Copy Catting, Thoughts on Plot Holes and

I have been quite blessed to grow up in a family that is very much into the arts. My parents and my five siblings and I all have pleasant discussions on literature, music, and movies.

However, I have gotten to the point where I simply cannot watch movies with two of my brothers. I can barely even talk about books with them.

My brothers love to shatter stories.

They think that it is their life's mission to point out and exaggerate plot holes in absolutely every story they ever encounter. These boys could probably find a plot hole in the Bible. This is so frustrating to me, because I just so desperately want to believe in everything. I fall in love with characters, I breathe the air that they're breathing, I feel their hearts shattering, their joy consuming their bodies...it's all so real to me.

Another thing my dear brothers do is point out how many stories (whether it's movies or books) mimic another work. Nothing annoys me more when they start on how they believe that Harry Potter is just a retelling of Lord of the Rings.

UGH. NO. NO. NO.

Within all stories, there is the over-all (or under-lying) theme of Good vs. Evil. It's in Lord of the Rings, Narnia, Harry Potter, Divergent, Hunger Games, everything. That theme is the core theme of our very existence. So, of course, aspects of all these stories are going to be the same.

Additionally, what is the difference between being inspired by and copy catting? There is a very thin line between the two, I believe. However, I think they are both distinguishable though it is a case-by-case basis sort of thing.

My sophomore English teacher once said, "It is the reader's job to believe in the universe that the author creates." Of course, it's the author's job to create a believable universe, but we readers must give enter into the story and suspend disbelief. Perhaps it is better to say that the author's job is to make the unbelievable believable. Just the same, the reader must discard all he thinks he knows and enter into the creation of the writer. As readers, we must not let things like desperately searching for plot holes and blame for copy catting deter us from entering into the writer's story.

Block, Writer's

Made it to day two with no broken bones or broken fingernails or anything!

Not even WRITER'S BLOCK.

The Block of the Writer is such a broad term. It's like the monster under the bed. It's there, living and breathing and just as real as my teddy bear (which is very).

This is when writer's block happens to me:

• When I lose interest in a scene
• When I don't write for a while
• When I spend too much time on the internet
• When I over-think things
• When I compare my writing journey to that of a "more successful" writer

But the thing with writer's block (just like the monster under the bed), is that it's often only there when I think about it. 

As my interest in a scene is dwindling, I'll stress about how bad it is and how I can't write better and then the words WRITER'S BLOCK smack me like my character bashing me with a fly swatter. Or a brick. Soon, all I can think about is how I have writer's block and therefore can't write, so I sit staring at a wall like the pathetic failure of a writer that I most certainly am.

The thing about me is that I have the tendency to view everything as permanent. That includes everything from the writer's block I'm wallowing in to the rush of writing the perfect scene. I often don't realize that these things come and go.

But I've discovered that my fleeting emotions and mindsets make me no less of a writer. Whether or not I feel like I can write, what defines me is that I do. That I just write. That I push past writer's block again and again and keep writing. That's what makes me a writer.

This is how I get over writer's block:

• Write random thoughts/journal (a later post!)
• Write a blog post
• Pinterest prompts!
• Call a friend
• Go for a walk
• Read

If you're struggling with writer's block, just keep going! Work on something new, walk away from the computer. It's just temporary, but you do have the power to determine how long it will last. Make a list of what triggers writer's block in you and come up with a battle plan to fight and defeat it next time it attacks. 

Have a blessed Holy Thursday!

Author

Welcome, wanders and followers alike! You're reading the first post of the AM STATION A-Z CHALLENGE!

*crowd goes wild* Joking...*my mom claps*.

What should you expect over this month-long journey? Lots of exclamation points, a multitude of capital letters, and sassy commentary. Plus everything writing! (If you missed the theme reveal, click here.)

So the word of the day is...AUTHOR.

Before sitting down to write this post, I hadn't really ever thought much about this word. I never really considered myself as an author. I'm a writer. I don't have a shelf full of books I've written or an agent or a slew of YES WE'LL PUBLISH [INSERT WORK HERE] letters. Authors are people like J.K. Rowling, John Green, and Lauren Oliver. People who have those things.

What I do have? A shelf full of over thirty notebooks and journals, scribbled words on a thousand sticky notes all over my room, and over three hundred documents on my computer. What can I say? I'm a writer.

But an author? What does that mean, anyway?

A few minutes ago, I probably would have said "someone who has books, papers, poetry, etc. published". Thinking on this further, though, I came to realize that people use the term "published author". If the word "author" means someone who is published, then why add the adjective "published"?

So that invalidates my definition. Then what does it mean?

I propose that to be an author, one must have created something. The creation could be something constructed of canvas and paint, words and paper, nails and wood, etc. To be an author is to create.

I am a creator. I've created worlds, characters, stories, ideas... I have brought them about by using mere words, mere keys on a keyboard, and even the pencil in my hand. I am an author. I've authored into existence poems, books, and articles.

The word "author" is a label that is so powerful to me. One who creates, who has created, who has authored. I'm not sure that I'm as incredible as the word "author" is to me. But regardless of personal feelings, I am an author.

Wow. 

I am an author.

Those words fill me with a confidence. They fill me with a desire to live up to them.

Writers! You are authors. If you've created a character, a place, a story...you're an author. Realize it, embrace it! Embrace your call to writing greatness, and strive to live up to it. I believe in you!

Words of Wisdom

An old friend and a new blog!

#modelstatus

About a month (or less) after I moved two years ago, I attended a Steubenville Youth Conference with my new parish.

I remember walking with this girl named Anna and two or three other girls and having a lively conversation about the Harry Potter series. About two minutes into the conversation, I discovered that Anna also had a great appreciation (if not infatuation) of the character of Severus Snape.

SAY NO MORE. LET'S BE FRIENDS.

We continued to gush over the incredible writing skills of J.K. Rowling and her character development. Soon, we were walking behind the rest of our "posse" and delving deep into the Theological themes of Harry Potter. This girl was seriously hard-core best friend material.

I was sure that it couldn't get any better than that. We both cared deeply about our faith and our personal relationships with Jesus Christ and loved Harry Potter. That's basically what I look for in my friends.

She loves me! Even though I'm weird!

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE.

After barely scratching the surface with this Harry Potter stuff, I found out that Anna also loved writing. LIKE WHAT HOW PERFECT CAN YOU BE!?

Two years later...I sit writing this post while texting this absolutely amazing young woman. She inspires me in so many ways. She has such a beautiful heart and loves deeply and really lives life to the fullest. She is one of the most understanding people ever and is just so much fun to be with!

Me trying not to laugh and looking constipated.
And no one will ever be as cool as Anna in this picture.

Our friendship is truly a gift. I absolutely love how we can both relate on writing stuff, because that is so important to both of us. My other friends try to be sympathetic when it comes to my writing issues (writer's block, having to kill characters, the works), but let's be honest: we writers often come off sounding quite insane. I'm so blessed to have someone who GETS IT. The nights spent writing, finishing a draft, getting positive feedback from a beta, everything. Anna has been so supportive of every single aspect of my writing journey and I love being a part of hers.

This girl is literally one of my favorite people ever. Check out her absolutely INCREDIBLE writing talent here at her brand new blog, WONDERFUL JOY. Make sure to leave some comment love!

ALSO, check back on April 1st for the first post of the A-Z Challenge! I'll be reflecting on the word "author" and what it means to me. Furthermore, stick around for Anna's guest blog here on AM Station on April 14th!

Me and my beautiful best friend <3

A-Z Challenge: THEME REVEAL!

Guys, I've done it. I've excepted the challenge.

*gulp*

ARE Y'ALL READY FOR THIS?!?!! Because I'm not!!

This April, I'm doing the A-Z CHALLENGE. Time to get alphabetical! I'm so excited about this, however daunting blogging every single day seems to me. Oh well! I'm a writer, I live outside the comfort zone. I'll take it one day at a time.

I'll be honest with you, if coming up with a theme is the easiest part of this whole blogging thing, I am so done. For weeks, I couldn't come up with ANYTHING. Finally, though, I had a light bulb moment and figured it out.

Don't get too excited. Please, stay in your seats.

THE THEME OF AM STATION FOR THE A-Z CHALLENGE 2015 IS...

*drum roll*

*deep breath*

*cell phone goes off*

*more deep breathing*

*ahem*

WRITING!

I can practically feel your thoughts right now.

Wow. Original. 

*bows and hastily exits the stage to avoid tomatoes*

BEFORE YOU JUDGE...well, one, you shouldn't be judging because this is a blog about writing. It's a blog about a lot of things, actually, but most posts usually circle back to the writing aspect of my life. It's right there in the description.

TUNE INTO THE LIFE OF A CATHOLIC TEENAGE WRITER.

(MAN I AM ON A ROLL WITH THIS CAPS LOCK STUFF TODAY.)

I am going to be blogging about things that inspire my writing, rules I follow, my writing challenges and how I deal with them, and much, much more. Hopefully, I'll be able to provide you with fresh insights and make you laugh. Or at least smile. Or snort air violently from your nose. I'll settle.

SO! Be sure to check back on APRIL FIRST for the first post! I was going to tell you the first topic, but nope, you'll have to wait and see.

Oh, get over it. Stop biting your nails in anticipation. You'll survive.

Or maybe you won't. If not knowing is truly affecting your health, please drop me a line and let me know. I probably still won't tell you. JOKING! Maybe.

Also, slightly unrelated...

BIG THINGS HAPPENING IN THE WORLD OF ANNE MARIE NEXT MONTH (A.K.A. APRIL):

1. Easter! 
2. Family visiting from where I used to live! (BEST. THING. EVER.)
3. Finally making a TEC Retreat! (I am so so so so excited! Going back to my hometown for it!!!!)
4. Share-a-thon fundraiser at the radio station where I intern!
5. There was one more thing...what was it...

OH RIGHT. MY 17TH BIRTHDAY! Woot woot. April 24, darlings!

Okay, that's all for now, folks. Thank you for putting up the major sass queen that is Anne Marie. Y'all rock, can't WAIT for April!

Published on Life Teen!

I once again have the privilege of being published on Life Teen!

I'd love if you gave my article a read and popped back here to tell me what you think. You can find it here: Come Find Me: My Spiritual Hide-And-Seek.