Writing Workshop

Puts your nose to the grindstone…

Then the sunrise breaks through.

Any direction you're gonna pick is Ok.

Just go bluntly ahead and be your own director

Sources are ready; don't be shy to invoke.

This time I managed to choose books with a common theme. I'd highly recommend you to read these short, dynamic stories, which basis is poignant social issues. Mainly, the novels are read quickly and leave some aftertaste in the form of philosophical reflection. BTW, it's spoiler-free .

PS: Please, let me know if you have read any of these. I'm really curious how many people enjoy it as much as I do.

Here they are:

1. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

A dystopian novel. The plot is a nightmare for bookworms. The story is about society, which firefighters start fires instead of fighting them. Their main target is books. While reading, there is a strong need to discuss every plot twist with someone.

2. Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes

A science-fiction novel about routine, perspective and a role in society of subnormal people. High intelligence doesn’t guarantee happiness, as well as mental retardation isn’t necessary a curse. The persistent feeling “we live the same way” sharpens the sense of the story’s authenticity.

3. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

The 6th place in 200 best books list according to the BBC. A novel about the realities of the American South (1930s-1940s) in relation to African Americans. The story's basis is typical for that time racial discrimination, which witness became a 6-year-old girl. Through child’s reasoning we are shown how unfair and fatal might be social prejudices.

4. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

A bestselling American novel, translated into 40 languages. The plot is about a killed teenage girl, who has to watch how her closest people struggle with her death, their despair and try to get over it in the end. The author, who herself was raped, has filled the book with forthright details and thoughts that appears in victims’ heads.

5. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne

Literary Game

Guess the fairy-tale upon an unusual description. Write your variants in comments. As well, please, leave ➖ if the game is difficult and ➕ if it's easy.

1. Siblings, left to the mercy of fate by their parents, finds their way home through food remains.

2. A forest predator in an old lady's appearance tricks a young lady.

3. An unpleasant madam harasses her stepdaughter with housework.

4. Mirror's announcement nearly kills the young throne heiress.

“The freelance writer is a man who is paid per piece or per word or perhaps.”—Robert Benchley

“For your born writer, nothing is so healing as the realization that he has come upon the right word.”—Catherine Drinker Bowen

“The road to hell is paved with adverbs.”—Stephen King

“Let the world burn through you. Throw the prism light, white hot, on paper.”—Ray Bradbury

***

Today, tomorrow, always,

Doesn't matter where we are.

Go forward, my love, I'll follow,

***

Stay focused and explore

Stay strong and you'll get more

Be the nicest with people and nature

***

Let's make it clear

We have no time for fear

The world is big and inviting

I'd love to share some interesting books with you, guys. The sequence is spontaneous, because they are completely different and it's nearly impossible to compare them and pick the best. There are no spoilers just short reviews. So, here it goes:

1. Shantaram and The Mountain Shadow by Gregory David Roberts. The books give a different perception of life. Mistakes and experiences of the leading character are teaching. The main idea is that it's always your decision to start over. However, to come to peace with yourself first is a must. As well, it's highly important to learn to let go before moving forward. Although the books are long to read, they are definitely worth a try.

2. 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami. An epic romance in 3 books. Readers are immersed in Japanese lifestyle and culture. The trilogy is full of countless amount of philosophical questions, which are answered by the way. The author has an ability to write simply about complicated things. Frank and partly rough narration creates real and long-lasting images.

3. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. This trilogy describes a fascinating dystopian world. The main characters are so appealing that it is hard to stay indifferent to their fate. This novel prompts discussions about our own world, threats of war and social cooperation. Narration is excellent and the plot propels the reader through the book at a rapid rate.

4. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman. It's like a fairy-tale for adults. I was immersed in the plot from the very beginning. The novel is imbued with love, determination, friendship, loyalty and betrayal, gaining and losing. His characters are clear and real. As a result, I didn't want to leave Gaiman's world. Additionally, the book is filled with brilliant humor. It’s a wonderful read and you won’t regret it.

5. The 7 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton. Well, it is hard to explain how cool the book is. It's capturing, disturbing and so well- written that it makes you keep desperately reading to know the truth.

Here are 2 accurate and laconic quotes:

"With time loops, body swaps and a psychopathic footman, this is a dazzling take on the murder mystery" — The Guardian.

"...Regret is a ghost of love. Regret is a nicer self that we send into the past from time to time, even though we know it’s too late to change what we said, or did. We do it because it’s human: a thing of our kind. We do it because we care, drawn by threads of shame that only fray and wither in the sea of regret.

Along the way regret, even more than love, teaches us that harm creates harm, and compassion creates compassion. And having done its work, regret fades to the nothing that all things become..."

PS.: the books are full of philosophical and deep thoughts that burn into memory instantaneously!

"Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration. The rest of us get up and go to work.”"-Stephen King

"We write to taste life in the moment and in retrospect." - Anais Nin

What if I told you there’s no one in charge of you,

Would you begin to take control of your life?

Imagine yourself on the deserted avenue  

Not knowing directions and looking for a sign.

Nowhere to go and no one to ask

Will leave you no choice, but to deal with the task.

The moral is simple and not really new

The only one responsible is always you.

What if I told you there’s no perfect scenario

Would you begin to do whatever you like?

Society might be little less angry,

If they started using this mere life-hack.

Follow your path and just be yourself

Sometimes it takes courage, prepare to be brave.

Learn it by heart and never forget,

It’s better to try than to regret in the end.

What if I told you there’s no need to hide yourself,

Would you begin to show your skills to the world?

It’s highly important to compete and be ready to lose your score

In order to gain a desirable pot of gold.

Wishes and fears, countless downs and ups

Will rapidly change and leave no time to be bored.

Keep on your way and opportunities will arise

Hello, it’s me, your hidden friend;

I’d like us get a little closer.

I’ve been restrained for many years,

But now your loneliness is over.

You’ve pushed me deep inside your head

Because of my ability to bother,

And when you needed someone’s help

I tried to be there, but had no power.

Now you know, it’s hard without me,

To live separately from each other

It’s like to be without a crucial part,

To fade away like flower under fire.

Fortunately, I escaped that cage

For you and me, to make us stronger

And if to happen something else

I’ll be there, promise, I’ll look after.

The hardest times and brightest days

Together we can fight whatever

But firstly let’s agree on that