HERE'S TO YOUR SUCCESS!

We all have a perceived notion of what success is for ourselves and hopefully we are all striving to achieve that goal. To me, success is: small strides toward a greater objective; working through challenges and disappointments towards a positive outcome; creating a better world, a better relationship with others, a better me.

In my mind, we often confuse success with wealth and notoriety. Wealth and notoriety are neither good nor bad. It's only a form of measurement (by others) to determine how successful we've become. It's also an abstract nemesis to success and very deceptive. Many are misled by what they see, hear, and read. They think they know the truth and foolishly jump to conclusions.

If this sounds like the outline for character development, it is. Why does it work? Because it's the very essence of human nature.

If you're struggling with a script, look to your characters for help. Do they have all the success you want them to have? Are they still striving? Are they wealthy enough? Notorious enough? Let them talk to you. They'll tell you when they're through.

Good luck in all you do. I wish you well.

Thank you Book Reader Magazine for the publicity. It is much appreciated. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ENJOY MY BLOG - If you're looking for a new read or want to know more about a new author, take a look at Vinny's publication.

Jo Ann V. Glim is a seasoned veteran of freelance writing and author of the award winning book, "Begotten With Love."  

FIRST PLACE - Biography - Published

To learn more:
VISIT: www.BEGOTTENtheBook.com
FOLLOW/Like: on Facebook or
AVAILABLE ON: Amazon.com/author/joannglim
BOOK TRAILER on YouTube

AND THE READER SAID . . . "GOTCHA!"

Last night, we were watching an episode of NCIS (the original version with Mark Harmon and crew) when Abbey, the brilliant scientific sleuth of the show, discovered an important clue: a plastic water bottle buried in the dirt of Vietnam next to an artifact from the sixties. This raised me from my eight o'clock stupor to mumble, "Vietnam was way before bottled water became an everyday phenomenon."

The thought of this scene nagged at me, even through this morning. It may have been they were trying to tie the artifact to the bad guy who was still in Vietnam in the here and now. But . . . that point wasn't and still isn't clear in my mind. Which brought me to two points I wanted to share with you about writing.

POINT ONE: Readers are so good at picking up on the tiniest of flaws. The funniest blooper I remember (in a movie) is an actress who was in the kitchen making a sandwich during a very poignant scene with her child. As she spoke, she slathered the peanut butter and jelly onto the bread and before putting the bread away, blew into the bag so it filled with air like a balloon, then added the twist tie. I don't remember any of the conversation that occurred after that. My eyes were fixated on the sandwich bag and the thought that this woman had never made a sandwich in her life!

As a writer, it is so important that we understand our subject matter: pay attention to details; know the mannerisms; understand the lingo; and totally enmesh ourselves in the experiences we are committing to paper.

Don't be shy about interviewing at least two professionals, if you have a scene planned that is out of your area of expertise. Ask them to review what you've written or better yet, role-play the parts. I have found my sources to be very receptive because they know they're going to be represented as accurately as possible. This rule of thumb is applicable to all genres, especially fiction.

POINT TWO: Ask for feedback from beta readers. Not family or friends who love you and may say what you want to hear rather than what you need to hear. Ask objective, love-to-read people to critique your work. There are groups of people who will help you in this way. One source with multiple programs for writers and a boatload of books for readers is www.Goodreads.com.

Good luck with you writing goals.

Jo Ann V. Glim is a seasoned veteran of freelance writing and author of the award winning book, "Begotten With Love."  

FIRST PLACE - Biography - Published

To learn more:
VISIT: www.BEGOTTENtheBook.com
FOLLOW/Like: on Facebook or
AVAILABLE ON: Amazon.com/author/joannglim
BOOK TRAILER on YouTube

HOME OF THE FREE BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE

Today is Veteran's Day in America. A day to thank the men and women who have courageously sacrificed and served to protect our beautiful country and America's ideals. Your acts of bravery and compassion; your commitment to God and country; your love for your fellowman (and woman) are prime examples of the American spirit. We salute you and thank God for your service.

INDIE AUTHORS and THE LAW

WHERE DO YOU TURN FOR LEGAL ADVICE REGARDING YOUR WRITING?  DO YOU PROTECT YOUR WORK? DO YOU READ THE FINE PRINT? 

What you don't know (or ignore) can hurt you!

• Have you contemplated using your Facebook news feed page to attract readers through social media promotions rather than opening a "fan" page? Before you make that choice, you may want to read  Lisa C. Johnson's article "Avoid These 5 Social Media Pitfalls in Legal Zoom's 2014 November newsletter (sign up for the newsletter at the bottom of their home page).
• Are you one of the chosen few whose manuscript or book has been selected for movie rights? Have you checked into hiring an entertainment attorney to look over the contract? . . . No? You know an attorney (a relative or friend who said he'd look it over for you). Well, ask Jillian Stein, Director of Development, New Deal Studios what she thinks of that idea and, I'm sure she would respond the same way she did at the Florida Writers Association conference in Orlando when she appeared on the panel workshop Publishing with an Agent and said, "If you think an entertainment attorney is expensive, hire one that's working outside his/her area of expertise. Their mistakes could cost you thousands."
• Have you organized your records and protected your property (manuscript) as an LLC or some other legal entity? This may or may not be right for you but if it is, check with the state and the IRS to make sure you're in compliance and that you have a working knowledge of deadlines and expenses. The penalties are hefty!
• Have you copyrighted your work? I was thrilled when I received information from the United States Copyright office and realized my book was now a part of the Thomas Jefferson library. If you are ready to take that step or if you'd like to know what it entails, eMail http://www.copyright.gov for more information.

Whatever you do, take time to read the fine print. Ask questions. Research. 

I wish you well.

Jo Ann V. Glim is a seasoned veteran of freelance writing and author of the award winning book, "Begotten With Love."  

FIRST PLACE - Biography - Published

To learn more:
VISIT: www.BEGOTTENtheBook.com
FOLLOW/Like: on Facebook or
AVAILABLE ON: Amazon.com/author/joannglim
BOOK TRAILER on YouTube