Thursday, February 27, 2014

FREE Courses To Help You Expand Your Knowledge Base


Writing is a continuous process, always leading in new directions and to new ideas. As we sit at our desks, characters sometimes blaze the way - at other times we need to coax them along, and end up with pages of prose that need our fervent hand to delete the 'little darlings' - those words we feel, yet they don't belong in the story.
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/images/ww0015s.jpg

Even the best of authors had their moments of rehashing, rewriting, rearranging of the words.... so as writers ourselves, we need to read the work on the previous pavement, study the methods, and hopefully it will add dimension to our own craft.


Walt Whitman, one of the most original of American writers, was no exception.  In fact, he viewed his work as a continuous work in progress. In that light, his most famous poem, Song to Myself  was published in various layouts at various times.  

 
It began as  I celebrate myself in the 1855 edition.  
In the 1856 edition, it is called Poem of Walt Whitman, an American. 
In 1860, it is simply, Walt Whitman. So it is in 1867 and 1871.


The original form was continuous, but the last and most updated version in 1881 was fixed into 52 parts.

 
Currently there is a course offered for FREE at The Writing University for a  MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) for creative writing through the International Writing Program at the University of Iowa


   Every Atom

In this course we are hearing analysis and participating in discussions about Walt Whitman's  
Song of Myself 
Please find a free copy from 
Leaves of Grass Distributed under a Creative Commons Licencse and edited by  Ed Folsom & Kenneth M. Price

http://www.whitmanarchive.org/published/LG/1881/poems/27


Check out the many other MOOC's available. Expand your knowledge base. The more a person learns,  the more that person needs to know...  

A wise person realizes this insatiable thirst, yearns for more knowledge from within this world, and grasps at it with a curious hand.


There are a multitude of free courses available on-line and for many subjects: science, philosophy, writing, business



Challenge yourself and learn something NEW or just brush up on something you thought you knew...


You can check out these places for more Info:  
For those on the go - Pod casts and Audio books are the way to go. Check out these free resources too!


 


Keep reading - Keep writing!

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Today - Some Virtual Places with Great Info

Education never ends, we learn new things each day, especially curious souls like us.

If you have been in the same job, lived in the same town, socialized with the same friends - for years now, you may need a lift.



There are a multitude of free courses available on-line

 I strongly recommend that you challenge yourself from time to time. You can check out these places for more Info:  

There are also events - on-line webinars, which can be fun.

 

Currently there are two events happening TODAY that may have some good information for you.

  • ONE - #ContentTECH

    ContentTECH  


    In the #ContentTECH portal (virtual event) there is some helpful info about various ideas on Content Strategy, a topic I have been talking about lately.  Check out a free eBook given out from a sponsor of the event Act-On Software - it has some helpful ideas to help focus your message to your readers.
     
         8 Content Marketing Mistakes To Avoid


In the Indie Recon event - you can go back and watch what happened yesterday, and join in today's events too. It is never too late to join the conversation or learn something new. 
Here is the schedule.

Keep reading - Keep writing!

 

 




Thursday, January 30, 2014

An Author's Treasure - Kind Words And Feedback About Their Art




http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/nice-flower George Hodan

 Making ART is one of the most challenging things to do in life.

 

So many of us make things - but what makes it ART?


publicdomainpictures.net/sewing


It connects part of you to others when you share the art.  For example if you like to sew clothes and you make a dress for your daughter to wear to a party - I would consider that ART.  It was created and shared - and it was original.  If you write a poem or limerick about something dear to you, and you share it on Facebook - isn't that art too?  I think so.


Art is something that comes from the heart.



Art doesn't have to be a commodity that is sold.  It can be a drawing, a poem, song or dance, stage play or a story shared.  It can be anything you create that frees part of your soul What truly makes ART shine is the sharing of it.


There is nothing better than writing a story, sharing it, and hearing feedback, especially if someone has been moved by your work.  Sometimes words read in a book can alter your view of things, and open up your mind to new ideas and possibilities.  This was one of the things that happened when I read The Answer To Your Question by Paulette Alden.  You can read my review here.  Other stories are merely to entertain and take us to other worlds to live vicariously for a moment like The Taste Of Fear by Jeremy Bates.  You can read my review on that story here

A book takes us to places in the imagination and allows us see things in a different light.


To all authors out there - keep heart even when you don't get that feedback right off.  Eventually your voice will be heard when your words reach that special reader who needed your ART to touch their heart.


http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/woman-and-the-book George HodanFor all readers - please don't hesitate to give feedback to those who bare their souls on the pages.  Your support and kind words are treasure.  Anyone who creates ART and is brave enough to share it with others is truly my hero.  I look at the work of other authors and think 'how wonderful their mind works' and how lucky I am they shared their ART.  Make yourself happy today and read a book.  Make an author happy and write a review.


 

Keep reading - Keep writing!












Monday, January 13, 2014

Reinventing Yourself - Growing Better (Be a mentor - Share your experience)

You never thought about it before - it always looked so far away, then - S-M-A-CK-  you're there. One day you wake up, look in the mirror and realize, 'Hey I'm 50 - something!'



Some people are so comfortable in their routine they think there is nothing more to learn after they hit the 50's...  but for those who still want to figure out 'what they want to be when they grow up', and those who like change, and want to reinvent themselves, take heart.


Today, age is nothing more than a number.  Who cares if you're 50-something?  What matters most is growing - not old - but evolving into a better person.  We will never reach perfection, but that doesn't mean we can't keep reaching and learning new ideas.


Many baby boomers use their older years to do the things they always wanted to do in their bucket list.  That can be good - but I challenge anyone - no matter how young or old - to do something that will help someone else.  Bucket lists fill a personal need but doesn't reach out to others.

Next week Jan 17th - 19th join the 2nd Annual "Pay It Forward" event and do a random act of kindness.  See you there...   This is one challenge that will help you become a mentor instead of the 'main character', and share your talents for the benefit of another.  This can be an empowering moment for all.

In the meantime, don't worry about your age - Just be honest with yourself.  If you are not happy with your current situation don't be afraid to change - it is never too late to learn something new.  Make yourself useful, for yourself and others too.  Share your experiences and knowledge.


I started writing, not knowing exactly what I was searching for - a new career (at my age, really?) - a change - a channel to be creative.  During my journey I learned new things, added tools to my knowledge base, met new people with fresh ideas (and old ideas too) but mostly I challenged myself every day.


You can't help but grow when you are faced with a challenge.


So don't get depressed if you are like me, getting older - Remember you are still alive and kicking and it's a great big world out there.  Today we have so much information at our fingers, there is no excuse to find something new and invigorating, adding to your quality of life.


Don't be afraid to reinvent yourself - Grow into a better you.



Keep reading - Keep writing!





Monday, October 28, 2013

"Murder In The Bloody Pit" short story is free again this year for Halloween (Learn more about the haunted Hoosac Tunnel - reposting original Oct 13 2012)


The retelling of a Hoosac Tunnel ghost story:  A tale of murder and hauntings in 1866

After years of being envisioned, work on the Hoosac Tunnel finally began in 1852.  By 1873 with 193 deaths tallied, the tunnel was realized.  This was a major accomplishment of the times and was the longest tunnel of the day at 4 ¾ miles long.  Many attribute the success of this great engineering venture to three factors:  the diligent work of the W & F Shanly & Company contractors who revived the project in 1868, the use of pneumatic drills (Burleigh Drill), and a safer nitroglycerin along with electric blasting caps (new explosive Tri-Nitro-Glycerin invented by George M. Mowbray).   The project was sought after by Industrialists of the day, Alvah Crocker a paper manufacturer in Fitchburg, being the most ardent proponent.  There was a long list of Engineers tasked with the design, many experiencing failure before the final success was achieved. 
Many of the deaths were the result of cave-ins experienced, air shafts accidents, explosions and more.  The most devastating was the collapse after an explosion in the center shaft on October 17, 1867.  The frame work above the center air shaft caught fire and collapsed into the shaft, causing an explosion from the built up fumes, and filling the shaft with water.  Thirteen workers were trapped and drowned, if not already killed from the fire.  Their bodies were not fully recovered until a year later.  This brought much speculation about the ‘Bloody Pit’ and slowed the progress of the project. 
Among the long list of victims claimed by the ‘Bloody Pit’ were three men who worked together as a team using nitro to blast the monstrous black rock.  The name Ringo Kelly was never mentioned in the official recorded history of the Hoosac Tunnel.  But in 1865 a blast happened and two of the team ended up buried in rock.  The local gossip claimed Ringo Kelly ignited the blast early, before the others could reach the safety barrier.  Ringo Kelly went missing for a year and a half.  Then he was found murdered in the tunnel.  Now he is mentioned in bizarre folklore surrounding his murder.  Riddled by rumors only, he supposedly was haunted in 1866 by his two friends, his victims, and killed in vengeance
 The official cause of death for Ringo was strangulation.  Still rumors claimed he was chased down by the vengeful ghosts.  He was found dead in almost the same spot his two coworkers were killed.  What really happened to Ringo Kelly? 
Now 146 years later no one knows the real story.  Did he 'accidentally on purpose' kill his friends Ned Brinkman and Billy Nash?  The rumors claim he intentionally set the charge early.  What was the motivation for Ringo to end his friend’s lives? There is no explanation offered.   We do know that it was the first time nitro was being used on a major project of this scope. Nitro is very unstable, and most likely the entire episode was a mere accident.
Unfortunately for Ringo Kelly, the ghosts of Ned and Billy didn't understand.  A year later they found poor Ringo Kelly dead.  What is the real story?  Does anyone really know what happened?   
Here is one theory about this unfortunate happening.  Could this be the real story and reason behind it all….   

MURDER-THE-BLOODY-PIT-ebook - Kindle

Now FREE at Amazon 


and other stores


If you are interested in more information about the Hoosac Tunnel, its history and folklore of hauntings, please go to these sites attached to this post, and/or watch the film documentaries on the Hoosac Tunnel.
Have a ghostly good time.









LINKS to more information:


More videos:







Hoosac Tunnel - Engineering Program Audio     This is a great audio
















 







 













Thursday, October 24, 2013

Monsters Are Real - We Fool Ourselves


Human Monsters

The late morning sun was warm on my face, with closed eyes I drifted into rest,
Neighborhood dogs were barking, one trying to outdo the other, sounds growing louder.
The caws of birds and some squeaks in flight, then the buzz, of bees
Working diligently, going from one flower to the next,
Gathering the last of the blossom pollen to make their nectar.
We humans are part of this nature –
 
We too gather and toil away by shear instinct, when we allow.
Often we manifest ourselves with our intellect instead,
That part of us, We think, that ranks us above the rest of nature.
We use it to reason, to excuse and create, but sometimes it is the birthplace for the unthinkable.
It is a ruse, a screen, and a place to hide the hideous things we reason inside.
Our darkest thoughts are raised by it, turned into monsters and then we do the unnatural –
 
We hurt, war, kill and maim in the name of humanity.
We bring our rank down below the natural world; we turn ourselves into the devil.
Can we turn our dark to light, and bring thoughts forward to uplift?
Politicians are not the only users of the screen – we all use the words to hide.
So each day you choose your road – intellect or nature…. Do what is natural,
Be part of the earth, uplift each other and keep the monsters in the closets of the other’s mind.
 
Like an animal, watchful of danger, stay away from the human monsters.
Be an example of the goodness that comes when we follow our nature,
True human nature, which thrives on community and the spirit of friendship,
Creation for its own sake, for beauty to be shared,
And where monsters are make-believe, and
Not dreamt up to explain the horrors done, from man onto man.
 
 
 
 
Photography & Poem Created by Elisabeth Zguta ©
 

Keep reading - Keep writing!



Wednesday, October 16, 2013

A Great Scary Story (audio) & thoughts on Audio books

It's getting closer to Halloween! 

My favorite time of year because it's acceptable to wear dark clothing, and it's the seasonal décor to have cobwebs in your house.

No one thinks badly of you for liking horror stories this time of year.  So on with the dark tales.  I was surfing the net and found this wonderful tale.  I wanted to share it - for anyone else out there who appreciates a good tale.

So turn up the volume and listen to this story -   I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

 

Scary Stories : Don't Look Out The Window


Published on Jun 8, 2012    Scary stories to chill your bones. If you wish to see more of these tales in the future than please comment, rate, and subscribe. Illustrations are by Silvina Rinaldi and it is narrated by Kellie Fitzgerald. Stories are written by yours truly (Legends of Fear).

 

 

After hearing this recorded story it made me think more seriously about researching Audio books.

 
 I began my search with LibriVox (public domain audio books) and  audiobooks.org - both sites offer free books, a good place to begin the journey of getting to know the sound of a good story teller.  Then I went to Amazon's acx platform which offers a way for any publisher to offer their book as audio.  They have some good acx help posts for the newbie (like me).  I think the key to a great audio book would be hiring a great storyteller. 
 
Readers audition  for the part in your book.  They get paid by the job, or sometimes they can be offered a slice of your earnings (of course this works better for more seasoned writers with previous sales to back their offers).  This got me to wonder how these readers are trained, so then I surfed the web again and this  'How to become an Audiobook reader' post from eHow was helpful. (more posts on the side tab too)  As usual too many ideas!
 
It is another avenue to use to help create more markets for your book.  There are so many new roads to wander off from this self-publishing path.  As always, do the research, find what works for you, and make a plan.  It's okay for the plan to change, as long as you still keep on your own path towards your own target.
 
I find myself wandering off sometimes and get discouraged, then I remind myself of what my goals are.  Things take time - most writers are not over night success stories.  Remember the important things.


Keep reading - Keep writing!


Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Curses - Haunted By Them - Or Thrilled?

Labor Day is over, school is back in session, and another autumn is upon us.  The cooler fall evenings get me in the mood to cuddle up with a good horror book, or watch one of the old detective or monster films.

That's right - I am that person.  I love the autumn, love Halloween, and love a good scary story.


That's the reason my first novel BREAKING CURSED BONDS was released for this fall.  Usually it is better to wait until January and avoid being plunged in with the fall glutton of new books on the market, but I really think my story belongs in the darker days of autumn.

The main story begins with an ancient book that tells the tale of how an ancient curse befell the De Gourgues family - back in 1565!  A spiritual ceremony went wrong when an evil element was added to the mix.   A curse was created - causing a history of deadly consequences.

If you like the subject of curses and the spiritual realm, then you may like an interesting website  The Mystica   I discovered.  There is a post explaining curses which listed some of the history about how possession, voodoo mystical spells and the paranormal magic and how
they were used in different cultures.  Of course there is a lot more out there for those who dare dabble with the supernatural.

Soon Halloween will be upon us, and we will watch our thrillers and read about witches and spells - but be warned, there are many out there who believe in supernatural with all the revelry.  So be careful and always keep an open mind.


Keep reading - Keep writing!


TOP TEN HORROR FILM TRAILERS FOR 2013 - Which is your favorite?



Some Classic Reads -


  
                                                                Calamity-Town-Ellery Queen eBook

 
And here is my new book -



Friday, August 23, 2013

Bravo Writing Community - Thank you! For your Enthusiasm & Guidance

Yes the end of the road is near...

Soon the eBook version of BREAKING CURSED BONDS will be released, and...

I would love to take a breather, but where one road ends - another begins!

Once the eBook is available September 1st, then promotion will be needed, as well as finishing up on the paperback formatting which will be released in November 2013.  I am a new author and self-publisher, and all this work to get the story finished has been a new experience with a wide learning curve.  Anyone who has a story to share can do it, and if your tool belt is rusty just ask for help.
 
My previous lines of work did not involve the same tools needed to write and publish.  I had a lot to learn.

I turned to fellow authors in the writing community, many who were happy to share their experiences and knowledge.

While every journey is unique, I was thankful for all the marvelous people who call themselves writers and authors.
 
In many business formats, competition rules, often cut throat competition.  One thing I have noticed in the modern world of independent publishing is that while there is still competition - it is more of a community of sharing, and collaborating.  We sponsor each other with blog hops, we promote each other's books, platforms, blogs, websites, and anything else we create.  It is a wonderful thing to be involved in a community so sharing and open.
 
There are now groups that help self-publishers like AiA (Assoc. of Independent Authors) and ALLi (the Alliance of Independent Authors).  Of course not everything is always rosy, there have been a few who chose to write bad reviews to stack the deck, but it is at a minimum.  They get called out by the community protests with their Facebook posts, tweets and blog posts.  As a writing community they will not let abuse go on without the outcry for moral and civilized actions.  The individual is still respected as an individual with a unique right to freedom of speech, we are all encouraged to act responsibly and with care.

This profession of writing is evolving to face the new challenges in the free world.

Since the wide world web has given access to so much, we are experiencing new trends.  So if anyone can give real sound advice to a newbie like me it has to be something like this -
 "Keep your eyes open, watch and learn, because it changes fast, and we need to swim with the tide." 
The bottom line is to keep writing, tell your story, share with the community and be true to yourself.

Keep reading! - Keep writing!

Friday, August 2, 2013

Connectivity - A Relative Concept - Is Speed the Most Important Aspect? or Freedom

 

Are We Really All Connected?

Another Friday - another week gone by, and still we are all probably working on our same projects.  Sometimes it feels like we are not moving fast enough, especially in this culture of quick impulses and fast connections.  I was astounded when I read a report that the US has very slow internet connectivity speeds. Check it out here at govtech.com .   Hong Kong was the leader for speed.  It's so funny, because not matter how fast the speed gets I still want it faster - how about you?
There are of course other factors to consider.  We may not have the fasted connectivity but we are the biggest users.  Find out more if your interested - Global Internet Users has been changing.
 
I personally hope as we think about our connectivity to others, our access and speed, that we also think about our freedoms and responsibilities.  We cannot take things for granted anymore.  Everyday we are reminded about the shadow of 'Big Brother' watching (and listening & gathering data)  I don't want to live my life monitoring every word out of my mouth afraid of censorship or worse - but at the same time I do realize I need to be responsible and send out inoffensive content because I don't want to be a negative influencer, but a positive part of the society as a hole.  So we all need to KEEP our FREEDOM in mind, and make sure we never lose our most precise asset of the internet connectivity.
 
 
I will be going on a short vacation next week, to see some of my family, and I will not be as active online.  My travels will lead me into the rolling Berkshire Hills where there is often a spot without any connectivity to be had :(  but the scenery is worth it!  Some may not check FB or tweet at all when on vacation, but I am not so sure I can manage that for ten days.  Still there will be days my hand is forced because there will be no internet access, so it will be an experiment as I walk along and say 'Can YOU hear me now' - here is a short clip about someone's plan to leave - although he intends to never come back!  I will return :)
 
Keep reading - Keep writing!
 
 
See you in the Shire :)

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Tips To Help Shape Up Your Manuscript

This is some of the hardest work any writer confronts - Rewriting and Editing, but there are some methods you can use to help you stay focused and work through with a continuous hand.  First off, I am not a teacher or a paid professional coach, I just know what works best for me, and used advise I was given from various sources.

Most of us do free writing on the first draft.  This is when we let our imagination go wild, and we let our 'muse' do its best.  Many writers use NaNoWriMo for this first draft, and it helps to keep focused on result.  You can do this yourself anytime, by setting up word count objectives each day.

After we finish the first draft we have a mess of jumbled up ideas.  You can at this point go to an editor to make sure your story thread rings true, but you still have to do the rework yourself.

Now pull up your sleeves and work through your draft.  If you went to an editor consider all their points as you rewrite.  Don't be afraid to delete where appropriate, and add where more information is needed.
Here are some steps I try to follow:
  • Read your entire manuscript through once without stopping, and then set aside for it to incubate a day or so.
  • Go back and make a complete outline of each character - know who they are and how they react, what they like, dislike, do and say.  If you did this already with the draft's outline, revisit to make sure you caught everything.  Some things may have developed as you wrote the draft, and need to be added.
  • Go back to manuscript and read it out loud, one chapter at a time, to make sure it sounds correct, especially when it comes to dialog, and fix wherever needed so your true character rings through.  Make notes where you need to change things.
  • Go back again, and make sure each chapter has the correct tension, using a set goal with actions that lead to a disaster or some form of hook to keep the reader wanting more.
  • If you do not use Scrivener or some form of software with outline capabilities, use the board approach for this part.  If not, then consider creating an excel sheet to track each scene, and list the main idea for each scene - by doing this you can see how the entire piece works and flows.
  • When you have the scenes outlined by goal - reactions - disaster/hook, look it over and see where you might need to add tension or details to keep the flow smooth, and the tension correct.
Go back to manuscript again, this time looking for offenses some of us (including me) most often have scattered throughout:
  • Watch out for head hopping (jumping from one person's thoughts to another) and make sure the POV for each scene is only one person.
  • Correct verb tenses, make sure everything is consistent.  This gets tricky if you are using flashbacks etc.
  • If you have used a spell checker in your document, go through again manually.  Sometimes a word is spelled correct but its the wrong word, (like of instead of off).  Some say this works best if you go backwards and start at end - I think you just need to proceed slowly and don't read, just look.
This so far has gotten you to a pretty good place, and you hopefully have read through your manuscript at least half a dozen times by now.  - This is the point where your may want to go to an editor again.  Put it aside for awhile - and then after a week or so.

YOU GUESSED IT - go back and read your manuscript again, this time with a highlighter and pencil, if you have it printed.  I like to do a quick conversion to an eBook format, and then I read in my reader and use the highlight feature of my kindle or Ipad.  (anyone can do this with Calibre or similar software)  Highlight anything that sounds out of sorts, make notes (you won't remember).  Then go back to your manuscript and make the changes.  For this part I like to do it chapter by chapter...

By the time you have finished editing you should have gone through the story at least half a dozen times, but most likely closer to over a dozen.  The last part, I actually repeat many times over.  Maybe some can get this all done in one sweep, but I know for myself, I read my manuscript at least fifty times (I lost count).

The thing is, as you set your work aside and incubate, you may come up with some new ideas to add.  If you do - go for it.  This is how we get the extra twists and turns, the symbolism, the ideas that are threaded throughout.  These writing techniques don't just happen with our original idea, they take time to turn over.

One more suggestion I very strongly believe you should use - Beta readers.  Get feedback from others, even if you use an editor.  The feedback will be enlightening.  When someone else who is objective reads your work, they will see things you missed.  Listen with an open ear, and consider their points.  This will make for a better story overall.

So you say "This is a lot of work!"  Yes it is.  This is the meat that makes up writing.  These steps are crucial to any manuscript.  Bottom line, it takes a lot of time, patience, and reworking, to have a manuscript turn into a novel.  Don't get overwhelmed - but instead take it step by step, one section at a time.  Your work will reveal a well written story for others to enjoy, and that is the goal.

Keep reading - Keep writing!