"Good writing," Gladwell says in his preface, "does not succeed or fail on the strength of its ability to persuade. It succeeds or fails on the strength of its ability to engage you, to make you think, to give you a glimpse into someone else's head."
~ What the Dog Saw by Malcolm Gladwell
Nov 30, 2009
Nov 25, 2009
Frame of Mind
"You know you're a writer when..." (Chad adds:) you come up with excuses for not writing. Time. Focus. Energy. Inspiration. The list is never ending...
I do my best when I'm in a good frame of mind. Either in a rare sad mood or if I have an idea I can't get out of my head.
As with most writers, I wish I could get in a good 'frame of mind' more often. I'd sure write more.
What helps you get in the right frame of mind?
I do my best when I'm in a good frame of mind. Either in a rare sad mood or if I have an idea I can't get out of my head.
As with most writers, I wish I could get in a good 'frame of mind' more often. I'd sure write more.
What helps you get in the right frame of mind?
Nov 20, 2009
Ambition
Are you an ambitious person?
Writers have to be ambitious. It takes diligence to get from "Once upon a time" to "the end".
Dictionary.com says this about ambitious.
Many people say they could write a book, but few do. Not always for a lack of ambition, but a lack of time or maybe talent.
I consider myself ambitious. I have a self-published book, an independent film production company, and a side marketing consulting business.
I can do it. I have done it. I intend to continue to do it. Now it is a matter of making it a priority.
This all keeps me from sitting in front of the TV, playing video games, and even solitaire.
Writers have to be ambitious. It takes diligence to get from "Once upon a time" to "the end".
Dictionary.com says this about ambitious.
Many people say they could write a book, but few do. Not always for a lack of ambition, but a lack of time or maybe talent.
I consider myself ambitious. I have a self-published book, an independent film production company, and a side marketing consulting business.
I can do it. I have done it. I intend to continue to do it. Now it is a matter of making it a priority.
This all keeps me from sitting in front of the TV, playing video games, and even solitaire.
Nov 19, 2009
Finding your Voice
Finding your [writing] voice that is.
Writers constantly strive to find their voice with their words. They seek to stand-out. They seek uniqueness.
Wikipedia has this entry about "Writer's Voice".
People can tell you, "You are a good writer" or "I like your writing style" but few say, you have a voice I've never heard before.
I feel like often, I don't write because I don't think I've found my voice yet, but I'm only going to find that IF I keep writing.
Of all the books on the craft of writing out there, few actually talk about how to find your voice.
Writers: How would you describe your writing voice?
Writers constantly strive to find their voice with their words. They seek to stand-out. They seek uniqueness.
Wikipedia has this entry about "Writer's Voice".
People can tell you, "You are a good writer" or "I like your writing style" but few say, you have a voice I've never heard before.
I feel like often, I don't write because I don't think I've found my voice yet, but I'm only going to find that IF I keep writing.
Of all the books on the craft of writing out there, few actually talk about how to find your voice.
Writers: How would you describe your writing voice?
Nov 18, 2009
Too many reference books
Overwhelming...
While putting together my online bookstore using products from Amazon, I was instantly overwhelmed by the number of books out there on the craft of writing. Books on dialogue. Books on genres. Books on marketing. Books on literary agents.
I simply wanted to put together a few helpful books about writing in various subjects. That is no small task.
It is easy to get bogged down on reading about writing that you spend more time learning than actually writing.
While these books may provide tips, tricks, and insight - it is important to follow a path of your own.
My bookshelf is filled with many of these books. The shelf is nicely organized by subject. The bad part is they sit there. The intention was to have them as a reference, which they are. But really, how many books on dialogue do you really need?
Writers: If you had to pick a book on the craft of writing, what reference/resource would you recommend?
While putting together my online bookstore using products from Amazon, I was instantly overwhelmed by the number of books out there on the craft of writing. Books on dialogue. Books on genres. Books on marketing. Books on literary agents.
I simply wanted to put together a few helpful books about writing in various subjects. That is no small task.
It is easy to get bogged down on reading about writing that you spend more time learning than actually writing.
While these books may provide tips, tricks, and insight - it is important to follow a path of your own.
My bookshelf is filled with many of these books. The shelf is nicely organized by subject. The bad part is they sit there. The intention was to have them as a reference, which they are. But really, how many books on dialogue do you really need?
Writers: If you had to pick a book on the craft of writing, what reference/resource would you recommend?
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