Category: Uncategorized

Symbolism In a Story

Mikayla Kelly

By: Mikayla Kelly

A literary device known as symbolism uses something to stand in for a larger concept. It helps writers give their stories more nuance. For instance, a storm could stand for war, or a dove for peace. A story can become more interesting and thought-provoking by using symbolism. Additionally, it can facilitate a higher level of connection between readers and the story.  One of my favorite stores as a child was “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald. At the end of chapter one we see the female main character get swallowed by a green light. To me, this green light was such an important symbol that elevated the story. I still think about the green light in the story and what it could mean. Some say it means Gatsby`s ill attempts to reach Daisy with his love while other believe that it represents Gatsby`s unlucky attempt at reaching the American Dream. But just this one form of symbolism has stuck with me for years and made me relook at the entire storyline.

                  When writing a piece of literature sometimes you want to add depth to your words and make the reader ponder over your story. Symbolism can really help people rethink about the meaning behind your story while also giving you the edge to portray one theme with your words and another while the reader reads between the lines with your symbols.  A painter often uses symbols to portray the meaning of their artwork. While an artist might use colors to bring across a different form of emotions, authors must bring everyday mundane things that everyone might have their house a new meaning through their choice of words. By representing deeper meanings or abstract concepts with things, characters, or events, authors can use symbolism in their writing. For example, a storm could stand for internal turmoil, whereas a bird could be a recurrent picture that represents freedom. Authors can give their stories multiple levels of significance by using symbolism, which enables readers to decipher the narrative beyond its obvious meaning. To increase the emotional effect and give the story depth without overpowering the reader, authors must make sure that their symbols complement their themes and character development. The secret to successful symbolic writing is subtlety.

Formatting for Success

Gabrielle Aleman

By Gabrielle Aleman

Have you ever written something amazing, only for it to be ignored? It might not be your
writing—it might be your formatting. Proper formatting can elevate your work in different ways-
organization, readability, presentation, and more. You could have the best story ever written for a
magazine, but if it isn’t properly formatted it might as well have been written by the average high
schooler.

A common misconception about formatting is that it’s “simple” or “easy”, when in fact
there is a multitude of ways to format text and a multitude of ways to mess them up. When
editors are receiving countless submissions, the easiest way to become favorable is by submitting
a well-formatted document. By meeting industry standards, it shows professionalism and
attention to detail, prevents your work from being dismissed, and creates less work for the editor.
This discussion will focus on several key formatting elements to guide writers through the
submission-ready process.

Standard Formatting Guidelines

Most editors and publishers follow standard industry guidelines when reviewing submissions. Author Brian Klems discusses some of the guidelines followed when editing work. He pinpoints those rules from “Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript” by Chuck Sambuchino.
Here are some essential formatting elements to keep in mind:

Font style, size, and color

Try to stay with readable and professional font style. The font should stay one size throughout the work (unless necessary for headings) and should only be black. It’s best to keep the font uniform and simple to avoid any distractions, making it difficult to read. According to Klems, it’s most appropriate to use “a standard font, 12-point type. Times New Roman, Arial, or Courier is fine”.

Spacing and margins

To make passages easier to read it’s essential to avoid a condensed word and line spacing and instead use a more relaxed spacing. Double-spacing is most preferred, as this best allows a more
comfortable read and creates annotations within phrases. To add, Klems states the correct way to separate paragraphs is to “Indent five spaces”. The one-inch margin is also typical as it looks most professional and gives even more space for editors to jot down notes.

Body structure

Klem’s analysis of Chuck Sambuchino’s “Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript” mainly discusses the structure and how to organize paragraphs and chapters for submissions. Assuming the work being submitted is physical and not digitized, it’s emphasized that new chapters should begin on their own page, and the chapter number and title should be capitalized. The title should be 4-6 lines ahead of the beginning of the new chapter, which should start further down the page, typically one-third of the way down. This is to ensure organization and clarify the chapter’s beginning and place in the story.

Final Product

To keep the work looking as official and professional as possible, you should follow guidelines to format the page as well as the body. Keeping headers and page numbers on each page will add to the look and professionalism of the document. Page numbers should begin on page 2, and headers should have the title in all caps and the name of the author.

Time to Submit

Following the submission guidelines of whichever publisher you’re submitting work to and ensuring formatting is correct is going to improve the chances of your work being chosen for editing and publishing. Author and editor Brian Klems provides great information on keeping a clean, organized, well formatted submission – especially since he speaks from experience.

Work Cited : What Are the Guidelines for Formatting a Manuscript? – Writer’s Digest

Publishing can be tricky, here are some tips and treats!

Kinsley Ellison

by: Kinsley Ellison

This time of year brings pumpkins, leaves, and fall galore. Every corner has a coffee shop with fall flavors. To be more financially savvy, and make these drinks at home, many turn to the internet with recipes and inspiration. Those who are curious to write and publish can even create a cookbook. 

(Acosta, Danilo. Unsplash Photos, 10 October 2023)

Many of us struggle to finish and write out our thoughts to create an organized layout. Since the process has already been stressful, why not make publishing easier? Let me give you some advice on how! 

The first step should be to check the longevity of the website. Legitimate companies have sustained their existence, while scam companies are short-lived. The following website is useful to determine how long a website has been active: https://who.is/

Even though you have secured a long-standing website, your work is not complete. A more thorough investigation of the website is the second step to avoid trickery. One tip you can use is a tool called the five-step CRAAP test (Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose). This helps make sure the website is credible and worthy of using.

Now that you have examined the website, what can we do about publishing? This is a target area for scammers which is why I want to highlight a specific category called vanity publishers. Vanity publishers are those who exploit new authors and try to scam them. How does this happen? It can happen in many ways, with one being receiving a direct message involving recognition and curiosity. It is good to note that any legitimate agency is highly unlikely to ever send you an email or text message out of the blue to publish your work. Sadly, naive, yet new writers could see this message and think, “Wow what a great opportunity” and take it. Writers need to be aware, however, that many of these companies do not have your best interest in mind. 

While reading the blog of Anne R Allen, I was informed of another scam, this one involving the popular site: Facebook. New writers looking for publicity, make an account for their author page, and these scammers aim to take over. These scammers hack their accounts or make one identical, and send all your friends a new friend request. (In this scheme, your Facebook page is cloned so that others think you are trying to send them a new friend request on an alternate account). Your friends immediately accept and receive direct messages often asking for money or, most deadly, these scammers offer nonexistent free books that the author “published”. Your friends, or the general public, see this advertisement for free books, apply, and provide credit card information. Weeks later when no books arrive, the author gets flooded with hate and many people are without money. Go check out this link for yourself to learn more about these horrific schemes! https://annerallen.com/2021/09/warning-to-writers-new-publishing-scam/

(Eliason, Kenny. Unsplash Photos, 1 November 2017)

In the end, interestingly enough, these scam “artists” are learning from their mistakes and evolving after being caught. They are getting smarter and finding new ways to manipulate us. It is always good to remember that scammers are not only in the United States, and everyone needs to be user-aware. Besides, if the scammers are evolving then writers need to as well. Do not be the naive one and do your proper research.

Mastering the Art of Great Beginnings: How to Hook Your Readers from the First Line

Maria Ballesteros

By: Maria Ballesteros

The Importance of a Strong Beginning
Every writer knows the pressure of starting a piece with impact. How do you pull readers in from the very first line and make sure they keep reading? A compelling beginning can set the tone, create intrigue, and establish a connection between the reader and the text. Yet, many writers struggle with crafting those all-important opening sentences. If you lose the reader’s attention at the start, no matter how brilliant the rest of your work is, you might not get them back.

Creating Intrigue with a Strong Hook
So, how can you ensure that your beginning grabs the reader’s attention? One of the most effective ways to start is by creating intrigue. Your first line should make the reader curious about the story, the characters, or the problem you’re about to explore. A strong hook draws the reader in, urging them to keep reading to find out more. You can do this by starting with a question, presenting a bold statement or surprising fact, or beginning in the middle of action (in medias res). For example, “The rain poured harder as Sarah sprinted down the alley, clutching the envelope that could change everything” sets an immediate scene that makes readers want to know more.

Setting the Right Tone and Mood
Once you’ve hooked the reader, it’s essential to establish tone and mood early. The tone sets the reader’s expectations for what’s to come, and it should match the overall style and mood of your story. Is your piece dark and mysterious, light and humorous, or emotionally intense? The first few lines should give readers a hint about what they can expect, making them more invested in the journey you’re about to take them on.

Connecting with Relatable Emotions
Another powerful way to draw readers in is by introducing relatable emotions. Human emotions are universal, so beginning with a feeling or situation readers can relate to is an effective way to create a connection. Whether it’s fear, excitement, frustration, or joy, tapping into emotions helps bridge the gap between the reader and your story. For instance, “John’s heart raced as he stood in front of the crowd, wondering if he would remember the words he had rehearsed for hours” immediately brings the reader into a moment of tension and anxiety, something many can empathize with.

Practical Tips for Writing Strong Openings
As you develop your opening, here are a few practical tips to start strong. First, avoid clichés. Beginnings like “Once upon a time” or “It was a dark and stormy night” feel overused and tired, so aim for freshness in your writing. Second, keep it concise. Avoid overloading the first lines with too much backstory or description. A sharp and to-the-point beginning is more effective at holding the reader’s attention. Finally, revise your opening. Your first attempt at writing the beginning doesn’t have to be the final version. Once you’ve finished your draft, revisit your opening and consider if it needs to be stronger or more compelling.

Why a Strong Beginning Matters
A great story or blog post can only succeed if readers are engaged from the start. By focusing on intrigue, tone, and emotional relatability, you can ensure your openings are as compelling as the rest of your work. Don’t underestimate the power of a great beginning—it’s your first chance to make a lasting impression. By mastering the art of a strong start, you set your piece up for success from the very first line.

Fanfiction: From “Writer” to “Author”

Kaylee Alameda

By Kaylee Joy

From “The Mortal Instruments” series by Cassandra Clare, to the infamous “50 Shades of Gray” by E.L. James, more and more authors are getting their start in fanfiction. But how do you go from a run-of-the-mill fanfiction writer to a fully-fledged published author? As a digital producer, I’m here to teach you. And you’re already on the right track, because the first step is a desire to improve. 

Creating your own Protagonist  

Let’s be real here, fanfiction is probably one of the most fun things to write. You get to play with your favorite, fully developed characters without pressure to flesh them out. Plus, readers are already chomping at the bits for more content featuring these characters so it’s not as hard to find an audience. To break away from this crutch, you must practice developing your own protagonist. 

Now, creating a character entirely from scratch can be daunting. But you don’t need to know every detail right out of the gate/ To start, simply make a list of traits you find important to your character. For example, if your protagonist is an intellectual type, you may want to include what subjects they’re interested in (I.E. specific sciences, a historical time-period, classical literature). Be as specific as comes naturally to you, the little details can be discovered later. If you need some inspiration, I recommend using a Dungeons & Dragons character sheet. The website https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/builder gives you step-by-step instructions while filling it out. 

Envisioning a Setting 

Another challenge many writers who found their beginning in fanfiction may face is envisioning a setting. Most fanfiction is inspired by television shows, movies, or video games. All of which present a visible setting that writers can physically look at while creating their stories. So how do you detail an entirely imagined setting without an exact reference? My recommendation: Go explore! 

Start by looking up the type of setting you have in mind (for example, your story may be set in a forest or perhaps an 18th century town) and find a place nearby that emulates that setting. Physically exploring these places will give you the chance to soak in every detail and learn how to recreate them in your own way. Especially in the Sarasota-Bradenton area, there are loads of historical buildings, natural pheromones, and museums at the tip of your fingers. If there’s nothing nearby like your setting, there are an infinite number of virtual tours online for you to click through. There’s even a tour of the international space station if your story is set in the stars! Once you find what you’re looking for, it’s time to start writing. Try to describe the scene in as well as you can. Practicing observing and detailing your environment will help you understand how to create your own settings.   

Letting Go of Tropes 

Finally, it’s time to let go of the infamous fanfic tropes. Or at the very least, loosen your grip on them. Now, tropes in and of themselves aren’t necessarily a bad thing. But when you lean on those tropes for every beat of your story, your reader can get bored quickly as they already know what’s going to happen. 

There are some tropes – Especially “Alternate Universe” tropes – that are too graphic to ever make it past an official publisher. (If you know, you know. If you don’t, for your own sake do NOT try to find out.) But even some of the most highly regarded tropes, such as “Enemies-to-Lovers” or the classic “Only-One-Bed”, may be inhibiting your creativity.  

To begin to break away from these popular tropes, the best thing you can do is stop consuming them. Try taking a break from Ao3, Wattpad, and Quotev. Let your favorite characters breathe and give yourself the chance to fall in love with new characters by heading to the bookstore.  

Keep in mind, learning to create your own stories can be a long and grueling process. Take it slow and don’t discount the experience you’ve developed by writing fanfiction, just learn to grow from it. Writing anything is leagues better than writing nothing. However, as we are writers, it is important to cultivate our creativity so we can improve. All these tips will help you expand your ability as an author in the making.   

Oh Joy, a Beginning!

Camila Silvestre

By: Camila Silvestre

Beginnings are hard. The start of a new job, location, or friendship (to name a few) can bring great stress. I should know. I even struggled to come up with how to start this post! Let me let you in on a little secret though: they don’t have to be so complicated. Take a song for example. In regards to music, that one starting line can really hook the listener in and keep them engaged. How do you get started with that great line though? Read on for a few tips on how to make the beginnings of your songs the best they can be!

  1. Don’t Give Too Much Away

That’s what your chorus is for. A great opening line should set the scene, but not give so much away that your listener already gets the theme . What is the theme at hand? For example, let’s say it’s a negative change in a friendship. You’ve been wronged by someone, and you want to write a song to cope. An opening line could be: “You, an expert in keeping lies.” This draws the listener in. What sort of lies? What do you mean expert? Then, the chorus could expand on why this person is such a bad friend.

  1. Don’t Overcomplicate It

Writing a song, whether for the first time or as a seasoned professional, can be daunting. What can be said that hasn’t already been said? Will my song resonate with somebody? It’s important to keep the thought process simple: you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Writing a song should, from my experience, be fun and freeing. Don’t be afraid to mess up- if writing for the very first time! A great rough draft is better than no draft at all. 

  1. Learn from Others, but Don’t Remain Frozen

What better way to learn how to begin a song than to draw inspiration from others? Doing a bit of research into your favorite songs and how they start can be motivating. However, too often, it can be easy to feel insecure. How did they get there? Will I be able to write a song as good as theirs? To put it simply: comparison is the thief of joy. Observing can only get you so far. Getting your hands dirty (metaphorically- don’t go around playing in mud) and starting the song as best as you know how to is the best way to write a song.

Speak Up Or Speak Down

Alissa Kessler

By: Alissa Kessler

Hate something, love something? We want to hear it all! There is no right or wrong here, and every thought, opinion, and expression shared will be recognized and respected. 

The majority of people would love to speak up about something they love or hate, but due to their fear of being criticized and/or judged, they shy away from the idea. What makes one person’s opinion any more valuable than another’s? Exactly–nothing! One person’s opinion is just as important as the next person’s, and everyone has the chance to use their voice. 

People have the opportunity to speak freely, though only some people take advantage of this when they write. It is common that people will share what they think others want to hear or what they think will be most popular. However, we want to hear what people want to say. 

This is how we grow mindsets and learn from others. When we are told only what we want to hear, we have no chance of growing or seeing different perspectives. This is why it is crucial for people to share their views on ideas, situations, and environments: so that others can grow their knowledge. 

No one is held to one standard when it comes to their writing, and no one is bound to share just one opinion. Writing is the most beneficial when we use it to enhance different perspectives. While some may be nervous about this, we want to remind our authors that this is a safe space and a judgement-free writing platform. This is a professional environment, and as long as our authors are respectful and kind, we will let them speak their minds. 

Nothing is black and white, so why should we expect writing to be? We want you to use your thoughts and opinions freely and to share what you think needs to be said! 

Bitter to Bestselling: How to Turn Negative Reviews into a Positive Experience

Riley Boock

By Riley Boock

The following quote is a review written by Samuel Pepys:

“…The King’s Theatre, where we saw “Midsummer Night’s Dream,” which I had never seen before, nor shall ever again, for it is the most insipid ridiculous play that ever I saw in my life.”

At one time or another, we’ve all gotten feedback that stung. Not even Shakespeare, the father of modern English literature, is exempt from criticism. Even with this in mind, it can be incredibly difficult to cope with rejection – but not impossible.

Here are some tips you can follow to make the best of a bad review:

Wallow (Within Reason)

I won’t sugarcoat it – rejection hurts. Your work, written or otherwise, is the result of a vulnerable and dedicated process; in a way, it becomes part of you. If you feel so inclined, treat yourself to some Ben & Jerry’s, rent a tearjerker, and make it an early night. Alternatively, you could get some fresh air, go for a walk, or journal your thoughts and feelings. It doesn’t matter which method of self-care you choose as long as it fills your cup!

Taking some time to recuperate after receiving disappointing feedback can make a huge difference in both your attitude and motivation. As humans, we have a tendency to take criticism very personally; unfortunately, as writers and creators, that’s a huge part of the process. Once you’ve channeled your initial feelings through an appropriate outlet, you can revisit your work with a fresh lens.

 Consider the Critiques

As you review your feedback, try to find the gems in the pile of rocks. Remember that most criticisms are well-meaning, even if they come across as cruel. However, some negative critiques are going to be unhelpful, plain and simple. Disregard those and keep looking for useful notes. For example:

  • This is the worst story I ever heard. – Anonymous User. (Unhelpful.)
  • This story has potential but isn’t ready for publication yet. The plot, though humorous, is underdeveloped and stale. – Editor McCritic. (Harsh, but can be helpful with some positive reframing.)

The key is to question if each review taught you something or introduced a new, informed perspective. The first example gives an opinion with no supplemental advice, but the second one points out a specific issue that can be addressed. This fundamental difference can completely change the way you view criticism.

Keep it Moving

It’s important to take corrections into consideration, but at the end of the day, don’t let it consume you. Different critics will have different insights; try to get a variety of sources to provide feedback, rather than lingering on the thoughts of just one.

Whatever you do, don’t let a negative review extinguish your spark. There is always something to improve upon, so let those critiques be nothing but an impetus. Keep working, growing, and prospering!

Too Much, Too Little?

klange7

By Kaitlyn Lange

Imagine you’re 6 years old, and this world is yours.  Pieces of chalk litter the sidewalk, and your friend’s laugh echoes across the neighborhood.  Everything is perfect. You’re chasing your dog down the street when your foot suddenly catches, and you end up sprawled out in the gravel.  You’re in pain, so you begin to cry. Emotions flow freely and nothing has made you question the connection between your feelings and reactions; if you feel something, you feel it with no remorse.  Now, you’re in middle school submitting your first ever 5 paragraph essay.  Your topic is picked by the teacher, and there’s a strict set of guidelines that follow. Your class pumps out 15 essays written by 15 different individuals that all sound a bit too similar.  Cramming for the word count, you pick and choose what adjectives make the cut.  Suddenly, your paper lacks your “style” and simply follows the teacher’s criteria, as it will for the next 6 years of your life. 

As adults with more creative freedom, this is our chance to take back our writing.  However, this is also when it becomes scary.  When is too much, too much? And when is too little, too little? 

In a 2006 TED talk, Sir Ken Robinson said, “We don’t grow into creativity, we grow out of it. Or rather we get educated out of it”, and Peter Smagorinsky, from the University of Georgia, submitted to Writers Who Care, “…emotions are foundational to writing, and I’d add, to living life. You’d never know it, however, from the ways in which schools view writing as a form of “cold cognition”: purely analytic reasoning, unadulterated by underlying feelings, which are believed in the context of school to be illogical and inappropriate. The analysis of the most moving of literature must itself be dry as a bone, with students often forbidden from using “I” to express their interpretations, as if their papers are written by an “objective” observer….who doesn’t care at all.”

Following the thoughts of these two men, write what you feel needs to be said, and make it yours.  Submit that poem you have been worried about others seeing, and include your frivolous adjectives.  If it feels like too much, step back and review it, and if it feels like too little, then add to it.  Just write for yourself, and if it does not make the cut, at least you can be content knowing you stayed true to yourself instead of spitting out a piece that one universal system has tried to convince you feels like you. 

Stories of the Mundane: Finding Inspiration in the Uninspiring

Christopher Murray

 By Andrew Murray

              When we feel creatively exhausted, we often blame the routine and monotony of our everyday lives. Where do we turn for inspiration when our days are spent at work, at the post office, at school? What is there to tell? A lot, it turns out, if we strive to look just a little bit deeper. Many of the greatest storytellers color their most interesting characters with their perspectives on things we can all relate to – the mundane.

                Quentin Tarantino is one of the most universally revered directors and screenwriters in the history of filmmaking. His movies are also about as fantastical as it gets before dragons and hobbits get involved. Reservoir Dogs is a gratuitously violent crime drama chronicling the botched heist of six pseudonym’d criminals and their Clue­-style hunt for the saboteur in their midst. The movie opens with with a continuous, dollied shot around a diner table as six men discuss the virtues of tipping – chiefly that Mr. Pink doesn’t believe in it. These men are hardened criminals and this is the way Tarantino chooses to introduce us to them.

               The oft-lauded Pulp Fiction is too elaborate to synopsize here, but involves a pair of philosophically-waxing hitmen and their entanglements with their kingpin boss, a struggling boxer, and several other larger-than-life characters. Vincent Vega – one of the aforementioned hitmen – explains to his partner, Jules, the subtle differences between American and European fast food – like the fact that Europeans call a Quarter Pounder a “Royale with cheese,” because “they got the metric system there.”

                How much do your average moviegoer and black-tie hitmen have in common? Maybe not much, but both have probably had a quarter pounder (or a royale with cheese).

                The hit sitcom of the ‘90s, Seinfeld, landed at number three on Rolling Stone’s “100 Best Sitcoms of All Time,” edged out only by Cheers and The Simpsons. The award-winning show is known for its absurdist takes on the minutiae of everyday life. Variety ranks “The Comeback” the show’s top episode. In this episode, George flies from New York to Ohio just to deliver a comeback insult to a former coworker. This is a fantasy we’ve all had, taken to extreme lengths.

                Seinfeld the show began as an exploration of how Seinfeld the comic gathered material for his standup routine from everyday life. Topics typical of his real-life act include the joys of going through airport security, tips on choosing the freshest produce at the supermarket, and the indignity of doctor’s visits.

                Quentin Tarantino and Jerry Seinfeld are two very different types of storytellers – one a vulgar and indulgent film director; one a legendary comic known for the squeaky clean nature of his act. Both are masters of their crafts, and both often turn to the same source for inspiration: the mundane. Why? Because the mundane is relatable. So the next time you find yourself bored at work, make your work work for you.