Writing Excuses Transcripts

Writing Excuses 6.4: Microcasting

From http://www.writingexcuses.com/2011/06/26/writing-excuses-6-4-microcasting/

Key Points:
1. Is is still safe to go the traditional publishing route? Yes. Take a look at both, though.
2. How do you balance serious with silly? It depends.
3. What are the alternatives to the 3 act structure? Writing a stupid book. Dan Wells' Seven Point Structure. MICE. Goal-based writing.
4. Do you ever lose your drive, and what re-inspires you? Yes. First, look at why it's happened, then figure out what to do to get out of it.
5. How does your writing life affect your non-writing life? Depends on where you draw the boundaries.
6. What was the defining moment in your life that said to you that you could be a writer? Selling a story to Cicada.
7. How effective do you feel video book trailers are? How do you measure effectiveness? Useful to send to people. Consider the cost -- $2000 and up.
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[Brandon] Anyway, let's do a writing prompt. Let's see. I'm actually going to grab one of these twitter questions and turn it into a writing prompt. So. Spencer Pager asks... Penger asks... "What are your thoughts on using traditional fantasy creatures in writing?" So, my question for you, my writing prompt is, you have to have a story in which people are using traditional fantasy creatures in writing. Meaning the actual physical creatures! Like you're grinding up unicorn horns and writing with...
[Howard] Hey, hey hey hey. Not that one. I actually do that.
[Brandon] Or you're using orcs blood or you're doing... Somehow, the fantasy creatures physically are necessary.
[Dan] Are involved in the writing.
[Brandon] In the writing process.
[Dan] This book is printed on the finest elf skin.
[Mary] Quill of the Phoenix... You have to write very quickly, and not burn your hands.
[Brandon] This has been Writing Excuses. You're out of excuses, now go write.