Tag Archives: Writing

30-day Geek Challenge

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No, this isn’t an April Fools joke, I really am posting. This is going to be fun, a challenge right up my alley. Thanks to my fellow geek Herlo, he’s doing a 30-day challenge too.

This challenge may be difficult to do everyday, but I’m going to try. It’s April 1st, so I figure one a day would give me 30 new posts. That’s a great number. I will probably do them out of order because some of these will need more thought than others.

If you want to take the challenge, please leave a link to your post so I can see who’s doing it too. The list below is one I took from Herlo, and it’s modified for my taste/needs. You are welcome to do the same.

Day 1 – Very first Geek
Day 2 – Favorite Geek
Day 3 – Your Geek Inspiration
Day 4 – Favorite book / book series
Day 5 – Geek you feel you are most like (or wish you were)
Day 6 – Favorite Web Show / Web Comic
Day 7 – Favorite Board Game
Day 8 – Favorite Shirt/Hat/Shoes (Something you wear)
Day 9 – Saddest geek scene
Day 10 – Favorite TV Show series
Day 11 – Favorite Movie
Day 12 – Best alien /alien race ever
Day 13 – Geekiest quote/phrase
Day 14 – Current (or most recent) geek wallpaper
Day 15 – Favorite OS / Config
Day 16 – Favorite Developer
Day 17 – Favorite Hardware Vendor
Day 18 – Most Undesirable Tech Company
Day 19 – Favorite Gadget
Day 20 – Best! Videogame! Ever!
Day 21 – Favorite Vehicle
Day 22 – Favorite Tech Company
Day 23 – Favorite Language (coding language that is)
Day 24 – Geek Hero
Day 25 – Best Website
Day 26 – Your favorite number
Day 27 – Favorite tv opening theme song
Day 28 – Favorite Comic Book
Day 29 – Favorite Robot
Day 30 – Biggest Geek Wish

The Business Of Writing Group

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Like most writers, I want to spend more time writing, and focus on building a long term writing career, but I know just writing isn’t enough. There is a business to writing. And if this part is ignored your successes will be limited. Off the top of my head I can think of marketing, selling, social network interactions, accounting, contracts, and negotiations. Writing something only get’s you part of the way there.

The last few writing conferences I’ve attended have all been about the act of writing. I don’t know if this is planned, or just coincidence. But I have to think the hundreds of people attending these conferences have no clearly defined plan for building a business writing. Why aren’t there any panels or presentations on the business of writing? I’m creating an outline for this exact panel, and I’ll pitch it to a few conferences. Must eat my own dog food. And I have a lot of great ideas to share.

Here is the kind of group I want to start or participate in. One that’s not about writing, but the business of writing. The legal and technical aspects of writing. The things that will help me build a good writing business. I don’t think you should have to do this alone. There are so many resources out there, but a group of people with the same interests and goals have tremendous value. Not to mention meeting other writers, and learn from their experiences.

For example, when negotiating with an agent or publisher, what are the top things you should be concerned with. Beyond money, what are authors typically offered or expected to do? What should an author expect f the agent or publisher? Pitch sessions.

I guess since it’s my idea I should do more research on the subject. Find out who would be interested in participating, and more importantly sharing their insights. Once I have enough interest I will push for a public meetup for all writers to confabs learn.

Maybe there is already a group like this in my city. I just haven’t found it yet. But if there is I’m looking for you.

Posting this via e-mail from Barnes and Noble.

My 3 Words For 2010

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I like Chris Brogan. I tend to agree with most of what he writes. I like that he’s authentic, and tries new things. So this year, I want to try a few things that are new to me.

First are three words that will help guide my efforts for the coming year. My words are Write, Engage, and Streamline.

1. Write
I have said this the past few years, but I want to write more; more blog posts, more articles, more ebooks, and more fiction. I love to write. The act of writing is thrilling. I have hundreds of stories in my head (and in my stories to write file). My work tends to get in the way of writing. This year I want to write more. Here is what I want to write more about:

  • Science Fiction. I have a bunch of stories that I need to be written. I want to take one story and actually finish the entire thing.
  • I want to more about SaaS (Software as a Service). Services include backing up to an off site server. Running your corporate applications on an off site server that you lease or share. And I want to discover more services that improve mobile devices, like better streaming of you video and audio.
  • I want to write more about Podcasting. I know a lot of people think Podcasting is a washed up technology. And I’ve even doubted Podcasting in the past. But I would like to discover other ways of using digital media (audio and video) to improve education, improve sales and marketing, and service.

2. Engage
I want to engage with my family more. I want to spend more face to face time with them. Having older children gives us the opportunity to do things that we all enjoy. I’d love to travel with them more, even if it’s weekend getaways.

I want to engage people about my business more. I will spend more time building a more visible brand through event sponsorship, speaking engagements, and writing books that relate to my business.

3. Streamline
This year I want to streamline my life more. When you run a small business, especially a tech business, you tend to become the jack of all trades. Meaning, I try and take on all sorts of projects. That was a goal last year, to try learn new skills, and take on more complex projects that required me to stretch.

This year however, I’m going to back off on that goal, and streamline. I’m going to focus more on the two or three things I know I best. I’m going to write more about those topics, and focus my business in those directions.

I also want to spend less time working. People in the technology field are on 24/7. If someone tells you otherwise they aren’t very truthful. We all take on extra projects, moonlight for extra cash or improve skill set. I have yet to find a better way to improve a technical skill set without actually building stuff.

But I want to do less of that. I want to be able to turn it off. I want to lose weight. I’ve let my professional life distract me long enough. This is the year I want to change the way I live my life.

OK, so now I’ve written the New Years Post. It gives me some things to look at, and gives me some sort of measuring tool for the future. Love to hear your thoughts, encouragements, and ideas.

Sorry, the previous video was broken on YouTube. I had to upload a new version. Hope this works.

Kindle Is Convenient But Not Always The Best Choice

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Reading I know that’s a bold statement, not cost affective. Why am I saying that? Let’s look at a few things. Utah author Brandon Sanderson (who, by the way is finishing Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series), has The Well of Ascension (Mistborn, Book 2) for sale on Amazon in paperback for $7.99. The Kindle version of this book is, $7.99. No savings, and I don’t get a physical book. Why is that important?

In my opinion the Kindle is a great Green appliance. It allows you to read a book without killing trees and eventually ending up in a land fill. However, I like the ability to resale, or even donate, a book once I’m through. With a Kindle book, you can’t. I’m also at the mercy of the Kindle having a power issue, and then I can’t read a book. And the Kindle doesn’t have limitless storage, which limits my library.

I guess I’m struggling paying eight bucks for a digital book. I believe the digital version should be a lot less. I know many Kindle books have a cheaper price than their paper counterpart, but those books tend to be older. Give us new releases for at least half the cost since it should only take half the effort to produce, stock and ship.

I really like the Kindle. In fact, I love the iPhone version (iTunes link). It’s convenient, and I find I’m reading more because I have the book with me all the time.

If you’re an Author, and I know this may buy me some heat here, urge your publisher and Amazon to reduce the price of your digital works. I know I will.

Share with us your view on Kindle books, and if you have one, either the Kindle device or the iPhone application and how you like it.

It's Hot And My Brain Is Fried

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dont_enter.jpgI hate writing posts like this. I don’t really have anything of value to share. I cooked for 20 people on a BBQ. The grill was hot, the weather was, and I had a hard time staying cool. The things we do for our Family. After I was through cooking, I didn’t even feel like eating. Here’s to hoping I can write another day.

Thanks to EvaMen for the picture.