Hey everyone! I have teamed up with Wattpad and MasterClass to share with you some learnings from my MasterClass instructors on tips & tricks to explore a deeper meaning of the art of storytelling. MasterClass offers an immersive online experience that allows you to take not only writing lessons but classes in design, film, fashion, photography, and more, all from the world's best. You can learn more about MasterClass here! #Sponsored

  When I discovered MasterClass had a class by Neil Gaiman, I couldn't wait to hear how the author of Caroline created his novels. I was hesitant before joining because I didn't think he could tell me something I couldn't find on the internet. I was wrong. I was always a huge fan of the artist and now I feel like I've discovered all of his writing secrets. I see myself implying things he mentioned into my books that helped my perspective of writing change.

I picked up more wisdom than I thought. Neil gives us more of a deeper insight of what storytelling really takes and what it's about. How it's okay to feel pain, sadness, emotions, and anger then later let those feelings be a part of your story. That's the beauty in story-telling, you have everything you have in your mind and vision.

https://youtu.be/SinJ_hB8T1k

The advice on how when writing, if you're honest in your novels, the story will connect with the readers. I found it interesting Neil feared telling the truth in stories. I felt like I could relate to that because novels usually speak the truth about the writer. It's their imagination or their life. After having that explained and knowing the author got past that fear of being honest in a story and with himself as a human being, I felt good that I am heading in the right direction with my mind.

I feel a confident voice when crafting a novel. That's something new writers, especially young ones don't think about. I appreciated how Neil discusses honesty when writing novels. When I write my next novel, I won't plan on holding back with emotions and genuine feelings because people love honesty. When Neil talks to his audience and the people watching his class, he's telling you to be something you probably thought you couldn't be. Such as being brave, being confident, being strong. It's all real life and in books, those true things you talk about might save a life. Or inspire a movement. That fantasy created by the story-teller intertwines with the real world.

Another thing I found interesting was finding my voice through writing and thinking, "that's me," instead of another author that inspired me. These are important tips and not ones we hear every day about just being ourselves in a story. I feel good knowing this takes people a while to understand it but people like Neil and even myself learned later in our 20s.

The thing that made this class super inspiring is the voice and pace and pieces of the stories told for Neil. It was something mysterious and so calm at the same time, but everything he explains will make you think in different ways about writing. After the class, I had so much drive and energy to write again but from a different perspective. Even though, some things I thought about doing before such as having a voice and writing as myself-it's expanded my writing mindset by a land slide.