Jun 11, 2024 | Editors' Blog
This may be the only rule that has close to a hundred-percent effectiveness virtually immediately. While explaining the rule to parents in my office, I go into the waiting room, take my doctoral diploma off the wall, and hand it to them. I vow that if the method doesn’t work, I will give them my diploma the next time they come in.
The diploma still hangs on the wall.
The instructions in the family meeting are for parents to tell the children that fighting, yelling, and complaining in the car are a distraction to your attention and to safe driving. Therefore, the rule will be: “The car will not move during fighting. If you start to fight, yell, or cry while I am driving, I will pull the car over as soon as it is safe to do so. The car will not move until there is silence.”
When the children are quiet, the car moves. It is nearly a fact of nature that children do not like to be in a vehicle that is not moving. Rarely will children continue the argument for more than one or two minutes. As part of the conflict, one of the children may start kicking the back of your seat to gain your attention. Pull over, turn off the engine, get out a book or magazine (always have reading material in the car), and start reading.
Guinness World Records reports that the longest period recorded that children will tolerate the car not moving is three minutes and twelve seconds. (I made that up, but it sounds believable, doesn’t it?)
Dr. Pressman is a board certified family psychologist. For several decades he has been helping parents who are concerned about their children. He also enjoys treating young children and teens, doing research and writing books to help parents. See his latest guide for parents available here.
May 7, 2024 | Editors' Blog
Alfi flies down from the tree and lands on the path next to me. I don’t need to hide anymore, so I come out of the trees and join him on the road. Alfi’s magnificent scaly armor glitters in the moonlight. I kind of like him when he’s not giving me anxiety attacks. I think he’s a little thinner than the last time we met, but it’s hard to tell because it was quite a while ago.
“Tell me how you are doing,” I continue. “We haven’t seen each other in a long time.”
“I am pretty good, all things considered. There is something I wanted to ask of you, but first, tell me about the important matters you mentioned.”
That is something I’m more than happy to talk about. I tell him about my plan and what is expected of him: to set fire to army camps, to burn a village or two. Or twenty. Stuff like that. The idea is to create an effect of fear and shock. I end with a brief reminder of all the dishes Sakaro planned to prepare from Alfi’s body for his victory feast, a cruel fate from which he was saved thanks to me, of course.
I finish and wait to hear that he agrees so I can return home and go to sleep in my big, soft bed next to my wife, Nilia.
“Well?” I nudge him after a few moments pass, and I don’t seem to be getting any closer to my bed or Nilia.
He looks somewhat pensive. There was always something irritating about this Alfi. Why is it so hard for him to say: “Yes, that sounds like a great plan, and I’d be happy to help. Have a nice ride home?” What’s so complicated about that?
“Say, Sorin,” he asks after what feels like five hours. “What is the point of that? What do you need it for? You are a good king; the people love you; is it worth risking all this? I’ll tell you something else. I’m not sure it’s such a bargain to be the emperor. I have a feeling you will not enjoy it at all.”
That is precisely what was missing in my life, a thinking dragon.
“Forgive me for asking, but why does your highness think I will not enjoy it?” I ask.
He ignores the sarcasm. “First of all, it’s a lot of responsibility and stress. Much more work than you have as the king of Aragonia,” he says. There may be something to this argument, but it misses the point. “Besides,” he continues, “you’ll never have peace. You will live in constant fear of someone else trying to oust you.” Okay, that’s not untrue, but it’s still not a major consideration in the overall picture.
“And what about the honor of being emperor?” I snap at him. “And what about the revenge for my father? What about the fact that Sakaro planned to turn you into a soup and a variety of other dishes for the victory celebrations, including desserts?”
“Look,” he says. “Personally, I am not going to live my life according to what Sakaro planned to do to me eight years ago. Revenge is your business, but I am willing to help you.”
Thank you very much, that’s all I wanted to hear. It’s a pity we couldn’t have gotten there without him scaring the hell out of me or sharing his uninteresting, irrelevant, and unintelligent thoughts.
“I just want you to know that I have a problem with some of the things you are asking me to do.”
“Like what, for example?”
“Like burning villages. The people who live there have nothing to do with the quarrel between you and Sakaro. Think of the women and children in those villages. And the men, too, haven’t done anything wrong. I don’t want to hurt them.”
This conversation is getting weirder and weirder by the minute. “Are you serious? Where did you get that from? Since when do you care about humans? You used to enjoy burning them.”
“Look, I had a lot of time to think in the last few years, that’s pretty much all I had to do. I thought about the meaning of life and why we’re here, and what we should do while we’re here. Killing people who haven’t done anything wrong to anyone is not one of the things I think we need to do.”
I don’t even know how to begin to respond to this incoherent sequence of words. Nor am I required to because it turns out that he has more to say on the subject.
“I don’t understand why you want to kill these people. They didn’t do anything to you,” he adds.
“Who said I want to kill them? Where did you get that stupid idea from?”
“From you,” he replies. “You asked me to kill them.”
“That doesn’t mean I want to kill them, Alfi. It’s not the same thing. I’m not a monster, I’m just not that dramatic about them dying in case it’s necessary for my plans, that’s all.”
READ THE BOOK ON AMAZON
Apr 23, 2024 | Editors' Blog
There are so many favorite annual traditions (Christmas, Girl Scout Cookie sales, the first blockbuster movie of summer, …), and it’s now time for one more—the next Writers of the Future volume to be released! The 40th annual volume will be available on May 7th in paperback, e-book or as an audio book.
The Writers of the Future is an international writing competition that has been running for 40 years —that’s right 40 years!
Science fiction legend and best-selling author L. Ron Hubbard founded this contest. Here is a quote from the very first introduction:
“A culture is as rich and as capable of surviving as it has imaginative artists. The artist is looked upon to start things. The artist injects the spirit of life into a culture. And through his creative endeavors, the writer works continually to give tomorrow a new form.
“In these modern times, there are many communication lines for works of art. Because a few works of art can be shown so easily to so many, there may even be fewer artists. The competition is very keen and even dagger sharp.
“It is with this in mind that I initiated a means for new and budding writers to have a chance for their creative efforts to be seen and acknowledged.” —L. Ron Hubbard
He brought on board the leading science fiction and fantasy authors of the time, including Frank Herbert, Anne McCaffrey, Jerry Pournelle, Larry Niven, Andre Norton, and Hal Clement.
Soon after, a sister contest was started for illustrators, bringing these two strong story elements together.
This competition has discovered and nurture hundreds of authors and illustrators over the last 40 years.
HOW IT WORKS
Every quarter, this free writing and illustration contest receives thousands of entries. The judges pick the top three from each quarter for collection into the annual anthology, while the winning artists are then assigned one of the stories to create an image for.
You can be guaranteed to read some of the best science fiction and fantasy cutting-edge stories out there because the judges who pick the winners are some of the biggest names in these genres. Authors such as Orson Scott Card of Enders Game, who is the only author to have a won a Hugo Award and a Nebula Award in consecutive years. Hugh Howey known for Silo series. Brandon Sanderson who wrote Mistborn and created the universe called Cosmere where most of his works take place. Nnedi Okorafor, who has won so many awards I can’t even mention them all here, and her first novel, Zahrah the Windseeker won the Wole Soyinka Prize for literature. Rober J Sawyer, Sir Sean Williams, Jody Lynn Nye, and Larry Niven, don’t even round out the complete list of famous and award-winning authors who judge the contest entries. (judges🙂
The awards event will be held on April 25th in Hollywood. You can tune in live on their home page:
For the 40th Anniversary, you can receive special bonuses by pre-ordering the book, such as wallpaper images and early access to a story. Find all of the extras available here:
This year’s volume features a fantastic collection of stories which magically intertwine the world we currently live in, along with the future world we are heading towards. Stories of virtual companions who race across the digital world to find us; and stories of an astronaut shutting her body down in space when oxygen is getting low.
There are stories of spirits, alive and a daily part of villagers’ lives they help, and of more evil spirits used to rid a girl of the sinister human ruining her life. Stories of conquering new planets and the unexpected hardships the pioneers encounter.
There are stories which address social media and the current blurred boundary of how much can another person find out about you. And even a love story of a dead couple coming back to life every spring through the fall, addressing the issue of how much would you be willing to pay to bring back a loved one.
One of my favorites is about the value of having a strong team, and why a crew of various, smart and very logical extraterrestrials would keep an overly-friendly, overly-curious human of average intelligence on their team. This story was a very fun read!
The commonality between all of the stories is that they bring about a sense of what it means to be truly human, living and alive today. A non-fiction article from L. Ron Hubbard is also included which points out that science fiction points a direction for man, because it does advocate a future for man. That’s a great message when many in our current society tell us there is no hope for the future and the non-stop news blaring into our homes threatens to overwhelm us. Science fiction brings hope!
CONCLUSION
All in all, Writers of the Future Volume 40 is a great read for anyone looking for something fresh and new!
Order your copy today so you can start reading May 7th!
And, don’t forget your 40th Anniversary preorder bonuses!
Enjoy!
Quick Links for the contest and anthology:
Enter the Writing Contest
Free Writing Workshop
Writing Podcast
Writers Forum
Writing Contest Rules
Contest Judges
Contest Blog
List of Writers of the Future & L. Ron Hubbard books
Social media links (to follow this year’s event use #WOTF40):
https://twitter.com/WotFContest
https://www.facebook.com/WotFContest
https://www.instagram.com/wotfcontest/
https://www.pinterest.com/RealWotF/
https://www.youtube.com/user/WritersoftheFuture
https://www.tiktok.com/@wotfcontest
Apr 18, 2024 | Editors' Blog
A good part of my life has been spent packing boxes to move house, often from one country to another. My children were trilingual from a young age, having Spanish and English at home and learning to read and write in Italian. The advantage was that they acquired new languages easily. It was tough on all of us at times, but in the long run our peripatetic lifestyle was to our benefit. Being a teacher I was able to work in international schools, which led to writing school text books. When this workload increased, I gave up the day job to write full time.
One of my projects was a re-telling of Norse myths and legends for Penguin. This was subsequently cancelled, but, like other upheavals it worked to my advantage. I turned part of my background notes on the Norse Volsung Saga into a fantasy novel.
Important detail #1: Never delete early drafts of anything. One day those words may come in very handy. I am currently using material I created fifteen years ago in the sequel to The Doomsong Sword (2017).
Becoming a fiction author is one of the best and worst things I have ever done. On the one hand, it’s enormously satisfying, despite all the editing and re-writes, but for me there is a lot of stress once the final draft is complete. After the editing and proofreading stages of my textbooks, the publisher’s team took over cover design, promotion and marketing. This is something I didn’t take into account when I was looking for a fiction publisher. I assumed they would do the same: edit and proofread, give me time to make corrections, and my story would go into the sales channels without me being involved. Wrong!
Important detail #2 Traditionally published authors are expected to promote their work and themselves the way self-publishing authors do.
Becoming a hybrid fiction author happened more by chance than good planning. Having spent most of my working life teaching and writing about Literature with a capital L, I was dubious about my own narrative skills. Was I really good enough to be published? I’d been scribbling ideas for stories, bits of purple prose and snappy dialogue in notebooks since I don’t remember when, but finishing a full-length novel, and believing it was good enough for publication . . . That stayed my hand. I’m not gifted with self-belief and still suffer from imposter syndrome.
While we were living in Holland during the 1990s, I finished a full-length contemporary literary novel and sent it off to an agent, who told me what needed adjusting for publication. I set about doing this, but then we moved again, I lost focus, and the agent lost interest. The MS went in a drawer, then into an attic. My second attempt was historical fiction. It incorporated my lost agent’s advice, and my experience of living in Holland and Spain. The MS went through numerous drafts and eventually became The Empress Emerald.
It is said that a first novel is always autobiographical: this is largely nonsense, but we obviously draw on personal experience, and in this case, I was putting family upheavals to good use. My fiction incorporates aspects of my travels: I’ve either lived and worked somewhere, or been on an extended visit to just about every location. Plus, I do a lot of research and background reading for each epoch.
After the Empress Emerald (set 1900-1940), I started a linked trilogy about the protagonist’s ancestor, a wily Genoese rogue known as Ludo da Portovenere. The Chosen Man trilogy took years to complete, but I had a supportive publisher, who didn’t hassle me over deadlines, and perhaps more importantly, liked what I was writing. This makes a difference. Many outfits treat their writers as copy-suppliers and their novels as products.
The first Bob Robbins Home Front Mystery emerged from an early draft for something quite different (never delete anything) set in Cornwall. My MA dissertation was on WWII Home Front propaganda so I had accumulated knowledge to deepen the plot, but this story needed a local detective. In those days, retired police officers were called back into service to replace younger men who’d joined up. Fortunately, my grandfather had been a ‘Special’ during the war, so I had some anecdotes to work on. This is how dumpy, grumpy DS Bob Robbins came into my life – and decided to stay.
After the first in this series, Local Resistance (about the ultra-secret British resistance groups), I decided to go solo, in the hope of getting more for my writing than standard publishers’ royalties.
Important point #3: Fiction publishers cover editing and book design costs; some do more marketing than others; some pay an advance (which may have to be paid back if the book isn’t a success). Self-publishing can get expensive. In my experience, choosing between trad or indie is a question of preference. After fifteen years as a full-time novelist, I’d say it’s largely swings and roundabouts. Other authors may disagree, of course.
My current w.i.p is historical fantasy. I’m stretching beyond my popular genres, but the writing skills are much the same. Skills that require practice, dedication and a degree of perfectionism. Among the useful things I learned while writing school books was how to be clear and succinct, and that editors should not be ignored.
Important point #4: self-edit until you are 100% satisfied, then accept what a professional editor says needs changing. It can hurt, but in my experience editors are wise. After editing, proofread very carefully, better still, get a professional to do it.
Whether you are a younger unpublished author or an older person wanting to write, be aware that every stage takes time, and it can be hard work. It can also be a wonderful journey from first ideas to tweaking your cover blurb.
If you are aiming for a traditional contract, barring a stroke of luck in finding an agent quickly, and then a publisher or a smaller indie press (no agent required), it could be up to a year before you hold your book in your hands. Traditional publishing involves an annoying fast and slow paradox: the writer must meet deadlines quickly, which means working late into the night, missing family weddings etc, but then, once your copy is in, it may be a good while before the book goes to press. Be aware there may be a few bruises along the way. If you plan to self-publish, budget for a good editor and cover designer, and be prepared for some other bumps along the way.
Whichever route you choose, whatever your background, whatever your age, if you have always wanted to write, get started. As I say, it can be seriously hard work, but the reward and sense of satisfaction makes it all worthwhile.
J.G Harlond: Award-winning author of The Bob Robbins Home Front Mysteries, The Chosen Man Trilogy, The Empress Emerald, Dark Night, Black Horse and The Doomsong Sword
Find Jane on https://www.jgharlond.com/
Blog – Reading & Writing: https://wp-harlond.jgharlond.com/
Penmore Press: www.penmorepress.com
Find JG on Facebook
Read J.G. Harlond book at Amazon USA.
Read J.G. Harlond book at Amazon.co.uk
Apr 17, 2024 | Editors' Blog, Interviews
Today, we’re talking with Tyler Strong about his book, Breaking Into IT: Your Roadmap to Success in the Tech Industry.
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
I am an athlete. I lead a flag football team in Tennessee where I play with former college and pro athletes. I was also a college and semi-pro rugby player.
Why do you write?
I write to help lead others to success. I struggled to find my way into the IT industry and was lucky to have mentors to lean on. Not everyone has that luxury so I write to give back knowledge I have learned to others looking for a rewarding career.
Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?
From my own experiences. I spent countless hours researching, studying, and testing various tools and software to find what worked for me to achieve success. I also follow various influencers on social media who share a passion for helping others achieve their goals.
What do you enjoy the most about your genre?
Self-help is a genre that can literally change your life. There are so many books to help with career changes, curving mindsets, understanding others, and much more. I am a continuous learner and when I read a book, I want to learn something from it. In my opinion, self-help is the best genre for that. So many people have transformed their lives by reading self-help books.
How would you describe your writing process?
My writing process is informative. I don’t sugar coat what I write. Finding a rewarding career takes work, but it is worth the time and effort. I am a firm believer that you get out of life what you put in. I try to share as much information as I can through my writing but doing it in a way that anyone can follow and learn from.
What do you think authors have to gain from participating in social media?
Social media is a game changer for authors as it allows us to reach a wider audience much quicker than traditional methods. It allows us to seamlessly connect with fans and potential readers from across the globe. In my case, I wrote about Information Technology. While I am US based, there is a big number of IT professionals across the globe. Social media allows me to connect, interact, and help people on a world wide scale.
What advice would you have for other writers?
Write about something you are passionate about. Writing should be fun and inspiring. Your best work will come out when you write about topics you love or have a passion for. In my case, technology, I could write all day and throw thousands of pages of information into a book because there is so much to the subject because I am passionate about technology.
How do you select your books’ titles and covers?
I check similar books that have had success then I provide some beta readers with options to get input from actual readers.
What’s your next step?
My next step is to begin speaking arrangements to inform others of the opportunities that exist in the field of IT. Along the way, I am writing another self-help book to help others achieve their goals in more areas than just technology.
What book do you wish you’d written?
How to win friends and influence people by Dale Carnegie. That book is a masterpiece by a brilliant author that truly stands the test of time. I refer to it frequently to help understand the emotions of others and control my own.
How do you react to seeing a new review for your book?
I love constructive criticism. I want to know where my book could use improvement so I can make my next book even better. What I love most is reading reviews of individuals saying that the book helped them find their way in the industry.
FIND TYLER’S BOOK ON AMAZON
Apr 17, 2024 | Editors' Blog, Interviews
Today, we’re talking with Pierce Roberts about his book, Blood of the Pharoahs.
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
Veterinarian for 49 years.
Why do you write?
I enjoy developing a good story with some twists and turns that will surprise the readers.
Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?
This is book five in the Destroyer series so the story connects and develops with each new installment. The timeless battle of good versus evil never ends.
What do you enjoy the most about your genre?
Again that battle of good versus evil with the promise that evil should never win (although they try very hard).
How would you describe your writing process?
The storylines are out there, all around us. If I sense a ‘what if ?’ that often can morph into a good tale.
What do you think authors have to gain from participating in social media?
Greater audience and the ability to target readers with similar tastes.
What advice would you have for other writers?
Don’t give up.
How do you select your books’ titles and covers?
Since this is a series, the titles and covers interconnect with the theme.
What’s your next step?
Continue to develop the series.
What book do you wish you’d written?
All Creatures Great and Small.
How do you react to seeing a new review for your book?
A review is only an opinion, an interpretation of the manuscript, but it can help others decide if they want to invest the time to read your work. Good or bad we learn from the reviewers.
FIND PIERCE’S BOOK ON AMAZON
