Want to know more about being more productive? Having intentional leadership? Or just plain improving your life, Michael Hyatt, former CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishing, is one to read and listen to.
His weekly podcast, called This Is Your Life, is a must to listen to.
From leadership lessons to even the benefits of taking a nap everyday, and from improving the quality of your marriage to the best advice for first-time authors, Michael Hyatt's podcast (and blog) is one to subscribe to.
This past November, Michael even had a podcast dedicated to listener questions. I had submitted one of my questions . . . and he answered it! It had to do with becoming a fiction writer and building a platform. (Thank you, Michael!) Here is a link to that particular episode.
Be sure to check out Michael Hyatt's podcast titled This Is Your Life. He currently has 40 episodes--and I have been listening from the very beginning.
Monday, February 11, 2013
Friday, February 8, 2013
Happenings In The Outhouse 08-Feb-2013 / NaNoWriMo in February
Two days ago, on the 6th of February, I finished writing the novelette titled Guest of Honor. At a little over 11K words, I finished just shy of midnight. Goal accomplished!
I'm still going to continue with what I've been calling my "NaNoWriMo in February". Now I'm starting work on the first draft of a . . . alternative history/military fiction/thriller novel (holy crap, what a combination, but the writing industry loves their little tags and categories so there it is). I wrote about nine chapters about 4-5 years ago, then stopped. I stopped because I wanted to edit one of my completed novels for publication.
In re-reading the nine chapters, cleaning up some of the language and changing the date of the time period, I came to a conclusion: I need a prologue.
I've been listening to some podcast episodes lately on the use of prologues. A pros and cons, so to speak. Many are severely against it--one guy on a podcast even said he would NEVER read a novel that had a prologue.
I may write a blog post on this (okay, not may. I will!) soon so watch out for it.
Prologues have their use. If used properly. Here's the way I see it: prologues are used to set up the story. Movies do this. In fact, I've been watching the DVD of John Carter (no, don't feel sorry for me . . . at least not yet) and the opening few minutes sets up the rest of the movie. Even National Treasure and The Amazing Spiderman and . . . the list goes on and on.
The prologue in my new novel would be new. I haven't written it yet. But I have made a decision to do so.
Because it's needed.
I'm still going to continue with what I've been calling my "NaNoWriMo in February". Now I'm starting work on the first draft of a . . . alternative history/military fiction/thriller novel (holy crap, what a combination, but the writing industry loves their little tags and categories so there it is). I wrote about nine chapters about 4-5 years ago, then stopped. I stopped because I wanted to edit one of my completed novels for publication.
In re-reading the nine chapters, cleaning up some of the language and changing the date of the time period, I came to a conclusion: I need a prologue.
I've been listening to some podcast episodes lately on the use of prologues. A pros and cons, so to speak. Many are severely against it--one guy on a podcast even said he would NEVER read a novel that had a prologue.
I may write a blog post on this (okay, not may. I will!) soon so watch out for it.
Prologues have their use. If used properly. Here's the way I see it: prologues are used to set up the story. Movies do this. In fact, I've been watching the DVD of John Carter (no, don't feel sorry for me . . . at least not yet) and the opening few minutes sets up the rest of the movie. Even National Treasure and The Amazing Spiderman and . . . the list goes on and on.
The prologue in my new novel would be new. I haven't written it yet. But I have made a decision to do so.
Because it's needed.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
What is your favorite novel while in elementary school?
As February is the "I love to read" month, my youngest daughter brought home a paper for me to fill out: what was my favorite novel I read while in elementary school?
This one was difficult to put a finger on at first, because I first started reading Stephen King (Salem's Lot and Cujo to start with) in those years. I also read 2-3 Sidney Sheldon novels in 5th-6th grade as well--not really the most appropriate but hey I'm still a well-mannered functioning male so it didn't really scar me that much.
Then, I came to my decision: The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks
Although I didn't know it at the time, it was full of similarities to Lord of the Rings. Even so, it was my first novel I read that was considered an epic fantasy.
And I loved epic fantasy ever since.
This one was difficult to put a finger on at first, because I first started reading Stephen King (Salem's Lot and Cujo to start with) in those years. I also read 2-3 Sidney Sheldon novels in 5th-6th grade as well--not really the most appropriate but hey I'm still a well-mannered functioning male so it didn't really scar me that much.
Then, I came to my decision: The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks
Although I didn't know it at the time, it was full of similarities to Lord of the Rings. Even so, it was my first novel I read that was considered an epic fantasy.
And I loved epic fantasy ever since.
Monday, February 4, 2013
What I listen to - "The Secrets" by Michael Stackpole (and Dragon Page: Cover to Cover)
Near the genesis of most podcasting (in my opinion, given the age of it which was around mid-2005) is by a bestselling science fiction author Michael Stackpole called "The Secrets"
Although it has long since been retired, and replaced by "The Dragon Page: Cover to Cover", you can still access most of the archives and gain much valuable information in regards to writing, including the predicted rise of epublishing.
Unfortunately, it has been a while since Michael Stackpole (and his co-host Michael Mennenga) have released a podcast, you can still download most of the shows--I have, and have gained a great insight into epublishing and how one can take advantage of it.
So, in this blog, you get two in one:
Michael Stackpole's "The Secrets"
and
Dragon Page: Cover to Cover
Although it has long since been retired, and replaced by "The Dragon Page: Cover to Cover", you can still access most of the archives and gain much valuable information in regards to writing, including the predicted rise of epublishing.
Unfortunately, it has been a while since Michael Stackpole (and his co-host Michael Mennenga) have released a podcast, you can still download most of the shows--I have, and have gained a great insight into epublishing and how one can take advantage of it.
So, in this blog, you get two in one:
Michael Stackpole's "The Secrets"
and
Dragon Page: Cover to Cover
Friday, February 1, 2013
Happenings In The Outhouse 01-Feb-2013 / Day one of NaNoWriMo in February
Today is what I call "Day One of NaNoWriMo in February."
"But, Mark, NaNoWriMo is in November, isn't it?"
Why, yes it is, my good fellow. But last November was busy for me and I decided to put it farther out, when I could plan for it. Hence, NaNoWriMo in February.
I'll keep this short, as I'm writing the first draft of Guest of Honor, a novelette--at least, it feels like a novelette in my head. When it comes out on paper--or digital paper--my stories always seem to take on a life of its own.
Update on my January goals: I finished 5 out of the 10 short stories. I don't consider it a failure, as those five a pretty-well polished. One is offered for free on this blog ("Salute") and the other four I have to try find homes for.
"But, Mark, NaNoWriMo is in November, isn't it?"
Why, yes it is, my good fellow. But last November was busy for me and I decided to put it farther out, when I could plan for it. Hence, NaNoWriMo in February.
I'll keep this short, as I'm writing the first draft of Guest of Honor, a novelette--at least, it feels like a novelette in my head. When it comes out on paper--or digital paper--my stories always seem to take on a life of its own.
Update on my January goals: I finished 5 out of the 10 short stories. I don't consider it a failure, as those five a pretty-well polished. One is offered for free on this blog ("Salute") and the other four I have to try find homes for.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Robert A. Heinlein's 5 rules of writing
Science fiction author Robert A. Heinlein, long ago, came up with five simple rules for writing. If you just Google this, you'll come up with plenty of websites where these are listed. The following I found on one of Dean Wesley Smith's blog posts:
1) You must write.
2) You must finish what you start
3) You must refrain from rewriting, except to editorial order
4) You must put it out on the market
5) You must keep it on the market until it's sold
Let's expand on these a little, as I add my thoughts to the mix for clarification, even though the rules are simple.
1) (self-explanatory - if you wanted to be a pro football player, you'd better be throwing around the old pigskin. Writing is no different)
2) I don't know how many people I meet tell me they've always wanted to write a book or have started. Have they finished? No. Finish the damn book.
3) There should be no rewriting in the first draft while you're writing. You WILL need to edit once the book is done.
4) You've spent all this time writing your story. Spend a little time and find out where it should go--unless you're going to self-publish. Then, if you do that, research ways to do it right. Check out Joanna Penn's blog "The Creative Penn" for info on how to do this right.
5) If one place rejects you (assuming no self-pub right now unless that's the direction you now want to go) send it right back out.
Happy writing! Keep writing! Then, once it's edited, let it fly!
1) You must write.
2) You must finish what you start
3) You must refrain from rewriting, except to editorial order
4) You must put it out on the market
5) You must keep it on the market until it's sold
Let's expand on these a little, as I add my thoughts to the mix for clarification, even though the rules are simple.
1) (self-explanatory - if you wanted to be a pro football player, you'd better be throwing around the old pigskin. Writing is no different)
2) I don't know how many people I meet tell me they've always wanted to write a book or have started. Have they finished? No. Finish the damn book.
3) There should be no rewriting in the first draft while you're writing. You WILL need to edit once the book is done.
4) You've spent all this time writing your story. Spend a little time and find out where it should go--unless you're going to self-publish. Then, if you do that, research ways to do it right. Check out Joanna Penn's blog "The Creative Penn" for info on how to do this right.
5) If one place rejects you (assuming no self-pub right now unless that's the direction you now want to go) send it right back out.
Happy writing! Keep writing! Then, once it's edited, let it fly!
Friday, January 25, 2013
Happenings In The Outhouse 25-Jan-2013 / Am I really an outliner, or still a discovery writer?
As I wind down on this month and my list of short stories (nope I probably won't get all 10 completed, which I am okay with), I'm also preparing to write my new novella titled Guest of Honor. I'm going to treat this as a NaNoWriMo project, which means for the month of February I have to write a minimum of 1,786 words a day for the 28-day month--that comes to 50,008 words for all of you math geeks out there.
A strange thing happened when I started preparing a little for it. When I wanted to write down the characters' names and a little about the story, I felt this inner tug in my brain to quit. Not quit writing. Quit outlining.
I'm not an outliner and I really didn't consider it outlining, but in a basis sense that's what I was doing. So I quit outlining. Let's see how it works. I have five completed novels, none of which I outlined. I have dozens of short stories (10 of which I've selected to be worked on this month) and not a one was outlined.
So why start now?
Oh, don't worry. I won't. I'll write it like I always do . . . and it'll turn out great.
One last note. Remember (I believe it was last week but don't quote me on it) I talked about researching for a new book, based on the recent Iraq War? Well, since I don't have the time to interview any vets, and even if I found some I probably wouldn't know what to say to them anyway except to let them talk, I found a few books. I won't post them here, but feel free to go to my Goodreads site to see which ones they are.
A strange thing happened when I started preparing a little for it. When I wanted to write down the characters' names and a little about the story, I felt this inner tug in my brain to quit. Not quit writing. Quit outlining.
I'm not an outliner and I really didn't consider it outlining, but in a basis sense that's what I was doing. So I quit outlining. Let's see how it works. I have five completed novels, none of which I outlined. I have dozens of short stories (10 of which I've selected to be worked on this month) and not a one was outlined.
So why start now?
Oh, don't worry. I won't. I'll write it like I always do . . . and it'll turn out great.
One last note. Remember (I believe it was last week but don't quote me on it) I talked about researching for a new book, based on the recent Iraq War? Well, since I don't have the time to interview any vets, and even if I found some I probably wouldn't know what to say to them anyway except to let them talk, I found a few books. I won't post them here, but feel free to go to my Goodreads site to see which ones they are.
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