/adventure based. I think these genres although different are also often dealt with in the same book with aspects of all being identified. Horror books are the same I think with a lot of crime or action books have aspects of horror within them. I have only read a totally horror book once and I don’t think I would again if I am honest (unless someone recommend a really good one). I think this is the case as I didn’t enjoy how focused it is on the horror. I like to explore characters and see them develop which I think you see less of in the horror genre.

Overall, I would say that I am starting o explore other genres more and more and finding books that change my outlook on these genres is exciting and I would recommend that everyone steps out of their reading comfort zones. To explore more genres that you wouldn’t typically choose because when you find one that proves your wrong it is exhilarating.

 

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS feel free to comment your favourite genres and how you fell about exploring new ones)

Call Me By Your Name by Andre Aciman

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

Call me by your name by Andre Aciman is a book unlike anything I had ever read before. I read it due to the recent film release and decided to read the book rather than watch the film. The book is a beautifully written book that explores the feelings of love and exploration. I wouldn’t usually chose to read a book about a summer romance or any sort of love story however this appealed to me as I had heard such good review about how different and well written it was. The structure of the book is also unlike anything I had read before as it is not chapter based. It is almost one continuous prose with four parts. I enjoyed this structure as it looked at their romance in a different way, it interprets their flourishing romance and friendship as a continuous event. It happens and develops throughout the summer as they find themselves and their love for each other. I think that this book is something I would recommend based purely on the style of writing and the story that is put to that structure is beautiful yet sad.

I find that this book is almost like a book of poetry as it is filled with metaphors and symbols that mean so much to the characters. It explores their stories in a symbolic and understanding way. There is no judgement at any point throughout the book and it is told in a completely unbiased way. It tells the story it wants to tell and allows you, as the reader, to decide what you think and feel about this book. There is a sort of repetition within the book that I think adds another dimension to the book which is unusual. I would normally get bored of a repetitive book but in this case is isn’t a bad thing. It shows their daily routine and how they spend their days throughout the summer. It gives you an insight into how the book progresses and how their relationship grows. It gives you further insight into the characters mind-sets and why they feel the way they do.

This book is not only about a flourishing relationship but the feelings of desire. At time it can be slightly explicit and have sexual experiences but they are not written in a crude way. It is written as an experience of the characters and isn’t anything more than important to them. I think that this also adds another dimension to the book as it adds a bit of realism and isn’t based upon a typical summer romance. It is more about desire, friendship and love.

I would highly recommend this book so that everyone can experience what it offers. Not only to explore the story but to enjoy the writing style and structure. I haven’t yet seen the film however I would suggest reading the book before or after watching it to enjoy the prose and poetry of the book on the page and it enjoy it as it was originally intended.

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please feel free to comment your opinions on this book or the film adaptation)

BOOK TAG

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

For today’s blog post I chose to do another book tag to allow a bit more insight into me and why i write these blog posts. I hope you enjoy!

multisite-represented-by-books

  1. Do you get sick while reading in the car?
    No
  2. Which author’s writing style is completely unique to you and why?

Andre Aciman, I haven’t read a lot of book in that genre itself and the way he write is so engaging and exciting.

  1. Harry Potter Series or the Twilight Saga? Give 3 points to defend your answer.
    Harry Potter. There is magic, friendship and action.
  1. Do you carry a book bag? If so, what is it in (besides books…)?

I tend to carry my kindle more than a book unless I am currently reading a book I love.

  1. Do you smell your books?
    Not really, I tend to focus on reading them 🙂
  1. Books with or without little illustrations?
    Either to be honest. For books without I prefer having loads of small chapters.
  1. What book did you love while reading but discovered later it wasn’t quality writing?

My Hannah Montana books

  1. Do you have any funny stories involving books from your childhood? Please share!
    Not really other than I read a lot
  1. What is the thinnest book on your shelf?
    Most of my childhood books
  1. What is the thickest book on your shelf?
    Alice in Wonderland and other stories
  1. Do you write as well as read? Do you see yourself in the future as being an author?
    No, I have a good imagination and can think of loads to write about but lack the ability to do so successfully.
  1. What is your favorite classic book?
    Alice in Wonderland
  1. In school was your best subject Language Arts/English?
    Nope, I wasn’t very good at English I preferred French or music
  1. Do you prefer serious of books or individual novels?

I prefer series of books I would say as you get the chance to explore a story and the characters much more in depth.

  1. AND FINALLY: Full on romance books or action-packed with a few love scenes mixed in?
    Action for sure. I love to read about the adventure and excitement of an action story.

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please comment your answers to these questions!)