What I’ve Learned in my Week of Blogging

Believe it or not, I have only been blogging for a week. In this week I have learned so many things from myself, other bloggers, and of course Elisabeth Daul who wrote the beautiful book Genie Wishes. Genie Wishes inspired me to get to it and finally create a blog. I have always loved reading and writing from quite a young age and this blog gives me a chance to showcase that and also help others.
In this one week I have learned quite a few things. The first thing that is quite important is to post frequently (skipping only two days at the most) or else your followers and other bloggers will think you’re not committed. Now to some people this may not be true, but for newer bloggers it’s a must. When you’re new to blogging, you want to be able to show what you have to offer. Don’t hold back any of your writing talent. If you aren’t the best writer, take a look back on my Guide to What to Write About. Before you know it, you’ll be noticed and become more and more popular.

The next thing I have learned in this short week, is that commenting on other blogs and reading what they have taken time to write not only gives you ideas but also can make other people curious about what exactly you’re blogging about. Many blogs have stood out to me. A blog  about more diversity in children’s books. A blog about baguette bread and how it can become part of a troublesome problem. Another blog about racial discrimination and how it’s dismissed as references or truths. Many other blogs can be included in this list but you most likely get the idea.

Pictures are really powerful and help get your point across.  All the blogs I have read have at least one picture that really have helped me picture the situation; and feel the emotion in each and every word that glides across the page. Pictures may remind you of picture books if you have too many but if you have a few thrown in, they help the story progress.  Visual learners like me will thank you 🙂

There are many more tips and ideas that I could share with you but one more is all that’s in store. Write about what you love. Don’t write about something that you don’t like unless it’s something you’re passionate about. I personally am passionate about books and writing so that’s what I blog about. Most people plan ahead about what they want to blog about but I don’t. If an idea comes to me, I blog about it. Blogging should be fun not work!

I hope this helps you improve your blogging!

~Makayla the Bookworm

Advertisement

Movie Review: Inside Out

Hello Everyone! As I said, this blog is about books and so much more! Here is my very first movie review on a movie that I saw today.

Movie: Inside Out

Rated: PG

My Rating: 4.5 stars
     Inside Out is a movie that is about the emotions inside a young girl named Riley’s head. When Riley is first born, all she has is Joy. As she gets older and encounters new things, new emotions emerge. Sadness, Disgust, Anger, Fear, and Joy can alter Riley’s mood and perspective on what’s is going on just by using the control board inside her brain. The emotions are responsible for all her good and bad memories, personalities, and of course her moods. When she moves to SanFrancisco, California, her emotions change so rapidly, even they can’t keep up. See the movie to find out what happens in her brand new house. As Joy says “She’s only eleven, what could happen?” Let me just tell you, a whole lot happens that will make you realize that your emotions play a huge part in your life. 

    Inside Out is indeed a PG rated movie so you may think “Oh this movies for babies!” or “Seriously? I’m a teenager or adult. Why do I need to see a PG movie?” Let me just tell you that I am a teen and loved this movie! Whether you have kids, or just enjoy a movie where you can really connect with the characters, Inside Out is the movie for you!

Let me know if you would like to see some more movie reviews and if this review made you go see Inside Out!

~Makayla the Bookworm 🙂 

 Edit   

July in Blogging U.: Blogging 101 and 201

Check out these courses for both experienced and new bloggers!

The Daily Post

Note: Blogging 101 and Blogging 201 are the same courses previously offered by Blogging U. Feel free to take them again, but be aware that we will cover the same topics. New Blogging 201 courses focused on intermediate/advanced customization are coming later this year.

Have you just started blogging (welcome!), or are you looking to breathe new life into a blogging habit that’s fallen by the wayside? Blogging U. is a great way to get on track, with bite-size assignments, a supportive community, and staff to support you. We’re offering two courses in July — learn more:

Blogging 101: Zero to Hero — July 6 – 24

Blogging 101 is three weeks of bite-size blogging assignments that take you from “Blog?” to “Blog!” Every weekday, you’ll get a new assignment to help you publish a post, customize your blog, or engage with the community.

You’ll walk away with a stronger focus for your blog, several published posts and…

View original post 338 more words

Guide To Finding a Topic to Write About

Hey everybody! This is my first post that isn’t about books but is related. This post is about how to find a topic to write about. I personally love to write and would love to be an author when I grow up. For now all I can do is lend you some wisdom. Everyone has had that moment at least once where your English/Language Arts teacher assigns you a new assignment or your just writing for fun and you can’t seem to find something to write about. This post will give you some tricks and tips; not exactly sure how many but we will just have to see!

1. If you have a tough assignment, read over the question and decide what it’s asking. You can’t write anything until you know what you are expected of.

2. If you are writing a book or just for fun, think about what if there is something you know a lot about. For example, I have cats so I know quite a bit about them. If you have some sort of hobby that would be an amazing thing to write about.

3. If the assignment is asking for a narrative, think about your life and what has happened that you can remember. Something most likely stands out to you like a sibling or child’s birth, major trip, or graduation of a important grade. Talking to a parent or close friend will also help jog your memory.

4. If you are writing a book or for fun, ask your self a series of questions.

Where does the story take place?

What time period?

What genre is your story?

Who are the characters?

What are they like?

How do the characters move,think,act, and speak?

What are some problems that happen in your story?

Are those problems going to be solved?

Can you relate to the characters?

Do they remind you of someone you know?

How long is your story going to be (a range)?  

Will you pick a title before you write the story or after?

These are quite a few questions that will hopefully help you write!

5. If the assignment is suppose to be a free write or fiction type of story, the questions above will definitely help you as well as:

Will this story be in the past,present or future?

Will this story be really silly, serious, or a bit of both?

Is this story exciting?

Will your reader want to keep reading or fall asleep?

Your teacher and family may have some suggestions if you are absolutely stumped.

These are just a few tips and there might be a few more that other bloggers or sites that can further help you!

Stay tuned for more posts and comment below if this helped you!

~Makayla the Bookworm 

  

The Charleston Shooting and the Potent Symbol of the Black Church in America

The Junto

Last night, Dylann Storm Roof entered the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in downtown Charleston, South Carolina, sat through an hour-long meeting, and then opened fire on those in attendance. Reverend Clementa Pinckney, a state senator, was among nine individuals who were killed. Many are shocked at not only the grisly nature of the shooting, but also its location. “There is no greater coward,” Cornell William Brooks, president of the N.A.A.C.P, declared in a statement, “than a criminal who enters a house of God and slaughters innocent people engaged in the study of scripture.” Yet this experience is unfortunately, and infuriatingly, far from new: while black churches have long been seen as a powerful symbol of African American community, they have also served as a flashpoint for hatred from those who fear black solidarity, and as a result these edifices have been the location for many of our…

View original post 1,036 more words

Guide to Finding a Great Book

Every reader has that moment where they can’t seem to find a perfect book to read. I myself, being a person who has been reading ravenously since 1st grade has come upon this issue several times. I have a couple  tips that might help you out of that endless tunnel of confusion.

1. Think about if you have any interests you would love to read about whether it be nonfiction or fiction

Do you like sports?

Have a favorite animal or place?

Have a strong passion that you would love to learn about?

2.  Is there any authors that you have come across before that have drawn you in with their metaphors and description?

Here are some recommended authors for children, teen, and adult as well as an example of their work

Children:

Bill Martin Jr.: Boom Chicka Boom Boom 

Chris Van Allsburg: Polar Express

Arnold Lobel: The Frog and Toad series

Teens:

John Green: Paper Towns and Fault in Our Stars 

C.S. Lewis: The Chronicles of Narnia series

Veronica Roth: Divergent series

Adult: 

E.L. James: Fifty Shades of Gray

F. Scott Fitzgerald: The Great Gatsby

Gillian Flynn: Gone Girl 

One last thing: Go to your local public library or bookstore and just have a look around. If a book seems to scream your name, follow your instincts and read the first few pages or the back to see if the characters and plot really work for you. Also pay attention to print size and page numbers to make sure the book is a good fit for you. If not then don’t give up your hunt. Before you know it you’ll be curled up with your book on the couch, in bed, or in your favorite spot; being pulled in to the story.

I hope this helps!

Leave a comment if you have any suggestions for my blog!

~Makayla the Bookworm

  

  

Welcome to Readers and More!

Hello everyone! My name is Makayla and this is my new blog called “Readers and More!” This blog will be devoted to recommended reads and more! A book called  Genie Wishes by Elisabeth Daul inspired me to start a blog. This book is about a young girl named Gene who is in 5th grade. Around her, her world is changing rapidly and quickly. Her friend Sarah is growing up to be boy obsessed with a new best friend that has started to replace Gene day by day and it is killing her. When Gene is elected as “Class Blogger” to follow a theme of “Hopes, Wishes, and Dreams” her world is open to a whole new atmosphere. I recommend this book for a fairly easy read    to anyone who enjoys a downright  relatable story of a girl named Gene. Let me know what you think of my blog so far and what I could add to make it even more appealing!

~Makayla the Bookworm