inspiration

Email Scams Keep Getting Ridiculous

/ inkspeare / 22 Comments

I have gotten many email scams in my inbox.  Some very creative, some pitiful, but this one caught my attention, and I had to share its ridiculous appeal with all of you.  Here’s what I got in my inbox:

Hello,

My name is Mrs. Elena Tan. I am a dying woman who has decided to
donate what I have to you. for charitable goals.

I am 59 years old and was diagnosed for cancer about 2 years ago,
kindly Contact my lawyer through this email address or you can call
his private Lin 😦 +855976826769) (barr_richardlee9@sify.com) if you
are interested in carrying out this task, so that he can arrange the
release of the funds ($10,500,000.00)to you.

My lawyer’s name is Barrister Richard Lee. I know I have never met you
but instincts tells me to do this, and i hope you act sincerely. Thank
you and God bless you.

Mrs. Elena Tan.

As you can see the grammatical and spelling errors are abundant, which is always a tell sign; but the sad story details, and the names, is what I got a kick out of.  So, I decided to google some of the details.  I discovered that I had gotten a short version of the scam, a shortened letter.  In the longest version, her husband had died 2 years ago, leaving her everything he worked hard for.  It also added that she was touched by God to donate the money …. Immediately, I felt offended.  How could they send me the short version?  Does that mean I am gullible, naive, stupid, or an easy prey?  Was there no need for an explanation, more detail to reel me in?  Plus, I know the meaning of the word barrister. 

I kept googling and came across the website of a lawyer in England (a barrister) with the name of Richard Lee.  His firm, called BLS for British Expatriate Services, offices in Malta.  Their clientele is the expatriate.  The services range from legal to banking, and other.  I found this very curious.

Then, I decided to google Mrs. Elena Tan.  Of course, many Elena Tan came up, but I also found more versions of the scam, every time more detailed and …. long – unlike my short version.

All this left me with one thought, that inspiration for writing comes from everywhere.  I can certainly think of a story, utilizing the above letter as writing material.  So next time you receive an email scam, view it in a different light – as writing material.  *But don’t forget to mark it as a scam, and delete it from your box.

Writer’s Wisdom 26

/ inkspeare

Scheduling Your Writing Time

Scheduling your time to write is as important as going to work everyday, that is, if you are a serious writer.  If this is how you earn your money, then with more reason.  If you wait for inspiration, your Muse may keep you waiting for an entire day (or days), and you’ll be left without a single written word.

When you set aside a block of time for writing, your brain will start recognizing that period for what it is – writing time.  There are times when inspiration will visit you outside the scheduled time, and by all means, answer your Muse’s call.  But we are not talking here about those instances, we are talking about being disciplined with your writing.  Whatever length of time you have available, will depend on your daily schedule.  Even when you have a hectic pace of life and crazy working hours, if you manage to block even 10 minutes of writing everyday, it will help you hone your writing skills.

 But what if you can’t think of something to write about?  Sit down to write anyway, and start writing anything that comes to mind.  One word will follow the next one, and before you realize it, you will have a paragraph, a page or a couple of sentences on something.  This could become material for future writings, ideas on a theme, or a story might develop from it.

On writing, you don’t know when your next story is going to come from.  Sometimes, it is from a dream; other times, an article you read or a painting you saw. Or maybe, from the chicken scratches left at your scheduled writing time.

Happy writing!

Writer’s Wisdom 25

/ inkspeare / 2 Comments

James Patterson

Today’s spot is dedicated to James Patterson– a genius writer.  With 47 New York Times best selling titles, and more than 170 million books sold worldwide, he seems to be unstoppable and would hold the title of Muse’s King, if there was such.  Is #1 on the New York Times adult fiction and children’s chapter books best seller lists. 

His method is something out of this world.  He is known to have over 15 books going on at the same time, while working on them simultaneously.  Sometimes, doing up to 10 drafts.  He co-authors, and has mention in some interviews that he keeps a file with over three thousand ideas for books.   His outlines are 30-40 pages long; according to him, to keep him organized.  He is a writing machine! 

But not only, is he a writing machine, he is a reading machine too.  He reads 150 books a year.  James Patterson can be called the Madonna of writing; he keeps reinventing himself – and because of that, he is a target for much criticism. 

Despite his huge success as a writer, he keeps a down to earth approach, and  does not take himself to seriously; seems lay back.  He is a family man first, a writer second – although, he is well known as a prolific author. 

He is called America’s #1 Storyteller, and I happen to agree. 

 

Writer’s Wisdom 23

/ inkspeare

Writing, Just Do It!

Best selling authors agree on this.  You can take as many creative writing classes and seminars, read books on writing, but if you don’t do it, your knowledge is just that – knowledge.

There is no minimum or maximum amount of pages to write a day.  It is different for everyone, and you should find what works for you.  Best selling author Eloisa James, writes 20 pages a day.  She says that, “writing is hard work; it is tough.” (interview with Borders).  John Grisham from 5-8 + pages a day.  I recommend Janet Evanovich’s book:  How I Write, Secrets of a Best Selling Author.  It is full of information, and real life advice on writing – excellent book for aspiring authors.

One of my favorite quotes, is from best selling author Sherrilyn Kenyon, and has become inspiring to me:  “Over, under, around or through, there’s always a way to get where you want to go; you just have to find it.”

We have to find our own way in writing, our own path.  Debbie Macomber is one of the greatest inspirations in writing.  As told in an interview with Borders, she was dyslexic, and learned to read in the 5th grade.  She is a best selling author, and in her own words:  “I Loooooove to write.”

Author Claire Cook is another inspiration.  She knew all she wanted to do was to write, but it took her 25 years because she was afraid of the big step.  Her recommendation to aspiring writers:  “Just try it; small steps every day take you there.” (Borders)

And who can say it better than one of my favorite authors – The Donald.  In an interview with Borders, for his book Think Big and Kick Ass, he said:  “Keep your left up; never ever quit.” – Donald Trump.

So, if you love writing, but are procrastinating, stop now, go pick up your pen, (or mouse), and let it flow; don’t think about it, just do it! 

Writer’s Wisdom 21

/ inkspeare

Writing with Heart

Writing a piece is more than telling a story.  If you are passionate about writing, you write with your heart.  You give something in you, to the story.  Author Harlan Coben expressed in a Borders interview:  “I like to write with heart, otherwise it is not going to work for me.”  I agree with his comment; to make a piece that captures the readers, there has to be passion in it.

Author Wally Lamb expressed:  “Write a book for yourself, and let the readers that have to find it, find it.” 

Another author that follows the same rule is Jamie Lee Curtis.  She told Borders:  “I don’t do it for achievement; it is pure expression for me.”  Another good example of this is best selling author John Grisham.  He writes legal thrillers, mostly, but he says that he writes whatever he wants; he has fun with the genre.  He says he does not know where he is going as far as sticking with a genre.  Some of his books have been made into movies (The Firm, The Appeal).  In his own words to Borders:  “You can’t get too serious, the pages have to turn.”

And perhaps, the best example we have about a best selling author who writes with heart is Stephenie Meyer.  Her first book, Twilight, she wrote for herself – at the kitchen table.  The very successful series followed, and captured the heart of fans all over.

So, next time you pick up your pen (or your mouse), ask yourself this question:  “Am I putting my heart to it?” 

Writer’s Wisdom 18

/ inkspeare / 2 Comments

Read

Most writers love to read.  The written word becomes spellbinding.  Besides doing it for pleasure, reading will improve your writing.  Take note of author’s styles, use of language, dialog and description.  Notice the movement of the characters throughout the story. 

Author Maggie Stiefvater recommends to aspiring authors to read, read, read.  She did not take any creative writing classes, but she is a voracious reader (as told in a Borders interview).  Reading is like studying about writing, while enjoying a good story.  It is good to read various genres, to get a good idea of what works for your style. 

So, next time you pick up a book, think of its benefits to you as a writer, besides being pure entertainment.

Writer’s Wisdom 16

/ inkspeare

Your Trademark

Many have compared writing a book with giving birth to a child.  When you write, you are pouring your self, your style, into a piece of writing.  The styles of well known authors are unmistakable.  Lisa Scottoline said, in an interview with Borders, “Try to write something that is inside you; you open your heart and readers open theirs.”

Mitch Albom weaves his own anecdotes into his books; he uses a song in every book, kind of his trademark.  Your trademark (the term is not being used here in its strict definition)  identifies you in a sea of writers, it is your personal mark, your print in the story.

However you decide to leave your mark embeded in the story, eventually, it will reflect your style, and identify you.   

 

Writer’s Wisdom 9

/ inkspeare

“Inspiration is all around you.”

 When your ink well is running dry, look around you; you will find inspiration in the oddest of places.  Best selling authors are aware of this and practice it all the time.  Some observe and listen for ideas, others have dreams, others write about what they know; some use ideas that are already out, but modify them into a different story.  Caution should be exercised with this last one, as you have to be careful with copyrights – a lawyer should be handling these details – this applies in the case of modifying a story that has already been written, for example “A Lion Among Men” by Gregory Maguire, which is a different view of The Wizard of Oz. 

Sara Grwen saw a picture of a vintage circus, and that instance, she knew she would write a story about that (Water for Elephants), even when she had started a complete different story.  Christopher Paolini wrote about what he always wanted to read about, but there was just not enough of it around (Besinger).  Jody Picoult says that ideas come from all over the place.  For her, usually about an issue that she doesn’t have the answer to.

So, however you want to connect with your muse, inspiration is all around you, just be aware, or alert to your muse’s call.