Writing is not a waste of time, it shapes humanity

“Good prose is like a windowpane,” said George Orwell in an essay I was forcing myself to read. But after the first two paragraphs of “Why I write” (1946), I found myself actually enjoying it. The quote confused me, at first. Aren’t all forms of writing like a windowpane, where we experience the world through words. Then why prose in particular? So I looked up ‘windowpane’ in Google (Yes, I’m old-school like that) and Google told me that it is a piece of glass in a window. Maybe Orwell meant that good prose should be transparent and clarity-driven. Maybe he meant: just say what you have to say. Why bury it under ornate language? But reading this quote in isolation might give people the wrong idea. Earlier in the essay, Orwell gives four motives for writing: sheer egoism, aesthetic enthusiasm, historical impulse, and political purpose. His words, not mine. And honestly, I think that every writer starts with the first three impulses, but it is the fourth - the desire to push the world in a certain direction, that transforms them into a good writer. Orwell himself admits that there was a time when the first three motives would outweigh the fourth for him. But later, as life brought him closer to political reality, his writing became “serious work”, where every line has been written directly or indirectly against totalitarianism and for democratic socialism. And that made me rethink the “windowpane” quote. Because Orwell was never asking writers to sacrifice artistic or intellectual depth for clarity. If anything, he is proof that political writing can also be art. Anyone who has read Animal Farm or Nineteen Eighty-Four would probably agree. I’ll end this to-no-purpose stream of consciousness, with one last thing that I came across in the essay. Orwell mentions that he hopes to write another novel soon, and then says: “It is bound to be a failure.” The novel he was talking about was 1984. So maybe this is for everyone who has picked up a pen, only to put it down again after second-guessing themselves. Just write it. #orwell #streamofconsciousness #insights

"There are so many characters who might be cruel or nasty, and we don’t learn why they act that way toward our main characters. Fanfiction allows those characters to be fleshed out and have a voice." - Isabella Hood Over the last few years, several authors have broken into the literary scene with stories that originally began as fanfiction, notably FIFTY SHADES OF GREY by E. L. James, ALCHEMISED by SinLinYu, and THE LOVE HYPOTHESIS by Ali Hazelwood. However, while it gives authors the chance to showcase their literary talents and adoration for a fandom they love, many readers from across the community detest these novels for a multitude of reasons, such as fear that they may lead readers to the original, potentially problematic source material and support an equally problematic author and raises concerns over the legality of revamping someone's work. Further, the rise of fanfics has led to increased toxicity within fandoms as fans argue about who to ship with who and their head canons. And as they continue to emerge onto bookshelves, it raises a moral and ethical question to publishers and authors on how to navigate the complex landscape of fan culture. And in our latest One-on-One interview, we sat down with one author who is lending another voice to the debate, Isabella Hood, whose most recent novel, COLD AND MOST CUNNING, began life as a fanfic before being indie-published last October. In our discussion, we dive into the nuances of writing fanfic, from identifying the elements to retain in the new story, what she wants to expand on from the original canon, and how fanfiction shaped her writing voice. Click through our carousel to see a few highlights, then visit the link below to read the full interview! https://lnkd.in/exGfwmQ4 Featured: Isabella Hood, author of COLD & MOST CUNNING #IsabellaHood #ColdandMostCunning #IndieAuthors #IndiePublishing #PublishingInsights #ReaderInsights #AuthorInterview

Intertextuality: How texts speak to other texts One of the most interesting concepts in discourse and literary studies is intertextuality. The term refers to the idea that no text exists entirely in isolation. Texts are often connected to previous texts through references, quotations, themes, styles, or shared cultural meanings. This means that when we read a text, we are not only interpreting its individual words—we are also recognizing echoes of other texts, ideas, and discourses. Intertextuality can appear in many forms, such as: • Direct quotations • Historical or cultural references • Adaptations and reinterpretations • Familiar phrases or narrative patterns • References to political, religious, or literary discourse For example, political speeches frequently draw upon historical narratives or national slogans to create emotional and ideological connection with audiences. Similarly, literary works may reinterpret earlier stories to produce new meanings in different social or historical contexts. This perspective challenges the idea that meaning is created independently by a single author. Instead, meaning emerges through relationships between texts, readers, culture, and context. Intertextuality is especially important in discourse analysis because it reveals how communication often relies on shared knowledge and collective memory. Understanding this concept has made me more aware that texts are rarely isolated messages. They are part of larger networks of language, culture, and interpretation. #Intertextuality #DiscourseAnalysis #AppliedLinguistics #LiteraryTheory #CriticalThinking #LanguageStudies

As fiction authors, we’re natural explorers—we chase stories into new eras, new worlds, and yes, new cultures. But when you’re researching a culture that isn’t your own, it can feel like you’re holding a map written in a foreign language. In this week’s episode of The Confident Fiction Author podcast, I share practical, no-drama tips for researching another culture with accuracy, respect, and confidence—so you can build story worlds readers trust (and love). Here’s what you’ll learn: 💡 Why accuracy builds trust (even in fantasy) and how it strengthens your confidence as an author 💡 Where to start: books, primary sources, oral histories, and works by members of the culture 💡 How to go “beneath the glass” at museums, archives, and cultural centers (and build real relationships) 💡 Bias checks & cross-checks: balancing sources inside and outside the culture Want to go deeper specifically with Native American characters? My course Fiction Writing American Indians walks you step-by-step through authentic research and portrayal—without stereotypes or misrepresentation. You don’t have to research alone—or feel lost. With the right approach, research will energize your writing and spark your best plot twists.

Modern literature is shifting—from clarity to complexity. Anne Carson represents this shift powerfully. Her postmodern approach blends classical themes with fragmented storytelling, reflecting today’s complex, fast-changing world. 🔍 Key insight: Meaning isn’t always direct—sometimes it’s constructed by the reader. 💡 Takeaway: In both literature and communication, unconventional structures can create deeper engagement. Worth exploring: https://lnkd.in/gvdT2ZfG #Literature #CriticalThinking #CreativeWriting #Postmodernism #Learning

For writers only; "To me the greatest pleasure of writing is not what it's about, but the music the words make." Truman Capote "You see things as they are and ask 'Why?' I dream of things as they never were and ask, 'Why not?'" George Bernard Shaw "Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world." Albert Einstein "Fantasy's hardly an escape from reality. It's a way of understanding it." Lloyd Alexander "You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club." Jack London "A professional writer is an amateur who didn't quit." Richard Bach "In art the hand can never execute anything higher than the heart can inspire. " Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Why Terry Pratchett May Be One of the Most Important Authors Many Readers Have Missed A passionate essay in The Atlantic argues that Terry Pratchett deserves far greater recognition as one of the most accomplished comic writers in modern English literature. Despite selling tens of millions of books and building a devoted global following, Pratchett’s reputation has often been overshadowed by assumptions that fantasy fiction is less serious than traditional literary works. Best known for his Discworld series, Pratchett used fantasy settings filled with witches, wizards, trolls, dwarfs, and dragons to explore very real human issues. Beneath the humor and absurdity lay sharp observations about politics, bureaucracy, religion, economics, technology, prejudice, and human nature. His novels often combined laugh-out-loud comedy with surprisingly profound insights into how societies function. The article compares Pratchett to literary giants such as P. G. Wodehouse and Charles Dickens, arguing that his wit and social commentary deserve a place alongside some of Britain's most celebrated writers. Yet because his work was packaged as fantasy, many readers and critics overlooked its intellectual depth. Attempts to adapt Pratchett’s novels for television and film have achieved mixed results. While Good Omens—based on the novel co-written with Neil Gaiman—came closest to capturing his unique voice, many adaptations have struggled to translate the combination of satire, warmth, and philosophical reflection that made his books so beloved. A central theme of Pratchett’s work is compassion. While his novels are often hilarious, they are rarely cynical. He approached humanity with skepticism about institutions but deep empathy for individuals, creating stories that remain remarkably relevant in an age of political polarization, technological disruption, and social change. Key Takeaways: Terry Pratchett is widely regarded by fans as one of the greatest comic writers of the modern era. His Discworld novels use fantasy settings to explore serious social, political, and philosophical themes. Despite immense popularity, his literary significance is often underestimated because of genre bias. His work combines humor, wisdom, and human empathy in a way few authors have matched. The broader implication is that some of the most insightful commentary on society often emerges from unexpected places. Pratchett demonstrated that fantasy can be more than escapism—it can be a powerful lens through which to examine human behavior, institutions, and the enduring challenges of modern life. I share daily insights with tens of thousands followers across defense, tech, and policy. Keith King https://lnkd.in/gHPvUttw

Parallelism is something editors obsess about and writers barely notice. But when it's off, readers feel it—even if they can't name why. This post breaks down the two types of parallelism, shows when to use each, and explains when skipping parallelism actually makes your writing stronger. https://zurl.co/3kg84 #WritingTips #GrammarTips #AmEditing

Literary terms and their usage Simile Definition A simile is a figure of speech that compares two different things using the words “like” or “as.” Example “Her smile was like the sun.” “He is as brave as a lion.” Usage Similes are used to: Create clear and vivid images Make descriptions more interesting Help readers understand feelings or qualities easily Sentence Example “The baby slept like an angel.” This comparison helps the reader imagine peaceful sleep. Metaphor Definition A metaphor is a figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things without using “like” or “as.” Example “Time is a thief.” “The classroom was a zoo.” Usage Metaphors are used to: Add deeper meaning to writing Create strong imagination and emotion Make language more powerful and creative Sentence Example “Life is a journey.” This means life is full of experiences, challenges, and destinations. Difference Between Simile and Metaphor Simile Metaphor Uses “like” or “as” Does not use “like” or “as" Comparison is indirect Comparison is direct “She sings like a bird.” “She is a bird on stage.” Simple Classroom Tip If the sentence uses like/as, it is usually a simile. If it compares directly without those words, it is a metaphor. Famous Literary Examples In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare uses many metaphors such as “Juliet is the sun.” In The Road Not Taken, metaphors are used to represent life choices. Prepared by Ajishiya Eugine Raj

WriteRight4Life, LLC: The Core Philosophical Foundations of Psychological Authoring How I create. While unconventional, the work is part of me. https://lnkd.in/gjmVPbv9