Month: July 2020

Writer On: July Writing Goals (Recap)

~ ladyjabberwocky ~ 3 Comments

Hello Writer Bees!

July was a rough month. Did I reach my goals? Keep reading to find out.

If you’d like, take a look at my June and last month’s recap.

Writing Plans

  • Write 200-300 words a day. – Well, I wrote more than usual this month. Not everyday though. However, I learned that smaller daily goals work better for me than larger weekly goals. That’s helpful to know moving forward.
  • More research on 1920s (to help with descriptions). – Yeah, I’ve done some research, making sure things are historically accurate as possible. Also, found some sweet references on the 1920s. I will continue to research more about the time period.
  • Tweak character profiles. – Creating complex characters is my main goal in writing. So, the suspects of my mystery WIP all got some TLC this month. Adding little backstory details and distinct personality traits made them feel more realistic.
  • Write a short story for the blog. – I did not. Wish I did though.

Reading Goals

  • Read a new book. (Maybe Doyle’s A Study in Scarlet) – You got to hand it to Doyle for writing the dynamic duo of detective fiction. That story gave me ideas on how I introduce my two sleuths.
  • Keep reading over draft. – My WIP is all garbage, but I kept reading. Found a bunch of sentences to cut out. Found more places that need work. I have a long way to go before it’s even close to perfect.

Do small or large word count goals work better for you? How did your writing endeavors go this month? Talk to me in the comments!

Write with Heart,

Lady Jabberwocky

Writing Services // Follow Me on Twitter

A Crash Course in In Media Res

~ ladyjabberwocky ~ 3 Comments

Hello Writer Bugs!

Today, I’m sharing with you a writing trick that will hook readers from the first sentence. Yes, you heard right. Grab the audience’s attention instantly with In Media Res.

Confused by this Latin phrase? Don’t worry, I’m simplifying this narrative technique. This is the crash course in In Media Res.

Short and Sweet Advice for Writers – Start in the Middle (In ...

What is In Media Res?

Glad you asked! The term In Media Res translates to “In the midst of things.” This means a story hits the ground running and begins in the middle of a scene. Forget about lengthy exposition or flowery description. Start in the middle a conversation or an action sequence. Later on, you can drip feed readers information and backstory through flashbacks and dialogue.

Why does this trick work? Because it piques the audience’s curiosity. And that’s any writer’s goal, to catch the reader’s interest. It makes them feel like they have to catch up with the plot to learn more about the characters and their world. Think Alice chasing after the white rabbit.

No Context? No Bueno.

Yes, there’s is a wrong way of applying this writing technique. If you start a story too late, and don’t give any bits of context on characters and setting, the audience will be lost and confused. They wont’ keep reading if they have no idea what’s going on.

Be smart about when and where you choose to start the opening scene. You want to hook readers while giving them enough context to keep their attention. A fine line on balance on, I know. However, when you use in media res right, it can turn your story into a page turner.

Stories that Start In Media Res

Want to see this technique in action? Check out some of these attention grabbing titles.

Hope you guys found this post helpful. In media res can be a powerful tool in your writer arsenal. And if done right, you’ll have your readers on the edge of their seats.

What are your favorite stories that jump right into the action? And what do you think of this writing technique? Have you used in media res before? Lemme know in the comments. As always, I’d love to hear from you guys.

And please click all the links, it helps support this blog.

Stay safe and keep writing!

— Lady Jabberwocky

Writing Services // Follow Me on Twitter

My Life in Books Tag

~ ladyjabberwocky ~ 3 Comments

Hello Writer Bees!

Since I recently celebrated my 300th post and 400 followers, I figured I do something lighthearted this week. And I haven’t done a tag in quite a while. So, this is my life in books.

Shoutout to TinyNavajo for doing this tag. Be sure to check out their awesome book blog!

Find A Book For Each Of Your Initials

V – Vengeance is Mine! by Mickey Spillane

A – Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

P – The Postman Always Rings Twice by James M. Cain (featuring my favorite femme fatale.)

Count Your Age Along Your Bookshelf

I’m 27 years old and the 27th book on my shelf is The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon. It’s on my TBR list, I heard the play was amazing.

Pick A Book Set In Your City/Country

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. I’m from New York. I also have Lillian Boxfish takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney and Fin & Lady by Cathleen Schine. A proud New Yorker, if you couldn’t tell. And I can’t resist a good NYC story.

Pick A Book That Represents A Destination You’d Love To Travel To

The Jewel Box by Anna Davis. I’ve always wanted to travel to London, or the U.K. in general. I’d love to visit Doyle and Christie’s old stomping grounds.

Plus, I have a few Hemingway books, like the Sun Also Rises and the short stories collection. It’s a stretch, but I’d like to take my boyfriend to Key West someday, to visit Ernest Hemingway’s home and to get him a Cuban coffee.

Pick A Book That Has Your Favorite Color On It

Surprisingly, the only lavender on my shelf is the title text color for The Mirror of Merlin by T.A. Barron. Although, I do love the blush pink on Alex & Eliza by Melissa De La Cruz.

Which Book Do You Have The Fondest Memories Of?

When I was a kid, I hated reading. Ironic, really, since I later became a writer. One day, the Scholastic book fair came to my school. While searching through the books, I found Bone (Book One): Out from Boneville. Then and there, I fell in love with graphic novels and fantasy/adventure stories.

(P.s. – Am I the only one who remembers Scholastic book fairs? Or am I just old?)

Which Book Did You Have The Most Difficulty Reading?

The Museum of Extraordinary Things. I liked the premise, but pace wise, it was a little on the slow side. I’ll probably give it another shot, though.

Which Book On Your TBR Pile Will Give You The Most Achievement When You Finish It?

This extra-thick collection of Hercule Poirot stories, written by Agatha Christie. It has over 50 short stories. Eventually, I’ll read through the entire tome of mystery.

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Tag! You’re It!

Well, this was fun. If you guys decide to do this tag, let me know. I’d love to hear what’s on your bookshelves. And please click the links, it really helps support this blog.

Stay safe and keep writing, writer bees!

Love, Lady Jabberwocky

Writing Services // Follow Me on Twitter

400 Followers, 300 Posts and One Giant Thank You!

~ ladyjabberwocky ~ 8 Comments

Hello writer bees!

Today is the day for celebrating milestones.

Lady Jabberwocky has reached 400 followers.

Plus, I’ve written my 300th post for this blog.

Yes, in the grand scheme of things, these are small accomplishments. However, amidst the gloom and doom, I’m trying to grasp those specks of goodness in my life.

There was a time when I had a WordPress account but was too scared to post anything. Would anybody really care about what I had to say? Now, 300 posts later, I never thought this humble blog would go this far.

Not only do I share my experience as a writer here, Lady Jabberwocky is my way of supporting other writers. That will always be the main goal behind my content.

Thank you for every like, comment, follow and share.

All the love and support from you wonderful folks keeps me going.

Feel free to take a look at my most recent posts.

– Lady Jabberwocky

Writing Services // Follow Me on Twitter

Writer On: July Writing Goals

~ ladyjabberwocky ~ 6 Comments

Hello Writer Bees!

Time to fly by July and set some new writing goals.

If you’d like, take a look at my June and last month’s recap.

Writing Plans

  • Write 200-300 words a day.
  • More research on 1920s (to help with descriptions).
  • Tweak character profiles.
  • Write a short story for the blog.

Reading Goals

What do you guys think of my goals? And what are your writing plans for this month? Talk to me in the comments!

Write with Heart,

Lady Jabberwocky

Writing Services // Follow Me on Twitter