“What works of fiction have taught you by example, and what did they teach you?”
Crap, a day late *hides*
About Writing
The Host taught me that I must always keep my characters doing important stuff or people get bored.
The Divergent series taught me that it’s the difficult decisions, the ones between to good choices, or two awful ones, the ones that matter, and not so much the ones between right and wrong.
The Iron Fey series showed me characters need to be as diverse as people are in real life, and that they can have contradicting traits and still be the most awesome.
The Grisha universe was the um living? example that world-building should never be underrated. World- building is a character on its own, and it can turn an ok book to a bestseller if done right.
Of Beast and Beauty showed me that I can’t write lyrically and in that beautiful prose of Stacey Jay, but that it’s okay. And in retellings, the important thing is not to do it the same, but to retain the essence of the original fairy tale.
Love doesn’t have to blossom instantly in the first book. It can be set up. It can be fed slowly until it’s there and you should’ve noticed it before.
About Life
In Poison Study, Yelena taught me to be brave even when I should just curl up and let the world burn, I should be brave, save my butt and do something.
So Over You is an example of how important it is to have friends around us, friends we can trust, and that I life spent always preparing isn’t worth living.
This one, The Thing about the Truth, just reminded me I should never try to lie to mom. She ends up discovering the whole thing sooner or later.
A Rock and a Hard Place taught me I’m very strong and that even though love sounds nice, I can be very happy and successful on my own if I want to.
Some Girls Are reminded me just that. That some girls are nasty little- You get my point. And that it can’t be helped. But that I can do a lot to prevent me, from being like that and to watch my friends’ backs.
How my Summer went up in Flames: That I shouldn’t give in to the urge of setting on fire the car of every people I dislike. (just kidding) There are more important things than ruining your life for a boy.
Women are important, and so are men. We’re all precious and have our own unique skills and personalities.
Second Star taught me I should stay clear of drugs. I must admit this worked better than any textbook or propaganda I’ve ever read.
Check out fellow bloggers’ choices of books that have been helpful to them!
5th – http://thelittleenginethatcouldnt.wordpress.com/
6th – http://nasrielsfanfics.wordpress.com/
7th – https://erinkenobi2893.wordpress.com/
8th – http://introspectioncreative.wordpress.com/
9th – http://semilegacy.blogspot.com/
10th – http://kirabudge.weebly.com/
11th – http://whileishouldbedoingprecal.weebly.com/
12th – http://randomosityofeden.wordpress.com/
13th – http://musingsfromnevillesnavel.wordpress.com/
14th – http://www.alwaysopinionatedgirl.wordpress.com/
15th – http://www.juliathewritergirl.wordpress.com/
16th – http://miriamjoywrites.com/
17th – http://horsfeathersblog.wordpress.com/
18th – http://unironicallyexcited.wordpress.com/
19th – http://theboardingblogger.wordpress.com/
20th – http://stayandwatchthestars.wordpress.com/
21st – http://unikkelyfe.wordpress.com/
22nd – http://fantasiesofapockethuman.blogspot.com/
23rd – http://lilyjenness.blogspot.com/
24th – http://oliviarivers.wordpress.com/
25th – [off-day]
26th – http://butterfliesoftheimagination.wordpress.com/
27th – http://missalexandrinabrant.wordpress.com/
28th – http://www.pamelanicolewrites.com
29th – http://jasperlindell.blogspot.com.au/
30th – http://maralaurey.wordpress.com/ and http://theedfiles.blogspot.com/
31st – http://teenscanwritetoo.wordpress.com/
Great post! I like how you split the post up into lessons about writing at lessons about life. I haven’t read any of these books, but the lessons you got from them are awesome. I think I’m going to need to read some of them.
Thanks Lily! Yep, some are my favorites. Stacey Jay’s writing has me in love XD
Love these! And I really like the my-mom-will-always-find-out-the-truth-anyway line. That’s kinda my motto these days. Whenever I’m about to complain/gossip about some person, I just assume that they’re going to find out about it (because people usually do), and only actually say it if I’m okay with them finding out.
John Hansen recently posted this awesome thing…Breaking Up With Your Story
Ha ha yes, that’s the best way to go. It’s a very good book, with a simple plot, but a great truth o.o
These are really cool ideas; I like how you divided it into live lessons and writing lessons separately. I have to agree with you about the Grisha trilogy: it’s a little bit incredible what Leigh Bardugo was able to do. Also, do I need to read The Host? I’m so curious.
Heather recently posted this awesome thing…How to Write a Book Review
Yes!
And the Host… Hmm… It wasn’t bad. I liked it, but there were parts where I had to skip a lot to get to important stuff. I guess I just prefer faster-paced books, but it’s worth the try if you’re interested.