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Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/6583-My-Mind-It-Is-Blank.html
Action/Adventure: October 01, 2014 Issue [#6583]

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Action/Adventure


 This week: My Mind, It Is Blank!
  Edited by: Sara♥Jean Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

I'm so excited to be your Action/Adventure Newsletter Editor this week! Please let me know if you have any feedback, or if you have any topics you'd like covered in a newsletter. I will be glad to research it for you and do my best.

Sara*Heart*Jean


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Letter from the editor

My Mind, It Is Blank!
Finding inspiration when your mind just isn't thinking about writing.


Let's face it. There are just times when, no matter how hard you are thinking or how much you want to write, it just doesn't come out. You sit and stare at your screen or your paper, and nothing comes out. I face it on a regular basis, as do many others. (Many blame their muses. I do that, as well.)

So, here are some actiony/adventury ways (do you like my new words there?) to gain some inspiration from this website, or from the net in general:

1. Google Images
"Oh, no..." I can hear you thinking it. In reply, I say, "Oh, yes!" Go to images.google.com and search something pertaining to the kind of story you want to address. For action/adventure, some great search words are armor, sword, dragon, gang, knife, police chase, ... so many things! If you think about it, people think in images. If you closed your eyes right now and concentrate on your favorite food, your mind would come up with a picture of that food, not the spelling of it in words. Images can be powerful at jogging your mind and inspiring you to continue with your story.

2. The Writer's Cramp
If you have never visited, please do! Sometimes, stepping away from your story/novel for a moment and participating in a quick thing that is different from what you were originally working on is just the right medicine for your muse. The Writer's Cramp is a great way to do that, because it is a one day prompt - so you can't get stuck on it for days. Either you do it, or you don't, and then they move on either way.

3. Writing Prompts
Under "Writing.Com Tools" on the left side, there is a topic called "Writing Prompts". It is awesome. These are prompts submitted by members of WdC, and you can totally filter through as many as you want until one completely inspires you. There are also some that are split up by genre, which is great when you are trying to find something more specific to your style.

4. Search Feature
Now, the topic here is very not-specific, but the great thing is, your search CAN be very specific. You can pick a certain genre *coughactionadventurecough*, the type of item you want (static, contest, etc), and read away. While I do not condone copying someone else's work, finding inspiration is a completely different thing.


I hope these will prove a little helpful! I know there are a lot of times when I am feeling stuck, and I just have no idea where to go to find that inspiration I need. We are coming up on NaNoWriMo, so let's start getting prepared!


Editor's Picks

I love newbies! Let's take a look at some of the Action/Adventure antics from our newer members. (Welcome to WdC, guys!)

 My Anne Marie Gale Open in new Window. (E)
my first attempt at a ballad
#2011784 by Cynthia Ferguson Author IconMail Icon

Poetry! Nice! I don't get to see that often. *Smile*

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2011365 by Not Available.


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2011189 by Not Available.


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2010165 by Not Available.


 Double Agent Chaos  Open in new Window. (E)
This is a short story based on a prompt from another site. More to come
#2010164 by James M Patrick Author IconMail Icon


 A Lovely Death Open in new Window. (13+)
a father working in the woods comes home to find his family being taken away from him.
#2010013 by carester Author IconMail Icon

 
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Word from Writing.Com

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Ask & Answer

Here's the feedback I got from "Action/Adventure Newsletter (September 3, 2014)Open in new Window.

Shadowstalker-- Covid free Author Icon said, "The problem that can arise with trying to answer everything in each scene like you describe,is getting too caught up in it until you word vomit all over the place, bloating that two minute fight scene you want the reader on the edge of the seat for--- into two pages of fluff they yawn over. One thing I do is to just write the story, throwing in all the answers--when I remember-- until the last word. THEN I go back and read it with my readers mind after setting it aside for about a week. This usually catches many of those gaping holes you need filled, since you know what happens later so know you forgot to fill in this or that blank so it doesn't become a big WTF later on when it comes out of nowhere. Like rereading a favorite book by a favorite author. You already know the butler did it in the bathroom with the candlestick, but now you can see those small tells that point to him as the bad guy despite him being so helpful to the hero."

That is a great way to approach it, as well! Still making sure all of the questions are answered, and then going back to put in some of that detail makes complete sense.

monty31802 said, "Thank you for a fine News Letter with the who, what, when etc. This makes a fine point."

Well, thank you. *Smile*

Joto-Kai Author Icon said, 'Well said! Kissla, my current swords-and-sorcery POV, relies on backstreet tactics in lieu of heavy weaponry. If only I could keep up with her! So I've been taken to task for dropping a W here and there, but never have thought of my problem in terms of that classic checklist.

So I'm telling you, it's not just at the beginning of the scene. If the character jumps out of a tree for a tactical reason, you'd darn well better tell the reader. And don't get so carried away trying to start in media res that you forget to tell the reader how many of her friends she brought with her. Um, not that I've ever made those particular mistakes (Kissla says I should leave the lying to the professionals and just buy an alibi.) *Wink*"

Very good point! We definitely need to keep our readers informed of some of those whys and hows to keep their interests up.

I love hearing from you! Let me know what you think, and I'll do my best to get it into the next newsletter. *Smile*

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