This little "experiment" in blogging is intended to sort of flesh out that very brief little talk I gave, and in the process, maybe it will entertain a few people. Here's the plan. Each week, I'll record a very, very brief little video on some interesting thing I've learned while doing research for the book. I'll explain why I needed to know it in terms of the story, why it's important to get that detail right, and anything else that comes to mind.
Read MoreScientific Skepticism: Distinguishing Reality from Imagination!
I usually write these articles as conversations with my mom. For fun, and because my latest book is set in Walt Disney World, I decided to present the first half as a conversation between Figment and his friends.
What is Scientific Skepticism?
Well Figment, I'm glad you asked...
Wanna Be My Beta Reader?
So I said, “Hey, wanna be my beta reader?”
“What’s a beta reader?” Everyone replied.
A beta reader is to books as a beta tester is to the latest version of Windows.
Read MoreIn Support of Hugo and Jake (10 Ways Writers Are Just Not Normal)
I thought about recording a quick Youtube video. But for all the time I've had that channel, I've put up three videos, and they're all just illustrated versions of written stories. Seriously. I don't feel all that comfortable in front of the camera. I like to talk, but no one wants to see that. Nobody. I'm not funny in person. (At least not intentionally.) I'm not terribly funny in writing. I wish I had money to send to support all the wonderful content makers on Youtube, from Adam the Woo toHugo and Jake. But I don't. All I have are words. For whatever it's worth guys, good luck on your lawsuit, you have my support.
Read MoreWrite About Walt Disney World; Steal These Ideas!
Have you noticed how many listicles there are out there about our favorite parks? Yet they all seem to hit the same subjects, favorite things to do, favorite places to eat, favorite rides, annoying people, ways to save money. It's the same things over and over. So I decided to generate a list of stuff you could could post about, to give us all some new fun stuff to read. Please steal my ideas. We all want more articles about WDW!
Read MoreWhen a Writer Says They Are Researching–What’s Natural?
I know what nature is. I go hiking, caving, biking, swimming and camping. I’ve visited the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, and the mighty Mississippi. I swam in the Black River and two of the Great Lakes. I’ve watched sunsets in Hawaii and Florida. I’ve caught lightning bugs and been startled by snakes. I’ve had poison ivy, and eaten wild blackberries. Doggone it, I know nature when I see it. You do too, right? So ok, what is it?
Read MoreBeating My Thyroid For The Sake of the Stories
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I planned to send that story off for publication at a traditional publisher. I even got some positive feedback and recommendation for some minor edits before acceptance. My dream was going to come true. See that period there? That one after what should have been a joyous exclamation? Yeah. That was the "depression". I couldn't be assed to do the rewrites. I couldn't motivate myself to send it back for review. I couldn't take the time to follow up on the inquiries. I hadn't written a short story in months. The longer stories languished in a few short notes on my computer. I went from writing two novel length books a year, even while working, to not even a few shorts no matter how much time I had to work on it. Retirement came and went.
And then, one day, after months of no pay and doing nothing about it, I drove to Tucson with my son for a last visit with a VA doctor before I could start receiving a pension.
Read MoreI Don't Know What I'm Doing
So I've apparently had this blog for months. Funny thing, I had no idea I was telling the world to go to Wordpress and type an example blog post. Luckily, only one person posted a comment to the effect that they were posting a sample comment. I hope Mr. Sample wasn't offended that I didn't respond right away.
Anyhow, I will get to work creating that there blog post immediately. Don't be too excited. I don't have a clue how to do this stuff and it will probably come out in little squiggles and symbols. I will surely be getting another comment from Mr. Sample about by cartoon cursing any day now.
Hey, the upside of being an unknown writer in a great sea of unknowns is, nobody notices when you totally screw up. Maybe somebody should make a motivational plaque on a wooden board with that on it.
See you in the next post. Now get off my lawn!