Writing
Friday Fun: 7 Fun Links from My Feed Reader
I’ve been slogging my way through NaNoWriMo. I’ll probably call this novel From the Ashes of Courage (or some variation thereof), because I think it reflects the theme and mood of the story: risking all in the face of defeat; and less Love Boat, more As Good As It Gets. At this point, when it [...]
Anybody Go to BU? (and NaNoWriMo Update)
According to my writing spreadsheet, I’m on track to finish NaNoWriMo, but I’ll need to come up with more scenes in the novel. I’m averaging 616 words per scene, which is around half what I had originally estimated. Not a problem, because I have a number of additional, unplanned scenes already on the back burner, [...]
Finding the Answer to the Meaning of Life
I’ve been absent here, because I’m working on a new novel. After collecting mounds of marketing data, I’ve discovered that I absolutely must write Confessions of a Veteran Software Developer— That’s not a novel, but a true story of my years as a professional software developer. However, I have to find a new title. (Apparently, [...]
Another One of Those Weeks
It’s turning out to be another of those weeks, when I get very little accomplished. I completed a couple posts scheduled for the next couple weeks, and tomorrow will be posted the first part of a 2-part humorous series, a roast of the Boston driver. And I also picked up writing a novel I began [...]
Starting Freelance Writing and Consulting Services
Sometimes I do something so stupid, I amaze even myself. I wasn’t planning on writing anything for Wishcasting Wednesday this week, and indeed I didn’t, preferring instead to read others’ WW posts. And I actually did read several. “What do you wish to begin?” is what Jamie Ridler asked for this week’s wishcasting prompt. And [...]
4 Myths (and More!) Bloggers Believe about “Old” Media
Bob Baker pointed me toward this blog post by Leo Babauta: “8 Valuable Lessons Newspapers Must Learn From Bloggers to Survive”. I’m actually finding myself disagreeing with some of Leo’s points. For example:
5 Points of Life-Expanding Stories
Stories teach, not just raw data, but wisdom. Ever since man gained the ability of thought 35 millennia ago, he has told stories. And modern research continues to reveal the constructive power of storytelling. However, not all stories edify. Like psychotherapy, stories can comfort us or distress us. They can make us better people and [...]
I Wish to Remember to Feel What My Reader Feels
The most important skill a writer can develop, in any field or genre of writing, is to empathize with his reader, because the reader will always judge your writing ultimately by what he feels. Mastery of this skill has resulted in some of the greatest feats of writing magic, especially among writers of sales copy, [...]
Opening Ceremony for the Proof
I love it when a new proof comes in the mail. Here’s the opening of the proof of Love through the Eyes of an Idiot. Note that there are only 5 more days (through Wednesday, July 15) to pre-order an autographed copy at reviewer discount prices. After that, the price goes up. See the Love [...]
The Secret to Happily Ever After…
I’m readying for the release of my latest book, Love through the Eyes of an Idiot, the true story of a romantic idiot who was lucky enough to find love. I just finished a first cut of the cover copy.