Rainer Maria Rilke’s “The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge” isn’t merely a novel; it’s a treasure trove of profound reflections on life and art. Let’s explore its depths and see how it can inspire and shape our artistic journey. 1. Embracing Solitude “There is no place that does not see you. You must change your...
I’m watching “Genius” on the National Geographic channel; a dramatic representation of the life of Einstein. It’s fun. Einstein is portrayed as the kind of crazy, self-destructive genius we love to watch. He fights with teachers. He’s careless with women; both charming and confident but casually distant about...
I started this post years ago as a series of rough notes, and I’m attempting today to make it make sense, because I think the topic is crucial, even if I can’t explain it as clearly as I’d like. It started from a presentation on discontent given by Chris Guillebeau. If only X, I’ll be
A few years ago I was in Bali when I got pitched a full-time, $200K/year job in New York managing a creative team to turn a book into a video game. The author had won seed funding and had money to burn, but no idea how to make it work in reality; and he knew
I feel like I’ve discussed this ad nauseum, but it was probably tucked into some broader concepts and it’s a HUGE issue. So I wanted to share a very relevant, crucial bit of advice that might make everything easier. What’s backstory? Backstory is usually the deeper, poignant scenes that reveal character motivations. A lot of...
Someone asked me this question recently on YouTube: Where do authors go to learn more about story craft? How do we know when we’ve found a reputable teacher? Is it a college degree in English and literature? What is the best way to learn how to piece together a readable story? I’ve gotten similar questions
I’ve been hearing more chatter about Plottr, the book-timeline software that helps you map out your novel’s key scenes. A while back someone created a pretty cool template based on my chapter plotting outline, and I’ve been talking with Plottr’s founder to add my template within their tool so everyone can access it. That...
I’ve been in a weird place creatively for several years. Most creatives need to juggle their passion projects from their paying projects: those they do for love and enjoyment, and those they do to pay the bills. Often, the more they hate the work, the more they feel they need to charge. So there’s a
Ever walked into a room and thought it looked like a tornado had a rendezvous with a hurricane? Well, before you cringe at that scattered brilliance, let’s embrace the art of ‘controlled chaos’. Here’s a revolutionary thought – maybe messy can be… productive? 1. The Genius of Chaos:Let’s kick things off...
1. Harness the Power of Color: The Ancient Egyptians believed in the therapeutic properties of color. Today, chromotherapy or color therapy studies show that certain colors can impact mood and energy. Blue can calm, red can invigorate, and yellow can inspire creativity. Revamp your space or wardrobe with colors that align with the energy you...
Alright, folks, let me tell you a little secret: I’ve been revolting all my life. No, I’m not talking about the smell after I skip a shower. I’m talking about revolutions! Not the kind where you take to the streets with placards. No, mine is a quieter, more intimate kind of rebellion. You see, every
When I wrote my huge guide to book writing (Book Craft) I cut out all the nonfiction tips and strategies last minute; I’d already explored a bunch of material in my writing courses but wasn’t quite ready to share the nonfiction resources. Mainly, because, while I’m proud of the detailed 24 chapter novel outlining templates...
