Gregory G. Allen's Blog, page 46

Counting Numbers or Expanding Potential

As an author I haven't really blogged about tips before, but wanted to share this one. I'll put a disclaimer that this is just one author's opinion, but if you find it appeals to you as well - great. As writers...we sometimes get wrapped up in numbers. How many people are buying our books, writing reviews, following us on Twitter and Facebook and all those other social media sites. These are all important as numbers mean you are reaching additional people that could potentially read your book.
One thing I've noticed lately is over on that little blue and white place called Facebook. So many authors have a page created that others can "LIKE" and they attempt to grow and grow those numbers by a myriad of different ways. I happen to think it's important for people to learn about a particular author's work to see if they are interested in reading what they've written - and what better 'free' way than follow them on a social media site. But authors are so consumed with seeing that number grow on the left hand side (and I include myself there) that they want all other authors to support their 'climb'. That support is crucial as who understands them better than another author - but I think there is a better way.
I keep my personal and professional lives separate on Facebook. While I share some of my professional endeavors with my friends/family on my personal page - that page is for people who actually know me and don't mind weeding through the vacation pictures and silly banter among my friends. An author page is where I share pieces of myself, my writing, and a peek into my world with many other people who have become a part of my life in a very quick (and important) way. But when I go out and "LIKE" another author's page on FB - I sign into my own author page and use that page to do the LIKING. This is two fold: one, it maintains my need to keep my personal separate and two: it allows me a way to build up a network of authors. Essentially - a FB writing world within FB. How you ask?
Every author I LIKE shows up on my author page on the bottom left in it's own category. All those pages I click on are there together for others that follow me to check out what authors I'm following. This gives those authors additional potential of meeting others. Granted...Facebook doesn't 'count' me on their page (there is that number watching again) - but I believe I'm offering something helpful to those authors that could be worth more than a count on a tote-board.  
The other great thing is does for me is when I click "Use Facebook as AUTHOR" and click on my news feed...there are all the authors I've "LIKED" in my feed in one place. I can see what they are all saying and they are not scattered between my niece off at college or my uncle's trip to the mountains or any other personal thing that can change my focus at a given moment. (Yes...I can be pulled off track that easily.) I've found I love seeing those authors updates in one newsfeed so I can scroll through and respond and discuss in my own little 'author world' and see what they each are doing.
If you're an author...give it a try. And let's just see if it expands those 'numbers' in a completely different way.

Passion into Profession

This past weekend, I did a photo shoot (to get some new 'author' shots) with a wonderful photographer I've known for about five years now. I told him I wanted to share his story: not so much as one of change as much as one how he turned a hobby/passion into an 'additional' career.
***Tom Schopper
www.facebook.com/Tom.Schopper.Photography
www.flickr.com/photos/tschopper/
(He will have a personal website out soon!)

Tell me a little about your passion that you discovered later in life.

Sure -- it is photography (namely actor headshots, model/portrait 
photography and live theatre photography).
 How long have you been doing it?

In earnest, really only about 5 years now.
Right around when I met you! (And here I thought you were doing it so much longer.) What was your career prior to doing this?

The same as what I am currently doing (and to say that is it "boring" is an understatement): I am a career paralegal-turned-law department manager. I spent almost 10 years as a litigation paralegal at a large Wall Street law firm, then moved in-house as a paralegal at one of the largest magazine publishers in the world. I continued there as a 
paralegal for 4 years and then became the law department manager there almost 12 years ago.

What made you decide to start taking photos?

It was partly born out of necessity but was also fueled by a need I have to do something creative (both with my life *and* for fun). I have been involved in community theatre as an actor/volunteer for almost 17 years and for a time served on the Board of The Barn Theatre in Montville, New Jersey, handling their publicity...the problem was: I knew NOTHING about photography and it fell into my lap to do it!

So I went out and bought myself an easy yet fairly robust point-and-shoot digital camera (a Nikon Coolpix 995) which while still a point-and-shoot, had some nice bells and whistles. And for a few years I struggled and learned but eventually started to do some halfway 
decent work. At the same time, though, I started experimenting with the camera on my own ("for fun") and began to take some really nice, relatively artistic photographs. I quickly realized I had outgrown the Coolpix, and so in 2006 I buckled down and bought my first digital SLR – a Nikon D70s. And with that new camera, my creativity and my ability to take artistically pleasing photographs *really* were able to take off.

When did the 'fun' of taking a few shots start to turn into a side business?
In 2006, I was appearing in 4th Wall Theatre's production of the musical "Assassin". In talking with some of my castmates on day, it became apparent that a few of them needed headshots but did not have them. So one Saturday afternoon, I took a few of them behind the theatre before rehearsal started and shot a quick headshot for each of them. I honestly didn't think much of it -- but to my amazement, the headshots were actually quite good (AND my castmates were also happy with them too -- so much the better!). They kept telling me "You should do this on the side! These are GREAT!" I had never really even thought of turning my photography into a side business, but that was what really started that ball rolling. In addition to doing the headshot and modeling/portrait work, I still do a lot of nature/landscape/cityscape photography just for my own creative fun and have had 2 art gallery exhibitions; one at The Barn Theatre and one at the Westminster Arts 
Center at Bloomfield College and have been published in a coffee table book about New Jersey.

Do you feel like this has changed your life?

Oh, boy -- and how! My photography has opened up a creative side in me that not even my community theatre work did. It also helps me 'see' the world differently in a way. The theme of my Westminster Arts Center gallery exhibition was "Finding Beauty in the Ordinary" -- and that is definitely something my photography has helped me to do. Whether it is seeing some obscure architectural detail of an old building in New York City, a rusted piece of barbed wire set against a snowy background, an old weathered barn door in the Garden State, a bird sitting on my backyard feeder, or the shadows cast by a dune fence on the beach, seeing beauty in the ordinary and finding beauty in things that others overlook are things that really make the "photographer" in me happy!

Words of advice for someone who understands they need to keep that 'stay alive' job, but might have a secret passion they aren't tapping in to?

Do what makes you happy. That is SO important, especially these days when people's free time gets harder and harder t come by. Don't be afraid to try.... and don't be afraid to fail. Just like in life, I've learned just as much about photography from my mistakes and I have from my successes.

And find yourself a good mentor... someone you can bounce questions off of, ask advice from, get pointers from, etc. For me, that mentor was (and still is) a wonderful photographer named Joe Gigli. Joe has been an invaluable resource and friend to me -- and seeing his photography always inspires me to do better!

My Homophobic Writing

Homophobia can disguise itself in so many different ways. It can be blatant like the college teacher in Fort Worth that is being denied work because she is a lesbian or it can be hidden by people just leaving you and your partner off of an invite list for a family gathering. (This did not happen to me, I'm just using that as an example.) I think some of the worst kind is when it is self inflicted because people cannot handle who they really are. They want to run from it, hide, change it by 'praying away the gay' – or a number of other ways to escape it. Recently, the American Family Association radio host Bryan Fischer said he wants to recriminalize homosexuality. That is pretty blatant. He is not simply saying he is 'ant-gay marriage': he wants to send me to jail. How can I and many people I love and respect not take offense to that? I understand this is America and we have free speech – but this hate speech only fuels the fire of bullying young gay kids which works against the entire past year of so many organizations attempting to help those kids that are dealing with their own fear of being gay. It's not an easy road for a kid fighting the world while fighting their own internal issues with it. And sometimes it's not an easy road for an adult either. I attempted to get inside that very story when I wrote Well With My Soul (ASD Publishing: Oct 11 release). Homophobia plays a huge role in this family drama as one brother's 'gayness' comes between his relationship with his brother as we follow their lives for 15 years. I hope that the story I share can do a small part in aiding families that are dealing with this issue every day. I'm not looking to change the world: just tell a moving story.    

From Downsizing to Filmmaking

Continuing my series of people who made a change in their career, I introduce Traci Ford. I met her five years ago when she had recently left a Corporate America job and was working at the college where I ended up. True story: I walked in and took over from my predecessor and Traci told me the following week "I wasn't sure I wanted to like you, but it's hard not to." (Yes...I was hired to be her boss.) I've worked very closely with her now for all these years and you really get to know people and what is driving their passion: even the quiet ones like Traci. ;-)
***Traci Ford  
http://about.me/TresCFilms

You can call me one of the statistics of the Corporate America downsizing - but being let go from such a large company ended up being a great thing for my creative spirit. Don't get me wrong: as a single parent I relied on the salary that came with working in that field and I was also going to school at the same time (got my degree in 2003), but by being let go - I was able to concentrate more on my writing and got a job working in a creative field at the college I had been attending. Before that, my life was work, raise my son, go to school; rinse, repeat. As I am a creative person, working in Corporate America was not my "cup of java". It would leave me uninspired to write anything, therefore aside from daily journal entries, I wasn't doing too much writing at the time.
Before working in "the grind" I had always been in the creative field in someway. I graduated from the High School of the Performing Arts in NYC in the 80s and did several jobs such as working on film sets, the office assistant of producers, and even did my share of performing. I have always been a writer and have always wanted to return to the film industry. But life sometimes leads us down a different path and when you have a child, you know you need to do whatever you need to do to get food on the table and keep the roof over both of your heads. But once he was grown and I turned 40 - I figured, better now or never! But it wasn't just one medium. I write screenplays, graphic novels and lately how moved into entrepreneurship of starting my own film company. I write every day and am now in pre-production with my first full-length feature film. Woo hoo!
Advice for someone who feels 'stuck':
Follow your dream. Even in this economy, money isn't everything! I make less than half of what I was making in Corp. America and although sometimes I miss the advantages of having a larger salary and it's a HUGE struggle, I have never been happier working at a "9-to-5" than I am now. As I said, I write more, I get to discuss entertainment all day long with my boss and co-worker(s) and at some point I figure I'll be doing what I love (writing/making movies) all the time and I'll truly be "richer" than I have ever been!

Are You A Good Karma or A Bad Karma?

karma: noun. Action, seen as bringing upon oneself inevitable results,    good or bad, either in this life or in a reincarnation. 
Call it getting what you deserve, doing good deeds, or paying it forward - I sort of believe we reap what we sow. This weekend my other half and I were sitting at a red light when a man went by on a bicycle and I noticed something coming out of his pocket. I no sooner said "something is about to fall" when out plopped a bag with medication as he sped off. I jumped out and grabbed it, Anthony turned the SUV and we headed down the road after him. He was pretty stunned when we pulled up with our window down and handed it back to him and went about our day. A truly uneventful moment for us, but for him - it could have been the difference between getting into a fight with his spouse swearing he went to the pharmacy and/or trying to retrace his steps. 
There is something satisfying in giving back to people, especially when it really doesn't cost you much to do it. But other times, we might have to give up a little more of ourselves in the process. But think about how karma can play into that and just maybe - you'll get something just as rewarding out of it (or something not so good when you don't give of yourself). As an author, I try my hardest to be supportive of other writers by reading their work, taking the time to write a review (if I really have something to add that hasn't been said) and even writing a testimonial for them as they prepare to release a book. I know how difficult it is to get those from other authors as people are just so busy. But since I love to read anyways (and I feel I should always be reading something), I see it as good karma to give back in those situations.  
Naturally there are times I simply cannot do something asked of me...and I have to say 'no' (see previous blog on that) but when I can...I want to try and help out. If it doesn't take much from my day, just maybe a big pink ball will float down from the sky and someone in will be granting me a wish or two.


Disclaimer: this blog is not intended to shame people into reading/reviewing/giving me testimonials of my work. After writing it last night & reading it this morning, I was afraid people would take it as such. No seriously...that's not what I'm doing...really!

Willing to Stand in the Rain

As we celebrate the contribution of workers this Labor Day Weekend, I wanted to share another story of someone who made that career leap and became his own boss. I met Arthur Wooten on twitter (still yet to meet him face-to-face) – but I feel a kindred spirit with him as we both had earlier careers in theatre and ended up in the writing world. Check out his tale about publishing.
***Arthur Wootenwww.arthurwooten.com
Back in 2005, at the age of 50, I shopped around my first novel, ON PICKING FRUIT. Without much interest, a friend suggested I publish it myself. I was hesitant at first but did some research and decided to jump in, head first. I chose a company called iUniverse.
I did all my own press and since it was a "gay" story, I sent a copy to the The Advocate magazine hoping they might review/interview me, and the book. They didn't. In fact they tossed the book into their "dump pile." Working on the same floor was a sister company – Alyson Books, the editor walked by and saw my book in the pile. Curious, he picked it up and asked, "Can I read this." They said, "You can have it. It's self-published." And one week later I had a two-book deal with a traditional publisher. They republished ON PICKING FRUIT word for word as is, and the following year put out its sequel, FRUIT COCKTAIL. After time, the printings of both novels sold out and rights reverted back to me.
Earlier this year, I was in the process of writing my third novel, BIRTHDAY PIE, when I was approached by several small presses to take on all the projects but the advances were embarrassing low and the dramatic rights were ridiculously high. Then I got to thinking, I sold more books on my own then with Alyson, why not start my own publishing company? Hence, I created Galaxias Productions. I've republished my first two books in paperback and eBook formats and sales have never been hotter! And then I released my third.                                                 Wooten went from being an actor to an author to a true entrepreneur by starting his company. He does his own writing, designing of interiors, works with artist Bud Santora on creating covers, handles press and everything associated with running a small press. While initially thinking he could never do it, there is much pride in the hard work of having all of his works under his own company umbrella.    If feels great to cut out the middleman and really start enjoying the rewards for all the hard work. Isn't it funny? Six years ago when I self-published it was frowned upon as a "vanity" production. Now, with the success of Galaxias and doing everything on my own, I'm considered this "pioneer" and applauded for it. 
Advice for others: If there's something you want in life, keep your eyes open. Listen carefully. An opportunity may be right in front of you and if you're not aware of it, it will escape you. It could be seizing the right moment, noticing a great connection, thinking outside of the box. And in order to be struck by lightning (in a good way) you have to stand out in the rain. But you have to be willing to stand out in the rain longer than anyone else. I've been poured on. But I wouldn't have it any other way.
Wooten's company continues to expand as he has a 9 book series of a children's book (illustrated by Santora) coming out this fall as well as starting his fourth novel, Leftovers.

Make That Change!

Five years ago this month, I walked away from 13 years in Corporate America to make a huge career change to what I'm doing now managing an arts center. Working in that environment brought so many new creative avenues to me and my love of writing skyrocketed. I decided to celebrate that change in my life by highlighting others during this month that have made their own change in life. Some I know; some that reached out to me, and I thank each of them for sharing. I hope you enjoy the stories of change as much as I have.*** Stephen B. FaulknerPresident & CEOwww.cybernutsolutions.com In the early 90's I entered the work force with a freshly laminated state license from the state of Missouri in my wallet proclaiming my completion of an associate program at Washington University St Louis with over 7,000 hours of internship completed in metro hospital emergency rooms. The job was exciting, fast paced, and always something new every day. One day it was your standard heart attack or an MVA (motor vehicle accident) to a full blown trauma GSW (gunshot wound) or even the joy of childbirth or active labor in the back of a bouncing ambulance.  It was a hell of a ride and offered some insight into people lives...then the personal tragedy of losing my two younger sisters to a drunk driver while on their way to a family reunion when I was to be in that car with them on the drive opting instead to cover a 12hr shift for a coworker & watching my parents break down from this tragic moment - work had become more important than family. 


Stephen believed a change in scenery was needed and moved to Miami where he began taking courses at a local university while continuing his EMS work. But one night after a call that included a family classified as DOA (dead on arrival) where a drunk driver had killed the entire family    – I packed my gear and unloaded my locker at the station house. I put all of the gear in the trunk of my car, said goodbye to Marcus my Cuban partner of 18 months and just like that my career in EMS was over.


Stephen increased his credit load to that of a full time student and began studies in technology along with business administration – taking every type of 'stay alive job' one could think of. Once school was complete, he began working with an IT firm in Texas and found he enjoyed the travel. 


One day it happened, I was visiting with a colleague who was struggling with an issue affecting his father's business. He asked if I would fly out and take a look. I took the offer and flew out that weekend, worked the weekend and resolved the issue. The owner handed me a check and extended his hand and appreciation.  That day I received much more than a check,  I received a small business owners gratitude and friendship. I realized that weekend that this is what I wanted to do in my professional life. Today that client is in several countries and still consults with us at Cybernut Solutions. I love what I do, I have a passion for delivering technology to business owners and helping them become more productive and realizing that technology properly delivered can be simple and effective! My little upstart has grown into a company of technicians, engineers, and project managers who care about the clients and end users we help every day. Every new hire is carefully screened and must understand and accept this philosophy: Our focus is serving others and our reward is much more than the check.


Advice for others thinking of making a change: Follow your heart, your ambitions, find your calling, find your passion, do not settle, find your talent and serve people with it!


Great advice, Stephen! Thank you very much for sharing. If others have a story of change they want to share this month, send me the information at greg (at) ggallen (dot) net.

Juggling the Countdown

I'm six weeks away from the release of my novel Well With My Soul and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't busting with excitement. There is so much for authors to think about as they lead up to the day. Working tirelessly to see if any Indie stores will actually carry the book - think about it: there are tons of books and very few see life on a shelf. Attempting to line-up readings and signings at any place someone will let you appear and talk about your baby. Working on the release party (mine will be at the historic Stonewall Inn in NYC and I'm pretty pumped about that). Working the internet for interviews and reviews with bloggers (who truly distribute so much information to people during this day and age...they are the direct link to readers). Checking in with your publicist to see what else you can do, but hoping you are not becoming a huge PITA as you attempt to offer your services. Surprised beyond belief that almost 700 people signed up to get a free advanced copy of your book on goodreads.com, but knowing only THREE people get it and really hope the others will still want to purchase it. Sending out emails to reading groups asking them to add your book to their list of 'to reads.' Dropping off bookmarks at any place that will let you leave a few. Telling your friends to tell their friends and so on and so on. I know there is still so much more to do - but I'm truly enjoying the journey of the 'baby' and want to be able to soak it all in. (Thanks to my blog readers who are taking the trip with me! You are all so important to the success of the book!!)   

It's Blog Award Time!

What is the Liebster Blog Award you might ask…I wondered the same thing when my friend Lori Stephens from On Writing and (sometimes) Publishing included me in her list of bloggers to bestow this award. (Thank you, Lori!)
Liebster means dear or favorite or apparently a "googol" of other positive things in German (so says the other 'google'), and the official rules are as follows:1. Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it to you.2. Reveal your top 5 picks [blogs with fewer than 200 followers] and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.3. Copy and paste the award on your blog.4.  Have faith that your followers will spread the love to other bloggers.5. And most of all - have bloggity-blog fun!
Here are my picks: (along with Lori's blog that I always read)
1. A Case of the Awesomes is a blog by two women that I do not know – but they crack me the hell up. Give 'em a try and see what I mean.   
2.  Derek Flynn makes the world a little smaller by giving me music and occasional rants from Ireland. (And a really nice person to follow.)
3.  Scott Morgan supplies some great writing tips and useful information at his blog. And he has a book full of character development writing tips coming out this fall!4. Author Laura B. Grossman gives insight into not only her writing world – but all that entails with promotion after the 'pen has been put down.' Check her out!  
5.  I like to get my weekly forecast from Kathy Biehl which is great for people who follow astrology or even those who dabble in it. Her Texas background as well as being an actress also gives me another connection to her.

Congrats to the bloggers that I've passed this Blog Award! Pass the love around and I hope the award brings more readers to your blog and that you have an amazing year ahead!

Tornadoes, Earthquakes & Hurricanes

When I was ten years old, I was in one of the worst tornadoes that part of Texas had seen in decades. I went to the movies with a friend and his father and midway through Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, I heard a freight train going overhead. It was one of the strangest and yet frightening things I can recall. Once it was over, we walked out into the mall to all sorts of devastation and it took over two hours for us to drive the ten miles back to our small town. Since then, storms of any kind have always bothered me. I don't do well with mother nature. For years after that - a tornado siren could cause me to break out in hives. Luckily those times have changed, but this past week of sitting at my desk and feeling the earth move around me and then a few days later waiting for Irene to hit New Jersey...those feelings towards all things weather/earth shifts have come up again. I suppose it doesn't really matter what part of the country we live in any more. We've learned that no matter where you are, nature can pull whatever she wants on us. I've always thought that nature would dictate where I would want to eventually retire and settle down...but I guess we can't really run from it. Instead...I'll just think in terms of a place that has a decent climate where I'm not too hot or too cold. I hope everyone is surviving the aftermath of Irene in the Northeast...and for those in other places - surviving what ever the "Great Mother" may be throwing towards you.