What's this eBook thing, anyway?

This is almost painful to watch. The look on their faces as they speak about this weird, new thing called the "Internet"

Okay, so maybe the video has nothing to do with eBooks... but maybe, it really does.

I can't help but let my very expensive education from USC get in the way. I guess when I got an MBA, I learned to look at most things through the eyes of an entrepreneur. Most people in the industry are pretending, hoping that this eBook-thing and self-publishing-thing and indie-publishing-thing will go away. If we shove our head deep under the sand--real deep--it'll go away.

It won't go away. It's already too late. The question, the only question, that should be asked is what are YOU doing to ride this wave? How are you reconsidering the impact and possibilities and opportunities that this wave will bring.

In this blog, I write about writing.

But my "other" life is, and has been, about bringing new technologies to market. I've launched businesses, ran businesses, and helped others realize their entrepreneurial dreams. Today, I help develop the technology roadmap of the movie industry. And I see a dangerous disease everywhere I look.

There is a disease that's called denial. And unfortunately, in the book publishing industry, denial is the de facto standard. As writers, we can't be blind. This is our careers, the future, the platform upon which we are able to deliver our stories to others.

We can watch that 1994 TODAY SHOW video and laugh. "How ridiculous, and blind," we'll claim. "For the love of everything that we know of, the Internet is the backbone of everything we do."

In ten years, will we look back at the articles, and YouTube videos produced in 2011 about eBooks and laugh? Will we wonder how so many people missed the boat?

First Draft - Open or Closed?

Those who follow my brilliant, witty, and insightful Tweets (just ask my mom), already know this: I've finished the first draft of my second novel.

Yes, tis' true. Thank you for your support, furry one.

For some, this may be a 'so what' moment, but to me, it's a big deal. I wanted to know that I had more than one story in me. I mean, I knew I had more, but would I be able to get it out and put it on paper.

I am happy to say that my fears were laid to rest. Not only was I able to call on the muse again, but this time I was able to finish even faster than with my first story. This novel took me 32 days to write.

Granted this is only my first draft, and my story will go through a lot of surgery before it's done. But this got me to think about my writing process:

Writing my first draft is a lonely experience. It's only me and my manuscript. No one else.

Stephen King calls this writing with the doors closed. He, like me, writes his first draft behind closed doors. I guess I should say "I, like Mr King, write my first draft"... as opposed to... oh, you know what I mean!

He doesn't mean literally closed doors, although I'm sure that would help. In my case, my home office doors don't actually keep my little monkey's out.

Even when I close the doors, they stand behind the glass and wave at me.

I only share the first chapter. And only with my wife. After that, I am in solitary confinement. I share nothing. NOTHING.

For whatever reason, I assumed most people write their first draft this way. But, nay. Many write one chapter or two and get it to their critique group. I would be such a mess. For many reasons. My first draft has gaps in it. The themes have not been harnessed. The archeological find is still in the soil. The shape is there, but the definition, is far from being ready for others to read. How could I share that!

I've taken a lot of my studying and coaching to heart. You write the first draft fast and furious. Don't let anyone or anything get in the way. Finish your first draft fast.

Another writer, Gwen Hernandez, reminded me of a perfectly appropriate quote by the great Nora Roberts: "You can fix a bad page. You can't fix a blank one."

Critique group? Not me. I don't think I could do it. If people started to give me their input, I would be a basket case. "But, I'm not really done yet. Don't judge me!" Maybe as I get more novels under my belt, I'll change my mind. But somehow I think this is in my DNA.

I'd like to know:

• What's your first draft velocity? Are you fast and furious, or methodical, with various revisions while you write the first draft?
• Do you share your work in progress? Or write with the doors closed?

Nutrition for Writers

I may not be a nutritionist, but I know what works for me! And if it's good for me, then it must be good for everyone else.

What are the two basic food groups?

That's right: coffee and ice cream 

I will, at no cost, give you an exclusive license to use a mixture that I want us to call "The Ara"

This little piece of heaven will give you the sugar and coffee rush you need to konck out at least 2,000 words in one sitting!


[Note: This statement has not been verified by the FDA or Writer's Digest]

If you're going to use my recipe, you need to give me the name recognition. I was told that my brand was important. This is a good place to start. 

Speaking of starts, here we go:

STEP 1

Espresso - Please do not cheap out and use some instant coffee. One ounce please. Anything more, and it might as well be called colored water

STEP 2

Chill the Espresso - In the freezer she goes. For about 20 minutes. Don't let the dang thing freeze. Just make it cold.

STEP 3

Ice Creme - Vanilla ice cream. Once tight scoop. Don't overdo it. You really don't want to have that much ice cream. You want it to be just enough goodness.

STEP 4

Combine - Gently pour the chilled espresso on the vanilla ice cream.

STEP 5

Have At It - Don't share. Don't listen to Barney. When it comes to this, Sharing Is NOT Caring. It's just silly. You don't want to share your awesome, The Ara, with everyone. You can share the recipe, and my blog, but don't share the creation henceforth known as The Ara.

Here's the last part of the deal, if you like it, let me know. If you like it-like it then join my blog, or twitter account. I say a lot of cool stuff! At least, I think so.

One Year Ago...

... I chose to dream

In January of 2010, I had a profound conversation with my alter ego. (I do that often. What can I tell you?)

"Ara," I said, and I listened intently. "In 2009 you worked on the craft. You wrote short stories, studied the craft, and experimented--a lot. It's time, little brother. It's time to give it a shot again at writing a novel."

This was a hard conversation for me to have. My first attempt had been painful -- 5 years painful. And when I was "done" it really sucked eggs. Stinky eggs. The good news was that in the stink, I discovered that I had made all the classic mistakes. Only up from there, right?

The planning began. I was searching for that brilliant idea. That one idea that no one has thought of. I stopped getting hair cuts, and even lost  some of my youthful features (sort of like the picture below)

I wrote notes, index cards, mind maps, you name it--I did it! None of it resonated with me. I started to think that maybe I don't have anything worth telling.

Then in May, I went on a business trip to Paris--French Open--the idea was born.

Here's the thing: I dared to think, to believe, that I can write a complete story. A story that I wanted to read. A story that I wanted to know how it would end. In eight weeks I wrote 70k words. I took a break, then came back to it. Worked with really smart readers and by Nov 1st I was done. I had my first, complete, manuscript at 94k words. I did it. I did what had not been available to me for more years than I want to admit.

Now, it's being shopped around. More on this later.

While I waited on agents, I started another story. You see, I was worried. What if I only had one good story in me? I love doing this? But can I do another one?

On Dec 21st a new idea came. Thirty two days later, I was done with a YA Paranormal story, today sitting at 65k words (the sweet spot for this genre, I am told).

One year ago, I dreamt. One year later, I have two stories I am proud of. One that I'm pitching to agents, and another that I will begin revising in about two weeks.

This brings me to one of my favorite excerpts:

"But when I said that nothing had been done I erred in one important matter. We had definitely committed ourselves and were halfway out of our ruts. We had put down our passage money— booked a sailing to Bombay. This may sound too simple, but is great in consequence.

Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too.

A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way. I learned a deep respect for one of Goethe’s couplets:

Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it!
- W. H. Murray, from The Scottish Himalayan Expedition (1951)"


Dream it. 
Then Act on it. 
It's your dream. 
Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. 
Not even your alter ego.

Can I Handle the Truth?

Have you noticed that when you want to avoid something, all things in life help you avoid it. Even if it's something you really should do, and can do, and must do. But when doubt creeps in, you get creative in how many ways you will avoid it. I am so good at it that I actually get sick. Not easy things like rapid heart-rate, dizziness, and migraines, but real stuff like sneezing, coughing, and the flu.

I've been told by my blog readers, friends, a best-selling author, debut authors, and various others to post Chapter 1 of Aces on my site. As can be expected, I suddenly got ill. Coincidence? Me thinks no!

I've been avoiding this for some reason. And I guess it's a simple reason -- once it's out there, I will get opinions of strangers. It's true, people that I have not met, written to, or twitted with.

The thing is that I've been a happy dance so far. Once it's posted, how will I handle the negative, or lukewarm views.

I suddenly had a vision of the scene from A Few Good Men -- you know, "You can't handle the truth!"

That's when it hit me: at one point, I will also get the opinion of strangers. Agents, editors, and eventually (positive thoughts) readers of the novel.

This was a cathartic moment for me. Similar to when I was in 6th grade and I realized that life in school still marches whether I'm there or not. Weird, right?

So can I handle the truth? I don't know, but so what. I haven't know a lot of things in my life, and they've turned out okay.

• I didn't know if I could write a novel -- I did. I'm now 40,000 words into the second one
• I didn't know if my wife, the person who after all these years I'm still trying to impress, would like it -- she loved it
• I didn't know if others would like it -- they have
• I don't know if you'll like it -- I hope you do. But I can't win everyone over. My charm and firm handshake can go so far :)

Here's the link (Read me!)

You can also go to THE Novel - Aces tab above...

Post comments, send me emails, talk to me telepathically (my brain is most receptive between midnight and 2 AM). If you like it, share it, tell me, and tell others. If you don't, I will spam your inbox ;)

~Ara

For Authors/Agents/Editors

Apple continues to listen to my telepathic requests. Thanks Steve!
Steve & I (you can call him Mr. Jobs) are like two peas in a pod!

We hang out all the time...

I'm the one in the cool hat

Anyway, I digress. I've been using a couple of tools with great success, and I thought to myself, "Self, I bet others could get value from this."

The tools: Scrivener 2.0, Apple iPad, iBooks v1.2

I am please to say when Apple released v.1.2 of iBooks, they did it for me! me-me-me! okay, so maybe a few million people will take advantage of it also, but don't get confused. It was for ME!

Are you an editor? Do you like to review manuscript on your iPad? Would you like to review it on your iPad? Would you like to take notes all over the manuscript and then send over all your comments and questions to your agent, your boss, a colleague, a client, yourself? Now you can.

Here's a quick tutorial

It all starts with Scrivener...
What?
You.Don't.Have.Scrievener.Yet.
Come on! You're not all over Scrivener 2.0?  Even after I gave you TEN REASONS!
Tell them I sent you, and they'll charge you only $45!

I suppose you can use other conversion tools (Calibre, etc) but my experience is that Scrivener has the best conversion I've seen. Gwen Hernandez (@Gwen_Hernandez) has done a real nice job explaining how to Compile Scrivener projects here. So I won't repeat what she's done. Just know this -- it's dead simple and a spot-on accurate conversion of your manuscript.

1. Compile your manuscript in eBook format. Here's Scrivener's Compile Screen

Scrivener's compile to eBook format screen... Love!

You can even bling it up and add a snazzy cover!

    You will now have a document saved in eBook format.

2. Drag and drop the file in your iTunes:

It will end up in your "books" folder.. note my good taste in books!

3. Synch your iPad and check your iBooks bookshelf

4. Highlight and make notes in iBooks:

    All you do is place your finger on the word in question. If you want to select more than a word, just drag the hooks. Then highlight, or add a note.

     After writing the note, this is what you'll see on the manuscript's page

5. You can go to your bookmarks and see what you've done

6. And Export it to a printer or Email

I am not suggesting that this will in any way-shape-or-form replace copy editing. This is the higher level reading, when you see something that catches your eye and needs attention. This is a great way to spend some time in the coffee shop with your tablet and your favorite manuscript of all time... YOURS!

Two sides of the same coin: Rejection & Adoration

Rejection...

"I don't like it," she said.

I just looked at her. My heart sank. 

"It does nothing for me," she continued.

"Ok," I uttered.

"I forced myself to read past the first page."

What was that sensation? Oh, yes. It was the knife that my wife was churning in my sensitive heart. She held chapter 1 of a new concept that I was playing with like she would be insulted to use to line our trashcan. 

"I don't even think you like it," she said. "You're writing it because you think it's time to write. This is NOT the idea that deserves to be the followup to Aces.

There it was. 

When I wrote those 2,500 words I was writing -- the mechanics were there: my fingers moved on the keyboard, and words were displayed in my Scrivener app. 

But my heart was not in it. Unlike Aces, this one did not have heat or passion. 

Aces is in the query process. I've started to contact agents to query their interest. Everyone told me the same thing: when you start to query, that's the time to start your next novel. So I followed instructions. 

But, that's what I was doing -- following instructions. The magic of writing is only magic when you, the writer, is also transported to that world.

So I got a bit depressed. Got a cup of coffee (soy latte with illy coffee -- if you were wondering) and returned to my office. 

Noise canceling headphones? Check

Emotionally wrenching music? Check

Note book? Check

Idea? um, no check

Adoration...

I wrote random ideas, drew things, and my mind wondered to the Lunar Eclipse and Winter Solstice. 

In about one hour, if the clouds parted, the moon would look red, ominous, and awesome. Click! An idea came. Very fast and furious.

I wrote eight pages of notes in my journal. Before I knew it I was on the computer writing the opening scene. At 1 AM I was done. I missed the eclipse. Thankfully, according to my neighbor I didn't miss anything. The only eclipse I would have seen was provided by the clouds.

When she woke in the morning, I followed her around like a lost puppy. She knew what I wanted. 

She turned to me and smiled. "Make me a cup of coffee and I'll read it," she declared. 

Coffee in hand she read it. I watched her facial reactions wanting to see her laugh at the funny lines. Nothing! She instead had that serious face on. She's a high school teacher (a damned good one!) so she can't help looking serious. 

She was on the last page. She was done. She turned the last page and turned to me. A smile cracked her face.

"I like it. A lot. I want to read the rest of it."

I smiled. Probably looked goofy and silly. But I didn't care. I got her adoration.

"Get started. This is it!"

And of all things, I'm writing a YA novel. I've read so many lately that it was only a matter of time. 

My wife's done this to me in the past. I had written my Great American Novel some time ago. After I was done, I let her read chapter 1. She didn't care for it. She said "So what?"

Those words led me to work on the craft, learn, study, read, and do all I can to impress her -- my first reader. Fast forward one year and Aces went to her -- from rejection came adoration. I've already written her reaction in previous posts.

It is hard to get rejected. But it is necessary, absolutely critical, to take the rejection and improve from there. For anyone that has learned to play an instrument, the concept of rejection is built into the system. Your instrument of choice -- guitar, piano, etc. -- will immediately tell you when you strike the wrong note. Yes, that is rejection. It's a form of direct communication -- "not that note, try again." We don't take it personally. We make adjustments and move on. 

If you have trusted people around you, they should be that first filter. Later, it will be your agent. The agent will want changes, that's a good thing. It means that a professional reader is telling you when you've hit the wrong notes. Then the editor will do the same. It's all part of what it takes to create beautiful music with words.

Rejection has taken on a very negative connotation in our society. Do you have a good story where rejection led to something extraordinary. Share it! It's cathartic to share!

I am convinced that it is the blood line to creation.