As a writer I am often asked where ideas for stories come from. In my case I find it to be less ideas and more inspiration. Something will happen, someone will say or do something, and the writer's wheels will start turning. I can always tell when the process has begun because there will be a thought or situation which takes up residence in my brain. Then, for the next few weeks... or months, most every waking moment will be filled with conscious and unconscious comparisons of what is stuck in my mind and what is going on in the world around me. If the process is stubborn enough... and if I am disciplined enough, always a problem with writers, eventually a story will be born. This was definitely the case with Elysian Dreams.
Starting life as a writing exercise, my thoughts and words soon found themselves influenced by several talks and programs I saw which included one of NASA's brightest minds, Carol Stoker. Without giving too much of the plot away, Ms. Stoker's energy and passion for the work she does at the Ames Research Center helped bring the pages of Elysian Dreams to life for me... and hopefully for you the reader as well.
You never know where inspiration... or ideas, are going to come from. I urge all struggling writers to keep pen and paper close at hand and their eyes and minds wide open. And keep writing... you just never know.
Here is a link I think you'll find interesting:
http://spacescience.arc.nasa.gov/staff/carol-stoker
Peace,
BJ
Monday, January 9, 2012
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Chasing The Dream
New year and lots of new things to do...not resolutions, just things to do.
Elysian Dreams is out and now available in paperback from your favorite book store (as well as Amazon and Barnes and Nobel of course). The good folks at the local B&N have a new author and local author section, into which I am working on getting Dreams. But as you can imaging, just like your local grocery, shelf space in book stores is at a premium...a very high premium. Which means you will probably have to order Elysian Dreams from your favorite book store. So it's time to hit the streets, the air waves and the Internet. While I have a very competent aid running my web site for me, I am on my own as far as publicity goes. Exactly how do you get the general reading public to take notice of a struggling writer's first release?
Not a rhetorical question, I am asking for suggestion here...ok, call it what it is...HELP!
There are book shops, chain stores, coffee houses, book clubs, etc, etc, etc...that I would love to get in touch with (That shameless self promotion again) and make them aware of Elysian Dreams. But I'm just one guy...one clueless guy. So, let me know what your thoughts are...how do I go about selling my book...and myself? Any thoughts, suggestions, comments? All will be gratefully and eagerly accepted and considered. You can post your ideas here for all to see, or we can keep it one on one if you prefer...my e mail address is: info@bjneblett.com Either way I will respond and let you know how things are going.
Stay tuned loyal readers...it's going to be an interesting ride!
PS: For those of you who have already read (or soon will be reading) Elysian Dreams, you too can help. According to my publisher what is needed are comments...all kinds of comments and reviews. My home page is bjneblett.com. From there you can link to my Facebook page and to Brighton Publishing and leave comments and your thoughts on Elysian Dreams. You can also post them right here if you wish. Book sellers look for public comment...it lets them know that someone is reading what they are considering carrying. So lets have it...the good the bad and the ugly. Thanks.
Peace,
BJ
Elysian Dreams is out and now available in paperback from your favorite book store (as well as Amazon and Barnes and Nobel of course). The good folks at the local B&N have a new author and local author section, into which I am working on getting Dreams. But as you can imaging, just like your local grocery, shelf space in book stores is at a premium...a very high premium. Which means you will probably have to order Elysian Dreams from your favorite book store. So it's time to hit the streets, the air waves and the Internet. While I have a very competent aid running my web site for me, I am on my own as far as publicity goes. Exactly how do you get the general reading public to take notice of a struggling writer's first release?
Not a rhetorical question, I am asking for suggestion here...ok, call it what it is...HELP!
There are book shops, chain stores, coffee houses, book clubs, etc, etc, etc...that I would love to get in touch with (That shameless self promotion again) and make them aware of Elysian Dreams. But I'm just one guy...one clueless guy. So, let me know what your thoughts are...how do I go about selling my book...and myself? Any thoughts, suggestions, comments? All will be gratefully and eagerly accepted and considered. You can post your ideas here for all to see, or we can keep it one on one if you prefer...my e mail address is: info@bjneblett.com Either way I will respond and let you know how things are going.
Stay tuned loyal readers...it's going to be an interesting ride!
PS: For those of you who have already read (or soon will be reading) Elysian Dreams, you too can help. According to my publisher what is needed are comments...all kinds of comments and reviews. My home page is bjneblett.com. From there you can link to my Facebook page and to Brighton Publishing and leave comments and your thoughts on Elysian Dreams. You can also post them right here if you wish. Book sellers look for public comment...it lets them know that someone is reading what they are considering carrying. So lets have it...the good the bad and the ugly. Thanks.
Peace,
BJ
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Shameless Self Promotion
Riding on the bus the other day I spied a young woman reading The Great Gatsby. Anyone who has followed my blogs and/or my career knows that F Scott Fitzgerald is one of my favorite authors and Gatsby is my all time favorite book, at least among the classics. And, of course, The Great Gatsby figures prominently in my new novel Elysian Dreams.
Not one to pass up the opportunity to promote Elysian Dreams, to say nothing about the chance to speak to a pretty woman, I approached the metro reader, business card in hand. Bolstered on a warm smile and soft hello, I proceeded to introduce myself and my pride and joy, Elysian Dreams. Unfortunately, our pleasant conversation was prematurely ended by my quickly approaching stop.
I never fail to be surprised at how easy it is to approach a stranger with a book in their hand...or for that matter a Nook or Kindle. I find most everyone extremely receptive and indeed eager to talk about and share their passion for reading.
We have all heard that reading is dead and literature is a thing of the pass. If my experiences riding the Seattle Metro is any indication, then reports of the demise of books have been greatly exaggerated... thank God.
Peace,
BJ
Not one to pass up the opportunity to promote Elysian Dreams, to say nothing about the chance to speak to a pretty woman, I approached the metro reader, business card in hand. Bolstered on a warm smile and soft hello, I proceeded to introduce myself and my pride and joy, Elysian Dreams. Unfortunately, our pleasant conversation was prematurely ended by my quickly approaching stop.
I never fail to be surprised at how easy it is to approach a stranger with a book in their hand...or for that matter a Nook or Kindle. I find most everyone extremely receptive and indeed eager to talk about and share their passion for reading.
We have all heard that reading is dead and literature is a thing of the pass. If my experiences riding the Seattle Metro is any indication, then reports of the demise of books have been greatly exaggerated... thank God.
Peace,
BJ
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