The Scribbler

Critiques

So, I was on David Brin's website today reading his "Advice for New Writers" - which is funny because I'm not actually new...just primarily unpublished. Still, the advice was good stuff. One piece of advice that I have decided to implement (on that could be good for lots of us...) is a Critique Workshop. I have never used this enough as I am egotistical and usually disdain other opinions, which could be poison to a writer trying to improve. So, I made the commitment to try this out. Mr. Brin recommended thi site - Critters .

I read through it and it is free (always key to the starving artist), all you have to do is provide critiques for other writers. Reading other stuff is extremely important to writers. I think we should digest more than we produce when it comes to writing/reading, so it seems like a good idea.  Thought I would post it in case others might need the same sort of "creative examination".

I'll keep ya posted.

Cool job blog

Everyone else may already read this blog, but there are some really cool things on it.

Monster Blog

I love the degree converter to find all of the jobs in my chosen degree field. Pretty interesting.

Who says Hobbies can't pay off!

So this is a great story! P.G Holyfield is a fan of the computer game NeverWinter Nights. I have a similar addiction to World of Warcraft and City of Heroes. The difference, Mr. Holyfield wrote a long and well-crafted serial story involving characters inspired by the game (and also by his long time love of fantasy). Due to a following for the story on the fan fiction site of NWN and a wonderfully timed interview by Bioware (the makers of the game) - Mr. Holyfield is poised to self-publish his serial story in novel form, restructured of course for novel format, but with an already-interested reader base. By the way, the original story is quite good and I expect the novel to be as well. You can read about it on Holyfield's site:Murder at Avedon Hill

Before you take off though, let's ask - "How did this happen?"

Well, on this site, we have talked before about finding a way to make your passion pay and live by what you love. Well, look at this...P.G Holyfield started this serial story as a labor of love for the genre and the characters. He had no intent to publish, then, a good while later, a measure of fame comes knocking. A wonderful story  and what should be an inspiration to us all. Follow your passion first...worry about "market value" later.

Now, go read P.G.'s story.

JG

NFL Players I thought would be GREAT!

Watching NFL Europe and the Arena Football League got me to thinking about NFL players I thought we be fantastic. Some of these guys still play so it may happen...but if history repeats itself, then just being on my list of "potential starters" is like the kiss of death...

• Andy Kelly (has found a measure of fame and greatness in the AFL and I applaud him for it)
• Jim Druckenmiller

• Ki Jana Carter

• Curtis Keaton

• Trung Canidate

• Mike McMahon

• Joe Hamilton

• Jarret Payton

• Chris Sims

• Ryan Leaf

• Curtis Conway

• Ian Smart

• Dan Alexander

• Rob Conrad

• Jose Cortez

• John Avery (Is big stuff in the Canadian League…I just thought he would be the next Emmit Smith)

• Saladin McCullough

• Jonathan Carter

• Tyrone Calico

• Rashard Lee
• Tim Couch  (I am guilty of saying - "He's going to be the next Brett Favre")

• Tommy Maddox (I was close to right on this one)
• Justin Fargas (son of "Huggy Bear")
• Anthony Dorsett
• Olandis Gary
• Rod "He Hate Me" Smartt
• Jermaine Copeland

JG

The MouseKnight

Check out this awesome site! I stumbled across these stories of The MouseKnight recently (don’t ask why I was browsing the Rat and Mouse Club of America website), but I was blown away by the stories and the art….wow, the art. I sat at work, wasting company resources and read, read, read. Ok…enough of my blather. Check this out!

The MouseKnight Chronicles

Revenge Of The Sith

I am incredibly excited about the new Star Wars. Primarily so we can get past this Anakin worship and see him for the weak-minded putz that he is. I am excited about Obi Wan layin' the smackdown on his darkside walkin' ass. He was seduced to the dark side by whom? A wrinkly old man...sugar daddy? You make the call. I would have been much more likely to walk on the dark side for a piece of the Queen Amidala...maybe even explore HER darkside...eh, wot? What can I say, they should have listened to Yoda when he said not to train the little bastard. What is it about people not listening to the wizened little green dude. I expect it was the start of "short man syndrome" - it did take place "a long time ago" as I recall. Those are my thoughts. I can’t wait for May 19th.

These Pants Are Too Tight!

I had a few comments on my post “Does anyone else feel this way”

I thought I would relate how this whole thought process hit me like a ton of bricks one evening and has now become an unshakeable thought!

I was returning from a business trip in Omaha, Nebraska. I had just sucked down a Grande Cappuccino from Starbuck’s and was sitting patiently waiting for my flight when I thought to myself, “These pants are too tight”. Sadly, this is not an uncommon thought for me these days, but in this case, I realize it was not that they were tight, they were just uncomfortable. I looked down at them. They are a pair of dress slacks made by an Italian designer (I forget who, but suffice it to say these are not expensive pants. I spend money on more important stuff than work clothes). Anyway, I looked around and saw literally hundreds of other travelers who were dressed essentially just like me. Pressed button-down shirt, nice pants, nice shoes, black carry-on bag (laptop included) and decidedly downtrodden corporate facial expression.

Well, I thought to myself, “Why do we dress this way?” and I quickly answered myself “Because we are told to”. I came to the shocking conclusion that I, and all those like me, were wearing the accepted uniform of the corporate wageslave. Now, Corporate Wageslave” was never how I described my future when I was a child and it is certainly not what I tell my kids I am. I asked myself “How did I get here? More importantly, how to get out? Who makes money and wears what they want?”

Well, again I answered myself, “People who work for themselves”. Now, I don’t want to turn my blog into a gripe against corporate America, nor do I want to try and become a prophet for entrepreneurs (they are tons of those already) but it is a thought I have been having. How to do something of my own. Some sort of lifestyle business like Ron Heacock’s Writer’s Retreat , or some sort of Bed &Breakfast or Charter Fishing…I am literally just brainstorming, but I think you get the idea.

Anyway, one helpful blog for these sorts of thoughts is “Seth’s Blog” – it is a blog by Marketing guru Seth Godin whose favorite quote is “Start something, now!” So, should we all start something – now? If so…what? Maybe my "too-tight-pants" have become metaphorical for a corporate lifestyle I would rather escape...then again, they are okay pants.

Rich Scribbler, Poor Scribbler?

My post on 4/13/05 entitled “Does Anybody Else Feel Like This” elicited a short essay by Aaron at Project Outhouse

Aaron says what I was trying to say in a far more eloquent manner. It is an inspiring thought and anyone who feels the same should check out the comment left on my post by Ron of http://hillhousewriters.com. His is a story far closer to what I want to do than anyone I have met.

Here is a great example. Who has read “Rich Dad, Poor Dad”. That book is so eloquent and makes it all seem so simple. Is it really so simple? Has anyone put the thoughts on cash flow n that book to work for him or her? If so, are you now retired from the corporate world and doing whatever it is your heart call you to do? That would be the ultimate testimonial for that book. I have several friends who have read it and crow about it (and about Mr. Kiyosaki) but none of said friends are rich, or even financially independent. Any success stories out there?

Hill House

This extraordinary gent posted a comment on the blog a few days back and I am now just intrigued with his life.

http://hillhousewriters.com/

Also, read his comments on my post entitled “Does Anyone Else Feel Like This”. Great stuff. It puts me in the mind of a book called “Think and Grow Rich” By Napoleon Hill, but in this case, the advice is from someone who I can clearly see “Walking the Walk”.

Am I the only one that feels like this?

I don’t like becoming this guy. I just got back from a business trip. I look around and see little clones of me all around in the airport. You know those guys. The business guys. In my case, dressed well (but not too well). I look around at work and on these trips and I see oceans of people, but most are just…existing.

I want to do what I want to do. Something that is filled with passion. Something that leaves a legacy. Something that doesn’t feel so much like work (but it does have to pay well).

Is that asking too much? Maybe, but this is my fantasy.

I can make lists and plans all day long, but in the end it all comes down to a single step. What prevents that step? Nothing…except a paralyzing fear.

So what do I want?

I want to live on the ocean (Atlantic)

I want to meet people

I want to write something that people want to read

I want to speak to groups (and be invited to do so)

I want to throw parties that people want to attend

I want to be able to hire friends and family

I want to travel, but on my terms, so my family can go with me.

I want a schedule that allows me to be flexible, skip work occasionally and fit in a workout

I want to involve history or the study of history

I want to help people or at least provide a welcome service

I want to be able to take my kids to work

I want to do something that I can pass on to my kids

I want my work and life to be surrounded by music

I want to be able to help (really help) charities and schools

I want this to be something that would involve or impact education

So how do I get all of that in one package? I don’t know and even if I did know, would I be too afraid to go out and get it?