All posts by NewEngland_Muse

I'm a traditionally and self published author. I write in the genre of children and YA at the moment but working my way up to adults. I'm a sports loving, photo taking gal who loves to sing/dance to my own enjoyment. I love to laugh even at myself. I am also owned by 8 birds and 2 hamsters, and yes they know it. :)
Boxed In, Creative Writing, POV

POV

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How comfortable are you in using different POVs for your characters and books? Do you stray outside the box and try different aspects? Or rather do you stick to the norm? I have taken three creative writing class, two under the same instructor. I firmly believe there is always something out there for me to learn to improve me as a person and a writer.

One particular class the instructor challenged us to change our POV. We were to check our stories that we had written and try writing from a person we had not thought to do before. He gave us an example. We were to think of a children’s story but to write it from someone’s else viewpoint. I chose the “The Three Little Pigs” and in it I wrote through the wolf’s eyes. It did not end with a happily ever after. But just doing that one story opened my eyes to new avenues that I had never thought of before. And by keeping myself in a box I was leaving a lot of potential amazing stories unwritten due to my mind being closed to this facet of writing.

At the time one of the novels I was working on was based on my war with my back yard squirrels. Taking a note from that WIP I wrote a collection of short stories with each one having a different POV from the characters of my novel.  I had so much fun exploring this and what came out of it was a comedy that I did no know existed inside of me. I am grateful for Mr. Wynn for bringing this up in class. Since then I have written a few short stories and another novel. But now when they are done I rewrite them giving them a different spin.

The potential has increased on what I can write about. So again I ask are you comfortable using different POVs in your stories or do you like to stay inside the box?

Bloggers, NaNoWriMo, Writers

Guest Bloggers/Writers Needed

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Guest bloggers are needed for the month of November. NaNoWriMo is around the corner and I am going for back to back wins. With that comes some reorganization of my social medias and how they are updated. So this means I am looking for writers of any kind who might want to showcase a post on this website.

I am looking for four maybe five to fill up the month with me. This is a win for both of us. It will help showcase someone’s work on this blog hence reaching a different audience. For me it prevents my blog from coming to a slow grind due to the November madness.

Guest posts should not be more than 500 words. It can be about your books, you as an author or a subject matter that can be silly and fun. Obviously nothing distasteful will be placed up here, it is my blog.

If anyone is interested just contact me and we can go from there.

Adventure, Hobbies, Life

Hobbies Part 2

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My two newest hobbies are knitting and drawing. In May of this year I signed up for my first drawing class ever. While I was the weakest link in the class I definitely can say I made major strides from the first day to the last. I enjoyed it so much I am now taking the second part and love it. It may take a while before I am at a decent level. In that first class the instructor had us do a pre-instructional drawing. I just have to refer to that sheet as a reminder that I am improving.

This past summer when I was in Maine I had my mother show me how to knit home-made slippers. A tradition in our family that I always wanted to learn. Knitting may seem old fashion to some but it is soothing and so relaxing. It keeps me calm for I have to stay focus so I don’t mess up. These two latest editions to my list of hobbies have just added more things to enjoy and do when I need to unwind.

My list continues to watching movies, listening to music, working on my flowers and plants, and exercising. I am also an avid sports fan. For sure I am leaving some out. These are all things that keep my life full and active. Life is so chaotic as it is. When my son leaves the house for good as he makes his way I don’t want to get into a slump of depression. Though I will have a degree of that. But with the things that make me happy and keep me moving at least I will have options on things to do.

So is there such a thing as having too many hobbies? I guess that all depends on the individual. Every time the college catalogue comes out I scan to see what is being offered.  I am not trying to see what I might take. What I am figuring out is what will be my next amazing experience in something that I have zero clue in.

All in all hobbies not only helps us grow and learn but it can also define a part of us. It shows people and ourselves what we are about, what we like and who we are to some degree. Every one needs a hobby or two or three. I hope you have a number of them like I do. For when we are in a good place then our family is in a good place as well as the people who come in contact with us. Life is good, it really is but it is amazing when you break out and reach for a hobby. Especially one that is so far out of your comfort zone. In that you discover something about you which you might never have before.