Monday, August 27, 2012

How Historically Accurate Should Historical Fiction Be?

Historical novels are an interesting and enjoyable way to learn about historical events, characters, or time periods. While fictionalized, many authors rely on historical, geographical, and other research to create an ambiance within their novel that is believable and translates historical reality--well, at least as much as anyone can who isn't able to go back in time and experience events for themselves. But even if we could time travel, how true would our description of history be?


Since all history is interpretation, and all interpretation is by nature subjective (or biased), even historians don't always agree with each other on the causes, meanings, or realities of historical events. All one can say for certain is that at some point in history, this or that human wrote that this or that thing happened. Possibly there are records to prove an event happened. What events mean, or the realities surrounding events are interpretations. Even contemporary perspectives of characters and events are often colored by biased interpretation, and altered by things added or left out, or by the filters through which events and characters are viewed. Historians or historical writers can sometimes create the illusion of clarity while actually providing a very fuzzy picture, and the older the historical era or event the more this is true. 

Into this fuzziness good historical fiction writers dive!

Monday, August 20, 2012

Is Technology Causing Us to Lose the Personal Touch?

Photo from http://www.textkills.com/?p=780
Some question whether technology is really good for humans. Just look at any college campus where most of the people you see are shuffling down the halls, and sidewalks too, eyes glued to a tiny handheld screen, thumbs tapping at a furious pace. No one appears to be talking to anyone around them. It would seem that technology has replaced personal communication, and many complain that it has, and that it's unhealthy for us. Even worse, they claim, we're addicted to it.


Recent changes in grammar school education might also appear to support this conclusion, as more schools are no longer teaching cursive writing. In this digital age, many feel cursive writing is no longer needed. Others wonder how these children will ever be able to take notes or send hand written letters. They complain the personal touch is disappearing from our written communications, and that it's one more indication we have an unhealthy dependence on technology.

On the other hand, 

Monday, August 13, 2012

My Picks for QR Code Generation Software

So here are my picks for QR Code Generators:

Online business cards: 


I pick ScanMe.com for ease of use, security against data loss (contacts are saved on smartphones and online), and multiple mobile app platforms. Go here for instructions on registering your online business/calling card and downloading the mobile app to your device. Previously you had to have a Facebook account to register (login) at ScanMe and create your QR code. Now ScanMe also allows use of LinkedIn and Twitter accounts to register. Simply tap the contact buttons on the "contact" screen of the person's QR code you've scanned to connect with them. On the down side, everyone you want to connect with must have an online ScanMe account (and hopefully a smartphone with the ScanMe mobile app) to make it really useful. 

Scan.Me is an alternative that

Monday, August 6, 2012

Social Media Lab at Midwest Writers Workshop 2012

Facilitators at writers workshops may suggest that writers need to develop a social media platform to aid in marketing their books, and even offer some ideas as to how to do this, but how many offer hands-on training with a consultant (or tutor) in a computer lab?

This year Midwest Writers Workshop (MWW12 held in Muncie, Indiana July 26-28, 2012) offered attendees FREE social media tutoring at a computer lab loaned by Ball State University's English Department. Creative Writing Professor Cathy Day and four Creative Writing students (Ashley Cassandra Ford, Tyler Fields, Spencer McNelly, and Maye Ralston) operated and staffed the social media lab. Ball State IT employees installed and kept the computers operating well throughout the conference.

The Social Media Lab was kick-started Thursday evening, July 26, with a social media panel moderated by Day, and presented by the social media tutors (Ford, Fields, McNelly, and Ralston) and social media guru Jane Friedman.

Photo by Deborah Lucas

During the panel

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Maye's QR Code Presentation for Midwest Writers Workshop 2012 (#MWW12)

This is a QR Code for This Blog





As promised during my presentation at Midwest Writers Workshop 2012 (#MWW12), below is a link to my QR Code Presentation slides. For those who weren't at MWW12, these slides are from a five-minute introductory presentation I gave as part of the Social Media Panel with Jane Friedman, Cathy Day, Tyler Fields, Ashley Ford, and Spencer McNelly on July 26th, 2012:
Maye's QR Code Presentation for Midwest Writers Workshop 2012.



In addition, at the bottom right of this blog's home page you will find a copy of a QR code for this blog and a QR code generator which you can use to create your own blog or website QR code. Simply click on Qurify your own QR Code here! », type the URL you want to point to (or the message you want to appear) into the box, click the "Qurify" button, and viola! Now copy and save your new QR code to your hard drive (or take a photo of it with your camera phone). Paste it on your blog, in your emails (as part of your signature)...print it and tape it to your office door, etc. 





You may also find the following of interest:
Entering the Digital Era: QR Codes for, Well, Everything
My Picks for QR Code Generation Software
Social Media Lab at Midwest Writers Workshop 2012
eSolutions for Social Media Addictions
Where to Timeline and Storyboard: eSolutions
An eSolution for Character Creation: Character Writer
Tools for Writers: The Benefits of Writing With Scrivener
My Pick for Screenwriting Software: Celtx
For a Better Quality Break Time: Creativity Enhancing Goodies

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Entering the Digital Era: QR Codes for, Well, Everything

I was born for the digital era. I LOVE technology gadgets. I know you can't tell that by the number of posts on here about software programs and applications, but really I do. So when I started seeing square blobs of digital designs showing up, well, everywhere, I got curious. Seeing one on a piece of paper hung like a flyer on a bulletin board was the last straw. It was like some secret club sign that I hadn't been let in on. I had to know what it was and what it meant.


Scan this to connect with me on Twitter
When I found out,

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Guest Blog: Journaling and Healing - Springboard to Bigger Things


Some have used journaling as a springboard to publishing, and even to entrepreneurial endeavors. Today’s Guest Blog Post writer is one such person. Tina Games, certified creativity and life purpose coach, and author of Journaling by the Moonlight: A Mother’s Path to Self-Discovery.

Here Tina explains how her journaling process led to healing, and from there to bigger things:

Monday, May 7, 2012

Morphing Character Portraits in Art, Literature, and Film: Lessons in Power and Responsibility

Speed painter Brad Blaze, AKA "wittypainter" at YouTube, demonstrates the result of combining creativity with canvas and house paint. He paints one portrait then transforms it into another, within a very short amount of time. But you really have to see it:




Sunday, March 18, 2012

Guest Blog: The Importance of Journaling



Many writers keep journals or diaries. Some use it as a space within which to jot ideas, notes, and observations. Some use it to record day-to-day or traveling experiences. Some use journaling to explore personal emotional and psychological growth, and to promote healing. There are as many ways to awaken creativity with journaling, as there are people who journal.


Most people keep their journals private. Some publish their journals. Journal writers who become famous (politicians and a few writers, for example), may have their journals published after their deaths, whether they desired it or not. (A good reason to make sure no one knows where you hide yours.) 


Writing in a private journal can give one a place to explore ideas, thoughts, and feelings without the need or worry of self-censoring - an exploration that can be a writer's best friend.


My guest blogger for this week shares his thoughts and feelings about his experience with journal writing:

Sunday, March 4, 2012

For a Better Quality Break Time: Creativity Enhancing Goodies

Here are a few goodies that claim to enhance creativity, concentration, focus, relaxation, peace.... I won't swear they do but they sure make for a nice quality break from writing, painting, sculpting, or working in general. And who doesn't need an occasional break?

Sunday, February 26, 2012

An eSolution for Character Creation: Character Writer

I found an interesting little character creation program called Character Writer by Typing Chimp Software. It sells for $69.99, a hefty price for students and struggling writers. You can try out a very pared down version of the software's character personality creation FREE online here. As far as I can tell, you may try it unlimited times--so if you need a FREE character IDEA starting generator...

Sunday, February 19, 2012

My Pick for Screenwriting Software: Celtx

Celtx is a FREE software program designed with five internal text writers (templates) for producing screenplays, stage plays, AV scripts, audio scripts, comic books, and novels. They offer a Plus version currently on sale (33% off) for $9.99 (aka $10). As a disclaimer I must tell you I have not used Final Draft or other screenplay software yet. I chose this software because it is FREE and does everything I currently need it to do. Well, and it was suggested by both Jared Sexton and Matt Mullins, authors and creative writing professors at Ball State University.






Admittedly, I have only used the screenplay writing template, so that is what I will be describing in this post, for the most part. Also, I admit to never having read the directions (User Manual - downloadable for FREE), which is why I only recently discovered you need to compile (save) your project into the .pdf version when you want to print it out. You can print it directly from the saved working version without doing this, but apparently you will have format errors if you do...which also explains why I got less of a grade on my screenplays than I would have liked...or, maybe it doesn't.


You can get it for use on the following platforms: Windows, Mac (OS X - 10.5+), Linux 32bit, and Linux 64bit. You can use it in a number of different languages.


What I like about Celtx (beside the fact it is FREE) is that it's so simple to use. Open it, choose your template, and start writing. A drop down menu at the top offers heading options: scene, action, character, dialog, parenthetical, transition, shot, text.



The program has a Storyboard feature:



A Character Catalog feature:


And a Production Schedule feature:


There are two FREE utilities for the program: iPhone/iPad Desktop Sync and a Session Timer. The Language Dictionaries are also FREE to download.


 There are two mobile apps available: Celtx Shots (FREE to download and use - image packs cost varying prices from $0.99 to $4.99) and Celtx Script ($4.99 at the Apple iTunes App Store). Both are designed for use on the iPad and the iPhone, and may be synced with your Desktop copy of Celtx (see paragraph above).


FYI:  Scripts Free is a FREE script writing mobile app for iPhone or iPad (NOT a Celtx or Celtx-integrative app). Check for it via your iPhone.




Everything else will cost extra: 


Writing tool add-ons, sketch images, learning series, Celtx Guides, Storytelling education resources (which includes a link to buy Story by Robert McKee, an excellent book for screenwriters and novelists alike), and Celtx Studios (for storing and sharing projects - available for a monthly fee of $4.99). Special package prices are available if you want to purchase more than one add-on. None of the pricing is extravagant, and remember it is tax-deductible if you are trying to (or are fortunate enough to already) make a living at creative writing.


Well, one can hardly criticize them for wanting to make some profit, especially when the free stuff is so functional and useful by itself.


Celtx offers many other features that make it highly usable and helpful to writers, especially screen and stage play writers (for whom it was originally designed, I think), but I will let you read about them for yourself here (why repeat it when one can link it?).




If you enjoyed this article, you may also enjoy the following:

Tools for Writers: The Benefits of Writing With Scrivener
An eSolution for Character Creation: Character Writer
Where to Timeline and Storyboard: eSolutions
eSolutions for Social Media Addictions
For a Better Quality Break Time: Creativity Enhancing Goodies

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Where to Timeline and Storyboard: eSolutions

Ever feel the need to create a timeline or Storyboard for your story events and don't have enough wall space? I've found a few solutions, some of which make great brainstorming and notes organizing options as well.


Sunday, February 5, 2012

eSolutions for Social Media Addictions

What can you do if you want to write that awesome novel, essay, legal document, blog post or online journal post but you find yourself wasting time on Facebook, or surfing the web, instead? (Facebook, please don't sue me for referring to my frequent forays into your domain as "wasting time.")

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Tools for Writers: The Benefits of Writing With Scrivener

For this post, and the next few posts (and whenever I learn about something new I think will be useful), I will share some of the tools I use, or that have been recommended by other writers, that make it easier to be creative. I won't give you detailed information on how to use these tools or everything they can do for you--for that you can follow the links I provide to learn more.


Disclaimer: I do not get paid for my recommendations or referrals. I do not claim to know everything there is to know about any particular tool, nor do I claim a perfect knowledge of all the tools available for use. If you have suggestions or corrections, please leave a comment or contact me.

Today I want to tell you about Scrivener for Mac (they now also have a Windows version) from Literature and Latte. (All the images in this blog entry are from Literature and Latte's Scrivener site.)

Sunday, January 22, 2012

One Key to Increasing Creativity: Improv

Years ago I took an acting class. I had this weird idea that it would make me a better writer, and it did. It enhanced creativity by expanding visualization skills. (It also cemented the knowledge that public performance is not my natural forte.)

Anthony Robbins, a popular self-help guru and author, has explained that tests prove a person's ability to sink basketballs into a hoop can be improved by the repetitive visualization of successfully doing just that. In fact, visualization practice is actually more effective at improving the number of balls sunk into a hoop on a court, than physically practicing shooting hoops. Visualization practice while physically mimicking the activity movements (sans ball thrown toward hoop) is even more efficacious.

So when it comes to improving creativity, maybe improv is one of the answers.


Monday, January 16, 2012

Books Have Signatures - Should Writers?

I heard the most wonderful quote recently, from Benjamin Zander: "My job is to awaken possibility in other people." It came from a video of a talk he gave at a TED conference. As Dr. Matt Bernard Mullins, author (Three Ways of the Saw) and professor at Ball State University's English/Creative Writing department, pointed out (in a link to Zander's video), "what Zander has to say (he says more in the video) about classical music applies equally well to creative writing."


Which causes me to question: Why do we write? Why do we want to write? Do we have any obligations to readers? Are we obliged to be entertaining? Educational or informational? Uplifting? Empowering? Inspiring? Truthful?


Is our writing life divorced from our human life? Do we have obligations (practical or moral) as human beings who are interdependent with other human beings, and how do those obligations or responsibilities inform our writing? Do we have a "job" as humans and as writers?


Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Prioritizing Tasks & Activities: Sometimes the Boring Stuff is the Container of the Well of Creativity

There's an old saying. "It is easy to see what a person's true beliefs are--simply look at their behaviors."

The same logic applies to determining what a person's true priorities are. It is easy to see what one's priorities are by watching what one does. For example, I say creative writing is my priority. But how much time do I actually spend (creative) writing? Am I "Facebooking" instead? Am I frittering away writing time with other non-important time wasters?

Occasionally time wasting activities are helpful. For example, when I'm stuck on a plot problem, I can engage in a computer game that doesn't require much intellectual energy, while working on my plot issue subconsciously. However, if I want to accomplish writing goals, I need to monitor time wasting activities to ensure they don't eat up all my writing time.

That's the obvious. Everyone knows this, right?

What may be less obvious

Friday, January 6, 2012

Being There for Your Dreams: Organizing the Creative Life

I have learned if I want to succeed in pouring energy and time into my creative dreams and goals on a consistent and sustained basis, I must first organize. It sounds contrary to that unruly middle-of-the-night flash of inspiration that gets pegged as creative genius. Certainly I have often worked at a messy desk in a messy study, burning with inspiration for thirty-six hours straight before passing out for two days. In retrospect, even those creative binges were supported and mused into being by previous disciplined, organized, sustainable endeavors.

So what do I mean by organizing?