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Monday, November 16, 2009
What I Learned About Writing While Watching Reality Television
You might mistake this for idle time! No no no. I wasn't frying my brain and/or wasting my time watching these shows. Not. At. All. I was learning precious writing techniques. I was studying. Learning!
Behold: The things I learned about writing while watching reality television...
1. Overconfidence is your greatest adversary
How do you know when someone is about to get themselves kicked off a reality TV show? When they stare into the camera with a smirk and talk about how they have it in the bag. Then they inevitably end up getting voted off Tribal Counsel faster than you can say "Jeff Probst."
Overconfidence causes authors to just send out queries with a few dashed off words of explanation, trusting that the genius of their manuscript will shine through. Overconfidence blinds authors to the changes they need to make to their manuscript, and makes them deaf to good suggestions.
When overconfidence enters the picture authors can turn into their own worst enemies. It didn't work for the Four Horsemen of Survivor Fiji, who entrusted their plans with someone who called himself Dreamz. By choice. It doesn't work for writers either.
2. Don't mess with the host.
Did it pay for Kenley to antagonize poor Tim Gunn on Project Runway? No, it did not.
Did it pay for Chima to antagonize the producers of Big Brother? No, it did not.
Did it pay for Tiffany to talk back to Tyra on America's Next Top Model? No, it most definitely did not.
In the publishing game, agents and editors and publishers are your hosts. You may not like the rules of the game, but you won't get anywhere making enemies with the people running the show.
3. Pay your taxes.
Don't let this happen to you.
Read Kristin Nelson's essential post on the things you should do when your book sells. Remember, your advance will come to you as untaxed income, just like winnings on Survivor. Get a good accountant, pay your taxes immediately, and invest your windfall wisely.
4. Be a student of the game.
The best contestants on reality TV shows are often the ones who have lived and breathed a show for its entire existence. This season, the otherwise contemptible Russell from Survivor Samoa knew enough about the show to keep hunting for hidden immunity idols even though he didn't have any clues, simply because he knew that the show often places hidden immunity idols around camp. Sure enough, it worked! And anyone who has watched America's Next Top Model knows that when in a tough spot the best strategy is to break down in tears and plead for Tyra's mercy.
Study the publishing game. Learn it. Breathe it. There may not be any hidden immunity idols (at least, not until I'm in charge), but the name of the game is survival, and it pays to know everything you possibly can find out.
5. Play nice.
On reality television, a contestant will inevitably show up and wag their finger and shout, "I'm not here to make friends!"
And that person never wins.
159 comments:
- hannah said...
so this post is basically my favorite thing in the universe.
- November 16, 2009 at 4:41 PM
- Shari Weaver said...
Amen to that!
- November 16, 2009 at 4:41 PM
- owlandsparrow said...
If the Top Models were smart, they'd learn to use phrases like "smize" and "H2T" (ugh, by the way) - that would surely advance them to the final two, and win Tyra's favor forever.
Loved this post and I'm unashamed to say I knew every single (helpful and true) reference you posted. Thanks for reinforcing my long-standing belief that reality TV can teach you more than how to smile with your eyes.
Rooting for Russell,
- November 16, 2009 at 4:47 PM
- Lisa and Laura said...
I love that you've found a way to marry reality TV and publishing. Bliss.
- November 16, 2009 at 4:48 PM
- Daisy said...
Though I generally hate them, I have found the audition rounds from American Idol to be the source of some good writer-advice. Namely:
1. Just because you think you're good, doesn't mean that you are. Even if you're sure of it. Even if you're absolutely positive. This is a good thing to keep in mind. Also, the people around you will lie to save your feelings.
2. It helps to come in looking successful, that way people will believe that you are. People are shallow.
3. Lots of people aren't bad. Lots of them are pretty good. Only twelve make it to the finals.
- November 16, 2009 at 4:52 PM
- ajcastle said...
Love this post -- and all the comments. All are so true. So, so true.
- November 16, 2009 at 4:55 PM
- Blogging Mama Andrea said...
I admit, I don't watch reality tv. Well unless Miami Ink counts or Ace of Cakes. If that's reality tv then I'm a sucker for it.
Great advice.
- November 16, 2009 at 4:57 PM
Hey, the mean guy/girl does stay until the end even if they don't win. It makes for better TV!
- November 16, 2009 at 4:58 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
There's no money for second place!
- November 16, 2009 at 5:00 PM
- Richard Mabry said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- November 16, 2009 at 5:00 PM
- Margaret Yang said...
Thank you, Nathan! You have saved me hundreds of hours of televsion-watching time. Now I can write more.
- November 16, 2009 at 5:01 PM
- Richard Mabry said...
Good advice, even though the examples don't mean much to me, since I don't watch reality TV.
I take that back--my wife and I discovered Shark Tank just before the season ended. But, since we like it, I doubt that it will be renewed. (Is there a lesson there about books that the public likes but critics don't?)
- November 16, 2009 at 5:01 PM
You forgot about having a soundtrack to set the mood. It can't hurt to have a mental soundtrack playing to get you on your "A" writing game. Or a real one for that matter. A cop friend of mine plays "Bad Boys" or the Batman theme on his sound system whenever he has to go on a high speed chase.
- November 16, 2009 at 5:01 PM
- Matilda McCloud said...
I love Phil on the Amazing Race--actually that's my favorite TV show! I agree about the friends thing, but on this show, the people who are a bit ditsy and not hugely competitive don't seem to win--like the guy last night who didn't know what a candelabra was. Usually, though, the real nasty people don't win either (sometimes you need other people's help)...
- November 16, 2009 at 5:04 PM
- Amy said...
Great advice...and humorous too!
- November 16, 2009 at 5:06 PM
- Portuguese cunt said...
Hey, Santino was the house a-hole on Project Runway and HE won, remember?
And Christian Siriano was kind of a dick, and he won, too. Well, he deserved to win, but he was still an ass.
I'm amazed that I know this much about Project Runway. I think it's time to go read a book.
- November 16, 2009 at 5:22 PM
- Linda Godfrey said...
I'm trying for the life of me to come up with a query analogy to Wife Swap -- don't try to force yourself onto an agent that isn't a good match?
Much truth in your post!
- November 16, 2009 at 5:24 PM
- Cid said...
Oh my goodness. This was amazing.
- November 16, 2009 at 5:26 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
No way, Santino came in third! Chloe won that season.
And Christian is the exception to the overconfidence rule, but in his case it was actually well-deserved. I guess you can be cocky if you're wildly more talented than everyone else on the show.
- November 16, 2009 at 5:35 PM
- hannah said...
Christian Siriano can do WHATEVER HE WANTS.
- November 16, 2009 at 5:37 PM
- Steve White said...
Number Two is the toughest for me. But okay, I promise to be nice.
- November 16, 2009 at 5:38 PM
- Jamie said...
Thanks for all these tips! I love how you put it!!
- November 16, 2009 at 5:38 PM
- Sara K said...
3. Pay your taxes. Don't let this happen to you.
I almost cried due to the suddenness and forcefulness of my laughter. The link made it so much better. You're brilliant.
- November 16, 2009 at 5:39 PM
- Paul Neuhardt said...
Dang it! I knew I should have been paying more attention when the rest of the family was watching "Survivor."
- November 16, 2009 at 5:44 PM
- pjd said...
@Daisy: Right on. Especially the last bit.
Another possible lesson from reality TV is that editing counts. A lot.
Think the entirety of The Bachelor goes down just as we see (ahem, my wife sees) it on the screen? The editors do a great job of wiping out all the cruft and getting to the main characters and the plot, sometimes even moving around the chronology to enhance the tension.
Not that I would know. Cuz, ya know, I don't go in for that stuff.
verification word: implizin
when a nerdy teen who thinks he's cool talks smack: what you beez implizin about my propeller beanie, fool?
- November 16, 2009 at 5:54 PM
- Terry said...
Interesting post. Lots of good advice. But I thought fiction writers all need more confidence, not less. That seems to be the big problem for us.
Then again, maybe not.
- November 16, 2009 at 5:56 PM
God, I'm cracking up. That "I'm not here to make friends" clip was hilarious.
Great entry, Nathan! Good advice, as always.
- November 16, 2009 at 6:04 PM
- Marilyn Peake said...
LOL. Great analogies to the publishing world. Although much of "reality TV" is actually scripted. And those island shows where everyone appears to be in jeopardy? TV rules require that a medical team be on set. SURVIVOR had lots of medical care available. If your blog was a "reality blog", you could script roles for all of us. That could be interesting. :) Some shows actually supply liquor so that the reality TV stars act out. Bad idea ... and would probably result in some rather illegible typing (not to mention forgetting of scripted roles) on a blog. :)
- November 16, 2009 at 6:05 PM
Love that post! I hope you're in charge some day, and I think I'd put fantasy money on it.
- November 16, 2009 at 6:17 PM
- Angie Muresan said...
Did you notice that it isn't really the most intelligent or most talented that win, but rather the most crafty?
- November 16, 2009 at 6:17 PM
- Bane of Anubis said...
I'd think underconfidence is one's greatest adversary... I mean, I'd rather be The Little Engine on steroids than Marlin the clownfish.
- November 16, 2009 at 6:18 PM
- wendy said...
Brilliant post, Nathan. I love the publishing and reality TV tie-ins. :)
I love watching most reality TV with an eye to learning about life, people and love. But I've observed that confidence is key and crucial to success in every avenue. One's mindset puts out vibes that can make our path to the goal seem effortless or impossible. I don't think over-confidence is so much an issue as lack of awareness.
I once sent out sloppy synopsises only because I didn't realise they were so bad, and I hoped that the publisher/editor would see the potential in the story sample. (We don't send queries in Australia.) That was having an unrealistic expectation of the process and the person at the other end.
Experience can bring both awareness and increased confidence, but I think we writers need to win the battle of the mind first. If we can have faith in ourselves and our work, there's a much greater chance of winning whatever outcome we want. Taking control of our minds comes through taking control of our thoughts - squelching every negative thought while forcing our mind to dwell on positive affirmations and outcomes. the human mind seems to naturally stray to the negative, whether it's neg. beliefs about ourselves or a neg. interpretation of another person's action or words. Confidence is also gained by realising that if we win the battle of the mind, we've won the battle of life.
I rant because this is my biggest challenge, and I know it's not easy to change a neggie outlook to a positive one. Repeat after me: 'I am positive, positive, positive.' :)
- November 16, 2009 at 6:23 PM
Great post. I think that reality television could be very helpful in writing. There are many different types of people on those shows and it could really help when developing characters. Especially when watching shows with vastly different people than you...like Rock of Love Charm School. I've never met people like that!
And I am rooting for Russell also.
- November 16, 2009 at 6:25 PM
- DakotaWrites said...
You had me. at. KENLEY!!! :)
- November 16, 2009 at 6:31 PM
- Kristi said...
Although I don't watch TV and therefore had no idea who you were talking about - well, except for Tyra, I loved this post. Plus, I can't wait until you're in charge - you'll rock :)
- November 16, 2009 at 6:33 PM
- Dara said...
I love this!!
And I can't believe I forgot about when Tyra yelled at Tiffany...o_O
- November 16, 2009 at 6:34 PM
- Susan Quinn said...
Kudos for exemplifying "play nice" with your own blog!
- November 16, 2009 at 6:37 PM
- Clarity said...
OK, Nathan, by agreeing with you I feel I would be enabling you, so I shall agree to disagree - and add, you're addicted, man, addicted!
As for Tyra, I have not watched her model show this year, the girls are too practiced, too ready for drama, you can almost time the snotty tears before they well up.
Seriously though, the publishing game? How can we know about it as outsiders, Nathan? There are too many blogs out there that are not as informed as yours, where? How? Who?
- November 16, 2009 at 6:41 PM
- Kristine Overbrook said...
This was a great post Nathan.
I'm a big fan of horror movies and #5 reminds me of Saw V. If they'd played nice, they would have all survived.
I belong to RWA and most of us cheer each other on, and teach everything we've learned with each other.
Humm, does #2 mean we need to kiss up more?
- November 16, 2009 at 6:44 PM
Awesome--now I've fulfilled part of my daily reality TV fix.
Daisy, amen and yes indeed... And may I add to #1: Even if your mama told you so. (You were much nicer about it with your "people around you" comment, but I couldn't resist.)
- November 16, 2009 at 6:47 PM
- Rachel Hamm said...
I love that you watch ANTM, the Hills (even if you have sadly ended your love affair), and Project Runway. Officially makes you the coolest guy in the universe. This post was hilarious and informative. I guess now I need to delete my post on how AWESOME I am and I can't believe I haven't been published yet, haha! Great stuff, as always, Nathan!
- November 16, 2009 at 6:51 PM
- Valerie said...
Seriously, you have the BEST posts.
- November 16, 2009 at 6:52 PM
- Jil said...
I can't believe anyone would want Russell to win! Nasty little man!
Actually I believe the second (maybe third too) on Survivor also gets prize money. And if you remember, Yaoman also got a special prize for being most popular. Nice to know the public still appreciates a good guy!
Nathan,sometimes you remind me of the priest in church who rails on about how evil each one of us is. I sit there wondering what he is accusing me of - then I quit going to church.
I, one of many I'm sure, spend days - nay weeks - writing a query for someone who spends two seconds looking at it. A lot of us do try very hard, you know.
- November 16, 2009 at 6:53 PM
- Lorel Clayton said...
I like it when the nice guys win--but don't you remember that car salesman? Can't remember his name. He was so sure of himself I wanted to strangle him, but he won! It made me temporarily lose faith in humanity, and I stopped watching.
- November 16, 2009 at 6:55 PM
- Venus Vaughn said...
Can I say how much I love that you include ANTM in your reality shows?
Now we need to get you hooked on So You Think You Can Dance.
- November 16, 2009 at 7:02 PM
Reality TV is like reading Steinbeck - the person you are rooting for never wins in the end.
- November 16, 2009 at 7:02 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
Haha- love that, anon.
- November 16, 2009 at 7:03 PM
- Cheryl Barker said...
Love this post. Amazing Race may be my favorite, and I still watch Survivor, too :) Can't stand it that Russell is doing something right. And now that you've used him as a publishing example, I'll probably never be able to forget him. Good grief! :)
- November 16, 2009 at 7:07 PM
- K.M. said...
Kenley = evil!
"I wasn't going for elegant, HEIDI!"
- November 16, 2009 at 7:15 PM
- Jay said...
The parallels are incredibly frightening. And I agree with all of them.
- November 16, 2009 at 7:33 PM
- Valerie Geary said...
Love it! Oh wait... why am I commenting... I'm not here to make friends.... :)
- November 16, 2009 at 7:40 PM
- DG said...
When I first read the title to this post I thought you were going to talk about how one can learn about plot and character development from watching reality TV. One of the most interesting things (maybe it's the thing) about Survivor is watching how the character interaction changes as the season progresses. I can't help thinking about how characters in my WIP are evolving with the story. I fret about whether or not my characters are as dynamic and interesting as these folks on Survivor can sometimes be.
But alas, you went another direction that was equally important. I've been guilty of overconfidence with the query--thought the manuscript would sell itself.
- November 16, 2009 at 7:56 PM
- nkrell said...
I, too, love The Amazing Race. I, too, still watch Survivor. In the beginning, I didn't care too much for Russell, but he's the only one in it to win it this time.
- November 16, 2009 at 8:00 PM
- mlsfleming said...
Well, I sure have learned a lot about writing from reruns of Law & Order. But the confidence controversy--all those articles on my refrigerator and my copy holder (and those former friends) insisting that my problem is underconfidence verging on no confidence . . .
- November 16, 2009 at 8:07 PM
- wendy said...
Speaking of reality TV tie-ins, how would one relate that amazing about-turn of Bachelor Jason in the last show to writing/publishing? 0.0 I'm predicting his relationship with Molly will not last as surely she'll have second thoughts when the excitement dies down. (That season hasn't aired in Australia yet. I only know this much from Youtube excerpts.)
Perhaps that tie-in could be in relation to a writer asking all the hard questions of his/her potential agent in the beginning before signing a contract. Trying to change agents later might be considered bad form by a new agent whom the writer is hoping to interest.
Had to have a shot at this. It's fun.
- November 16, 2009 at 8:15 PM
- Della Luna said...
Nathan, I don't think I've ever seen any of those shows. Tried American Idol but couldn't lose the feeling that I had just wasted an hour. However, I do watch "So You Think You Can Dance"? Hasn't done a thing for my writing.....
- November 16, 2009 at 8:26 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
Kudos, you managed to violate four out of five suggestions in a single response. You're officially in Omarosa/Puck/Johnny Fairplay territory.
Let's hope you're paying your taxes.
- November 16, 2009 at 8:27 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
You're right, it doesn't. Which is why I can't see the utility in getting mad about it.
- November 16, 2009 at 8:33 PM
- J.J. Bennett said...
Good points Nathan. You can take this idea and use it in just about anything. The one who wins the race plays by the rules with good intentions. Is also kind, honest, and never has a swelled head.
- November 16, 2009 at 8:36 PM
- Nancy Coffelt said...
Love this!
A while back I blogged about how "House" is one of my best writing teachers because he's not afraid to guess wrong a bunch of times before finally hitting on an answer that works.
Now to figure out how "Dexter" is one of my best writing teachers...
A TV addict all my life and not ashamed to admit it.
- November 16, 2009 at 8:42 PM
- Tara said...
Top Model has so much more to offer! Let's see... you need to want it more than anyone else (but don't let wanting it get in the way of doing it), take criticism but don't be intimidated by the judges, Mr. Jay's opinion doesn't really matter, and if you've got a dull audition tape, you won't even get into the show.
Also, smize.
- November 16, 2009 at 8:44 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
Also don't ever try to joke around or make fun of Nigel Barker.
- November 16, 2009 at 8:46 PM
- Sarah Allen said...
This is great! I think its very useful to learn about your craft from any source you can, including reality tv. And of course the lessons you gleaned for us are accurate and useful. If we're going to be watching reality tv anyway we may as well learn from it, right? Thanks for this! And p.s., I wrote something similar about Project Runway specifically on my own creative writing blog. Check it out, see what you think.
- November 16, 2009 at 8:49 PM
- Catherine @ Inkslinger said...
If you aren't out to make friends--or at least a community--then what as a writer are you doing?
That's what I would ask.
Thanks for a humorous post about good ole' fashioned manners.
- November 16, 2009 at 9:00 PM
- Renee Collins said...
Nathan, you rock. That is all.
- November 16, 2009 at 9:10 PM
- Dawn Maria said...
One of you best posts ever. Validates my own reality TV habit and gives writing advice. Love it!
- November 16, 2009 at 9:26 PM
- Frank said...
Lovely post. I think that's my favorite episode of ANTM, partially because it's of Tyra freaking out and partially because Family Guy spoofed it.
- November 16, 2009 at 9:29 PM
- Rhonda said...
Oh my. Not a single reference in that post was new to me. I had an immediate visual memory of each one. Hope all of my reality TV watching can be of use to me someday too!
- November 16, 2009 at 9:41 PM
- S. Melville said...
you forgot about TMZ, the show that teaches you that you don't actually need content, just a guy endlessly drinking starbucks, a clear wet board for ideas, and lots of BS.
My favourite writing show by far!
- November 16, 2009 at 9:43 PM
- Other Lisa said...
Nathan, you forgot the Bachelor/Bachelorette: Writing can be an amazing journey with an opportunity for many special connections, as long as you are there for the right reasons.
- November 16, 2009 at 10:32 PM
- wendy said...
Nathan, I hate to judge and comment on another person's words and style, but I'm worried that Gordon is going to upset you to the point where you go off the blogging experience. Most of us appreciate your posts, your time, your humour and expertise. This blog is the first thing I look for at the start of each day. I don't quite understand why Gordon is being confrontational. I'm sure he's basically a cool guy, though.
I think we all appreciate your handling the comments with patience and kindness as this can work miracles with anyone.
I admire your people skills and ability to empathise.
- November 16, 2009 at 10:51 PM
- Tina Lynn said...
Ah...Nathan, teaching us about the publishing game through reality TV. It's genius. Now you're speaking my language:)
- November 16, 2009 at 11:25 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
I appreciate the sentiment and your kind words, but Gordon doesn't bother me, and he's welcome to state his opinions provided he stays within the bounds of respectability.
- November 16, 2009 at 11:43 PM
I have a question I'd love to see on here, perhaps as a "you tell me"...
How do you know when your book is done?
That is, when it's time to stop tweaking the dialogue, and rethinking the plot, and changing from third person to first person back to third again, and getting yet another critique from this cool writer you just met online, and just... having the guts to put it out there already.
- November 17, 2009 at 12:12 AM
- Nathan Bransford said...
Beat you to it, anon:
You Tell Me: How do you know when your novel is really finished?
- November 17, 2009 at 12:13 AM
- Jacqui said...
Oh, you are GOOD! I loved this. Thank you.
- November 17, 2009 at 12:22 AM
- Jacqui said...
And you are so classy in your responses to Mr. Bitter Man. Bravo.
- November 17, 2009 at 12:30 AM
- Donna Hole said...
Well done, Nathan. Very astute advise, delivered in a seriously humorous voice.
Honors to your clan!
word verif: fropyba. A mysterious faction on reality TV yet to be unveiled. Maybe even an immunity idol.
- November 17, 2009 at 12:40 AM
Poetic justice: virtue rewarded; vice punished, qué el sorpresa.
Does poetic justice end with newfound fame? No, but there are more than a few writers who've once pierced the transom begun the down road of haughtiness and browbeating perceived lesser beings.
The point when a writer has made it is when the power curve inverts and the high lord muckity mucks start kissing a writer's toes. Getting there is as much maintaining the incredible lightness of being as it is demonstrating vigilant, good and noble character traits, no matter the station attained.
- November 17, 2009 at 1:03 AM
- Whirlochre said...
So what about being force fed cockroaches and lying in a submerged coffin full of rats for ten minutes?
Or does I'm A Celebrity get Me Out Of Here not air in the States?
- November 17, 2009 at 2:05 AM
- Other Lisa said...
@whirlochre - that's practice for the submission process...
- November 17, 2009 at 2:30 AM
- Vacuum Queen said...
OMG...Kenley...WHY did she do that??? She was the front runner! Crazy.
Good lessons.
You forgot though...when you have a deadline..."Don't Be Tardy for the Party!"
- November 17, 2009 at 2:44 AM
Gordon kindof sounds like an infomercial. "that's right folks, step right up and ignore this here agent. I'll set you up with my indie publisher for only $19.95 a month." I mean, why else would he bother to write about the SAME subject every post? I know it doesn't bother you, and really me either, except for the fact that it's getting so boring hearing the same infomercial over and over.
- November 17, 2009 at 2:54 AM
- Anne Lyken-Garner said...
True, true and true.I've never seen it like this, but yes, you're right.
- November 17, 2009 at 3:12 AM
- GhostFolk.com said...
OMG, Marilyn Peake!
Let's start one. Sixteen Writers, One Contract...
Nathan Bransford, could you host and go by the nickname "Nath"? It lines up with Jeff better on the promotional materials.
And you can comment, "Mary is being wrestled to the mud by that extended metaphor!" [ Close up shot blurs gap in Mary's pajama top.]
Emergency Usage Nurses? "After blacking out and collapsing to the floor of his office, Max is given an emergency grammar I.V."
Jane has an allergic reaction that knocks her out of the show on "Adverb Day."
While Jim excels during the "Noir Night" competition, none of his 6,000 words are spelled correctly in the dark.
- November 17, 2009 at 5:52 AM
- jongibbs said...
Another great post. If only I could think of a similar excuse for all those hours spent playing Rome: Total War ;)
- November 17, 2009 at 7:47 AM
- Scott said...
Funny stuff, Nathan, and mostly true. I say "mostly" because we all know if "you're kind of a big deal" you'll still win anyway. /Christian - PR
I watch my share of Reality TV and combined with a lot of Internet foruming and communication I've noticed a proliferation of idioms in my prose. Presently, I'm editing a short passage that's something of an authorial intrusion in that the POV is omniscient over two characters who are doing a task without speaking. So, I'm writing directly to the reader (in 3rd). I'm debating whether to use the idiom "on end" as in "hours on end".
How chummy should we get with our readers? Certainly, today's readers are far more casually communicative.
- November 17, 2009 at 8:23 AM
Nathan, re: as long as he stays within the bounds of respectability--that seems to me to have more to do with him, and some here might argue that ship already sailed.
Did you mean respectful? Which would have more to do with you and your followers here?
- November 17, 2009 at 8:51 AM
- Mira said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- November 17, 2009 at 10:21 AM
- Mira said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- November 17, 2009 at 10:25 AM
- Mira said...
Nathan - sorry for the deletions. I think my abivalence is coming out in trying to decide what to post. Here's what I decided:
Very good post Nathan, clever. :) And I agree with everything, except #2. Well, I'm not sure I disagree with #2, it's something I'm really grappling with right now.
Is it better as a writer to stand up and have a clear voice, no matter what? Or is it better sometimes to play the game, so that your voice will be more easily accepted and listened to?
I don't know. I'm confused.
In terms of Gordon, though, I think he has some interesting points. I do wish he would lose the insulting tone - he loses his audience that way, and I think he is actually trying to reach some people.
But either way, I applaud Nathan for allowing free debate on his blog. Thank you, Nathan.
- November 17, 2009 at 10:27 AM
I can tell you exactly why I am saving independent publishes for the last chance after I've given up on traditional publising:
Because they don't sell enough books. They don't have access to the same marketing outlets and resources. They won't put my book in my local Barnes and Noble - and since I am writing for the college audience and Barnes and Noble has a fat share of college bookstores around here, that's critical.
It has to do with that deep, deep need to make money, and to justify all these long hours I'm spending ignoring my family, pissing off my spouse, and not getting things done as well as they should be, or as I know I could do them if I weren't writing.
I'm making a lot of sacrifices here, and asking my family to do the same, but I keep saying, "Just wait until I get published, then we'll be rich! We'll have a mansion! We'll go to Disney World!"
My spouse is unemployed for third time this year. So, I'm joking about the mansion, but you get the picture.
I need the money, dude. So I'm aiming for a big contract and a good deal. It has nothing to do with principles... it has to do with responsibility and believing that I can make it.
If I can't, then sure, I'll submit to smaller publishers, or self-publish, just to see my book in print. But I feel I owe it to myself to at least TRY to get into the big game first.
- November 17, 2009 at 10:40 AM
P.S. If my tombstone says "Author of the famous _________ series, which has touched the hearts of millions of readers," then I will be perfectly satisfied. Because my goal is to touch the hearts of readers, as I myself have been touched by other authors.
- November 17, 2009 at 10:55 AM
Anon 7:40,
I think you need to read this:
I'm sorry to have to crush your dreams, but writing as a path to making money is akin to playing the lottery. You might have better odds in Vegas.
- November 17, 2009 at 11:02 AM
- John said...
I'd say place nice, be professional, and be really good at what you do.
In most careers, that advice will serve well. In entertainment, the rules don't always hold.
- November 17, 2009 at 11:10 AM
Anon 8:02 - I was joking about becoming rich. But having to pay someone to publish my book, or settling for less than I could have gotten if I had a little more confidence in myself, seems very counter-productive. As well as throwing away the potential to reach more readers, which should be every author's goal.
If you believe in your work, why wouldn't you do everything possible to reach as many readers as possible?
- November 17, 2009 at 11:13 AM
And, at this point, even a check for $100 would be a great blessing. Truly.
- November 17, 2009 at 11:14 AM
And, as my mother always says, "You can't win the lottery if you don't buy a ticket!"
So, those who are unwilling to buy tickets - that is, jump through a few hoops - shouldn't put down those who are.
- November 17, 2009 at 11:17 AM
- The Hot Heads Groupie said...
I love this! Too funny and so true! :) Love your blog!
- November 17, 2009 at 11:30 AM
I'd love to see Gordon on "Big Brother." That vicious crowd would back door him in the second show.
- November 17, 2009 at 11:37 AM
Anon 8:40, I had a feeling you were joking, but a part of me wasn't too sure, and I felt a little bad for your family there.
And I agree with you. A willingness to jump through a few hoops doesn't lessen one's artistic integrity.
- November 17, 2009 at 11:49 AM
Things I've Learned About Characters from Reality Shows and Other Movies, Sitcoms, etc.: Take your reality show people and transform them into your fictional characters who talk back to the boss (and lose); characters who find the golden immunity information nugget that ultimately saves their life when at the last moment they yell out, "Stop! I know who your father is!" and the special tattle-telling smirks that enlighten readers about who will survive the story and who will be gobbled by the monster. Those are my reasons for watching movies more than once or OMG! It's Tuesday, V Night, and what I can learn from mini-scenes alternating opinions about the Visitors. Thanks Nathan for the sharing.
- November 17, 2009 at 11:54 AM
- Susan Adrian said...
HA!! I totally did this too, a few weeks back.
Why publishing is just like America's Next Top Model:
- November 17, 2009 at 12:25 PM
- T. Anne said...
Great post. I guess I've learned from Real world, Road world challenge building an alliance is not a bad idea (is that akin to social networking?) Also, it can get pretty cutthroat, and in the end it's what and who you got to work with that can win the game.
- November 17, 2009 at 12:50 PM
- Sierra said...
I learn a lot by watching Gordon Ramsey, too. He's mean and sweary and shouts but if you break down and shout back and act tough, it's all over for you.
This is a lesson because even if things appear tough (like the way gordon speaks to you), it doesn't pay to get all defensive and angry.
- November 17, 2009 at 12:56 PM
- Ink said...
It's strange, I always find myself wondering why we writers are endlessly complaining about all the terrible "hoops" we have to jump through. But, I mean, what hoops? Really? We have to do almost nothing (outside write a great book).
I mean, writing a single, competent, one-page business letter introducing myself and my work... Oh my God! A whole page! It's too bad I'm not a writer... oh. Yeah.
And apparently it's helpful not to directly insult the people who I'm asking to invest significant amounts of time and money in my work. It's a tough one, I know. "Will you please invest $50,000 in my work, you son of a bitch? What? No?"
Oh, the hoops! The endless hoops!
I guess I just don't really see it. I mean, I'm a former teacher, and when I was entering that profession I had to do all sorts of things. I needed a BA, then a degree in Education, including a certain amount of hours of Practicum teaching. Plus many tests for certification, application and membership in different associations, I needed a license and police clearances and letters of recommendation, including one from a priest (for the Catholic Board). Fees and endless forms and teaching support requirements... I mean, there were all sorts of things.
Most professions have extensive requirements for working in that field. Even McJobs require a resume and cover letter, with interviews and often a survey or two to follow.
Is the query letter hoop really that bad? You write one letter and send your work and you can get an agent and a deal. The process is hugely simple, even if the odds are long. But that's a matter of quality and competition, not a function of the nature of the process.
I'll shut up now.
- November 17, 2009 at 1:21 PM
- fatcaster said...
Ink --
Good post: funny and too true.
We writers (you, me, others) aren't complaining about hoops. Ed Gordon is.
- November 17, 2009 at 1:41 PM
- Mira said...
Ink - it is more complicated than that.
It's not just about jumping through hoops. It's about being silent and supporting a system that is unfair and oppressive to writers.
Also, not all of us are in this for a profession. I think that's where the confusion partly lies. I never expect writing to be my job. In fact, I do not want writing to be my job. Writing and survival money - I never want those two things to get within shouting distance of each other. So, this is not a professional issue for me.
Alot of what Nathan is saying makes terrific sense in a business environment. But writing is not, and never will be, about business for me.
Now whether I'm willing to play the business 'game' in order to get my voice out there - that's what I'm grappling with.
- November 17, 2009 at 1:42 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
I don't get what you mean by "oppressive" to writers?
- November 17, 2009 at 1:46 PM
- Mira said...
Nathan, thanks for asking.
I'm working on a response. I feel like I need to be careful.....which is tricky when I'm trying to answer that question.
- November 17, 2009 at 1:59 PM
- bryngreenwood said...
I've learned a lot about personal interaction from Survivor, but count on Nathan to help me apply those lessons to the publishing industry.
- November 17, 2009 at 2:08 PM
- Ink said...
Publishing is a business. Writing is not. But Publishing is. It's full of people who are making their living within the industry, from writers, to agents, to printers, to editors, to publishers. It's a business. And even if you don't want to make a living at it, I think you have to respect those in the industry who do - if you want to be professionally published you have to operate professionally within that industry.
Now, a writer doesn't have to pursue this option. Writing can be an artistic pursuit and nothing more. Self-publishing and the blooming digital world are offering new avenues for reaching an audience, if an audience is all a writer wants.
But... professional publication is, well, professional. It's a business. I don't see why a writer should be excused from the most basic business practices that everyone else has to adhere to.
If, say, I was a lawyer, and ran a lucrative law practice in the morning, but decided I wanted, for the sheer joy of it, to teach at a gradeschool in the afternoon... well, they wouldn't just let me walk in and do that just because it wasn't my profession. I'd still have to attain the qualifications of a teacher.
A single business letter, for a writer, seems a fairly minor request. Or an online form or whatever. Same difference. It's a remarkably minimal request, really. Certainly one of the least hoopish things I've ever pursued. I won't even impinge on everyyone the required horrors of the corporate tax code that are visited on my little shop...
- November 17, 2009 at 2:08 PM
I think the question here is it it any more oppressive than any other field. Art? Music? But even say law. I think the difference is that there are more writers--you don't *need* a degree to write, "anyone can do it" and "everyone has a book in him" etc, so you end up with a glut.
But as a lawyer, I had to compete to get into college and then law school and then for a job, where initially I worked long hours, like around the clock sometimes hours, like I haven't been home in 46 hours long hours, and made a small percent of what my bosses made. That's capitalism. You work you're way up, you compete, you try to be the best. If you'd prefer a different system you can try a different political/econ model but you're probably going to be told what to write and what you absolutely can't write about lest you be "detained."
So I don't get the oppression here. Was the dean of admissions at my law school oppressing the thousands of people who didn't get in, because everyone has a SCOTUS brief in him?
Focus, people.
- November 17, 2009 at 2:08 PM
- Mira said...
Nathan -
I can't fully answer that question on the net without resolving some of the issues I'm grappling with....
But here's a few things I could say....I think....
Examples of oppression:
a. Writers need to post anonymously if they wish to express their honest (but controversial) opinions on blogs.
b. Writers risk being blacklisted if they do or say something that really hits the wrong cord. Blacklisted. Blacklisted, Nathan.
c. Writers can not make a living in their field, yet others make a living off of their work.
d. If writers assert themselves, they can be labeled as 'difficult' and, once again, blacklisted.
e. Writers are devalued in the field. Despite the fact that without them, the field would not exist, they are expected to do all sorts of grunt work, including spell checking. And they are now expected to market their own work, another form of devaluation of their contribution. Subtle, but powerful.
f. Writers are being held accountable for every word that they say on any blog anywhere. This is designed to discourage....well, it's oppression.
Please understand, I see this as a culture and system problem. Not individuals within the system. It's a system issue.
I also understand this is just my viewpoint. You, and others, may see it differently.
- November 17, 2009 at 2:09 PM
work your way up. Sorry.
- November 17, 2009 at 2:10 PM
- John said...
I wouldn't call it oppressive. I love creating new worlds, characters, and having it all come to life in my head. I make a great living in IT already, so I don't need income from writing.
I honestly think if anyone REALLY wanted to devote tons of time and money to marketing their own books could completely bypass traditional publishers and go with e-books/PoD.
But there's the caveat. To get your name out there, etc. you'd have to build a platform of your own through a blog, tweets, facebook, word of mouth and any other creative methods.
Supposedly, publishers do market, and they also get shelf space for you. But if you go into a Borders, what chance in hell does your book have to be perchance found by a shopper? Very little.
Anyway, the system exists, and like it or not, that's the Matrix by which you need to abide.
- November 17, 2009 at 2:26 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
There's really no such thing as an industry blacklist. That's apocryphal. And I don't see how people watching what they say or commenting anonymously so as not to offend potential business partners is any different than any business anywhere. Would you go on a blog and start railing against your real live coworkers in a personal fashion and then expect that no one would think less of you? I doubt it. Decorum is universal, not unique to the industry.
And yeah - not many writers earn a living, but I have a job. At the same time, I've seen this from both sides, and let me tell you: I work way way way way way way way more as an agent than I do as a writer. Let me add some ways: way way way way. If you want to look at it as a by-the-hour type of thing, a publishing career blows writing out of the water.
And sure, some writers do make lots of money - but they do that by writing books that sell a lot of copies. No one is getting rich off of books that don't sell - not the publisher, agent or author. While there are some imbalances, I don't know how you could argue that the system is inherently unfair.
Again, as Ink pointed out, writers don't have to do anything. You don't have to spell-check, promote your work, jump through hoops... anything. If you want to sell your books to a large audience you're probably going to jump through hoops. That's not oppressive, that's life.
- November 17, 2009 at 2:26 PM
- stacy said...
It's not the opinion, but the way in which it's expressed, I think. And for writers who gain bad reps online, it's usually a pattern of lousy behavior.
- November 17, 2009 at 2:34 PM
- Ink said...
I'm not sure about that... I think writers are pretty free to say whatever they want. Sometimes there are ramifications for what they say, but that's basic society - we're responsible for our actions. If I say crazy things to my customers I'll lose business. If I flame editors their might be ramifications. Certainly, if I stepped over the line as a teacher there would be serious repercussions. It's my choice to say or not say things. And real controversy usually comes less from the substance of a comment and more from the tone and attitude. I haven't found many people in publishing who are unwilling to discuss contrary views if presented respectfully and politely. I believe very strongly in freedom of speech - it's our right. But I also believe strongly in responsibility. We should be held accountable for what we say.
And writers do making a living off books. Some of them, anyhow. The industry people are tied to their particular company, and the growth or loss of that company determines their individual success. That is, they live off the accumulated gross of many products - writers, on the other hand, are tied to a single product. Their own. Some of them will be successful, some will not. Unless someone sets up a sort of socialist publishing commune where the writers all share in each other's success (that is, the writers will individually earn an equal share of the writerly gross) then this is just basic capitalism. You do as well as your product does.
As for grunt work... well, for things like spell checking, I think the writer should share in that responsibility. It's their words. And as for the marketing stuff... well, it's not like writers have to do that. That's a choice... do you want to do these extra things to support the success of your writing? Or not? I don't think publishing resources being stretched thin in a poor economic climate is exactly oppression. It's unfortunate, surely.
Anyway, those are my ponderings on the subject.
- November 17, 2009 at 2:39 PM
I'm not bashing you, but I can't imagine anyone who takes pride in their writing not wanting to do the "grunt" work.
It's my name on the book and, ultimately, I'm the one with the most to lose. I want it to be the absolute best it can be, not because an editor was able to polish it, but because I took the time and effort to do it myself.
Marketing? Again, it's my book. Who better to pimp it out to the world than the person who knows it best? I personally can't wait until I get a book deal so I can do book signings, blog tours, and fantasy conventions.
And I say this as a very introverted person. Some days even going to the grocery store is a panic attack waiting to happen.
I just don't understand this idea of a writer writing the book and then wanting nothing more to do with it after it's been sold.
- November 17, 2009 at 3:07 PM
- This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
- November 17, 2009 at 3:13 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
I'm deleting your comment - had you posted it under your real name I would have left it, but I thought it was a bit harsh/confrontational for an anonymous comment per my "stricter on anonymous comments" policy.
- November 17, 2009 at 3:16 PM
Life is harsh, Nathan. we are all just collections of cellular material withstanding exposure to the elements until we die.
One could argue that it is harsher to deny Mira the wisdom of the comment than it is to expose her to the pain of its truth.
- November 17, 2009 at 3:20 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
Just as you could come out into the sunlight and stand behind your words.
- November 17, 2009 at 3:23 PM
I can't, I'm at work and don't want to leave a trail.
- November 17, 2009 at 3:25 PM
- AM said...
I want to directly participate in the marketing of my novels.
Otherwise, wouldn't the success of our novels will be far too dependent on some unknown, unnamed employees of some, as of yet, unnamed publishing house?
- November 17, 2009 at 3:28 PM
- Christine H said...
Two things:
1. I know I'm coming late to the discussion, and probably being very dense, but could someone please explain why some people think traditional publishing is evil? I don't get it.
2. I agree with everyone else that writing has no more hoops to jump through than any other business.
However, I do think there is an inherent conflict - which seems very oppressive - for some writers, caused by the fact that they are sensitive and introverted, expressing themselves best in stories and symbols, in the privacy of their little nooks.
But in order to get published, they have to somehow become a salesperson, a self-promoter, putting themselves and their work forward all the time, in any way they can. Which is extremely uncomfortable, makes them feel awkward, embarrassed, stupid, etc.
Many conclude that they can't do it, and give up, which is really sad.
I must say, that having tried for several months to come up with a competent query letter and a pitch, that type of "sales writing" is totally, totally, totally different than writing a book. Totally.
- November 17, 2009 at 3:29 PM
- Mira said...
Anon, feel free to e-mail me your comment, if you think I would benefit from your wisdom.
I'm sorry. First of all, I realized I just started a big argument on the web, something I'm trying not to do. Then I did it at a time when I'm super busy at work, so I'm delayed in responding. I'm sorry.
Bryan, I'm addressing this to Nathan - but I'd say the same thing to you....
Nathan, when agents and industry people can rail against writers; make fun of their ideas; make fun of their queries; lecture them about how lazy they are; etc., etc. and not suffer any consequences - but when writers who even speak up about that type of treatment, much less engage in it themselves jeopardize their entire writing career - that is not a partnership. That is abuse of power.
When industry professionals force writers to be: submissive, cooperative, obedient, silent and agree with every word they say, that is abuse of power.
If your boss is treating you that way, that is also abuse of power, by the way. Not everything that happens in a business environment is healthy. Business is a dictatorship. If you are lucky, it's benevolent. If you're not lucky, you can be a victim of abuse and discrimination.
If workers had not stood up for their rights we would not have holidays, the weekend, a mimimum wage, 40 hour work weeks, overtime, FEMLA, pregnancy leave, lunch hours, and so much more.
Business is not, automatically, an ethical system.
Abuse of power is abuse of power.
This industry exists because of writers. It should respect what they have to offer and celebrate them, not use them as second-class citizens without a voice or input.
- November 17, 2009 at 3:41 PM
- Ink said...
Nice comments. I'd agree that many introverted writers don't like that aspect... but there are introverted teachers, too, and lawyers, etc. They have to step out and overcome the same things if they want to succeed. Some will, some won't.
And I'm not sure that writing a query is really all that different from writing a story. I mean, there's three parts to a query:
1) The intro. Easy, usually. My book is called blah, it's a blah genre story, and is blah words long.
2) The bio. Pretty easy, too. My name is blah, I do blah, I've been published at blah and blah, thank you for your time, sincerely blah.
3) The blurb/summary/synopsis thing. Okay, this is the tricky part. But this is the part that I think is actually like story writing. It's not necessarily easy, but I think writers often fail to use the skills they have (and need) for this. This part is a little story, in a sense. It's your novel in miniature. It needs a hook, a character, a conflict, rising action, climax and conclusion. Now the latter two might just be hinted at, seeing as this is a query. But they should be set up, at least. Hook, character, conflict, action. This is your novel and this is your query. It's a little story. Now, littl stories can be tricky, particularly if you've been writing a long, meaty novel. But a lot of the skills are the same. Good, vivid writing, revelation of conflict and story/character arc...
Okay, that's my theory, anyway. Everyone can call me an idiot now.
- November 17, 2009 at 3:44 PM
- AM said...
Christine H. - I think some call the traditional publishing industry evil because of the subjective nature of the selection process and the perceived commercialism that inherently drives that subjectivity.
And yes, while we can write for ourselves, publishing is public. Novels are products and the author's name is the brand. We have to sell ourselves, or some persona of ourselves, just like our novels' have to sell the story.
- November 17, 2009 at 3:45 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
While I don't intend to absolve agents who act badly and two wrongs don't make a right, I'd actually say that agents rail against authors far, far, far less than authors rail against agents.
What I think you're getting at is the initial (emphasis on initial) power disparity between agents and aspiring authors, which I think is kind of inevitable. There are a heck of a lot fewer of us than there are writers, and so to a certain extent agents have their pick. That creates an imbalance. I agree that the imbalance leads some people to act carelessly, but I don't think it happens as a general rule.
Authors are free to say what they want. The only way someone would hold something against them is if they act in a way that's unbecoming. Again, that's just life, not something inherently evil about publishing.
- November 17, 2009 at 3:52 PM
This isn't an argument, it's a discussion, and discussion is almost always beneficial. Especially when its purpose is to educate others.
"When industry professionals force writers to be: submissive, cooperative, obedient, silent and agree with every word they say, that is abuse of power."
Who are these "submissive, cooperative, obedient, silent" writers? Are you basing these accusations on verifiable facts or second-hand accounts?
I follow quite a few published authors and none of them fit any of those descriptors. And most of them are mid-list authors, so they don't have clout in the industry backing them.
Several of them have even spoken out about their former agents who didn't live up to their end of the contract and none of them have been blacklisted for their words.
- November 17, 2009 at 3:54 PM
- Marsha Sigman said...
Where is the joy, people? I write because I love it. I love the words. I want to be responsible for everything I say/write because hey...why should someone else get the credit?
I think a query letter is just one more opportunity to talk about something I have written, and I can do that all day.
I wouldn't mind promoting what I have written because again, just one chance to talk about me...I mean my novel.
If you don't want writing to be your full time job or your life, then why do you people care so much?
Less time bitching
+more time writing
=Agent/Publishing Contract.
- November 17, 2009 at 4:00 PM
- Ink said...
This isn't an argument! Good, friendly discussion. :)
And I sort of agree with your point... I mean, yes, there's occasionally abuse of power. But I think that's the reverse of what you said before. It's not systemic, it's personal and individual. This is certain people and certain instances. And real abuses seem pretty rare. Most of what I see, on both sides, is little more than venting of frustrations. Agents, say, will get annoyed by the habits of certain writers and make a comment. Writers will do the same. That seems more like poor communicaion than oppression.
And that very much goes both ways. I just don't see silenced and submissive writers everywhere. I see writers arguing and complaining and dialoguing and disagreeing all over the place. And I don't see much risk, usually. Obviously, anons are safe. And I really don't see an agent e-mailing every other agent and editor they know to say "So and so left a terrible comment on my blog, so don't work with them." Yes, if you say something, an agent or editor who's considering you might google your name and find it (and thus maybe change their mind). But a writer can do the same thing and google the agent - and thus choose someone else for their project if they don't like what they see. And I see this a lot, where writers are turned off particular agents based on such evaluations. That's perfectly legit. And so I don't see why an agent or editor wouldn't be equally free not to work with someone based on their perception of certain comments.
There are ramifications for what we say and do. If don't want to accept those ramifications, I shouldn't make the comment. I'm responsible for my words, and I should be held accountable for them.
Feel free to egg me now. :) Accountability! I accept whatever your catapult dumps upon me.
- November 17, 2009 at 4:03 PM
- Mira said...
Nathan, if authors could say what they wanted, they wouldn't need to use the anonymous function.
And I could compile a pages long list for you of industry posts that were disrespectful of the writer. Pages and pages. Not yours, of course. Never. Which is why I come here.
But we could go back and forth on this because we have a different perspective on life:
You're pragmatic, I'm not so much. Where you say: "That's life, I'll work within the system," I say: "That sucks, I'm going to speak up and change that."
My method is not always very effective, and has got me into huge trouble over time, while your method is likely to make you highly successful at a young age. I think I do have something to learn from you.
On the other hand, you can't say: 'that's life' for all things. There are times to stand up and say 'this needs to change.'
And whether 'it's life' or not, it's still important to call a spade a spade. The fact that the system is oppressive may just be a fact of life, but the bottom line is: the system is oppressive and unfair.
- November 17, 2009 at 4:06 PM
And that happens not only in the publishing industry. Employers in ALL industries are now Googling prospective (and current) employees. How many times do we hear about such and such a company firing somebody because of something they've posted on FaceBook, MySpace, or Twitter?
- November 17, 2009 at 4:10 PM
- Ink said...
Because some Anons don't want to take responsibility for their words does not make them oppressed.
I guess my problem is that I just don't see or feel this oppression you're talking about. Where? How? I've never felt anything but free to offer my honest opinion. And I've certainly been willing to do so. *cough cough*
Anyway, I just have trouble in moving past the abstract conception of oppression to something real and particular. What is this oppression? What is it I'm being prevented from doing? What rights of mine are being obstructed? I can't really think of anything, can't see it around me.
- November 17, 2009 at 4:17 PM
- AM said...
Avoiding unruly writers is not blacklisting. I think the perceived blacklisting is due to authors who have made it clear that they are rude and difficult to work with and/or are already damaging their 'image'.
Mira - if you act professionally, which I think you do, and an agent does not want to represent you because of something you've said on line, then good for you. You will have avoided a difficult working relationship.
However, IMHO, all writers should act professionally in every public arena, and they should carefully consider whether their public persona should reflect their personal feelings or opinions.
- November 17, 2009 at 4:22 PM
- Mira said...
I'm sorry. I realize that I've haven't responded to you, A.M. and Anaquana while I've been having a friendly discussion with Nathan.
I don't want to totally co-opt this thread. I really, really, really have been trying not to do that!
So, I think Nathan might be finished with our conversation - which I really appreciated - so, can I take a breather? It's a shame, because I love having friendly discussions with you and others, but well, frankly, I'm just so tired I can barely see straight. I really should not have started this one. Let's pick this up in another thread, okay? :)
- November 17, 2009 at 4:26 PM
- Ink said...
It's okay! I'll just argue with myself. Surely it will be entertaining for all.
- November 17, 2009 at 4:47 PM
- Mira said...
Bryan, I'm sorry.
I love arguing with you. :) Let's pick this up again.
I wanted to say one more thing. I realized that Nathan could misinterpret something I said.
Nathan: on no level do am I implying that you 'sell out.' Did you think I was implying that? I was not implying that.
You are highly, highly ethical; it's one of the things I admire most about you.
And I get that you don't agree about the oppression thing. That's cool. I'll continue to feel oppressed, and you can continue to not oppress me. That can work, too. :)
- November 17, 2009 at 4:55 PM
- Christine H said...
"However, IMHO, all writers should act professionally in every public arena, and they should carefully consider whether their public persona should reflect their personal feelings or opinions."
I just want to say that I started coming to this blog (and others) with absolutely NO expectation of EVER getting published or becoming even slightly famous. NONE.
So I was a little freer in my comments and opinions, because, hey, it's the Internet and I happen to be an extrovert and (like Mira) tend to speak my mind just because I'm getting into the discussion, not thinking about what someone might think 5, 10 or more years in the future when an asteroid falls out of the publishing sky and somebody actually wants to buy my book.
Now I'm scurrying around searching for and deleting anything I think could possibly be twisted and used against me, because I have this faint little hope my story might actually be publishable after all.
And, Ink, if you think writing a query is so easy then I'm going to email you mine and you can give me suggestions, because I'm having a horrible time trying to figure out which 100 or so of my 100,000 words should go into it. Where do you even start, for God's Sake, in describing something that took a whole novel to tell? And still make it sound original, fantastic, never been done before but yet appealing to a wide audience and not at all like those books that inspired you but aimed for the same readership?
- November 17, 2009 at 6:08 PM
- Anaquana said...
As someone who found that query writing was simple after I stopped stressing about it, I have to ask you, Christine H, what's your book about?
Can you give us a short description of it? If you can do that, you've got the hardest part of the query down.
I would be more than willing to give you some help you would like. :)
- November 17, 2009 at 6:21 PM
- Anaquana said...
That should have been I would be more than willing to give you some help *if* you would like. :)
- November 17, 2009 at 6:23 PM
- Christine H said...
ROFL!!! I would like some help I would like... not help I wouldn't like... thank you very much!!!
(Gasp! Can't breathe, I'm laughing so hard. I needed that!)
It's actually up right now on one of the query feedback sites but I don't want to hijack this thread, so I won't post the link. I made three attempts, and the blog host finally said, "Don't send me any more! Stop!"
It was that bad.
It's a fantasy, so there's world-explaining stuff that has to go into it... or doesn't have to go into it, depending on whom you're talking to.
Again, I really don't want to hijack so if anyone wants to see it, email me. Thanks!
- November 17, 2009 at 7:05 PM
- Matthew R. Loney said...
My family and friends still don't buy my/your excuse that reality tv offers an educational way to turn off your brain.
Great post that validates my obsession.
- November 17, 2009 at 9:35 PM
- Steve said...
Ever since I heard described the preimse of the newly inaugurated show "Survivor", the genre that has come tyo be known as "reality TV" has been a source of sadness and disgust. These shows glorify the idea of lying, cheating, backstabbing and looking out for "number 1". They are designed to encourage that behavior and are marketed to those who find such spectacles enjoyable.
The fact that occationally an otherwise decent individual may be a fan of such stuff just goes to show that life will always have its surprises.
By drawing the comparison between such "entertainment" and the publishing, you have, perhaps unintentionally, issued a scathing indictment of that industry. I can only hope the parallels you have detected are incidental and spurious.
If speaking my mind in this manner lessens my chances of someday being published, then I suppose that would be evidence to support the parallel. But I think I would rather not come out on top in such an arena in that case. It's important to me to like the person I see in the mirror each morning.
- November 17, 2009 at 11:59 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
Ah, Steve. You're missing out on one of the great pleasures in life.
- November 18, 2009 at 12:03 AM
Clearly the most important comment made on this blog today:
c. Writers can not make a living in their field, yet others make a living off of their work.
Thank you, M.
- November 18, 2009 at 5:24 AM
- GhostFolk.com said...
" ...if you think writing a query is so easy then I'm going to email you mine and you can give me suggestions, because I'm having a horrible time trying to figure out which 100 or so of my 100,000 words should go into it. Where do you even start, for God's Sake, in describing something that took a whole novel to tell? And still make it sound original, fantastic, never been done before but yet appealing to a wide audience and not at all like those books that inspired you but aimed for the same readership?"
Christine H., write the query first then hold the book to it. :-)
- November 18, 2009 at 5:39 AM
- GhostFolk.com said...
"Either way. I'm going to speak my mind as I see fit to do, because how can I call myself a writer if I don't?"
Gordon, have a character do it for you. Dickens created Scrooge for a reason. And they're still making movies from/of that one.
- November 18, 2009 at 5:43 AM
- stacy said...
Nathan, if authors could say what they wanted, they wouldn't need to use the anonymous function.
I guess I'm confused as to why this is oppression. While people comment anonymously for various reasons, many do so because they're spewing vitriol. We've seen that over and over on this very blog. I guess I just don't see how it's oppressive to ask writers to develop a few people skills and treat others with respect.
It's not the opinions themselves, Mira. Honest. It's the way in which they're expressed. A case in point: you stated an opinion that several people have disagreed with, yet you did it with the utmost respect for others' feelings and you stood by what you said by commenting under your name. What is wrong with asking people to do that?
I guess I just don't buy this argument that writers are watched by the Publishing Police. I think we're perfectly free to say what we want as long as we act professionally. And you know, that's not unique to the publishing industry. You'll find that anywhere.
- November 18, 2009 at 8:22 AM
- Linguista said...
Nice post Nathan!
You can find lessons about life in anything... and art imitates life, so there are writing lessons all around us.
- November 18, 2009 at 8:56 AM
- liznwyrk said...
I heart Nathan Bransford.
- November 18, 2009 at 1:27 PM
- Moira Young said...
This whole post is such a great analogy!
Phil Keoghan is totally one of those charismatic personalities that I can imagine just hanging out and chatting with. Kind of like Wil Wheaton.
- November 18, 2009 at 3:26 PM
Great post Nathan! This has really opened my eyes to how "smizing" and participles can be connected in some way.
- November 19, 2009 at 9:51 PM
Thank you, Nathan! This has now opened new windows to see that "smizing" like Tyra Banks and spotting out participles in a paragraph can be related in a fun way.
- November 19, 2009 at 9:57 PM
- Mrs. Azucena said...
Dear Nathan,
You made me laugh out of my columnist, left out of op-ed pages blues. Thank you
Now I know what to do. Be patient, be thorogh, and be nice.
Hug yourself for me.
- November 29, 2009 at 1:08 AM
- Mrs. Azucena said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- November 29, 2009 at 1:09 AM


text:
Many of my readers think that you're more likely to be struck by lightning than to have an extended warranty turn out to be worthwhile. But one reader who bought into Best Buy's promise of a no-lemon guarantee on its extended warranties discovered that lightning can strike twice.
In 2000, our house took a lightning strike that took out the satellite dish receiver, VCR, TV, computer modem, parallel port, and HP laser printer," the reader wrote. "When replacing the equipment with new parts, I asked whether lightning damage was covered before purchasing the extended warranty since I had only been in the house for one year and didn't know if this could be a chronic issue. Best Buy touted their no-lemon warranty policy, indicating that if anything required more than three repairs, it would be replaced."
"The Philips TV I bought failed the first time within one year," the reader wrote. "The warranty covered the failure, Best Buy holding to their word to do in-home pickup. Second failure was about nine months later under the extended warranty. Third failure came about six months later. Now, each time, the failure required about one month or more before the required repairs were completed, so this was not a very satisfying experience."
"After the TV failed a fourth time, it was time to call in the no-lemon policy. I spoke with one of the warranty droids who assured me it would be taken care of. After several weeks, called again, got the story that they didn't have all of the service records. Sent them fax copies. A few more weeks (all this time I don't have a TV, and the repair shop has a boat anchor taking up space), call again, now they only have two of the three required records -- send the third one again. More weeks of waiting, finally (note: I'm always the one doing the calling, they never provided any information or requests for information on their own accord) call again, get told that the set will not be replaced because 'no lemon; does not apply."
"WHAT!??" the reader wrote. "The records indicated that on one of the failures, no soldering had been done, thus this did not count as a repair. So, after several months of watching a 20+-year-old 19" TV, they finally authorized the repair center to perform repairs (local repair company said they had their tech touch every solder joint just to be sure). That will be the last time I ever buy an extended warranty and now, when asked at the counter, I loudly proclaim, 'You want me to buy a warranty like the one you failed to honor the last time I bought one?' Hopefully it will save somebody else some money and cost a few sales."
Has a vendor told you to go suck lemons rather honoring your warranty? Tell us about it by posting your comments on my website, calling the Gripe Line voice mail at 1 888 875-7916 or writing me at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Read and post comments about this story here.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Social Media Breakfast Atlanta NE
Social Media Breakfast - Atlanta NE
Thursday, June 24, 2010 from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM (EDT)
Event Details
Social Media Media Breakfast Atlanta was founded in June of 2009 by Lane Bailey and Ken Cook after Lane was introduced to it by a mutual acquaintance from the Midwest. Social Media Breakfast was founded by Bryan Person who helps (and allows) it to spread to other areas across the nation and across the world.
Each month we get together to talk about ways to better leverage social media for small businesses. The topics range widely, and we always love to know what our members are interested in learning or sharing.
For June, we are going to talk about ways to take it offline... getting face to face with people, because that IS the point, right?
When & Where
Atlanta Bread Company
3320 Lawrenceville - Suwanee Road
Suite 2A
Thursday, June 24, 2010 from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM (EDT)
Add to my calendar


text:
Today's Devotional
Two SorrowsWhen have you sensed a heavy and consistent guilt?
Top Music Videos
notasinnernomore's FavoritesBack to notasinnernomore's channel.
- Way of the Master - Wake Up CallYou will be delighted to see this man"s reaction to being confronted by Kirk about his sinful state before God. www.wayofthemaster.comthewayofthemaster2008-03-17T00:00:0014,148 views00:05:14
- Rapture - End TimesThe rapture is coming soon, are you ready?tumeg2008-03-17T00:00:001,039,425 views00:02:06
- Steve Harvey introduces Jesus ChristAn introduction worth watching and sharing as well.beverlybmusic2008-03-17T00:00:00539,609 views00:03:22
- Lifehouse Everything DramaBand: Lifehouse Song: Everything How to get vid: http://www.extremegen.org/store/index.cfm or email me... God is ALL POWERFUL!his313372010-10-01T21:03:089,411,467 views00:05:34
- My Redeemer Lives - Team HoytIncredible video about the relationship between a father and son.... and God's relationship with us.sand2rock952008-03-17T00:00:0016,228,255 views00:04:36
- Logan, The Sky Angel Cowboy(A FrankLozano.com Production) We have had a lot of requests to replay the phone call that Pastor Mike shared during our church service on Sunday, Nov. 11th, 2007.
Here you'll find the video clip that was created just for you. We've placed the...fr8nklozano2008-03-17T00:00:00731,455 views00:02:24
- Cardboard TestimonyReal people, real life, real love and forgiveness and healing.hillsidewired2008-04-06T00:00:00323,711 views00:07:58
- TemptationKids being tempted by sweetshillsidewired2010-10-01T23:12:59121,125 views00:07:01
- The Sermon In A SongThe songs just depend on whom you're singing them to.joylights2010-10-01T23:46:57472,846 views00:07:24


text:
Randallstown, MD
Need a new professional stylist?
You have not experienced great hair until you have experienced Hair By Shavon at "Hidden Secrets." I am an accomplished cosmetologist with a passion for hair. I treat each client with care, formulating hair care systems based on one's individual needs.
I make sure every client leaves my chair not only with a beautiful style, but also with a feeling of beauty on the inside. With me, it is more than just a great hairstyle or a great haircut; it's a great experience.
I am a master hair cutter. My haircuts are designed to include a shampoo/conditioning experience, blowout and style. So sit back, relax, enjoy, then show off your new look.
Services include:
hair cut
blow dry
flat iron
natural hair straightening and styling
full and partial weave (sew in)
conditioning treatment
protein treatment
full color
full and partial highlights
corrective color
Waxing covers:
whole face
First-time clients get 25% off any service. Bring a friend and get $10 off. Hair cuts start at $25 for women and $15 for men. Hair services start at $35


text:
Giving Importance to Your Heart
Heart is one of the most vital organs in the body. It plays an important role in the pumping of oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of human deaths worldwide. Factors like obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol level can increase your risk of developing heart diseases. Fortunately, these factors can be avoided satisfactorily through the use of natural medicines. It is best to remember that ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
For the heart to function efficiently, you must eat nutritious and well-balanced diet as follows:
- Ample amount of raw fruits and vegetables.
- Low fat proteins like skinless chicken, skinless turkey and broiled fish.
- Food rich in important fatty acids such as tuna, herring, salmon and mackerel.
- Cut down on the consumption of butter, read meats, refines sugars, alcohol, soft drinks, fried foods and refined grain products.
- Drink a minimum of 8 glasses of water a day.
- Cut down on the consumption of sodium, preservatives, monosodium glutamate, tenderizers, baking soda and table salt.
In addition to the well-balanced diet, maintaining of a healthy body weight and a daily exercise routine is essential for keeping your healthy. Stress should be avoided or at least regulated through the practice of certain relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga, visualization or Tai Chi.
In the treatment and prevention of heart diseases, it is advised that you incorporate herbs and vitamins to your daily diet. Listed below are some of the natural remedies that are proven to promote cardiovascular wellness:
- Garlic lowers the levels of cholesterol in the body and helps to lower blood pressure.
- Vitamin C and E are the important antioxidants that keep the blood vessel healthy and raise the level of good cholesterol.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids slows the development of atherosclerosis plaques and lowers the risk of death from heart disease.
- Chromium Picolinate, Selenium and Niacin combined together can help lower the level of bad cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) in your body.
- Magnesium and Potassium together aid in the regulation of blood pressure and regulate heart beat.
- Fish oil supplements lower cholesterol, have anti-inflammatory properties and reduce the risk of death from heart attack.
- Ginseng can help manage high blood pressure and improve cardiovascular function.
- Ginkgo Biloba has antioxidant and anti-clogging properties, making it useful in reducing atherosclerosis.
It is of utmost important that you take good care of your heart. By combining a well-balanced diet with herbal and mineral supplements and a daily exercise routine, you drastically reduce your chance of getting any heart disease. Your daily exercise routine doesn't have to be anything complicated. It can just be something as simple as taking a daily walk, and then slowly progressing to a more strenuous exercise as you become fitter. It is advised that you consult your physician before you embark on any kind of exercise routine.
Always remember that you are the one responsible for your health and fitness and most importantly your heart.


text:
Randy Carrin, Psy.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
60 Westwood Avenue, Waterbury, Connecticut 06708
Clients often ask me what "type" of psychotherapy I practice. The answer to that question is complicated, and is perhaps best answered by "it depends". My own belief is that different types of problems benefit the most from different types of therapy, and that a therapist who offered the same treatment for every problem would be doing his clients a disservice. With some clients I am apt to use a more "behavioral" or "cognitive" focus with an emphasis on problem-solving, adaptive coping, and altering maladaptive thought and behavioral patterns. With other clients, I may use exercises that focus on self-awareness, focus on past trauma to achieve recovery or some other form of treatment.
John Gerson, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist
215 Katonah Avenue, Katonah, New York 10536
I am a New York State Licensed Psychologist, and bring my expertise to bear on a wide breadth of life issues, including personal distress, marriage and family problems, separation and divorce, health and fitness, grief and loss, and relationships of all kinds - parent-child, heterosexual, gay, lesbian and bisexual. The way I work with people depends of course on the nature of their problems and on how psychologically minded they are. I am trained in many methods of change, and pick and choose ones that will help you the most.


text:
could anybody tell me if there's a way to get around the
"card type 32-bit cardbus is not supported" Message?
(Patching the bootstrap of mOnOwall or config change?)
Several (RealTek) based recent PCMCIA cards (production
date 02/04) give this error and are not recognised.
This happens btw. in a Toshiba Tecra 266Mhz Pentum Notebook.
Thanks for any hint.


text: With Harris out, I don't understand why Dallas isn't using Lance Dunbar on kickoff returns instead of Terrance Williams. Williams is more of a straight north-south runner while Dunbar shows the shiftiness to make moves to get through the coverage team while bursting upfield. Maybe Dallas is afraid of fumbling?


text:
Are you looking for books related to astrology, zodiac signs, love and romance and horoscopes? Well, you've come to the right place. There are lots of books listed on this page and more books will be added shortly. You can also search for more books using the form at the bottom of this page. EasyScopes teamed up with Amazon.com, the earth's largest bookstore to provide great books at an even better price. Delivery is fast and secure. The EasyScopes bookstore is a great place to start shopping for the next birthdays, Valentine's Day, Christmas and all other occasions. More gifts can be found in our romantic gifts section...
Availability: This title usually ships within 24 hours.
1 Ed
Paperback, 211 pages
Published by Perigee
Publication date: February 1998
Dimensions (in inches): 0.62 x 8.02 x 5.11


text:
After both falling to surprise package Costa Rica, only one team will qualify for the round of 16 at Arena das Dunas
One former World Cup champion down, one more will go home. Italy and Uruguay will meet this Tuesday at Arena das Dunas to decide who will join Costa Rica in progressing from Group D to the round of 16 in Brazil.
Both teams have three points after beating England and losing against the Central American surprise package, but the Azzurri hold the advantage thanks to their better goal difference, so they just need a draw to stay alive in the tournament.
However, Uruguay arrive with momentum on their side after Luis Suarez's great display that led them to victory against England, on his return from injury.
"The team did good things in the game against a rival that caused us much trouble", said coach Oscar Tabarez in press conference. "These things are the base that we will to try to repeat and, if possible, improve against Italy."
For the European side, a defeat in this match would mean their second group phase elimination in a row, but Gianluigi Buffon is confident his nation will bounce back after being upset by Costa Rica.
"Historically, we tend to have a bad second game. But usually Italy performs at a high level in the third game", said the goalkeeper.
Uruguay will likely repeat the formation that started against England, while Italy are considering a tactical change, going from the 4-1-4-1 of their first two games to a 3-4-2-1 or 3-5-2.
"We are open to all possibilities. One of our best qualities is that we are chameleons and I hope this versatility will help us to reach all the results we are aiming for", added Buffon. "It would be a novelty, with all the benefits and risks that go with that. In case this choice is made, what happens on the field will tell us if it was the right decision."


text:
As we are nearing completion of the 100K House, we have started posting a bit on the interior design and furnishing of the home. Since we will be living in the house, we intend to make the house a model show home of sorts to walk prospective buyers through that may be interested in future projects prior to or during their construction.
This post has been a work in progress for a few weeks now, so forgive me if the formatting is not completely consistent. This list is intended to be a sort of wish list of furniture only that we would consider purchasing for the home. It is organized room by room and tries to focus on functionality, modern style and affordability.
We tried to get a few sustainable pieces in there as well, but currently we are a bit disappointed by what's available. There is not a huge selection out there in sustainable furniture and what is available is often very pricey or not very appealing design wise. I could go on, but we'll save that for another post.
Please peruse our list and feel free to offer other suggestions. We are very interested in your feedback on this post as we have already started sourcing some pieces for the home.
Living Room
Desire: Mid-Century Modern look and feel with legs. Convertible sleeper sofa for guests.
Blu Dot – One Night Stand Sleeper Sofa – $1799
We looked long and hard, and this is the best option to get a comfortable and inviting looking sofa with arms that converts into a bed. Having a sofa bed is important given the fact that we don't have (or need) a guest room.
Coffee Table
Desire: Simple, wooden, clean lines, possible storage for magazines. Thrift store, salvage or craigslist find may be best.
Here is a possibly vintage boomerang coffee table listed online for only $150.
STRIND Coffee Table from IKEA – $139
IKEA has a couple of options including this guy that aren't too bad. We like the idea of something non-square that has room for storage. Finding pieces with extra storage is going to be a common theme in this house.
Desire: Compact, comfortable, durable, classic.
OFFI – Perch Lounge $499
The wife and I are in love with this chair. It's not at all cheap, but we just keep coming back to it. Between the molded plywood with a comfortable, yet simple covering to the beautifully integrated storage underneath – it seems to have everything we are both looking for in the perfect living room chair.
IKEA – Tobias Chair $99
This thing comes in clear also which could be cool. This is more of a dining room chair, but I really like the design. It passed the comfort test and there are a few more chairs in this price range we like from IKEA we'll consider as well. A thrift store find could also take the place to add a bit more character into the room also.
IKEA Jakob Swivel Chair ($139) and Bernhard Chair ($119) could also work
pause stool from CB2 – $14.95
This is fun option for additional seating when one or two extra friends are around than seats. Folds up flat for easy storage in a closet when not in use. Recycled cardboard.
Desire: Mid-century or industrial style, legs, new or vintage, capable of holding A/V equipment
IANNONE – Signature 2.0 Dandelion Graphic Console $2,775
I absolutely love IANNONE Designs as they are local, modern and environmentally conscious. Unfortunately, we will most likely not be able to afford one of their pieces for some time. They ain't cheap.
IKEA – PS Cabinet $99
I've always liked this basic high-school locker inspired cabinet from IKEA. It's uber cheap too.
In case we want to match our dining room table and the white cabinets in the kitchen there's always this option.
Another option is this Open Source Storage unit that can be made with only $200 in materials
Side Table
Desired: Compact with storage, preferably wooden.
OFFI – Mag Table $169
Back to OFFI again. Not cheap, but beautiful, timeless and functional.
Desire: Capable of lighting most of the living room area without using overhead lighting. Appropriate scale for a compact living room area in an open floorplan.
Pablo – Umbrella Light $220
This baby reminds me of the Fortuny Lamp that retails for a cool $5K.
Simple and fitting with what seems to be a black and white scheme developing in the downstairs. If the shade was oversized a bit more, I think I'd like it even more.
Bauhaus arc floor lamp from CB2 – $199
CB2 has a couple of floor lamps that we really like for $200. This arc lamp reminds us of the classic Arco lamp without the painful price tag. It comes in white as well.
Dining Room
Desire: Makes a statement without breaking the bank. Comfortable for guests, but not too comfortable.
Blu Dot – REAL GOOD Counter Stool $199
I liked the REAL GOOD chair from the day it came out. I have a soft spot for flat-packed furniture that reduces the impact of shipping. This one out of metal takes the idea to another level over most wooden flat-packed furniture. Coming from Blu Dot, you can't beat the price and they offer a counter height model that we will need.
Dining Table
Desire: Sleek (metal/glass) or warm (reclaimed wood), one piece, rectangular or oval, seats 6.
I really like the matte black glass and steel table below from BoConcept. The only problem is the price for a seemingly simple table. We turned to IKEA to see if they had something similar and, lucky for us, they did. The table is very similar with the exception that the glass is frosted and not black. A carefully applied can of spray paint on the under side of the glass should do the trick and we'll still have saved about $1,130.
BoConcept – Dining Table $1,339
IKEA – Torsby Dining Table $199
darjeeling dinging table from CB2 – $899
This option made from reclaimed railroad ties could add a bit of warmth to the back half of the ground floor. It's not too cheap, but I really like it. CB2 had a few other 6-seaters that we like at more reasonable prices also.
Custom Scrap 2×4 dining table? – Mr. Darling $0
Another idea we are considering is having our master carpenter, Nic's Dad, design and build us a unique dining room table out of scrap 2×4′s left over on the construction site. The end result could be poly'ed or painted with a high glass paint. We'll have to see how Mr. Darling feels about this idea when he arrives next week…
Dining Chairs
Existing IKEA black rubber and steel tube chairs. Our current dining room chairs will have to do for now. They seem to be discontinued, so I'm having a hard time finding a good stock image. They are comfortable, stackable and will work nicely with the dining table chosen above. If we replace them in the future they could also work in the back yard or as guest chairs in the office.
We are also scouring craigslist for viable options to replace the current chairs. It really depends on the type of dining table we end up going with. I don't mind mixing and matching used chairs for a dining table but the wife does not always agree. We'll see how it plays out.
Desire: Minimal platform bed with integrated storage in the base.
MANDAL bed from IKEA – $349
This bed is the most economical option and with some paint over the cheap wood, it could look pretty sharp.
harmonica bed from CB2 – $799
A slightly classier version of the platform bed with storage is available at CB2 for just over double the IKEA model. No painting required though.
Desire: Low and wide, 6 or more drawers, simple aesthetic.
IANNONE – Green Mod: Wood Stripe Tall Dresser $3,995
Again, not cheap but beautiful. Check out his site for more furniture. I guarantee you will love it.
IKEA – Mandal 6-drawer chest $249
Guess which one we'll be able to afford? The Mandal from IKEA gives us the 6 drawers that we need with some flair to the drawer fronts. I'm not crazy about the type of wood used on this model, but that could always be stained or painted to give it a different look.
This is a custom clothes storage option seen in a vintage clothing store in Old City. If we can clean up our closet enough, I'd like to recreate something similar with plumbing pipe and plywood.
Rocking Chair
Desire: Eames Molded Plastic Rocker. Period.
Eames Molded Plastic Rocker $449
Desire: Something that looks nice and keeps Nic and Chad's blood from pooling in their limbs or requiring weekly full body massages to live. Our current IKEA chairs just aren't cutting it…
Office Chairs
Herman Miller – Celle Chair $450
Wall Shelf
Desire: Maximum storage with minimal impact on the small office it will occupy.
Italic Shelf – Kadushin Open Design
This design of this shelf is available for free via a Creative Commons License. We could use the same plywood that will be used upstairs and send the files to our local CNC shop for fabrication. I think it would make an interesting piece in our office to store books, files and office supplies. We may even try to incorporate a dart board into one of the shelves openings if possible.
DIY Glass Whiteboard – $??
Here at Postgreen, we tend to use our tiny 2′ x 3′ whiteboard quite a bit. It's normally in a completely full state that often hinders us from brainstorming more lousy to semi-brilliant ideas that may or may not ever go anywhere. We have been discussing the possibility of making our own huge glass whiteboard and are determined to make this happen when we move. We have a local glass shop that should be able to help us out or there is always the possibility of using a glass table top from IKEA. Either way, it should be considerably cheaping than buying one online.
Guest Chair(s)
We currently have eight of the dining chairs we will be holding onto, so that leaves two extra for the office and back yard to fight over. Also, my IKEA Jules molded plywood chair that is currently destroying my back on a daily basis will probably stay around for those guest that like added mobility in their seating.
IKEA Jules Swivel Chair FREE ($39)
If you enjoyed reading this post I can promise you'll love our new writing over at Postgreen Homes. Yeah, we know that's the same thing your favorite band said and their new album is nowhere near as good as their early stuff, but seriously, we are actually still getting better.
There also isn't much conversation to be had here . . . at least not with us. So come on over to the Postgreen Homes Blog and tell us what you think of our new(ish) digs and crazy ideas. We will be sure to tell you what we think of your opinion.


text:
This event is in the past.
August 19, 2014 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Category: Training
Location: 5425 Woodward Suite 300 | Map
5425 Woodward
Detroit, MI 48202
Detroit, MI 48202
Cost: free
Calendars: Seminars and Training, School of Medicine, Research Events, Office of Environmental Health and Safety, Main Events Calendar, Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (IEHS), Division of Research, Chemistry
Audience: Current Graduate Students, Faculty, Staff
This training is for labs who ship any materials on dry ice, and certain biological materials, including human samples. Untrained personnel are not permitted to ship these materials, so this shipping must be done through the OEH&S if you don't have a trained person in your lab.
Please call OEH&S for more details at 577-1200.
Register by email: email@example.com
For more information about this event, please contact Elena Fracassa at 313-993-5702 or email@example.com.


text:
D.C. Debuts Rad Transgender Respect Campaign
It's a sad statement on society when we have to issue advertising campaigns to remind people to treat their fellow human beings "with courtesy and respect." But whatever, I'm not going to complain! This rad ad campaign by the District of Columbia Office of Human Rights is the first-ever campaign to focus on treating trans folks with the same dignity and humanity that everyone deserves. There's a bunch of other ads with trans men and women sharing the so-totally-normal-they're-practically-boring stuff they like to do, like "listening to Adele" and "playing basketball." Other human beings — they're just like us! [ColorLines]


text:
Posted on April 23, 2015 by: acid stag
Ghosts takes XYLØ's debut single into the dance arena
We claim no credit for any images, music and/or videos posted on this site unless otherwise noted. All audio and visual content is copyright to its respectful owners. We are also in no way responsible for, or have control of the content of any external web site links. This website was created as a promotional tool. Please support the artists and purchase their work.


text:
The legend – or search – has gained new popularity from "Finding Bigfoot" on Animal Planet.
"It won't take long, a few years tops," Portland native and bigfoot hunter Cliff Barackman told a Springfield High School club. "These things are real, and soon everyone is going to know about it."
He is used to dealing with skeptics, but during a recent visit to Springfield High School, barackman was preaching to the choir at the Sasquatch Brotherhood, a school club.
"It's like religion," said Austin Helfrich of the Sasquatch Brotherhood. "You try to spread religion. Sasquatch, you try to spread it around, and have other people start to believe in it. And it just spreads like wildfire."
I'm NOT a fan of Finding Bigfoot. It's a terrible terrible show that distorts reality, nature, science and just lacks any sense. This is NOT how Bigfoot will be found, by a noisy bunch of camera people and "investigators" hiking through the woods at night making ridiculous noises. Humans have looked for Bigfoot in a SERIOUS way for over 50 years now. The evidence is NO better, we are NO closer to finding out what people are experiencing when they say they saw Bigfoot. I can't agree with Cliff that "soon everyone is going to know about it". And I can't agree that the evidence is AT ALL convincing so far. They've gone three seasons and found nothing of value to science. So, what I CAN agree on is that this is a belief that is more akin to religion. Indeed, it fits the bill. Believers have had experiences, revelations if you will. They don't need evidence, they just KNOW.
But I'm not holding my breath. And, I'm not watching this show. It's awful.
Bigfoots are real, and soon everyone will know it. Still waiting…
Current Status: Published (4)
Seeded on Thu Nov 15, 2012 8:27 PM
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