Alexander M. Zoltai's Blog, page 153
March 25, 2014
Is Speed Reading Dangerous?
We’re told to chew our food well so we’ll absorb it properly.
Image courtesy of Emiliano Hernandez ~ http://www.sxc.hu/profile/josterix
We walk at a leisurely pace to enjoy nature.
If we Speed Read, will we miss something?
I think there are a few situations where speed reading might be called for, like a job that demands the regular consumption of multitudes of reports or notes or specifications.
But what about being at home snuggled up with your favorite novelist—rushing through the book?
And, if...
March 24, 2014
Something for Your Heart To Think About . . .
My Best Friend often surprises me—in the most delightful ways…
Image courtesy of David Vives Coll ~ http://www.sxc.hu/profile/davidvives
She’s an author andimmensely empathetic…
There are things I do that affect her far beyond what I suspect…
Today she sent me a Gift that I must share with you—whether you’re a Reader, Writer, Publisher, or some other amazing kind of person :-)
Before I pass on the Gift (which is the video below), let me introduce Coleman Barks, lauded interpreter of the poet Rumi,...
March 21, 2014
Friday Fantasy ~ Number Sixteen
The Plot Thickens . . .
~I am the words you’re reading—my name is Story and I’m in a bind…
Image courtesy of http://www.sxc.hu/profile/johnfaust
It feels like I’m on an island with just enough space to walk in a small circle.
All directions seem the same…
In fact, there are too many directions I can take—one huge swarm of ways to proceed, each buzzing in my ear, each promising—something…
Then there are the things below the tiny hut I have—scritching around, gnawing at my nerves…
I think I’ll take a...
March 20, 2014
How To Make A Book A Bestseller
Some folks think every writer tries to write a bestseller.
Image courtesy of Lisa Kong ~ http://www.sxc.hu/profile/sabercat
Well, many writers just write what they want because they feel they must.
If the money comes, fine; if not, write more…
Some folks think bestsellers are hard to write.
Some writers think they know a “secret” to writing a bestseller…
I should, at this point, refer you to one of my past posts:
Want To Be A Bestselling Author? ~ Don’t Read This Blog . . .
In that post, I reference...
March 19, 2014
Are There Too Many Ways To Self-Publish?
Ever since digital publishing was created the options have been proliferating like rabbits.
Image courtesy of Odan Jaeger ~ http://www.sxc.hu/profile/danjaeger
Then came Print-on-Demand and paper books’ ways of getting to readers increased.
Naturally, when a method of production becomes easier, the charlatansarrive…
I feel extremely lucky I found a reputable and flexible Publishing-Aid company.
And, since I found them, they’ve only gotten better :-)
I have 26 posts here that mention my Publishing-A...
March 18, 2014
Having Fun While You Write
I always have fun while I’m writing.
Image courtesy of Marcos Santos ~ http://www.sxc.hu/profile/marcos_bh
Even though I do it alone in my little cave-apartment…
I know there are plenty of people who are not like me.
They need and want folks to be with them when they do something they love.
I admit that I’ve given up on social media as a place to relate to others—I only post links to what I writeon the major social platforms.
I know there’s at least one official Heap of writers like me…
And, even th...
March 17, 2014
Which Is More Important, The Art of Writing or Its Craft?
I’ve written many times about all the bad advice for writers that’s out there…
Image courtesy of http://www.sxc.hu/profile/hvaldez1
I’ve also written about some of the vast confusions about the purpose of writing.
But, when it comes to the Art of writing, a bit of Craft goes a long way.
And, learning the Craft of writing is more bearable if one is devoted to its Art.
Some might even say that the Art is constructed from the Craft.
And, naturally, there are those who don’t have time for either…
Back i...
March 14, 2014
Friday Fantasy ~~~ Number Fifteen
The Centaur’s Quest
~It was said to rival heaven.
Image courtesy of http://www.sxc.hu/profile/Wideye
It was also said to be non-existent.
People also believed the Centaur, Lesuun, came from this supra-heavenly, non-existent city, Bhiastan.
Lesuun himself felt fully real and found it hard to bear the awe and wonder the people projected when he appeared.
So, he tended to stay on the plateau near the sacred mountain, Thel.
The upper reaches of Thel were said to be the location of Bhiastan, the Eternal...
March 13, 2014
Oh, No! Not More Advice About How To Write!!
I’ve read very few books about how to write.
Image courtesy of sanja gjenero ~ http://www.sxc.hu/profile/lusi
But, I have read tons of books that were well-written—they taught me how to write.
Plus, writing stuff till it “sounded right” helped.
Then, there was that find you own writing voice period…
And, I’ve blogged about writing advice and the dangers of accepting most of it.
Perhaps, my most useful post, so far, isBad Advice for Writers = Most Advice for Writers.
Then there are the other 42 posts...
March 12, 2014
Your Opinion Absolutely Counts ~ Give This A Try
Blogging is a form of Social Media—one of the oldest.
Image courtesy of Wilton Rodrigues ~ http://www.sxc.hu/profile/wilton
Sure, it doesn’t Snap, Crackle, and Pop like some platforms but it has great potential for evoking meaningful conversations.
Still, the blogger has to work to craft posts that are worth talking about…
Some of my posts generate the beginnings of conversations, some have 4 to 6 comments that don’t really form a conversation, and most have no comments at all…
This doesn’t troubl...
