Lifestyle
The Best Habits for New Novelists
There has always been one thing standing in the way of every person that wants to be a novelist: writing the damn novel. Any aspiring writer will tell you that they have endless false starts and half written novels clogging up their laptop. Scribbled notes in copybooks, ideas in their head they haven’t mustered the spirit to put on paper – often times the hardest part about being a writer is the writing. Writers can develop a complex after so many failed attempts. They start to think that they just don’t have what it takes. In reality, they just haven’t given themselves the best chance to succeed. Here are the best habits for all those chasing the two most elusive words in the English language: ‘The End.’
1. Write
Writing every day is a discipline that many people don’t have. It can be difficult to find the inspiration to get behind a keyboard. When you do bring yourself to write, you can struggle with finding a rhythm. Your sentence structure is clunky. You find yourself rewriting the same sentence over and over again. The best way to rid yourself of this is by writing every day. Even if you can only manage to write 100 words one day, make the time to do it.
2. Establish a Ritual
To help strengthen your writing habits, it’s a good idea to create a ritual out of it. Choose to write just after breakfast. Get a coffee mug that you only use when you’re working on the novel. Put on a certain music playlist (something without lyrics, preferably). Where do you write? Pick a place, free of distraction to designate your place to get work done. It can be difficult to write in the room where you typically watch TV or eat. Consider a local coffee shop, a place where you will be free of the million other little things you should be doing around the house.
3. Outline Your Novel
Outlining is tricky. Some writers love outlines. Some writers hate them. All writers need them. You don’t need an outline when you first start writing, but once you know where you you’re your story to go, put it down on paper. There are many different ways to outline your story. It is just a matter of finding the best way for you. A great practice is to break up your novel into acts. This way you can outline your story in sections. Mark the beginning of your story on the outline, then mark the end. If your story was a TV show with three seasons, what would happen in the first season finale? Make that the end point of your first act. Create as detailed an outline of your first act as you feel comfortable. Then, revisit the second and third act of your outline once you’ve written all of the first. Keep in mind that just because you put something in the outline, doesn’t mean it’s written in stone. Nearly all novels have diverted from the original outline in one way or another.
4. Get to Know Your Characters
If you’re writing something, then you presumably want someone to read it. You want your readers to be invested and care – you want them to love or hate your characters. Take the time to develop your characters before you write them into your story. You know that your protagonist is the charming, sarcastic anti-hero type. Why is he that way? Where did he grow up? What was his dad like? Has he ever loved before? Picture him going to the grocery store. What would he buy? How would he treat the cashier? If he found a wallet on the ground, would he keep it or turn it in? Maybe he pockets the cash and then turns it in.
4 ½. Smell Your Setting
One of the easiest ways to get taken out of your story is when suddenly a new element to the setting was introduced that they were not expecting.
It’s snowing? I pictured a warm summer day.
Whenever you introduce a new setting in your story, think of what it might smell like and work from there. Smell is the sense tied closest to memory, but also the last sense in mind when reading a book on the couch. A well described smell can teleport a reader from their bedroom to a dank, marshy swamp or an old rusty spaceship in an instant.
5. Don’t Edit
Writing and editing are two completely different things. They require a different mindset. Do not edit when you should be writing. It can be tempting to go back and tidy up some dialogue that you wrote the day before, but you should avoid it as best you can. The quickest way to disrupt your flow and your vision is to go back and chop up what you worked on mid project. Keep your head down and forge ahead. There will be moments where you don’t feel that your writing is at its best, but it is more important to get the words down than it is to get them down perfectly. There will be time for that later.
6. Cut to the Chase
If you’re not interested in writing about something, how can you expect your audience to be interested in reading about it? There will be times when you find that you’re writing a scene that in all reality is inconsequential to the story and whatever point you’re trying to make. Feel free to leave it all out of there. Is your protagonist having some profound thought on their drive home from work? Did they witness something on the road or learn something significant from a radio broadcast? If not, you should consider leaving it out. There are times when you get into a rhythm and you’re practically typing faster than you can think of the words. Take a beat, step back, and think about the importance of what you’re writing.
7. You’re Done! Now You Can Edit Your Novel
You did it! You sat down every day and banged on the keys until you finally wrote ‘happily ever after,’ or ‘they were never heard from again.’ Of course, that’s not it. While the hard part may be over, you still have a long road ahead. It’s time to rip your story apart. How do you write a good story? You write a bad story and make it better.
When you start to make edits to your story, the first thing you want to do is put it down. Close the laptop and leave it alone for a little while. A few weeks? Months? That’s up to you, but the important thing is to put some space between you and your baby. You want to be able to look over your work with fresh and relatively new eyes. Once you’re ready to bust out the red pen, consider printing out your story – one sided and double spaced. You’ll feel accomplished holding the draft in your hands, but it’s also good to read it like someone would read a book. Try reading your story aloud. It’s easier to skip over misspellings or miss awkward sounding sentences when you read in your head. Don’t be afraid to run out of ink in that red pen. If you don’t have enough notes, you’re not a good editor. Once you’ve made your notes, go back and fix them. Print out the draft, and edit again.
Have you wondered if buying an electric scooter for short rides is a worthwhile investment? As more people and communities turn to alternative transportation, the shift is often driven by a desire to reduce their carbon footprints and enjoy added convenience. This growing trend has many asking the question, “should I buy an electric scooter?” From electric bikes to unicycles, there’s a lot you can learn and gain when choosing an e-scooter for your daily commute.
Learning to ride a scooter is easy
To learn how to ride your electric scooter is surprisingly easy. The learning curve is so low you can start cruising down the road in a short time. The Gotrax GXL V2 e-scooter is a good choice for beginners. It is affordable at just around $349 and can get you to work and back in a single charge. If you’re wondering whether you should buy an electric scooter, this model is a great place to start.
Once you finish the easy assembly and four-hour charging, you can already use it. It has the usual handbrake and bell on the left side. On the right sits a thumb throttle which you simply turn to gain speed and keep your balance.
You should lower your speed when stopping. This is because the higher your speed is when braking will result in the tires wearing out quickly. You will then need maintenance which can be expensive.
Turing is easy, but you need to do it with care. With both hands on the handlebars, signaling may not be possible. This is why many high-end e-scooters have features with light-up signals for this purpose.
Get additional but helpful features
Some considerations include features such as the signal lights mentioned above, suspensions, thicker tires, or more powerful motors. These will help you navigate bumpy roads, steep inclines, and uneven terrain.
When buying e-scooters, you should also consider the battery, waterproofing of the scooter, or portability. These are investments that can make your rides safer and more comfortable.
Consider your city’s laws
Before buying that electric scooter, check out your town or city’s laws about speed limits or the use of these EVs in general. Most budget-friendly scooters can travel up to25 km/h, but it’s still a good idea to know what your limitations are to prevent problems with the law.
Nighttime riding can also be a cause for concern if you plan on doing much of it. You may have to invest in headlights and reflectors to safely enjoy riding at night. You can also get helmets that already have lights and reflectors on them.
An electric scooter is faster and fun
Not only will you see huge savings on gas, but you’ll also be enjoying your rides with an electric scooter. These may be the two main reasons the EV craze has hit many towns and cities. The feel of the wind on your whole body while on it gives an exhilarating feeling that driving a car won’t ever duplicate.
Getting out of traffic quickly and efficiently is also a perk of having to ride an e-scooter. If you don’t have a lot to carry, an e-scooter is the best mode of transportation for short rides. However, you can also opt for a bag attachment that will allow you to bring a few items and small cargo when riding.
You’ll be addicted to it
Be warned: casual riding in your electric scooter can be addicting and leave you wanting more. This may be the exact reason add-ons are popular, while upgrading to higher-end models seems to be the norm for some people. After a few rides, you would see yourself wanting to get a particular feature and opting for more power and speed. So, as an answer to the question, should I buy an electric scooter? You should say yes!
Even if COVID-19 remains present after two years, it’s not stopping people from going on beach vacations. After all, cases aren’t as high as before, and many people have been vaccinated against the virus. And when it comes to beach vacations, it means more swimming and fun water activities, such as snorkeling, watching dolphins on the boat, and parasailing. We often get carried away with these activities, and unfortunate incidents befall us. One of those unavoidable incidents is accidentally dropping your smartphone into the ocean or sea. You’ve worked so hard to buy the device, only for it to slip away into the ocean. There’s a possibility that you can still retrieve it, though. But what do you do after you drop your smartphone in the ocean? Here’s what you need to do.
Look For Your Phone
You can still retrieve your phone from the ocean IF you accidentally dropped it in a shallow part of it. Use your feet or hands to feel for the phone. And if you have a net or something to scoop it up, do that too.
However, Do NOT in ANY CIRCUMSTANCES try to retrieve your phone IF it fell somewhere deep. You need to accept the fact that it’s long gone and is now with the sea. If this happens, contact your mobile phone provider immediately if you have a plan with them. They could help you with reassigning your old number to a new phone.
Switch the Phone Off and Leave it to Dry
Once you retrieve your phone, turn it off immediately. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to take snaps for your Instagram or create videos for TikTok. However, this is a necessary measure once it’s out of the water. Plus, make sure to dry it with a clean towel. Since you’re still at the beach and a few hours away from civilization, this is your best bet in ensuring your phone doesn’t take any more damage.
Remember the uncooked rice myth? Yeah, that’s not true. It’s no longer recommended to put your phone in uncooked rice because it will cause further corrosion. In an old interview, David Naumann said in the USA today that if you drop your smartphone in the ocean, you can put it inside a Ziplock bag. You’ll add purified water there and a pinch of baking soda. Baking soda is necessary to counter corrosion.
Bring It to A Pro ASAP
You can be tempted to fix your smartphone once you get home. But the best person to deal with this situation is a professional. It can be challenging to disassemble the phone, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the process. Once you’re back home, immediately take it to a repair shop and tell them that you accidentally dropped it in the ocean.
Preventive Measures
To prevent any data loss, why not back up your files on a cloud? That way, if you lose your phone or drop it in the ocean, you can still have your files when you get a new one.
And if you’re going to the beach, make sure to put the smartphone inside a waterproof bag. It will keep your phone dry and secure!
Unfortunately, this guy can no longer retrieve his phone. And this is why you need to take preventive measures to avoid a scenario like this.
And for other stories, news, or tips, read more here at Owner’s Mag!
You don’t have to wait for the holidays to surprise the special women in your life. You can browse through this gift guide to find the best gifts for women for any occasion. These unique and thoughtful presents are sure to put a smile on their faces.
1. Dearfoams Memory Foam Slipper
Jessica Plush Criscroos Slippers by Dearfoams make a gorgeous yet functional gift for your mom, wife, daughter, or friend on any occasion. They’ll surely appreciate your gesture of helping them say goodbye to achy feet with these lovely slippers.
2. The Gift of Self-Love Workbook
Give your favorite gal this heartfelt and relatable book for her self-love journey. The bestselling paperback has quizzes, writing exercises, and a step-by-step guide to express their emotions, feel motivated, and increase their self-confidence.
3. Sephora Favorites Makeup and Skincare Set
For women who love makeup, here’s a gift set from Sephora. This Clean Me Up Makeup and Skincare Value Set includes eight must-have beauty products enriched with skin-loving ingredients. It also includes products from Glow Recipe, Tower 28, Olehenriksen, and more.
4. Akola Glow Unlock-it Bracelet
An unlock-it hinged bracelet, this unique and classy gift is ideal for all the special women in your life. It is perfect for all ages and styles, thanks to its timeless design. It features twin bezel-set designer crystal baguettes in a green emerald hue, engraved with the word GLOW.
5. Tulianna and Alejandra Garces Rosebud Earrings
Celebrate friendship, love, and romance with these pretty Birthstone Balloon Earrings by Tulianna and Alejandra Garces. The makers of these fancy earrings decided to cast colorful drops in a glassy eco-resin. Gift a set of these to someone special and show how much you love them.
6. Merokeety Knit Loungewear Set
Everyone needs comfy pajama sets to lounge around the house on a lazy weekend. So. grab a pair of this knitted casual nightwear from Merokeety. Besides, you could wear them separately, too, making it a perfect work-from-home OOTD.
7. No-Pressure Reading for Fun Journal from Uncommon Goods
Enhance the joy of reading with this thoughtfully designed journal. This helps the bibliophiles in your life with tracking their reading, reflecting on their favorites, or rediscovering the fun in books.
8. Bubble Soy Candles
Make your special someone smile by giving this scented cube-style candle in pastel colors. This lovely present is one of the cheapest yet most beautiful items in our women’s gift guides collection.
9. Mom Kindness Change-It-Up Clutch
Any woman will love the functionality of this clutch which can fit all her essentials. And the proceeds from every purchase go to Every Mother Counts, a nonprofit organization that promotes safe pregnancy and childbirth for every mother everywhere.
10. IUGA Navy Yoga Pants
These yoga leggings are a perfect present for women with an active lifestyle. It’s an ideal workout leggings made comfortable because of Four-way Stretch materials.
11. Pavoi Chunky Gold Hoop Earrings
These Hoop Earrings are always best sellers! This thick hoop earring is crafted to be lightweight for easy all-day wear. They are Hypoallergenic; Nickel and Lead-Free with Stainless Steel Post
12. Revlon One-Step Volumizer Enhanced 1.0 Hair Dryer and Hot Air Brush
With this Revlon revolutionary blow dryer brush, she can finish her hair in minutes. Surprise your significant other, sister, or best friend with this product that promises salon-quality results and less hassle of booking a pricey hair appointment.
13. Ztujo Purse Organizer
Your mom or friend who carries everything with her at all times 100 percent needs one of these organizational inserts for her bottomless pit of purse.
14. Senia Hot and Cold Facial Steamer
Show love for your favorite person by helping de-stress and regularly cleanse your skin. It has a calming nature of warm and cool mist and aromatherapy. Gift this wellness gadget to the woman you adore, and she’ll thank you for your thoughtfulness.
15. Masters Creative Custom Line Art Portrait
These custom line art portraits could be a perfect gift for those who love the minimalist look. Straight from the U.K, you can have it delivered as a digital file. Or have it printed on high-quality paper and shipped directly to you or the recipient.
16. Sophie Faux Fur Throw Blanket
This cozy blanket like this one from Anthropologie is a universal gift idea. This plush throw will keep her comfortable whether she’s always chilly or loves snuggling up on the couch. Plus, it comes in various colors you don’t usually find in faux fur blankets, including ochre, teal, mauve, and more.
17. Invigorate Shower Steamers Gift Set
Energize your giftee’s shower with this Invigorate Shower Steamer gift set. It contains essential oils and aromatherapy scents, including cedar, orange, and pine. This luxurious gift is made from natural ingredients and is handmade in California.
18. The Citizenry Aegean Cotton Bath Robe
This luxe bathrobe is the perfect gift for anyone who wants to feel at a hotel after a shower. It’s soft, absorbent, and has pockets that the recipient will love!
19. Flower Subscription
Give a gift that keeps on giving with this flower subscription. They’ll enjoy a new bouquet of mixed blooms each month for six months! Each arrangement is a work of art with some of the world’s most beautiful flowers. Get roses, sunflowers, hydrangeas, alstroemeria, and more.
20. mDesign Stackable Storage Box
Keep clutter under control by keeping favorite jewelry and accessories in one place. These stackable containers feature multiple compartments in various sizes providing plenty of options.
21. Coyuchi Dillon Organic French Terry Cardigan
You can never fail with comfortable loungewear as a present. This French terry cardigan, for example, is perfect for days when she doesn’t want to wear PJs or a robe but still wants to feel cozy. It’s made with organic cotton and has pockets for when she needs to stash lip balm or keep her hands warm.
22. Papier Colorblock Notebook
This notebook from Papier is a gem for bullet journaling enthusiasts. The colors, cover, and paper type are customizable in many ways. You can also get it personalized with the recipient’s full name, initials, or inspirational quote.
23. Crystal Green Beaded Bag
This cute handmade bag is made with natural beads and the perfect for holding your keys, wallet, and cards. It comes in a light green color that is semi-transparent, but totally eye-catching!
24. Custom Handwriting Necklace
Buy this dainty necklace customized in your own words and handwriting so she can carry it wherever she goes.
25. Rachael Ray Create Delicious Nonstick Cookware Set
These pots and pans are a perfect present for your wife, who loves to cook. The cookware set features PlatinumShield Technology enhanced non-stick reinforced to be nine times harder than titanium.
We hope you liked what we featured in this list of women gift guides. Enjoy your early holiday shopping! And if you want more gift ideas for your loved ones, check them out here at Owner’s Mag!
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