Phil Giunta's Blog, page 114
September 14, 2011
About this Writing Stuff...
I'm still progressing through my online Windows Server 2008 course, having taken a few days respite to work on the first draft of my second paranormal mystery novel. I'm only a few scenes away from finishing! Tonight, I'm attending a webinar hosted by the investment firm managing my 401K, then back to Windows Server 2008, but while I have a few minutes...
Highlights from this week's selection: Kiana Davenport relates a true horror story of being intimidated by one of the Big 6 publishers. Lynn Rush discusses writing the male POV while Connie Briscoe advises writers to be tough on their protagonists. JA Konrath laments the decline of bookstores and book events. For comic book fans, mark the date for the upcoming Great Allentown Comic Con.
Sleeping with the Enemy: A Cautionary Tale by Kiana Davenport (Source: Bart Palamaro of GLVWG)
How to Be an Online Critique Geek by Becky Levine
Writing the Male Point of View by Lynn Rush / posted by Chuck Sambuchino
Why I Pushed My Heroine off a Cliff...Almost by Connie Briscoe
Fighting Uphill by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Over by JA Konrath
The Great Allentown Comic Con - November 19-20, 2011 at Merchants Square Mall. Many great comic artist and writer guests including some that have been interviewed here on my blog including Bob Greenberger , Michael Jan Friedman , and Steven H. Wilson . As many of you know, Steven founded Firebringer Press , the publisher of my novel, Testing the Prisoner . Steven and I will be at the show representing Firebringer Press. Bob and Mike have an impressive backlist of novels and comics and will be at the show representing their new publishing venture, Crazy 8 Press .
Highlights from this week's selection: Kiana Davenport relates a true horror story of being intimidated by one of the Big 6 publishers. Lynn Rush discusses writing the male POV while Connie Briscoe advises writers to be tough on their protagonists. JA Konrath laments the decline of bookstores and book events. For comic book fans, mark the date for the upcoming Great Allentown Comic Con.
Sleeping with the Enemy: A Cautionary Tale by Kiana Davenport (Source: Bart Palamaro of GLVWG)
How to Be an Online Critique Geek by Becky Levine
Writing the Male Point of View by Lynn Rush / posted by Chuck Sambuchino
Why I Pushed My Heroine off a Cliff...Almost by Connie Briscoe
Fighting Uphill by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Over by JA Konrath
The Great Allentown Comic Con - November 19-20, 2011 at Merchants Square Mall. Many great comic artist and writer guests including some that have been interviewed here on my blog including Bob Greenberger , Michael Jan Friedman , and Steven H. Wilson . As many of you know, Steven founded Firebringer Press , the publisher of my novel, Testing the Prisoner . Steven and I will be at the show representing Firebringer Press. Bob and Mike have an impressive backlist of novels and comics and will be at the show representing their new publishing venture, Crazy 8 Press .
September 7, 2011
About this Writing Stuff...
I'm in the middle of an online course on Windows Server 2008 but I did not want to let a week slip by without a round of fantastic articles. This week, some of brightest luminaries in the business today discuss story structure. From across the pond, three articles on the business of publishing and the future of books. Therese Walsh discusses inspiration while Jael McHenry gives a few pointers on using social media to promote your product. Joe Konrath has some tongue in cheek advice on how to succeed...and how not to care. And for comic book fans, friend and author Bob Greenberger presents
The Art of Howard Chaykin
.
Not Caring by JA Konrath
How to Succeed by JA Konrath
Internal and External Inspirations by Therese Walsh
Why We Buy by Jael McHenry
Donald Maas, James Scott Bell, and Christopher Vogler Discuss Story Structure
The Death of Books Has Been Greatly Exaggerated by Lloyd Shepherd
Novelists Need Publishers by Jane Rogers
Amazon Strikes First Major Publishing Deal by Alison Flood
The Art of Howard Chaykin by Bob Greenberger
Not Caring by JA Konrath
How to Succeed by JA Konrath
Internal and External Inspirations by Therese Walsh
Why We Buy by Jael McHenry
Donald Maas, James Scott Bell, and Christopher Vogler Discuss Story Structure
The Death of Books Has Been Greatly Exaggerated by Lloyd Shepherd
Novelists Need Publishers by Jane Rogers
Amazon Strikes First Major Publishing Deal by Alison Flood
The Art of Howard Chaykin by Bob Greenberger
August 31, 2011
About This Writing Stuff...
Presenting a slightly abridged version of About This Writing Stuff. Life has been hectic over the past week and will continue to be so for a few weeks more (see my other rambling post about this
here
).
For now, some discussions about the future of publishing, agents, and even writers from Ewan Morrison, JA Konrath, and Penny C. Sansevieri. Lisa Tucker ponders whether the digital revolution will save the novella and short story. The sagacious Jane Friedman offers more advice on preparing to use social media as a promotional tool, and author Aaron Rosenberg is soon to release his latest novel, No Small Bills, about...well...a duck. Enjoy!
How to Raise Your Characters Above the Status Quo by Steven James
Are Books Dead, and Can Authors Survive? by Ewan Morrison
The Race to the Bottom by JA Konrath
Is The Digital Revolution Saving the Novella / Short Story? by Lisa Tucker
3 Things That Come First Before You Tackle Social Media by Jane Friedman
The Future of Publishing by Penny C. Sansevieri
Oh, God! It's the End of Publishing! by Holly Lisle
And on a lighter note, award winning author Aaron Rosenberg writes about a duck! Yes, a duck!
For now, some discussions about the future of publishing, agents, and even writers from Ewan Morrison, JA Konrath, and Penny C. Sansevieri. Lisa Tucker ponders whether the digital revolution will save the novella and short story. The sagacious Jane Friedman offers more advice on preparing to use social media as a promotional tool, and author Aaron Rosenberg is soon to release his latest novel, No Small Bills, about...well...a duck. Enjoy!
How to Raise Your Characters Above the Status Quo by Steven James
Are Books Dead, and Can Authors Survive? by Ewan Morrison
The Race to the Bottom by JA Konrath
Is The Digital Revolution Saving the Novella / Short Story? by Lisa Tucker
3 Things That Come First Before You Tackle Social Media by Jane Friedman
The Future of Publishing by Penny C. Sansevieri
Oh, God! It's the End of Publishing! by Holly Lisle
And on a lighter note, award winning author Aaron Rosenberg writes about a duck! Yes, a duck!
Hours, Days, Weeks, Months...
I haven't posted here in a week, which is rather unusual but not without just cause. The past seven days has had me housecleaning, prepping for Hurricane Irene, surviving her wrath, repairing roof leaks brought to my attention as a result, and cleaning up after her.
Oh, and then there's that writing stuff. As of last night, I'm now one chapter away from completing the first draft of By Your Side, my second paranormal mystery novel. The almighty word count hovers just over 84,000. The good news is that months ago, I jumped ahead and wrote a partial scene for the final confrontation between my heroine and her spectral nemesis. Months before that, the epilogue was finished. Yes, I tend to write out of order when inspiration steers me so. A fairly detailed outline helps, too.
I'm looking forward to finishing and putting the manuscript aside for two weeks or so while I go fishing, read that Ben Bova novel that's next on my list, and paint my dining room.
But I digress. I rarely ramble on the internet, but I'm exhausted this evening so forgive me. I do have some exciting news, I will be a writer guest at The Great Allentown Comic Con in November along with my publisher, and fellow fiction author, Steven H. Wilson. More details forthcoming.
Over the next few weeks, I have an online course to take on Windows Server 2008 as part of my 2011 goals for my FT job. Thus, my blog posts may be few and far between until mid September but I'll be sure to have something new at least once a week until then.
Enjoy what's left of summer!
Oh, and then there's that writing stuff. As of last night, I'm now one chapter away from completing the first draft of By Your Side, my second paranormal mystery novel. The almighty word count hovers just over 84,000. The good news is that months ago, I jumped ahead and wrote a partial scene for the final confrontation between my heroine and her spectral nemesis. Months before that, the epilogue was finished. Yes, I tend to write out of order when inspiration steers me so. A fairly detailed outline helps, too.
I'm looking forward to finishing and putting the manuscript aside for two weeks or so while I go fishing, read that Ben Bova novel that's next on my list, and paint my dining room.
But I digress. I rarely ramble on the internet, but I'm exhausted this evening so forgive me. I do have some exciting news, I will be a writer guest at The Great Allentown Comic Con in November along with my publisher, and fellow fiction author, Steven H. Wilson. More details forthcoming.
Over the next few weeks, I have an online course to take on Windows Server 2008 as part of my 2011 goals for my FT job. Thus, my blog posts may be few and far between until mid September but I'll be sure to have something new at least once a week until then.
Enjoy what's left of summer!
August 24, 2011
About This Writing Stuff...
This week, James Scott Bell uses dialogue as a weapon and if you think you're writing sucks, Joe Bunting may have some advice for you. Kristine Kathryn Rusch tackles the business end of self publishing, eBooks, and publishing services. From Writer's Digest, Brian Klems pulls a hat trick with three informative articles touching on release forms, trademarked words, and twenty five ways to improve your writing. Enjoy!
Dialogue as Weapon by James Scott Bell
If You're Discouraged Because Your Writing Sucks by Joe Bunting
Two from Kristine Kathryn Rusch
The Business Rusch: Comparisons
The Business Rusch: Common Sense and the Writer
The long and the short from Brian A. Klems (Writer's Digest)
25 Ways to Improve Your Writing in 30 Minutes a Day
Should Your Interview Subjects Sign a Release?
Are You Using Trademarked Words In Your Writing?
Dialogue as Weapon by James Scott Bell
If You're Discouraged Because Your Writing Sucks by Joe Bunting
Two from Kristine Kathryn Rusch
The Business Rusch: Comparisons
The Business Rusch: Common Sense and the Writer
The long and the short from Brian A. Klems (Writer's Digest)
25 Ways to Improve Your Writing in 30 Minutes a Day
Should Your Interview Subjects Sign a Release?
Are You Using Trademarked Words In Your Writing?
August 22, 2011
August 21, 2011
Monster Mania Autograph and Collectible Show
Just returned from Monster Mania autograph show in Cherry Hill, NJ. This is a show that I attend semi-annually. This weekend brought some truly wonderful stars. The ones I was there to see included:
Cary Elwes - Princess Bride, Robin Hood: Men in Tights, Saw, X-Files, Psyche, Bram Stoker's Dracula
Chris Sarandon - Princess Bride, Fright Night, voice of Jack Skellington
William Atherton - Die Hard 1 & 2, Ghost Busters
Lance Henriksen - Millennium, Aliens, Aliens vs. Predators
Mr. Henriksen was signing copies of his autobiography, Not Bad for a Human , which I picked up. I gave him a copy of my novel and we chatted for about five minutes about writing and publishing. It was a fantastic conversation wherein he and I completely agreed that self publishing is the way of the future and that literary agents are just about unnecessary. This opinion is shared by many veteran authors such as JA Konrath, Dean Wesley Smith, Peter David, and others who are now self pubbing and it was interesting to hear this opinion being espoused by Mr. Henriksen.
All of the guests were fantastic, the weather was beautiful, and the convention was given even more space in the hotel than ever before. This may have been the best Monster Mania con yet...
Next up in October:
Garden State Comic Con
Chiller Theatre
August 18, 2011
About this Writing Stuff...
This week, MJ Rose lays down the rules of book publicity and marketing while Brian Klems offers advice on posting your novel for free online. Sharon Bially takes a look at a writer's vision, Brunonia Barry delves into the first rewrite, and Monica Bhide offers ten ways writers lose blog traffic and alienate readers....and JA Konrath? Well, he's had enough of the same tired arguments.
10 Ways Writers Lose Blog Traffic and Alienate Their Readers by Monica Bhide
Should You Post Your Novel Online for Free? by Brian A. Klems
How to Keep Some Privacy When Using Social Media by Tim Beyers
Same Tired Arguments by JA Konrath
The First Rewrite by Brunonia Barry
What's Your Vision? by Sharon Bially
Buzz, Balls, and Hype: The Rules Part One by MJ Rose
10 Ways Writers Lose Blog Traffic and Alienate Their Readers by Monica Bhide
Should You Post Your Novel Online for Free? by Brian A. Klems
How to Keep Some Privacy When Using Social Media by Tim Beyers
Same Tired Arguments by JA Konrath
The First Rewrite by Brunonia Barry
What's Your Vision? by Sharon Bially
Buzz, Balls, and Hype: The Rules Part One by MJ Rose
August 14, 2011
Testing the Prisoner is now on KindleGraph!
Testing the Prisoner
has now been listed with KindleGraph. With KindleGraph, you use your Twitter account to request an author's signature on one or more of their eBooks. You then apparently receive a document downloaded to your Kindle containing the author's signature, or something like that. It may work on more than just the Kindle, I'm still figuring this thing out. More info is forthcoming...
August 11, 2011
About This Writing Stuff...
Some of this week's highlights: Keith Cronin offers advice on how to grab the reader's attention immediately while Leigh Anne Jasheway tells us how to write better using humor. Brian A. Klems provides a brief guide to finding writing grants. Jael McHenry explains how book bloggers are like agents, and Susan Guyett reports on the banning of Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse Five (thanks to Ann Stolinsky for bringing this to my attention).
Surviving the Literary Gong Show by Keith Cronin
Vonnegut Library Offers Banned Book to Students by Susan Guyett
How to Write Better Using Humor by Leigh Anne Jasheway
Where to Find Writing Grants by Brian A. Klems
Agent Irene Goodman Explains: If You Want to be a Writer, Be a Writer posted by Chuck Sambuchino
New Agent Alert: Nicole Resciniti of The Seymour Agency posted by Chuck Sambuchino
7 Things I've Learned So Far by Sarah Alderson
Deal Breakers Continued by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
How Book Bloggers Are Like Agents by Jael McHenry
Surviving the Literary Gong Show by Keith Cronin
Vonnegut Library Offers Banned Book to Students by Susan Guyett
How to Write Better Using Humor by Leigh Anne Jasheway
Where to Find Writing Grants by Brian A. Klems
Agent Irene Goodman Explains: If You Want to be a Writer, Be a Writer posted by Chuck Sambuchino
New Agent Alert: Nicole Resciniti of The Seymour Agency posted by Chuck Sambuchino
7 Things I've Learned So Far by Sarah Alderson
Deal Breakers Continued by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
How Book Bloggers Are Like Agents by Jael McHenry
