WORD NERDS discussion

Here, you can ask us for advice about ANYTHING.

Ahhhh I have a dilemma you guys... ahhhh... I’ve been working on this story for 9 weeks. I’ve been brainstorming, building the plot, planning my characters, writing backstories and I started the outlining process yesterday. But then- the dreaded moment EVERY author hates— I found a way the story could be better *shudders*. Ok, that doesn’t sound so bad, but it requires me to COMPLETELY rework the ENTIRE story. It’ll change characters (and possibly eliminate some) and change the entire direction of the plot, but it just sounds more interesting. So here’s my question: what do I do??? Do I stick with the idea ive been working on for weeks or change it and backtrack a ton knowing it MIGHT be worth it in the end. At the same time though it might muddy up or change the plot and message. Let me know if you want more details

Carrlene wrote: "Ahhhh I have a dilemma you guys... ahhhh... I’ve been working on this story for 9 weeks. I’ve been brainstorming, building the plot, planning my characters, writing backstories and I started the ou..."

Um, this probably isn't that helpful, but you could write both. Choose one, write that for a bit, see if you enjoy it, but then switch to the other idea and write that, and see which one you like better.

Those are really good ideas. I think I’m going to try outlining it the way I had it tonight, and if I feel like I need more, I’ll change it. Thank you all for your help <3

Thank you so much!! I seriously appreciate the help. I’m going to call one of my friends and talk it through as well as list the pros and cons and outline the original thing. Thanks for everyone’s help!!

And it’s not that my old idea is bad, I just think the new one could be better. It would require changing the position of my mc and a side character but that side character lacks his depth if that happens

Sorry, Carr!!! I don't know if you still need advice, but what I would do is do exactly as everyone else has been saying. Try mapping out the new idea as well as having the old one, if you need me to read over anything, I'm always here. Another piece of advice is to talk to your friends, so double points for calling your friends. They can be encouraging as well as be down to Earth with you about things. I know either way that it will be INSANE, Carr. :)

I’m jealous, one, but Winter because it’s longer and it will take longer to read it.

The Warrior's Curse because your in the middle of the series. :)

Okay, guys, what should I do if I have bad shin splints, but my coaches all want me to run the mile for a track meet. I really don't want to let them down and nobody else will run it. What should I do??? Does anyone know easy ways to lessen the pain from shin splints??? Not to mention, everyone in my family thinks that I should do it too. Also, PLEASE answer sometime soon, I have to let my coaches know tomorrow!!! I'm never good at saying no!!!

So, it depends on when the track meet is. You should definitely ice it and just try to rest for a bit, to get the splints to heal quicker. On webmd.com, it says that you could take anti-inflammatory painkillers. If the track meet is more than a couple days away, you can try to get inserts for your shoes to help ease the pain.

I found these websites that may or may not help:
https://www.runnersworld.com/health-i...

https://www.healthline.com/health/shi...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yZxnb1e...

I hope this helps! Also if it’s too painful, don’t be afraid to speak out and say no. Your health comes first. 🙂

Thank you, Cass. The meet is on Friday. I've been doing the ice and painkillers, but with the amount of school work, resting doesn't really work well for me. Not to mention, we have practice everyday this week. Thanks again Cass!!! This really helps!!!

Id say let them know about you’d shin splints and see if you can sit out a practice to recharge and rest. Then, if by Friday you’re still not feeling good, I say don’t do it. Shin splints can get really bad, and I think it’s better to sit out for one or two meets than be down the whole season

U CAME TO THE RIGHT PERSON

so what do you want to know?

I guess you could tell her that it’s the game (a really horrible one) that you play when you grow up to be a teenager, so it leaves it open for her parents to explain it. But there will probably be questions, so all I can say is good luck?

One thing that I've learned, is if the baby wakes up and you take her/him downstairs so they don't wake anyone else up. KEEP THE LIGHTS OFF, either that, or put a really light blanket over them because when I didn't know that...there was no chance that baby was going to fall asleep if the lights were on. :)

Carrlene wrote: "Id say let them know about you’d shin splints and see if you can sit out a practice to recharge and rest. Then, if by Friday you’re still not feeling good, I say don’t do it. Shin splints can get r..."

Thank you Carr!!! I had the track meet yesterday and ran only the 800 and my coaches scratched me from the mile. I'm still really sore, but I'm going to be checked out on Monday to see what is wrong with my legs. :) (We won first place for the 800m relay!!!)

Great job!!! And I hope you feel better

Carrlene wrote: "Great job!!! And I hope you feel better"

Thanks!!! I hope so too!!! :)

Clementine wrote: "congrats harvest!!!! (i’m assuming thats good, i don’t know very much about track...)"

Thanks Clem!!! Yes it's good, I'm just happy to know that I will be able to figure out what is wrong with my legs!!!

TheSilverMoonlark wrote: "Nice. REPORT BACKKKKKKKKKKKKKK"

I will!!! :)

Guys--what should I do if I have to write a speech to represent my class--but the boy that I have to do it with liked me--and I didn't turn him down nicely so now he hates me and won't help write the speech, but it's super important to me and to our class--but is asking a lot from me because I have to remember specific memories from a long time ago!!! He's been making it into a joke and I don't know if I should confront him about it or just do it myself and let him take credit for it. He hasn't even written a sentence!!!

Have you talked to your teacher about being paired with someone else? This boy sounds petty, ngl. I guess talk to your teacher about it and if they don’t let you change partners, write the speech yourself and tell your teacher privately you did all the work. I’m sorry if this isn’t very helpful 🙃

Yeah--the teacher is my mom--she's talked to him too. The speech presentation is on Thursday so there isn't anything she can do at this point. :( Thanks Cass, your feedback is DEEPLY appreciated!!! :) <3

That is such a tough situation, Harvest. Praying for you. I’d say talk to him and ask him if you can put the differences behind you and focus on the project. Maybe apologize for how you let him down if it wasn’t nice, but don’t apologize FOR letting him down. I’m proud of you for saying no. It’s definitely helpful (and can be hard) to have your mom there to back you up and believe what you say. I’d definitely say go to her for advice if you’re comfortable. Tell the boy it’s just one project and that you shouldn’t let your differences get between you and you should just push through until you’re done. I know this isn’t the best advice, but hopefully you can take something from it!

I think I will do that. I do feel bad for how I reacted when I found out about his crush--but then again--this speech isn't about us--it's about the CLASS. I think I'll talk to him--if I have the guts to!!! :) Thanks for your advice, Carr--It was helpful!!!

But yeah I wouldn’t recommend doing it on your own (I know that sounds the easiest, and I’d be tempted too) but I think it’s an important lesson for both of you to learn (especially him) that you can’t just let a disagreement stop you from working together. If he was doing that at a work place, he wouldn’t get anywhere, so he needs to learn that he can’t just let something petty keep him from doing work. Stepping up and making him do some work (maybe assigning him a part and saying you absolutely will not do it) will really help out, and the lesson will be valuable later.

I agree!!! :) I AM a perfectionist, but it's a lot of pressure doing it myself!!!

For sure. You could always give him a section and then edit afterwards. Don’t let him know you’ll help with it until he’s finished though. I know how you feel though, I have a ton of trouble letting other people do work on group projects 🙃

I tried to talk to him today--he just ignored my existence.

Carrlene [Account revamp & profile change coming soon!!] wrote: "Ahhhh I have a dilemma you guys... ahhhh... I’ve been working on this story for 9 weeks. I’ve been brainstorming, building the plot, planning my characters, writing backstories and I started the ou..."

I'm going through that with my book of three years... had to scrap basically the entire thing. YOUR STORY IS GOING TO BE SO GOOD!!!!!

AND SO WORTH IT!!!!

JUST KEEP GOING!!!!

Clementine wrote: "ugh. he sounds like a muffin. and why WOULD you like him back if hes acting like this??? gosh i get really fed up when boys react negatively and selfishly to being turned down. i mean GET OVER IT. ..."

Right???

I second what Clem said!

GUYS I NEED HELP SO BAD I THINK I'M GOING TO CRY

So there's this fancy summer program my theater teacher recommend me too and it's a big honor. I got a monologue to perform over zoom, which is hard because Zoom gives me panic attacks sometimes when I'm not even speaking. Because the program kept getting hyped up by all my teachers as an "honor," I chose to do it anyway.

Well I never got any Emails from them so assumed I hadn't been picked to audition which I was almost relieved about.

Turns out the auditions are tomorrow and my Mom has been getting the Emails the whole time without telling me. I know have an audition with this fancy theater program at 10:45 AM and I HAVE NOT PRACTICED MY MONOLOGUE AT ALL (or even memorized it) because I thought I wasn't going to do the thing.

It's such a big deal I'll be in huge trouble if I don't go, but I can barely even memorize the thing by that time, much less somehow perform it properly.

I don't know what to do. I literally feel like my heart is burning up I;m so afraid.