Hi everyone. I thought I should take the time to change course from my traditional book reviewing and blog about how my birthday went. I'm sure all of you deserve a change on this blog.
This year I turned twenty-four. I had a hope as to what I would find that day, and I was not disappointed. My brothers got me a double-feature of How to Train Your Dragon 2 with the bonus short Dawn of the Dragon Racers. I was really happy to see that. I also got a new watch since my old one broke. I did buy myself some DVDs from the bookstore too: Quest for Camelot and Brave. I thought it would be best to find stories revolving around my English-Scottish heritage. Of course that doesn't mean I can't enjoy other stories based on other nationalities as well.
Anyway, back to my birthday for fun we went to the Museum of Ancient Life. I wanted to show my brothers how it was designed. We had fun while we were there. There was a place where we could put together our own dinosaur. We ended up making a six-legged, four-headed (three at the front, one where the tail should've been) dinosaur. Josh dubbed the creature a Chimerasaurus. We all enjoyed the interactive exhibits.
For dinner we ate at a restaurant called Golden Corral. We hadn't been there for a while, and we always enjoyed the buffet. I have to admit I was embarrassed when people came and sung Happy Birthday to me. I don't know how kids can handle it. If anyone finds out please let me know. I would love to know.
Well that's it for now. Sorry for the lack of pictures. I'll try to make sure I have a way to transfer pictures from my phone onto my blog in the future. Maybe I can try to figure that out this week and post some of the videos and photos on here.
Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Saturday, November 15, 2014
Thursday, December 12, 2013
On publishing and Finals
Hi. The time's really been busy because finals are coming up next week and this weekend I plan to study hard to make sure I do good. It would be nice to get a really good grade. However even if I just pass the finals that'll be enough for me. It means I tried.
So what else to blog about? Oh yeah. Tonight in my Creative Writing class I learned about publishing what you write. I was told that getting a book agent is a good way to get your manuscript published. However there is something you should remember: agents don't get paid until after the book is published. If an agent asks for money beforehand, that's a good signal that you should probably try someone else. In trying to find an agent there are plenty of websites you can use. However specific agents are sometimes mentioned in the acknowledgments of a book. Conferences are also a good way to find an agent.
If you want to try to get published without an agent you can try self-publishing, but it means you'll have to work harder to get your book out there. One of the things you should do with writing is make sure your manuscript is ready. Especially if you have a series planned. Fans generally don't like to be kept waiting. I'm sorry that I wasn't patient enough in that department. Well now I know writing can be harder than we often think. However I really enjoy writing because I love the feeling I get with creating a new world and new adventures within, and being able to share that gift with others is truly a gratifying experience.
If you want to know how to get your manuscript really good what I was told was to find a critique group. A critique group is a group of people who read and give feedback on what they've written. It can be very helpful because weak areas can be spotted by others and you can get ideas for revision. One important thing to remember you don't need to use everything they say. You can consider their ideas and if you like them you could try to use them. If not, just remember they were giving their ideas. It's important to keep in mind it's your story and you are the one who is ultimately in charge.
One last thing, last night I learned of a group of students who are working on a company called The Dream Press. Basically people can submit their work and then people can read and vote on what they'd like to see published. If you have a novel you'd like to get published you can submit the first chapter as a hooker. You can even post your own covers or you can select the option of allowing someone else to create one for you, either in black and white or in color. Best part is it's not that expensive. Only around $20. Well I need to get back to writing so see you later. Oh, before I go here's a link to the website:
http://www.thedreampress.com/storyjam/
So what else to blog about? Oh yeah. Tonight in my Creative Writing class I learned about publishing what you write. I was told that getting a book agent is a good way to get your manuscript published. However there is something you should remember: agents don't get paid until after the book is published. If an agent asks for money beforehand, that's a good signal that you should probably try someone else. In trying to find an agent there are plenty of websites you can use. However specific agents are sometimes mentioned in the acknowledgments of a book. Conferences are also a good way to find an agent.
If you want to try to get published without an agent you can try self-publishing, but it means you'll have to work harder to get your book out there. One of the things you should do with writing is make sure your manuscript is ready. Especially if you have a series planned. Fans generally don't like to be kept waiting. I'm sorry that I wasn't patient enough in that department. Well now I know writing can be harder than we often think. However I really enjoy writing because I love the feeling I get with creating a new world and new adventures within, and being able to share that gift with others is truly a gratifying experience.
If you want to know how to get your manuscript really good what I was told was to find a critique group. A critique group is a group of people who read and give feedback on what they've written. It can be very helpful because weak areas can be spotted by others and you can get ideas for revision. One important thing to remember you don't need to use everything they say. You can consider their ideas and if you like them you could try to use them. If not, just remember they were giving their ideas. It's important to keep in mind it's your story and you are the one who is ultimately in charge.
One last thing, last night I learned of a group of students who are working on a company called The Dream Press. Basically people can submit their work and then people can read and vote on what they'd like to see published. If you have a novel you'd like to get published you can submit the first chapter as a hooker. You can even post your own covers or you can select the option of allowing someone else to create one for you, either in black and white or in color. Best part is it's not that expensive. Only around $20. Well I need to get back to writing so see you later. Oh, before I go here's a link to the website:
http://www.thedreampress.com/storyjam/
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Heads up! Great stuff today
Alright everyone, I wanted to let you know that today I got done with the outline for the short story. Which means that in the near future this blog will be featuring the first short story from the world of Dymos! Who here is excited? I'm looking forward to it.
Schooling's been going okay. I did drop one class and added another to complete a core requirement. I did want to take the class I wanted. However I felt like I was going to be struggling a lot. I was taking a class on the Ancient Near East to try to do some research in trying to develop a culture for a part of Dymos. Last week while I was looking through the scriptures a thought was pressing down on me that I needed to take something else. I met with counselors to look at other majors in case I wouldn't be able to go with plan A, and I also looked at core requirement classes I could take instead.
The class I went with was Introduction to Film. I enjoyed what I experienced today. We got to see some of the old original black and white silent films, from shorts lasting only fifteen seconds to what is generally regarded as the first Western The Great Train Robbery. Seeing how films were done like that was amusing. However I'm glad that people kept working at developing this discovery and now we can create astonishing worlds in movies and make it so that what you see on screen is coming out towards you. Probably not the best if it's some ravenous rabid monster. Kidding. I've never experience that thankfully. One interesting thing that I learned was that what is considered by all technicality the first film was something used to win an argument about horses leaping.
Well that seems to be enough for tonight. I'll try to make sure I get a post in tomorrow. Be sure to keep an eye out for when the first short story comes about, and please let anyone and everyone you know who likes fantasy, prehistory, or Dymos be aware as well.
Schooling's been going okay. I did drop one class and added another to complete a core requirement. I did want to take the class I wanted. However I felt like I was going to be struggling a lot. I was taking a class on the Ancient Near East to try to do some research in trying to develop a culture for a part of Dymos. Last week while I was looking through the scriptures a thought was pressing down on me that I needed to take something else. I met with counselors to look at other majors in case I wouldn't be able to go with plan A, and I also looked at core requirement classes I could take instead.
The class I went with was Introduction to Film. I enjoyed what I experienced today. We got to see some of the old original black and white silent films, from shorts lasting only fifteen seconds to what is generally regarded as the first Western The Great Train Robbery. Seeing how films were done like that was amusing. However I'm glad that people kept working at developing this discovery and now we can create astonishing worlds in movies and make it so that what you see on screen is coming out towards you. Probably not the best if it's some ravenous rabid monster. Kidding. I've never experience that thankfully. One interesting thing that I learned was that what is considered by all technicality the first film was something used to win an argument about horses leaping.
Well that seems to be enough for tonight. I'll try to make sure I get a post in tomorrow. Be sure to keep an eye out for when the first short story comes about, and please let anyone and everyone you know who likes fantasy, prehistory, or Dymos be aware as well.
Monday, September 9, 2013
Not much here
I'm sorry to say that I don't have much here. I need to be getting to bed soon. However I didn't want to leave you without an update. I just have to say if there's something that you need to do and get done as soon as possible go somewhere public and do it. You'll be less likely to get distracted by other things especially if you're on the computer. Trying it out today really made a difference for me.
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Still no short story
I know I said I was going to get a short story posted this week. I'm afraid it's going to have to be postponed. I started up school this week. However the problem was my poor use of time. I think I'll try to blog about my first week of school if you're interested.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)