The Jim Butcher Writing Experiment - Round 2

[FYI, the JBWE (jib-wee) is based on Jim Butcher's LiveJournal notes]


There are 2 exercises to do this round. Here goes! 

The Jim Butcher Writing Experiment - Round 2

Part 04: It All Depends On Your Point Of View
a.    Experience the importance of having a strong char/knowing char:
       i. Pick one of your favorite shows from childhood; write about a normal day from the main character's POV
       ii. Pick one of your favorite shows from childhood; write about a normal day from a back/weak character's POV

My stab at the exercise coming soon. :)
Get started on yours!

Jim Butcher Writing Experience - Round 1 - My Take

Here goes my response or my take on the:

The Jim Butcher Writing Experiment - Round 1

The Most Important Thing An Aspiring Author Needs To Know

1. Write briefly about the thought that there is no such thing as a free lunch.

It almost like the law of thermodynamics... I forget which one, but I'm sure it doesn't matter.  The point is, that nothing can be had for free without impacting someone else.  If someone else is impacted, then you will be affected somehow, too.  It's best to put in the good work, earn that place, and pass on the wisdom gained along the way.  Winning the lottery may make you rich, but it won't make you wealthy-wise.  Work it to keep it. 

2. Explain how things can be simple, but not easy.

Sure.  Making a baby is relatively simple.  Egg + sperm + time = HELLO BABY.  Do I really have to tell you how NOT easy raising one is?  Worth every minute, but requires 2 minutes input for each.  Nurse that book, nurse that project.  One little bit at a time.  You'll have a grown kid and grand-kids in "no time."

3. Jot down 5 excuses you use to kill your dreams – and then destroy those excuses

1 - I don't have enough time.

2 - No one will like it.

3 - I don't have enough money.

4 - I don't know where to start.

5 - I don't know if it will be worth it.

Now to kill them - or at least get them bleeding:

1 - I make my own time.  as little as 5 minutes a day here and there is one step closer.

2 - Who cares?!  He who doesn't like it is NOT your target audience.

3 - Then do it on the cheap!  All hail open source software and Amazon KDP.

4 - How about writing down the 3 T's of the project: Task, Target, and Topic.

5 - Everything that helps you experience *something* is worth it.  Some more-so than others.  Learn to weigh.

What Is This Craft You Speak Of?

1. Explain how you think good writing is about influencing emotions

 I know that if I am not emotionally involved in a story or topic, I don't want to finish the book.  What is the last good movie you've seen that didn't keep you on the edge of your seat or wanting more?  Exactly.  In order for you to experience these things, someone has to do the 'influencing' in the (manu)script.  You want interest in your work?  You must interest them.

That's it for this round.  Next round coming soon!

The Jim Butcher Writing Experiment - Round 1

[FYI, the JBWE (jib-wee) is based on Jim Butcher's LiveJournal notes]

I am proud to announce that I have slaved over all of Jim Butcher's awesome writing notes. I've come to the conclusion that I would like to write mo' bettah. I believe going through his notes in an exercise format could really tune me up.

I will split these notes and exercises up over several different posts, to keep things more manageable. Plus, I want to do them all myself, too. I hope you'll get on board and do them with me! Let's practice writing and have some fun!

And here goes - I plan to do 1 post per bullet point. Or maybe a combo if they're pretty quick and easy.

The Jim Butcher Writing Experiment - Round 1

The Most Important Thing An Aspiring Author Needs To Know

1. Write briefly about the thought that there is no such thing as a free lunch.
2. Explain how things can be simple, but not easy.
3. Jot down 5 excuses you use to kill your dreams – and then destroy those excuses!

What Is This Craft You Speak Of?

1. Explain how you think good writing is about influencing emotions

Learning From Jim Butcher's Blog

I recently picked up a copy of Jim Butcher's book "Storm Front," which is the 1st in his "Dresden Files" series.  While I will say this is definitely not a Young Adult (YA) class book, it just sucked me right in and keep me interested!

I thought nothing of it, except for making a note to read some of the other books Jim has written.  Until, I ran across his LiveJournal blog:

http://jimbutcher.livejournal.com/

Now, whether or not his books are your cup of tea is not my interest here.  Check his blog out.  It is a very successful writer giving you the low-down on how to write successful novels.  FOR FREE.

HELLO!  MCFLY!!!

I immediately digested every bit of it and am anxiously awaiting his next post.  Apparently, he is busy writing for money so his free guidance comes in spurts.  I can understand this. :)

If you haven't already, and have some interest in writing (fiction or not), then I highly recommend checking out his posts.  Now.  Seriously.  Go!

I Salute You, Passing Captain

To wretch.  To reach way down deep.  Grab that thing making your acid roll around without stopping.  Yank it up and hurl it away.  Grab the infestation by the horns and wrangle it on down.  YUCK.

Strolling along the sidewalk... at a leisurely pace - no where in particular to be.  I begin to wonder.  What is it that you think of me?  Know that I use my own God-given flashlight and don't live on the lamps of others for my day to day.

But what is it inside that makes you tick the way you do when I enter the frame?

Do I scare you?  Is there something that I do that makes you want to be less like you?  Is there something less-visible perching on my shoulder that constantly keeps you at bay.  That unconscious tug pulling you the other way?

Or maybe it is completely conscious.  The pull is but a push.  As if you'd rather have little to do with me and hide inside a bush.  This is fine, of course, but I'd like to know the reason.  It seems as if the rope of tension grows more taught with every attempt to loosen.

Another crack in the sidewalk, gently glided over on the way to the park.  Strolling through the green scene from head to toe.  All the while taking in that lovely aroma of leaves just before they let go of their branches.  The branches.

The branches don't seek a reason, but they repeat every season.  How is it that they're never confused by the signs of times ago?  Or is it that they just don't know?  Maybe the trees are so rooted in firm ground that it bothers them not where the leaf drifts.

The trees know why they're here.  They're here to get life to the extremes.  Get water, nutrition, and support to the fluttering leaves.  Worried little about why and where they eventually go.  Always firm.  Always grounded.  Always ready to supply in times of need.

Hop into the boat in the park's lake and what do I see?  A pane of glass with boats gliding in all directions.  Some going in circles - some bouncing off boundaries.  All going in directions that I could not begin to comprehend.  The straighter I go across toward my goal, the more wildly they dance across the water.

It seems as if a boat on point would look lost from the shore, when the captain knows the destination true.  I guess you could say what the captain says matters, and little else - in this lake, anyway.

So to you, passing captain, I salute and wave with well wishes.  I cast my rod and try to feed the fishes.  To bite is a choice I cannot control.  This I know.

Trying Out The Blogger Android Mobile App!

New phone - new app - THE POWER!!!

Just downloaded the mobile app for blogger on android devices.  So far so good.  I think I will have to enter HTML code since it doesn't look like a WYSIWYG editor.  I have to admit I am not that excited about that assumption at all.

However, I think it will work well enough for the quick little posts I plan to do.
Okay... I think I've staggered along enough with this test.

Toodles y'all!

Identify Your Readers

Found these awesome tips on properly identifying your readers.  Something we could all probably use more help with.  Check it out:

Identify Your Reader:

• Your reader reads words, not minds. Never assume that your audience understands your meaning implicitly. You must strive to outline your message with precise wording to avoid a breakdown in communication.
• Your reader “boils things down.” Your audience will read each sentence and seek out the key idea.
• Your reader will misunderstand you, given the chance. This statement is particularly true if you are writing to a manager—a reader who tends to view each situation with optimism.
• Your reader does not have to read what you write. It is your job to make your prose feel effortless to read.
• Your reader is impatient. Your reader expects your sentences to be efficient, requiring one read for comprehension.

So yeah it's framed from a negative angle, but it makes a great point!

Some Twitter Etiquette Hints and Tips

Went through a couple of nice lists on twitter usage.  The following tips struck me good.  Time to start following them!

• No more than 1 self- promotion for every 10 messages about others - maybe even 1:20 ratio
• Use less than 140 characters. Leave room for others. Leave 10 or more characters blank
• Don’t be afraid to ask for a retweet when it’s really important - like helping someone else
• Promote other people’s stuff (blog posts, photos, websites)
• Schedule twee ts so you don't flood your followers (bufferapp rocks!)

More to come, I'm sure.

Yargo's Golden Device

Car screaming - music blaring - not another soul in sight.  I was all alone on what had to be the most deserted road in America.

I put my foot even harder on the pedal and prayed there were no cops around.  Wind gashing at me through the cracks in the windows.  I wasn't quite sure what that note from Maud had meant... I just had to go.

She left me a small note on the receipt from breakfast the other day.  Said something about a golden device.

We ate at Yargo's Diner every 3rd Sunday of the month and it was her turn to pay again.  Only this time - she looked a little weird.  She had this strange bump on her head and was talking nonsense.

"Whoa, whoa whoa!  Slow down Maud.  This isn't school anymore - we can take it slow.  I know I act like a 2nd grader sometimes, but seriously - get a grip!" I said.

"Sorry," Maud let out with a pant, "I'm just so... so... weirded out by the feel of this place now.  I had a dream."

"What?  Oh not this again."

"Whatever.  I don't have time for this."  She said gripping the table to stand up.

I grabbed her hand and tilted her chin toward my direction.  "Maud - I didn't mean..."

"Look, I don't have time.  You have to find the pole in the wide open dust.  That's all I can tell you.  I've got to go."

"...I don't know what you're talking about.  You mean the old stomping grounds?" I said, confused.

"Maybe - I haven't been." She said, recoiling her hand.  "I just feel different about this one, Bud.  Something different.  I gotta go."

"Fine," I said, "but I'll collect the gas money next Sunday!"

* * *

You know, I never saw her again.  I think it had something to do with the device I found buried near that old flag-pole.  Not to mention my hand hasn’t been the same since.

Gigantic Glass Wall

I stood there at the gate.  Not really sure what to do but crawl under.  The posts were enormous at my height.

Something strange had happened the night before in the wretched November storm.  I awoke early in the morning by a barrage of white flashes through my bedroom window.  Startled, I hobbled into the living room with a slab of annoyance on my back.

I briefly peered out the back door's wide opening to see a small figure.  Almost gnome-like, but with ears at least a foot long and 's' shaped.  It just stood there... staring.  I say 'it', but he had the appearance of a rather gruff old man - in fireplace mantle size.

I couldn't think of what else to do but go out onto the back porch.  Surely, I had to be in some type of sleep-induced stupor.  This couldn't be real.  I had nothing funny to eat or drink the night before.  Though, I'll admit, that extra piece of cake after dinner was unnecessary.

The door cracked as I gently tugged inward and another quick flash temporarily blinded me.

When my eyes readjusted to the darkness, I couldn't help but notice that the gnome-man had grown!  I'm not talking a mere couple of inches.  We were now standing eye to eye and nose to nose!

I had a full heart to jump back and crash through the door's glass.  But instead, I just froze.  Staring.  Wondering who would make the first move... if I even had a chance to make a move.

"You are but a wheat top waving in the storm's breath, Harry." He let out with a low grumble.

"What?  My name's Richard, this is my house, and I was trying to sleep!" I said.

"A breath is but a passing moment in such a short life-span, child."

"Look - I don't know what you're talking about... how'd you get so big, anyway?"

"You are surrounded by confusion.  Your perspective has changed, yes, but it is not I you need worry about."

I took a quick glance around.  There beside me stood a 10' tall set of porch furniture... or at least it seemed that way.  The door - that passageway to this mess - had turned into a gigantic glass wall, the metal knob taunting me from floors above.

"WHAT!  What the hell did you do to me?!"

"Your setting is wrong - this is no doing of the Darkland, friend.  This is a gift.  This is your portal to life as it is meant to be seen.  Your veil has been lifted, little one.  Be free.  Just be."

The gnome-man vanished without a trace.  I stood alone on my back porch, in my underwear, which would now be mistaken for a Ken-doll's clothing, and not a bit of the whole made sense.

The only thing that came to mind was had I sprayed for fire-ants, yet?  This was going to be a rough night.

Become a Better Writer - One Scheduled Free-Writing Session at a Time

I've finally decided to open up another blog.  Not one that really matters too much to anyone else but myself.

Still reading?  :)

A few days back, I did a "time inventory" on how I spend my "free time" at night.  I culled a lot of the crap stuff (like Empire Avenue, too much YouTube, and way too much stats checking for everything else).

So what?  What does this have to do with free-writing sessions?  Good questions!

I now have a lean and mean schedule go-by posted right smack in front of my face!  I have 2 main posts days (Sunday and Wednesday) for articles over on my main site: http://richardstep.com/.  But since I want to keep my writing mind fresh - I've scheduled free-writing sessions for the other days of the week.

I am going to use this blog as an archive of these creations.

I'll be testing out writing-craft tools, methods, ideas, or just plain messing around.

I realize I am talking to myself... but dog-gone-it... I'm okay with that.  I'm special.  People like me.  People like me, like me.  I like me.  Me.

What?  I need a nap.