Beth Rodgers's Blog: A Fresh Perspective: A Blog by Beth Rodgers, Author of "Freshman Fourteen", page 2
December 12, 2014
New YouTube Channel with Video Book Reviews!
I'm excited to share that I have a new YouTube channel that you can subscribe to, full of video book reviews. More will be coming on a regular basis, and I promise to add in some TV shows and other styles of reviews along the way as well. Check out some young adult book reviews for the time being to find out about some of the great titles available!
You can subscribe at http://bit.ly/1zR2QrA
I look forward to sharing more as time goes on!
Beth Rodgers is the author of Freshman Fourteen, a young adult novel.
You can subscribe at http://bit.ly/1zR2QrA
I look forward to sharing more as time goes on!
Beth Rodgers is the author of Freshman Fourteen, a young adult novel.
December 8, 2014
A Capella Writing
I had the pleasure of attending an a capella concert yesterday of a fabulously talented group of guys called the Maccabeats. Since they are an a capella group, they do not use musical instruments in their performances, but rather rely on their voices. This made me think about writing, and how, as writers, we must rely on our own thought processes, which in essence make up our 'writing voices'.
It is important to always remember that writing is not a solitary act. Even though the Maccabeats only use their voices, they do rely on each other to make sure everything goes off without a hitch. So it is with writing. Writers must rely on the words of other authors to inspire them, whether they are reading memoirs of those authors or fictional stories they have penned. Writers must rely on their imaginations, the events that happen in their daily lives, and their own inklings of what is right and what is not so right to be a part of the stories they are weaving.
Make all of your writing strive for the beauty that a capella exudes. The harmony of voices when singing can be likened to the harmony of words on the page. The tune that singers choose to sing to can be likened to the setting you create for your story. Sense the similarities and find ways to make them shine through in your writing. The result will surely be memorable.
Beth Rodgers is the author of the YA novel Freshman Fourteen, available on Amazon (in both print and Kindle editions) and on Barnes & Noble. Visit her website at www.BethRodgersAuthor.com.
It is important to always remember that writing is not a solitary act. Even though the Maccabeats only use their voices, they do rely on each other to make sure everything goes off without a hitch. So it is with writing. Writers must rely on the words of other authors to inspire them, whether they are reading memoirs of those authors or fictional stories they have penned. Writers must rely on their imaginations, the events that happen in their daily lives, and their own inklings of what is right and what is not so right to be a part of the stories they are weaving.
Make all of your writing strive for the beauty that a capella exudes. The harmony of voices when singing can be likened to the harmony of words on the page. The tune that singers choose to sing to can be likened to the setting you create for your story. Sense the similarities and find ways to make them shine through in your writing. The result will surely be memorable.
Beth Rodgers is the author of the YA novel Freshman Fourteen, available on Amazon (in both print and Kindle editions) and on Barnes & Noble. Visit her website at www.BethRodgersAuthor.com.
December 5, 2014
Music and Movies to Write By
Music is a powerful medium. Between the lyrics and the way the instruments sound together, powerful associations can be made. We all know that certain songs have the ability to affect us in certain ways. They can elicit all sorts of feelings, ranging from happiness to sadness, love to loss, and they can even decide our facial expressions based on these feelings, whether we decide to smile, frown, or tear up based on what we are hearing.
So should it be with writing creatively (or academically, or otherwise). Writers have the power to stir the emotional melting pot. So, think of at least one song that moves you, either positively or negatively, and consider how it is capable of doing so. What words are being used? Does the timing of instrumental accompaniment influence meaning or feeling conveyed through the song? Where did you first hear the song, and what do you think of when you hear it? Asking yourself these questions will bring up answers that may form the basis of new questions and ideas to help form future writing.
Movies and television are also powerful to store in your writing arsenal. Some of the best writing is in movies and on TV. It is too often taken for granted that the actors are saying the lines and doing such a good job at it, but we must consider where those lines are coming from. The writers are the backbone of a good script. Without them, the actors would not have what to say, and the twists, turns, emotions, and other details that make our favorite forms of media so appealing would lose their luster. So, think of your favorite movie or TV show and consider what about the writing makes you watch week after week, episode after episode, or if it's a movie, time and time again? These reasons are the same reasons writers want to give their readers to keep reading and purchasing more and more of their work.
Writers want to appeal to the masses, so doesn't it make sense to consider the music, TV shows, and movies that already do just that?
Beth Rodgers is the author of Freshman Fourteen, a young adult novel. Visit www.BethRodgersAuthor.com for more information.
So should it be with writing creatively (or academically, or otherwise). Writers have the power to stir the emotional melting pot. So, think of at least one song that moves you, either positively or negatively, and consider how it is capable of doing so. What words are being used? Does the timing of instrumental accompaniment influence meaning or feeling conveyed through the song? Where did you first hear the song, and what do you think of when you hear it? Asking yourself these questions will bring up answers that may form the basis of new questions and ideas to help form future writing.
Movies and television are also powerful to store in your writing arsenal. Some of the best writing is in movies and on TV. It is too often taken for granted that the actors are saying the lines and doing such a good job at it, but we must consider where those lines are coming from. The writers are the backbone of a good script. Without them, the actors would not have what to say, and the twists, turns, emotions, and other details that make our favorite forms of media so appealing would lose their luster. So, think of your favorite movie or TV show and consider what about the writing makes you watch week after week, episode after episode, or if it's a movie, time and time again? These reasons are the same reasons writers want to give their readers to keep reading and purchasing more and more of their work.
Writers want to appeal to the masses, so doesn't it make sense to consider the music, TV shows, and movies that already do just that?
Beth Rodgers is the author of Freshman Fourteen, a young adult novel. Visit www.BethRodgersAuthor.com for more information.
December 1, 2014
3 Writing Tips to Start the Week (and Month!)...
Once in a while, I'll share some writing tips to help you get past that pesky writer's block that plagues the best of us. Here are three tips to get you started this week (and this month, since it's December 1st). Good luck getting into your groove!
1. Write out all your thoughts as kind of a stream of consciousness. Just get it all down on paper. You might want to even say what you're thinking into a tape or other form of voice recorder. This might help you say things that you wouldn't write down otherwise, and then you can try to translate what you have said into the recorder into typed/handwritten words that will help you continue your writing.
2. Even if your ideas are not flowing out of you onto paper in the exact order that you want to end up having them in your book, you can always rearrange them. Just get them down on paper as best you can. Don't worry about order, as you will eventually know exactly how you want the book to be organized based on your theme, focus, etc.
3. Read other books that are in a similar genre to the one you are writing. This will help you see how thoughts get organized, how order is structured, etc. Reading other authors is a great way to help you better understand your own craft.
Feel free to check out Freshman Fourteen by Beth Rodgers.
1. Write out all your thoughts as kind of a stream of consciousness. Just get it all down on paper. You might want to even say what you're thinking into a tape or other form of voice recorder. This might help you say things that you wouldn't write down otherwise, and then you can try to translate what you have said into the recorder into typed/handwritten words that will help you continue your writing.
2. Even if your ideas are not flowing out of you onto paper in the exact order that you want to end up having them in your book, you can always rearrange them. Just get them down on paper as best you can. Don't worry about order, as you will eventually know exactly how you want the book to be organized based on your theme, focus, etc.
3. Read other books that are in a similar genre to the one you are writing. This will help you see how thoughts get organized, how order is structured, etc. Reading other authors is a great way to help you better understand your own craft.
Feel free to check out Freshman Fourteen by Beth Rodgers.
November 28, 2014
Mrs. Gribble throws in her two cents...
That Margot. She's just so wonderful. For my Walter, I mean. I couldn't be a prouder mother, and I couldn't have picked her better myself. Walter has such good taste, becoming her friend. I just know those two will be wonderful together. He just needs to push himself a bit more. If he does, I know he'll snag her and she'll be my Walter's first girlfriend. What sweet children they are. I can't wait to watch their relationship play out.
Read more about Mrs. Gribble in Freshman Fourteen by Beth Rodgers. She's always around, stirring up drama, as a result of her best efforts to make her son happy.
Read more about Mrs. Gribble in Freshman Fourteen by Beth Rodgers. She's always around, stirring up drama, as a result of her best efforts to make her son happy.
November 24, 2014
Margot's dad weighs in...
As her father, I have to say that Margot is the sweetest, kindest person. She's my little girl, and I don't think I'm ready for her to grow up yet. Now that she's starting high school, I hope she still has time for me. I like making her happy, going places she likes, like how I planned that trip to Benino's for her first day of school. I just know she appreciates it. I don't want her to forget how much her daddy loves her.
November 21, 2014
Musings by Peter Mulvaney, Margot's crush
What nerve. I mean, did he really have to answer that question wrong? It's the last day of class. Shouldn't he show just a little bit of care for once in his life? He throws away our friendship and then decides to be a first-class jerk. I guess I can't take full credit for keeping him from being that way, but when we were friends, he was nice. I'm Peter, by the way. Peter Mulvaney. I'm no James Bond or anything, but I like saying my name like that. It's just cool-sounding. I used to be best friends with Max Poler, you know, but, well, I mean, you heard what I said already. He's just so aggravating. And the fact that he gets to have Cassie Shearer as a girlfriend. That's like the opposite of the cherry on top of this whole situation. She's just so...so not like him.
November 17, 2014
A note from Walter Gribble, Margot's geeky suitor
I wonder if Margot will show up at my party tonight. Gosh, she's cute. I invited her, and she said yes, so I think she'll come. I mean I know it. Mom said to just ask her, and I did. I've got to impress her. Maybe having all my other friends over will help. I mean, there's only a couple other people who said they could probably make it, but I'm sure they will. Even if they don't, though, and Margot shows up, that'd be - well, actually, that'd be perfect. I hope that happens. Not that I don't want those other friends. But Margot - did I mention how cute she is? Mom really likes her too. And the names Walter and Margot - don't they just sound perfect together?
November 12, 2014
A note from Margot, main character of "Freshman Fourteen"
Hey! I'm Margot. I think you're about to realize that high school is not all it's cracked up to be. There are stupid boys (even the nice ones aren't always the smartest), and there are a lot of those too-good-to-be-true moments that happen (and they usually are, quite literally, too-good-to-be-true). But there are also moments of friendship that can occur, despite ever-present nuisances finding their way into the mix. Most people mean well, I guess, but they sure could've fooled me. I mean, how hard is it to understand that I'm annoyed? Life for some reason keeps throwing me curveballs, and I'm ready to just knock one out of the park. Know what I mean? It's bound to happen one day, right? I know I can do it. I just have to put my mind to it. The last time I put my mind to something, though... I mean, being a freshman is bound to change my luck. I have to believe that. And if I'm confident, I'll get to that good luck faster. I'm right, right?
November 11, 2014
Welcome!
Welcome to my blog! Stop by for tips on writing, including how to get past your writer's block, as well as information about "Freshman Fourteen," my new young adult novel.
A Fresh Perspective: A Blog by Beth Rodgers, Author of "Freshman Fourteen"
Check back often for tips on writing, including ways to deal with getting past writer's block, as well as posts by the characters of "Freshman Fourteen," Beth Rodgers' new young adult novel.
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