WCMarchese

Not sure what to do here. While I love the format of blogging, basically a colloquial writing of my thoughts, for the most part ending with a question for anyone, there is a point where you realize some, if not most, may prefer to catch a quick video version instead of having to read words.  And while doing both sounds cool, with the work load and family, plus actually writing, it can become a harrowing feat. If I didn't have to put in much thought, it would be easier. But there has to be some level of thought to come up with ideas three times a week that people can relate to.  Coming up with content last minute is akin to dreading going back to work the next day after a weekend when you are half asleep and realize you have to post something the next day.  So my question today, along with a possible poll on Twitter, is this: Should I continue with the writing format of these posts, or do a video? The video may sometimes be edited, or sometimes live. What would you

A writing bud, David Wilson, who I just had the honor of speaking to on Gary Buller and my show, did an edit on a story I am working on for an anthology.  He brought to my attention a yearning within to learn as much as possible about grammar and all the technical terms. I know this is boring to a lot. But in some strange way, I do feel an affinity towards this knowledge.  To edit my own work would be so awesome. To get it to the point where an editor looks at it and may need to swipe her pen once or twice here and there.  Can't beat that.  It saves time.  Another writer friend, Steve, has a great article up on his site. Check it out here:  Steve Casey The Best Self Editing Tips Every Writer Needs to Know I guess this Wednesday, my question to you all is this: Do you self edit, or have someone else edit your work? And with others editing, do you heed their advice, or laugh and continue with what you feel is right?  Leave your awesome comments down below, or on Twitter

What do you see?  She shook his hand.   When you just say she shook his hand, you see that in your mind. You have a preconceived notion of what that entails.  You may want to add things,  like he turned his hand to the side, fingers splayed as though dropping the proverbial mic. The other man turned his in the opposite direction,  gripped firmly and squeezed.  That could be a secret handshake of some sort.  While not perfect examples of this, I am trying to show that you can build a base off of what people already know in their minds and then add to it to dress it up for whatever you're trying to show.  Everyone has a movie screen in their head, they see everything you tell them to see from your words. The trick is to see what they're seeing and write to get that vision as crisp as possible.  Just remember, there is always an implied action, something you don't have to explain because it's obvious it has to happen.  He lifted his hand and scratched his hea

This week I am thinking about something that is on the minds of many. Some wield this something to hurt others, or to attempt to help. But it comes up, over and over, blatantly in social media, or embedded in fiction. I'm talking about politics. As I’ve said in prior posts, I don’t get involved. It’s just too messy of a subject to talk about. You will offend someone. And I know there are those who don’t care either way. And that’s on them. They fall into many categories, but two that come to mind are those who have made it far in their career and it won’t hurt them financially at their point in life, or those who are starting out and think they will make the world look at them because they think they are on the winning team. As if the politicians even care.  Personally, either way, to me, is bad.  I cut some out of this post, because it's about inspiration and creation. I'm not going to bombard you with what I feel about the whole political thing, b

Snow days. I have been so busy lately that I had no time to put together a post, so I winged it, because today I had a snow day due to a nor-easter coming through.  Yes, in Spring lol.  But I'm free today and thinking about all the writing I can do. Besides shoveling and such.  Reading.  What do you do on a snow day? Do you write and get things done, or do you become lazy and think so much about writing you never actually get to it?  Let me know in the comments below, or on Twitter @Wcmarchese Hope to see you there.  WCM

I'm sure your voice has always been there. But what is the point when a writer solidifies that their voice has fully formed?  When do they recognize it's there and embrace it?  I look back on older work and wonder, was my voice somewhere in there?  I pick up bits and pieces from it, but it is clunky and riddled with things I wouldn't do now.  Some may not see this, may think the older stuff is just an unrefined version of my writing now.  And I supposed that's okay.  I wouldn't want them to read it the way I see it--heavily critical of myself until I come to the conclusion it actually isn't that  bad.  Either way, your voice evolves until there is a solid means to tell your story.  There is a way to get your thoughts across.  It is something you can fall back on knowing it will carry your ideas and words in manner that is almost logical in an illogical craft.  When exactly had you found your voice? Or are you still looking for it? Have you no

So many ways to get your work out there. Social media is such a useful tool these days, compared to the days when you had to advertise the hard way. News paper and TV ads. As social media rose, getting you name out became easier and easier. Today, writing a blog, or a vlog (on YouTube, Twitch, or other video site) does not net you as much as it did back then—mostly because it was new there were not as many as now making videos. But there are other ways to generate a little here and there.  Even if they don’t pay as much as theu used to, and the sites are oversaturated with others vying for your attention, you can still carve out a piece of the pie for yourself, and at the end of it all, get your name out there--of course if done right.  Once you build a presence, you can use those sites you’ve built as a way to get new happenings out to your fans. Also, when you’re ready to find an agent, and they help you find a publisher, they’re going to want to see how big y

I am working on too many projects at the moment.  I get ideas and start another story. Some of them go into the slush pile, while others stick around longer.  Some will be recycled, and others will just fizzle out.  Either way, I am wondering today if having too many is bad.  Sometimes you just have to stop some and finish one of them off.  I think putting down one story temporarily and tinkering with another is a good way to take your mind off the first one.  It's a way to trick your mind into coming around with a fresh mind.  Of course you can put the story aside and come back in a week, or so. But sometimes you want to (or have to) get to that other story that is pressing your thoughts.  But how many is too many?  I sometimes read multiple stories at the same time, as well. I know of people who do this, but can it be detrimental to absorbing information?  It all depends on what you can handle. If you see it's not working out, do something different.  Ho

It's another Monday. I'm here trying to get some projects finished, waiting for some subs to come back with a good or bad response.  Hopefully good.  I know this post is usually about motivation.  But really, anything can be turned into a motivational piece.  Depending on how you present it.  So I'm going to play with something new.  If you haven't seen the latest Walking Dead where you-know-who dies, then stop reading.  If you don't care, keep reading.  At this point, I think everyone has at least heard something about Carl dying.  Okay, there, I said it.  Now I've taken a lot of heat from buddies about my theory that he isn't dead. And I can break it down for you to think about it too.  First: When Glen "died" in that dumpster scene with the dope who killed himself and pulled Glen with him onto a crowd of zombies, we thought he was a goner.  AMC even cut away Glenn's portion of the story there for a bit.  If i'm

Among the many blog posts I’ve done, I don’t recall if I ever titled one this, but it fits the my thoughts this Friday. So I figured I’d use it, maybe again. And I’m not talking about the Nike saying. What I’m connecting it to is that point when you are able to take a moment to write.  You tell everyone your intensions and close the door to wherever you go, mentally or physically, and you have your computer, or notebook, or cellphone and you set out to do your thing. But then Twitter starts chirping, or Facebook messenger calls for attention. Before you know it, you’re looking at YouTube videos for a video game review or some conspiracy theory that you were pondering. Maybe even those cool countdown videos of the 5 most horrific Halloween murders. It’s okay, we all do it.  Sometimes it gets me a little and I correct myself, sometimes it veers me totally off track and I feel very guilty afterwards. There are times it can help, because everything we take

Imitate the greats? Well, sort of.  I was reading an article, and have read in other places as well, of an exercise where you imitate your favorite author. Many artists do this with music, paint and other art forms. So why not writing? It’s a bit different. Because when you emulate, you are writing like your favorite writer, and it can take you off in different directions. You imitate their style, after reading a story from them. Or then there is copying. Which is a practice that some famous authors did to learn from their favorite authors. Some wrote in longhand to get the feel--to see what it was like to think like those authors. This can be a useful exercise. Personally, I haven’t gone too deep into the practice. But from the few times I’ve tried a page here and there, I can definitely see the benefit. It’s like dissecting the authors work and putting it back together to see how it works. One bad thing I can see coming of this is if you’re not carefu

Analyzation is a very important part of writing any kind of story-either in book or movie form.  Why do the characters do what they do, act the way they act, or react.  It is important to know why character A . is acting a certain way to character B ., but then also if A has had something happen that would change the way they would usually act to what B did.  And on top of that, you may have to throw in somewhere what actually happened to A to alter the way they usually react.  Welcome to my world when writing a story.  Confusing? A bit, but once you have it down it won't be.  A little bit of work is needed.  And that's okay.  Some stories have been pushed into my personal slush pile because they just didn't add up.  Now, of course, there will be times when you have to say heck with it and let the story be. Try to tie up as many loose ends as possible and let it fly. Because if you don't, you'll never get anything out to the worl

I'm pretty sure I  have discussed rejection at some point on this blog.  I'm sure.  It plays such an important part of a writers career.  If one isn't rejected, then they will not be humbled. They will think everything they put out is wonderful.  There will be no distinction between good and bad, and we will have to deal with mediocre work when searching for that next title to read. Blockbusters will be measured on a different scale. We have a way we look at ourselves. Self reflection can add to our soul. We can break habits and grow in new directions-become the writers that will eventually make it.  That’s the key. Change. If you don’t get rejected, then you will never know what it’s like to loose. Just like in life, those born with the proverbial silver spoon never know what it’s like to be poor, to go into the corner grocer with a dollar to grab two 25 cent cakes and a 50 cent soda.  And that was lunch! It shapes your outlook and ho