B is for Beginning

...and not bumnugget as some will lead you believe *coughcoughMaresNestcoughcough*

Moving on.

Beginnings are pretty important to a reader. If the beginning catches their interesting, they're more likely to read on.
The first things you have to know before you can start is:
Who your major characters and protagonist are.
What you want to happen in the first scene, and, loosely, in the rest of the story.

What usually starts a story is a catalyst. A catalyst is an event which causes something to change. It's also known as The Inciting Incident (now that sounds dramatic).

The catalyst doesn't have to happen right at the beginning. Usually, we see the status quo, the way things are before the story starts, first. That way, what happens afterwards has more of an impact. Then the catalyst happens (which could be anything from starting a new school to someone being kidnapped), and that status quo changes, because the catalyst has affected the characters in some way.

Let's put that into steps:
1. Status quo
2. Something happens
3. The characters react to it
That last bit is important. The event has to affect your characters, even indirectly, or it's not a catalyst.

Now that you know the basic structure, now it's time to start putting sentences on the page.
If you're stuck on what to actually write, I find the best way is to make your protagonist do something. Something that is relevant to their current situation, perhaps tells you a little about their character, and possibly foreshadows the catalyst.

Eg, Jessica watched the rain glumly.

Now you can think about where Jessica is (in school, at home, outside in the park?) and why she's glum about the rain. If you know what your idea is, you can lead on from there.

I hope you found this post helpful :) Come back tomorrow for a post on C is for Characters!

A is for Alphabet

I've decided to start an alphabet blogging challenge. This blog has been rather inactive recently, and with a prompt, I might actually blog more frequently instead of just staring at a blank page.
The challenge is going to be themed on writing, because I like writing, and also because I could not come up with 26 words for the Sims (I did try, honest).

Don't fear! I'm not giving up on the Sims entirely! I'll still post about it. I'll just post about writing too :)

Anyway, the first word is Alphabet, because this is the alphabet challenge and the word begins with A and I'm not that imaginative.

I'll start properly tomorrow, with the letter B for Beginning.
How apt.

Cookies, llamas, and layouts

Why hello there :) Anyone still looking at this poor neglected blog deserves a cookie. And a llama.



I'm trying out the new blogger layout. It's not as colourful as it was, which is sad, but I'll get over it. Adaption, people, is a humans most important trait! Along with kindness and generosity and things like that of course.

Now I'm going to try to think of ways to uphold a simming blog while having next to no time to play Sims.
Well, you know what they say: If you have no time, make time.
Or words to that effect, anyway :)

For me?

A gift? :D

Thank you to the Mare's Nest for the gifts, and the Happy Birthday post ^_^ I feel very loved :)

It's someone's birthday today...

What a coincidence, it's mine too :3

A Milestone

Just a little post to say I reached 20,000 in my novel! Woo! :D
Only 60,000 to go...

Next up...

How 'bout Two Million?

Ahem.

Anyway...happy belated one million hits Mares!