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McAnally's (The Community Pub) => Author Craft => Topic started by: Murphy's Stunt Double on May 07, 2008, 09:24:54 PM

Title: Tips for the Unmotivated
Post by: Murphy's Stunt Double on May 07, 2008, 09:24:54 PM
I've been asked by my station manager to do a segment on this week's radio show called "Tips for the Unmotivated" The show is geared toward writers who are in the process of either writing their book, getting it published by any means necessary, or marketing what they've got in hand.

So since I'm crunched with other last minute stuff, I'm asking for your help.  ;D What are your tips for getting motivated to write? To find that perfect agent, or publisher? Or to sell more books? You can be serious or funny, get creative!

If I choose your tip and put it on the air, I'll want to include your name and town and state, so please include that in your post (it doesn't have to be your real name, if you want to keep it private - just something so you know it's yours)

Thanks in advance everyone! I think this is going to be a lot of fun!
Title: Re: Tips for the Unmotivated
Post by: LizW65 on May 07, 2008, 09:27:40 PM
"If I don't do this, someone else might think of it and publish it first!!"
Title: Re: Tips for the Unmotivated
Post by: Wolfhowls on May 08, 2008, 12:11:02 AM
"If I do this I can stop donating blood as a part time job!"

"If I get this done, I can finally laugh in the face of that literature professor"

"When the book gets published I can yell 'HA! Eat that!'"

Title: Re: Tips for the Unmotivated
Post by: Cooper on May 08, 2008, 12:33:43 AM
"If I do this, I would have to reconsider my career change!"
Title: Re: Tips for the Unmotivated
Post by: Murphy's Stunt Double on May 08, 2008, 12:34:27 AM
I don't get that one, Cooper? Extrapolate?

Thanks everybody. These are great!
Title: Re: Tips for the Unmotivated
Post by: Cophet on May 08, 2008, 12:44:01 AM
"If I don't get this published, Jim Butcher might never call me 'dude'... I need that."
Title: Re: Tips for the Unmotivated
Post by: twinswin123 on May 08, 2008, 03:32:48 AM
If i dont get writing, I might decide to come here instead
Title: Re: Tips for the Unmotivated
Post by: Spectacular Sameth on May 08, 2008, 10:32:15 AM
"I really want to see my name on the cover of a book someday."
Title: Re: Tips for the Unmotivated
Post by: Noey on May 08, 2008, 11:22:14 AM
It puts the words on the page, or else it gets the hose again.
Title: Re: Tips for the Unmotivated
Post by: Murphy's Stunt Double on May 08, 2008, 02:34:47 PM
It puts the words on the page, or else it gets the hose again.

Excuse me, What?
Title: Re: Tips for the Unmotivated
Post by: Noey on May 08, 2008, 02:35:29 PM
Excuse me, What?

Bad Silence of the Lambs joke.  ;D
Title: Re: Tips for the Unmotivated
Post by: the neurovore of Zur-En-Aargh on May 08, 2008, 04:03:49 PM
I have to let these people tell their stories or they will keep me up at night and interfere with other things; you do not want to be writing complex database code and realise d'Artagnan is doing the documentation, and you really do not want your characters bombarding you with advice about your love life.
Title: Re: Tips for the Unmotivated
Post by: Spectacular Sameth on May 08, 2008, 04:29:50 PM
Bad Silence of the Lambs joke.  ;D

Nah, it wasn't bad, just esoteric.




Lois: It's geat they picked your theme, but isn't it a little esoteric?
Peter: Esoteric?
(Zoom in to the guys in Peter's brain)
Guy1: Could it mean sexy?
Guy2: I think it's a science term.
Guy3: Fellas, fellas! Esoteric means delicious!
(back to the real world)
Peter: Lois, "Who's the Boss" is not a food.
Brian: Swing and a miss.
Title: Re: Tips for the Unmotivated
Post by: Murphy's Stunt Double on May 08, 2008, 06:34:09 PM
I have to let these people tell their stories or they will keep me up at night and interfere with other things; you do not want to be writing complex database code and realise d'Artagnan is doing the documentation, and you really do not want your characters bombarding you with advice about your love life.

We have a winner! ROFL! This is what makes me write, too!

Thank you guys sooooo much. Make sure you tune in to the show on Friday morning to hear who made the cut!

(((((all of you!))))))
Title: Re: Tips for the Unmotivated
Post by: Adam on May 11, 2008, 05:34:07 PM
I'm at an annoying point.  Half way through a story, and then an idea for a better story pops up.  :P
Title: Re: Tips for the Unmotivated
Post by: Murphy's Stunt Double on May 11, 2008, 05:57:27 PM
A friend of mine highly advocates the use of notebooks. Get the jist of the new story down and go back to it later. Don't let yourself lose focus on what you're halfway through.

Trust me, I know from experience and stacks of unfinished stories.
Title: Re: Tips for the Unmotivated
Post by: Adam on May 12, 2008, 06:37:08 PM
Working through the sluggish middle section now.  Pushing through the lack of motivation due to just wanting to get to the end.  And I find that as I just keep pushing ahead, sometimes my brain helps out and produces some groovy stuff.  Like I'm typing away, paragraph by paragraph, and then I'll read what I just typed and think "Yeah, that's a good idea and fits well".  My brain springs these little surprrises on me.  it's like my brain has this big meaningful plot all worked out ahead of time, and only lets me know about it a ltitle piece at a time as I go along.  Stupid secretive brain.
Title: Re: Tips for the Unmotivated
Post by: Adam on May 16, 2008, 07:46:13 PM
My protagonist was just disembowelled.  Mwahahahaha!  There's some motivation to keep writing, to see where it leads.  :)
Title: Re: Tips for the Unmotivated
Post by: the neurovore of Zur-En-Aargh on May 16, 2008, 08:02:26 PM
Working through the sluggish middle section now.  Pushing through the lack of motivation due to just wanting to get to the end.  And I find that as I just keep pushing ahead, sometimes my brain helps out and produces some groovy stuff.  Like I'm typing away, paragraph by paragraph, and then I'll read what I just typed and think "Yeah, that's a good idea and fits well".  My brain springs these little surprrises on me.  it's like my brain has this big meaningful plot all worked out ahead of time, and only lets me know about it a ltitle piece at a time as I go along.  Stupid secretive brain.

Mine does that too, all the time.  Which can be a bit irksome, really, because I get to where I thought I was ready to start tying things up into the end, and I have half a dozen extra things I'd not realised I was going to need to resolve by that point.
Title: Re: Tips for the Unmotivated
Post by: SailorYue on May 16, 2008, 08:19:19 PM
theres nothing more satisfying than satisfied readers.

[i know this for afact, i LOVE getting good fanfic reviews.]
just call me SailorYue from NewJersey
[it's pronounced U-ay]