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Writers, Buy This Book!

Posted by george on December 7, 2009
Posted in: Writing. Tagged: , . 15 comments

booklifeAs a writer, you absolutely need to go buy a copy of Booklife: Strategies and Survival Tips for the 21st Century Writer . I’m serious.  Without a doubt it is the most current, helpful and inspiring book I’ve ever read on the subject.  Jeff Vandermeer has set the bar for the next decade of “How to Write” books.

To get an idea of the flavor here, check out the first page of the Table of Contents:

booklife toc

Just by looking at the TOC, you can tell this is not going to be one of those dry, keep-your-nose-to-the-grindstone-and-you’ll-make-it kind of books.

The advice here is real world and applicable to today’s web 2.0 environment and beyond.

In particular, the writing style is like he is sitting across the table from you in a small cafe, leading you through the unpredictable maze that is the paradigm of writing today.

Transparency, Branding , PR plans.  It’s all here.  I really like the fact that you can pick up the book and open it to any page and begin right there.  You don’t have to start at page one and trudge through.

Here are some review quotes directly from the Amazon page:

“This guide will surely help writers traverse the often difficult journey from first draft to finished product.”  —Publishers Weekly

“Well-organized masterclass in understanding how to fit both writing and a writing career into your life.”  —Cory Doctorow, Boingboing.net

“Jeff VanderMeer is an extraordinary writer . . . passionate, beautiful, complex, terrifying.”  —Tamar Yellin, author, The Genizah at the House of Shepher

“One of the things that sets VanderMeer apart is his embrace of technology and media. His online presence is considerable and includes a number of web sites, frequent blogging, a short film adaptation . . . his Alien Baby photo project and even a project involving animation via Sony Playstation.”  —Wired.com

“A brilliant writer!”  —Peter Straub, author, Lost Boy Lost Girl

At this point you are probably chomping at the bit to go buy this thing.  Here you go:

Booklife: Strategies and Survival Tips for the 21st Century Writer

How to be a Gentleman

Posted by george on October 27, 2009
Posted in: Writing. Tagged: , , . 11 comments

gentlemanOne of my most favorite books of all time is How To Be A Gentleman : A Contemporary Guide to Common Courtesy .  In the years that I have owned this book, it has taught me things I did not know, and confirmed other things that I thought to be true.

There are a lot of ugly things in the world.  Behaviors and attitudes that if brought under the harsh glare of daylight should cause shame or at a minimum, pause.  How to be a Gentleman brings some courtesy and civility into a world that seems to have lost much of the same.

I guess maybe it’s just where I am right now, but it seems timely to put this post together and share this with the world.  Enjoy some of these some wonderful excerpts from the book.

In a theater, church or any place where people have gathered to hear music, a gentleman always turns his cell or pager off.

A gentleman does not hesitate to screen his calls.
A gentleman never eats his lunch while he is behind the wheel of a vehicle.

A gentleman does not assume it is the other person’s responsibility to provide the condoms.

A gentleman does not use his car horn indiscriminately.  On the other hand, he is not sheepish about giving an occasional honk to avoid disaster.

If the hour is terribly early or extremely late, a gentleman does not phone a private residence.

A gentleman does not feel obliged to invite other people’s pets to his house.

A gentleman does not touch other people’s children, unless he is invited to do so.

If a bellhop offers to assist a gentleman in hailing a cab, a gentleman accepts the offer, understanding that a tip is implied.

A gentleman never feels that he must say pleasant things about unpleasant people.  Even when describing pleasant people, he does not stretch the truth.  Goodness, when accurately described, can stand on its own.

A gentleman always offers to share his umbrella.

Unless he is a Texas Ranger or a cattle rancher, a gentleman does not wear cowboy boots with a suit.

When a gentleman feels the urge to color his mustache, he shaves his mustache off.

Although a gentleman usually takes his shirts to a laundry, he also knows how to use an iron and a can of spray starch.

A gentleman knows when it is all right to eat the garnish.

If a gentleman’s meal is slow to arrive from the kitchen, and if others at the table have been served, he urges them, “Please, go ahead without me.”  And he means it.

A gentleman never crunches on his ice cubes, except in the privacy of his home.

A gentleman knows that “please” and “thank you” are still the magic words.

And finally,

Unless he is teaching an English class, a gentleman does not correct another person’s grammar.  On the other hand, a gentleman monitors his own grammar scrupulously.

I hope you enjoyed these words of wisdom.

Here’s Your Chance to be a Writer For a Day!

Posted by george on October 2, 2009
Posted in: Writing. Tagged: , , , . 11 comments
From: http://7million7years.com

From: http://7million7years.com

You can be a writer for a day!  Intrigued?  Read on.

All It Takes…

All it takes is a little commitment.  Just a little because you’re going to be a writer for one day.  That’s all.

Today, just for today you’re going to write.  Don’t think about tomorrow, or next week or how long it is going to take to write that novel.  None of that matters.  Future days are not your concern:  Today is your only concern.

You can’t write anything tomorrow.  It’s not possible.  You can only write something today because today is all there is.

There are programs out there that push a “one day at a time” philosophy.  There is a lot of wisdom there.  You don’t have to be a writer for the rest of your life.  You have to be a writer today.  If you put all of your effort into writing today then you have been a writer for a day.  String a bunch of todays together and guess what?  Yup, all of a sudden you’re a writer.

So, sit down and start eating that elephant.  One bite at a time will do.

Why Do You Write?

Posted by george on October 1, 2009
Posted in: Writing. Tagged: , , . 33 comments
From: http://www.ehow.com/video_4990707_write-freelance-writers-invoice.html

From: http://www.ehow.com/video_4990707_write-freelance-writers-invoice.html

It really is a most basic question.  Since it is the foundation for what you do, when was the last time you thoughtfully considered the question?  If you are unclear about why it is that you are traveling down this road then maybe it is time to stop and smell the roses.

You write because…

  • You have this ember that glows deep within.  It’s hard to put your finger on it.  It may be difficult for you to even put it into words.  It’s a sense that writing is what you are supposed to do.
  • At some point in the past someone read something you wrote and told you that you should be a writer.
  • You have a creative side that needs to express itself and you couldn’t draw your way out of a paper bag.
  • It’s a great way to work from home.  Be your own boss!  Have more time with friends and family!  Make $10,000 a month!
  • You enjoy the freelance aspect of writing where you can get involved in a variety of projects.
  • You own a blog and you have to, in order to keep traffic flowing to your monetized niche site.
  • You have a lot to say and you want the world to know it.
  • You journal and it feels good to get your thoughts and feelings down on paper.
  • You want to be a best-selling Novelist.
  • You like having tangible evidence that you exist.
  • You get a little thrill whenever you see your name in print.
  • You want recognition for the things you know.
  • You like to tell stories.
  • You want to have a memoir, something to pass on to future generations.
  • You enjoy the challenge of grammar and word play.
  • It’s a great excuse to buy a computer and set up a web site.
  • You have expert knowledge in a certain area and you are the most qualified to write about it.
  • It makes you feel intellectual.
  • It relaxes you.
  • It gives you a sense of completeness.
  • It awakens your mind to a world of possibilities.
  • It satiates you.
  • It is all you have ever wanted to do.

Whew!  There are a lot of reasons to write, don’t you think?

So, which of these apply to you?  Are there other reasons out there?  Also, if you couldn’t write, what would you be doing?

Nine and a Half Ways to Send Your Writing Into the Stratosphere

Posted by george on September 30, 2009
Posted in: Writing. Tagged: , , . 17 comments

shuttle

You want to be the very best writer you can be.  It’s hard work, we all know that.  It is important to know that it is not impossible work though.  If your writing has just been trundling along, flat and uninspired, here are some tips to help take it to new levels.

Nine and a half ways

  1. Write every day.  It does not matter what you write, just do it.  If it something you feel impassioned about then all the better.  Like any other thing that is worthwhile, practice will make it better
  2. Learn your grammar and spelling.  Get a copy of The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition
    Google “grammar tips” and see what sites are out there (there are plenty of them).  Use the spell check function.
  3. Proof your work.  Read it out loud for voice and style.  Read it backwards to check for errors.  Have a trusted friend proof it for you.
  4. Take a class.  Think about how much fun it could be to have assignments given to you rather than you having to think of topics all of the time.  Classrooms are also great places to meet like minded folk.
  5. Find a mentor.  One on one mentoring can be a great way to identify strengths and weaknesses in your writing.  An objective mentor can also provide the motivation to keep moving forward.  I recommend Milli Thornton.
  6. Start or find a writing group.  This one takes a lot more work but in the end it could all be worth it.   Writing groups can be empowering and motivating.
  7. Do a bite-sized project.  Consider something that you are very passionate about and write a small E-book.  Don’t kill yourself doing it, make it manageable.  Your goal is to have something completed.
  8. Read.  A lot.  Writers read, and with good reason.  Reading helps you to find your voice.  It also gives you great ideas for what works and what doesn’t.  It’s also highly encouraging – hey, if they wrote a book then I can too!
  9. Join a writing forum.  There are a lot of them out there.  Spend time looking through the discussion groups and see if it is the kind of community you would like to join.  It’s a great way to get advice and connect with other writers.

Half.  Subscribe to the RSS feed here.  Ok, the jury is still out as to whether this will shoot your writing straight up, but I had to come up with something for the “half”!

I hope this tips are helpful to you.  Any thoughts?