Top Five Favorite Writers of All Time

By Peter A. Cline (Guest Writer)

            Not judging each writer on their style or social approval but on their influence throughout

 the world and throughout history.  These are in my view the most influential and my most
favorite writer’s of all time. 

           By all mean’s my most favorite for what he has done in my life and a multitude of others

like Jim Morrison, Sigmund Freud, and Marilyn Manson, just to name a few, is undeniably
Friedrich Nietzsche.  My favorite work of all time also is “Thus Spoke Zarathustra”.   Met with
much criticism as having influenced the tyrant and sick socialist party Nazi leader, Nietzsche
remains a very poetic and intense figure in all of writing history.  His ideas about the superman, a
higher type of man who suffers the woes of a world without a God and creates his own values
in it as gained notice all around the world.  His affirmation “what does not kill you makes you
stronger” has been quoted in countless films and even modern day pop songs.  His creative mind 
will be sure to enlighten readers for centuries to come. 

           My second favorite would be, for me, Helen Keller.  The blind and deaf woman who

beyond all odds rose from the darkness in herself to write very insightful and in depth truths
about a life that she couldn’t evcn hear or see.

        My third favorite writer of all time would be St. Thomas Aquinas.  For his attempt to
reconcile. reason with the belief in God.  His most important and my most favorite work of which
was “The Summa Theologica”. It was in this book, he offered his famous five proofs of God’s
existence.  In the book how all change is caused by something which in turn is also caused by
something.  Henceforth, this cause he called God.  A very revered intellect and spiritual man, he
stands as one of those people in history who views writing to try and answer mankind’s deepest
questions. 

       My fourth favorite writer of all time I would say it would be Anne Rice. Her ability

to spend a yawn around the mysterious nature of th supernatural has captivated the modern
world.   She is the very definition of a writer, manifesting all of human nature into a supernatural
question.  Putting people in the place of vampires, letting us see through the eyes of supernatural
creatures and then reflecting back with a human view of this nature. 

      Finally, my last favorite writer of all time, would be Shakespeare.  It is inspiring how he

could inspire the human soul with incredible insight and great longing in his play.  This was a 
miracle itself.   My favorite work by Shakespear is “Hamlet”.  The question “to be or not to be”
after hundreds of years is the question.           

Tips For Finishing a Book

By Laurat Ogunjobi(Guest Writer)

The decision to write a book can be a great task within itself.  When considering all that needs to be done prior to its publishing, one could find themselves frozen to procrastination, self doubt or simply feeling overwhelmed.  The work needed for the illustration, research and drilling feedback from the editor are all perceived hindrances, but nowadays, with the growth of the internet, and more available open access, book publishing has become easier, as well as cheaper if you have decided to self publish. 

Instead of being overwhelmed with your ideas and thoughts, it’s advisable to first start small.  Organize your thoughts in a mini journal or write as few a hundred words per day.  Organization is the key to establishments.  It isn’t feasible to execute an idea, project or goal without a structure or plan.  Make sure to give yourself a deadline and goals to meeting them. 

Although writing is an intellectual art form, it’s motivated by creativity.  Keep your creative flow, and avoid writers block.  Try not to think too less or too much, but instead, flow with the information that you seek to present.  Allow your communication to continuously be motivated by creativity, and have fun with your work.  Laugh at it, joke with it dance with it, all within the structure determined in its completion.  The key is merging creativity with organization.

Writing: Become Inspired

by:

Chi Diallo (Guest Writer)

 

Inspiration isn’t something you find. It’s something that happens. There was a process in learning the difference between the two. My greatest writing challenges are the responsibilities that pull me from an abstract space of creativity into a space of obligation and time constraints. If I could figure out a way to overcome these challenges with any type of consistency, it would be nirvana. Whether it’s work, financial matters or trying to balance relationships with family and friends, there always seems to be something trying my energies.

There are unique situations where I become sensitive to the world around me and absorb my environment, which in turn, gives me the material and emotions I use to write, instinctively absorbing the world around me with all five senses. Over time, I have developed the skill of translating the subsequent conclusions I draw from those meditative binges into coherent text. I am most productive as a recluse writer. When I separate myself from stressors, I can organize my thoughts into a format that makes sense. It’s easier said than done, but I make a conscious effort to write in isolation for at least one hour per day, despite my onuses.

There are a few items that maximize my writing experience. I like exotic notebooks with cool designs and expensive colored pens, the kind that glide effortlessly across the paper.

In an article written for Poets and Writers, Alexandra Enders speaks of being creatively confined to her cabin, house and office, until eventually, she was liberated after writing a short in a Montana motel. As long as I have my materials, I can write anywhere. Creating the perfect set of physical surroundings is more about creating the consummate atmosphere for the inspired mind to do its job in the process of writing. Then, there’s actually writing.

The sensation I get when I write echoes the sentiments of a poem written by Jennifer Michael Hecht.

Bestial from not being seen;

Staring out the window with wide, immortal eyes.

As artists, we seem to invest much time and energy into creating the ideal circumstances for production. Most of the time, the motivation comes in maneuvering through the debris of life en route to discovering ourselves and creating our own personal paradise, once we define what that is for ourselves. Recently, I’ve incorporated a new technique. I produce material by speaking my thoughts into the voice recorder app on my phone at the exact moment of inspiration, which is a much more organic method for capturing my observations in a way I can translate to printed word. I sometimes talk in cursive and it can be counter-effective to postpone a moment of artistic inspiration to mold a maelstrom of ideas into complete, logical sentences. The ability to replay and analyze my comments while in solitary quarters allows me to organize them on my schedule and register fresh substance without the pressure of forgetting as I write.

5 Writing Tips I Learned In College

By: Carson Lee (Guest Writer)

There are things that we learn throughout the course of our writing education and intellectual journey that will conceivably stick out in our minds. Most of this knowledge could possibly be from other entities than institutionalized learning. There is much more to writing than basic grammar, structure, and fancy wording. Below are pieces that are essential for any writer to learn in order to become an exceptional author:

1.   Thinking

We think constantly on a daily basis. Our ideas shape our lives, our perspective, and how we go about seeing the world around us. It is important to not be distracted and not only think, but believe, in the ideas and/or opinions we construct.

2.   The importance of documentation

The rate in which the human brain forgets is remarkable. It is hard to remember every significant thought that comes into our minds. It is important to write down and record thoughts to come back to later because some of the thoughts lost could possibly be your greatest work.

3.   Reading

Every writer must enjoy reading because they will be doing a lot of it. It instills grammatical rules in our minds subconsciously and greatly influences the type of styles we like. It’s similar to listening to music; you expand your approaches to certain types of writing.

4.   Proofreading and Constructive Criticism

It is important to get feedback at any point of the writing process. You can learn a lot by asking questions and disputing your case in argument. Get your work proofread and take all forms of criticism into consideration because it could open up different aspects of your writing.

5.   Learning from those better than you

 Ultimately the people who you hang around with have an influence on the type of work you do (unless you do it all on your own and are not open to anyone’s viewpoints but your own). It is important to surround yourself with people who have ambition, encouragement, and differing viewpoints.

How To: Spark Inspiration Within Yourself

In my opinion, I feel it is very important to be inspired. Even if you are not writing, I believe inspiration is vital. Inspiration opens our eyes. It opens our eyes to all that we have not seen and to all that we have been missing. Inspiration opens our hearts to all those things that we have taken for granted, looked down upon, degraded, and walked past. Inspiration opens our ears to the thoughts we have refused to listen to and the words we have ignored for so long. Inspiration opens our noses to the smells that take us on journeys all over the world to places near and far. Inspiration opens our touch to the textures of life. Inspiration opens our hearts, our minds, and our souls. It is freeing. It is motivating. It is encouraging. It is hope. It is faith. It is love.

Inspiration is a writer’s best friend. Inspiration draws writers into new places that we would not normally think about. It makes us think and gives us a lasting impression that causes us to ponder into creativity. It is a host of endless opportunities and doors that are just waiting for us to open. 

 When I think about it, there are a number of great ways to find and discover inspiration for your writing. Based on experiences, goals, and dreams, here are six ideas in no particular order that will hopefully open your heart, your mind, and your soul to let the faith in:

1. Discover Nature.

Look around you. Listen to the birds chirping and singing. Embrace the world around you. This is one of my favorite things to do because I always catch myself in awe of the great Earth we live in. I realize how truly blessed we are to live in such an incredible and intricate world. This is a very humbling experience. Sit, and watch for hours. Go to a park. Breathe fresh air. Take it all in, and enjoy it.

2. Go for a Walk.

This is very similar to the first, but this is amazingly rewarding. Walking will calm your worries and fears at least for the time being. This will put all your problems and troubles into perspective and will give you faith, hope, and love. Go for a walk in a local park or city. Look around at nature and architecture. Take it all in, and enjoy it.

3. People Watch.

This is a great experience. Sit, and watch the people pass by. Go to a local coffee shop, drink a cup of Joe, and fill yourself with others. Try to figure out who they are. Try to figure out their story. Embrace the diversity and different cultures. Take it all in, and enjoy it.

4. Travel.

Go to your favorite place, or travel to an area where you have never been before. Engulf yourself in that area, and live the culture, the experiences, and the life. Take time to slow down and look around you. Have fun, and live it. Take it all in, and enjoy it.

5. Take a Break.

Get some sleep. Get some rest. Relax. Put down the pen and pencil for a while. Try not to worry about writing. Focus on enjoying every moment. Take it all in, and enjoy it.

6. Live Life.

Go for a bike ride. Hang-out with your family. Go to the school play. Hang-out with your friends. Go out to eat. Go to a concert. Play outside. Get some exercise. Cry. Look at pictures. Read a book or some of your previous writings. Spend time with your relatives and loved ones. Work. Live your normal, everyday life, and try not to worry about your struggles and fears. Think positive, have fun, and say thank you. Be kind, and help others. Volunteer. Go shopping. Go to church. Pray. Take it all in. Take all of life in, and enjoy it.

 I feel any and all of these suggestions can be done alone or with someone or with a group of people. Personally, I find the best inspiration when I am by myself because I am an introvert, but I also feel that I am the most focused and connected to my inner-self, the world, the words, and God when I am embracing these experiences alone. This is a personal decision as we are all different, but be sure to live and enjoy every single second of life.

During these experiences, write. I find it is a great exercise to write while you are doing something that inspires you because you will be motivated and your thoughts, ideas, creativity, and soul are entirely open. I think some of the best writing comes from these experiences. Live it. Enjoy it!

 It is my hope and prayer that these examples will inspire you and will present you with all that you have been looking for. Thank you so much for this great opportunity. I am looking forward to watching you grow upon your journey! Have faith! You can do it! Please, feel free to contact me if you have any thoughts, questions, comments, or concerns. I would love to hear from you! Find your inspiration!

 

Kevin Martin (Guest Writer)

kevinmartin@mail.com
@kevinmartin1414
kevinmartin1414.blogspot.com
kevinmartin.quora.com

8 Simple Ways To Find Inspiration

By: Paul Schwalbe (Guest Writer)

Every writer, depending on personality and writing style, has his or her own ways of gaining inspiration. As much as I’d like to believe there is one method that will work perfectly for everyone every time, there isn’t. That being said, here is a list of some ways that work for me:

1.      Listen to Music – It doesn’t matter what kind you listen to. Any song can trigger an idea or emotion than can lead to some inspiration. It can come from the lyrics, the tone, or even knowledge of the instruments being played. Personally, I like to build little stories that match what is happening in the music and have been inspired to expand them to full pieces.

      Additional Reading: How to Use Music To Enhance Your Writing

2.      Look at Images – Like the music, it doesn’t matter what kind of image. You can be inspired by what’s happening in a picture or the colors that are used. Even the history behind a painting can provide inspiration. 

3.      Live Life – Don’t lock yourself up in a small room and wait for inspiration to come pouring fourth. Get outdoors, go places, and do stuff! Whether it’s walking in the park or jumping off a cliff, the more things you do in life the more you’ll have to write about.  

4.      Read Anything & Everything – Great writing can inspire you to create a something equally as great. Terrible writing can inspire you to write something better (and also make you feel better about your own writing).

      Additional Reading: 6 Blogs Every Writer Should Read

 

5.      Wander the Web – Get online and wander. If you stay on long enough I can guarantee you will find something you have never seen or heard of before and you just might be inspired by it. Sites like Pinterest, YouTube, and Stumblupon are great for this.

6.      Talk About Your Writing – Bouncing ideas off other writers is a great way to spark new ideas of your own. In some cases bouncing ideas with non-writers is even better as they can provide an entirely new perspective on things. 

7.      Keep Paper and Pen Nearby – Lots of people like to say things like, “you never know when you’ll be hit with inspiration.” If you don’t write it down you won’t remember what it was that hit you. If you have an idea, write it down as soon a possible. Once it’s written you can always look back on it to be reminded and re-inspired. I have written ideas across my arms before because I had no paper handy.

8.      Always Keep Your Eyes and Ears Open – This is more a piece of advice than a method but you never know what may set off an idea for a piece. It could be the woman on the cell phone behind you in a checkout line or the guy with the funny laugh on the train. It could even be a billboard you see on the road. Just keep in mind that inspiration can come from anywhere and be ready when it does.  

Bad Habits All Writers Should Avoid

By: Malissa Stidham

Ask a hundred writers what they think is the one thing a writer should avoid, and you will probably receive a hundred different answers. No two writers have the same style of writing, nor do they face the same difficulties in writing.

When I had been asked that very question, my quick reply was, “Avoid not using spell check.” However, after giving the question considerable thought, I found there are actually five things writers should deflect when it comes to their writing.

So in retrospect, I have listed the bad habits writers should avert.

The first thing a writer should dodge is admitting to experiencing “writer’s block”. I am a strong believer the only limitations a person has, are the ones he allows his mind to put in place. With that said, we must learn never to place limits. No writer actually faces writer’s block. There is always something to be written, be it a letter, a recap of your day, or even a couple of simple thoughts.  The point being is to just keep on writing. By jotting down the simple things or rambling thoughts, we may find a couple of great ideas hidden in the written words.

Thinking that an idea or thought is too meager to consider scribbling down is the second thing I feel a writer should elude.  Every successful written piece came from a mere thought at some point in time. A good practice is to learn to record your thoughts and ideas and review them on a regular basis. You never know when one of those simple thoughts will generate a new project.

This third tip on things to duck as a writer is one I feel is of great importance. I cannot count all the times that I have seen a writer “throw out” or “discard”  a piece of work, for no  other reason than he didn’t have enough confidence in himself as being a writer.  Therefore, he deems his work as being unacceptable.  Anything that a person has taken the time to write is something worth saving. By discarding such work, you could be throwing out a future best seller.  Evading the destruction of your “unwanted” or “unusable” materials, may let you find you have a greater want for them at a later date.

Just as no two writers have the same style or techniques, no two readers has the exact same interest in the material they read.  For instance, if a person who favors mysteries reads a novel based on comedy, he may find it to be distasteful, and he may become cynical of the author’s work.  In return the author may become cynical of readers, and therefore, limit his field of a target audience.  The fourth tip a writer should consider is to discipline oneself to shun stereotyping your readers.

Abstaining from the practice of developing “comfort words” is the fifth and final tip I have to offer, and probably the most important of them all. Comfort words are a set of words or phrases a writer has become too familiar with, and uses then repeatedly in his work.  Using the same words and phrases on a regular basis in your writing curves your creativeness and often causes your work to read much in the same way time after time.

Writing is a noble profession, and often deemed as being a gift or talent. However, a writer must develop and fine tune his ability. By not developing “bad habits” such as, placing limitation on yourself or stereotyping readers you become able to explore new areas to increase your audience.  Jotting down thoughts and ideas, saving undesired works, and avoiding comfort words expands your creativity universe.  Although there are many writers, it is up to each individual to discover his own writing style. Keeping these tips in mind, will assist you on your journey of becoming the writer you desire to be.

Ask any writer, and they will admit that at some point in their writing career, they had reached a stage know as writer’s block. It is the unconditional state of staring at a blank page before you, and finding you don’t have a clue on what you should write.