Family Album Update

I finally finished editing my "family album" in Persian. If you don't know what I'm talking about, see these two previous posts about it: 

https://afarinrava.blogspot.com/2024/07/two-parter.html

https://afarinrava.blogspot.com/2024/08/idea-incubation.html

The editing took forever, mainly because I ended up deleting all my memories with my grandmother (The Petal's Whisper, translated into Persian) to keep this family album more objective and factual.

It's finally done and I've sent the pdf to all my cousins, whose children I initially wrote this for. Now they won't have to dig deep, like I did, to find information about their great grandparents: It's all available to them in the form of a 107-page digital file. 

Book Review

Pishi...

Many of you know about Pishi Pishi Miao Miao. 
https://nooshasblog.blogspot.com/2024/07/pishi-pishi-miao-miao.html

Pishi's arrival into my life coincided with my playing around with watercolor... and every time Pishi had a mini adventure, my inner art gremlin just sprang to life.
This result is a cute collection.
More soon...

Book Review

 

POV

The Power of Point of View: Choosing the Right Perspective

The point of view from which a story is told significantly impacts how readers perceive the narrative and connect with the characters. First-person POV offers an intimate glimpse into the protagonist’s thoughts and feelings, creating a strong sense of empathy. However, it limits the perspective to what the narrator knows and experiences. Third-person limited POV provides a balance, allowing readers to delve into one character’s internal world while maintaining some narrative flexibility. Third-person omniscient POV, on the other hand, offers a god-like perspective, providing insights into multiple characters and events simultaneously. The POV depends on the story you want to tell and the level of intimacy you wish to create with your readers. Each perspective offers unique advantages and challenges, so consider how each option aligns with your narrative goals.

Monday Motivation

 

Hobbies

A few months ago, I did quite a bit of gardening, and lately I've been playing with watercolor. I've noticed several similarities between these two activities: They both offer creative, therapeutic, and engaging experiences. 

Both activities allow for personal expression and creativity. With both, I make choices that reflect my style and preferences: in gardening, by the way I arrange the plants, and with watercolor, by the way I mix my colors. 

Both gardening and playing with watercolor require patience. Plants take time to grow, and watercolor often involves waiting for layers to dry. 

Both are somewhat unpredictable. A plant may evolve in unexpected ways due to weather or growth patterns, while watercolor paint can blend and flow in surprising ways, creating unplanned effects.

Both activities can be meditative and relaxing, requiring presence and focus on the task at hand. The repetitive motions of planting or painting can help calm the mind.

These parallels make both gardening and watercolor painting rewarding and fulfilling activities.

Stepping Stones

Life is a journey of stepping stones, each one a small but significant part of the path. Some stones are smooth, others rough, but all of them contribute to where we're headed. We might stumble or pause, but with each step, we gain strength, wisdom, and perspective. Just like the stones beneath our feet, the challenges and triumphs we encounter shape who we become, guiding us toward our next destination.

Jhumpa Lahiri

“That's the thing about books. They let you travel without moving your feet.”
Jhumpa Lahiri

Balesh

If you've read The Petal's Whisper, you know exactly what's going on here...

 https://www.amazon.com/Petals-Whisper-Afarin-Rava-ebook/dp/B0D8R62ZP1

Jeanette Winterson

"Fragile creatures of a small blue planet, surrounded by light years of silent space. Do the dead find peace beyond the rattle of the world?" 
Jeanette Winterson

Writer's Block

Strategies for Unleashing Creativity

Writer’s block can be a daunting challenge, but several strategies can help overcome it and reignite your creativity: 

change your environment

Sometimes, a new setting can provide fresh inspiration. 

take regular breaks

Sometimes, taking a break from writing and instead engaging in activities unrelated to writing, such as walking or drawing, can also stimulate creativity. 

do free writing 

Setting a timer for a short period and writing anything that comes to mind without worrying about grammar or coherence is a great exercise that can help bypass the internal critic that often stifles creativity. 

set small, manageable goals

Setting small, manageable goals can make the writing process less overwhelming. Instead of aiming to write an entire chapter, focus on completing a single scene or even a paragraph.

These techniques can help you break through writer’s block and get back to productive writing.

Book Review

 

Frank Zappa

“So many books, so little time.”
Frank Zappa

Downtime

A little downtime helps prevent burnout. It fosters a renewed energy for writing. It provides space for leisure activities that inspire fresh ideas and offer perspective. A well-rested mind is more imaginative, focused, and capable of creating. 

Types of Nonfiction

Nonfiction is like the truth-telling cousin of fiction. Instead of spinning tales from imagination, nonfiction sticks to the facts, information, and insights rooted in reality. Nonfiction comes in various flavors, each with its own unique way of keeping readers engaged... and there’s something for everyone. 

History & Philosophy & Journalism: These often narrative pieces are all about storytelling with real-life events presented in a compelling and sometimes dramatic way. 

Biography & Autobiography & Memoirs: Biographies and autobiographies let readers walk in someone else's shoes. A biography is when someone writes about another person’s life — that person may be dead or alive. An autobiography, on the other hand, is when the author tells their own life story. Memoirs, told by the author themselves, let readers peek at a part of the author's life.

Essays: Essays are short pieces of nonfiction that explore a particular topic, idea, or experience. Essays can be serious, humorous, or reflective.

Self-Help & How-To & Academic & Travel Guides: Self-help books offer advice on personal growth, relationships, and career. How-to books are more instructional, teaching skills. Academic texts are all about teaching, whether it’s algebra, history, or chemistry. Travel guides give information on where to go and what to do.

In short, nonfiction offers a world of knowledge with a dash of entertainment.

Book Review

Mark Twain

“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to reform (or pause and reflect).”
Mark Twain

Dialogue

Effective dialogue is essential for character development and plot progression. It’s a tool that can reveal a character’s personality, background, and motivations without needing lengthy exposition. To write authentic dialogue, listen to how people speak in real life, noting their speech patterns, slang, and idiosyncrasies. Remember that people often speak in fragments and interruptions rather than complete sentences. Use dialogue to show relationships and power dynamics between characters. A conversation can convey tension, affection, or rivalry through tone and word choice. Moreover, good dialogue should serve multiple purposes, advancing the plot or revealing critical information while staying true to the character’s voice. Balancing these elements can make your characters more believable and your story more engaging.

Book Review

 

Noosh e Jaan!

The French say Bon appétit! to wish others to enjoy their meal. In Spanish, Italian, German, and Portuguese, the expressions are somewhat similar: Spanish: Buen provecho!; Italian: Buon appetito!; German: Guten Appetit!; and Portuguese: Bom apetite!.

The Japanese phrase meshiagare (召し上がれ) is used to indicate that food is ready to eat.
It is often said by a chef, server, or host.
After hearing meshiagare, it is customary to respond with itadakimasu (いただきます).

Iranians say noosh e jaan (نوش جان), meaning may it nourish your soul.
(And yes, the noosh part is the same noosh that is a part of my name, NooshAfarin.)

To those of you who are brave enough to try any of the recipes in The Petal's Whisper:

 noosh e jaan!

Sleepless

When I can't sleep at night...

 

Idea Incubation Phase

I've finished typing the "family album" in Persian. If you don't know what I'm talking about, read this short post: 
https://afarinrava.blogspot.com/2024/07/two-parter.html

Now, I need to edit it... and then format it. The editing seems like a challenge right now because I haven't written for publication in Persian since 1994 — and I just realized that's thirty years!!! 

Anyway, because it feels like a challenge, I'm procrastinating... and I'm fully aware of it. Many writers procrastinate, but I want to tell writers — or remind them — that procrastination breeds creativity. 

Some of the best ideas come when we’re not actively trying to think of them. So when we're avoiding writing by staring out the window or daydreaming or scrolling through social media, our brain is quietly piecing together the next book idea or plot twist.

How do I know this? I just had an idea for my next book... and created the outline for it — just this morning. From now on, I'm calling my procrastination my “idea incubation phase." 

Writing Memoirs

A memoir is more than just a collection of memories; it's a story with a central theme or message. Narrowing your focus helps create a cohesive narrative. Identify the key theme or lesson you want to convey — whether it's overcoming adversity, discovering identity, or something else. Let this guide what memories and experiences you include. Focus on a theme.

Authenticity is the heart of a compelling memoir. Readers connect with the raw, unfiltered truth of your experiences. Don’t shy away from difficult or uncomfortable topics. Embrace vulnerability to make your story resonate on a deeper level. Be honest and vulnerable.

Bringing your memories to life through vivid descriptions and sensory details makes your story more engaging and relatable. Use descriptive language to recreate scenes, allowing readers to see, hear, and feel your experiences as you did. Show. Don't just tell.

Understanding who your readers are helps you shape your narrative in a way that resonates with them. Consider what your audience might find interesting, relatable, or inspiring. Balance personal significance with universal appeal. Keep your audience in mind.

Memoirs often contain a lot of material, but not everything will serve the story. Tight editing ensures clarity and impact. Be prepared to cut out parts that don’t serve the theme or slow down the narrative, even if they’re important to you personally. Seek feedback from beta readers or a professional editor to refine your work. Edit ruthlessly.

Book Review

 

Settings

The Role of Setting in Storytelling: More than Just a Backdrop

Setting is a crucial element of storytelling that can influence the mood, theme, and even the characters' actions. It's more than just a backdrop; it can act like a character. Think about how different environments affect the story’s atmosphere. A gloomy, rain-soaked city might create a sense of foreboding and tension, while a sunny, idyllic village can evoke tranquility and nostalgia. The setting can also reflect or contrast with the characters' internal states, adding depth to the narrative. Additionally, settings can drive the plot forward. For example, a story set in a post-apocalyptic world will have different challenges and stakes than one set in a contemporary suburban neighborhood. By thoughtfully designing your setting, you can enhance the reader's immersion and add layers of meaning to your story.

Book Review

Hoopla

Merriam-Webster's word of the day is 

hoopla

pronounced HOO-plah

a noun

referring to talk or writing that is designed to get people excited about or interested in something, often with the implication that the person using the word does not find the thing exciting or interesting

1:

chiefly US, informal + often disapproving :
excited or agitated commotion or activity : bustle

also : agitated, excited, or angry discussion : fuss

2:

chiefly US, informal + often disapproving :
extravagant promotion or publicity : ballyhoo

also : an event or occasion featuring hoopla

Did you know that in French, the interjection houp-là is used roughly the same way as English’s upsy-daisy or whoops-a-daisy? When the word was borrowed into English, however, it referred to a kind of excited or agitated commotion, synonymous with other h-words including hoo-ha, hubbub, and hullabaloo. Hoopla later became synonymous to hype, especially of the kind marketing execs cook up for the release of a new product. Both senses can carry with them a whiff of disapproval. If you’re calling something hoopla, chances are you want to convey to others that the cause of the fuss may not be such a big deal.

(taken from Merriam-Webster)

To see it in context or listen to the pronunciation, check the link: https://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day (August 4, 2024).

Nolan Bushnell

"The true entrepreneur is a doer, not a dreamer. Every one who has taken a shower has had an idea. It's the person who gets out of the shower, dries off and does something about it that makes a difference. The critical ingredient is getting off your butt and doing something."
Nolan Bushnell

From Canada

 

Book Review