Fetch! Good boy, BlogRovr.

I like new and useful gadgets and software--no Luddite here. When Blogger for Word was interrupted, my feelings were hurt, because I enjoyed and used it a lot. However, there may still be hope, if talented programmers like the following keep at work on their ideas.

BlogRovr is a new application out for bloggers, or anyone else, that is very interesting. I am just starting to experiment with it and so have yet to be able to sing its praises, but the technology is promising, at the least.

The general idea behind BlogRovr is that you can get related blog write-ups delivered straight to you at the desktop WHILE you are reading another article or page at that instant. Kind of a servant who says, "If you are enjoying this, might I also suggest....?" Rather a novel idea (no pun intended).

My thought was an immediate, "Hey! This could help me keep up more easily on what others are doing in almost ANY field, including authoring." The potential seems immense, does it not? I am anxious to see what happens with this and look forward to your responses, should you also try it out.

http://www.blogrovr.com/

Is There A Great Story Hiding In You Somewhere? Dealing With Writer's Block

(In putting together this new site, I am also closing down the old one and moving what I think may be of interest to readers. This one of those articles.)

Writers' Block. The dreaded authors' disease. Speechless Stupor.
Whatever you may call it, it is not the desired end for a writer. A writer wants the words to flow like a mountain stream, like an artesian well, like Angel Falls--from great and astounding heights to unfathomable depths. Unfortunately that is not always the result of our efforts. Of course, it is not so bad when the block is only temporary. The worst block of all may be the one we do not notice, however.

Is it possible there is a great story hiding in you and you are not even aware of it? "How can that be possible?", you ask. To clarify, it may be the story you have yet to discover. More worrisome is that you may never discover it at all. Is that possible?

Although I cannot remember all the details, I recall hearing the true tale of a woman from Europe who once wrote a famous author and praised his work, commenting that she wished she had such talents as he. His response was to ask what it was that she did each day. She wrote back that she was a washer-woman and she sat on the steps each day after she folded her clothing. He again wrote and asked her what she saw as she sat there. She responded that she sat on the tiles the steps were made from. Back and forth this exchange went. What kind of tiles? Italian hand-made tiles. Describe them to me, etc. She began to be fascinated by the process utilized to manufacture those tiles and she sent him an impressive essay on the subject. Again he asked what else she saw as she sat there each day. She told of the ants that she would watch as they went about their activities around her feet. Another essay took flight and she sent this to him as well. Before the saga was over, she was a recognized expert on the subject of ant colonies and had several articles accepted and published in scientific journals. Other subjects of interest followed and she was just as successful in their pursuit.

Now it is your turn. Ask yourself about the world around you. Who is your neighbor? Did he or she experience some great marvel or survive some great catastrophe? Is their hobby something unusual? Are they an inspiration you have until now been unaware of? Have you done something that few others ever do in their lives? Did you overcome some great trial or obstacle in your life? Is there a great story waiting in that microcosm you call your life?

The moral of this example is fairly plain to see. The great story that seems to elude us may in fact be right under our feet all the time, with us passing it each day, oblivious to its very existence. Perhaps we may need to look up or look down for a change. Or we may be required to look outside of ourselves and our daily world to discover the excitement that was there all along. Then again, we may even need to focus inside ourselves to discover a great story that we have until today taken for granted.

Organized Confusion

It has been far too long since I have posted to this blog. I have all the usual excuses, however, so I am well prepared. A lot has been going on in my life. Researching the best way to publish my trilogy in the SHINING ARMOR series. I am writing a few new books. AIMLESS WANDERINGS will be a humor-based book (which I am still adding a bit to), to be followed up by a sequel, ORGANIZED CONFUSION, also humor-based. AMNESIA is another novel I have in the works and have been unable to spend much time with of late. I am also compiling an electronic work entitled WHO"S FUELING WHOM? AN EXPOSE' OF THE GLOBAL ENERGY CONSPIRACY. This will have a unique approach to proving claims made within the booklet. It won't be a long work, but will be a powerful one nonetheless. Considering writing a book called FAT, LAZY AND STUPID--THE PROBLEMS WITH AMERICA. Don't get me wrong, I love America and what it STOOD for. Problem is, it no longer does.

In addition, I have been involved in the formation of, with two housemates (while stuck here in Arizona), a trio of corporations that will hopefully work in a synergistic manner and accomplish a lot of good for the under-privileged and suffering in the world. There is a lot of prep work involved in this and I am learning by the seat of my pants. Fortunately they know a lot more about it. I trust that God will provide for this work, as long as we continue in His spirit and purpose.

I must assume that your holidays went well. Mine were (are) like the proverbial headless chicken, but have indeed been interesting. Being half the nation away from my family for a time, I had the privilege to spend the holidays with others who took pity on me (or wanted to punish me for some unknown crime) and invited me to join their own families. I miss the family and have made some very pronounced changes. No longer do I have to wear the Bah! Humbug! T-shirt my wife got me some years ago. I now enjoy the season and wish the good cheer could carry over all year. (My wife wants to know who I am and what I have done with her real husband).

On Christmas Eve, I had the distinct and memorable experience of having dinner with Satan and his minions. Not really, but it could as easily have been the same experience if I had. There should be a sign above this family's door that says, 'Abandon Hope, All Who Enter Here'. The whole thing was a real culture shock for me. To lay some foundation for you, I worked with the man for a short time at one job and we seemed to recognize kindred spirits in one another--they say opposites attract and we could not be more opposite than this. I call him my 'evil twin' and he calls me his 'conscience'. We have a lot of the same interests, albeit different manners of applying the knowledge (if you gave me a hammer, I would see what I could build with it--he would try to determine how to conquer the world with it). Mind you, he is brilliant--just terribly twisted in his goals. After consideration, I have decided he may be a science experiment run amok.

Anyway, for one five minute period that seemed much, much longer, they did nothing but shout obscenities and tell one another to shut up. Even the kids talked as you would expect to hear in a bar or locker room. I was very uncomfortable and smilingly asked him not to invite me back next year, whereupon the kids protested and said, 'But you're nice! You have to come back!' Maybe I got through to somebody after all, but that is an experience I would only wish once a year. Next time, if there is one, I will go in fasting and prayer and prepare to cast out the demons from their home. I am not certain if anyone will be left alive if I do, however.

Christmas day I spent with a family that had the young kids enact the Nativity scene and I got to be the angel (my wife should have seen that). The experience was wonderful--no comparison to 'Beelzebub and family' necessary to improve it. I enjoyed the conversation and the influence of good people who love one another. I only wish the other family could have experienced that. Then again, the shock may have killed one or another of the families outright. *sigh*

Free for Your Consideration

As I was growing up, I read a lot of Sci-Fi and adventure stories. I am certain my father was sorry he ever introduced me to some of it, but I learned writing techniques from master writers this way. Much of what I learned was by osmosis, I guess, but can be applied to writing novels, short stories, movies, etc. There are no regrets on my part.

Previously I have posted only portions of my writings on this and other sites. Now, for the first time, I have posted the entire Shining Armor series of three books at CTRstories.com. Along with this are several vignettes, an inspirational short story, a hymn and more to come. Why the change? Call it inspiration, a hunch,…whatever. What’s in it for you? You get to study the techniques I have learned, hopefully enjoy what you consider to be good writing and then ask me questions regarding it (via the email link on the right), if you like. I am also making available the chance to get coaching on a limited basis, but should you want more involved help (such as editing, proofing, ghostwriting, etc.), that might be arranged also.

You see, I love to write. This is my element and what I was meant to do. When you have an aptitude, use it in any way you can. If you do not, you will be miserable and frustrated all your life. Using your God-given talents will bring you joy and enrich not only your life, but the lives of others. So, with my compliments…enjoy my creations thus far. And when they are available to purchase in hard copy (soon, if all goes as planned), please support me to make more.

The Beauty of Words

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

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

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?