How bad do you want your dreams to come true?
This was a question asked of me recently and it actually freaked me out. I didn't really know how to answer the question. It made me think about what the question really meant. Here's what I came up with.
Because of what my dreams and goals are...
How bad do you want to be published? If you don't want it bad enough it simply will not happen. Sitting on your ass talking about a book idea, a screenplay or even an article will get you nowhere fast! To make it happen you gotta get your butt in the chair, write it, edit it and shop it. You have to WANT to eat, breathe and sleep it to make it. Don't want it bad enough? Then move on. Half assing anything is not worth it.
How bad do you want to be known? Once the book is written and edited you have to market the crap out of it! There is no excuse to not turn yourself into a brand that you are trying to advertise! Steven King is a brand, Danielle Steele is a brand, JK Rowling is a brand and without a successful marketing plan, they never would have gotten to be household names!
How bad do you want to retire/be financially independent? You have to decide now how much you need to retire or to be financially independent and then set all tracks towards that goal. Just like everything else though, if you don't eat, breathe and sleep it, it's over.
In case you haven't figured it out :) My goals are to be well known, get books published and be financially independent. If I don't want it bad enough I know it's not going to happen. Other people telling me to make it happen won't help! I have to pump myself up and make it happen.
So, figure out what you want and decide if you want it bad enough to make your desires come to fruition!
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Saturday, August 9, 2008
VIDEO: R.I.P. Bernie Mac!
If you haven't heard yet, comedian Bernie Mac passed away today at the age of 50 after a battle with pneumonia. I can't say that I really followed his work super-closely, but I always found him hilarious as hell in the things I have seen him in. Regardless, this is a ridiculous tragedy, as the man was very talented, charismatic and just way too young to have his life cut short. However, he has left plenty of material to enjoy, including the below clip from Chris Rock's 2003 comedy Head of State. Rest in peace, Bernie Mac. You will be missed...
BREAKING NEWS: The SECOND-EVER Crooked Table Meeting!!!
At last, the announcement you've all been waiting for... Up-and-coming writers' blogsite The Crooked Table is hosting its SECOND-EVER meeting on Wednesday, September 10. Like last time, we will meet at Cafe Kili at 7pm to discuss the future of the Table, the logo, everyone's project and more.
In addition, we will be having our first critique session so feel free to bring a sample of your work. This could be a short story, a poem or two, a chapter of a novel, a few scenes of a script or even a song. Constructive criticism only so don't be shy!
Cafe Kili closes at 9pm, and then The Crooked Table Crew will move the party over to the University Area Hangout down the road (across from University Mall). Karaoke madness begins at 10pm so be ready for your moment in the spotlight.
If you're unable to make it to the meeting but still want to take part in the after-party (or vice versa), feel free to do so. And as always, please help support the creative-minded goals of the Table by spreading the word! Thanks everyone!
If you have any questions or anything, feel free e-mail me at RobertYaniz1983@aol.com. I hope to see you all at the meeting!
-Rob
In addition, we will be having our first critique session so feel free to bring a sample of your work. This could be a short story, a poem or two, a chapter of a novel, a few scenes of a script or even a song. Constructive criticism only so don't be shy!
Cafe Kili closes at 9pm, and then The Crooked Table Crew will move the party over to the University Area Hangout down the road (across from University Mall). Karaoke madness begins at 10pm so be ready for your moment in the spotlight.
If you're unable to make it to the meeting but still want to take part in the after-party (or vice versa), feel free to do so. And as always, please help support the creative-minded goals of the Table by spreading the word! Thanks everyone!
If you have any questions or anything, feel free e-mail me at RobertYaniz1983@aol.com. I hope to see you all at the meeting!
-Rob
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Want to participate in (OR judge) a writing contest?
Hey fellow Tablers,
Any of you that are even remotely involved in The Crooked Table know how important I think it is for writers to stick together. Well, in keeping with that theme, I wanted to share something pretty cool with you all.
The Tampa Writers Alliance (tampawriters.org) is hosting its annual writing contest this fall and is currently accepting submissions. It covers a number of different types of writing, and though the prize in not extraordinary, it's really more about getting your work out there. Besides, doesn't the phrase "award-winning writer" have a nice ring to it... ;) For all the details, see tampawriters.org/contest.htm.
Also, I have been recruited by TWA's president Michael Darling (who reached out to me through the Business Journal) to serve as a judge in the contest. I mentioned that I know a helluva lot of talented writers, and he seemed very enthusiastic when I mentioned I would help spread the word to other potential judges with a passion for writing. All that's required is to devote a single Saturday in November to reviewing the submissions, and all judges receive free admission to the awards banquet in January. For those of you looking to give back something to other aspiring writers or even looking to network with others in the industry, this could be your chance...
Anyway, I've done my part for today... Let me know if you are interested in either entering the contest or becoming a judge, and I'll help facilitate the contact between you and Mr. Darling.
Thanks for reading as always, and stay tuned to a new Table post from yours truly within the next few days!
Happy writing, everyone!
Rob...signing out...
Any of you that are even remotely involved in The Crooked Table know how important I think it is for writers to stick together. Well, in keeping with that theme, I wanted to share something pretty cool with you all.
The Tampa Writers Alliance (tampawriters.org) is hosting its annual writing contest this fall and is currently accepting submissions. It covers a number of different types of writing, and though the prize in not extraordinary, it's really more about getting your work out there. Besides, doesn't the phrase "award-winning writer" have a nice ring to it... ;) For all the details, see tampawriters.org/contest.htm.
Also, I have been recruited by TWA's president Michael Darling (who reached out to me through the Business Journal) to serve as a judge in the contest. I mentioned that I know a helluva lot of talented writers, and he seemed very enthusiastic when I mentioned I would help spread the word to other potential judges with a passion for writing. All that's required is to devote a single Saturday in November to reviewing the submissions, and all judges receive free admission to the awards banquet in January. For those of you looking to give back something to other aspiring writers or even looking to network with others in the industry, this could be your chance...
Anyway, I've done my part for today... Let me know if you are interested in either entering the contest or becoming a judge, and I'll help facilitate the contact between you and Mr. Darling.
Thanks for reading as always, and stay tuned to a new Table post from yours truly within the next few days!
Happy writing, everyone!
Rob...signing out...
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Partial Book Review Part 1: Character
Recently my family and I went on vacation to the beach. It was one of those rare weeks where I could actually sit down with a book and read more than two sentences in a row. The book I chose was Novel Voices: 17 Award Winning Novelists on How to Write, Edit and Get Published, edited by Jennifer Levasseur and Kevin Rabalais. Now, as I said, I was able to read more than a few sentences at a time, but I wasn't able to read more than a few pages. So I only got about half way through. Even though I haven't finished it I've really enjoyed it.
The thing that is great about this book is that several different authors--from different genres--are interviewed, giving their opinions on the writing, editing and publishing process. Its great because a lot of the trials they face are things that I have problems with too. One of my favorite interviews so far is with Richard Bausch (I will admit I have never read any of his work). According to his bio, he has written a substantial volume of short stories and novels. I wanted to share a couple of things he said that really struck me.
One of the things he talked a lot about was character driven stories. He "...takes characters whom he loves and visits troubles upon them." I loved that. Maybe a little too much. There is something sadistic about being a writer, you know? We make up these worlds and these people and then wreak havoc on them. But the conflict and the character development that results is what makes the story. Bausch says, "Fiction is about trouble. I make up characters who are decent or who are trying to be decent, and I add trouble. The more the better."
Another author, Charles Baxter, said this of character and conflict: "I see it in relation to a Parker Brothers board game from my childhood called Careers. In that game, you had to get sixty points, and you had to decide ahead of time what you wanted and in what proportion. The points could be in fame, money, or love. You could go broke and say, 'All I want is sixty points in love.' The first person to get sixty points in the proportion he or she asks for wins. If you say at the beginning that you want sixty points in love and you get sixty points in fame, you don't win because you got something you didn't want. This is a pretty good metaphor not only for life, but for narrative, as well...characters are often in a state of lifelong dramatic irony."
Carrie Brown had this to say about character: "Empathy is, for me, [the] route to understanding and creating character. I don't necessarily like a character, but I have to know him; I know what it feels to be like him." In the same way, Andre Dubus said, "I try to see the characters, to know some of their history. I think about characters for a long time rather than just starting the story and seeing what they do. I like to feel that I can get inside of a character. I used to tell students to write sketches. I told them to know if their character prefers a bath or a shower."
I'll admit, character has been a weak point for me. I'm alright at creating worlds, vivid details, exciting story lines and action. But when it comes to emotional development I'm, well...stunted. This advice (there was obviously a lot more in the book) has already helped me become better at writing more realistic characters. Hope some of this inspires you guys to get to your computer or notebook and start writing!!
The thing that is great about this book is that several different authors--from different genres--are interviewed, giving their opinions on the writing, editing and publishing process. Its great because a lot of the trials they face are things that I have problems with too. One of my favorite interviews so far is with Richard Bausch (I will admit I have never read any of his work). According to his bio, he has written a substantial volume of short stories and novels. I wanted to share a couple of things he said that really struck me.
One of the things he talked a lot about was character driven stories. He "...takes characters whom he loves and visits troubles upon them." I loved that. Maybe a little too much. There is something sadistic about being a writer, you know? We make up these worlds and these people and then wreak havoc on them. But the conflict and the character development that results is what makes the story. Bausch says, "Fiction is about trouble. I make up characters who are decent or who are trying to be decent, and I add trouble. The more the better."
Another author, Charles Baxter, said this of character and conflict: "I see it in relation to a Parker Brothers board game from my childhood called Careers. In that game, you had to get sixty points, and you had to decide ahead of time what you wanted and in what proportion. The points could be in fame, money, or love. You could go broke and say, 'All I want is sixty points in love.' The first person to get sixty points in the proportion he or she asks for wins. If you say at the beginning that you want sixty points in love and you get sixty points in fame, you don't win because you got something you didn't want. This is a pretty good metaphor not only for life, but for narrative, as well...characters are often in a state of lifelong dramatic irony."
Carrie Brown had this to say about character: "Empathy is, for me, [the] route to understanding and creating character. I don't necessarily like a character, but I have to know him; I know what it feels to be like him." In the same way, Andre Dubus said, "I try to see the characters, to know some of their history. I think about characters for a long time rather than just starting the story and seeing what they do. I like to feel that I can get inside of a character. I used to tell students to write sketches. I told them to know if their character prefers a bath or a shower."
I'll admit, character has been a weak point for me. I'm alright at creating worlds, vivid details, exciting story lines and action. But when it comes to emotional development I'm, well...stunted. This advice (there was obviously a lot more in the book) has already helped me become better at writing more realistic characters. Hope some of this inspires you guys to get to your computer or notebook and start writing!!
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