Paul A. Wunderlich's Blog, page 2
February 28, 2014
London Grammar - Hey Now (Arty Remix)
One word for this song: Bold.
This is what I listen to whilst writing. One of the many songs I appreciate as I hand-craft worlds. Enjoy!
This is what I listen to whilst writing. One of the many songs I appreciate as I hand-craft worlds. Enjoy!
February 22, 2014
Best writing-tools for a writer.
I've been pondering over this post for a while. As a writer, I'm always seeking the best--more efficient and comfortable--means to solidify my thoughts. The fusion of thoughts into a novel takes much more than just a proper organization of words, plot, characters, moral/philosophical background; you also need to feel comfortable for hours on end.
Some may disagree with what I'm about to say: I feel Mac computers offer writers a better platform to express, organize, and execute thoughts into a sculpture of words. I used to write with a PC. After changing to Mac OS, it was opening the gateway towards enhanced productivity.
Enough said about that. I am not writing this post to promote or demote any brand. I'm just sharing my preference here.
When it comes to writing, there are two major APPs I use. One is Pages. The other one is Evernote.
I love to use Pages. The synchronization between my iPad and Mac is instantaneous. When on the run, I close my Mac, grab my iPad, and keep on writing where I left off, be it on the bus or in Starbucks (you would need 4G or an internet connection to synch your work). The ability to input comments between the developing skeleton of a novel, story, etc., is also simple and organized with Pages.
Evernote is the new OneNote. Microsoft is a complicated OS system. But when it comes to Office APPs, Microsoft is still unrivaled. Take Excel for example. It is far superior to the one offered by Apple. Fortunately, as a writer I seldom use excel. Microsoft Word is also quite versatile. OneNote is probably the best APP (still, sadly) for organizing thoughts into segments, imitating how my brain structure works. Sadly, it is unavailable for Mac.
Recently an APP in the APP Store called Outline has arisen to challenge OneNote. It is compatible with OneNote in many ways, yet it is not there yet. You cannot edit your OneNote imported files. This is a drag.
Outline is out of the question for me. It's a hassle when it comes to syncing with your DropBox. Evernote, however, is much simpler to use than Outline or OneNote. It synchs instantly, and you can generate notebooks, notes, resembling my thought process while elongating the strand of a story. You can have it on all of your devices, which enables you to work from your iAnything, and never miss a beat. No expenses here, Evernote is free.
The bottom line is:
APPs for writers I recommend:
1. Pages
2. Evernote
Do you have any recommendations? I'm open to suggestions. Thanks for stopping by!
Some may disagree with what I'm about to say: I feel Mac computers offer writers a better platform to express, organize, and execute thoughts into a sculpture of words. I used to write with a PC. After changing to Mac OS, it was opening the gateway towards enhanced productivity.
Enough said about that. I am not writing this post to promote or demote any brand. I'm just sharing my preference here.
When it comes to writing, there are two major APPs I use. One is Pages. The other one is Evernote.
I love to use Pages. The synchronization between my iPad and Mac is instantaneous. When on the run, I close my Mac, grab my iPad, and keep on writing where I left off, be it on the bus or in Starbucks (you would need 4G or an internet connection to synch your work). The ability to input comments between the developing skeleton of a novel, story, etc., is also simple and organized with Pages.
Evernote is the new OneNote. Microsoft is a complicated OS system. But when it comes to Office APPs, Microsoft is still unrivaled. Take Excel for example. It is far superior to the one offered by Apple. Fortunately, as a writer I seldom use excel. Microsoft Word is also quite versatile. OneNote is probably the best APP (still, sadly) for organizing thoughts into segments, imitating how my brain structure works. Sadly, it is unavailable for Mac.
Recently an APP in the APP Store called Outline has arisen to challenge OneNote. It is compatible with OneNote in many ways, yet it is not there yet. You cannot edit your OneNote imported files. This is a drag.
Outline is out of the question for me. It's a hassle when it comes to syncing with your DropBox. Evernote, however, is much simpler to use than Outline or OneNote. It synchs instantly, and you can generate notebooks, notes, resembling my thought process while elongating the strand of a story. You can have it on all of your devices, which enables you to work from your iAnything, and never miss a beat. No expenses here, Evernote is free.
The bottom line is:
APPs for writers I recommend:
1. Pages
2. Evernote
Do you have any recommendations? I'm open to suggestions. Thanks for stopping by!
February 19, 2014
Indie Author Success
I love to hear about the success of Indie-Authors. Not only on the literature spectrum, but also when it comes to music, movies, and other modes of human expression.
Since my branch of art is literature, I will focus this post on indie-authors.
Many colleagues are paving the roads of success in this brilliant, full-of-opporunity world. Authors like Hugh Howey have done a tremendous job of becoming a NY Times best-seller, signing a deal to make a movie, and having an outrageous number of reviews on his book Wool (over 7,500 reviews on Amazon!). Other indie-authors such as AG Riddle with his book Atlantis - Gene, is making a stellar role in paving the road to indie-author success.
In the Spanish speaking world indie-authors are also shining from successful stories. Take for example Blanca Miosi. Born in Peru, now living in Venezuela, she self-published her works in Spanish through Amazon and has ever since her debut been at the top of the Spanish best-selling titles.
Her most popular work: Waldek, the boy who defied the Nazis, has recently been translated from the original title in Spanish. The original piece has accumulated over 350 reviews in Amazon. No other book in Spanish has yet achieve as much reviews. This is stellar. Indie-authors are making it out there.
Us? Well, as an indie-author I have no other choice but to continue working on my novels. I am, however, fond of having excellent examples that have succeeded in becoming best-selling authors. Other authors not mentioned here have also achieved much as independent authors. If you know of any, please leave their name in the comments section below. I would love to meet them, read their work, and follow the lead.
Cheers!
Since my branch of art is literature, I will focus this post on indie-authors.
Many colleagues are paving the roads of success in this brilliant, full-of-opporunity world. Authors like Hugh Howey have done a tremendous job of becoming a NY Times best-seller, signing a deal to make a movie, and having an outrageous number of reviews on his book Wool (over 7,500 reviews on Amazon!). Other indie-authors such as AG Riddle with his book Atlantis - Gene, is making a stellar role in paving the road to indie-author success.
In the Spanish speaking world indie-authors are also shining from successful stories. Take for example Blanca Miosi. Born in Peru, now living in Venezuela, she self-published her works in Spanish through Amazon and has ever since her debut been at the top of the Spanish best-selling titles.
Her most popular work: Waldek, the boy who defied the Nazis, has recently been translated from the original title in Spanish. The original piece has accumulated over 350 reviews in Amazon. No other book in Spanish has yet achieve as much reviews. This is stellar. Indie-authors are making it out there.
Us? Well, as an indie-author I have no other choice but to continue working on my novels. I am, however, fond of having excellent examples that have succeeded in becoming best-selling authors. Other authors not mentioned here have also achieved much as independent authors. If you know of any, please leave their name in the comments section below. I would love to meet them, read their work, and follow the lead.
Cheers!
Kobo devours Sony.
Strategy has kept Kobo on the spotlight. As it slowly grows on the global scene, Sony saw the opportunity to delegate all it's eBook sales, users, etc., information to Kobo.
Kobo was originally a Canadian enterprise. It was acquired by Rakuten, a Japanese monster that keeps on growing.
This strategy will surely benefit all indie-authors who already publish with Smashwords expanded distribution channels. With Scribid and Oyster entering the scene as the Netflix of Books, the reach of indie-authors is bound to expand even more.
If you're thinking about becoming an author, do not over-think it. This is your time. With many indie-authors paving the road towards Indie Author Success (Hugh Howe, AG Riddle, Blanca Miosi, etc.), this is the best time to become an independent author.
Surely, marketing and other strategies must be adopted to be successful in such a broad market. Yet, your chances of selling a book in another country where no one knows you is more than just achievable.
Kobo was originally a Canadian enterprise. It was acquired by Rakuten, a Japanese monster that keeps on growing.
This strategy will surely benefit all indie-authors who already publish with Smashwords expanded distribution channels. With Scribid and Oyster entering the scene as the Netflix of Books, the reach of indie-authors is bound to expand even more.
If you're thinking about becoming an author, do not over-think it. This is your time. With many indie-authors paving the road towards Indie Author Success (Hugh Howe, AG Riddle, Blanca Miosi, etc.), this is the best time to become an independent author.
Surely, marketing and other strategies must be adopted to be successful in such a broad market. Yet, your chances of selling a book in another country where no one knows you is more than just achievable.
February 12, 2014
BAAL, by Robert McCammon (Audible Audiobook edition)
BAAL! BAAL! BAAL!
What a story! This book contains many elements of which character development might be its most notorious one. It is outstanding! I enjoyed each second of Baal…until the ending bombed it. Let me explain.
The generation of the antagonist was achieved with a superlative execution. The background of Baal and how he came to be is as accurate in both the psychological and the social spectrum. Other characters such as Michael, Dr. Verga, etc., are also very well developed. You familiarize with them quickly.
The action is grueling. The descriptions are shark-tooth-sharp in gory details. The violence is excruciating and the generation of what would become a severe battle between good and evil magnificent.
Yet, I took two stars away. All this glorious review for three stars? There was one day, I remember, when I thought of Baal’s conclusion as the best ending I could’ve thought of for this book. Thereafter I cannot help but to think it was a failure for such a glorious masterpiece. It was such a disappointment! I was searching avidly for more content, more descriptions when I finished it. It could not be the end. I searched Google for Book #2 or something that would give me a proper ending but no, there was nothing to reconcile with other than the void left by an epic-fail.
I would recommend this book to most readers in search of what I believe to be character development at its best. It is genuinely a masterpiece. The ending…well you might have a different opinion than I do. For me, it was a total fail. Three stars for the rest of the book. It is truly a work of art.
What a story! This book contains many elements of which character development might be its most notorious one. It is outstanding! I enjoyed each second of Baal…until the ending bombed it. Let me explain.
The generation of the antagonist was achieved with a superlative execution. The background of Baal and how he came to be is as accurate in both the psychological and the social spectrum. Other characters such as Michael, Dr. Verga, etc., are also very well developed. You familiarize with them quickly.
The action is grueling. The descriptions are shark-tooth-sharp in gory details. The violence is excruciating and the generation of what would become a severe battle between good and evil magnificent.
Yet, I took two stars away. All this glorious review for three stars? There was one day, I remember, when I thought of Baal’s conclusion as the best ending I could’ve thought of for this book. Thereafter I cannot help but to think it was a failure for such a glorious masterpiece. It was such a disappointment! I was searching avidly for more content, more descriptions when I finished it. It could not be the end. I searched Google for Book #2 or something that would give me a proper ending but no, there was nothing to reconcile with other than the void left by an epic-fail.
I would recommend this book to most readers in search of what I believe to be character development at its best. It is genuinely a masterpiece. The ending…well you might have a different opinion than I do. For me, it was a total fail. Three stars for the rest of the book. It is truly a work of art.
February 4, 2014
Hugh Howey's "Wool" will soon be adapted to the big screen.
Hugh Howey is a NY Times Best-Selling author with one of his many fantastic novels: Wool. Wool is the first part of the Silo Saga. If you haven't heard about it or read it, I recommend you delve into this dystopia ASAP.
Wool is a literary achievement. It's profound in meaning, rich in vocabulary, and its characters are complex. My favorite character is Solo, which in Spanish means "alone".
I can only wonder who will play Juliette's role. And yes, you will find many references to Romeo&Juliette in Hugh's creation.
Hugh was recently interviewed in the Latin Times by Donovan Longo. Read this insightful interview here: http://www.latintimes.com/hugh-howey-wool-series-author-reveals-secret-his-success-and-future-silo-saga-exclusive-149091
Follow Hugh Howey's work on his homepage: http://www.hughhowey.com
Twitter: @hughhowey
Wool is a literary achievement. It's profound in meaning, rich in vocabulary, and its characters are complex. My favorite character is Solo, which in Spanish means "alone".
I can only wonder who will play Juliette's role. And yes, you will find many references to Romeo&Juliette in Hugh's creation.
Hugh was recently interviewed in the Latin Times by Donovan Longo. Read this insightful interview here: http://www.latintimes.com/hugh-howey-wool-series-author-reveals-secret-his-success-and-future-silo-saga-exclusive-149091
Follow Hugh Howey's work on his homepage: http://www.hughhowey.com
Twitter: @hughhowey
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