I've moved.

Moving blogs is a bit like moving house I suppose. You need to redirect the post!

You'll find me here now:

http://www.josmedley.co.uk

With a fully integrated blog and authoring website.

So there'll be no more posts on Blogger. (as to whether there's any more on the new site... well... we'll just have to wait and see I guess!

Strings, bings, blogs, netlogs, linkedIn, libboo, podcasts, facebook, twitter and You-tube...

Argh! Haven't you found there's just such a plethora of social media these days? Not a day goes by I don't get an email inviting me to watch a podcast, add a string or story to a social media networking storyboarding site.

Question is - is all this media actually helping writers or is it just yet another distraction?

Networking - as I've said before is a must for new writers. Phil Berg said at a business conference I've been to recently: "You don't have to be the best in your field, you just have to know the most people." That's as true for writing as it is for business.

You can be THE best screenwriter there is, but if you aren't known, then how are people going to approach you to give you the contract?

Now I'm not talking about simply "putting yourself about". Everyone hates someone who is just there for themselves and never contributes. As I've said before, it's not enough to just "friend" people on twitter and the like, you need to interact.

So where do you start?

Well, for a start check out my post below on networking for writers.

And with regards to social media, I would suggest all writers have these basics in place and know how to use them effectively.
1) A blog. This should be informative, not just a list of personal acheivements. And don't write and abandon it - point people to your blog on the other social media sites you frequent. e.g. facebook and twitter.
2) LinkedIn - it may seem like a business network (which it is) but if you're taking your writing seriously, then writing is a business, whether you want to believe it is or not. Learn how to make LinkedIn work for you. Grow your connections and then do a search one day in the company field and see if you happen to know, or can get introduced to the person who you need to speak to.
3) Twitter - yes I know everyone likes facebook better - but if it's connections you're after, trust me, Twitter is a) quicker and b) easier. Use twitter to create contacts, not just as a means to itself, and make sure you plug your blog on twitter by creating a link to it! Also - let's not forget, you can make twitter comments post to facebook and linkedIn, so that saves you a lot of time!

What about the rest I hear you ask?

Well...

Facebook. Everyone's on facebook these days... but does it help you make any good writing connections? Probably not. Do you speak to writers on facebook? er... no. I speak to my contacts on twitter and on UKwriters when they happen to drop in.

Never visited UKwriters? Why not?

UKwriters is a joint social media site. You can post blogs, join discussions or just ask for advice. You can email authors in your own field and communicate on a meaningful level. It's gone a bit quiet lately - but that's only because people haven't got their head around how to use it, and I've been too busy to drop in. But why not drop in yourself and start a discussion?

Libboo / Stringsta I've taken a look at both now, and other then "bigging up" their creators I can't honestly see these going anywhere long term. Yes, I agree it's a lovely idea, let's all collaborate, but truthfully? How is it going to help writers earn any money long term?

I agree, it sounds like a great idea that you can create a joint effort book / script / storyboard, but royalty rates for authors are pittance at the best of times, so how exactly is splitting a book royalties 60 different ways going to help? Also... who get's the publicity from the book sale? Er... would that be Libboo or Stringsta themselves? So no. I can't see this taking off long term.

One to watch and put some time into if you've got a lot of spare time perhaps, but if you're busy - just avoid them!

You-Tube For writers... er... No. I can't think of anything more boring then watching me type up a script! But for film makers, or as writers if you can get your short film on there - then YES! Great idea, especially if its good. But don't post any old rubbish. You want something that'll show case your work, not a camcorder video!

As for the rest?

Well, make up your own mind. If you're wasting more then 15 minutes a day on them, ask yourself how many contacts you've made and how useful they are to you. If they're not getting you anywhere then drop them. You've got more important things to do... like write!

Final words...

Competitions As new writers a competition is probably one of the few ways you will actually get noticed from a cold start. However, be wary. Don't pay to enter anything. All you are doing is lining someone elses pockets!

After al, I could set up a great competition to write a new murder mystery game. Prize? Oh... let's see... you could become an author on Red Herring Games (something I'd do anyway if you're good enough). I could charge £2 entry fee, which sounds reasonable... and I'd probably get over 50 entries so I make a straight £100 profit for doing nothing! (Maybe I should try it!!)

Also - stick to entering reputable competitions. The BBCwritersroom is a good place to find out the best ones. They screen all their competitions to make sure they're fair to writers.

Musical murders!

Ok - I freely admit it - writing a muscial was never something I even remotely thought about when I started out writing! But, well, there's nothing like a challenge!

This week has seen me finish what might be the last (but probably isn't) draft of the musical murder mystery for my local operatic society. They're in the middle of getting a director and it all looks set to take to the stage in Grimsby this autumn!

I must admit, I'm excited! This is a "big" thing, even for me! I may look like a sucessful writer, and I suppose I am in my own field, but having something I've written go on stage is still going to be thrilling, even if it is only in Grimsby!

Still, what I expect everyone wants to know is how do you end up getting a break like this?

Well, like in everything, it's who you know. (yeah, it comes down to networking again - see post below).

A few years ago I was casting for my first murder mystery event locally. I needed some cast and that was how I met two very nice women from the local operatic society. I've kept in touch with them both, either through regular meetings when they act for me, or by me trying to find them contacts of their own (as one is trying to break into the professional acting arena and I do sometimes come into contact with people useful for her to meet.) This regular contact and mutual support has led to them asking me if I'd be interested in writing the society a muscial!

Thankfully I don't have to come up with the music. Instead they've given me a list of songs which could be worked into a plot. I've ammended a few lyrics and voila. Our very first combined effort.

The question is... what to call it?? That's still undecided!

Is networking useful for writers?

We’ve all heard the saying, “It’s not what you know it’s who you know” and sadly that is true for writing too. How many writer lectures have you been to where the writer was given a “lucky break” by speaking to a friend who knew a producer, publisher or agent? I can think of dozens. It’s a very rare person who get’s an agent from scratch these days – though it is possible!

But is networking a good way of generating contacts or not and where should you go?

Writing conferences and lectures and courses are a great way to meet other writers, but frankly you’re all in the same boat, so unless you happen to meet a lucky writer who has an agent, or develop a relationship with someone who then finds one – it won’t get you very far.

Which means, as well as mixing with unpublished writers you need to be looking further afield.

1) Writer signings

I’m not talking about the famous ones here. If you queue up to get J.K. Rowling to sign a book, she’s hardly going to have the time to give you a contact at bloomsbury!

However – local writers are a different matter altogteher. They generally have shorter queues, are more willing to talk and still interested in helping other new writers “break” into the field as they often had a leg up themselves. Don’t discount them because they aren’t “big”. They've still got further then you have (to that illusive first contract) and so they’re still better connected then you!

Make sure you attend any local readings/lectures they have, get to know them and see if they are willing to help you.

2) Business networking

You might think business networking is a ludicrous way to general contacts – but scoff all you like, I’ve been in a business networking group for 2 years now, and in that time I’ve landed a contract to write e-books for a local entrepreneur, been asked to write custom written games for venues and met a publisher who would actually give me the time of day, and probably help me with contacts should I eventually get a book up to publishable standards.

I’ve also met other writers who visit the group who do copywriting – paid work, and also a story writer who writes people’s biographies – again PAID.

So while business networking may seem a bizzare way to set out – think beyond the people in the room to the contacts they may be willing to share with you and give it a go.

3) Tradeshows

Publishers have tradeshows just like any other companies – sometimes you’ll find them all under one roof. Take a walk, browse the stands and if you can, strike up a conversation – you might get on with someone like a house on fire and they might be willing to look at your work!

4) Work your contacts

As well as our immediate friends we all have people we know through social media like twitter and facebook these days – so speak to them.

Obviously you don’t just want to “follow” them and then pitch straight away – an immediate turn off to anyone who’s busy and managed to work their way up their field.

Instead – get to know them. Chat, don’t pitch. Once you have built up that relationship – THEN speak to them about a project.

5) YOUR BLOG!

Your blog or website is THE singular most important thing you need to maintain as an unpublished author. For many new contacts it’s the first thing they’ll take a look at.

It needs to be:
a) Easy to read
b) Professional
c) Clear – with a list of your achievements in the writing field and also what you’re working on.
d) Personal. By this I mean – a photograph. People deal with people. It’s a known fact. Avatars are all very well, but they aren’t you.

What will sell your work in the end isn’t the work itself but you. It’ll be you that will eventually meet with people to pitch your work, so have a personality, be visible and get noticed.

Further reading:

Launch a freelance writing career via Twitter.

Are writers just good liars who get old?

That's an interesting question.

One of the first things we learn to do as children is lie.
"It wasn't me.";
"I didn't do it";
"She hit me first";
"It broke all by itself"...
(Is this behaviour learned, or do we just do it instinctively??)

And do the best liars make the best story tellers?

Well, all fiction is just that, fiction, and most fiction writers will admit they "borrow" facts from their experience (personal, newspaper stories, second hand stories) in order to make their fictional stories seem real.

So are writers really just stretching the truth and lying? Is what we do, simply taking lying to a whole new level?

Are we inventing a cover story for life, a lie told instead of reality, a falsehood, a fabrication... And what is it in our psyche that drives us to tell stories so profusely... are we born liars? Is it a predisposition, a genetic or hereditory condition...? Were our parents good story tellers and is it learned behaviour rather than something we were just born with? Who knows...

I think to answer the question above we need to address this one:


Do the best story tellers make the best liars?

Probably not... Well, at least, I hope not. (Certainly not in my case. I can't even keep a secret for long without spilling the beans!)

Writers are able to spin a yarn, yes, but I think over imagination, tends to ruin the lying process in it's simplest form. We tend to go OTT on the excuses, provide a whole reasoning process for why something "is", and this exaggeration gives us away.

And if the best story tellers are not the best liars, then ergo, the best liars are not the best storytellers.

So are we ALL storytellers at heart then?

I would say "yes". Storytelling in it's embryonic form is lying... and I think if I went around canvassing on a street corner I would be hard put to find someone who didn't tell a lie at least once in their life, or, dare I say it, once already this year. Obviously I'm not accusing everyone of perjury or fraud, but I think most of us have said some of these at least once:

"Oh wow... you've had your hair cut... it really suits you."
"No... that doesn't make you look fat..."
"No... it doesn't taste burned..."
or to the tele-sales person:
"I'm afraid she's not in at the moment, can I take a message?"

So think about it next time someone asks you "Does their bum look big." Are you a natural storyteller?

But is a storyteller a writer?

No. Writers are people who put their stories on paper / computer. They actually do something with the lies they make up. Writers aren't necessarily published, but if they are putting stories (or facts - lets not forget journalists here... or is that still storytelling...) on paper, then they are writers.

Writing is something you learn AFTER you learn how to lie. And in that respect, I think writers ARE liars who get old. But they aren't GOOD liars who get old.

GOOD liars you'll find in prison. It's the bad liars you'll find on the bookshelves!

5 top tips for dealing with rejection letters.

Rejection letters are standard when you're an author. Like it or not, not everyone thinks the same way as you and the things you think are great, just aren't someone else's cup of tea.

If you're a writer then you'll get rejection letters. J.K. Rowling got them, Tom Clancy got them, in fact, you name an author, I expect they all have a drawful of them. But how should you deal with them?

1) Firstly - breath a sigh of relief. The wait is over. You aren't suddenly going to have to put your life on hold while you write your "approved" project. You can keep that holiday date in Spain rather than booking into a residential course, you can take time out to research, you can do whatever it is you do - and most importantly you can revise and resubmit your manuscript again! (Or bin it and start a new one). For places like the BBC writersroom, a rejection letter means the submission process is over and you are eligable to submit a new work. So firstly - Relax!

2) Deal with the letter. For most, it'll be a standard rejection letter. You know the type. "Many thanks for sending us your manuscript, we've decided at this stage not to take it any further" or "I'm afraid our books are full at present" or words to that effect. The standard rejection letters are the easiest to deal with - you can shred them, burn them, turn them into scrap paper, write on the back of them or file them. It doesn't matter. They don't say why they've rejected you - just that they have!

If on the other hand you are fortunate enough to have actually received feedback in the rejectin letter - then you need to action this. Firstly decide if it's feedback you are willing to accept - you don't have to accept EVERYTHING. After all, your writing style should be unique to you - and your aim is to find someone else who likes your writing for what it is. So don't change things on someone else's whim. Only you can decide if the feedback IS something you want to do something about, and if not - then file, burn, shred etc or actually take the advice and do something about it.

3) Avoid the miry pits of writing depression. Some people (like me) are sneaky. We time our submissions at "certain times of the month", this means, I submit when I'm at a low ebb and I can't feel any worse about myself or my writing, and generally the rejection letters will come back when I'm not at a low ebb and can just fling it to one side nonchalently! (Hey... we all have our tecniques!)

That said - when the rejection letter arrives - don't fall into the trap of thinking you are a terrible writer. Remember all the authors who have gone before you! You aren't the first, you won't be the last! Eat a bar of chocolate, have a hot bath, seek out company. Whatever works for you - do it. Nobody likes being rejected and as most writers write alone, it often helps to go out and find a friend who "likes you" as a person to get over the hump. The rejection isn't a personal slight, but it often feels like that. So do something you enjoy, and get some positive feedback. You are great! Honest!

4) Embark on a new project or revise the original. Rejection letters usually take 6 weeks (at least) to come back. This means you've had 6 weeks to "sit" on your work. So take another look at it again with a fresh head. Was it rubbish? You might well find it was (I know I sometimes do!) Revise it, or bin it and start something new! Learn from experience. Don't just send it out again unless you are supremely confident in the piece. Use the rejection as a prod to take another look. Nothing is ever "finished". I often go back to something after a year and tweek it again.

5)Find a good critic. Rejection letters with feedback are few and far between. If you think you can stand the pain - find someone who will read your work critically and GIVE you that feedback. They might be able to work out why you are getting regular rejections.

March already!

Hard to believe it's March already! Where did the time go!

Fortunately I went to "using social media" training last night, which has prompted me to get back to the blog! (Long time no see!)

New, New Year's resolution is therefore to blog more regularly!

Still... if it's any excuse there's been a lot going on recently, for example... the charity murder mystery hosted in the middle of March for the M.S. Society and 24+1.


I've also completed several new games one of which was "Riddle at the Racecourse" a custom written game for Doncaster Racecourse which ran on the 25th March and which is now available on Red Herring Games.

Added to that I've written another customer order now known as "Greased" on Red Herring Games - a clue based game.

Those who keep up with the BBC writers room, know that they had a competition running in February called "laughing stock" which I also submitted a piece to - and was duly rejected (again). Oh, the life and times of a writer, it's all rejection letters and polite "not for me"s.

Anyway, added to all the game writing for Red Herring Games, I've also been helping other new authors break into the murder mystery writing genre. Not an easy challenge for them (or for me, as it's quite time consuming to proof work! Sometimes as much as 3-4 hours for each piece, and usually with nothing to show for it at the end but a lot of comments boxes!) Still, it looks as though April will see the first fruits of three month's of labour for many of the authors - the editor has been swamped recently and I've been dreading the formatting work coming through as until I get an admin person here it's me, me and me that does it all! Eeek!

Anyway - Social Media training, sort of explained how to use blogs to best effect... so let's see if I get this right over the next few weeks. Apparently they are supposed to be useful, informative but have a personal stand point too. So far, I don't think my blog is any of those three things... so lets see how I do over the next few months!

If there is anything you want to know about writing games - fire me questions and I'll see what I can answer!