Phil Giunta's Blog, page 114
October 5, 2011
About this Writing Stuff...
I have five videos remaining in this mother-lovin' Windows Server 2008 course. I have finished the original twenty four videos, now it's a matter of sitting through the six new ones that were appended just a few weeks ago to address the changes in Windows Server 2008 R2. Although most of the videos average about 35 minutes in length, pausing to take notes and screen shots then typing up the notes afterwards more than doubles the time. At least the trainer is fairly entertaining! I haven't drifted off to sleep yet while watching.
What all of this means, though, is that I have had to put aside the first draft of my second novel for nearly a month now....dammit. I've barely written a page in all that time. It also means that I had to put aside the Ben Bova novel that I was enjoying, Mars Life. The good news is that my life should get back on track this coming weekend and starting next week, I can finish the last four scenes needed to complete the first draft.
Anyway, onward to this week's selection of articles. October is National Book Month, and the National Book Foundation would to help you celebrate! And while you're celebrating, drink some kool-aid compliments of Joe Konrath and follow him on a race to the bottom. Speaking of Kool-Aid, paranormal author Jami Gold adds some flavor of her own to the debate. Jody Hedlund offers some comfort for when you feel like a nobody and Shelli Johnson reminds us that persistence matters (I'm down wit dat). Orna Ross tells us why writers should meditate and for comic book fans, the Spider-Man Vault is now in stores!
October is National Book Month by The National Book Foundation
Drink the Kool-Aid by Joe Konrath
Race to the Bottom Part 2 by Joe Konrath
How to Avoid the Publishing Kool-Aid by Jami Gold
When You Feel Like a Nobody by Jody Hedlund
Why Persistence Matters by Shelli Johnson
Warning! Bad Book Ahead. Proceed with Caution by Kristan Hoffman
Why Writers Should Meditate by Orna Ross
Spider-Man Vault Now in Stores by Bob Greenberger
What all of this means, though, is that I have had to put aside the first draft of my second novel for nearly a month now....dammit. I've barely written a page in all that time. It also means that I had to put aside the Ben Bova novel that I was enjoying, Mars Life. The good news is that my life should get back on track this coming weekend and starting next week, I can finish the last four scenes needed to complete the first draft.
Anyway, onward to this week's selection of articles. October is National Book Month, and the National Book Foundation would to help you celebrate! And while you're celebrating, drink some kool-aid compliments of Joe Konrath and follow him on a race to the bottom. Speaking of Kool-Aid, paranormal author Jami Gold adds some flavor of her own to the debate. Jody Hedlund offers some comfort for when you feel like a nobody and Shelli Johnson reminds us that persistence matters (I'm down wit dat). Orna Ross tells us why writers should meditate and for comic book fans, the Spider-Man Vault is now in stores!
October is National Book Month by The National Book Foundation
Drink the Kool-Aid by Joe Konrath
Race to the Bottom Part 2 by Joe Konrath
How to Avoid the Publishing Kool-Aid by Jami Gold
When You Feel Like a Nobody by Jody Hedlund
Why Persistence Matters by Shelli Johnson
Warning! Bad Book Ahead. Proceed with Caution by Kristan Hoffman
Why Writers Should Meditate by Orna Ross
Spider-Man Vault Now in Stores by Bob Greenberger
October 2, 2011
Testing the Prisoner - 50% off at Smashwords
If you're looking for a spooky read for Halloween, you can buy the eBook version of
Testing the Prisoner from Smashwords at 50% off (regularly $4.99) through the month of October.
Use this coupon code: RH44T.
Daniel Masenda is haunted by his past, and by the ghost of an abused child who holds the key to saving more than one soul....
Testing the Prisoner from Smashwords at 50% off (regularly $4.99) through the month of October.
Use this coupon code: RH44T.
Daniel Masenda is haunted by his past, and by the ghost of an abused child who holds the key to saving more than one soul....
September 28, 2011
About this Writing Stuff...
Happy Autumn, everyone! Blogging remains at a minimum this month as I complete fall housecleaning, this Windows Server 2008 self paced course, and the first draft of my second paranormal mystery novel, By Your Side. I have four scenes left to write, then I plan to put the ms aside for a few weeks and come back later with fresh eyes for revisions. Hopefully by this time next week, I can resume more frequent blogging, esp. with some fun autograph shows on the horizon.
For now, let Brian Klems impart some ideas for perfecting your writing tone and advise us on submitting sample chapters to agents. Laura Harrington encourages writers to read their work aloud (and I agree!), while Jane Friedman offers a checklist for marketing your eBook. Have some pie with Joe Konrath as he discusses Ebooks a la carte and Rebecca Makkai tells us how to craft a pitch in 10 easy steps that can even be done while drunk!
7 Ways to Perfect Your Writing "Tone" by Brian A. Klems
How Many Sample Chapters Are Necessary? by Brian A. Klems
R eading Aloud-Not Just for Kids by Laura Harrington
A Checklist for Marketing Your E-Book by Jane Friedman
The Pie by JA Konrath
E-books A La Carte by JA Konrath
How to Find Your Story and Craft a Pitch in 10 Easy Steps by Rebecca Makkai
For now, let Brian Klems impart some ideas for perfecting your writing tone and advise us on submitting sample chapters to agents. Laura Harrington encourages writers to read their work aloud (and I agree!), while Jane Friedman offers a checklist for marketing your eBook. Have some pie with Joe Konrath as he discusses Ebooks a la carte and Rebecca Makkai tells us how to craft a pitch in 10 easy steps that can even be done while drunk!
7 Ways to Perfect Your Writing "Tone" by Brian A. Klems
How Many Sample Chapters Are Necessary? by Brian A. Klems
R eading Aloud-Not Just for Kids by Laura Harrington
A Checklist for Marketing Your E-Book by Jane Friedman
The Pie by JA Konrath
E-books A La Carte by JA Konrath
How to Find Your Story and Craft a Pitch in 10 Easy Steps by Rebecca Makkai
September 21, 2011
About this Writing Stuff...
And I am STILL trudging through this self-paced video training on Windows Server 2008. The videos run anywhere from 25 to 55 minutes each but that time extends significantly when I pause to take notes and screen shots and then compile both into a Word document when the video is finished. It has become a massive undertaking. On top of that, last weekend saw me repainting our dining room and then rearranging it to accommodate my fiancee's inventory of cookware for her Pampered Chef business which was finally completed earlier this evenb Needless to say, I am damned tired.
All of this has left very little time for blogging other than the weekly gathering of what I hope are interesting and informative articles on writing from various sources. Normal blogging should resume in October.
Highlights for this week: Joe Konrath is a dead man walking. Heather McCorkle shares seven things she's learned so far in her publishing experiences while Crystal Patriarche gives five tips for publicizing your book after the launch. Randall Davidson offers advice on proofreading your work and we have two from the legendary Kurt Vonnegut!
Dead Man Walking by JA Konrath
7 Things I've Learned So Far by Heather McCorkle / posted by Chuck Sambuchino
Publicity Beyond Your Book Launch by Crystal Patriarche
Why Writers Write and Readers Read by Colin Falconer
Proof Positive by Randall Davidson
Your Straight-Forward Guide to Publication by Brian A. Klems of Writer's Digest
Kurt Vonnegut on the Shape of Stories by Brian A. Klems
Bonus Article: Kurt Vonnegut - A Writer's Digest Interview from 2001 by Kelly Nickell
All of this has left very little time for blogging other than the weekly gathering of what I hope are interesting and informative articles on writing from various sources. Normal blogging should resume in October.
Highlights for this week: Joe Konrath is a dead man walking. Heather McCorkle shares seven things she's learned so far in her publishing experiences while Crystal Patriarche gives five tips for publicizing your book after the launch. Randall Davidson offers advice on proofreading your work and we have two from the legendary Kurt Vonnegut!
Dead Man Walking by JA Konrath
7 Things I've Learned So Far by Heather McCorkle / posted by Chuck Sambuchino
Publicity Beyond Your Book Launch by Crystal Patriarche
Why Writers Write and Readers Read by Colin Falconer
Proof Positive by Randall Davidson
Your Straight-Forward Guide to Publication by Brian A. Klems of Writer's Digest
Kurt Vonnegut on the Shape of Stories by Brian A. Klems
Bonus Article: Kurt Vonnegut - A Writer's Digest Interview from 2001 by Kelly Nickell
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?
