“All literature consists of whatever the writer thinks is cool. The reader will like the book to the degree that he agrees with the writer about what’s cool.” – Steven Brust, Born Nov. 23, 1955. This quote is either more authentic or more stupid, depending on whether you think that stupid hat Steven Brust wears […]
Most Writing Is Lame Because The Writer Forgot To Make It Cool Read More »
“Let every man feel that he is the architect and builder of his own life, and that he proposes to make a success of it by working.” – Heber J. Grant, Born Nov. 22, 1856. Really, though. The key part here is “let every man feel” – whether they really are or not. Let people
Make People Feel Like They Are In Charge, And They Will Obey… Read More »
“The instruction we find in books is like fire. We fetch it from our neighbours, kindle it at home, communicate it to others, and it becomes the property of all.” – Voltaire, Born Nov. 21, 1694. You don’t have to be an originator of ideas if you can be an effective communicator of ideas. Today
Creation and Innovation Are Not the Only Way to Provide Value Read More »
“There is a saying that every nice piece of work needs the right person in the right place at the right time.” – Benoit Mandelbrot, Born Nov. 20, 1924. That’s what I like to make: a nice piece of work. The right person is you, the reader, the viewer, the receiver of my offer. As
Good Copy Always Feels Like It’s Happening Right Now Read More »
“The only way to advertise is by not focusing on the product.” – Calvin Klein, Born Nov. 19, 1942. The art and skill and magic and OOMPH of writing promotions comes from the stuff you do that has NOTHING to do with the product itself. The product is just a token of value. It carries
No One Wants To Buy Your Product – This Is What They’ll Pay For… Read More »
“Everything you’ve ever read of mine is first-draft. This is one of the peculiarities of the comics field. By the time you’re working on chapter three of your masterwork, chapter one is already in print. You can’t go back and suddenly decide to make this character a woman, or have this one fall out of
Publish Your Draft Now, Revise When You Re-Publish Again In The Future Read More »
“To me there’s no creativity without boundaries. If you’re gonna write a sonnet, it’s 14 lines, so it’s solving the problem within the container.” – Lorne Michaels, Born Nov. 17, 1944. There is something incredibly empowering about using creative limitations. And it’s not just about placing arbitrary deadlines. It’s about limiting your materials, your scope.
Creativity Will Keep You Broke Unless You Strap On The YOKE Read More »
“Human vocabulary is still not capable, and probably never will be, of knowing, recognizing, and communicating everything that can be humanly experienced and felt.” – Jose Saramago, Born Nov. 16, 1922. Jose is talking about how even the best writers can find themselves incapable of expressing the full range of human emotion. And that’s arguably
Explain To Others How They Feel When Their Own Words Cannot Express It Read More »
“Comedy is the most palliative way to make a point. People are more willing to listen if they can laugh.” – Judy Gold, Born Nov. 15, 1962. This is one most people will dismiss, but they shouldn’t. Think of that kind of marketer/guru/whatever that people think is trashy or phony or arrogant, who is still
A Daily ____ Is The Bait That Brings Them Back Tomorrow Read More »
“Timing and arrogance are decisive factors in the successful use of talent.” – Marya Mannes, Born Nov. 14, 1904. Talent alone is no guarantee of success. There are plenty of broke ass nobodies with talent so abundant it’s oozing from their pores. You need to USE the talent you have in a way that lets
Another “Bad” Character Trait That You MUST Have to Succeed… Read More »
