I was originally planning to include Aerosmith in the title but I decided against it. Hopefully I will be able to make the connection clear as we go along with today's article. Many of you will remember that a few months ago I really took a hit. My confidence was 'Living on the Edge' and my muse was 'Cryin.' Well, since that time I was pretty much a boat adrift on the water. I will admit that I was 'Jaded' but deep down I never wanted to give up writing completely. I turned to reviewing books and this blog to get me through. Both proved to be lifelines because the reviews allowed me to just write but in a meaningful way. This blog or more to the point, all of you who follow this blog really helped me through. Many of you encouraged me to 'Dream On' and keep writing.
The problem with that advice is that my muse turned into a 'Rag Doll' and went on, what I thought, was a 'Permanent Vacation.' You guys never gave up though, between your comments here and others on Twitter I kept on moving forward but every time I attempted to write I came up with the "Same Old Song and Dance.' In other words, nothing fresh, exciting and interesting was dancing in my mind so writing was impossible outside of articles and reviews. I remember asking my followers on Twitter what I would do with four days off for Thanksgiving and the number one response was - WRITE. It was like somebody told my muse to 'Just Push Play.'
This all came full circle Friday night. It was impossible for me to sleep as my muse returned from vacation and went wild. Thoughts and ideas for stories flew through my head like leaves in a tornado. I could not keep up with all of them and trust me, I tried. What surprised me is that the main string of thoughts and ideas centered on my second novel. Basically I was told to get 'Back In the Saddle' again and that is exactly what I did. I spent multiple hours on both Saturday and Sunday tearing into my novel. I was rewriting old sections and writing new sections but I was writing and it was 'Amazing' to feel that 'Sweet Emotion' again.
I truly hope my muse doesn't go on a vacation that long again. I have a new confidence that I believe is stronger for having gone through this little set back. I know that all of you had a great deal to do with me getting through this and I can't thank you enough for that. This truly proves that we are not alone in this process and sometimes it takes many to show one how to 'Walk This Way' in order to reach 'The Other Side.'
If you feel overwhelmed just know you are not in this alone. You have friends and peers that will help you even if they don't know that they are. It really feels good to be back writing again.
Oh, if you are wondering, all the titles above are actual titles to songs by Aerosmith. Here is a link to their songs on their greatest hits disc for you to check out if you want to. I don't really know why I wrote this article like that. When I started writing it I just made connections with the songs and thought it would be fun. I told you my muse was running wild.
WELCOME
Nov 30, 2010
Nov 24, 2010
The Powerful 'P' Words
You know, as authors we love words. What would we be without them? The interesting thing is that some words carry more weight and have more power than others. Well Brian, you did a great job pointing out the obvious. I know, but it is just not in what we write that words display their power. It is in how we operate that we see the true power some words carry. Want an example? Your wife/daughter/sister comes up to you and says - "I might be pregnant." That word 'might' can send you in many different directions emotionally but it leave the door of speculation open. Now, let's have a look at it again from a different angle - "I am pregnant." That word 'am' now carries with it confirmation. There is no doubt about it, when someone tells you that you are either in shock, on cloud nine or scared to death. You may be a combination of all of them but that word delivers so much confirmation there is no room to question it.
Writing is similar to that but in my opinion some words carry more weight and have more power of influence in the life of a writer than others. It struck me recently that many of these words start with the same letter - 'P'. Why is that? I really have no idea but I think we should look at a few of them and explore why they have so much power over our writing.
Planning - From the moment our story idea is born we are planning the path to completion. When the story is complete we begin planning the next story, how to get published and how to build a platform. Some writers outline their story before writing it. That is planning. When a book is published they look at promotional avenues and ideas to best fit their budget and goals. That too is planning. Writing without a plan is like cooking without heat; it's not going to work out very well.
Perseverance - This is critical but we don't appreciate the power of this word until it is called into action. Why is that? The only time you need to persevere is when times are tough and your back is to the wall. Times like this you have to dig deep and keep moving forward. In our case, you have to keep writing. Those that succeed in this business are either very lucky or have fought for every inch they have gained. In all likelihood it is a mixture of both.
Patience - This word walks lightly but swings a very big stick. Just reading it or writing it is like fingernails down a chalkboard to many. Have you ever had something or someone push your patience to the edge? You know exactly how much power this word carries. The thing is, Rome wasn't built in a day and therefore we need to take the time and have the patience to develop our skills, stories and audience. It's just not easy when we want it right now.
Publish - This could be the king of the 'P' words in the minds of writers and authors alike. Is there another word that stresses us out more or vexes us more than this one? This is the ultimate goal but to attain that goal is often frustrating and difficult. This 'P' word will test your patience and perseverance and could possibly change your planning. If that isn't a good example of a word that carries some weight than I don't know what is.
Promotion - Some of you may be nodding your head while others have a slightly perplexed expression on your face. What kind of power does this word carry? Unfortunately this is the ultimate assassin when it comes to authors. At the beginning it is just a word we hear about but we don't know much about it. Once your book gets published then it springs out of nowhere and instantly you are overwhelmed with options and ideas. It is the next mountain that must be climbed in order to see your book in the hands of hundreds and thousands of people.
Priority - Where does writing fit in your life? The answer to that question carries many implications. We all have many priorities in life but it is the order at which we place them that is really important. Is it difficult to get them in the best order for you? Try to change up your priorities and see how well it works out for you. It is not an easy task; however, if we are serious about writing we must get it close to the top which means something that is already there needs to move down. This word carries the weight and power to change how you operate in your daily life.
It is good exercise to think about things like this because writing can infiltrate every aspect of our life. Some are alright with that and welcome it but some are not too sure. It is important to come to that conclusion before you start a journey of this magnitude. Afterwards, make your own list of power words that are important to you and make sure you know what role they have in your life and your writing.
Writing is similar to that but in my opinion some words carry more weight and have more power of influence in the life of a writer than others. It struck me recently that many of these words start with the same letter - 'P'. Why is that? I really have no idea but I think we should look at a few of them and explore why they have so much power over our writing.
Planning - From the moment our story idea is born we are planning the path to completion. When the story is complete we begin planning the next story, how to get published and how to build a platform. Some writers outline their story before writing it. That is planning. When a book is published they look at promotional avenues and ideas to best fit their budget and goals. That too is planning. Writing without a plan is like cooking without heat; it's not going to work out very well.
Perseverance - This is critical but we don't appreciate the power of this word until it is called into action. Why is that? The only time you need to persevere is when times are tough and your back is to the wall. Times like this you have to dig deep and keep moving forward. In our case, you have to keep writing. Those that succeed in this business are either very lucky or have fought for every inch they have gained. In all likelihood it is a mixture of both.
Patience - This word walks lightly but swings a very big stick. Just reading it or writing it is like fingernails down a chalkboard to many. Have you ever had something or someone push your patience to the edge? You know exactly how much power this word carries. The thing is, Rome wasn't built in a day and therefore we need to take the time and have the patience to develop our skills, stories and audience. It's just not easy when we want it right now.
Publish - This could be the king of the 'P' words in the minds of writers and authors alike. Is there another word that stresses us out more or vexes us more than this one? This is the ultimate goal but to attain that goal is often frustrating and difficult. This 'P' word will test your patience and perseverance and could possibly change your planning. If that isn't a good example of a word that carries some weight than I don't know what is.
Promotion - Some of you may be nodding your head while others have a slightly perplexed expression on your face. What kind of power does this word carry? Unfortunately this is the ultimate assassin when it comes to authors. At the beginning it is just a word we hear about but we don't know much about it. Once your book gets published then it springs out of nowhere and instantly you are overwhelmed with options and ideas. It is the next mountain that must be climbed in order to see your book in the hands of hundreds and thousands of people.
Priority - Where does writing fit in your life? The answer to that question carries many implications. We all have many priorities in life but it is the order at which we place them that is really important. Is it difficult to get them in the best order for you? Try to change up your priorities and see how well it works out for you. It is not an easy task; however, if we are serious about writing we must get it close to the top which means something that is already there needs to move down. This word carries the weight and power to change how you operate in your daily life.
It is good exercise to think about things like this because writing can infiltrate every aspect of our life. Some are alright with that and welcome it but some are not too sure. It is important to come to that conclusion before you start a journey of this magnitude. Afterwards, make your own list of power words that are important to you and make sure you know what role they have in your life and your writing.
Nov 19, 2010
Short Stories and the Writing Solar System.
Short stories - what are they? How do you write one? Why would you want to? Is it worth the time and effort to write one?
All of the above questions are both good and valid ones. Will I be answering all of them in this article? Oh, I don't think so; not because I think that would be a really long one but I don't feel like I have enough information to answer all of them properly. Those are just a few questions I have regarding and low word count friends of the writing world. As I dive deeper into this topic I plan to eventually discover an answer or two for these and many more questions.
What is a short story? If you said (or thought) a story that is short you would be correct. That is the simple, most logical answer; however, we know nothing is simple when it comes to the law of writing. There is always more than meets the eye. I do believe an illustration is in order. Many refer to writing and publishing as the world of publishing or the world of writing. I believe it is more like a solar system. You see, in the writing solar system, planets revolve around a sun much like or own solar system. What are these planets and what is the sun? What about the stars and the moons?
The sun represents the publishing houses, both large and small, self publishers and now the E-publishers. The sun supplies the means of life, heat and energy to the planets. The planets that revolve around the sun are many but here are a few: planet novel, planet poetry, planet memoir, and planet short story. Not every planet has a moon revolving around it; however, the planets poetry and short story do. Their moons are named magazines and anthologies.
If we take a closer look at each planet we see that they are made up of continents known as genres. As for all the stars that make up the writing solar system they represent all the writers, authors and readers.
I hope you enjoyed visualizing that as much as I enjoyed writing it but I also hope you see the big picture. Everything is different and unique but also represents a part of larger unit. If you removed one element from the solar system would the whole thing come crashing down? I don't believe so but the missing piece would indeed be missed and there would exist a hollow spot.
This brings us back to the question - what is a short story? A more detailed inspection will show that a short story is a condensed novel. It has all the same parts and pieces but it structured in a much more concise manner. The scope is scaled back as is the number of characters but plot, tension, and flow are all very important aspects of a short story. The hook is very important as well and it needs to be set quickly. There is a little space to set the hook in a novel but not in a short story.
We will look at short stories in more detail soon. For now I believe it is time to start the weekend.
All of the above questions are both good and valid ones. Will I be answering all of them in this article? Oh, I don't think so; not because I think that would be a really long one but I don't feel like I have enough information to answer all of them properly. Those are just a few questions I have regarding and low word count friends of the writing world. As I dive deeper into this topic I plan to eventually discover an answer or two for these and many more questions.
What is a short story? If you said (or thought) a story that is short you would be correct. That is the simple, most logical answer; however, we know nothing is simple when it comes to the law of writing. There is always more than meets the eye. I do believe an illustration is in order. Many refer to writing and publishing as the world of publishing or the world of writing. I believe it is more like a solar system. You see, in the writing solar system, planets revolve around a sun much like or own solar system. What are these planets and what is the sun? What about the stars and the moons?
The sun represents the publishing houses, both large and small, self publishers and now the E-publishers. The sun supplies the means of life, heat and energy to the planets. The planets that revolve around the sun are many but here are a few: planet novel, planet poetry, planet memoir, and planet short story. Not every planet has a moon revolving around it; however, the planets poetry and short story do. Their moons are named magazines and anthologies.
If we take a closer look at each planet we see that they are made up of continents known as genres. As for all the stars that make up the writing solar system they represent all the writers, authors and readers.
I hope you enjoyed visualizing that as much as I enjoyed writing it but I also hope you see the big picture. Everything is different and unique but also represents a part of larger unit. If you removed one element from the solar system would the whole thing come crashing down? I don't believe so but the missing piece would indeed be missed and there would exist a hollow spot.
This brings us back to the question - what is a short story? A more detailed inspection will show that a short story is a condensed novel. It has all the same parts and pieces but it structured in a much more concise manner. The scope is scaled back as is the number of characters but plot, tension, and flow are all very important aspects of a short story. The hook is very important as well and it needs to be set quickly. There is a little space to set the hook in a novel but not in a short story.
We will look at short stories in more detail soon. For now I believe it is time to start the weekend.
Nov 17, 2010
Back In The Game
It is no secret that I have been in a strange place for about two months now. On top of attempting to right the ship I was also handed an extra helping of uninterrupted, nonstop work. Granted, I am happy to be busy at work but when added to the situation of finding my direction it pretty much stopped everything else (writing and frequent blog updates) in its tracks. I believe I have identified a new avenue at which to wonder. Where will this road take me and what about the road I was on?
I suppose I need to cover the latter before I get to the former. The road I was on lead me to a strange place but I learned from it and I believe I am stronger for having gone there. That is one of the hidden benefits of writing; we don't know exactly where the journey will end. We have a goal and dreams of where that journey will take us but until we realize that moment of truth it remains a mystery in reality. Will I ever travel that road again? Yes, I believe I will but not at this moment. The time is not right.
This new journey will take me down a road I have traveled before but not very far. Think of it as stepping into the ocean until the water reaches your ankles then walking back on the beach. I think I've been building sandcastles long enough; it is time to take a swim.
As I have done in the past so shall I do now and that is take all of you along with me. It is my hope and goal to write more, blog more and learn more. In the end, the ultimate goal is to enhance my skill and ability as a story teller.
I am excited about this new journey but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy writing novels. In my opinion the two go hand in hand. Yes, I still feel somewhat inadequate when it comes to writing a full length novel. I have plans for more but I want my skills to match my imagination. I doubt I'm alone in that thinking. It is also important to remember, should you ever have a gut check, to give yourself time to get things figured out for yourself and discover which path you want to take. Does that mean you don't take writing seriously or you really don't have what it takes to become an author? Absolutely not! Writing comes from within and if you are struggling with your thoughts, your confidence, your muse or any number of things it will impact your writing. Rome was not built in a day and neither was an author's career.
Yes, I have been bouncing around the main topic and may have even gone off on a tangent or two so here it is. I am currently researching the art, skill and craft of writing short stories. I am always investigating there place in the modern world of publishing and if they are still popular among readers. Before you make any rash or hurried decisions about short stories I can tell you that some of my research has turned up some interesting and surprising findings.
I hope you will enjoy this journey with me as I plan to learn and share as much as I can. As a side note, while I am still hopeful of one day becoming a published author I am playing with the idea of offering my stories and projects for free. Of course that will only happen after I feel comfortable with sharing them but that is the main point - I want to share them with readers. I want to know what they think and feel after reading one of my stories more than anything else.
What do you know about short stories? What would you like to know about them?
I suppose I need to cover the latter before I get to the former. The road I was on lead me to a strange place but I learned from it and I believe I am stronger for having gone there. That is one of the hidden benefits of writing; we don't know exactly where the journey will end. We have a goal and dreams of where that journey will take us but until we realize that moment of truth it remains a mystery in reality. Will I ever travel that road again? Yes, I believe I will but not at this moment. The time is not right.
This new journey will take me down a road I have traveled before but not very far. Think of it as stepping into the ocean until the water reaches your ankles then walking back on the beach. I think I've been building sandcastles long enough; it is time to take a swim.
As I have done in the past so shall I do now and that is take all of you along with me. It is my hope and goal to write more, blog more and learn more. In the end, the ultimate goal is to enhance my skill and ability as a story teller.
I am excited about this new journey but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy writing novels. In my opinion the two go hand in hand. Yes, I still feel somewhat inadequate when it comes to writing a full length novel. I have plans for more but I want my skills to match my imagination. I doubt I'm alone in that thinking. It is also important to remember, should you ever have a gut check, to give yourself time to get things figured out for yourself and discover which path you want to take. Does that mean you don't take writing seriously or you really don't have what it takes to become an author? Absolutely not! Writing comes from within and if you are struggling with your thoughts, your confidence, your muse or any number of things it will impact your writing. Rome was not built in a day and neither was an author's career.
Yes, I have been bouncing around the main topic and may have even gone off on a tangent or two so here it is. I am currently researching the art, skill and craft of writing short stories. I am always investigating there place in the modern world of publishing and if they are still popular among readers. Before you make any rash or hurried decisions about short stories I can tell you that some of my research has turned up some interesting and surprising findings.
I hope you will enjoy this journey with me as I plan to learn and share as much as I can. As a side note, while I am still hopeful of one day becoming a published author I am playing with the idea of offering my stories and projects for free. Of course that will only happen after I feel comfortable with sharing them but that is the main point - I want to share them with readers. I want to know what they think and feel after reading one of my stories more than anything else.
What do you know about short stories? What would you like to know about them?
Nov 11, 2010
Don't Worry and Just Write
First and foremost I want to say thank you to all the men and women who serve and have served in our armed forces. The freedoms you protect for us, as a nation, are often taken for granted but never forgotten. We see these freedoms everyday and sometimes in the simplest ways. Bloggers, in particular, provide a great example of these freedoms because we, the majority of us, can write and present anything we want. In contrast to this, individuals in China (for example) do not have the freedom to blog what they want; the Internet and speech in that region is strictly monitored.
Second, I have been overwhelmingly busy as of late with work. I know, I should not complain when the unemployment rate is still sky high and, even though they say the recession is over, there seems to be no real relief in sight. I am thankful for my job and the stability of the company I work for.
I wanted to get those two thoughts out before we dive into today's topic. I have been thinking about this topic for a few days now and I believe it is about time to share it with you. It all started with a Twitter request. Yes, Twitter can open up a nice size can of worms but it can also shine a light in the darkness. A friend and fellow author asked for advice. His problem was one that we all face at some point in time and that is writer's block; however, this was a little different. He asked for help because he is participating in Nanowrimo and while he has the passion and imagination to write he is lacking in drive a great deal.
What do you tell a person that has the desire and passion to participate in Nanowrimo; the imagination to prepare a project that will meet the deadline; the excitement of competing in the contest but lacks the drive to get the words on the paper? I found this situation very interesting so I asked him a few questions such as: are you stressed? Do you have time set aside to write? Are you distracted by situations in your life? His responded 'yes' to all of them which helped me narrow down my suggestions for him.
He stated that work was really stressful; time seemed to slip past him and when he sat down to write his thoughts were jumbled and confusing. Have you ever experienced this? If you haven't, you will and if you have than you know exactly what I'm talking about. To compound the situation he was beginning to panic because the deadline was approaching and he was falling further behind.
What advice does one give a friend and fellow writer during a situation like this? Before I share my thoughts on this I will say that my advice may or may not work. I will know in due time but there are no silver bullets when it comes to writing and writer's block so opinions and thoughts are all we have to work with. My advice is as follows:
In closing, we do not embrace the story; the story embraces us. Once we relax and allow it to flow we become more of a vehicle so the words can appear in print rather than a leader deciding which part goes where. I am very interested to hear how his writing goes after he returns from his short vacation. If all goes well he will be back on track and will cross the Nano finish line by the end of the month.
Second, I have been overwhelmingly busy as of late with work. I know, I should not complain when the unemployment rate is still sky high and, even though they say the recession is over, there seems to be no real relief in sight. I am thankful for my job and the stability of the company I work for.
I wanted to get those two thoughts out before we dive into today's topic. I have been thinking about this topic for a few days now and I believe it is about time to share it with you. It all started with a Twitter request. Yes, Twitter can open up a nice size can of worms but it can also shine a light in the darkness. A friend and fellow author asked for advice. His problem was one that we all face at some point in time and that is writer's block; however, this was a little different. He asked for help because he is participating in Nanowrimo and while he has the passion and imagination to write he is lacking in drive a great deal.
What do you tell a person that has the desire and passion to participate in Nanowrimo; the imagination to prepare a project that will meet the deadline; the excitement of competing in the contest but lacks the drive to get the words on the paper? I found this situation very interesting so I asked him a few questions such as: are you stressed? Do you have time set aside to write? Are you distracted by situations in your life? His responded 'yes' to all of them which helped me narrow down my suggestions for him.
He stated that work was really stressful; time seemed to slip past him and when he sat down to write his thoughts were jumbled and confusing. Have you ever experienced this? If you haven't, you will and if you have than you know exactly what I'm talking about. To compound the situation he was beginning to panic because the deadline was approaching and he was falling further behind.
What advice does one give a friend and fellow writer during a situation like this? Before I share my thoughts on this I will say that my advice may or may not work. I will know in due time but there are no silver bullets when it comes to writing and writer's block so opinions and thoughts are all we have to work with. My advice is as follows:
- Keep in mind that you still have time to get the project done. Will you have to work harder? Yes but you can still do it.
- Work is the source of a large amount of our stress. When the level of stress gets to high it is time to get away from it, even if it is just a few hours. Get away from work and go somewhere that will allow you to relax and unwind. That somewhere can be a backyard swing or a drive in the country.
- As my friend stated, he planned a trip but with the deadline looming he was thinking about postponing it until later. I recommended that he go on the trip on one condition; he would relax and allow his thoughts to flow freely and, hopefully, work themselves out.
- Allow your muse to run wild. Once you have relaxed and allowed your thoughts to roam it is time to let the muse fly. The words will fly from your hand to the page in no time.
- Remember that writing is a way to escape what the world hands us. It should not be an added weight to your day but a source of relief; a moment to exhale.
- Just write. Don't think, don't edit, don't review; just write.
In closing, we do not embrace the story; the story embraces us. Once we relax and allow it to flow we become more of a vehicle so the words can appear in print rather than a leader deciding which part goes where. I am very interested to hear how his writing goes after he returns from his short vacation. If all goes well he will be back on track and will cross the Nano finish line by the end of the month.
Nov 3, 2010
Ordinary Can Be Extraordinary
Title: Ordinary Mr. Yalley, Extraordinary Gift from AboveAuthor: Faustina Korley
ISBN: 978-1-60696-506-1
Genre: Christian Fiction
Pages: 276
Reviewed By: Brian Knight
Official Premium Promotional Services Rating:
Gifts blessed to us from above allow us to do extraordinary things.
What if you knew the right thing to say at the right time? What if you knew what was going to happen right before it actually did? What if you knew these things because the Lord allowed you to and wanted you to make a positive impact for him because of it? In “Ordinary Mr. Yalley, Extraordinary Gift from Above” we find out how an ordinary man handles the answers to the questions above and we see firsthand the amount of love and positive change he delivers throughout the book because of those answers
“Ordinary Mr. Yalley, Extraordinary Gift from Above” illustrates the love of God through believers. By the abilities blessed to the characters they not only change their life but those of neighbors, friends and strangers. The relationships formed are intimate and powerful. By discovering their gifts the characters are able to take one step closer to understanding and embracing the true love and mercy offered by the Lord. It is a truly surreal experience for the reader.
In “Ordinary Mr. Yalley, Extraordinary Gift from Above,” we see the ability of an ordinary man impacting multiple lives through the gifts given him from above. What are these gifts and do we share them with Mr. Yalley?
From the first word, Faustina Korley’s faith and passion for the Lord are instantly displayed through warm and welcoming characters doing wonderful things in the lives of those around them. With each passing page, it is virtually impossible not to smile as the story of Mr. Yalley unfolds before your eyes.
“Ordinary Mr. Yalley, Extraordinary Gift from Above” demonstrates the ability and influence one person can have on people they come into contact with. The strength of Mr. Yalley’s faith carries it from page to page as he accepts the gifts of the Lord and uses them to glorify and do the Lord’s work. This novel is for everyone but particularly aimed at both new and established Christians searching for a warm, loving story to escape the world around them.
Author Faustina Korley’s debut novel is sure to inspire you to take a fresh look at the world through a new pair of eyes. A pair of eyes that will not only show you the glory of the Lord but will allow you to discover your true abilities gifted to you.
Please visit the Tate Publishing website to learn more about the author and her book HERE.
Watch the book trailer HERE.
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