Thomas Edison's Words of Wisdom

Living in New Jersey, you cannot grow up without taking a class trip at some point to Edison's workshop in Edison, NJ. At that point in time, many years ago, one thing stuck in my mind: the black bread on his desk. They had left everything on Edison's desk as it was on the day he died, including an old piece of bread that had turned black over the years.

Years later it would be a quote of Edison's that always stuck with me. It had taken 10,000 attempts for Edison to make the first light bulb. When asked how he felt about his 10,000 "failures", Edison replied, "I didn't fail. I found 10,000 ways not to make a light bulb."

My next door neighbor (who has since gone to God herself) used to work for Edison. Her response to working for this icon? He was a slob, she said, he used to spit on the floor. That image amused me, rather than horrified me. It humanized the man and enmeshed him more in the time period. I could see him missing the spittoon and then just not even caring after a while.

All this goes back to writing. What may seem like insignificant details about a person, may add a whole new dimension to their personality.

Einstein's quote should be laminated and framed and hung over the computer of every single writer out there. I'm sick of reading about writers who keep their rejection notes on a blackboard or in a book. Who needs such glaring negativity? Unless the note is personalized and contains constructive feedback that you can apply to your writing, there is only one place that rejection letter should go after opened: the shredder. Why are so many writers so masochistic? They write it inspires them. To me, that's like having an angry nun smacking you with a ruler when you color outside the lines or write with your left hand (I'm Catholic, its just an archaic metaphor. . .) You should note somewhere you heard back from them on a list and then CHUCK IT. Be freed of it. Amen.

Then start living by Einstein's philosophy, try to find the other ways to sell your writing. Find what works and what doesn't. If it takes 10,000 tries, so be it. How many light bulbs are in your house right now? Imagine if every home in America had that many pieces of YOUR writing? Hmmmm. . .

Could happen. It happened to Stephen King. He was a substitute teacher, living in a trailer. Look at him now.

Finally, Einstein's workshop is now frozen in time. What moments do you want to freeze in time? Write them. Make them live forever.

Please check out my novel Luke Aloysius:  Bloodline on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GD9X8BE

Advertise

'Tis that season again. My little cousin had popped over to show off his awesome Halloween costume and I knew that the season was upon us.

Well, actually, he was just the final omen. The omens begin in my neighborhood when the ghosties, jack-o-lanterns, spiders, and witches begin to adorn all my neighbors homes. Then, the Halloween house goes up at the top of my street.

Every year, one of my neighbors goes all out. They build a haunted house on their front lawn complete with spooky sounds and dry ice. Their entire family dresses up as different "scary" characters to greet the public and hand out candy to delighted kiddies. Last year, the Riddler guarded the haunted house with his Tommy-gun while Frankenstein snuck up on unsuspecting visitors. My one-year old Goddaughter (dressed as a froggie), was delighted to shake Frank's giant green hand!

My neighbors have no problem advertising the coming of seasons and holidays. Every holiday turns our street into the Las Vegas strip with blinking lights of appropriate holiday color, giant blow-up figures, and decorations of all types from hand made to custom made. My best friend always asks me, "What's wrong with your neighbors? The holiday's a month and a half away." She thinks they're competing. And, maybe they are. But, knowing my neighbors, I know they are celebrating and advertising the coming season.

You should advertise your work as well. Create a website to showcase your work or resume. When sending out queries, include your website, blog address, and any other internet address that is relevant. On my letters I include my blog address and the address for inktip, noting that my work is posted there.

If you have a work published, you should be out there hawking it as well. What markets would read your book? Contact your publisher or agent and see what they think about you contacting other markets.

If you are on a website related to what you have written, post the name of your book under comments. Someone will see it.

If you have written something new and its available to the public, you should send out a mass email to everyone on your email list, facebook, and twitter. (And whatever else you subscribe to). If you won't advertise for yourself, who will?

Peace! Watch out for Wolverine!
Please check out my novel Luke Aloysius:  Bloodline on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GD9X8BE

Objective: To Sell a Screenplay Within a Year

Countdown: 365 days.

How many people out there have a story in them that they are dying to tell? How many have not told that story because they simply lack motivation? How many have told that story, actually wrote it down, but now it sits in a filing cabinet or desk drawer unseen by human eyes?

That last one is me. I have four completed screenplays and God knows how much other writing crammed into a filing cabinet. I know how to write and I know how to market a screenplay, but I have not been disciplined enough to actually get it done.

So here is my plan: I'm going to attempt to log in five times a week (those are "working days") and tell you what I've done. Share what works, what hasn't. I have been writing for years, taking classes, teaching writing, so I know a thing or two that I can share. My overall objective: to push myself to keep writing and marketing my writing so that I sell a screenplay within a year from today: September 29, 2009. (Before, is preferred. . . )

So far today, I began the day on a positive note. I went through my notes from the Gotham Writer's Workshop (I highly recommend the "How to Sell Your Screenplay" class in learning to refine pitches) and then I revised my pitch and synopsis for a script I wrote entitled, "Malice in Medellin."

Then I clicked over to inktip.com where I have two screenplays listed, one of them being Malice, and updated Malice's listing. I now feel good about the pitch. I think I'll get more readings this way. Inktip is a wonderful way to get your work read by agents and producers if you're unrepresented.

After that, I created this blog. Of course this is ultimately a method of keeping myself on a daily schedule, but I also hope it helps out other writers as well!

To all the struggling, penniless writers out there, like myself, lets sell one this year!
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Update June 1, 2016:  So, I didn't sell my screenplay in a year, but that's okay.  I did a lot of other things since 2009.  The most recent accomplishment of mine is the launching of my first Young Adult  Sci-Fi Novel.  Please check out my novel Luke Aloysius:  Bloodline on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GD9X8BE
Peace!