Adrian's Scribbles

National Novel Writing Month

2009-10-31T16:28:00.000-07:00

November is National Novel Writing Month! This is a great project. The goal is to write 50,000 words between November 1 and November 30. This is my first year to participate. I'm not sure if I'm up to it, but I'm going to give it my best effort. If nothing else, I should have a good start on my next book. I am a bad typist, and I don't think I can even type 50,000 words in thirty days let alone construct a good plot. However, I am undaunted. I am starting at 12:01 tonight, and stopping when I fall asleep at my keyboard. I will have a pot of coffee and my Counting Crows colection (my muses). You can check out all the details at nanowrimo.org .

Duotropes Digest

2009-09-16T10:18:00.000-07:00

If you haven't heard of this site yet, then it's time to check it out. Here you will find a searchable index of publications seeking writing. I have joined this site and find it very useful. I don't normally plug sites, but this is a site that any emerging writer needs to investigate. I have added a link on the right for easy navigation.

Are You A Writer?

2009-09-04T04:42:00.000-07:00

It seems like a simple question... Right? People have seen me writing, and asked that very question. Before I was published I would stumble for an answer. "Well," I would say, "I like to write, but I'm not published." Now, I have decided to clear up this issue. If you can put some intelligent thoughts down on paper, then you are a writer. If you are published, then you are an author. So, are you a writer, and are you ready to be an author?

If you are like me, you have tons of writing that for one reason or another sits in notebooks gathering dust. You have pieces that you consider so personal that you will not let anyone read them. Why? Every writer draws on their own experience just like you. So why did the author decide to publish, while you watched from the sidelines? If you never submit your work to any companies, you will never know if it was good enough. Some people you know may see it, but most will be strangers. What do you have to loose? I am challenging you to dust off your writing, and quit being shy. Having confidence in yourself is half the battle. Good Luck!

A New House!

2009-09-03T05:08:00.000-07:00

For the last few days I've been moving into a new house. It needs a little TLC like most of us. The last owners were pretty abusive to her, but we are going to take care of her now. It's nice to not go home to an apartment. We've got a yard, driveway, and even a little place for a garden next spring. Now I just have to decide which corner I'm going to hide in to do my writing.

Time to Sell

2009-08-25T13:45:00.000-07:00

So you have your finished product, and you need to get it sold. If you live in a small town like me it may seem hopeless. However, I would argue exactly the opposite. The United States is famous for the success of its grassroots movements. So that is what you have to do for your book. Below you will find some tips I have found to be worth the effort.

Start with local media. Many towns have free arts and literature magazines. You need to send them a strong press release to include a free signed copy of your book. Repeat this process for local newspapers and radio stations. It is important to accept all interviews you are offered. Your purpose is to get your title out to as big of a demographic as possible. If you are able to get a good review, it is time to update the back cover of your book and press release. Quote these positive reviews directly on your book. Many readers will not open your book in the bookstore. They want to see what others have to say.

Now that you have some good reviews you need to make some appointments. Local bookstores, coffee shops, tourist centers, and arts centers managers or owners are good targets. If you are finding it difficult to convince these retailers to purchase a large number of books consider consignment. When you reduce the risk of loosing money, you will find these people much more willing to deal.

If you haven't created an online store for your title, then its time. It's typical to charge a little extra for online sales than in store sales. Just do not go overboard. Keep in mind that online buyers will be paying shipping and handling. Be sure to pay a couple extra dollars for your own domain name.

So now you have press coverage, a good press release, local stores carrying your book, and a website. It is time for a party. The size and cost of your book release party is totally up to you. Keep in mind your bottom line. Some authors offer a small discount on their book at the release party, and require a purchase in exchange for entry to the party. This is a good method if you spend a little on advertising and have a public venue. Some decorations coinciding with your book can bring your party to life. For example, my book is about an army platoon in the desert. My decorations were some cheap camouflage print cloth for table clothes and some army paraphernalia I had lying around. Be sure to offer some free food and drinks even if it is just appetizers and iced tea. People will expect you to read a short excerpt from your book, answer a few questions, and to sign their book. This is your moment. Enjoy yourself and relish the moment. However, remember you are selling yourself. People are buying into you, not just your book. If they don't like you, they won't like your book regardless of how well it is written.

Tired of Rejection Letters?

2009-08-24T05:55:00.000-07:00

Maybe it's time to consider self publication. For this entry I am going to concentrate on how I published, "Mail Call". My next entry will focus on marketing. After researching the feasible options, I chose to publish with createspace.com. I found several advantages in using them rather than their competitors.

I had complete artistic control of the look of my book. I have a basic knowledge of computers (at its best). Createspace provided me with easy to use templates and instructions. The most difficult part was converting my text into PDF format. However, a free trial at Adobe.com took the headache out of this process.

The quality of the finished product was fantastic. I'm proud to show people my book. I have no problem taking my book to local bookstores, coffee shops, etc. and asking them to sell my book on consignment. When they see the professional binding and appearance of the book, they take me serious.

My royalties are much higher with Createspace than any other company I researched, and there is no minimum number of books I have to order. Since I was publishing on a very tight budget, this was important. They also automatically placed my book for sale on amazon.com, and provided me with my own website for the book.

Having said all this, there is one important note. This should be considered more of a printing company than a publisher. You have to sell your book yourself. There are several strategies to accomplish this which I will cover tomorrow. Don't think that because your book is on amazon that your work is finished.

Save Some Money

2009-08-23T13:39:00.000-07:00

I'm going to share a little secret... I have spent tons of money on how-to writing books. Each of these books have three simple rules which they each spin their own way. Let me save you a couple hundred bucks and hours of reading. I'm not saying that following these three guidelines will make you an automatic best seller, but they will put you on the right track.

First, write what you know. I know you have heard it, but it is true. You can't write about quantum physics if you can't comprehend basic science and math. It's okay if you have to do some research on your project, but beware. Don't let research consume all of your writing time. It's always better to write about topics you are already familiar with, eliminating unnecessary research.

Second, write it now and edit it later. Don't make the fatal mistake of writing a couple chapters, then trying to make them perfect. The best advice is completely write your story, then go back to edit it. Even if you know there are mistakes, don't become consumed with perfection. Remember, this is only your rough draft. Once you have finished, take three days off. Looking at your story with fresh eyes can make all the difference. Try reading it aloud. Have your friends and family read it. However, you have to finish it first.

Lastly, keep writing. Write everyday. If you are stumped on your current project, write something else. Write a poem (especially if you don't usually), start a blog, or write a letter. Writing is like any other skill. If you don't practice, you will get rusty. The more you write, the better you will be. The bottom line is just write.

So save your precious time and money on these writing guides. If you can tell a good story, then you can write a decent book. It takes time and patience, but the rewards are worth it.

My Favorite Character Outline

2009-08-22T13:08:00.000-07:00

The most well used book in my library is, "The Art of Dramatic Writing, The Classic Guide To Writing a Play," By Lajose Egri. It was originally published in 1942. I reccomend this book to anyone who wants to improve their writing. Although I have never attempted writing a play, I use it every time I write a story. The character outline is one of the best I've ever seen. After I fill in all of the information about each character, the story nearly writes itself. When you truly know someone you know how they will react in any situation. So all that is left for the writer is to put the character into a situation, and record what they see. Below you will find Egri's outline:

Physiology
1. Sex
2. Age
3. Height and Weight
4. Color of Hair, Eyes, Skin
5. Posture
6. Appearance: good-looking, over or underweight, clean, neat, pleasant, untidy. Shape of head, face, limbs.
7. Defects: deformities, abnormalities, birthmarks, diseases.
8. Heredity

Sociology
1. Class: lower, middle, or upper
2. Occupation: type of work, income, condition of work, union or nonunion, attitude towards organization, suitability for work.
3. Education: amount, kind of schools, marks, favorite subjects, aptitudes.
4. Home Life: parents living, earning power, orphan, parents separated or divorced, parents' habits, parents' mental development, parents' vices, neglect. Character's marital status.
5. Religion
6. Race, Nationality
7. Place in Community: leader among friends, clubs, sports.
8. Political Affiliations
9. Amusements, Hobbies: books, newspapers, magazines he reads.

Psychology
1. Sex Life, Moral Standards
2. Personal Premise, Ambition
3. Frustrations, Chief Disappointments
4. Temperament: choleric, easygoing, pessimistic, optimistic.
5. Attitude Towards Life: Resigned, militant, defeatist.
6. Complexes: obsessions, inhibitions, superstitions, phobias.
7. Extrovert or Introvert
8. Abilities: Languages, Talents
9. Qualities: imagination, judgement, taste, poise.
10. I.Q.

The first time I completed this outline for one of my main characters, I learned things about myself as well. I hope you find this useful.

2009-06-20T15:08:00.000-07:00

I got my novelette published. I am really excited. After the short story version of this novelette won a contest at writing.com, I just had to see what I could do with it. Now, it is available on amazon.com. Just search for Adrian King at Amazon or go to https://www.createspace.com/3384700 . It will be available in local bookstores soon. I'm working on the sequel, and it should be out next month.

Have a Seat

2008-04-28T02:12:00.000-07:00

My friend asked me today, “If you could be anything in the world when you grow up, what would you be?” It took me a minute to answer for two reasons. First, I was flattered that I am thirty years old, and he does not think I am grown up. Secondly, his question was so open ended. I could be anything. Eventually I decided, and told him, “I’d be a park bench.” I smiled as I walked away. I know I left him there scratching his head, but think about it for a minute. The park is the most beautiful spot in nearly any city. I would see people at their best. When they are out spending time with their families, whispering sweet nothings to one another, or just slowing down their busy lives. On those desperate nights when he has nowhere else to go, I would give the poor man a place to lie, off of the cold ground. Yes my friend, I believe being a park bench would suit me just fine.

You're Not Special

2008-04-20T17:46:00.000-07:00

The best piece of advice I could give anyone is, “You’re not special!” Not that I am someone that anyone would ever seek for advice, but there it is. Everyone wants to believe that there is something that makes them different from everybody else in the world. Well I’ve been around this world a couple of times, and the only thing that’s true everywhere, is that we’re all the same. The only thing unique about me is my fingerprint.I’m not saying that some people aren’t better than others are, but everyone has some good. Most people that others would consider, “bad” are actually just terrible decision makers. Let’s look at an example: Starvin Marvin robs a convenience store for fifty dollars and a carton of smokes. He turns to leave, and the clerk reaches for the phone. Frightened of another stint in jail, Starvin Marvin shoots the clerk and runs. The police picked him up two blocks away, and he was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.So where did poor Marvin go wrong? Marvin thought he was special. Marvin thought he would not be caught. Most people sitting behind bars did not plan to be there. Why would they think they could get away with their crime when so many others had not? They thought they were special. Is Marvin a bad person? What if he was homeless, and hadn’t eaten in days. Does his desperation for life excuse him? So many people would say, “He knew better”. Marvin knew better, but he didn’t know a better way. He was a bad decision maker.Therefore, once one begins to understand the concept that they are not special, they will come to only one conclusion. The one thing that could make me unique is for others to think I’m special. If Marvin had treated someone else in his life good, then they would have thought he was special. When he was hungry, his friend would have fed him.

© 2008 Adrian King

Best Friends

2008-04-20T17:44:00.000-07:00

The frigid air had cleared my hearing. I slowly marched through the crisp, frozen snow. Each step echoed through the leafless grey trunks. Their northwest side had a crust of snow, and the trees had no tops. When I looked up, all I could see were fat lazy snowflakes taking their time getting to their graves. Each flake was hemmed in pure darkness. I could hear rabbits dashing through the bare bushes snapping small twigs in their haste. A small smile came to my frozen face when I reached my destination. I was a thirteen-year-old boy on a mission. My whole day was planned and revolved around this one moment.I had my father drive my snow shovel and me into town. I jumped out of his rusted pick-up at 9:00 a.m... I shoveled snow for the elderly at slave wages all day long. The druggist had not even thought twice about me when I came in for hot chocolate and a Snickers. After all, his son and I were Boy Scouts together, I had slept over at his house, and he wished his son were more like me. When he turned to make the hot chocolate, I leisurely put a pack of cigarettes in my pocket. When he turned back, he was none the wiser. There were no cameras, and he would never notice. I had developed a small route of stores to “purchase” my smokes. I did not steal because I had no money. I stole because my secret had to be guarded. My father picked me up at dinnertime, and we went back to the farm. We ate dinner as a family, the same as every other night, and then I did my chores that had been neglected. I lay exhausted in my single bed, waiting to hear the chainsaw that was my father’s snoring. My muscles ached as I fought sleep. Pavlov’s bell was long in coming that night. Just as I thought he would never drift off, he started his engine. He began quietly, and then gradually grew louder, until he opened the choke completely. If Mom were awake she would nudge him, and the process would start over. Thankfully, there was no delay in game. I eased out of bed, and walked through the pitch-black house by memory. Once outside, I sprinted across the two acres of open yard until I reached the tree line.My sanctuary was an old pine grove in the middle of my Dad’s property. The massive branches intertwined with each other creating a year round ceiling of green pine needles. There was barely any snow on the ground there, just a thick brown layer of dead needles. The air smelled like my mom had scrubbed the kitchen with pine-sol. I brushed a dusting of snow off my favorite rock, and sat down. I pulled the bright red package from my pocket, and tapped the box against the heel of my hand. I unwrapped the pack, and flipped open the lid. I have always loved the smell of a fresh pack. When I lit a smoke I let the first puff escape, then I would take the next drag in deep. This was my time. This was my little secret routine that was only between my dear friend tobacco, and me.Then, as now, he was my best friend. He is always consistent. He has never lied to me. From the first moment, I knew he was bad news. As with all of my relationships, the harder the world tries to rip us apart, the tighter I bond. Every relationship runs its cycle regardless of what the world thinks of it. This one is no exception. One way or another, my smokes and I will eventually part. However, until then let me enjoy my cigarette.

© 2008 Adrian King

I'm Quitting

2008-04-20T17:43:00.000-07:00

That's right.. The Marlboro Man himself is putting down his bright red pack. It's not because of these new disgusting commercials showing the dangers of smoking. It also has nothing to do with the millions of dollars worth of other anti-smoking propaganda all over the place. It's finally just too expensive. I can't afford $7.15 a pack.The whole thing sucks. I'm losing my refuge, best friend, and only consistency all at once. I'm depressed, and I feel as though my flesh is being peeled from my bones. If one more person asks me how it's going, I'm going to... well, let's just say I'm gonna do something bad. I'm sweating so much that I'm carrying deodorant in my pocket.Other than that though... Things are great.I need to be sick now.© 2008 Adrian King

Stll Quiting

2008-04-20T17:42:00.000-07:00

At the moment all I can think about is smoking. Writing and smoking were two of my best buddies. I have not written without smoking since I was in junior high school. My writing has become less and less just to avoid the inevitable urge. It has been one week and one day and I still want to choke every single person around me. A man cut me off in line at the bodega, yesterday. I tapped him on the shoulder, and very calmly inquired, "I'm sorry, is your time more valuable than mine?" When his only reply was silence, I promptly removed his head from his shoulders, and handed it back to him. I then stepped briskly past him, paid for my merchandise, and left him standing there, appalled. Halfway down the block I suddenly realized how colorful my language had been. The more I thought about it I realized the store clerk had seemed a little stunned. I stopped dead in my tracks, and actually considered going back and apologizing to the man, the clerk, or at least the little pig-tailed girl that had been standing there. In the the end I simply chuckled to myself, shook my head, and went on to work. Maybe I don't like the person I becoming without cigarettes. That's a good reason not to quit... right? Or there is always the classic excuse, "Nobody likes a quitter!"P.S. Got off work at 4:00 a.m and it's now 11:00. I can't sleep and I'm sweating like a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. Thanks to all my dear friends who talked me into this... I'm utterly miserable.© 2008 Adrian King

Here's an old friend I bumped into this morning.

2008-04-20T17:36:00.000-07:00

In Flanders Fields By:
Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae,
MD (1872-1918) Canadian Army

IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

NYC

2008-04-20T17:34:00.000-07:00

Down there, in that jungle is where I live. The block where I live is home to more people than my entire hometown. Needless to say, I ache for the countryside sometimes.