Anthems for Authors – Every Day I Write the Book

Being an author can make for a lonely life. Other than each other, many times we have no one to encourage or praise us – or even validate our existence. So when I hear a song that makes me feel good about being a writer, I turn it all the way up and revel in the fact that someone wrote a song “for us.” Now I know many times the song writer was being metaphoric with the use of “writing,” but I choose to replace their reality with mine. That’s just how I roll.

While this video is outdated and corny, the words still ring true. My favorite lines are “Even in a perfect world where everyone was equal, I’d still own the film rights and be working on the sequel.” And now, Every Day I Write the Book by Elvis Costello.

[subscribe2]

Should you have Klout?

I’ll try to make this short and to the point. I’m going to talk briefly about something that is either (A) a worthless timewaster or (B) the next big thing.

As always, I’ll put out my disclaimer— I’m not an expert in Klout. I happen to toy with it and, more or less, actively participate. Behind the scenes here at Indies Unlimited, there were discussions as to what, who, how and why of Klout, so here we go. Continue reading “Should you have Klout?”

What is Your Book About? by Krista Tibbs

Author Photo - Krista Tibbs
Author Krista Tibbs

One question I dread to hear is: What is your book about? I should be happy that someone is curious enough to ask, but in truth, it’s akin to that point in a job interview when a person says: Tell me about yourself. I want to point to my resume and say it’s all there, can’t you just read it? I want to hand potential readers a bookmark or a preview booklet or a page of review excerpts or send them my video trailer or website — everything I created to avoid having to say it out loud — but the question inevitably comes. So, even though I’ve written my spiel and practiced it for hours, when a person asks what The Neurology of Angels is about, I usually end up mumbling something like, ”Oh, well, there’s this neurologist and a little girl with a rare disease, and, you know, he’s trying to cure her, and um, it’s hard to do, and it’s kind of expensive, what with the monkeys and all, and, well, yeah…” Continue reading “What is Your Book About? by Krista Tibbs”

W. E. Competition Week 9: The Dream

Photo by K.S. Brooks

You have had this dream before—the long dark hallway, the high ceilings, the columns along the walls. There is an ominous yet wondrous tone to the dream. It always ends when you get to the end of the hallway and find a closed door. Tonight the door is open. What will you find there and what does it mean?

In 250 words or less, tell me a story incorporating the elements in the picture. The 250 word limit will be strictly enforced.

Use the comment section below to submit your entry. Entries will be accepted until 5:00 PM Mountain Standard Time on Tuesday, February 28th, 2012.

On Wednesday morning, we will open voting to the public with an online poll for the best writing entry accompanying the photo. Voting will be open until 5:00 PM Thursday.

On Friday morning, the winner will be recognized as we post the winning entry along with the picture as a feature. Best of luck to you all in your writing!

Entries only in the comment section. Other comments will be deleted.

*      *      *      *      *

Photograph by K.S. Brooks, used here with the photographer’s permission. Copying or reproduction of any kind without express consent is prohibited. All rights reserved.

For a more detailed explanation of the contest & its workings, please see the post called “Writing Exercises Return with a Twist” from 12/24/11.

By participating in this exercise the contestants agree to the rules of the contest and waive any and all further considerations or permissions otherwise required for any winning entries to be published by Indies Unlimited as an e-book, showcasing all the photos and with the winning expositions credited appropriately and accordingly.