June 13, 2008 at 12:39 am · Filed under Publishing Management
Writer’s block. That traumatizing, frustrating moment that has paralyzed nearly every writer who has ever put the pen to paper. We sit at our desk and suddenly can’t think of a word to write. Our minds go blank. Our shoulders grow tense. A thin bead of sweat appears on our brow. Our confidence as a writer flies out the window. The harder we try to summon the muse, the worse the condition becomes. We get up and leave our workstations in an effort to clear our minds. We meditate. We pray. We discuss it with our writing counterparts. But is it even real? Does writer’s block exist or is it an excuse not to fasten our seats to the chair and produce?
I believe writer’s block exists only as far as I believe the fear of the dark exists.
Writer’s block is a product of fear. Fear of an inability to produce. Fear of publication. Fear of success. For the majority of us, it is the fear of that blinking cursor on the computer screen, telling us we will never be the writer we know deep down we are capable of becoming.
Like any fear, writer’s block can be overcome as soon as we recognize it for what it is and face it head on.
First, we must decide that nothingreal or imaginedis going to keep us from reaching our goals. Whatever that goal is; achieving a daily word count, finishing that term paper, or publication of a book, we will finish the job no matter what.
Second, the best antidoteor better yet, prevention of writer’s blockit to make it a point to write something on a consistent basis. Sometimes that is the hardest thing to do. It is easy to talk ourselves out of writing. Wouldn’t we rather talk about it than actually do it? We like to imagine ourselves at our desks, fingers flying over the keyboard, through no apparent effort on our part, while the world looks on, in awe of our brilliance. But the truth of the matter is writing is hard work. It’s lonely. It’s scary. And it’s tempting to use any excuse available to avoid it.
Third, after we’ve decided that we aren’t going to let fear beat us, and writing the story on our hearts is worth the blood, sweat, and tears that go into it, we write. Writer’s write. We don’t give into adversity. Believe me, there’s plenty of it out there.
Our spouses and children vie for our attention. Our jobs take up too much of our time and sap our creative energy. Our critics remind us that the odds are stacked against us. Everyone knows there’s no money in writing, and if you don’t know anyone in the big New York publishing houses, you don’t have a chance of getting published anyway.
All those things make us vulnerable to writer’s block.
But when all is said and done, the choice is ours. We can work through all the outside forces that thwart our creative urges. Or we can give in to that little voice that says we’ll never make it in this business so what’s the point of writing another word.
The point is, I can’t stop writing even if I wanted to. I can’t wait to get the stories in my head down on paper. Even if no one reads another word I write, I’ll continue doing it and I won’t be defeated by something that’s totally within my control.
Teresa Slack’s first novel, Streams of Mercy, received a coveted 5-star rating in the prestigious Christian Library Journal. Her latest novel, A Tender Reed, has already received international acclaim. She has two more books scheduled for release in 2006 and hopes to continue to write two books per year. Find out more about Teresa and her writing at http://www.teresaslack.com.
April 18, 2008 at 11:55 pm · Filed under Publishing Management
Ebooks are part of the new frontier of cyberspace. They are an entirely new medium for sharing marketing information, ideas, techniques, and expert knowledge. Each day the number of people accessing the Internet grows, causing the exposure of your ebook to increase incrementally. It’s obvious why electronic self-publishing has become so popular so quickly.
And here’s how you can make a fortune from digital publishing:
The publishing industry, I hope, does not intend to forever banish the printed word to the dustbin of history. Books in print have their own special qualities and merits, and the world would be
diminished by their disappearance.
Having said that, let’s look at what makes ebooks so important and so unique. Ebooks have certain abilities and qualities that other mediums do not possess.
For example, ebooks are fairly easy to produce, and their production cost is inexpensive. Just think about it: you don’t need a publisher, an agent, a printing press, offset film, ink, paper, or even a distributor. You just need a great concept, the ability to write it or to hire a writer, and the right software.
Additionally, ebooks are easily and rapidly distributed online. They are also easily updated; they
do not require a second print run. All you need is to go into your original creation and modify the text or graphics. Because of this flexibility, ebooks can change and grow as fast as you can type.
Ebooks are also immediately obtainable. You don’t have to go to a bookstore or search through endless titles at an online bookstore. All you have to do is download it from a website, and presto! It’s on your computer, ready to be read.
Ebooks are interactive. This is one of the most unique and specific qualities that ebooks offer. You can add surveys that need to be filled out, order forms for customers to purchase your products or goods, sound and video that draw your reader into the virtual world of your ebook, even direct links to relevant sites that will expand your ebook outward. The potential is virtually limitless.
Ebooks have a particular kind of permanence that other mediums do not possess. Television shows and radio shows air once, and then may rerun a few times. Ebooks remain on your computer for as long as your choose, and they can be read and reread whenever you choose to. They can even be printed out and stored on the shelves of your traditional home library.
Another wonderful quality is that ebooks have no barriers in terms of publishing. You don’t need to go through the endless process of submitting your manuscript over and over again, and then once you land an agent, having the agent submit your manuscript over and over again. Nor do you have to shell out thousands of dollars for printing a self-published book. All ebooks require is a writer and appropriate software. Figure out your market, write your book, post it on your website, and with the right business savvy, your audience will come to you.
Finally, you have creative control over your ebook. You don’t have to compromise with an editor or the publishing trends of the time. You don’t have to haggle with a designer or wait for copyedited galleys to arrive by snail mail. You are in complete control of the design and the text.
About the Author
Jaz Lai is an Online Business Entrepreneur. He recently twisted the arms of 2 well-known internet marketers to share with you their secrets on ‘How Little Guys can level the playing field and complete with the Big Guys” For more information on how to easily create your own ebook, click here http://www.the-megapreneur.com
April 15, 2008 at 10:39 pm · Filed under Publishing Management
[From our deconstruction of hundreds of Hollywood blockbusters and sitcoms at www.clickok.co.uk….; 188 stages of the Hero’s Journey you need to know about…]
The Hero’s Journey is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the Hollywood movies we have deconstructed are based on this template.
Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters.
The Hero’s Journey:
a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.
b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.
c) Interpreted metaphorically, laterally and symbolically, allows an infinite number of varied stories to be created.
and more…
The Hero’s Journey: The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965) basic deconstruction
The following story has been deconstructed (from The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965)); this story follows our Complete Hero’s Journey very tightly, giving additional insights into the Antagonism Hierarchy and other elements.
FADE IN: context: Sistine Chapel.
Meeting the Hero: painting of Jesus.
A Sign of the Coming Hero: the star of Bethlehem.
Birth of the Hero: low status; ordinary people; the ineffectual.
Celebration: the trumpets.
Recognising the Hero: the three wise men.
Long Distance Travelled / Arduous Journey: the three wise men’s journey.
Antagonism: Herod.
Antagonism Watching: keep an eye on him and keep me informed.
Hero’s Mother: good; pious.
Hero’s Father: mysterious, unknown, powerful, a king in his Kingdom, special powers, away.
Substitute Father Figure / Adopted by: Joseph.
Significant Name: Jesus.
Magical and Protective Gifts: Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh.
Pursued by the Antagonism: Herod’s soldiers follow the wise men.
Push / Message: take the child and flee.
Antagonist’s Fear: be afraid of the child of imagination.
Antagonist’s Plan: kill every male child.
Antagonist’s Heinous Act: the children die.
Antagonist’s Punishment: Herod dies.
Antagonist Replaced: Herod’s son.
On a Journey: Joseph, Mary and Jesus travel on the donkey.
Hero’s Capabilities: Joseph reads about Jesus’ gifts.
Antagonism #2: Herod asks the Romans for help.
Antagonism #2: the Romans oppress the people.
Antagonism Hierarchy: the Roans take Judea from Herod.
Antagonism #3: the Romans take the High Priest’s robes.
Call to Adventure: the young Jesus seeing the crucified on the streets on his return.
Antagonism #2 and #2 relationship: Herod sent away.
The Call: the music; someone will come.
Antagonism: the oppressed people; sins, crimes, idolatry etc.
Refusal: you’re wasting your time old woman, if you think the Messiah will come.
Meeting the Good Mentor: John the Baptist.
Warning: repent.
Meeting the Hero: Jesus.
Mentor recognises the Hero: John knows Jesus when he sees him.
On a Journey: Jesus promises to return.
Dangerous Place: climbing the mountain.
Dark Mentor: Satan in the cave.
Dark Mentor:
Tempted Away from the Journey through Philosophy: a simple life is good.
Tempted Away from the Journey with temptations: power and glory; how would you like to be ruler of all this.
Tempted Away from the Journey through Friendship and Gifts: you must be hungry.
Tempted Away from the Journey through Rejection: prove you’re the Son of Go; turn that rock into bread; throw yourself down etc.
Hero overcomes Dark Mentor: is intimately familiar with the true path.
Conscious Decision: Jesus stands straight.
Demonstration: Jesus climbs to the top of the mountain.
Interdiction: the Priest’s try to stop John and Jesus.
Allies: Peter, Judas, Paul etc join Jesus.
Threshold Marker: the bridge.
Outer Cave:
teaching under the bridge.
Meeting Allies: James wants to listen some more.
Push to the Belly / Breaking the Interdiction: the Priests are unhappy about John’s Refusal.
Foreshadow of the Resolution: overlooking Jerusalem; there will be time to enter.
Middle Cave / Link to Trial 3: meeting Lazarus et al; teaching in his house.
Push to the Belly / The Priest’s persuade Herod to arrest John.
Inner Cave:
Meeting the Tax Collector.
Contradicting the Priest.
Healing the cripple.
Acknowledgement: the old man acknowledges Jesus.
Pulled to the Belly of the Whale: the soldiers come for John.
Resisting the Belly of the Whale: John resists the soldiers.
Antagonism Mentor meeting: Herod meets John.
Foreshadow of the Antagonism Hero meeting: Herod wants to meet Jesus.
Preparing for the Trials and Transformation: Jesus is told John has been captured; begins preaching; gathers followers.
Denial: the Priests do not believe Jesus is the Messiah.
Preparing for the Trials and Transformation: Jesus preaches at the top of the hill with more followers.
Antagonism privy to Hero’s Rise: Herod hears about Jesus’ growing following.
Mentor / Hero meeting: John tells Herod that Jesus is the One.
Antagonist’s Mentor: Herod’s wife wants John dead.
Pulled to the Trials and Transformation: Jesus called back to Capernia.
Hero Transformed: Jesus has a significant following now.
Trial 1: Jesus saves the adulteress from stoning.
Pull Back of the Dark Side: the devil is around.
Pull of the Antagonist: the priest questions Jesus.
Pushing Forward: others want to be cured; others are cured.
Antagonist hears of the Hero: the priest sends word to Jerusalem; Herod hears of this new King.
Antagonist Mentor Meeting: John tells Herod he will lose; Jesus was not killed as a child.
Death of the Mentor: Herod kills John.
Foreshadow of the Atonement: Herod wants Jesus arrested.
Jesus holds an audience on the Hill.
Foreshadow of the Atonement: Pilot hears about Jesus’ miracle.
Shape Shifter Developed: Judas calls Jesus a great leader but not a Messiah.
New Name / New Self: Peter calls him the Messiah.
Warning: the strangers warn that Herod means to kill him.
Journey to Trial 2: Jesus goes back to Nazareth; pursued by Pilot’s soldiers.
New Self / Curse of the Wizened One / Unwelcome at Home: they do not recognise Jesus at home.
Trial 2: cure Old Aram’s blindness.
Resisting the Trial: do not tempt God; not curing his blindness yet.
Pull Back of the Dark Side: the devil is around.
Warning: Lazarus and his daughters come to warn Jesus.
Trial 2: Jesus cures Old Aram’s blindness.
Trial 3: Jesus told that Lazarus is about to die.
Journey to Trial 3: Jesus waits for Lazarus to die; is it true that people are like circles in the water.
Journey to Trial 3: Jesus goes to Lazarus’ hometown.
Trial: Martha and Mary upset that Jesus didn’t come sooner.
Trial 3: bringing Lazarus back to life.
Celebration at the passing of the Trials: everyone joyous; they tell all that He has come.
Antagonism: the priests still do not believe.
Shape Shifter Developed: Judas doesn’t want the oil wasted.
Time Pressure: I will not be with you for long.
Popular with Women: the women crowd around the Hero.
New Self: Jesus is a changed man; people make space for him; high status.
Meeting the Oracle: deciding to ride into the City on the donkey.
Delay / Resistance: the Priests don’t want to arrest Jesus on the holiday.
Push to the Sword: Jesus objects to the Money Changers and Sacrifice.
Push to the Sword: Pilot and Herod discuss Jesus; call for his arrest.
Guardians of the Sword: the followers block the way; turning the other cheek.
Foreshadow of the Near Death: Judas sneaks away; Satan has his eye on Judas.
Judas visits the Priests.
Judas finds it difficult to give Jesus up; he doesn’t want him harmed.
Judas returns and Jesus knows.
The Last Supper; New Testament; Passover.
Push to the Atonement: do quickly what you have to do.
Jesus goes to the Garden to be captured.
Reward: Judas is paid.
Reluctance to the Atonement: Jesus asks the Father to save him.
Pushed to the Atonement: arrested.
Resisting the Atonement: Peter draws a sword; Jesus tells him to stop.
Atonement: The Priests Try Jesus.
Resistance to the Apotheosis: Old Aram thinks that God is in him.
Satan asks and Peter denies Jesus
Push to the Apotheosis: you are charged with blasphemy.
Resistance to the Apotheosis: Nikodemis objects to the trial.
Apotheosis: yes, I am the Son of God.
Ultimate Boon: sent back and forth between Herod and Pilot.
Ultimate Boon: the crown of thorns.
Peter denies Jesus a second time.
Refusal: Pilot offers to release a prisoner; the crowd refuses to release Jesus.
Magic Flight:
Jesus carries the Cross.
Do not weep for me, weep for yourselves.
Helped to carry the Cross.
Forced to the Crossing: the Crosses are erected; Jesus is nailed.
Conscious Decision: the criminals ask him to save himself “if you’re really the son of God”; Jesus goes through with it.
Darkness.
Doubt: why hast though forsaken me.
Catharsis 1: Jesus dies.
Rain, lightning.
Verification of Hero Status: truly this was the Son of God.
Antagonism: place a guard around the tomb.
Rebirth: light; the tomb is open.
Master of Two Worlds: Jesus has risen from the dead.
Freedom to Live: Jesus tells his disciples to go and teach.
Loop: the Sistine Chapel.
Learn more…
The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and other story structure templates can be found at http://www.clickok.co.uk/
You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.
Kal Bishop, MBA
**********************************
You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made, the author’s name is retained and the link to our site URL remains active.
Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. His specialities include Knowledge Management and Creativity and Innovation Management. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached at http://www.clickok.co.uk/
April 10, 2008 at 5:11 am · Filed under Publishing Management
Quotations are safe to use during public speaking engagements because if the quotation is not funny, it doesn’t matter since you are just reciting it. You did not write it. It can still be used to make your point.
You can use the power of the name of the person who did write it. People will be more likely to laugh or at least chuckle if a famous person made up the quotation.
If you are not sure to whom the quotation belongs, it does not matter at all. Unless I am absolutely certain who said something, I always give myself an out. I usually say ‘I BELIEVE’ it was ____________ who said. This keeps me out of trouble for attributing the quotation to the wrong person. Sometimes I say, ‘My great, great grandpappy used to say . . .;, or ‘My old aunt Maude used to say . . . ;. However, if you know for sure who said something and their name carries weight, go ahead and use it.
There are literally thousands and thousands of notable quotations available to you. Stop at any bookstore and look at quotation books. You can also look on the Internet for searchable quotation web sites. Here are just a few examples of some of my favorite quotations:
* Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened. Winston Churchill
* I am a friend of the workingman, and I would rather be his friend than be one. Clarence Darrow
* I never made a mistake in my life; at least, never one that I couldn’t explain away afterward. Rudyard Kipling
* Get your facts first and then you can distort them as much as you please. Mark Twain
* Many of us spend half our time wishing for things we could have if we didn’t spend half our time wishing. Alexander Woollcott
* He is more apt to contribute heat than light to a discussion. Woodrow Wilson
* Everything comes to him who hustles while he waits. Thomas Edison
* When you have got an elephant by the hind legs and he is trying to run away, it’s best to let him run. Abe Lincoln
* It takes less time to do a thing right than to explain why you did it wrong. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
* When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on. Franklin Delano Roosevelt
* In the first place God made idiots; this was for practice. Then he made school boards. Mark Twain
(take out school boards and substitute anything that fits your purpose).
When you are being funny, don’t feel bad about twisting the quotations to meet your situation. Mark Twain will never say a word about it. Neither will anyone else if you introduce your quotation by saying, ‘Someone once said,’ or ‘My great, great, grandpappy used to say.’ Then change the quotation around any way that suits you.
Copyright © 1998 - 2005 Advanced Public Speaking Institute
Tom Antion provides entertaining speeches and educational seminars. He is the ultimate entrepreneur, having owned many businesses BEFORE graduating college. Tom is the author of the best selling presentation skills book “Wake ‘em Up Business Presentations” and “Click: The Ultimate Guide to Electronic Marketing.” It is important to Tom that his knowledge be not only absorbed, but enjoyed. This is why he delivers his speeches laced with great humor and hysterical jokes. Tom has addressed more than 87 different industries and is thoroughly committed to his clients’ needs. http://www.antion.com
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