Robyn Paterson's Blog, page 40
March 15, 2013
My Advice to Aspiring Authors | Hugh Howey
Since some who read this blog are aspiring writers in the prose field, I thought I’d pass along this excellent blog article written by successful independent author Hugh Howey.
http://www.hughhowey.com/my-advice-to-aspiring-authors/
He really hits a lot of important points on being a writer in the new e-book focussed market. I also think he is spot-on about how the best thing a writer can do is write, get the product out, and keep writing, the marketing can come later.
For me the most interestin...
February 28, 2013
February 25, 2013
Writing Excuses 8.8: Writing and Personal Health
This week’s episode of the Podcast Writing Excuses was a very interesting discussion of writing and health (mostly mental health) which was open, frank and well worth listening to. Sadly, mental health issues are a very common affliction for creative types of all kinds, and writers are no exception.
I also found the discussion of Standing Desks an interesting one, which is an idea I’ve toyed with myself, but not actually tried out…
“We ask the obvious question — are there more mental illnesses...
February 18, 2013
A Way to Build more Action into your Writing
Cartman walked into a room, and then shot Stan, and then walked out.
This is an “event”, it’s stuff happening without any dramatic element to keep the audience interested in what’s going on. Too many stories written by beginners are like this, and they lack both conflict and a dramatic core that will keep the audience interested.
In short bursts this can be fine (like a single scene), but if you want to keep your audience engaged it can be murder to your story.
Three words.
Trey Parker and Matt S...
February 16, 2013
Young Justice- Complications
With this most recent episode (216- Complications) and only 4 episodes left before the series is over, Young Justice has shown that it is easily the equal of shows like Naruto (1st series, which I’ve felt was a big influence on YJ) and maybe superior in some ways. They managed to take the existing DC Universe and not just re-define it but enhance it and put solid twists on the various characters to make the old new, and boring into interesting.
Today’s episode was as close to perfect as they’v...
February 10, 2013
How To Sell Ebooks
From Joe Konrath’s blog:
“How To Sell Ebooks
I just hit a milestone that is hard for me to grasp. As of January, I’ve sold over one million ebooks.
That’s a lot of ebooks.
The question I get asked more than any other is: How can I make my ebooks sell more copies?
That’s actually not the right question to ask. Because there is nothing you can do to make people buy your ebooks, except maybe hold them at gunpoint or kidnap their pets.
This business isn’t about what you have to sell. It is about what y...
January 29, 2013
January 24, 2013
Vengeance: An iPhone 4S Short Film
Some people think you need advanced equipment to make movies and produce media, but the truth is you probably already have everything you need sitting in your pocket right now.
Don’t believe me?
(The making of is here.)
While you’re at it, check out Film Riot’sepisode about iPhone filmmaking (which includes a very cool short also shot with an iPhone 4s), which also reviews the sound quality of the iPhone, it’s worth the 9 minutes.
January 21, 2013
Kurt Vonnegut: 8 Basics of Creative Writing
Give the reader at least one character he or she can root for.
Every character should want something, even if it is only a glass of water.
Every sentence must do one of two things—reveal character or advance the action.
Start as close to the end as possible.
Be a sadist. No matter how sweet and innocent your leading characters, make awful things happen to them—in order that the reader may see what they...
How to Shoot a Scene! – Film Riot
The Film Riot show is must watch for aspiring low budget filmmakers, and this particular episode has a great discussion of doing multiple shots with a single camera.
How to Shoot a Scene! – Film Riot – YouTube.
