How I Feel About Book Recommendations‏

I can dedicate an entire post on book recommendations, so I’m doing exactly that.

Giving book recommendations:

I give because people ask. Also, I’m predisposed to philanthropy because I am generous by nature. Ask anybody who has had the pleasure of benefitting from one of my many unselfish acts. That being said I don’t expect everyone to love what I love or dislike what I dislike.

As a side note, I’ve acquired different tastes over the years. So a book I enjoyed three years ago may not be as enjoyable now. Case in point, I rate books on Goodreads based on my feelings of the book during and right after reading.  Meaning I may not feel the same way about a book as time goes on. In my opinion, the 5 star rating is not and never will be an accurate representation.

My experience has made me wish people were more decisive. You’re choosing a book, not choosing someone to spend the rest of your life with.

Receiving book recommendations:

I’m open to receiving them so long as the giver doesn’t try to shove it down my throat. In most cases, subtlety is an effective approach. If you really want me to read something, mention it in passing. Do not make the title or author your most used phrase in conversation.

As you can tell, I tend to give book recommendations more than I receive them. Then again, if you think I’ll enjoy a particular story or novel, feel free to let me know.

I can’t think of anything else to add. If or when I do, I’ll be sure to shove it down your throat.

What Is Poetry?

Well, what isn’t poetry?

Can you accurately define art? What is it? What is it not?

What is dance? What is music?

What is writing to you?

Seven questions (eight including the title) in one post. I wonder if that’s a new record.

Blogging 101: Take Control of Your Title and Tagline

Am I going to edit my title or tagline? Nope, because I’m quite fond of both.

Instead I’ll give you a bit of insight behind them.

aspiringwriter22

First of all, I tend not to capitalize the a. It ruins the aesthetic for me personally. Also, I was fifteen when I first started this blog. Meaning I came up with aspiringwriter22 back then. Go ahead, judge a fifteen year old.

Anyway, I don’t regret calling myself that, especially since I couldn’t very well call myself writer22. It doesn’t sound the same. And I can’t recall if someone else already laid claim to the name. (I checked to see if the blog address is already in use. It is.)

Aspiring. I like how the word sounds. I especially like aspiring with writer. Those words work together when placed side by side. More importantly, I’m not implying I aspire to be a writer. In real life, I tell people I’m a writer.

Writer. Pretty self-explanatory.

22. My favourite number.

A blog about writers, for writers, written by an aspiring writer, exploring the life of a writer.

My tagline changes all the time. No doubt, it’ll probably change in the future. Just not in the near future. I hope my tagline isn’t too misleading or confusing. I think it accurately sums up my blog in one sentence since I talk about writing most of the time. Even when I’m not, I reference or make indirect remarks about writing.

I’m beginning to realize how big Blogging 101 actually is. There are so many bloggers doing it. Best of luck if you are. If you aren’t, I still wish for your success.

Liking A Post Without Actually Reading It

First off, let me make you think. Have you ever liked a blog post without reading it entirely? Reading the title and just the title is not good enough. Have your answer. Yes? Good, moving on.

Let me make you contemplate now. This one might will be trickier. Do you think it’s wrong to like a post without reading past the first sentence? Look at it this way, how can you possibly like something without even knowing what it is about exactly? Breaking news: titles can be misleading.

OK, maybe this whole post doesn’t even apply to you because you’re one of those people (hello Mr./Mrs. goody-two shoes) who reads every post they’ve ever liked. In that case, you are a wonderful human being and I bow down to you.

Meet My Character Blog Tour

First off, thank you to the one and only phantomwriter143. If you aren’t following her or reading her blog posts, there’s something wrong with you.

Secondly, bear with me as my new work in progress is so new that I only have two lines written so far. Therefore, this post is somewhat like my character sketch/novel brainstorm all in one.

Here goes nothing.

What is the name of your character? Is he/she fictional or a historic person?

I have a hard time with choosing character names, especially when said person is the main character. More so when the MC is female. Don’t ask me why. I don’t even have a name for my main character yet. I do, however, know her initials. It’s either CJP or JCP. That’s all I’m going to say. I’m afraid if I divulge the reason why I chose those letters, I will be laughed at. Especially because I’m sure some bloggers will.

She is completely fictional.

When and where is the story set?

2014. Somewhere in Canada. It’s a contemporary story. I don’t use that word enough, even though it is indeed one of my favourites in the English language. Contemporary. Contemporary. Contemporary.

What should we know about him/her?

She’s broken, imperfect, flawed (like all characters should be). It’s a result of her tragic past, but she keeps fighting and there’s a strength within her that keeps her going, pushes her forward. Also, she grows up in a dysfunctional family. I’m thinking mine but 100 times worse and 1000 times exaggerated.

What is the main conflict? What messes up his/her life?

I’ll be awfully vague like I always am when I talk about the main story-line. She loses two people who are close to her. That’s part of the conflict. The deaths messes up her life and then some.

What is the personal goal of the character?

Ultimately, to be happy. To do that she has to learn to move on and let go. She has to accept the hand she’s dealt in life and make the most out of it. She needs to come to terms with the injustices in the world and learn that people don’t always apologize for the pain they have caused or the mistakes they have made. Um…that sounds a lot like my goal in life. Whoops.

Is there a working title for this novel, and can we read more about it?

The Call. Whenever I have a title, I stick with it about 75 percent of the time. Why? Because after using it/seeing it/saying it over a time of many months or possibly years, it sticks. It works. Hence under normal circumstances, I have no intention to change it and possibly make the title worse than it already is.

The answer to the second part of the question: no. If and when I’m ready to share more information, you will be the first to know.

When can we expect the book to be published?

Never.

Now for my nominations.

• J.G. Chayko
• Kevin
• MP Sharma
• John Guillen
• Rachel
• Kev
• Vik Tory Arch
• And everyone else who wants to do this.

I’m going to be a bit of a rebel and not mention to any of my nominees that I nominated them. So I hope all of you read/see this because if you don’t, then you may never know I nominated you mainly for your awesomeness, mostly for your wonderfulness, and partly so I can read your answers.

Twitter Sins With Real Life Equivalents

It’s difficult to come up with an accurate title for every blog post. I can’t always be perfect. Although I must admit the title “Twitter Sins With Real Life Equivalents” isn’t half bad if I do say so myself. Anyhow, I know this post is a bit different from my usual ones focused more on writing and/or blogging. Just wanted to switch it up a bit to avoid boring you. Enjoy.

Spamming someone with DMs, short for direct messages.

More like texting someone one too many times.

Following someone only to un-follow them later and re-follow them shortly after.

This is equivalent to dating someone, breaking up with them, and making up with your him or her.

Spamming your followers by sending tweet after tweet with a few seconds in between each.

Real life scenario: never shutting up.

The above aren’t exactly sins. If only they were…