Dakota Thomas
Bio
Hi I’m Dakota I love music especially hip hop and R&B. One of my favorite things to do is annotate on genius
Stories (52/0)
Edits to Make in Your Novel
All writers who have isolated themselves to vigorously typing alone know the amazing feeling you have when you finish your first draft. For some of us, this rush of success might come when finishing writing the first half of your book. It feels great executing your idea and getting every thought onto that devastating but inspiring blank page. We jump, finally step away from our computers, maybe even call those friends we haven't talked to in six months, but then we realize what we really should be doing. Yes: Editing—probably the least pleasing task for a writer. If I'm being honest, I'm probably going to be reluctant to edit this. Whether you're trying to get your book traditionally published, or thinking of going the self publishing route, editing and revisions need to be done before putting your work out there. For those of us writers who can't afford editors, this process is tiresome. Most of the time we don't even know what we're looking to change. No matter how perfect you think your first draft is, it needs work and edits, and here are some to consider. These edits and tips are directed towards fiction novels, but I'm sure they an apply to other work.
By Dakota Thomas5 years ago in Journal
Period Blues: Short Story
Disaster; this is how 23 year old NYU art student Clara Reynolds feels tonight and her wryly long brown hair that is thrown in a messy bun is the first clue. Drowned in oversized clothing with period cramps stabbing her stomach, she could only manage to sprawl out on her couch in front of the TV. Her studio apartment smells of pure muliebrity instead of the ink smell that Clara’s art career usually generates, making her freckled covered nose flinch. No bra, no appetite, no self confidence, and no desire to join the happy people on the streets of New York living their best lives, Clara’s eyes are glued to the TV. Well not entirely glued, because even though it is only approaching 5 pm her eyelids slowly closed and for 3 minutes she peacefully dozed off. That of course ends when New York needs to remind the poor girl that the city doesn’t sleep, and she bounces at the sounds of the cabs or homeless people.
By Dakota Thomas5 years ago in Humans
Justine Skye’s 'Bare with Me' Review
Extremely talented R&B/soul singer and songwriter Justine Skye, who has worked with many artist from Musiq Soulchild to Diddy, has graced us with new music following the release of her 2018 album Ultraviolet. Since the album dropped, Skye has gone public with abuse allegations against her ex-boyfriend Sheck Wes and dropped a music video and single, “Build,” which serves as a reflection of her past situation. On August 30, 2019, Justine released her EP BARE WITH ME, proving her career and soothing vocals are nowhere near evanescent.
By Dakota Thomas5 years ago in Beat
The 3 Best Fulfilling Salads
One of the most common healthy options on the menu is the salad. Oh the salad, the option we used to scrunch our faces at when we were kids. Yes those were the days when we actually looked at the food instead of the calorie amount. Salads are probably one of the most popular meals in January when everyone is making their New Year's resolutions. Sure salads are healthy, but most times when we get salads, we’re not getting the most nutritious value out of our Caesar’s and Kale. Instead, we’re given a plate that is 95% lettuce with little bits of chicken sprinkled on top, and this leaves us not satisfied and at risk of eating more. Salads may be the least desired meal to some, but those people don’t know that there are several places that offer fulfilling salads. These are healthy, and most importantly they won’t leave you staring at your friend’s burritos; some of them even look like the salads you see when you look up the word salad. These healthy salads are protein packed and aren't just filled with lettuce. Whether you're staring a new high protein diet or just simply in need of a healthier lifestyle, these meals are for you. This list can also serve as healthier options from your favorite restaurants. As someone who is always looking for the meal with the lowest calories when I go out, I hate having to take a long time to look at the menu, so I hope this is very helpful. When making this small list of salads, I decided to exclude the salads from places who make those as their specialty like Sweetgreen or Salad bar. Those salads are probably amazing, but these are more affordable and more for the average person. If you're rich, I do recommend you stop reading this and just go to Sweetgreen, which always has the best advertisements.
By Dakota Thomas5 years ago in Feast
Why 2019 Is the Best Year for Fashion
If you would've asked me what was the best era for fashion a year ago I would've said the 90s with the scrunchies and Rachel Green plaid skirts, but after some examination, my conclusion has changed. Maybe it's because of my dad telling me to live in the present, but I believe we are in the best era for fashion. Sure there is a manifold of overpriced t-shirt brands, stores that profit off of fast fashion, celebrity brands, and Friends merchandise taking over the stores, but other than that the state of fashion is doing pretty good for a generation of people stuck on their cell phones. For some who are decades older than me the clothes we see today may be outrageous and they may be fulminating at the sight of what these Instagram models are wearing, but with the help of the equality movement, fashion has changed for the better.
By Dakota Thomas5 years ago in Styled
What Fuels Body Dsymorphia
In third grade, much like my mother, or other women in my family, I grew a butt. At eight years old I had curves and had to jump into my pants while skirts were out of the question. One of my more vivid memories from my awfully white elementary school was being in a line, and being picked out by a girl with the "normal," kid body type. According to this girl my butt was too big, and I needed to do more squats. Without any knowledge of the effect that squats have on your glutes, I sat out doing squats for as long as my young body could manage. The wooden floors in my room creaked as I went up and down, not seeing any change in my curves that kept on increasing. This memory that is sempiternal in my brain wasn't the start of a successful fitness journey, but the beginning of my mild battle with Body Dysmorphia.
By Dakota Thomas5 years ago in Psyche
Why You Should Quit Social Media
Social media has been in our lives for quite some time, helping us make more money, communicate with each other, and do things faster. This explains why 77% of Americans have a social media profile. As the appeal for social media grows, skeptics of its benefits grow also; and why wouldn't they, as people who used to want to go off the grid are now posting their lives on Instagram? So, am I one of those skeptics who have no notifications on their phone? Yes. Before you make your assumptions about who typed this article, I am not some 50-year-old women with a blackberry; I'm the complete opposite, a teenager with an iPhone. A teenager with an iPhone who has spent a year off of social media and doesn't live under a rock. Yes, this teenager is telling you to quit social media.
By Dakota Thomas5 years ago in 01
Best Looks from the Teen Choice Awards
The Teen Choice Awards premiered last week on August 11, and since I didn't know I didn't watch or vote, but I sure did look at the red carpet. Since the award show took place on the beach the style of the show wasn't your typical red carpet style and the celebrities instead looked pretty casual. This year I didn't expect there to be so many faces and big celebrities at the award show, but it seems like the award show is being taken more seriously than prior shows. These are my best looks from the red carpet, and they are in no particular order.
By Dakota Thomas5 years ago in Styled