The Project Inspire Tag

 

Well, I’m back.

I’ve just been off on a relaxing hiatus and I’m returning with a stack full of tags and new post ideas! Before we get started, here are a few things that I should let you guys know:

1. I’m changing my posts to Mondays after today. It’s just a day that works better than my current scheduled day of Saturday.
2. I’m hoping to get around to redesigning this blog. But don’t hold out for it happening too soon.

Now, today’s post is part of a new project launched by the amazing Jenna Terese.

It’s called Project Inspire and it’s a great tag full of positivity and thanks and I’m so excited to be doing it today. Here’s the rules:

1. Thank and link back to who’s blog you first saw the tag on; link back to the creator of the tag.

2. Answer the questions given (when you mention a person in your answers, link to their blog/website if they have one)

3. Include 5 of the biggest things you’ve learned about writing, and how they’ve change you.

3. Don’t tag anybody. 😉 We want as many people as possible to have the opportunity to take part in this. So at the end of your post, leave the open invitation to any of your readers that wants to do the tag.

Who’s someone who’s inspired and motivated you to pursue writing?

For this, I have to say Gabrielle Massman. Way back in 2016, I stumbled upon Gabrielle’s blog, completely by “accident”. In reality, I believe God was directing a lonely, washed out teen writer to the first person who would become a writing friend, the first person to critique my writing and one of the first people I beta read for. I can’t explain exactly how much it meant to me to finally find someone so much like me and how much that helped kickstart my writing journey.

Also my dad, since he always encouraged me by being proud of everything I did (he was even proud of those horrible first attempts back in the Dark Ages. That takes some talent, I think).

Who encouraged you when you felt like giving up?

Oh, there’s so many people! For this one, let me say Jen. She’s so sweet and whenever I’m feeling down, her excited chatter about my stories always perks me up and puts me in the writing mood again.

(and then there’s my mother as well, who just says annoying things like, “Stop complaining about X book and write one of your own!” Thanks Mum 😊)

Was there a person (or a blog post) that came at just the right time to give you the boost or motivation you needed?

Let me think for eternity.

Okay, well, let’s just go with one: so this series from Go Teen Writers came at a really good time, when I was trying to work out if a few of my stories were working, and I can’t wait to implement some of the methods they suggested.

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Who’s always been there for you, through thick and thin with your writing?

My family and my dear friend, Sarah. They’re always willing (or at least, don’t complain) when I rant or try to explain the mechanics of stammering, or German architecture, or Antarctica.

Who’s helped make your writing better, wasn’t afraid to give you honest feedback, and helped inspire your craft?

The inimitable Valtmy. Valtmy and I have had so many loooong conversations about the plot holes she kindly pointed out, we’ve examined theme and character arcs and naming conventions and everything in between. She’s definitely helped me improve my writing a hundred times over.

Who’s given you healthy doses of laughter that brightens your day and brings a smile to your face?

The Highly Esteemed Story Sponge. I cannot help smiling and literally laughing out loud at every single one of her posts.

What’s your favourite inspirational quote?

“There is no such thing as a good writer—only good rewriters”. I have no idea who said it (good gracious, it could have been me for all I know), but it inspires me because everyone has a terrible first draft (at least, if you don’t, I admire you greatly. It’s the editing that matters.

Is there someone you just want to take a moment to thank, for anything?

Can I thank a few? Good, because I was going to anyway.

Rochellaine, just because she’s awesome, makes me laugh a lot, cheers on Stars Fill Infinity, educates me on American culture and a thousand other things.

My mum, sister and brothers. I love you all.

My dog, Jack. He stayed up with me on those last few nights of NaNoWriMo, sticks his nose in my lap when I’m sad and gets in the way when I work. I love you.

And finally, my dad, for crying when my story was read aloud at that award’s ceremony.

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What author and/or book inspired you to write better stories and motivated you to strive to give your message to the world?

Charles Dickens and Tomi Adeyemi.

When it comes to Charles Dickens, its easy for us to look at his work and see problematic racism and a general disregard for women. But I think modern culture misses just how truly revolutionary Dickens’ work was, and still is. No one wrote about the poor and society’s outcasts (just look at the works of Austen, Alexandre Dumas or Oscar Wilde). But he wrote about them because he believed their voices needed to be heard and he wished to bring to light the plight that affected the poor of Victorian London.

And Tomi Adeyemi is an amazing author. She really just has a way with words and a very effective way of bringing her message to the forefront of her story without making it preachy. I honestly think a lot of Christian authors could learn from her writing style.

What piece of advice do you want to give to other young writers?

Write what you are passionate about. Write about things that you’ve experienced, things that scare you, things that you love. Don’t follow the trends just to get published. Dare to be different. Write that fantasy set in Antarctica if that’s what you’re passionate about. God will give you and all you’ve got to do is chase it.

What are five things writing has taught you?

1. Diverse settings (I.e. anywhere other than America and England) are really cool
2. Hard work is…well, hard. But it is worth it.
3. People notice books with good worldbuilding, so put effort into it.
4. No one will ever understand the thrill of torturing a character, so don’t mention it in public.
5. Don’t become a writer. Become a scientist in Antarctica or crocodile wrangler in the Northern Territory. Trust me, it’ll be better that way.

Feel free to take Jen’s tag and do it for yourself! Who has inspired you in your journey? What book has encouraged you in your writing?