Why you should read bad books and watch bad films

If you want to write well, you’re told the best way to do this is to read good books and practice, practice, practice. What you’re not told to do is read the worst books ever written, but that is exactly what you should be doing.

Bad films are also good, especially if you enjoy writing screenplays or even filming and editing your own shorts. Why? Why am I telling you to waste your time on creations that should never have existed in the first place?

Because then you know exactly what NOT to do, which is arguably just as valuable as knowing what you should do. Continue reading

Writing Prompt #18

Whilst I’m still in the middle of the healing process, my typing skills with a heavily bandaged finger have improved! Today’s prompt is a brand new twist on Fire Starter, as suggested by my little sister.

Name of the game: Extreme Fire Starter or Double Fire Starter (thoughts?)

The rules: Read the two sentences. Your piece must start with one sentence and end with the other–the order is for you to choose. Try and do it in 10 minutes by setting a timer and just going for it.

First sentence/last sentence:

  1. Celestial lights have come to earth…

  2. He crumbled at the sight of it…

After you’ve written something, you can read what I came up with here. I changed a few words because my brain can’t leave the stories alone, as much as I try not to edit these prompts…

I was joined by my sister and some friends. My sister is keeping hers to possibly submit somewhere! However, here and here are the two stories my friends wrote. The second story was dictated to a phone and unedited–I think it works really well with almost no punctuation!

If you feel like sharing, post your story in the comments! I always love reading them!

Happy writing!

Why do I study biology instead of a writing degree?

Yup. This post is a day late. I’ve yet to purchase either time turner or Tardis, so such is my life.

Speaking of my life, what am I doing with it? I love stories above all else. I love to read and analyse and find patterns in plots and letters. People complain when we watch films together “Sonora, stop meta-watching”. So why am I not doing a literature degree? Or a creative writing degree? Or something “artsy”?

Well, here’s my rambling answer to that. If you’re currently trying to decide what to do with your life (i.e. what university degree to choose, or university versus all the million other things out there), then maybe my story will help you think about it. Continue reading