The following quotes from writers were found at the “lens” site of Angela Harms at Squidoo.com. My thanks to Angela for recognizing the beauty in these words. I have asked her permission to include them here (truth be told, I couldn’t wait and hope she lets me keep them here).
“Write while the heat is in you. The writer who postpones the recording of his thoughts uses an iron which has cooled to burn a hole with. He cannot inflame the minds of his audience.”
—Henry David Thoreau
(Dr. Joe Vitale says the universe likes speed. This would seem to verify that claim.)
“Writing is easy. All you do is sit staring at a blank sheet of paper until the drops of blood form on your forehead.”
—Gene Fowler
“The faster I write the better my output. If I'm going slow I'm in trouble. It means I'm pushing the words instead of being pulled by them.”
--Raymond Chandler
(I believe in this principle totally. The faster you write, the more the vision comes to the front. Edit later. Let the separate hemispheres of the brain work alone as much as possible. This clears the mind for the processes to to work optimally.)
“It took me fifteen years to discover that I had no talent for writing, but I couldn't give it up because by that time I was too famous.”
—Robert Benchley
See Angela's personal site and read her sage advice at: http://www.angelaharms.com/
This quote, another good one (and unfortunately accurate, all too often) was posted at BCwriters.com, a federation of writers from British Columbia.
"The writer is odd from day one and in the course of pursuing this maddening profession becomes distinctly odder... It is not unusual for a successful writer -- your favourite, the one you think of as full of sunshine, wisdom and laughter -- to spend great portions of his or her life in a state of fury, hideously disappointed, or even raving mad." -- Paul Theroux
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Listen Up! Great advice for free!
Okay, let me take a moment to clarify. This advice is great. It is also free—but only if you follow it. It could cost you quite dearly, if you don’t. Read on.
While surfing the Internet, I found this wonderful article by Constance (Connie) Briscoe, a published author of over 10 years and five fiction books, some of which have hit the most prominent best sellers lists. Here, she not only discusses the ten basic steps she used to get published, but also discusses the pros and cons of seeking representation -- the age old question of “literary agent vs. publisher” (you may presently have the wrong idea which is best).
All in all, Connie is experienced, smart and willing to help you. You would do well to listen and learn, as I have. Enjoy.
How To Get Published
While surfing the Internet, I found this wonderful article by Constance (Connie) Briscoe, a published author of over 10 years and five fiction books, some of which have hit the most prominent best sellers lists. Here, she not only discusses the ten basic steps she used to get published, but also discusses the pros and cons of seeking representation -- the age old question of “literary agent vs. publisher” (you may presently have the wrong idea which is best).
All in all, Connie is experienced, smart and willing to help you. You would do well to listen and learn, as I have. Enjoy.
How To Get Published
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Screenplays and More
The old saying is that if you want advice from a butcher, you don't go to the baker or candlestick maker. The same advice holds true in screenwriting or any other facet of the authoring world. I will be the first to admit I am not an expert in screenwriting. I have never written a screenplay, although I want to learn how and do so. I do know how to find an expert, though. One with very good credentials and years of expert experience can be found here: coverscript.com.
I am quite impressed with what I read here. In addition to some extremely reasonable rates to look over your work, Lynne Pembroke has the wealth of experience and knowledge to help you make it a top quality, prize-winning effort. You may find that writing a screenplay is nowhere near the same as writing the novel you derive it from. They are, admittedly, two separate disciplines and should be respected as such. Therefore, what may have come quickly and easily in your novel may be the hardest thing in the world to put properly into screenplay format. The wise person knows and admits when he is out of his league.
I have looked at screenplays and have remarked to myself that they appeared to be stripped down so far as to be devoid of life and imagery--mere skeletal versions of the story. The expert screenplay writer sees a different side, quite obviously. What that is, I can only guess, but I do know there is an art to it and I am not in the inner circle as to what the rules of the game may be (pardon me for mixing metaphors, but you get the idea).
That is where an expert, like Lynne, comes in. Cut to the chase, as they would say in film. Do you need an expert in your corner? Only you can say. Do you have all the time in the world and you are doing this for your own enjoyment? Then you may not ever need someone to critique and mentor you to perfection. Do you want to be taken seriously by the film industry or TV industry? Then you would do well to cover all bases and get that all-important second opinion from an industry resident expert.
I have to point out that I have never met Lynne Pembroke, spoken with her in any manner and I am certainly not being paid by her to write this regarding her and her profession. To the best of my knowledge, she will never even know that I have written this article. The reason I have done it is simply to point out that there are times when we cannot rely upon our own talents and instincts to carry us through--that time is when we are out of our natural element. Have you ever written a screenplay? You may be a natural, but... why take chances when you have one opportunity to make a first impression? The same advice holds true in all areas of life. You are constantly selling something, but always selling yourself. What kind of product are you? That will determine what others think about your work ethic, your work quality and your dependability. Fail to make a good first impression and the second, no matter how favorable, will only average out.
What you decide to do is entirely up to you. Have fun writing that screenplay, but when you are ready to go to the next level with it, have a good mentor and co-pilot to get you there, okay?
I am quite impressed with what I read here. In addition to some extremely reasonable rates to look over your work, Lynne Pembroke has the wealth of experience and knowledge to help you make it a top quality, prize-winning effort. You may find that writing a screenplay is nowhere near the same as writing the novel you derive it from. They are, admittedly, two separate disciplines and should be respected as such. Therefore, what may have come quickly and easily in your novel may be the hardest thing in the world to put properly into screenplay format. The wise person knows and admits when he is out of his league.
I have looked at screenplays and have remarked to myself that they appeared to be stripped down so far as to be devoid of life and imagery--mere skeletal versions of the story. The expert screenplay writer sees a different side, quite obviously. What that is, I can only guess, but I do know there is an art to it and I am not in the inner circle as to what the rules of the game may be (pardon me for mixing metaphors, but you get the idea).
That is where an expert, like Lynne, comes in. Cut to the chase, as they would say in film. Do you need an expert in your corner? Only you can say. Do you have all the time in the world and you are doing this for your own enjoyment? Then you may not ever need someone to critique and mentor you to perfection. Do you want to be taken seriously by the film industry or TV industry? Then you would do well to cover all bases and get that all-important second opinion from an industry resident expert.
I have to point out that I have never met Lynne Pembroke, spoken with her in any manner and I am certainly not being paid by her to write this regarding her and her profession. To the best of my knowledge, she will never even know that I have written this article. The reason I have done it is simply to point out that there are times when we cannot rely upon our own talents and instincts to carry us through--that time is when we are out of our natural element. Have you ever written a screenplay? You may be a natural, but... why take chances when you have one opportunity to make a first impression? The same advice holds true in all areas of life. You are constantly selling something, but always selling yourself. What kind of product are you? That will determine what others think about your work ethic, your work quality and your dependability. Fail to make a good first impression and the second, no matter how favorable, will only average out.
What you decide to do is entirely up to you. Have fun writing that screenplay, but when you are ready to go to the next level with it, have a good mentor and co-pilot to get you there, okay?
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Peek in on these sites.
You don't always have to be in pursuit of that great American novel to be considered an accomplished writer. Today I would like to offer a short list of sites for you that concern freelance writing possibilities and advice. Other avenues of income are always welcome, are they not? And a brief look through my first suggestion will definitely expand your view of the channels through which you might make some extra income as a writer.
As nearly exhaustive as I have ever seen, this first site is definitely worth a close look and further research. You may well decide that you have the talents and qualifications to fit into many of these listed slots. Perhaps there is on this list something you have never before considered yourself capable of. Take chances and do the research. Compare your writing on a particular subject to that of a recognized expert. You may be shocked to find yourself exclaiming, "I could do that!" This is not to say that you will immediately rise to the top, like cream, of course, but the value is in seeing avenues of expansion that you never saw or considered before--if you do something about it afterward, that is.
sohoday.com/FreelanceWritingontheInternet
The next site I would like you to consider also opens up some new frontiers for you, unless you have already done a podcast or audio book. If not, perhaps you should consider doing so. Few people read a book with the same passion as the author of the work. This is your opportunity to bring to life the characters and situations you wrote about--your chance to make them real in the minds of potential readers. The word images you drew can be painted anew in more vivd colors than ever before. Everyone loves a story and it is more riveting to many when they are told the story. So, take a look and consider this--even if it is only an excerpt. Don't worry about lost revenue, as there are still many that prefer to hold a copy themselves--right there in their hot little hands.
podiobooks.com
Not to overload you, but to expand your view of what is out there and awaiting you, I add these links, also. I am not suggesting plagiarism, but you never know where the next great idea is going to come from. It may come from your boredom and surfing the sites of others. These came from entering the phrase "Freelance Writing" into my search engine (I use searchbigdaddy because it pays me points I can use to purchase advertising when I choose to do so. Check it out for yourself.)
freelancewrite.about.com
freelancewriting.com
suite101.com/freelance_writers
writerlance.com
howstuffworks.com/magazine-writing
As nearly exhaustive as I have ever seen, this first site is definitely worth a close look and further research. You may well decide that you have the talents and qualifications to fit into many of these listed slots. Perhaps there is on this list something you have never before considered yourself capable of. Take chances and do the research. Compare your writing on a particular subject to that of a recognized expert. You may be shocked to find yourself exclaiming, "I could do that!" This is not to say that you will immediately rise to the top, like cream, of course, but the value is in seeing avenues of expansion that you never saw or considered before--if you do something about it afterward, that is.
The next site I would like you to consider also opens up some new frontiers for you, unless you have already done a podcast or audio book. If not, perhaps you should consider doing so. Few people read a book with the same passion as the author of the work. This is your opportunity to bring to life the characters and situations you wrote about--your chance to make them real in the minds of potential readers. The word images you drew can be painted anew in more vivd colors than ever before. Everyone loves a story and it is more riveting to many when they are told the story. So, take a look and consider this--even if it is only an excerpt. Don't worry about lost revenue, as there are still many that prefer to hold a copy themselves--right there in their hot little hands.
Not to overload you, but to expand your view of what is out there and awaiting you, I add these links, also. I am not suggesting plagiarism, but you never know where the next great idea is going to come from. It may come from your boredom and surfing the sites of others. These came from entering the phrase "Freelance Writing" into my search engine (I use searchbigdaddy because it pays me points I can use to purchase advertising when I choose to do so. Check it out for yourself.)
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Authors, get a PDF Power-Brander at no charge!
"Okay", you are saying, "What is a PDF brander?" Well, it is very simple, my friend. If you are a writer (and I assume that either you are or you want to be, or you wouldn't be here right now), you may one day want to make a PDF (a multi-platform text that works on Mac's and PC's alike)--an E-Book of your own. You will probably want to brand it with your name or company name, to ensure that every copy that gets sent abroad on the internet will bear that identification as well. Well, here is where you can get the program that will allow you to do just that--at no charge! I got mine; you get yours.
Get your own PDF Brander
Also, get a PDF creator for free here. You need this to create the eBook to brand.
pdf995 download
I have also heard of a PDF-creating program called Gymnast, that purports to work the same way Adobe Acrobat does. Note that I have not yet had time to look these programs over, so proceed first with a copy of your work--not the ONLY copy.
Have fun and tell me what you think.
Also, get a PDF creator for free here. You need this to create the eBook to brand.
I have also heard of a PDF-creating program called Gymnast, that purports to work the same way Adobe Acrobat does. Note that I have not yet had time to look these programs over, so proceed first with a copy of your work--not the ONLY copy.
Have fun and tell me what you think.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
The Write Discoveries
When I find sites I feel will be of use to you, I like to share the discovery and list the links in the column at the righthand side of this page (as time permits), so it will always be there when you need it. My intent is to eventually make this a one-stop shop for all of your writing needs. To that end, here are more discoveries you should see. Some are fun, some are nuts-and-bolts serious. All are useful in some way.
WritingFix.com (Rather intriguing and fun)
Writing.com (See links at top of page)
Writer's Tools (A variety of interesting resources)
Please feel free to email me and add more suggestions. I will review them as time permits.
Please feel free to email me and add more suggestions. I will review them as time permits.
Monday, October 16, 2006
A VERY impressive site from the UK. -- ExploreWriting.
I received a request to look at this site and include a link to it in the column to the right. It didn't take long to see that this is a quality site and deserving of the attention. Many thanks to Alex Collins for pointing it out to me and best wishes with further development of the site, which is handsomely done and efficiently laid out (I may have to adopt some of their html code implementation, as well). I recommend you look it over thoroughly for the good advice included there. Well worth your time.
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