Exploring New Writing Styles

Chao- When we write for some time, we may find new subjects and events to write and how to write them. We may develop a better understanding of dashes and colons, pay more attention to characters and how they speak, or find new ways to express actions and setting details. But what about sections that increase suspense?

Just then...

At that moment...

Suddenly...

There was...

Chao- Or just a little small thing for characters?

He wore/was wearing...

He/She said...

Chao- Seriously, after some time, that get's pretty boring. Dunno about you guys, but Chao is trying to find ways to avoid those lame-Os. So how do we go about doing this? Are we tweaking our own styles for something else?

Options for Exploration:

1. Explore a dictionary/thesaurus- Find new words to express the same meaning you want to convey. You don't need to use very large words. Find something new, look at its definition, and see if it fits with what you are writing. (It might also help if you can actually pronounce the word.)

2. Observe and test drive other authors' styles- We all have different ways of telling our story. See if replicating someone's style can help you find something new.

3. Experiment and find new ways of articulating what you want to say. There's probably more than one way to express what you want to say.

Chao- Writing for some time does give us a chance to learn. And even some published authors experiment with writing. Do you need to post such exercises in a story or online journal? No, but it'll be something fun to experiment with.

Whose Eyes Are We Seeing Through? PnF Edition

Chao- Came upon this thought while writing and keeping in mind who are the "main" characters for the fan fic. While reading stories, we see the characters hold reactions to the events around them. We may read a block of text about everyone's reactions, and others we read one specific character.

Example 1: Perry raced across the veranda, dodging the attacks of an atomic ray gun. He lept up to the ledge, looking behind him briefly to ensure he would not plummet into the pavement below. But he soon did the unexpected: He jumped! He flew down a story or two before landing in his white ship. He returned to the top of the building, ready to take action once more.

Chao- But whose expressions are we reading about and why?

Example 2: Doofenshmirtz removed an atomic ray gun from his coat. He proceeded to blast his enemy as the platypus jumped across the veranda. He grinned as he managed to corner his enemy. However, he saw Perry jumping. He yelped and race across and peeked over the edge. He spotted his nemesis coming back up on his white ship, ready for battle once more.

Chao- This idea may overlap narration and point of view. We may come upon something like these two examples in the same story, maybe even in the same chapter. Guess some writers like to have their readers read each viewpoint.

25 Things You Should Know About Narrative Point of View

Narrative POV

Fiction Factor - Exposition vs. Narrative

Narrators and Narrative Structure in Fiction

Chao- The nice thing about FF.net is that you are allowed to make changes to your story as you move along. You may feel other characters should take the slots of what you had originally placed. And, recently, FF.net had allowed more characters to be added in the slots instead of two. Of course you can always select none, but a drawback would be when users select characters in their search.

A Shot at Creative Nonfiction: How I Saved $25

Chao- So how has the first week of the new year been going for everyone? Here is a new post for 2014! Since Chao has been working with Creative Nonfiction for school, thought it might be fun to write and publish a one shot in that genre. As mentioned in a previous entry, Creative Nonfiction is a writing genre that tells a story that actually took place. It's real. But the story reads like Fiction, hence the genre title. So here's a little one shot about Chao. Hope you enjoy!

How I Saved $25

Like any child in America, I was given an allowance, a weekly gift from my parents who presented it to me only if I behaved. Many parents have their reason to give the allotted amount, and my mom bequeathed the money based on half the child's age. I don't remember what age I started getting this somewhat free money, but for an example when I was ten, I got $5.

I loved getting an allowance. It meant I could spend this cash any way I wanted to. One thing I remember always getting excited for was books. I loved reading as a kid, and I always bought myself those pages bounded by a thick or thin spin: chapter books, picture books, young adult books, and especially manga. My white bookshelf with three available shelves was absolutely crammed; it was difficult pulling one selection out and putting it back. I sometimes just let them pile up on the floor with my neat freak sister complaining about the mess.

My money was kept in a pink wallet with the Sanrio character Spottie Dottie, a character from the Hello Kitty world that premiered in 1990. I had gotten this wallet in a kids’ shoe store where they sold Hello Kitty products. I wouldn't be able to tell you if I was good with money or not; I don't remember, but that didn't mean I didn't have some trouble saving, like most kids.

When I was older, I was determined to start. I had read somewhere online that putting money away in a jar was a smart approach in introducing kids and teens to start. And that's what I decided to do; I needed to put money away so I could fulfill my growing obsession for manga books, specifically Yu-Gi-Oh! I love that series, but for some time I bought it at an expensive price. I would go to a little bookstore in a two-story mall while my parents shopped, and I would buy one volume at a time at around $10 plus tax. (Later I learned that some places sold the exact same book for $7.95 plus tax.) I don't remember what else I bought outside of books, but I needed a jar to help me save, one that would prevent me from taking money out of it just because I wanted it. I needed discipline. And I think I had found one.

In my new bedroom after moving was a glass with a wine bottle shape. The top had a small hole no bigger than a quarter. The neck was elongated and thin, too lengthy for my fingers to fit through. There was a tiny stopper connected with a metal band that allowed the stopper to be moved without being disconnected from the bottle. The stopper was designed like a mini crockpot with a red bottom and a yellow handle. The bottle was decorated with white polka dots that increased in size as it twisted down. Somehow I had managed to save $20, and I didn't want to lose it to reckless spending, so I placed it in there. Later I had $5, and down it went into the bottle.

The saved money lasted. That was all that made it in since this particular bottle was dubbed for emergencies. The only minor trouble I had was knowing how much money was in it. I also marked baby food jars for specific categories like books, Anime, and Hot Topic (back to when they had good stuff). But I soon came to a problem: How would I retrieve the money when I needed it? I didn't really think of the future conundrum since I wasn't that smart of a young teen. But that story changed when the dilemma came about and I needed some funding.

Maybe I needed that money for a book, or maybe I really was low on funds, but regardless—My money was stuck in the bottle! What was I to do?!

I couldn't just smash it; it was a nice bottle, and I didn't want broken glass all over my bedroom, not to mention I paid $2 for it at one of my mom's friend's upcoming garage sales. One way I could rescue my money was to draw it out on a stick with something sticky. But what? Glue can be slippery over sticky, and tape might not be strong enough to press against the paper. I also couldn't risk destroying a bill with marks and tears; what place would accept it then? Not to mention, it would be a rude gesture towards Andrew Jackson and Abraham Lincoln. What can I use?

That's when an idea hit me: Gum!

I had a packet of 5 Energy. I popped a blue stick into my mouth, and the peppermint zest overran my sense. I chewed for a bit, enjoying the unique flavor that only comes to me in gum or candy canes. I usually like to blow bubbles, but I needed to stay focus. I had my adhesive factor figured out, but what about admitting something through since the neck of the bottle was ridiculously long and thin?

I wrapped the gum around the top of a stick found in any outdoors' setting. I don't remember why I had a stick in my room in the first place, but I attached the gum and slipped it down into the bottle. I needed to angle it just right so I could press it against the bill. I also had to hold the bottle so the bills would stay in place and not roll around. I held the bottle towards the base of the neck with the bottom away from me. This would be the best way for me to see where my stick was heading and where the bills were cornered. I couldn't waste time since I needed the gum to act as an adhesive before it dried up. I pressed the rolled up wad against one of the bills and slid it against the glass. When it came to the wide end of the cone-shape, I had to adjust my pressure and bring the dollar through the thinner end. It worked! Good thing I worked with one bill at a time; I don't believe both of them would have gone through the thin end at the same time. I repeated the same process for the other.

I may no longer get an allowance, and I keep my money in a bank, but I do remember my attempts to save money. I now make a budget, and I try my best to keep it. I have finished collecting all the Yu-Gi-Oh! manga, and I still buy printed books from time to time. I can look back at that incident and laugh. I was so relieved I had gotten that deposited $25 from the bank of the wine bottle glass back.

The End

Chao- Yay!

YChao- What a bore.

Chao- But didn't you feel anything for the protagonist? It was a pretty exciting tale. Pretty sure plenty of kids and teens can relate to this.

YChao- Feel anything for the protagonist? Nope.

Agent Daisy- *shakes head*

Chao- This was really a fun story to share. It's nice writing about something that really took place, and it was kinda funny. Guess it wasn't super tough since it was just one incident. It's a little different from writing a fan fic since this story was about Chao. But sometimes it's a good change.

Updates for January

Chao- It's a new year! 'Tis a time for celebration and making goals! Here's what Chao has lined up for this coming year and this month!


Yu-Gi-Oh!!: "Offspring of Heroes" will be wrapped up.

Overall goal for the year: Complete any story that has been published. Write out and publish any promised sequels, like one to "Present With You Always". Publish a few one shots.

Phineas and Ferb: No current news at this time.

Overall goal for the year: Finish up "The Value of a Smile" and "The Mysterious Book". Publish one or two more one shots.

Cats Don't Dance: No current news at this time.

Overall goal for the year: Publish at least one more one shot.



Chao- And, as usual, Chao has made at least one New Year's Resolution.

YChao- To get your room cleaned like you promised a year ago?

Agent Daisy- *dying from funny smells*

Chao- Nope! This year's resolution is to get the HECK outta school! Good luck to all with your resolutions and Happy New Year!