Writing

Not Even Close

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Hey Kids,

I would be daft not to make mention that today is Pi day. As in 3.14, March Fourteenth. And this year being 2015, one could say 3.1415. Happy Pi Day. OK, now that I’ve said it and recognized it, let’s move on.

Last night I attended a book launch for Brandon Mull, the author of Fablehaven. He had invited four other authors and the fans showed up en masse. Hundreds of them. They filled the auditorium The line for book purchases was only eclipsed by the lines to have books signed. It was crazy.10981607_10153134981208633_141410618642498420_n

The treasures were books. The cheers were for authors. The excitement was for reading.

There are those who say books are dead. I say those people don’t know what books are.

 

Day 19

 

Lasting Impressions

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Hey Kids!

I saw in my email today that the University of Utah placed third in the World Cup Quidditch Championship.

They beat out schools like UCLA and Arizona in the Western Regionals to get to the World Cup. I didn’t know that Quidditch actually existed, let alone as a completive sport on the University level.

Quidditch, as anyone would know by now, is the sport played at Hogwarts in the Harry Potter book and movie series. The players fly around on brooms trying to put a misshaped ball called a Quaffle through a series of elevated circles, while dodging other balls called Bludgers, and while two specialized players chase a Golden Snitch.

To make it possible for muggles to play, some elements have been changed.

quidditch

My point is not to explain Quidditch, or to make light of the fact that near-gown-ups are playing a make believe game, ignoring the fact that the game is essentially impossible. My point is that sometime during their time before college, these students were touched enough by something they thought was wonderful and they still want to be part of it.

Harry Potter resonated with millions of people. Tens of millions, maybe hundreds of millions. JK Rowling didn’t just write a book, she touched people. She made a difference in their lives. She brought them a joy and a feeling that they don’t want to let go.

What can we do to touch people. Write a world class best selling book series that inspires kids of all ages to read? Sure. How about just be nice to people? Smile. Say thank you. Hold a door open. Support a fund raiser for that little kid at the door. Do something nice for someone else.

You’ll never know how much something will mean to someone else. What impression you might make. But if you did something nice everyday for someone else, you might find that your legacy might be a nicer you.

And that’s better than winning First at the World Cup of Quidditch.

Well, almost.

Day 17

Speed Kills

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Speed Kills

#21 Cliff Branch

Hey Kids,

Speed Kills.

So stated a banner that I remember hanging in the Oakland Coliseum as I watch football games with my dad back in the 70’s and early 80’s. I knew what it meant. Everyone knew what it meant. Number 21, Cliff Branch, was on the field and if you blinked, he’d be catching the ball behind you.

Cliff Branch was quieter than many of the other players on the team. But at any time, he could be heard. With lighting speed, he could go from in front of the defense to the back of the end zone. Let your guard down for a second and he’d be gone, with the ball, scoring 6 on you. He was always that deep threat; on any down, at any point of the game, and at any yard marker.

Speed Kills. That slogan and banner will forever be stuck in my mind. Possibly the plague of every Raider fan.

Today I listened to a presentation given to studying entrepreneurs. At the end of the talk, the professor of the class asked the people in the room to repeat the one biggest thing they took from their guest speaker, Gary Vaynerchuk (Jets fan). Before anyone said a word, the words “Speed Kills” echoed in my head.

One of “Gary V’s” points during his chat with these student included that moving forward, moving quickly, is what gives him the advantage. Businesses become slow as they grow, they become careful, cautious, and methodical. Exploit it and be the sleek, speedy predator that you can be (my words). That concept resonated with me. I alone control my pace. I’m in charge of my rate of work. It can be my advantage, should I decide to take advantage of it.

I understand that speed is not everything by itself; you do have to catch the ball. Likewise skill and quality also count. But anyone can attain those attributes if they’re slow and careful enough.

But Speed Kills.

It is time to pick it up.

 

 

Day 16

An Angry Bird

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images (3)Hey Kids,

I’m not exactly angry, but kind of sick of the crap.

I joined Twitter some time ago, several years ago. Long enough that many told me they didn’t “get” Twitter and how weird it was. Since then it has obviously blossomed to incredible numbers of people and incorporated into everyday life.

I did have a motive; I joined Twitter to connect with other writers, publishers, and people in the know of writing. The links and conversations taught me a ton about the publishing world and the world of writing, which are not the same.

I never thought of Twitter as the means to sell tons of books. It was not my advertising scheme. I hoped and still hope to connect with people who might be interested in my work. And I do announce when my work is available or on special but because its part of my life, not as a campaign. People will come along, if it is natural that they do. I’m OK with that. But many people will come along that won’t be “customers”, I’m OK with that too. Bottom line, Twitter was not my personal Buy My Books channel.

google+-logoI slowed and stopped with Twitter and moved more to Google + for similar reasons. But I found it connected me with different groups of people and not so much publishers/editors/writers. I’ve enjoyed it and the people I have met and befriended there.images (2)

I also expanded to Facebook to be more connected to family and family connections.

Today I re-launched, if you will, into Twitter. I saw many people still there that I was happy to see remained. It was like returning home.

I want to connect. I want to meet people who are beyond my normal sphere of influence. Each platform brings a different group and style. I like the different flavors.

Now to what makes me angry- I hate people who see Social Media as their “commercial” time. That because we connected, they are free to unleash their marketing campaign upon me. These people need to be fair warned- the interruption-based ad world is crumbling. We don’t have to put up with anyone. Social media is for us, the people. It’s a wonderful thing and the greatest part about it, is we get to control it.

Marketers need not follow nor apply.

 

Day 8

Big Words- A Dilemma.

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Hey kids.

I read a ridiculous argument between writers on whether big words should be used more or less often. Some argued that big words are no longer needed, their time has past, and readers no longer want to read them. Others argued that not enough big words are used and need to be used more often, if for no other reason than to educate the reader.

I think the right word or words need to be used. That reading is a time that one can learn but I disagree that the writer is the school master. If a writer is “dumbing it down” to cater to the deteriorating literary skills of today’s reader, or if a writer is using their superior mastery of the English vocabulary to help force readers to “look up words they would otherwise not know”- both approaches are wrong.

Books are for two people. Writers and readers. One does not benefit much without the other. Both have varied tastes, education, and goals for their efforts. Writers, tell the story you want to tell in the most effective way you can. Readers, read the authors that scratch your literary itch. And let’s just share some good books together.

images

 

 

 

 

Day 1

My Little World

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f3e3c16cfaecf46ddfd1669f96f001b6Hey kids.

I’ve been working on my latest book and I’ve kind have been working on it for a long time now. Specifically, I’m working on this certain chapter; I’m guessing a couple of weeks at this point; at least on this edit. But it’s OK.

I don’t have an editor and even if I did, I have to be happy with the writing as I finish it or why else do it. There is a line of trying to be too perfect, but I’m far from that point. I’m just trying to get it right.

I read about other writers who can crank out books seemingly in their sleep. That’s great for them. I’m not them. I have to work at a different pace. I Edit. Then I edit again. And then edit a few more thousand times. It’s funny to me how little of the original text survives and yet the story remains and appears to have never been edited ever before (that can go two different ways. I speak of the good way, of sounding natural and flowing.)

During this pass through the chapter, a key chapter in my opinion, I have had ideas that need to now be incorporated into earlier chapters and I have had ideas that will reshape the ending of the book. It’s all in a state of flux and I’m creating more and more work to get it all finished. But again, it’s OK. It’s what I signed up to do.

Signed up with me, that is. No one is making me do anything. I’m doing this on my own. For me. To share one day, yes; but it’s mine right now. If I were to stop working on it, few if any would care more than a passing moment. If it isn’t good, no one will stone me. If It never sells, no economy will collapse. It doesn’t matter but to my little world.

And if spending countless hours of my free time, trying to make my little world as good as I can possibly make it, isn’t worth it. Then what is?

Road Trip

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Hey Kids. 4 in the morning today is really no different today than any other day except that it’s today and feels earlier than any other day. Well because it’s today.

But we are headed to Moab to hike Delicate Arch, which is exciting. The four hour drive to it is the bummer.

I need to pack (I’m such a procrastinator), load the ice chest and truck and tie on the bikes.

I’m looking forward to this whirlwind road trip and I hope to get some good reading and writing while on the way. I’ve been  on a good kick since my time off ending last week, I hate to lose the momentum with a mini vacation. That is how you know you’re doing what you love.

Catch ya later.

Life’s Too Short for Negative Reviews

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header-bad-reviewsIt’s too short to do surveys too, but that’s another subject.
But I don’t like giving bad reviews, as in reviews on bad books, speeches, etc. I don’t do it. It doesn’t make me feel good doing it. And it can destroy the recipient.
I might give a friend feedback, and I’ll be honest too. But at least then, that person asked and knows that I’m trying to help and not tear down.
But an unsolicited, negative review, I’ll pass. I don’t need it, they don’t need it. I’ll just move along to the next book, presentation, speech. Whatever.
If I like it, on the flip side, unsolicited good reviews is what life is all about!
I love to tell an author how much I loved his or her book. It’s encouraging. For both of us. I feel good doing it. I know the recipient enjoys it too.
And we can all use more time feeling good.

The Work in Progress- April 26, 2014

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Writing-desk

So I thought I would take Saturdays and use them as updates to where I am in the writing/publishing process. I know boring stuff, but I get asked every once in a while so why not.

I am still struggling along in the edits of the second book  the OPR series currently titled Cursing Black’s Gold. I just can’t seem to get it just right. I’m very pleased with the ending, but the middle part needs some work. After attending a writer’s conference, I did get some insights in what was stalling my progress. I refocused and things seem to be moving now just a bit. By next week I hope to have more progress and maybe an estimate on the publish date.

Ain’t Dead Yet continues to sell at a slow but steady pace in the kindle store. The most common thing I do hear from those who talk to me about the book is “When is the next one out?” (see above). It’s a nice thing to hear.

Under the category of “Pay more attention to your reports”, I learn upon reading a few of those reports that Twice the Christmas during the December special, was down loaded in Great Britain, Denmark, and Italy. I think that’s rather cool.

I can’t wait to get started on the finishing touches of this year’s Christmas story. I won’t talk much of it right now, but it is waiting for me as soon as Porter II is done. I’ll shed more light on the story once I get back to work on it. The working title is The Biggest Little Christmas in the World. Some out there might recognize the origin of that tag line. And yup, it has to do with there.

OK. That’s it for now. Stay tuned for more riveting writing news next week.

mmj

 

Searching for Life’s Mysteries

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1e01f62c38d8b8bb3d27588c8cfe09efI’m not sure if it’s the nearer to death one becomes as one gets older in age, or that I realize now that I am beyond dying young and with no assurance to grow older than what I already am, but I find myself weighing each decision I make with more gravity and spending more time wondering if it is the “right” thing to do. I find that, instead of savoring my time and experiences, I have fallen into the trap of overthinking the value of everything.

The problem with the pondering and assessments is that it rarely leads to more time “doing”.

I feel some important things have fallen to the wayside or have slowed down to speeds unacceptable.

Not unacceptable because of no other reason than I want to do more stuff. Not as a rush against a two-minute clock or anything. Instead it’s more like: “Why do I care what it’s worth if it’s what I want to do?”

My writing has slowed down. This blog is a great indicator of a general lack of committing enough time to wrte as much as I want to. One of my main goals for this blog is to leave a record of my thoughts. Remember when Blog meant Web Log, or Web Journal. Now too many times, Blog means marketing. Not exactly why I started my first blog years ago and not exactly enough reason to make me want to write posts. When I blog, I blog because I want to.

I write posts in my head all the time while riding my motorcycle; however, it’s not very condusive to taking notes, or leaving behind a posted entry. I write posts in my head because I enjoy it. How have I allowed life to take place of writing posts for real? I know it’s mostly for me anyway. It’s time to write more blog posts. If any of you read them, I hope you enjoy them. And if you like the posts, maybe I can interest you in a book. *Eye brows raising up and down*. Seriously, do as you wish, that’s what I’m doing.

And Fishing. I really need to fish more.

Ice-off is coming soon to my favorite lake. I will be fishing it. And then I will not stop until it’s frozen again. I will set a goal of how many times my waders need to be wet each month. There’s always something more important than fishing. At lease in other’s eyes, and yesterday in my own. That has to change.

There was a time that I dreamed of being a guide. The big reason I decided not to pursue that dream was that I worried about feeding the family and the thought of leading others to that fish of a lifetime and then being the one at the end of the net and not at the end of the fly rod just didn’t seem right.

And with that dream lost, I somehow also gave up my effort to be as good as a guide, to think it was important to keep the pulse of my waters,  to be the expert, to always know where the fish were, what were they hitting, and to always be into many huge fish. I let things more important dictate skilled fishing wasn’t worth the time and effort.

Life is short. It flies by so fast. And when one is looking at the last stretch of forty, one never knows just how short the remainder might be.

But a lot can be stuffed in a very little. And if God grants me anywhere near as many years in the future as he has in the past, and I fill, no, stuff them with the things I want to do, I have a feeling I won’t feel cheated or wanting.