Nour Zikra's Blog
August 7, 2019
Divinity Falling Giveaway!
Divinity Falling by Nour Zikra is currently on presale and is releasing on October 1st! You can enter to win a signed hardback of this adult urban fantasy when you preorder a copy (eBook, paperback, or hardback). Simply take a screenshot of your receipt and submit it in the giveaway form here.
Three lucky winners will receive a signed hardback! Plus, all who preorder a copy and enter the giveaway will receive the first 5 chapters of the novel directly to their email. There will also be other book-related goodies given out as prizes throughout the duration of this giveaway. So be sure to enter!
Good luck, and happy reading!
Where can I Preorder a copy?
Add this novel to your Goodreads shelf!
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January 15, 2019
The Best Writing Advice to Kick-Start Your Year
There is a lot of writing advice out there, from whether to use the Oxford comma to how long you should write each day. Truth is, writers shouldn’t be consumed by all writing advice. Otherwise, they’d never write. That isn’t to say that writers shouldn’t listen to other writers and learn from them. However, it’s best to take what benefits you and lose what doesn’t. So, without further ado, here is the best writing advice to kick-start your year.
Write Every Day (If Possible)
You’ve probably heard this advice a crazy amounts of times before, and it still holds true. Writing every day cultivates your talent and enriches your creative juices. Now, it doesn’t matter how much you write as long as you do write. Some of us only have one hour between work, school, family, and chores to sit down and write. Even if all you have is ten minutes, take advantage of it. Writing is the only way to become a better writer. Who knew?
Take A Break When You Feel Stuck
Don’t let anyone tell you that a writing break is bad. Sometimes we need to step away from our work to see what we’ve become too familiar with. So if you’re facing a writing slump, by all means take a break. Just don’t let that break last for weeks. And if you just finished writing a novel and need a break before you write another, take that break. In the meantime, relax, travel, and do all the things that inspire you.
Read Your Favorite Author’s Books to Feed Your Creativity
Reading is a great way to learn to write. In fact, I leaned the majority of writing rules through reading. I’m a big believer in the idea that reading will teach you better than any college course can (though college definitely adds on to that knowledge). Plus, when you read a book you enjoy, you become inspired, and that feeds your creative juices. As a writer, you must always read, but you probably knew that already.
Don’t Throw Away Terribly-Written Scenes
You’re guilty of this, aren’t you? Don’t worry; so am I! But this year, make a change. When you think you’ve written a terrible scene, don’t throw it away or delete it. Save it in another document or folder. It might not be as bad as you originally thought it was. Besides, you might come back to it later and find elements that truly speak out to you. NEVER EVER DELETE YOUR WRITING.
Write Down Your Writing Goals
Last but not least, this year you should start a new tradition and write down your yearly writing goals (if you don’t already do that). Create a goal map for yourself. For example, you can write down something like this: “By the end of 2019, I want to finish writing an entire novel. Each month, I will write roughly 7000 words, which is about 233 words written each day.” A simple goal map like this one makes your goal attainable. It’s not difficult to write 233 words each day (that’s less than an essay). If your goal is to finish a novel in six months, you would recalculate accordingly. Either way, writing down your goals is crucial.
This writing advice is simple for a reason: It helps you reach your goals without making you overwhelmed. That’s exactly why it’s the best advice of the year (and every year for the matter). So go write that novel and enjoy the process!
Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter for free monthly writing templates and writing exercises. In January’s newsletter, you’ll receive the “Show, Don’t Tell” writing exercise. Plus, you’ll always have access to all previous months’ freebies. Sign up to my newsletter in the sidebar on the right.
Also, be sure to check out my YouTube channel where I regularly post writing advice videos and writing humor skits!
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January 7, 2019
Enter My Giveaway to Win One of My Merch T-Shirts
I’m hosting a giveaway! The winner gets a Classic T-shirt from my brand new merch store! To enter, make sure you follow the guidelines on gleam and in my video below. Giveaway ends on Friday, January 18th at midnight.
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September 6, 2018
Being a Good Writer Requires Not Writing Sometimes
I always preach about how writers need to write, write, write. It’s the only way to finish their novels and be on their way to success. However, there is an exception to this rule. Sometimes, and hear me out, in order to be a good writer, you need to take some time away from your writing.
No, I’m not talking about a year-long vacation away from your writing. I’m talking short-term. As writers, we are susceptible to anxiety. I know I am. In fact, for the past week, I have struggled with anxiety. Everything has been going well for me in terms of my writing, book publication, YouTube channel, and life as a whole, but something kept nagging inside me. I was happy. Still, anxiety crept in.
After some consideration, I realized I was overworking myself. I kept thinking of the year ahead, all the work I had to do, and attempting to complete all of it in the present moment. This was not only exhausting but draining too. I went from excited to anxious.
Funny enough, after watching some videos by other authors on YouTube, I came to the realization that almost all of them had gone through the same exact feeling. Most of them stressed taking some “you-time” to relax and not get overworked. And after going through that same stress, I completely agree.
Take some time off to pamper yourself. Watch a movie you’ve been dying to see. Read a new book. Treat yourself to your favorite food. Do a spa day. Whatever helps you relax and unwind, go for it.
Writing consistently is important, yes. But forcing yourself to write when your mind is cluttered and you’re feeling overwhelmed with emotions is not healthy. Take a break for the day. Go out, get some air, and breathe in the relaxation.
Currently, I’m writing this blog with a charcoal mask on my face. Pampering my skin is my way of giving myself some much-needed love.
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June 6, 2018
Did I Plagiarize Another Book? | Writing Advice
Are you worried that you might be plagiarizing another book? This is one way you can find out if you are in the clear. Let me know in the comments if you liked this writing advice and whether you have a specific writing problem you want me to discuss!
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What New Writers Think Being an Author Is Like
This is what new writers think being an author is like. Do you agree? Let me know in the comments!
The post What New Writers Think Being an Author Is Like appeared first on Nour Zikra.
What New Writer Think Being an Author Is Like
This is what new writers think being an author is like. Do you agree? Let me know in the comments!
The post What New Writer Think Being an Author Is Like appeared first on Nour Zikra.
March 13, 2018
How to Stay Inspired While Writing a Book
Writing a book feels like a huge, wonderful endeavor. Word after word, sentence after sentence, chapter after chapter, and then you have a fully-complete manuscript. Or so it seems. Because a novel is never actually complete. No matter how often you revise, there is always room for more revision. The key is knowing when it’s time to stop. This whole process can feel exhausting. Between writing and revising, how do you stay inspired?
Take a Short Break from Writing
Writers often refuse to leave their writing desk. Worry that they will fall behind on work keeps them stuck behind their computers. However, taking a short break is sometimes essential. Here’s the thing, when you write and write and write, your brain doesn’t have time to recharge. You are emptying the fuel by driving the car, and eventually, you need to fill up on gas again. So, if you’re not feeling inspired while writing a book, try taking a short walk or reading a book. A change of atmosphere and pace is a great help.
Try Some Writing Exercises
Writing exercises challenge you and get you to consider writing techniques you don’t think about but might end up finding useful. For instance, one of my favorite writing exercises is describing the contents of a character’s fridge. What your character has in there can hint at their personality. For example, they might own nothing but beer. Or maybe their fridge is empty. Perhaps they love trying new foods and the items in there are eccentric and of mixed origins.
Try a Colorful Hobby
Adult coloring books, cross stitching, painting, and/or gardening are great ways to get inspired. While your eyes take in all the beautiful colors around you, your mind wanders. New thoughts come to you without you trying. This is similar to coming up with ideas while driving. A wandering mind is a wonderful tool for writers. Make sure to put it to use. Plus, hobbies such as these will keep you sane by healing your stressed out mind.
If you’ve enjoyed this blog, make sure to check out my others for some awesome writing tips! I also have a YouTube channel where I share extra tips and writing humor every Wednesday and Friday. Check it out!
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March 6, 2018
Why Accepting Writer’s Block Leads You Down a Spiral
Every author faces writer’s block at one point or another. In fact, I had this mental virus for years while majoring in creative writing in college. Although I was writing stories, my brain and heart were not in it. And I can still remember the awful downward spiral I led myself into.
The thing is, writer’s block is a mental state of being. Which means that if you believe you have it, you might just always be stuck in it. Writer’s block is a mental prison we lock ourselves into. It doesn’t actually exist. So how can we escape from it if it’s not there in the first place?
The trick is to realize that this mental prison is not real. A writer has the power to open the imaginary cell’s door and escape. Accepting writer’s block and adopting it into your life will only ensure that it remains. It is the pessimist’s way of living. “I have writer’s block, therefore I cannot do work.” However, the positive writer will yell, “No more!” and escape.
Is it easy to escape? Not at all. Like I said earlier, it took me years–even
though I was writing for my degree–to get over writer’s block. I couldn’t get inspired. Ideas sounded lame on paper. I didn’t know what to do and I felt helpless. Crying on a weekly basis for my lost passion became a habit. So, no, it is not easy. I was a pessimist. We are all pessimists when things do not go our way, especially when they are difficult.
Nevertheless, as soon as I was confronted by a close friend who told me to “get my act together and start writing,” I did. I cannot say that I wrote with passion right away. It took many months before I fell back into the rhythm of my old self. But you see, the fact that I was writing every day again paved way to once more being passionate about writing. In the end, I ended up with a complete manuscript, the best I’ve ever written. This may be biased because it’s my own work, but after having friends of friends (people I had never met and did not know) read my book too, I realized that I was back to my full potential. I was no longer writing just to write; I was writing because I loved it and I have the talent and dedication and passion for it.
So what are you waiting for? Don’t let writer’s block tie you down. It’s all in your head. If you hold on to it, it will only lead you down a spiral.
If you’ve enjoyed this blog, make sure to check out my others for some awesome writing tips! I also have a YouTube channel where I share extra tips and writing humor every Wednesday and Friday. Check it out!
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March 1, 2018
Will Libraries Close in the Future?
There is a debate that libraries are going extinct. With eBooks on the rise saving authors and publishers from printing and distribution costs, it seems there is no need for libraries anymore. Without physical books, a library is empty. This is at least what some people believe.
Why This Isn’t Always True
This is true to some extent, of course. However, humans, let’s face it, are materialistic people. Hording is in our nature, like squirrels burying nuts, except we have come to control that wild, unnecessary urge. Still, we love holding on to things. “This is mine.” “My property.” “My things.” While eBooks are cheaper, they do not allow us to call a book “ours” and flaunt it. We want to own a book and have it decorate our shelf.
Libraries do not give us books to keep, but they let us browse, smell, and touch a book, which we love just the same. There is nothing comparable to a physical book. And sure, library books can be old, though that’s often what’s beautiful about them. They have history. Their readers have come and gone, but they will always be unchanging.
If you’ve enjoyed this blog, make sure to check out my others for some awesome writing tips! I also have a YouTube channel where I share extra tips and writing humor every Wednesday and Friday. Check it out!
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