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Writing Your Story Out of Order

12/29/2016

by Will Viharo

With the new year looming like a hungry vulture, world often seems chaotic these days (but didn’t it always?). Many people are afraid we’re losing control of our own civilization.

That’s why as writers, we try to impose a sense of order onto our fictional stories. It helps set the worried minds of readers at ease, at least for a little while.

But the actual writing of the story doesn’t need to be so “neat.” In fact, disarray when constructing your narrative may actually help put all the pieces together in a much more cohesive way…

Putting a Positive Spin On Negative Material

12/27/2016

by Will Viharo

On Christmas Day my wife and I went to see the new adaptation of August Wilson’s landmark play Fences, starring and directed by Denzel Washington.

Since she’s teaching this play in Drama 101 at the University of Washington next quarter, and because I normally prefer watching indie horror flicks if I have to leave my house at all, I considered it one of her presents.

But it turned out to be a surprise present for me. Such is the power of painful subjects transformed and transcended via the power of Art.

Marketing Sideways: Sneaking The Green Into Your Marketing

12/26/2016

by Mary C Long

Successful marketing is all about approach, but how do you market something while simultaneously downplaying what are typically its selling points? Very skillfully.

A Mystery Lover's Christmas Wish List (Part Two)

12/22/2016

by Will Viharo

If you’re wondering what to get that vicarious criminal in your social or familial circles for Christmas (which is in three days, by the way), look no further. You can gift-Kindle any of the books listed in this blog and not worry about whether they’ll enjoy it or not.

Trust me. I’ve read them. They will.

In the spirit of the season, here are a few more of my favorite things...

A Mystery Lover's Christmas Wish List (Part One)

12/20/2016

by Will Viharo

With Christmas just around the corner, here are some gift suggestions for readers of mysteries, noir and crime fiction.

I am limiting my selections to this extremely popular category because most of the authors in my social circle happen to be crime writers. And even though I am frankly weary of that genre, the fact that I keep reading and enjoying them is a testament to their tremendous talents.

Which means that if you are an avid devotee of this type of page-turner, you (or a loved one) will be more than satisfied with these suggestions…

Let Go Of Your Viral Marketing Dreams

12/16/2016

by Mary C Long

There’s a lot to be said for the ability to predict trends based on cognitive algorithms. But you know what? This tactic is reactive.

We focus so much on redirecting consumer attention based on what’s come before and fail miserably at shaping trends and directing consumer attention ever forward.

And it’s a trend that needs to change.

Here’s why. And how.

Dreams, Memories, and Imagination (Part Two)

12/15/2016

by Will Viharo

Most writers dream up their plots while performing mundane tasks, and often the resulting stories are products of both external realities and internal fantasies.

Morphing memories of your waking life with surrealistic imagery from your dream world is the job of your imagination, a realm where the boundaries between the two worlds disappear, and you’re free to create your own world, where readers will hopefully discover a richly rewarding, perhaps relaxing, and potentially revelatory adventure…

Marketing Strategies for Businesses That Aren’t Very... Marketable

12/15/2016

by Mary C Long

How do you market something un-sexy, unappealing, or even unspeakable?

It's a legitimate challenge for businesses revolving around things people don’t like thinking about in the day-to-day.

But when the need arises, you want to be sure they remember you. Here's how to be sure they do:

Dreams, Memories, and Imagination (Part One)

12/13/2016

by Will Viharo

Source material for writers varies depending on the genre, the agenda, and the individual. Recently I posted about movies for and about writers, since cinema has always had a big influence on my own work. But that’s just me.

However, I’d say most if not all fiction writers draw upon their own experiences for inspiration, along with fantasies that still have roots in their own subconscious. These sources can yield material that is universally relatable, even if each is unique to the author.

28 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About WordPress [INFOGRAPHIC]

12/13/2016

WordPress is not the only content management system on the market but it is certainly the most popular one. WordPress is at the forefront of the content management system market with a market share of 59.3% and over 17 million websites depending on its services.