Inspiration for the struggling writer

Before you read any further, let’s get one thing straight. YOU ARE A WRITER! You may not be a working writer. You may not have made any money at it.  You may not have put much down on paper in quite a while. But if you paid for this article, I would wager you have written something in the past, which makes you a writer. Being a writer means you tell a story, give advice, and put it down on paper with the intention that people will read it, and get something out of it. Everyone has a story to tell, and you are no different.

Ok with that said, let me tell you what this article is about. This article is about the daily psychological struggles you as a writer go through. Being a writer myself, I know them well. Every problem I address here I have been through and still face on a daily basis when I sit down to write. This article will tell you how to get rid of those struggles, and let you realize that every one of them has been cultivated in your mind with the sole purpose to hinder your dreams.

Those struggles are as follows:

·        Procrastination

·        Fear

·        Laziness

·        Having a day job

·        Confidence in your writing  (thinking you’re writing is crap)

·        The myth called “Writers Block”

·        Wanting to give up

All of these problems are made up by you. I will show you why, and I will give you solutions to get rid of them.

This book is not a “how to” guide on how to become a writer. You already are one! That is the first problem that new writers face. You say to yourself  “ I wish I could be a writer.”  Well here’s the big secret. The magic wand swish you have been looking for to make your dreams of becoming a writer come true. Are you ready? The best way to become a writer is….. WRITE SOMETHING! It’s that simple. This article just helps you along in the process.

So now that we got that question taken care of, are you ready to tackle more important problems? Good! Keep reading!

I know what it’s like to think you have Writer’s Block

First thing you need to realize is “Writer’s Block” is a myth. If you truly had “Writer’s Block” you would be in a wheelchair somewhere drooling all over yourself. Saying you have “Writer’s Block” is like saying you’re mind has shut off, and there is nothing firing upstairs. Every day you are writing. Your texting (unless you are a hundred years old), you’re writing down a grocery list, you’re writing an email, your telling all your friends on Facebook about the funny thing your cat did. Hey there’s an idea! Write about your cat! Send him on an adventure! Just in the process of thinking is writing.

Want to read more? Find Inspiration for the struggling writer on Amazon or Smashwords.

Rest in peace Richard Matheson

I know a lot of people are saying "who is Richard Matheson?" He was one of the most influential writers of our time. There are very few writers who can say they influenced writers such as Stephen King and Anne Rice. Stephen King named Matheson as one of his biggest influences, and Anne Rice has said Richard Matheson's short story "A dress of white silk," was one of her prime influences for her vampires. Still not impressed? Not much of a reader? More of a movie buff? Ever seen a little movie called I am Legend, starring Will Smith? Or What dreams may come, or Button, Button, a.k.a. The box, or Hell house, a.k.a. The legend of Hell House, or The twilight zone episode, where the man freaks out on a plane saying there is a man on the wing? Yup! You guessed it, all written by Richard Matheson. Even if you don't read books, you have been exposed to this man’s work. Pop culture lost a great writer yesterday, but this man will live forever with his contributions to books and movies.

Here's a list of some of this great authors work.

Movies:

The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957)

Beat Generation (1959)

House of Usher (1960)

Master of the World (1961)

The Pit and the Pendulum (1961)

Burn Witch Burn (1962); a.k.a. Night of the Eagle (screenplay co-written with Charles Beaumont and George Baxt based on the novel Conjure Wife by Fritz Leiber

Tales of Terror (1962)

The Raven (1963)

The Comedy of Terrors (1963)

The Last Man on Earth (as "Logan Swanson", based on Matheson's novel I Am Legend)(1964)

Fanatic (1965)

The Young Warriors (1967)

The Devil Rides Out (1968)

De Sade (1969)

The Legend of Hell House (based on his novel) (1973)

Somewhere in Time (based on his novel) (1980)

Twilight Zone: The Movie: Fourth segment "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" (1983)

Jaws 3-D (1983)

Loose Cannons (1990)

The Box (2009)

Real Steel (2011)

Novels:

Someone is Bleeding (1953)

Fury on Sunday (1953)

I Am Legend (1954) filmed as The Last Man on Earth, The Omega Man, I Am Omega and I Am Legend

The Shrinking Man (1956); filmed as The Incredible Shrinking Man and subsequently reprinted under that title; also the basis of the film The Incredible Shrinking Woman

A Stir of Echoes (1958); filmed as Stir of Echoes

Ride the Nightmare (1959); adapted as an episode of The Alfred Hitchcock Hour and later filmed as Cold Sweat (1970 film)

The Beardless Warriors (1960); filmed as The Young Warriors

The Comedy of Terrors (1964), with Elsie Lee; filmed as The Comedy of Terrors

Hell House (1971); filmed as The Legend of Hell House

Bid Time Return (1975); filmed as Somewhere in Time and subsequently reprinted under that title

What Dreams May Come (1978); filmed as What Dreams May Come

Earthbound (Playboy Publications, 1982), as by Logan Swanson[4] — editorially abridged version; restored text published as by Richard Matheson, 1989[citation needed]

Journal of the Gun Years (1992)

The Gunfight (1993)

7 Steps to Midnight (1993)

Shadow on the Sun (1994)

Now You See It ... (1995)

The Memoirs of Wild Bill Hickock (1996)

The Path: A New Look at Reality (1999)

Passion Play (2000)

Hunger and Thirst (2000)

Camp Pleasant (2001)

Abu and the 7 Marvels (2002)

Hunted Past Reason (2002)

Come Fygures, Come Shadowes (2003)

Woman (2006)

Other Kingdoms (2011)

Generations (2012)

Books of note

                                                                                                                                   

Every negative thought is one more step to failure

It seems today so many people are expressing themselves with negative thought. If you’re not seeing someone talking about murder and mayhem on the news, then you are reading a friends post on Facebook as they say FML over a messed up cup of coffee. I have to ask myself, do these people just like to be negative energy? I have to say I don't think so. I would say that most people today don't know how to express themselves in a positive way. They don't have the tools to live a life they want, never realizing that everything they say, do, and are exposed to have a direct effect on their quality of life.

I used to be a negative person. I blamed everyone and everything for my lot in life. There wasn't a day that went by that I didn't have some sort of negative thought cross my mind. I wasn't a non-functioning totally depressed person, in fact I was highly functioning. But I wasn't happy. I was like a lot of people these days; I was asleep at the wheel. I didn't realize that I was feeding on the negativity that I saw every day and recycling it back to the people around me, creating a one legged ass kicking contest of negativity. The relationship I was in was negative, a lot of my friend's online were negative, and my coworkers were negative. I would walk around thinking why is everyone so negative, never realizing it was me creating that negativity in my surroundings. I was a totally depressed person. 

Things did not turn around for me until I decided to stop listening to the negativity. I realized I could be happy. All I had to do was choose to be. Being happy is a pretty simple thing. You just choose to be happy. Just as you choose negativity in your life, you can choose positivity.  Have you ever been around a truly happy person? The energy that that person puts off makes you happy. The same is true for a person who exudes negativity. We have all been exposed to a family member, coworker, or Facebook friend’s post that is filled with negativity. How do they make you feel? Do you want to be around them for long lengths of time? I would think not. Now look at that person with all the negative thought. Are they a productive person? Are they happy? Sometimes you don't even know that person is bringing you down until you take a step back and think about what they are saying. You have to fortify yourself against these people and there thought and not be caught up in their negative energy. Remember you control what goes into your subconscious. Words and actions produce very powerful emotions. If you learn to control your own emotions, other peoples won't make a difference in your happiness. 

Since I choose to be happy, I have since gotten out of the bad relationship, and moved on to a happy one. I have published a short book on Amazon (Inspiration for the struggling writer) which helps not just writers, but anyone get over fear and negative thought. My life is full of new and wonderful things because I am not bogged down with negative energy. Even when things are not going the way I planned I am still happy. Do have things in my life that are negative? Yes! But now I know how to deal with them. All I do is choose happiness

There were many resources and books I read that hit home for me. Here is a list of some of them.

Inspiration for the struggling writer: Of course I have to put my own book in the list. It is something I am proud of, and I hope it can be helpful to you.

The power of your subconscious mind: Your subconscious doesn't know what is real or not. What ever you put into it will come to pass. Put good stuff in it.

Don't sweat the small stuff: Every problem in life becomes small over time.

Unlimited power: You have a store house of power in you. Learn how to use it.

Dogs love books

Dogs love books

Hi there humans. My name’s Huey. I am the dog of my owner, Ernie, the person who normally writes this blog. That’s me on the left. I’m a handsome young dog, aren't I?

Well, I have hijacked my owners blog, because I don’t think he gives enough attention to the dogs in books. I mean what are we chopped liver… mmmmmm chopped liver….. Oh sorry! Anyway back to the subject. This blog will be a list of 5 books with dogs in them. But Huey, you say, how do you know anything about books? Well friends, I would like you to know, books are like food to me. I mean just last week, I chewed up my owners first edition Clive Barker “Cold Heart Canyon,” It was delicious.

Ok, enough about me, lets hear about these great dog friendly books….

1) Marley and Me: Life and Love with the world’s worst dog. Worlds worst dog! World’s best dog! If you ask me the humans in this story couldn't find their bone if it hit them in the tail. This dog was awesome! Think of all the adventures he took these boring loser’s on. So he ripped up the couch, and peed on the floor. A small fee for all the hilarious hi jinks this dog brought to the table.

You like my blog!!!!

2) Cujo Wow! I would never challenge this dog to a rope tug… He would bite my snout off! Well as far as dog books go, this ones a classic. Ya Cujo gave a bad name to Saint Bernard’s everywhere, but he don’t hate the breed, hate Cujo. I mean what kinda dog isn’t up on his rabies shots! That poor lady and little kid. What a jerk!

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3) The Darkest Evening of the Year, By Dean Koontz This guy loves Golden retrievers. Everyone loves Golden Retrievers. Everyone say’s how smart they are, and pretty… I gotta say I don’t see it folks. I never met a Golden who could beat me in an IQ test, and I’ve known a few. But anyway, the book is good. It’s about these super smart rescued Golden Retrievers, oh and there’s humans in it too.

4) Oogy: The dog only a family could love This dog has the heart of a champion! Brings a tear to my eye just thinking about him. But I think he has been cheated! He overcomes animal cruelty, and his reward is that the humans get all the credit for “saving” him. This is a classic case of humans trying to steal a dogs thunder. Like just the other day I found a dead bird, and I put it on the porch. And immediately the girl human screamed and told me to get it out of my mouth! She was jealous that I had found this great treasure! After I dropped it, you’ll never guess what she did… She threw it away! Can you believe it!

5) Boston Terrier’s for Dummies. I mean this is an easy one, even for you K9 challenged people. If you want to learn about the best dog’s to ever live, start with this book. It tells all you dumb human’s how to care for us. You’ll learn what we like to eat (meat). You’ll learn why we are so smart (big brains). And why we are so handsome (superior breeding). By the way, That’s my uncle Ned on the cover.

So it’s been fun human’s. I just wanted to say this is dedicated to all my dogs that are locked up. And if you want to break them out click this link. The Humane Society.

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Available on Amazon for 99 cents 

Warning! The Banned Books are coming, to fill your mind with knowledge and free...Thinking!

Warning! The Banned books are coming, to fill your mind with Knowledge and free..thinking!

Basically what I learned from writing this post is, if you want your book to go down in history, as great, it needs to be banned. Every book on this list was banned, and is still getting banned. Authors should start putting a disclaimer on their books telling people it was banned, they would sell a lot more copies. People would read more classic’s. Because hey lets face it.. We like the juicy stuff don’t we. One other note from this list is pretty much every book on this list is either a national book award winner, or New York Times best seller..

I do not believe in censorship to the masses no matter how bad the book. Information should flow freely. It should never be stopped because of the views of one person, or a group. So here is a list of the ten most banned books ever. And also a list of some of the greatest books ever written!

The adventures of Huck Finn by Mark Twain, was banned in 1885. Not even a year after it was published, for its “course language” (manly slang words) and not for its use of  the N word 200 times. Seems to me people had their priorities messed up in 1885. This book has been banned many times since. The most recent being a Tempe Arizona high school having it banned from its reading list in 1998.

My advice and opinion: This book is pretty tame by today’s standards, as far as slang goes. I mean we do live in the land of “LOL” and “OMG” and as far as the N word goes, listen to almost any rap song. My advice is too read this book if you haven’t already.

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov  Is a story about a pedophile… French officials banned this book for being “obscene.” The author almost destroyed his manuscript, by fire in disgust. You know this book was bad if the books own author wanted to destroy it. But still…

My advice and opinion: Ya, it’s a despicable story, about a despicable person, but its fiction. And if you can’t tell the truth when you write, then you should not write. My advice give it a look, if you can’t make it through there’s always the fireplace. Although I think you’ll read it all the way through.

The Catcher in the rye by J.D. Salinger Is a New York Times Bestseller, and a classic, but back in 1960 an English teacher in Tulsa Oklahoma was fired for assigning the book to a 11th grade English class…. What is this Footloose! Another community in Columbus Ohio, said it was “anti-white” Need I say more. The book was also criticized for its use of the slang word “screw up.” And by the way that Holden Caulfield is a bad influence!

My advice and opinion: By today's standards, Holden Caulfield would just be a shy kid, but this book is still getting flack! Give it up people! My advice Read this book! If you haven’t read this book, I would seriously have to ask you if you even like reading.

Harry potter series by J.K. Rowling, Yup! You heard me correctly. Apparently people in Lewiston Maine found that J.K. Rowling was promoting violence, witchcraft, and devil worship. But they did not get to burn Harry Potter at the stake because of fire codes, so they had to resort to a pair of scissors. Didn't these Northeastern people learn anything from the Salem witch trials. I think Harry Potter promotes imagination, oooohhhhh what a bad thing to have!

My advice and opinion: These people couldn't find their patronis if it was attached to there hogwart! Maybe they should read the books and get some pleasure out of life….? These books are harmless. Your kids video games are going to mess up their brains a lot more than Harry ever could!

The Anarchist cookbook by William Powell, angered government officials, as well as anarchist groups. This book was banned by just about everyone. The really doesn't have anything in it you can’t Google now a days. Powell tried to censor his book later, after he converted to Christianity. In 2000 he wrote on Amazon.com that his book was a “misguided product of my adolescent anger at the prospect of being drafted and sent to Vietnam to fight in a war that I did not believe in.”

My advice and opinion: My opinion is nothing should be censored. Yes this book shows you how to make pipe bombs. And it seems the people who buy this book tend to be a little off. But most of those people are not smart enough to use the recipe’s in this book. My advice is leave this book alone, you’ll blow your arm off…

I know why the caged bird sings by Maya Angelou, This book was a National Book award winner. People did not like it because Maya pretty much told the truth about racism, sex, and rape. I guess the truth hurts sometimes. She read a poem from the book, for president Bill Clinton’s inauguration, this is something that hadn't been done since Robert Frost read one of his poems for the Kennedy inauguration in 1960, but this book was banned…

My advice and opinion: If you don’t like the truth don’t read Maya Angelou. But if you don’t read her, your missing out. Don’t deprive yourself of this great writer. Maya Angelou writes about ugly things in this book, but she shows you there is poetry in despair. Her poetry is beautiful and thought-provoking. Shes one of those writers that can show you something so ugly, and make it look beautiful in the end.

Candide by Voltaire, was written in the 18th century, and was not immune to criticism. This book basically makes fun of everyone. Armies, church’s, and philosophers. Probably the most recent banning, would be in the 1930s, when US customs agents seized copies of the book. And then once again in 1944 when the US post Office demanded the book be dropped from the Concord books catalog.

My advice and opinion: It’s a good thing to laugh at subjects that take themselves to seriously. I’m amazed this book was banned as late as 1944, it was written almost 300 years ago! It is a book that is relevant in this day and age. The modern political system of today, mirrors the past. And it’s still fun to laugh at. Buy this book, read it, and give it to someone else so they can have a good laugh to. Maybe you’ll get the 18th century humor better than I did.

Nineteen eighty-four by George Orwell Is an ironic story of a banned book. Considering the subject matter of the book. It’s about censorship, totalitarianism, a society robbed of its free will, privacy, and truth. Hmmm, how similar to modern society.  I consider it George’s last warning to mankind, since he was dying while he wrote it. This book was banned in 1981. The people behind the ban, said the book was “ pro communist.” Showing that they had never read the book. Orwell coined the name “Big Brother.”

My advice and opinion: George Orwell predicted the future in my opinion. If you read this book, and then look around at your surroundings, you will see that this is true. With our Facebook and twitter, and cameras on stop lights. Do all these things really make the world a better place? Or are we selling our freewill one post or comment at a time. My advice… Read this book! This book should be read by everyone who values thought and free expression. He shows what can happen when people stop thinking for themselves, and solely let  their government to make their decisions for them. Very important book…

The Satanic Verses by Salmon Rushdie, No book in the history of books was more banned, and criticized than the Satanic Verse’s. Rushdie lived in hiding for 10 years because of this book. It sparked riots, and death threats to any one that owned it, or sold it. In Venezuela they put you in prison for 15 months just for possessing it! Walden books and Barnes and Noble stopped selling it because of death threats. You think Christians get mad when someone takes a jab at Jesus, well don’t ever make a jab at the prophet Mohammed…

My advice and opinion: The riots and craziness this book sparked, just makes you want to read it even more. If you truly want a book to go away, just ignore it! The title is explosive on its own, but the subject matter is even more so. The publicity people gave this book, in there arguing and for crying out loud.. Rioting! Made it what it is. I would say most of the people who hate this book, have never read it. As is the case with most banned books…. Find your own opinion. Read this book.

Brave new world by Aldous Huxley, This is another one of those ironic case’s of people banning a book that mirror’s the society of today. The book speaks of a boring, drugged up, and over stimulated population….. Sex, drugs and suicide run through out this book. The main character is just trying to find a life worth living. This book had censors flicking there Bic lighters, just waiting to set on fire! Why? Because it spoke the truth… In Corona-Norco California people banned it because the book “centered around negativity.” Really…..!

My advice and opinion: I remember reading this book when I was 20 years old, and thinking how much it mimicked the world I lived in. I put the book down, and got ready to go out with my friends to play a gig at a seedy little bar in Las Vegas. I walked into the bar, and the first conversation I overheard, was a girl telling her friend how she couldn't function unless she took a Soma before she went out. A grin passed my face, and I got on stage to play the show. Read this book. It will change your perspective on prescription drugs, and what you view as a successful person.

Don’t ever let anybody tell you what you should read, or how you should think! Read and become powerful! 

Weird Vinyl, and other oddities. But hey Record store day is coming!

Older post of mine from jamulbooksandmusic.com Record store day was just around the corner

Just the other day My neighbors 6 year old was over playing with “Huey” my dog. He looked up as I was putting a record on (yes I have a record player).

“What is that?!” He said.
“It’s a record.” I said.
“Whats a record.” He said.
“It plays music.” I said.
“like a big CD” he said.
“Ya sorta.” I said.
My bones started to ache from the years I was feeling, but then the ache abruptly stopped, and I thought “Hey at least he knows what a CD is….
So in a show of support for record store day on April 16, This list will be the 10 weirdest album covers I have ever seen. Its a list from the days of yore, when there was no twitter, or Facebook! Gasp! When you had to physically go to the record store, and wade through crazy music like on this list just to find your gem. Buying an album was an event! You would get home, blow of the dust on the record, place it on the turntable, put on your big headphones and listen to the music while you read the liner notes.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!disclaimer!!!!!!!!!!!
This is not a list of good music! This is the crazy stuff you would find while you were looking for your good music. Enjoy!

1) “Jesus use Me” By The Faith Tones First off use you for what? This album is creepy in so many ways, I could probably write a book about its creepyness! I mean look at those beehives!

2) If I was a women by Ira North If you were a women Ira, you would be an ugly one. And furthermore Ira I don’t think you have ever been around a women long enough to even form an opinion! Oh Ira….

3) Sound Effects of Death and Horror This album looks like something I would see in a fire and brimstone Bible. And I have no idea who would want to listen to the sound effects of death and horror all day, but hey what do I know.

4) Amen! Beverly Massege Ok…. This lady loves her ventriloquist dummy a little too much. Amen this album wasn’t a top ten hit! I don’t eve know what to say…. The cover speaks for its self.

5) JO-JO Parodije by Svetlana Miljus Cajka Something was lost in translation on this one. She looks like one of the rejects from a White Snake video!

6) I punch you by Weird Paul Petroskey Why so hostel Pauly? This album cover exudes creepyness. I think of some guy cutting a record in a polyester suit, sportin a gold tooth. “Hey Paul what do you want to call the album?” Paul: “I want to call it I punch you, and I want a picture of a plastic baby doll on the cover.” Who was the guy who said that was ok?

7) For your Entertainment by Adam Lambert Yes! I said it! The guys creepy! He can sing, but this album cover is just weird. Its the 80s on energy drinks and iphones!

8) Mallet Mischief by Harry Breuer and his quintet I bet you never knew how crazy the xelophone was? Well Harry is gonna tell you! I actually like this one. Harry’s playing his xelophone, with a smirk, while some women is trying to hang herself. I hope its not because of Harry’s xelophone playing.

9) By request only by Ken Ken, I bet your a lonely guy, because I don’t think you get many request’s. Poor Ken.. He looks like a nice guy. So willing to do a request for you. Come on guys request something for Ken. Dig the groovy suit by the way.

10) Velho, Menino Burro Wrong on so many levels… This one isn’t even fun…