Alexander M. Zoltai's Blog, page 158
January 15, 2014
If Poetry Is Dead, So Am I . . .
This post is about poetry but I need to get to that subject by asking you to take notice of my on-going survey to discover what You want to see on this blog.
So far, there are 76 votes and the top selection is a desire to know more about my writing life.
I’m extremely certain (but would be fascinated to be proven wrong) that the top response will change when more folks vote…
My writing life, right now, is full of blogging four days a week, writing a new Fantasy Short Story every Friday, editing...
January 14, 2014
Videos for Folks Who Write (or, Want To Write…)
Two years ago I shared a video of authorElizabeth Gilbertin a post calledMust Writers Suffer Melancholy, Anguish, and Depression?
Amongst all the videos I’d seen with writers sharing what they know or what they do, Gilbert’s stood out like an angel in a hell-storm.
The other day, while scanning for possible blog post material, I found WiseInk blog byDara Beevas and Amy Quale—specifically their post called,TED Talks That Will Inspire Your Writing.
They share six TED Talk videos about writers and...
January 13, 2014
You Wouldn’t Be Trying To Mislead Me, Would You?
People have been trying to mislead me for at least 60 years—how about you?
Way back between my Saturday cartoons the ads promised me a lot more fun than any cereal could ever hope to provide…
A bit later, the ads in the back of the comic books lured me into begging money from my parents for an Ant Farm—thin clear-plastic box with sand in it, separate cardboard tube with the ants, and a message that the ants were asleep and would wake when I put them in the sand—I waited for a few days—they were...
January 10, 2014
Friday Fantasy ~~~ Number Six
Copyright, 2014, Alexander M Zoltai
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The Terrified Warrior
He was the bravest they had.
He was hiding in a cave and trembling like a child…
He was well familiar with the adage, “Courage is action taken in spite of fear.”; but, in his horror-stricken state, his courage had evaporated.
The monster was rampaging near the cave—twenty towering feet of stone-like muscle and very little brain—raised-up from Hell and angry at everything…
The man’s name was Trellon Gravuos.
The People...
January 9, 2014
One Official SLEW of Opinions About Self-Publishing . . .
Back in October of 2013, I published the post “What IS An Indie Author?”.
Defining “Indie Authors” or “Self-Published Authors” is still a work in progress…
Yet, that post of mine explores how an innocent comment of mine on Google Plus sparked a vigorous round of discussions at The Alliance of Independent Authors(“Foundedin 2012by author turned indie, Orna Ross, ALLi’s advisors includeMark Coker, founder of Smashwords; book designer,Joel Friedlander; author gurusJane Friedman and Joanna Penn;leg...
January 6, 2014
Should You Read Literary Blogs?
A slightly different way to state the question in the title could be “Are literary blogs worth reading”?
Naturally, it depends on the reason you’re reading it.
Reading a literary blog just to impress others won’t give anyone a lasting benefit.
Then, there comes the issue of the quality of various literary blogs.
And, of course, whether the particular blog has the same definition of “literary” as you do…
Let’s look at a few definitions of literary:
From Writing Time — “…true literary writing, goes u...
January 3, 2014
Friday Fantasy ~~~ Number Five
Copyright, 2014, Alexander M Zoltai
Read More Friday Fantasy
Redemption
He’d lived the wrong life–gave up what he should have kept—gained a curse he couldn’t control…
He’d roamed the Boreal Forest for seven years, destroying nearly everything in sight—literally destroying nearly everything he came upon, with his eyesight—evoking flames merely by looking at something when the execration of the curse was upon him…
He’d just arrived at a small village, received an unwelcoming from the people, got ful...
January 2, 2014
Can A Movie Really Be Faithful To Its Book?
I recently watched the movie Cloud Atlas.
Then, I read the novel Cloud Atlas.
Then, I watched the movie again…
I watched the movie the first time because folks were saying contradictory things about it and becauseTom Hanks was in it.
I read the novel because the movie hit me like a metaphysical Truth.
I had to watch the movie again: to compare the two versions and prepare to write this blog post.
Many of you have read a book then watched the movie adapted from it…
Perhaps, translated from the book i...
January 1, 2014
Is Self-Publishing The New Norm?
Yesterday, I posted some predictions for the Publishing World for 2014.
Well, it’s become 2014 and this blog is 3 years old…
Back at the beginning of 2011, I was nearly ready to publish my first novel and, because of my desire to make sure it got into print, I chose to self-publish.
In the past three years, I’ve learned more about self-publishing and I’ve learned more about traditional publishing; and, most importantly, I’ve learned why, even if I’d been willing to travel the traditional path, s...
December 31, 2013
“2014 Book Publishing Industry Predictions”
My Best Friendis already in 2014 since she’s in Melbourne, Australia:-)
I still have about 15 hours to go…
Last New Years’ day I publishedBook-World Predictions for 2013.
None of the predictions were my own but they came from well-informed sources.
You may want to check that post out to see how right they were…
Mark Coker, who’s in that past post, could well be the most informed man in the publishing industry, especially when it comes to Indie E-books.
He’s the founder and CEO of Smashwords and her...
