How much to read, what to read- To be able to write well!

Blogging Insights

This week Tanya has asked our opinion about this quote;

TODAY’S QUOTE 

“Reading is the finest teacher of how to write.”

Annie Proulx

She also asks our advice;

As an aspiring writer, I would like you to tell me what to read and how to read ?

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Who can deny the truth of this quote! We learn by reading. From our very first alphabet book to big tomes of literature, it is all learning- words to express ourselves, correct use of grammar, and how to use different literary devices to our best advantage.

I’m no writer, but I love reading. I have no intention of publishing a story book/ novel, but I still love to read. Reading is not only educational but it’s also as an escape. We open the pages of a book and enter a new world/ universe.

How reading has helped me become a better writer?

It has expanded my vocabulary and I have learned how and when to use words so that they have the maximum impact. I’ve also subconsciously gathered many plots in my mind which peak out when I write a short/ very short story. I have also learned about human nature and how people behave under different circumstances. All these things are a valuable assets to anyone wishing to be an author.

I agree with this quote that the more we read the better we will write. As for what to read and how to read; I think one should read everything ( meaning all genres ) so that the reading experience is broad and balanced. Read whenever you can, not as a compulsory subject in school, but as an enjoyment that will add to your knowledge.

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In response to; Blogging Insights 3.0 # 12 — Reading, hosted by Tanya

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Tranquil Thursday # 15- Trust

Tranquil Thursday

Have you experienced a betrayal of trust? If so, did it affect your ability to trust again?

I think this is something most people have experienced, to a lesser or greater degree. I felt betrayed when I used to have high expectations of others, including family and friends and they wouldn’t come up to the high standards I held up them to.

At that time I found that it wasn’t easy to trust people like before. But with age and life experience, I’ve toned down my expectations of others and have come to understand that it’s very rare that others would give you the same consideration that they give themselves. So now I do trust people, but never implicitly!

Do you consider yourselves a trustworthy friend? Have you ever betrayed the trust of another even if they never knew? Would others see you as trustworthy?

Like other human beings, I too am fallible. I do try to protect the confidence of others to the best of my abilities, try to be a sincere friend to them, and give them my support when they need me. And I think that my friends see me as trustworthy. If I’ve unwittingly betrayed anyone’s trust, I don’t remember them calling me out on this. But I am a babble mouth and sometimes I do say too much! TMI!

How do you recover and allow yourself to trust and be vulnerable again?

I’d only trust to a certain extent and not more. It’s not smart to be vulnerable to others when they’ve betrayed your trust once. It’s best to keep your inner feelings to yourself or to share them with someone who shares them, like my husband.

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In response to; Tranquil Thursday- Trust, hosted by Maggie

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#TranquilThursday

Moon; The high influencer

Photo by Adonis Arias on Pexels.com

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The crescent moon hangs low in the sky, waiting for the time of its ascent in the scheme of things, when it will grow and attain maturity. So an early moon is just like a piece of change in the softening sky, till it reaches its full glory in 14 days.Then the power it holds over its sister orb is evident in the form of strong waves and tides created, by its just being there.

Sonny sat and contemplated how the moon had influenced her life and that of the billions living on this planet. What would have happened if there was no moon to hold the atmosphere on Earth in balance; would there be life here at all?

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My photo; June 5

The rules for prosery are simple:

Your prosery can be flash-fiction or creative non-fiction, but not poetry. It should be no longer than 144 words in total (not including the title). No versification, line breaks, meter, etc). Most importantly, it must include the given poetry line, word for word, within the prose.

You may break the line only to insert or add punctuation, but you cannot change the words in the line or insert words within the prompt line. You cannot break up the prompt line with sentences or paragraphs.

The prompt line is:

“An early moon is just a piece of change
in the softening sky. “

— James Masao Mitsui

In response to; dVerse Posery, hosted by Merril

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#dVerse

Blues- Soothing and calming

My brain can’t capture completely

The beauty of the blue sky, white clouds

The silver moon, shining mid afternoon

Just looking up gives a sense of peace

Calms the agitated nerves and feelings

Looking skywards, once in a blue moon

I’m lucky to witness nature in all its splendor!

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In response to: Weekly Prompts Colour Challenge – Blues, hosted by Sue W and GC

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#WeeklyPrompts

A big donut

“Mommy!”

I want a donut too, just like the ones the kid on the shore was eating!” Bleu sulked and pleaded simultaneously.

Mom was amused. “Fish don’t eat donuts, my love”, she told her strapping big son.

Please, please, please……..” Mommy loved Bleu and gave in to his pleading. But where to get a donut big enough to satisfy her son. He was a baby dolphin, and a human sized donut wouldn’t even register in his mouth.

She spotted a lifebuoy floating near the surface, and quickly made a dive towards it. Grabbing its rope in her teeth, she pulled it free and offered it to Bleu. “Here’s your donut my dear

In one big bite, the lifebuoy deflated and Bleu thought he had eaten it. Both the mom and baby were happy.

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In response to; CCC # 238, hosted by Crispina Kemp

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#CCC

What do you see # 189- June 5, 2023

Welcome back to another WDYS prompt

Rules;

  • You can write a post on your blog and create a pingback to link to the original post.
  • Write an original story, poem or a caption.
  • There is no limit to words or format but keep it family-friendly.
  • If you post a response before next Sunday, I will be able to add it to my roundup post.
  • I will do a round-up next Sunday before the next Prompt is posted.
  • It is always helpful if you can give your post/story/poem a title.
  • There are issues with pingbacks in WordPress these days. So please paste a link of your post in the comments section so that I don’t miss anyone in the roundup post.

Please tag your responses with

#Whatdoyousee

Or

#WDYS


Does this picture inspire you to write something?

Image credit; Geetanjal Khana @ Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a hand extended out, palm up. A big drop/ splash of water is landing in the palm.

Waiting eagerly for your responses.

Thanking you all for joining this prompt.


#Keepitalive


#Whatdoyousee


#WDYS

WDYS # 188 -A Roundup post

Alone

In the open

Under the changing sky

I hold a beacon of hope

To invite dreams

To Bless our hearts

With everlasting hope

🙏🏼

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Fantastic entries again this week in response to this image. Please click on the links to read the contributions of our lovely participants.

Destiny; # a moment #

Michnavs; Try

Maria; Plenty of space

David; Flicker or faint memories

Lady Lee Manila; No stars in the night

Reena; Fading light

Keith; Not knowing

Diana; Star light

Ken; Lightening up the playful night sky

Marla; The wish, the prayer

Punam; Notes of sand

Susi; The beginning

Jules; Reconnoitering

Ami; Walk away

Angela; What do b you see

Hammad; My light

Jim; Alone with nature

Suzette; One lantern

Philo; Embracing the beauty of transition

Fandango; The Milky Way

Jane; Trio; Haiku

Dawn; I’m possible

Grace; Scream

Piper; A night walk

Rockstar girl; The fire of the flame

Kat; 3

Aboli; Father Time

Eugenia; Lost

Yinglan; Final moments

Usha; What do you see # 188

Frewin; What do you see

Nichole; Hiking in the wilderness

Dawn; Beacon

Indira; Ethereal

Pamelap; Good Morning

I am grateful to all those who have read, shared and commented on these posts.

I will be posting next week’s challenge on Monday at 12:00 pm, PKT.

Thanks for reading.

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#Whatdoyousee

#WDYS

WQ- Midpoint— What are my goals?

WQ #22: May 31: MIDPOINT/WRITER’S CHOICE/DOUBLE DIP CHALLENGES

Logo by Donna @ Retirement Reflections

It’s not like I did set definite goals for myself this year

I like to be flexible and go with the flow as I age

Promising myself to be better than yesterday is an easy one to pledge

But extremely hard one to achieve as it encompasses a lot

Always striving to do better, to be kinder, to be stronger

Making an effort, always to delete the negatives and enhance the positives

These are my goals for now and till the day I live

And I’ll keep on working on them irrespective of time, date, and year

A commitment given to me by me should be honored

For if I can’t fulfill a promise made to myself, who else deserves it more?

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In response to; WQ- Midpoint/ Writers choice, hosted by Marsha

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#WQ