Sunday, August 17, 2008 Can anyone be a Best-selling Author? POST A COMMENT Having hit page 165 of Meg Gardiners "The Dirty Secrets Club" -- (that book Stephen King hailed as "The next suspense superstar") -- 'meant it was high time I took a few minutes to Google-her-ass; If only to investigate how a person gets to be this talented. I mean, do good writers just wake up with a silver-pen in their mouth, or what? I'll offer my full review here when I'm done reading it, but if you haven't heard about it, the book has been billed as a -- "thriller with a psychological bent." If y'all are feeling a bit crazy today, go join my very-own cyber-Oprahish-like-book-club, and pick up a copy, and we'll read along together...I'll hopefully be done reading it by next week -- (but I'm always curious what others think). On Gardiners personal blog she humbly answered such a reader-submitted question: "can writing be taught?" -- I'll post a few excerpts below, but I really think that reader was fishing for -- 'a few tricks of the trade... or "Hey, can a average slob like me actually become a best selling author?" Here's some of what she said: "The essentials of good writing can be learned. You can teach people how to edit, how to structure an argument, how to use evidence to prove a point." "You can train the eye and the ear to recognize cliche. You can push students to clarify sloppy thinking. You can show them how to write with strong, vivid nouns and verbs. In teaching nonfiction, you can explain how to build an argument so that it persuades the reader. You can show students how to illustrate an article or a legal brief with a single, telling detail." "Raw talent can be cultivated. And it should be." "You can open people’s eyes to the essentials of great writing. But you can’t give people a gift. You can’t teach genius." Gardiners big writing advice for newbies is to "Create sympathetic characters and put them in jeopardy. That's advice crimewriter Leonard Tourney gave me, and it's stuck. Also, grow a thick skin. Learn how to take criticism and grow from it." But, she's quick to add that you also need to have a good story to tell as well: "If my books aren't entertaining, I'm not doing my job," Gardiner adds. Because this is the world wide web -- (where every average Joe is now a critic) -- I of course felt compelled to leave my own stream of rambles in her comments section of her blog that went like this: Henry Cruz comment - "As someone with a share of fiction workshops sticking out of my side pocket; I can say that I learned more about writing when it was my turn to offer critique of other writers in my group. Maybe it was something about being “on” — or accessing dusty brain cells and allowing a part of me to “live that moment” — listen better? jump better? and dare I say, sound halfway smarter than my usual fumbling." "I just finished a scriptwriting workshop and the big advice from the teacher was to say “steal often” — (or borrow a lot), until something original clicks inside…so, what I’m saying — (or asking)…or both, being able to access my brain in various ways I find helps…or maybe I’m just dreaming it all….whaddya think?" -- Hmm, pure caffeine brilliance?...or another crazy-man's babble that you might amuse with a stiff smile. What I really meant to say I think was actually better said by one of the masters: "I think self knowledge is one of the beautiful and marvelous creative aids that we have -- know thy self," offers creator / writer of the Twilight Zone, Mr. Rod Serling. "Because you can look at yourself in the mirror and get a whole list of all the human attributes and human frailties that are extent. Whatever is wrong with you is conceivably wrong with most of your peers." "Whatever is decent and good and fine and caring that is a part of your nature is also the meritorious aspects of your peers..." Serling goes onto add that you should test out how things sound: "Just a piece of dialogue -- would I say it? -- and if I heard it would I believe it." I'd sum up the basic rules to becoming the next best-selling author like this: 1. You do need all those technical tools to be able to throw it down correctly on a page. The basic "nuts and bolts mechanics" of writing. Your basic -- "how to structure a story." How to go about -- "revising and editing," -- are all key. 'And some of that you can grasp by reading, and studying the works of other great writers. 2. But like Gardiner suggests -- doesn't it really start with creating believable, interesting characters that connect with readers; A really compelling voice on the page -- that doesn't give away all the goodies ('sorta to keep 'em guessing and turning the page). For my money, the best book out there on the craft is Stephen Kings' On Writing. Kings book is full of advice, some of it common sense, and like Gardiner he talks about the need for a... writer's toolbox: "Common tools on the top shelf (vocabulary and grammar), elements of grammar and style on the second level, along with an understanding of the paragraph as the basic element in fiction..." "If you want to be a writer," King says, "you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot." King calls reading the creative center of a writer's life. He says you gotta -- "read in small sips as well as long drinks - in waiting rooms, in line at the theater, in the checkout line at the grocery store, on the treadmill at the gym and in the john." So, before we all collectively run out to the john, let's listen as Serling drops other pearls-of-wisdom: Source: Meg Gardiner's Blog Labels: Can Writing be Taught, Meg Gardiner, Rod Serling, screenwriting, screenwriting group, stephen king, The Dirty Secrets Club, Twilight Zone, what I'm reading posted by Henry Cruz at 1:14 PM Thursday, August 07, 2008 N. gets a thumbs up... POST A COMMENT I'm lovin' Stephen Kings' "N." -- it really works as a fun online comic book -- (and will also appear in his upcoming collection Just After Sunset '08). It's the story of a "psychiatrist named Johnny who is treating a severely disturbed patients" that has an eerie watchable quality closer to NBC's Heroes...'definitely worth a-look-see... ** new episodes all month Nishere.com Labels: Cell Phones, Comic strips online, Nishere.com, stephen king posted by Henry Cruz at 5:00 AM Friday, July 25, 2008 There's a comicbook in my cell phone... POST A COMMENT Here's a stupid-idea - (unfortunately backed by some really clever folks)...'make a comic book that you can watch on your cell phone. I'm all for new technology, but Mobisodes?? - why not just make this for youtube? Maybe I'm out-of-touch...but, I don't see people sitting around watching their cell phone?? Sounds like a waste of talents -- (sorry Mr. King...this one blows). Labels: Cell Phones, Comic strips online, Marvel, Mobisodes, stephen king posted by Henry Cruz at 11:12 PM Wednesday, June 18, 2008 When life gives you Duma... POST A COMMENT Just spent 21 plus hours with the book-on-tape version of Stephen King's Duma Key...I wont give away the storyline; but, let's just say the main character has the worst day of his life...and things get worse, and of course things get a bit spooky... I'll be interested to see the condensed film version. A great story, that starts off slow -- I might have edited it down...but, if you hang in there, it's definitely a worth-while journey. I'd tip my hat to the King, but I doubt he needs any tips from me -- (his last two novels, received overwhelmingly positive criticism from The New York Times). The Cruz "Duma Key" Book Review: **** 1/2 stars (Four and half stars, out of a possible Five stars) Labels: Books, Cruz book reviews, Duma Key, stephen king posted by Henry Cruz at 4:10 AM Wednesday, June 11, 2008 Bring on the Happiness! POST A COMMENT When did it become a duty to be happy? -- 'remember a time when showing up -- and praying everything didn't fall apart -- was enough. Today everybody drowns themselves in floods-of-endless-distractions -- (setting high expectations) -- to achieve an endless non-stop-parade of happiness...'guess, since I grew up in poverty, we made-do with left-overs and searched into ourselves for the basics: family, friends, music. Today, I'm okay with small pockets of 'happy-endings' -- more along the lines of distractions from the everyday grind, and I'm good-to-go: reading, traveling, movies, writing, hanging out with friends, and taking walks are enough for me...'a nice dinner and I'm maxed-out-on happy pills. If you gotta-go-there and drown yourself in an endless-happy-hour --(to fit in with the Jones), here are eight tips -- (thanks to The Happiness Project) -- for making yourself a lot happier in the next hour: 1. Boost your energy: stand up and pace while you talk on the phone or, even better, take a brisk ten-minute walk outside. Research shows that when people move faster, their metabolism speeds up, and the activity and sunlight are good for your focus, your mood, and the retention of information. Plus, because of “emotional contagion,” if you act energetic, you’ll help the people around you feel energetic, too. 2. Reach out to friends: make a lunch date or send an email to a friend you haven’t seen in a while. Having warm, close bonds with other people is one of the keys to happiness, so take the time to stay in touch. Somewhat surprisingly, it turns out that socializing boosts the moods not only of extroverts, but also of introverts. 3. Rid yourself of a nagging task: answer a difficult email, purchase something you need, or call to make that dentist’s appointment. Crossing an irksome chore off your to-do list will give you a big rush of energy and cheer, and you’ll be surprised that you procrastinated for so long. 4. Create a calmer environment: clear some physical and mental space around your desk by sorting papers, pitching junk, stowing supplies, sending out quick responses, filing, or even just making your piles neater. A large stack of little tasks can feel overwhelming, but often just a few minutes of work can make a sizeable dent. Try to get in the habit of using the “one minute rule”—i.e., never postpone any task that can be completed in less than one minute. An uncluttered environment will contribute to a more serene mood. 5. Lay the groundwork for some future fun: order a book you’ve been wanting to read (important: not something you think you should read, but something you want to read) or plan a weekend excursion to a museum, hiking trail, sporting event, gardening store, movie theater—whatever sounds like fun. Studies show that having fun on a regular basis is a pillar of happiness, and anticipation is an important part of that pleasure. Try to involve friends or family, as well; people enjoy almost all activities more when they’re with other people than when they’re alone. 6. Do a good deed: make an email introduction of two people who could help each other, or set up a blind date, or shoot someone a piece of useful information or gratifying praise. Do good, feel good—this really works. Also, although we often believe that we act because of the way we feel, in fact, we often feel because of the way we act. When you act in a friendly way, you’ll strengthen your feelings of friendliness for other people. 7. Act happy: put a smile on your face right now, and keep smiling. Research shows that even an artificially induced smile has a positive influence on your emotions—turns out that just going through the motion of happiness brightens your mood. And if you’re smiling, other people will perceive you as being friendlier and more approachable. 8. Listen to your favorite music. Studies show that listening to music is one of the most effective ways to boost your energy and mood (second only to exercise). In fact, in one study, 92% of people felt happier when they listened to music they liked. For an added boost, dance around the room, too. This Gnarls Barkley music video makes me happy: Source: The Happiness Project Labels: Books, Duma Key, stephen king, The Happiness Project posted by Henry Cruz at 7:28 PM Friday, April 11, 2008 videogame wars: patently offensive? POST A COMMENT The King -- (um, actually Stephen King) -- has way-ed-in on the debate to criminalize those violent video games when it come to kids. The pending bill would make it "illegal to disseminate material to minors that depicts violence..." -- in effect saying "violent videogames are pornographic and have no redeeming social merit." -- Now, we can debate the social merits of the classics like: "MILF Invaders part 6" (on another day). But, to simply say that "porn" and "video games" are along those same lines is...well, kinda stupid. Isn't it more like comparing "apples" and "jockstraps" (or whatever you're into). The two just don't fit together, and ultimately, as King suggests -- "parents" should be at the helm of what their kids are playing...not "politicians" who "take it upon themselves to play surrogate parents." The bigger issue to me, if you're going to go there, are the links of sitting around on our collective fat asses -- whether just playing innocent video games, or watching the three hour recap of American Idol gone wild -- all while stuffing our faces with Domino's....I'm talking about the issue of Obesity. Now, if you really want to save the children, let's grow a pair and pitch a bill on meatier issues that effect people's lives. In the meanwhile, I've got left-over Pizza in the fridge to deal with (hey, it was 3-pies for 20 bucks, can't beat that). Labels: Obesity, stephen king, videogame, violence posted by Henry Cruz at 1:54 PM     ARCHIVES October 2005 . November 2005 . December 2005 . August 2007 . September 2007 . October 2007 . November 2007 . December 2007 . March 2008 . April 2008 . May 2008 . June 2008 . July 2008 . August 2008 . September 2008 .