Category: Writing

Writing about writing.

The Bard, The Dude, and Your Quotes: A Novel-T Contest

Novel-T offers literary and film buffs a chance to win their William Shakespeare shirt and a book signed by Adam Bertocci. The author’s reinterpretation of The Big Lebowski inspired the contest’s rules. To learn how you can win, read Novel-T’s Facebook post.

Jonathan Ames’ Network-ed Blunt Talk

Blunt Talk creator/showrunner/writer, author, and Novel-T Second Baseman Jonathan Ames knows when to follow his own recommendations. He advises, “[I]f there’s a style of someone that you like, if something appeals to you, you should try to write in that style…You should write what excites you, but put it through your own spirit.” Such wisdom enables Ames to channel Network, Paddy Chayefsky and Sidney Lumet’s brilliant media satire, into the first two episodes of the new Starz series without compromising his own comic voice.

I discuss Jonathan Ames’ hilarious new show in the latest Novel-T blog.

Novel-T’s Living Author Collection is on sale throughout the weekend.

Not According to Plan

Remember me?

I’m the guy who said – a year ago! – “My goal is to post something twice a month.” Clearly that didn’t happen.

I thought 2014 would be different; it would be my year of writing. It was. Yet again, I wrote every single day…and yet again none of it involved the words I promised myself. It wasn’t a year of “something good” or “something bad,” but rather “a bit of both.” The usual excuses of “busy” and tired” abounded after wading through months of murky deadlines. I went on some phenomenal trips and dealt with a few personal lows, all while failing to meet my greater objective.

It’s time to try again.

Yes, I know the idea of January being the ideal time to start fresh is completely arbitrary. “We all know it,” writes Warren Ellis. “But it’s a good story, so we keep on telling it. Every year, on and on. And who’s to say that, one golden year, it might not come true?”

See, I like stories. I believe in stories. Maybe 2015 will be the year the tale…the ideal…becomes a reality. I don’t know what form my writing will take. Maybe I’ll follow Ellis’ lead even further and concentrate on short bursts à la Morning, Computer. Once again, I have a few ideas that might be too ambitious for a while. I need to remind myself the research and effort will be worth the tiredness.

No matter your 2014 experience, I wish you better and wonderful 2015. Get to work at making that happen. I’m doing it right now.