The Power of Internet Presence for Writers - Beware the Writing Gurus

Often writing Gurus who have had minimal success go onto the Internet to find new writers to coach in order to make a little extra money, but beware of such writing Gurus, as the chances are they are full of bad advice and gimmicks. If a published writer needs to go onto the internet and start posting in forums, create pod casts and set up a blog to write on everyday to attract new writers to help coach or sell too, you should be suspicious of their expert status.

Does that mean all writers with a web presence are fraudulent or mis-representative of their abilities and expert status? No, but a huge number of them are. One writing guru goes around bragging about a 100,000 word novel and how it sold 350,000 copies? Well that is barely a break even point for most publishers, hardly a best seller or award winning novelist.

Even if it were an award winning work, do you realize how many silly clubs and writer's guilds there are giving awards these days? I bet you could get an award for a book on how to fix a toilet, seriously folks. Just do not be so gullible. Just because an author self-help, self-proclaimed writer has a website, social networking page, Blog or pod caste means nothing, unless their writing is successful, why would a newbie writer bother to listen?

It is amazing that new writers fall for these self-help writing gurus, perhaps it is because most writers have such low self-esteem, but leave it to the self-help writing scam artists to take their money. When it comes to writer self-help experts, keep a watchful eye out and do not be so quick to fall for their BS.

Article Writing - How to do the Research (Use Books Too!)

Article writing, when you do a lot of it, it becomes more difficult to think of original topics and original questions, so sometimes you might think you can get away with some rewriting. Here is my answer:

You can do research on the internet, but I wouldn't rewrite anything. I would start from scratch, either on the internet, or go to books – you can use books at home, buy them from a bookstore, or borrow them from the library – just don't copy anything.

If you go to books you're going to get a wealth of information that you may not be able to find on the internet. I think most of the time we talk about getting the research off of the internet because we of it as being so readily available.

But if you've got several books that are on your niche area then certainly you can use that for research and then that's certainly going to be original content. If you're writing fresh articles based on research you do from books that you have, or that you buy or borrow or whatever the case is, then you're going to have original content and that's a great idea

I think that's a great idea. Purchase a couple of books on your niche topic.

Go to garage sales, go to rummage sales. Go to second-hand book stores.

And then you're not even getting near that online content, so when you write it's going to be one-hundred percent original.

Planning A Simple Newsletter - 10 Tips To Get You Started

Most people with a computer can whip up a newsletter in minutes with whatever word-processing or desktop publishing software they happen to have installed in their hard drive. But coming up with a readable and interesting paper is more than filling a page with "bells and whistles". Create a newsletter that people will want to read by keeping it simple and following a few easy tips.

1. Purpose: presumably you already have a purpose for producing newsletters be it a sporting club or team, keeping in touch with family, work, any other interest or community group. Defining the purpose before you start will help keep the newsletter focussed and streamlined.

2. Content: This is the news, articles and announcements you are going to fill your newsletter with. You can write your own, request contributions or "borrow" from other sources. Note that if you borrow, then you also have to credit the original author and source, and obey any copyright restrictions they may have placed on their work. "Not for reprint" means Not For Reprint.

3. Images: Use only print quality images [300dpi], ensure they are related to the content they are placed beside and avoid overkill. Printing images uses up much more ink than text and too many on a page make it too busy for the reader to enjoy properly. Keep it simple. Copyright also applies to images you borrow. Plus, if using people as the subject, they may not want their picture published for all to see. Get their permission first and you'll save yourself headaches later.

4. Layout: On an A4 size page, two columns are better than three. Only one column, especially if the article is long or your font size is small, can strain the eyes. White space, the space between columns, lines, images, headings, is important for the overall look and readability of your pages. You're after balance of text, images and blank space not a page crammed full of information.

5. Headers, fonts & formatting:No more than two different fonts is the general rule for any kind of publication. Arial and Arial Black [etc] are the same font so you could use both of these and, say, Curlz. However, simplicity and readability is the key for a professional look. Fonts like Curlz have been done to death so go for one that's modern, classic, and suits the topic of the newsletter. Beware of overdoing text formatting. Sub-headings are fine in normal case and bold, or small caps and bold. Main headings such as article titles can be larger, but still normal case. All capitals is harder to read and slows down comprehension. Avoid using italics, except when referring to titles of books, journals or any other sort of artwork. Note that if you start your newsletter on one computer using a fancy font and then switch to another computer, the second one may not have the same fonts.

6. Printing: Unless your distribution is going to run into the hundreds [over, say 400] and/or you have a thick newsletter, photocopying is probably the easiest and cheapest option for printing. Consider the trees [and your budget] and copy on both sides of each page. Colour copying is more expensive than black and white. On a good photocopier, black and white will come out fine, but avoid using dark images if this is the option you are going with. Keeping your newsletter to as few pages as possible will also contribute to keeping printing costs down. Turning the whole thing into an electronic newsletter will make printing costs and concerns, null and void.

7. Distribution:For electronic versions, you can either send via email or post it to your website. The most common way to send a newsletter of this sort is as a .pdf file. Most people have .pdf readers and you can make your newsletter as colourful and creative as you want. You can also use the body of your e-mail as the newsletter, but this can have formatting problems. Keep your files small [you have a choice of small, standard, press and high quality files during their creation] to avoid blocking email boxes or using up precious web space. Print versions can be posted or hand-delivered depending on the distribution area of the newsletter. To help keep costs down when posting, request that recipients pay a postage fee or even send in stamps to cover postage.

8. Record keeping:Always keep a list somewhere of who you are sending your newsletter to and keep it up-to-date. Start a file to keep past issues. Keep track of article subjects, titles and sources.

9. Extra bits: Quotes, jokes, handy weblinks, resources, public notices all help to add extra interest and variety to your newsletter. They also make great fillers!

10. Practice makes perfect: As can be said for anything we undertake, practice, practice and then practice some more. Don't be scared to try new techniques or improve on old ones, to streamline clunky formatting or to use a great hook that will catch and hold your readers from one issue to the next.

People love to read newsletters; bite-size chunks of news tailored to their interests and in their hands because they want it there. Your readership is out there waiting for you. Get publishing!

Be Careful as a Writer to Not Misquote History

If you are going to discuss history in an article or a novel, be sure to not miss quote the reality. If you make a mistake on an Internet Blog, or forum someone is sure to know the difference and set you straight. Thus often if you do not know what you are talking about it is best to be quiet rather than prove yourself a fool.

Let me give you a recent for instance, where a gentleman made a statement about Orange Orchards between Los Angeles and Santa Monica, CA in the 1950s and how those beautiful trees were cut down and the fragrances are no longer? Sounds romantic right? Well, sure but it is incorrect.

You see, the Orange Groves and Jail fragrances in Los Angeles were only temporary and not so prolific (started in 1882), and they were not the natural sage brush of the coastal desert there, they replaced the habitat of desert turtles, rats and locusts, which were killed to make way. Later as the Chandler Family brought in water with the help of engineers like Mullholland, as much corruption was proclaimed to have occurred to bring the water in and buy up the land on the cheap, yes a few groves were planted there, not many.

Much of the Fragrances of the Orange Groves came from Orange County and the Valley. The very few around Los Angeles would not have been able to have been smelled from Santa Monica, as the constant 15 mph offshore breeze was blowing the other way into LA and they could hardly smell of orange groves, as there were bean fields in Beverly Hills and oil fields in past that. Today Hyperion (super sewer treatment plant) is the smell of the day, but perhaps it beats the smell of the oil fields back then.

Nevertheless, today 460 square miles of concrete and 16.5 million people cannot be wrong in Southern CA, they have chosen a different life and way of living, one they enjoy and they do not wish to change and they vote. They prefer this to the desert rats, rodents and locusts that were once there before Los Angeles became known.

It was the Owens River Bond project, the Chandlers and Mullholland who made the difference ask Upton Sinclair. Any orange trees in LA were pretty much gone by the 1950s, although there where hundreds of thousands in Orange County, Corona, etc. The dairy cows replaced the trees and now the cows are gone too, and isn't it a shame they do not have that smell any more. What fragrance was lost?

Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Screenwriting and Story Structure 210507a

FORWARD

The 188 stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the hundreds of Hollywood movies we have deconstructed (see URL below) are based on this 188+ stage template.

Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters. This is the template you must master if you are to succeed in the craft.

[The terminology is most often metaphoric and applies to all successful stories and screenplays, from The Godfather (1972) to Brokeback Mountain (2006) to Annie Hall (1977) to Lord of the Rings (2003) to Drugstore Cowboy (1989) to Thelma and Louise (1991) to Apocaplyse Now (1979)].

THERE IS ONLY ONE STORY

THE 188 STAGE HERO'S JOURNEY:

a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.

b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.

c) Gives you a tangible process for building and releasing dissonance (establishing and achieving catharses, of which there are usually four).

d) Tells you what to write. For example, at a certain stage of the story, the focus should be on the Call to Adventure and the micro elements within.

ABRIDGED TIPS, EXCERPTS AND EXAMPLES:

(simply go to http://www.heros-journey.info/ for full details)

*****Pulled into the Final Battle*****

Post the Crossing of the Return Threshold and before the Master of Two Worlds and Selves, a hell of a lot happens that is rarely given mention. The Final Conflict (a metaphor for this stage) follows a distinct process. Following a final pull (Norman tries to rape David), the hero is pulled into the final battle and the shape shifter is forced to overcome his (or her) period of dissonace. In Straw Dogs (1971) , Charlie shoots Norman.

*****Journey to Trial 2*****

The Journey to and from one physical location to another must be undergone. Each location represents a new element of the psychological transformation. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Moss makes Clyde pull over by the river.

Freelance Writing - Promote Your Name As A Writer And Get Famous

For a freelance writer, your name is everything: it's becoming known for what you do, and the quality of your work. When you build your name, you become known not only to editors and publishers, but also to your readers.

Name-recognition is money in the bank for a writer. When I wrote about "getting famous" and promoting your name as a writer in my writers' ezine, I was startled by the amount of feedback I received.

The gist of the feedback was - "I've never thought of it that way." So please, start thinking of it now. You must promote your own name as a writer, because if you don't, you'll always be an unknown quantity not only to the people who can hire you, but also to readers.

One of the first things a literary agent will tell you is that you must build your "platform" - this is the people who know you by name. A platform means that publishers are more likely to look favorably on you, because they known you know how publishing works. Name-recognition is EVERYTHING to any writer.

It's vital. Until that knowledge becomes a part of the way you operate as a writer, you'll always be a dabbler, not a professional. Publishers will not take you seriously, and will be hesitant about committing to you, because you don't seem serious about your writing.

Name recognition is also a matter of security. The waters you swim in as a writer are full of sharks, who will think nothing of ripping you off. They'll take your time and your energy. I've written about writing scams before many times, because they're so common. You make it less likely that you'll be ripped off if people know your name.

Becoming Known Costs Nothing - But It's Essential For Your Writing Career

I'm constantly amazed by the writers' Web sites I see on which there's no mention of the writer's real name. There's either a nick name, or no name at all.

If your full-time job is not writing-related, then perhaps you might want to keep your name a secret... but why? Your employer isn't likely to fire you because you moonlight as a writer. And not publicizing your name takes away from any credibility you have.

If you're not promoting your own name, start doing so today.

Article Writing - An Effective Tool for Internet Marketing

Online marketing has become a widely used way to market one's business and website. Due to the increase in this practice, lots of tools and ways have been devised to effectively market online, in comparison to the traditional ways of marketing, online marketing tools differ greatly from conventional ways of marketing. Search has become one of the most frequently used ways for customers to find what they want.

It has become a common practice by business owners with websites to get articles written for marketing sake. These articles usually contain all the relevant information about the company and the product or services it offers. Whereas, search engine optimization and pay per click also are widely used as online marketing tools, article writing for website promotion also serves the same purpose. While writing articles for website marketing, it is very important to bear in mind what exactly is the relevant target message which would drive more and more traffic through your website. The articles serve the purpose of marketing by raising traffic to the website; create sales leads and improving sales. The articles written specifically to create responsiveness and awareness for the website help as an effective marketing tool.

Searching and browsing online is the most common activity nowadays, in consequence, search marketing is an extensively recognized way of reaching out to customers on the internet. A number of people when looking out for a particular product or service use search as an initial tool, therefore, article writing serves the purpose in a very cost effective and valuable method.

188+ Step Hero's Journey (Monomyth)- Screenwriting and Story Structure Secrets 140507

FORWARD

The 188 stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the hundreds of Hollywood movies we have deconstructed (see URL below) are based on this 188+ stage template.

Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters. This is the template you must master if you are to succeed in the craft.

[The terminology is most often metaphoric and applies to all successful stories and screenplays, from The Godfather (1972) to Brokeback Mountain (2006) to Annie Hall (1977) to Lord of the Rings (2003) to Drugstore Cowboy (1989) to Thelma and Louise (1991) to Apocaplyse Now (1979)].

THERE IS ONLY ONE STORY

THE 188 STAGE HERO'S JOURNEY:

a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.

b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.

c) Gives you a tangible process for building and releasing dissonance (establishing and achieving catharses, of which there are usually four).

d) Tells you what to write. For example, at a certain stage of the story, the focus should be on the Call to Adventure and the micro elements within.

ABRIDGED TIPS, EXCERPTS AND EXAMPLES:

(simply go to http://www.heros-journey.info/ for full details)

*****Night Sea Journey subplot*****

Just as the Hero suffers a Near Death Experience, so do subplot characters. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), Alma runs from Ennis and the house and finda another postcard from Jack. Lureen doesn't say anything when they insult Jake; didn't that piss ant used to ride bulls; he used to try.

*****Overcoming the Hero Guardians*****

Though the Heralds are blocked from the Hero by Guardians, overcoming them is not the most daunting task. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), Joe justtells Jack and Ennis to "get your scrawny asses in here, pronto."

*****Trial 2 - Antagonising the Antagonism*****

One apsect of the Trial 2 is the Antagonism of the Antagonist. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Frank spits on Bonnie, Clyde beats him up and puts him in the boat.

*****Innate Suitability*****

Trial 2 often sees the Hero demonstrate innate suitability to the New World and Self. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), Jack Twist hits on the guy in the bar.

Working With Dialogue

Dialogue.

It's a tricky thing, getting it right, getting it realistic, getting it paced and tagged in just the right way. And yet it can be one of the most powerful elements of writing. It can deliver character, conflict, backstory, emotion, all in the span of a few short exchanges and utterances.

So how do you get it right? Well, I'm not claiming expertise, by any means, but today I'm offering 5 tips that I try to keep in mind when writing dialogue in my own stories. It's pretty much a compilation of what I've learned over the last decade or so of writing. Some of it may be more applicable to novice writers, but I hope you find some use for yourself, no matter where you are in the writing or publishing journey.

And by all means, leave me some of your best tips and advice as well!

1. Don't over-tag. If you have 2 people talking in a scene, you can get away with a back and forth exchange that doesn't require you to tag every comment:

"So what happened to you last night?" Jenna asked.

Paul shrugged. "Missed my flight."

"How?"

"Weather. Taxis were all tied up. Couldn't find one that would come out to the hotel."

"Uh huh. So how did Marty manage to make it home on time?"

"Dunno. Why don't you ask him?"

Did you have a hard time following who was speaking? Probably not. And yet I only added tags to the first two lines of dialogue. Of course, if you have more than 2 people talking, you'll have to add tags more frequently. Still, don't over-tag. Trust that your reader can follow you. A lot of novice writers think they have to spell out every line. Believe me, you don't.

2. It isn't necessary for characters to refer to each other by name as they're speaking. Please take this one seriously. I see many novice writers in my writing groups who include something like this in a scene:

"Emily, please come downstairs. We have something we need to discuss."

"Mom, I already told you I was doing my homework last night. I wasn't online. I promise."

"Then why did Mr. Rooney call me from school today to talk about an IM you sent to Darla Green, Emily?"

"I don't know, Mom. He must have mixed me up with someone else."

"Emily, we aren't finished talking about this. Wait until your father gets home."

Again, trust that your reader can follow who's speaking, and to whom. It's normally not necessary to repeat the name of the person to whom the line is spoken, unless for emphasis.

3. Use beats, or action tags, as often, or more often, than you use regular taglines. I have found this to be one of the most useful guidelines. You don't need to accent every comment with a "he said/commented/uttered/shouted." Instead, insert an action. Here's a great scene from a Jennifer Crusie novel (Tell Me Lies) I'm currently reading:

"You really do feel okay?"

"I feel fine," Maddie said. "Stop worrying."

"Then can I spend the night at Mel's?" Em bit off a corner of her toast. "If you're not okay, though, I can stay with you. I don't mind at all."

"Oh." Maddie swallowed. "Have I mentioned that you're the perfect child?"

"Thank you. Can I stay with Mel?"

"Did you ask Aunt Treva?" Maddie bit into her toast carefully and chewed. Her head didn't come off in pain. So far, so good.

Em shook her head. "No, Mel's going to. Can I?"

"Call and find out."

Em scraped her chair back.

"After breakfast."

Notice how you can insert a great deal of action/character/setting by using action tags instead of dialogue taglines.

4. "Said" is still the best dialogue tag to use. Every once in a while, you can get creative and thumb through the thesaurus, tossing in a "ordered," "barked," "pleaded," and so on. But don't overdo it. For the most part, you want the reader's focus to be on the words spoken, not the verb illustrating how they're spoken.

5. Read your dialogue out loud. This was a great tip I received from a conference presenter early in my career. Written dialogue generally won't mirror actual conversation. People aren't too eloquent in real life; they have way too many "ums" and pauses and restarts as they speak. But you can still get a general feel for how authentic dialogue sounds if you read it aloud. Case in point:

"Sara, just watching you pull off that dress is enough to make me lose control," Duke said as his roommate slipped from her drenched clothing.

Would an adult male, all riled up from a female getting naked close by, really talk that way? None that I know would.

"Jesus, you take that shirt off in front of me, and I'm not making any promises about what does or doesn't happen next," Duke said as his roommate slipped from her drenched clothing.

Better, but not great. I still don't think he'd talk that much.

"Jesus," Duke said as his roommate slipped from her drenched clothing, "are you trying to kill me?"

Bottom line: play around with your dialogue; try different tags and read it out loud. Have other people read it as well and give you their feedback. Dialogue can be challenging, but it can also be a writer's best friend.

Good luck!

Article Writing - If You Can Write a 7 Item Grocery List, You Can Write a Great 7 Tips Article

Got an odd question for you to start off this article - What do grocery shopping and article writing have in common?

Answer - If you can write a 7 item grocery list then you can write a seven tips article that can bring you more traffic, prospects, publicity and profits.

Some people don't like this idea

I've taken some flack for this idea. Some who consider themselves "serious writers" say this is making article writing and any kind of writing too easy and not simple enough.

I guess I could make it complicated for you, but why?

My best response to that criticism is simply this - let's hope your competitors and my competitors keep thinking that way, while we write up a storm!

Keeping it simple

One of most simple, quickest, and yet most powerful ways to write articles is to use lists. You can use lists of tips, suggestions, rules, laws, mistakes to avoid, things to do, etc.

Here is my list of the steps involved -

Step 1 - Make your list - Simply list out your suggestions, tips, rules, etc.

Step 2 - Write two or three sentences for each item on the list - Explain each tip, rule, suggestion, item on your list.

Step 3 - Write an introduction and a conclusion - Just a few lines here too.

Step 4 - Submit your article - You now have an article. Submit it to the article directories.

Using this simple four step process over and over with topics from your niche allows you to consistently write more and more articles.

Enhancing an Article

When someone indulges into article writing, one must remember that you are writing because you would like the readers to believe or at least be motivated to believe on what you have written. With this vision with you, it is going to be easy for you to write from your heart. By doing so, it will be then easier for your to make your readers believe on what you write. Creating an article requires that you write with compassion. Some few experience-based tips below can help you achieve that.

I have come across one article I read, and his first tip in terms of article imposes that it is not bad to spill the beans and tell trade secrets. I told myself when I read that, "he must be joking". But realizing what he said, it is true that at times, if you really want to gain trust and eventually build a relationship with your clients, telling them your trade secrets can actually initiate this.

Since the purpose of the article is to sell your product or your services, it will be best if you include on your article some of the benefits or advantages of the products. It is a proven fact that most often it is the product's benefits rather than the product's features that are being sold by the thinking consumer. So it is best that you include good benefits of the products.

Get some feedback on your article material. It can be your friends or your relatives. Make them read first your article material prior to posting or publishing it on the internet. I am telling you, friends and relatives can really give you true feedback.

Three Simple Rules To Help You Succeed In Writing

If you ever want to succeed in writing the first rule is don't stop until you get enough. You have to determine how much enough is. For me, enough is when I get my goal accomplished. This is a very important rule because there will always be times when you will feel like quiting or feel like not writing. But a writer must write, just like a teacher must teach and a singer must sing. For a true writer, writing is not something that you do, it is who you are.

Creating a constant writing environment is really essential to giving you the "enough factor." This is tied into the goal factor which we will discuss shortly. Create enough speaking and writing channels. This can come through things as simple as developing a reading circle at a local library, developing a seminar series for your book, writing for different freelance associations or magazines. Another tip is to create works that have ongoing factors - like a saga. These type things keep your writing sharp.

The second rule is to set goals. Goal setting can begin with simple thoughts like this:

I am going to write about ...
This writing will help to get this accomplished for (express your purpose)
My goal is to have this (express where it is headed - personal, blogged, published, submitted for reviews)
I want to have this done by (set a specific time)

The more specific you are the better. Being specific about your goals will make you feel more accountable to get them done. You should have long term goals, short term goals and daily goals. The best way to set these goals is to establish the long term goal first. This will anchor where you are headed, then set your short term and daily goals on course to reach your long term results. Many people do just the opposite and do not get anywhere, because they never established where they were headed to begin with. You have to envision your realm of success before you get there. This is a principle that has really helped me over the years.

The third rule is always write. Even if it is just one sentence, it will keep your creative juices flowing. These are some things that have helped me:

Keep a journal by your bed and write before you start your day

Keep a pad and pencil and every room in your house, you never know when an inspiration will hit

Keep a writing pad in your car and if an inspiration comes write it down at a stop light

Mentally look for writing inspirations for example when I ride my bike I look at nature and come up with religious inpirations that I write for my weekly web articles when I go grocery shopping

I look for silly things people do and use these for blogging

Learn to listen and be extremely observant this creates a world of writing opportunities
Look for oddities and see if you can create some twist on it

Write with other writers - associate your self with other writers, writing networks, writers groups etc.

If you are a writer, it would be good to consider the task as essential as breathing. It is something that you must do. Invest in simple strategies like the ones listed above, they will keep you progressing. Every year you will become a better writer from doing simple things. Begin to keep a lot of different thought that impress you. You will never know when that thought might become the next highly sought after work.

You can go on and on with this. Those tips will keep you from getting writers block and will increase your sensitivity to the world around you. So get busy and don't stop writing.

Creative Writing Exercises & Creative Writing Prompts - What They DON'T Give You And How To Get It

Even the most experienced and seasoned creative writer can benefit from creative writing exercises and prompts.

The key to continuing to grow and develop as a creative writer is to keep experimenting, trying new techniques, ideas and exercises to challenge yourself.

Using a variety of different approaches and starting points in your creative writing will help you to explore your potential as a writer and keep pushing the boundaries.

But although creative writing exercises and prompts are a great tool to use, they assume one thing.

They assume that you are willing and able to write.

Give a writer a creative writing exercise or prompt and they won't necessarily come up with some interesting creative writing.

In fact many times, however ingenious, stimulating and brilliant the exercise is, the writer won't produce a single word, let alone a wonderful piece of writing.

So why is this? What's missing?

There are a number of different factors that stop us from writing, however gifted and talented we are.

Perversely, often the more naturally capable we are of writing creatively, the more we struggle to write.

Here are some of the crucial elements a creative writing exercise or prompt on its own WON'T give you, and how to get it:

1. The confidence to write creatively. Talent and ability amount to very little if you simply lack confidence in your writing.

Build your confidence by starting small and writing little and often. A few paragraphs of a story, a short poem, or a blog entry every day will help you get into the habit of writing consistently. Then you can just increase the amount and frequency as your confidence builds.

2. The "set up" to write creatively. If you don't have somewhere you can go and start writing within a couple of minutes, you'll lose motivation and inspiration.

Have a designated place for you to write. If you don't have your own room or study, at least have a desk or chair where you can have your creative writing equipment to hand and ready for you to start writing at a moment's notice.

3. The permission to write creatively. Even if you think on the surface you're willing to write, often on a deeper level, you're not allowing yourself to. Not giving yourself permission to create is an often overlooked creative block.
Write out for yourself some positive affirmations, such as "I deserve to be able to create", "I have as much right to create as anyone", "The world needs me to be creative" and simply "I give myself permission to be creative". Practice reading them out loud regularly.

4. The time to write creatively. Many of us claim we don't have time to spend on our creative writing. The truth is, we don't make it enough of a priority.

Start by giving yourself just 10 minutes at the same time each day to spend writing. Get up a little earlier, go to bed a little later, fit it in wherever you can. By practicing this routine, you'll find it soon becomes easier to extend it to a larger chunk of time each day, without impacting the time demands of the rest of your life.

5. The motivation to write creatively. Even if you have everything else in place, if you're not motivated to write, you just won't write.

Keep your motivation high by reminding yourself why you write creatively. What are the top 5 benefits? What are the 10 things you love about being able to write creatively? What are your ambitions as a creative writer? Write these out and pin them up somewhere prominent to keep you motivated.

Spend a little time and effort on each of these 5 key areas and you'll soon find there's no limit to how much you can write.

Then, using those creative exercises and prompts will add the extra dimension you need to explore your creative writing even more.

C-SPAM - Government at Work!

I think it's fair to say, that most of us, don't think we will get screwed by our own government, until it happens! And, when it happens, it's a lonely and helpless feeling of desperation, and a battle you probably will not win! You complain to your Congress person, and all you get for your troubles is a nice letter and tokenism to get your vote, etc.

The bone I have to pick with the VA Medical Center here is Albuquerque, New Mexico (where I live), and it involves three issues. I put a booklet together of 60+ pages for an attorney and for those in the need to know, and so for the purpose of this article, I will have to summarize the material in this matter.

1) Hate crime:

FIVE job lay-offs for me in a decade or so, and I had finally had it, and I couldn't pay the rent after the fifth job loss, etc. I was evicted from my apartment and was homeless for the first time in my life! Being a veteran, I learned about a work program at the VA Medical Center, which helps veterans get back on their feet, so I enrolled in the program and I lived on the VA grounds during a four month period. During that time, I saved my pennies, got my own apartment, and moved from the VA Medical Center. I continued my search for a permanent job in the community.

I was given a three month extension in the work program, by my vocational counselor at the VA, which I was very pleased about. But, it wasn't to be! The following week, and for some unknown reason, I was slashed from my job in an evil and hostile way, by my own vocational counselor, and thrown out of the work program! With perfect attendance in six months, everything I had built in the past six months was lost! The reason for my termination was never given, and I could only guess that it was racially motivated...a hate crime! This is the worst thing that has happened to me in my entire life-time!

When I arrived at the VA four months earlier, I was already in a depressed state because of all my job lay-offs, and I was taking anti-depressants to help me cope. At 60 years of age, I could not find a job in the community over the next four months...I couldn't pay the rent, and again I was evicted from my apartment, and became homeless for the second time in a year! Calls, letters sent to the VA pleading my case fell on deaf ears! I never got a response from anyone at the VA. I ran out of money, will and time, and I faced the same judge for the second time, and I knew I would not make it!

A suicide attempt, brought me back to the VA Medical Center (ambulance), and I would now spend the next three months in a lock-down psychiatric ward. I was not able to make arrangements to get my possessions out of my apartment, and I suffered my "Katrina," as I lost everything!

2) Experimentation/guinea-pigging?

All of us have to place enormous trust in our doctors and medical people who take care of us while we're in the hospital. One of our biggest fears is that of "experimentation" and/or research with the medications given to us. For the last 6 weeks of my hospitalization, I was sick as a dog with nausea! I suffered nausea from 2-8 hours a day, and I think it was from something they were giving me. There were days, when I didn't even get out of bed until late afternoon, missing breakfast and lunch! During the six week period, I lost 16 pounds, and I pleaded with the staff, to let me go to the G.I. Clinic to find out what was wrong with me, and I was denied all requests!

When I was discharged, I requested a referral to the G.I. Clinic and was denied. I went across the patio to check into the emergency room to get the care I didn't get in the Ward. Have you ever heard of such a thing?

Because of so much stress, anxiety and depression in my life, I had heart failure in 2006, and a pace-maker was implanted in June, 2006. Because of this, all of these matters were placed on the back-burner in my life, as several of my worst enemies are stress, anxiety and depression. Throughout the fall and by the end of 2006, I did not have the inspiration and/or motivation to fight back...to make a terrible wrong...a right! The months slipped by, and I thought I could never get a hold of that emergency room document I needed to fight back.

In January, 2007, I learned I could get my own medical record, and I got it, and it was about 750 pages and I would be looking for a needle in a hay stack! Amazingly, I found the document in the first 20 pages of my search! My discharge papers would show I was discharged on 9-16-05 and the date I entered the ER was the same date...9-16-05. There has to be a good reason for this, and now I had something to work with. I had to be believable...credible...and this document would help! I was on Cloud 9 at the time!

I knew at the time, that any suspicion of "experimentation" while I was at the VA hospital, would result in sending the information to the F.B.I. and to the members of the New Mexico Congressional delegation, and after my booklet (60 pages) was finished, that's exactly where this information went. When I sent the VA Director and the VA Chief of Staff a copy of my booklet, and they saw that I had sent this information to the F.B.I., you would not believe the speed in which they called me from the VA to set up an appointment to come. It happened in less than 24 hours! For two years, all I got was stone-walling and side-stepping from the VA...everything fell on deaf ears! And, now they wanted to talk...this is the difference the ER document made! I had something of substance now!

3) Tampering with the mail?

All of us rely on our mail everyday whether it be by snail-mail or email or a combination of the two. Receiving our mail is one of the top priorities in our lives, etc. When I moved from the VA grounds in November, 2004, I went to the post office, like most people would do, and filled out the transfer of mail information to my new place. About a month went by, and I received no mail. When I lived at the VA a got mail on a regular basis...bills and responses from potential employers answering my resumes and job applications, etc.

I submitted a written complaint to the VA Patient Relations office, with copies of the complaint to the work director and the social worker in the program. NOTHING! I got no mail. About a month later, I submitted another written complaint to the Patient Relations office, with copies to the work director, and I checked with the post office, and transferred the mail again. NOTHING...everything fell on deaf ears!

The Postal Inspector's office told me that they didn't deal with the VA...that the VA handles their own mail. There may have been a job opportunity in the mail...if I had received the mail. Over several months, I tried everything I could to get my mail...and all failed. NOTHING!

By the end of 2005, I had given up all hope in ever seeing my mail again. All of 2006...no mail. FINALLY...in March, 2007....28 MONTHS after I transferred the mail from the VA, I received a piece of mail with my name and address at the VA on it. There was no date stamped on the envelope and somebody from the VA placed a label and blocked out part of the address. I was on Cloud 9 when I received this letter, and now I had TWO documents to help my cause, and now my story would be more credible, etc.

This is what I was looking for in my battle against the VA. In a three page letter, along with my booklet, I sent it all to the F.B.I office, where I think it belonged. Remember, the Postal Inspector didn't do business with the VA. Over this long period of time, Senator Pete Domenici; Senator Jeff Bingaman and Congresswoman Heather Wilson have all been involved in this matter in one way or another, and I sent them all copies of the information I had received including my booklet. The same packet went to Governor Bill Richardson, who is one of the eight candidates who is running for President of the United States. I received a letter from him on April 28, 2007 informing me that he had assigned somebody on his staff to the case.

Before I got those two documents...that is...the ER document and the letter...I only had a sob story to tell and nothing more! I had not heard from Senator Bingaman in a long time, and after I sent him the information I had, he told me to keep him informed about what's going on. My VA disability was terminated in 2006, and Congresswoman Heather Wilson has been helping me get it back and helping with other Social Security issues.

1) Hate crime; 2) Possibility of "experimentation"; 3) Tampering with the mail

* * *

This story will not be complete, unless I tell the reader about a couple of other stories of government intrusion in our lives, etc.

Here, in Albuquerque, the fireman and the police department have been putting on a boxing match, to raise money for under privileged children. The police vs. the firemen in the ring. Last year, the event raised over $75,000 for the children. Well...well...well...here comes the Mayor of Albuquerque, who doesn't like what's going on with this event. He says it has a bad image on the city and is not good for kids and young people, etc.

The Mayor threatened the police and firemen with job losses unless the event was stopped, and who stepped in as the referee in the matter...the ACLU! The government cannot tell any of us what we can do with our off-duty time, as long it is not illegal, etc. With egg on his face...the Mayor stepped back and allowed the boxing event to continue. I'm not a boxing fan, but boxing is legal in this country, and like it or not, the government cannot tell us what to do with out personal time. By the way, the boxing event raised $75,000 more dollars for the children! (pooh-pooh on the Mayor)

* * *

Another big stink in New Mexico in April, 2007, has been uncovered in the U.S. Army National Guard unit that had been deployed to the Middle East. The Guard unit is mostly comprised of Hispanic soldiers. During their tour in the Middle East, the solders were ordered by the Army to strip down, and the Army was looking for some kind of gang tatoos or markings on the soldiers! Appalling! Nothing was found, and the Army did this while the unit was overseas! This is clearly profiling and racism on the part of the Army! This is 2007, and things like this are still going on, which is repulsive!

The governor, the Congressional delegation of New Mexico, and Hispanic organizations have all been critical of this incident by the Army, and there is plenty of hate mail in the Letters to the Editor by outraged citizens. Hispanic soldiers do their part for the American Flag, and fight side by side with everyone else, and there was no reason for this profiling by the Army!

* * *

Many of you may remember, during hurricane Katrina, the news people showed people running for their lives in New Orleans, as the water was rising, and many people tried to cross a bridge into a little town near New Orleans to safety. But, they couldn't cross the bridge, because the police from the little town, would not let them into the town. This is a clear violation of these people's civil rights, and the police were breaking the law by blocking the bridge! Another case of government wrong-doing!

* * *

As I write this piece in May, 2007, I am 62 years young, and I have lived through the rebellion and protest years of the 1960's and 70's. America is a better place because of the protest years of the 1960's! The 60's were not just about Viet Nam. It was a time of change in America...change for the better. It was a time of too much intrusion by the government at all levels, etc. The government of the United States does not belong to the White House; or the Congress; or the Republicans or the Democrats...In a democracy, the government of the United States belongs to the PEOPLE of the United States! And, during the 1960's, ownership of the United States government was slipping away from its rightful owners...the PEOPLE! As it stood, constitutional rights were being violated by the government all the time, and this had to stop!

In order to keep this from happening, Americans all across the country had to protest, and they did it in different ways. Many marched on Washington, D.C. and on the Congress; others wrote letters to government officials; others carried signs and marched in various cities and towns, and others threw gasoline bombs and cities burned year after year, in what was known as the "long hot summers" in the 60's! Tens of thousands of American's were injured during the rebellion and many lost their lives as well.

* * *

In the year 2007, I am still trying to get justice in my case at the VA (aka GODZILLA), but now I have a few heavy-weights helping me and the two documents I spoke of. In September of 2006, I joined the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and I was amazed in their newsletter, as to how much the government interferes in all of our lives. (I sent all my complaints to this organization)

Having lived through the 60's and 70's,,,in the year 2007, I think American's are too complacent and apathetic and do not protest the government enough. As I said earlier, there are many ways to protest, and I think I've done all of them over the years. I've been in the humor business for over 50 years, and another way to protest, is to spoof someone or something, and that's why I created my C-SPAM Government at Work page on my website. (See Resource Box)

DING...DING...DING...LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE...

The firemen and police have now cleared the boxing ring, and it's now time for the main event...

David vs. the VA (GODZILLA)

I'll keep this article updated in the future and let the reader know how the fight between me and the VA aka GODZILLA is going. Wish me luck...I'll need it!

188 Step Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Story and Screenwriting Secrets 010507a

FORWARD

The 188 stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the hundreds of Hollywood movies we have deconstructed (see URL below) are based on this 188+ stage template.

Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters. This is the template you must master if you are to succeed in the craft.

[The terminology is most often metaphoric and applies to all successful stories and screenplays, from The Godfather (1972) to Brokeback Mountain (2006) to Annie Hall (1977) to Lord of the Rings (2003) to Drugstore Cowboy (1989) to Thelma and Louise (1991) to Apocaplyse Now (1979)].

THERE IS ONLY ONE STORY

THE 188 STAGE HERO'S JOURNEY:

a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.

b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.

c) Gives you a tangible process for building and releasing dissonance (establishing and achieving catharses, of which there are usually four).

d) Tells you what to write. For example, at a certain stage of the story, the focus should be on the Call to Adventure and the micro elements within.

ABRIDGED TIPS, EXCERPTS AND EXAMPLES:

(simply go to http://www.heros-journey.info/ for full details)

*****Overcoming Doubt (into the Road of Transformation and Trials)*****

Pulled In. Though doubtful, the Hero is pulled into the Transformation. In Shawshank Redemption (1994), the library and helping the guards with their taxes pulls Andy in.

Encouragement. Mentors or some other force may encourage the Hero. In Dances with Wolves (1990), the Indians meet and decide to engage with John. In Scarface (1983), Frank helps Tony's maturation into dealer. In Gladiator (2000), Juba attempts to persuade Maximus to fight. And Proximo is intrigued by him.

*****Final Conflict: Unbearable Antagonism*****

Post the Crossing of the Return Threshold and before the Master of Two Worlds and Selves, a hell of a lot happens that is rarely given mention. The Final Conflict (a metaphor for this stage) follows a distinct process. An Unbearable Antagonism pushes the hero to the stage of the Inner Resolve. In Straw Dogs (1971), David is surprised that Amy really doesn't care....but he does...and keeps Henry in the house.

*****Antiheroes in the Final Conflict - Devolution*****

Heroes evolve and Antiheroes devolve. During the Final Conflict, devolution is expressed in a number of ways. For example, In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), the papers say that Clyde left his brother. This is not how he wants to be remembered.

*****New Self at the Seizing of the Sword*****

By the time the Hero is about to Seize the Sword, he (or she) has further incrementally Transformed. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), Jack has a new car now.

*****Reward*****

Post every Rebirth there is a Reward, and there are a few Rebirths post Near Death Experiences in the Hero's Journey and Transformation. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Bonnie kisses Clyde in the car.

*****Romantic Challenge Polarized*****

The Romantic Challenge is just that - a challenge that has to be resolved. As such, the Hero and Romantic Challenge are, at first meeting, highly polarized. In Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Marion argues with Indy outside her bar. In The Deer Hunter (1978), Michael is a world away from Linda. In The English Patient (1996), Laszlo and Katharine have the problem of her husband.

Why a Killer Video Game is the U.S. Army's Best Recruitment Tool

Since the last draftee reported for duty in December 1972, Uncle Sam has had to hustle to staff an all-volunteer armed force. In the case of the U.S. Army, that meant recruiting 80,000 new soldiers every year -- essentially replacing more than the entire workforce of BellSouth every 12 months.

Advertising did the trick initially. After "Today's Army Wants to Join You" fizzled, in January 1981, "Be All You Can Be" became the battle cry. For two decades, wrapped around ads that made this branch look as adventurous as an Outward Bound course, it resonated with 17-to-24-year-olds (of whom the Army is the nation's largest employer). Then, in 2001, that was scuttled for an "Army of One." ("Even though there are 1,045,690 soldiers just like me, I am my own force . . .") Critics scoffed that the new tin slogan was misguided (isn't conformity more valued than individuality in the barracks?); the Army countered that it was effective.
Then Iraq exploded.

Despite adding thousands of additional recruiters, upping the enlistment bonus and funding for college, fattening the ad budget, and ratcheting up the patriotic appeal, the Army could not fill its boots.

So the Army added more marketing weaponry. It hosted town hall meetings where civilians could meet soldiers and hear about their accomplishments. It tried product placement: Army mechanics on the Discovery Channel's Monster Garage tricked out a Jeep. And it launched a thoroughly engaging computer video game that quickly became a gold standard of "advergames" for its effectiveness and realism. Gamers take such real military roles as Intelligence (18F), Engineer (18C), Communications (18E), and Combat Medic (18D), and fire the same weapons the Army has. And when they fire on the run, their aim is less accurate.

Before it was released on July 4, 2002, many expected the $7.3 million game would join the ranks of the $436 hammer and $640 toilet seat as a study of excess. Few predicted "America's Army" would become the artillery's most effective marketing tool, conveying the authentic military experience in a voice that prospective recruits want to hear.

More than seven million users have registered (anonymously so as to squelch any fear of recruiter harangues) with 10,000 to 50,000 new ones downloading the shoot-em-up daily. In a dozen running and gunning missions, players advance through the stages of soldierhood -- drilling in basic training, target practicing with an M-16, learning about basic emergency medicine, and, finally, diving into combat. The game has been downloaded more than 16 million times, 20 percent of entering cadets at West Point have played it, and between 20 and 40 percent of new Army recruits have played it as well.

"They seek it out rather than the other way around," noted Chris Chambers, deputy director of the Army Game Project within the Army's Office of Economic and Manpower Analysis. At an average cost of 10 cents per hour versus $5 to $10 per hour for a TV commercial, it delivers immersion rather than mere impression.

"America's Army" has proven to be such powerful weaponry that an official game store does brisk business selling collectible action figures, clothes, coffee mugs, and other doodads emblazoned with the logo. The Army builds parties and tournaments across the country around it. A wireless version and sequels including "America's Army: Special Forces," where players try to earn a Green Beret by completing Special Forces missions, have been released. Apple created a knockoff: Boot Camp. And the Army now even uses it extensively in training.

Uncle Sam Wants You . . . to play . . . and he's not the only one. Everyone is getting in on the virtual action. Some, like the Army, create a whole game that functions as a sales brochure. Just as the Army promoted its pro-military message through gameplay, the United Nations World Food Program aims to educate about its mission to combat hunger worldwide. In "Food Force," players steer a helicopter over the war-torn island of Sheylan, (a fictional cross between Sri Lanka and Somalia) and drop relief supplies to a population with little shelter and less food. Or they create food rations, schedule shipments, or take a supply truck through hostile terrain.

In the racing game, "Volvo Drive for Life" (playable on Microsoft's Xbox), players are rewarded not for finishing first, but for avoiding accidents. Wander in for a test drive at a Volvo dealer and you can try it in the showroom. Dealers can bestow game cartridges on select prospects and customers. After its royal mascot tromped through "Fight Night Round 3" (on Xbox 360), Burger King created action games around its bizarre king and made them available for just $3.99 to customers who bought a value meal. (Most games sell for at least 12 times that). Nike went beyond athletes wearing its shoes in the video game NBA 2K6: Tournament players are given different pairs of virtual footwear and choose which to put on from their Nike shoe locker depending on the task. They can also personalize the shoes with the same customization feature that's on Nike's iD web site.

In other advergames, marketers hitch a ride. In "CSI: 3 Dimensions of Murder," Visa's fraud-monitoring capabilities shine when a suspicious charge on a victim's credit card triggers investigation by a forensic-sciences team. In Tom Clancy's "Splinter Cell Chaos Theory," the protagonist, secret agent Sam Fisher, scales a bright neon sign for Axe deodorant and quietly enters a lunchroom inhabited by a Diet Sprite Zero vending machine. (Axe also created Mojo Master, an online game about picking up women.) In "Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow," Fisher retrieves a message from a Sony Ericsson smart phone to learn who the villain is. In "Burnout Revenge," players drive and crash a Carl's Jr. delivery-truck. And players in Activision's 'True Crime" titles take a break from fighting gangs to recover stolen Puma sneakers.

Some marketers install games on corporate web sites or designated URLs, like "Life Saver Candy Stand," or FiletoFish.com, the web site where a division of McDonald's posted "Shark Bait" (in English and Spanish). Players must protect the filet-of-fish sandwich from attacking sharks. For Wachovia, Carat's Fusion recreated the tricky 17th-hole par 3 at the Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. Players evaluate distance and wind conditions on this 217-yard hole to pick a club: Crowd noise lets them know if they've made a good virtual swing. Wachovia has sponsored the annual PGA championship since 2002: The game was fashioned to promote that, sell tickets, and create viral buzz. H&R Block's "Deduct-A-Buck" game at the deductabuck.com web site is tax-time seasonal. Players who correctly answer questions about what they can legally write off in this Seventies-TV-quiz-show-style game win prizes.

Hollywood and Nashville hardly launch a movie or song anymore without serving up a side of game. And despite hefty royalty rates for movie titles, an action hit will almost certainly be reincarnated on a console. Turner's "Witchblade" promoted the TV series, and games built around Men in Black II, Spider-Man, and Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course were meant to promote the new releases. Along with ads for Sprite, the sci-fi game "Planetside" featured ads for the movie Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo, and in the free version of "Anarchy Online" a 15-second trailer for V For Vendetta played in a continual loop. Ads for Batman Begins in "Splinter Cell" were timed to its release in local markets.

The Da Vinci Code got its own PS2 game. Paramount Pictures crafted a Mission: Impossible III game for cell phones while Miami Vice had an accompanying game to play on Sony's handheld PSP.
This is about more than fun and games. Yankee Group estimates that by 2007 a serious gamer will lurk in every fourth home in America. Nielsen says three out of four residences with guys under age 34 have a game system. More people slay orcs in the medieval-style quest for virtual gold and power, "World of Warcraft," than live in Denmark. In 2006, gamers across the globe owned more than 100 million PlayStation2s and 40 million Xboxes. In the United States, video games already raked in more money than the movie box offices, and Yankee Group says the industry will top $8.3 billion by 2008. PricewaterhouseCoopers says globally it will reach $55 billion by 2009. That explains why a cottage industry in Los Angeles builds game consoles into the backs of Lincoln Navigators.

Collectively, interactive ads embedded in quizzes and games made up more than $1 billion of the $12.5 billion in online ad revenue in 2005, according to the Interactive Advertising Bureau. Nielsen (which now measures the industry) expects advertising spending within games will jump from $75 million in 2006 to $1 billon by 2010. Mitch Davis, CEO of Massive, thinks it could be almost twice that -- and account for about 3 percent of all media spending, just shy of what advertisers spend on the Internet.

Copyright © 2007 Carat North America, Inc. from the book Watch This, Listen Up, Click Here by David Verklin and Bernice Kanner Published by John Wiley & Sons Inc.; April 2007;$24.95US/$29.99CAN; 978-0-470-05643-1