Jesse Roberts's Blog: NewWayStories
October 1, 2023
Books That Inspire Me to Write
The books on this list are packed with invaluable information. And more importantly, they all stirred passion deep inside me. Every time I closed the last page of one of these books, I was even more excited to start writing the first page of my next book. Maybe they will do the same for you.
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King
If you are a writer, you have likely already read this book. If not, get on it. There are tons of practical nuggets that started my journey on the right foot. Just thinking about On Writing makes me want to read it again.
Damn Fine Story: Mastering the Tools of a Powerful Narrative by Chuck Wendig
I’ve been a film geek much longer than a book nerd. I read Damn Fine Story early in my decision to write novels. For some reason, books are way more intimidating to me than movies. Chuck Wendig was speaking my language when he broke down the powerful stories of Die Hard, Star Wars, and The Prestige. It helped strip away the intimidation of novels. Don't get me wrong, they're still intimidating but after this book, at least they're more approachable.
The Fiction Formula: The New Rules of Self-Publishing Success by Sean M. Platt and Johnny Truant
Entrepreneurial ideas get me pumped. These guys are the best in the biz, and I would love to emulate their self-publishing success. But, even better, they walk through their creative process. For me, learning how they structure their novels was clutch. Story Beats are king.
Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative by Austin Kleon
There is something about finishing a book that gives me a rush of dopamine. I love it. But every page turn of this book gave me that rush. Almost everything in this book is worth stealing.
What books have helped or inspired you?
I always love good recs.
Here are the links if you’re interested in reading any of these.
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
Damn Fine Story: Mastering the Tools of a Powerful Narrative
The Fiction Formula: The New Rules of Self Publishing Success
Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King
If you are a writer, you have likely already read this book. If not, get on it. There are tons of practical nuggets that started my journey on the right foot. Just thinking about On Writing makes me want to read it again.
Damn Fine Story: Mastering the Tools of a Powerful Narrative by Chuck Wendig
I’ve been a film geek much longer than a book nerd. I read Damn Fine Story early in my decision to write novels. For some reason, books are way more intimidating to me than movies. Chuck Wendig was speaking my language when he broke down the powerful stories of Die Hard, Star Wars, and The Prestige. It helped strip away the intimidation of novels. Don't get me wrong, they're still intimidating but after this book, at least they're more approachable.
The Fiction Formula: The New Rules of Self-Publishing Success by Sean M. Platt and Johnny Truant
Entrepreneurial ideas get me pumped. These guys are the best in the biz, and I would love to emulate their self-publishing success. But, even better, they walk through their creative process. For me, learning how they structure their novels was clutch. Story Beats are king.
Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative by Austin Kleon
There is something about finishing a book that gives me a rush of dopamine. I love it. But every page turn of this book gave me that rush. Almost everything in this book is worth stealing.
What books have helped or inspired you?
I always love good recs.
Here are the links if you’re interested in reading any of these.
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
Damn Fine Story: Mastering the Tools of a Powerful Narrative
The Fiction Formula: The New Rules of Self Publishing Success
Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative
May 24, 2023
Space Pioneer in Paperback!
Over the past few years, there's a great chance I annoyed my friends and family by talking about my book, Space Pioneer. In their defense, it has taken too long to be fully released. But now, to their relief and utter surprise, Space Pioneer is fully released on Amazon! You want the ebook? You can have it. You want a paperback? You can have it. You want hardback? Well, you can't have that. You should just settle for the other two.
This post is the official announcement to my family and friends. "You don't have to listen to me talk about the book I'm writing anymore! Now, you only have to hear me talk about the book I wrote."
So, you're welcome, friends and family. And to the rest of the world... you're welcome too for being able to read Space Pioneer.
This post is the official announcement to my family and friends. "You don't have to listen to me talk about the book I'm writing anymore! Now, you only have to hear me talk about the book I wrote."
So, you're welcome, friends and family. And to the rest of the world... you're welcome too for being able to read Space Pioneer.
February 6, 2023
How to be Productive in Creativity
Do you know that feeling of divine inspiration? There’s a moment when an idea is planted deep in your consciousness, and there is only one way to get it out. What happens next is hard to explain. As soon as you put pen to paper or clay to the wheel, you’re in the zone, working on a higher plane. You’re acting outside of time and space Your mind and body are a perfect team making sure every little thing falls perfectly into place. The process is beautiful and spiritual. Before you know it, it’s finished. That beautiful thought is no longer just an idea for your own mind. Now it's tangible and ready for the world.
Do you know the other feeling when divine inspiration is nowhere to be found? (We’ll call this feeling 99 percent of our daily lives.) There is no overwhelming idea you have to get out for the world. So, instead of creating, you just sit there and twirl your thumbs. After a while, you turn to social media for inspiration. Then six hours passed. You haven’t eaten or put on pants, and your little brother is still waiting on a curb waiting to be picked up. Yeah.
Creatives have a hard time producing consistently. The main reason is that it is hard to be creative and create a structured atmosphere that promotes productivity. If you don't harness both creativity and structure you'll end up in Dante's fourth circle of hell--relative obscurity, where no one gets paid for their creative endeavors.
Here are the big secrets of being productive. Brace yourself—they’re quite groundbreaking.
Number 1- Set goals
Think big picture and nitty gritty. Goals, *Clears throat* give you something to work towards. As a writer, my big-picture goal could be: I’m going to write a first draft this month. Once you have big-picture clarity, you begin to understand what you have to accomplish daily. I’ll write 2,000 words a day. I know what I am working towards, and I’m mentally motivated. The particulars of the goal do not matter. Scale them to be reasonable with your life. A single mom with an infant will have less time than an unemployed 22-year-old. But set a goal! I will write 5,000 words this month. I will plant 2 new plants in my garden. I will color 3 finger paintings this week. Whatever. It doesn’t even matter if you accomplish the goal every time. If you are working toward something you will be more productive.
Number 2- Set a Schedule
I know. I know. I don’t like it either. But now that you have your goals, you need to be realistic about the time it will take to accomplish them and then schedule them. There is no chance I will be able to write 3 hours a day if I'm trying to sneak that into my downtime. Scheduling helps you prioritize the things you value. So, you can politely decline when someone asks you to do something because you have a full schedule. (Unless it’s a real emergency. Use common sense, people!) It doesn’t matter how long you block out in your day, only that you actually put it in the schedule. I’m most productive when I’m sticking to my schedule.
If your creativity is important to you, then treat it like it’s important. Set goals and then ink them into your schedule. You'll be more productive.
Do you know the other feeling when divine inspiration is nowhere to be found? (We’ll call this feeling 99 percent of our daily lives.) There is no overwhelming idea you have to get out for the world. So, instead of creating, you just sit there and twirl your thumbs. After a while, you turn to social media for inspiration. Then six hours passed. You haven’t eaten or put on pants, and your little brother is still waiting on a curb waiting to be picked up. Yeah.
Creatives have a hard time producing consistently. The main reason is that it is hard to be creative and create a structured atmosphere that promotes productivity. If you don't harness both creativity and structure you'll end up in Dante's fourth circle of hell--relative obscurity, where no one gets paid for their creative endeavors.
Here are the big secrets of being productive. Brace yourself—they’re quite groundbreaking.
Number 1- Set goals
Think big picture and nitty gritty. Goals, *Clears throat* give you something to work towards. As a writer, my big-picture goal could be: I’m going to write a first draft this month. Once you have big-picture clarity, you begin to understand what you have to accomplish daily. I’ll write 2,000 words a day. I know what I am working towards, and I’m mentally motivated. The particulars of the goal do not matter. Scale them to be reasonable with your life. A single mom with an infant will have less time than an unemployed 22-year-old. But set a goal! I will write 5,000 words this month. I will plant 2 new plants in my garden. I will color 3 finger paintings this week. Whatever. It doesn’t even matter if you accomplish the goal every time. If you are working toward something you will be more productive.
Number 2- Set a Schedule
I know. I know. I don’t like it either. But now that you have your goals, you need to be realistic about the time it will take to accomplish them and then schedule them. There is no chance I will be able to write 3 hours a day if I'm trying to sneak that into my downtime. Scheduling helps you prioritize the things you value. So, you can politely decline when someone asks you to do something because you have a full schedule. (Unless it’s a real emergency. Use common sense, people!) It doesn’t matter how long you block out in your day, only that you actually put it in the schedule. I’m most productive when I’m sticking to my schedule.
If your creativity is important to you, then treat it like it’s important. Set goals and then ink them into your schedule. You'll be more productive.
January 26, 2023
Why Books?
Story is one of the most valuable things in our lives. If you care about something, it's because you're invested in the story. It's why we love to root for underdogs. It's why we want to see our kids succeed... It's simply a better story.
When we see a good story, it inspires us to be better. It doesn't matter if it's fiction or real life, good story is crucial. NewWayStories creates books with good stories that people actually enjoy reading. Crazy, right? Only then do we hope our readers' lives are impacted.
But why books? Fiction is a vehicle to communicate ideas. Arguing with someone rarely changes a mind. Quality fiction camouflages a concept, making it easier to process and eventually take hold. It's why The Twilight Zone was so successful. On the surface, it just looks like Rod Serling wrote neat science fiction. But below the surface, he communicated concepts that weren't widely accepted in society. There's something very intriguing about that.
When we see a good story, it inspires us to be better. It doesn't matter if it's fiction or real life, good story is crucial. NewWayStories creates books with good stories that people actually enjoy reading. Crazy, right? Only then do we hope our readers' lives are impacted.
But why books? Fiction is a vehicle to communicate ideas. Arguing with someone rarely changes a mind. Quality fiction camouflages a concept, making it easier to process and eventually take hold. It's why The Twilight Zone was so successful. On the surface, it just looks like Rod Serling wrote neat science fiction. But below the surface, he communicated concepts that weren't widely accepted in society. There's something very intriguing about that.
