Sunday 29 March 2009

Phil Sandusky, book signing

Tell Me a Story - Review.


For all of you lucky enough to live in the Jacksonville area, you're in for a real treat. Be introduced to and speak to an artist of our times.

Phil Sandusky

Artist, Phil Sandusky will autograph copies of his book "Jacksonville Through a Painter's Eyes" (Pelican Publishing), between the hours of 1pm and 3 p.m. Saturday, April 25, at The San Marco Bookstore, 1971 San Marco Blvd. Call (904) 396-7597.

Mr. Sandusky, who is a resident of Jacksonville, is an impressionist, whose creations are in collections all over the world. He is represented by Stellars Gallery in Jacksonville. Photographer Jon M. Fletcher evaluated Sandusky's book recently saying:-



"The 96-page hardbound, book showcases full-page prints of Sandusky's paintings. The 32 pages of text are complemented with Sandusky's compositions. The text, besides providing an unfettered look into the artist's growth as a painter, also offers lessons in seeing. Sandusky writes about the simple technique of eye squinting to simplify a scene and to make shapes and patterns more apparent."


Phil Sandusky, I wish you well. Hope you're innundated with people. Good luck on April 25th.

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To Write A Story - 20 Ways To Write A Story Better
How To Describe - Mastering Descriptive Writing
7 Cool Ways To Jump-Start The Story Characters In Your Writing

End of Bedlam Review - Phil Sandusky, book signing.
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Monday 23 March 2009

Twilight fever and Wuthering Heights

Tell Me a Story - Comment

Stephenie Meyers has done it again.

Twilight


Twilight” fever has had an unforeseen outcome. It’s actually been responsible for a sharp increase in sales for Emily Brontë’s “Wuthering Heights.”




Brontë’s novel about fanatical love is apparently read by "Twilight" heroine, Bella, in “Eclipse.” Because of this, young adult readers in France are enthusiastically scooping up translated copies of “Wuthering Heights” to see how it compares.

At least they’ll get to read something decent now….


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To Write A Story - 20 Ways To Write A Story Better
How To Describe - Mastering Descriptive Writing
7 Cool Ways To Jump-Start The Story Characters In Your Writing


End of post - Twilight fever and Wuthering Heights

Bridport here we come

Tell Me a Story - info.

Come on scribes. Here’s a chance to show what you can do. There’s nothing like a competition to hone those writing skills, it pushes you beyond the limit you thought you had.

Bridport Creative Writing Competition

Bridport writing competition is one of those contests that really stretches the creative side – it is very high profile – agents and publishers tend to be on the lookout for the next best seller from these competitions. Not only that, it has incredible prizes… So get out that thinking box – and write.

The Bridport Prize International Creative Writing Competition was founded by Bridport Arts Centre in 1973 and has developed in importance and regard.

The competition has always been a magnet for entries from the UK and overseas. These days thousands of submission are received from over 80 countries worldwide.

The prize money and entry fees for the Bridport writing competition have risen over the years until today, the first prize in each category is £5,000 (approx $7000), second prize £1,000 (approx $1500) and third prize £500 (approx $700). An additional 10 supplementary prizes (for each category) of £50 each are awarded. The entry fee for 2009 is £6 per poem and £7 per story.

So get out those pens and access the Bridport Writing Competition here



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To Write A Story - 20 Ways To Write A Story Better
How To Describe - Mastering Descriptive Writing
7 Cool Ways To Jump-Start The Story Characters In Your Writing

End of post on Tell Me a Story - Bridport Writing Competition

Saturday 21 March 2009

Spring is sprung.

Tell Me a Story - post.

"Spring has arrived, an end to bleak winter, the earth is re-born."

It's been a long cold winter, we've suffered storm damage, but with the sun comes a better frame of mind. I feel more like tackling the damage.... after a coffee and brandy by the beach that is ....

Spring on the Costa Blanca, Spain.

Just thought you might like to share a few pictures from around the Costa Blanca as Spring finally arrives.








It's amazing what a bit of sunlight does. All of a sudden we become filled with strange urges of wanting to 'work'. There seems to be a need in all of us to make things nice and sparkly, just like nature.... So in our household .... we're busy painting, and repairing and building....


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To Write A Story - 20 Ways To Write A Story Better
How To Describe - Mastering Descriptive Writing
7 Cool Ways To Jump-Start The Story Characters In Your Writing

End of post on Tell Me a Story - Spring is sprung.

Tuesday 17 March 2009

How to write a successful book

Tell Me a Story - view

Writer's, authors, wannerbies, here's the answer to your prayers. Here’s an angle for writers, if you write about the financial crisis, it will sell.


Forget that novel, write about the financial crisis




Publishers at the Paris book fair said booklovers were lining up for books about the credit crunch, for books suggesting unusual solutions to the problem, or books just offering guidance on how to live more cheaply.

"The crisis is good for at least one thing: sales of these kinds of books," said Jacques Mazel, of publisher Fayard, pointing to a shelf full of volumes about the economy.

People apparently want to come to terms with what is happening, and they want to find useful tips for the future

The book fair seems to be having a plentiful year, with staff at all the major publishers' stands describing large crowds and a steady flow of bookshop owners and librarians.

Business was also good at Rustica, a publisher focussing on gardening. Jean Margueritte, who has been staffing Rustica at the annual book fair since 1982, said he had never sold so many books about growing your own vegetables.

He said, "Because of the crisis, people are falling back on simpler, healthier leisure activities like gardening and reading. People are tired of excessive consumption and they are also increasingly aware of environmental issues."

I think it's quite obvious I'd have been a lot better off if I'd written about money. I certainly haven't made anything from Without Reproach - it hasn't even been available on Amazon or B&N for 6 months - Temporarily unavailable - No idea why - publishers say it's Amazons fault - but what about B&N, what about Borders?



So for now, Without Reproach just sits on the table - and that's where it will probably stay.


**** A successful book **** A successful book **** A successful book ****



End of post on Tell Me a Story - How to write a successful book

Thursday 12 March 2009

Clive Cussler and THAT legal battle

Tell Me a Story - view.

Maybe it’s not the peak of an author’s career to have their book turned into a film after all. To me, just to sell more than a handful of copies would be heaven, but to have a film made from your book ….

Wow! I've always thought of that as having made it.

But like I say, maybe it’s not the best thing ever…. A long-running legal battle over the 2005 flopped film, "Sahara" has taken a startling turn.

Clive Cussler


A judge has ruled that author, Clive Cussler, must pay Crusader Entertainment nearly $14 million in legal fees.

The $13.9 million award is exceptionally high and reflects the price tag of a prolonged legal battle for "Sahara" between well-heeled Hollywood challengers.

Legal battle


Before the film was even released, Clive Cussler took legal action against Crusader Entertainment for about $40 million, declaring it had violated his entitlement to script approval on the film, "Sahara". Crusader counter claimed on several grounds, including that Clive Cussler prejudiced the film with unreasonable script demands and instructed his fans not to see "Sahara".



"Sahara" grossed $68.7 million at the domestic box office but lost more than $80 million when all costs were tallied.

Battles here, battles there.... Who'd be successful....


Makes me wonder if all this hassle is worth it? Maybe it’s a good job the film rights for Without Reproach weren’t taken up after all ….

Next post on Tell Me a Story.


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To Write A Story - 20 Ways To Write A Story Better
How To Describe - Mastering Descriptive Writing
7 Cool Ways To Jump-Start The Story Characters In Your Writing

End of post - Clive Cussler and THAT legal battle
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Wednesday 11 March 2009

Audrey Niffenegger, "Her Fearful Symmetry"

Tell Me a Story - review.

Okay, so it’s a financial crunch-time. As authors, we expect fewer opportunities, less chance of an advance, less sales. It’s a sad fact but one we have to face. There’s no money in writing – or is there?

Frugal

In this time of frugality in the publishing industry,we expect purses to be closed tight – the ‘moths living in darkness syndrome’. Yet for the lucky few it seems it hasn’t made any difference.

Her Fearful Symmetry

Audrey Niffenegger's novel, "Her Fearful Symmetry," her first novel since the million-selling "The Time Traveler's Wife," has been bought by publishing house, Scribner. It is due to be published in September.

The incredible advance for "Her Fearful Symmetry", the story of twin American girls who live near a cemetery in London, was at least $4 million, according to two insider officials. They refused to be named, saying they were not supposed to discuss financial details.

Nearly all the major publishers placed bids for "Her Fearful Symmetry" - which explains why the advance was so high.


I wish a few of them had bid for my novel…..

"Time Traveler's Wife," by Audrey Niffenegger, was published by MacAdam/Cage, and came out in 2003.



**** Audrey Niffenegger **** Audrey Niffenegger **** Audrey Niffenegger ****

  • Next post on Tell Me a Story.

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    To Write A Story - 20 Ways To Write A Story Better
    How To Describe - Mastering Descriptive Writing
    7 Cool Ways To Jump-Start The Story Characters In Your Writing

    End of post - Audrey Niffenegger, "Her Fearful Symmetry"

    Monday 9 March 2009

    The Restaurant Salamanca, Jalon

    We've started to eat more 'special' meals at home recently. The financial crunch has forced us to take steps to save money, but I don't mind. The meals we create are better than most places.... except for....

    Restaurant Salamanca.

    Last night was treat-night for us. We took ourselves down to the village and had a meal at one of my favourite eating houses, the 'Restaurant Salamanca'. The food there is excellent and damn good value.



    I love the place. The atmosphere, the service, the food - all wow factors. I wish I could cook like that!!!!

    The restaurant Salamanca is a tastefully reformed bodega just off the centre of the village of Jalon. A terrific menu means you’ll always find something there to tempt you. Beware though - most dishes are rich in sauce - which are so delicious you can’t stop going back time and again - waistline be damned.


    If you're ever in the area, pop in, I promise it's worth a visit.

    Whilst we were there a couple of years ago, the UK BBC network TV guys were interviewing the owners with presenter, Nadia Sawalha - so that tells you something.



    I always come away feeling pampered. It's family run, and the owners strive to make you feel special.

    Steve, the head waiter (at least I think that's his title) runs around like something gone mad, trying to make sure everyone is looked after properly - especially if the owners aren't around. It's all part of the evening, that feel-good factor.

    Ah well, roll on next treat-time.... Salamanca here I come....


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    To Write A Story - 20 Ways To Write A Story Better
    How To Describe - Mastering Descriptive Writing
    7 Cool Ways To Jump-Start The Story Characters In Your Writing

    End of post on 'Tell Me a Story' - The Restaurant Salamanca, Jalon

    Saturday 7 March 2009

    Will books disappear?

    It seems the book reading world is evolving. Will we see a time when paper books finally disappear?

    Barnes & Noble
    have purchased e-book seller Fictionwise.com for $15.7 million, in an effort at running an e-book store. The transaction, broadcast on 5th March, is part of Barnes & Noble's strategy to introduce its own e-book store later this year.

    Last month, competitor Amazon, released Kindle 2, the second edition of its e-book reader. And this week, Amazon revealed its Kindle application for iPhone and iPod Touch.

    So will books disappear?

    Fictionwise, from Barnes & Noble will present its own eReader application for handheld devices, desktop computers, and laptops. Likewise, opponents Lexcycle have its Stanza application for e-book reading. So someone somewhere certainly thinks books have competition.

    While customer awareness in e-books has improved over the years, they have yet to attract a majority market. Analysts ascribe cost as the stumbling block to the widespread adoption of e-books.

    However, as with all things electronic, prices will eventually tumble – and then we shall see.
    Maybe it’s time for me to take a serious look at getting some of my work into e-format…. Maybe books will disappear.

    Will books disappear **** Will books disappear **** Will books disappear ****




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    To Write A Story - 20 Ways To Write A Story Better
    How To Describe - Mastering Descriptive Writing
    7 Cool Ways To Jump-Start The Story Characters In Your Writing

    End of post on Tell Me a Story - Will books disappear?