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Actor/writer John Cleese once said to an audience that in order to be creative, two things must occur: you need to create boundaries, and make time. That’s it. Even if you write or paint or woodwork for one hour, you MUST shut yourself in a space, and let no one in for one hour. Writers would sure benefit from wearing a turtle’s shell so we could withdraw from the world any time we wanted! LOL!
Early mornings are a popular working time for many writers and artists, for a few obvious reasons. If you get up early enough, you can generally count on being free from visitors, phone calls, and other interruptions. And if you go straight to work on your creative project—if you literally put it first in your day—you can guarantee that your working time won’t be derailed by other commitments or temptations.
So how do you acquire that coveted time to write? This has been an ongoing obstacle for many writers, including yours truly. Especially when life gets messy. And trust me, it does! I guess the best advice that I can give is that you need to make sacrifices. Instead of watching three TV shows with your better half, cut back one or two (pick your favorite to watch), then scurry to your writing lair and put your fingers to the keyboard. Lock yourself in your room. Tell your family members that once the door is closed for the set amount of time you’ve chosen, you’re not available. Period. Even if someone screams bloody murder. If you need to, buy earphones, download a music app, and plug in. This will help to keep those distractions out and the words flowing.
Another option is GET OUT of the house and go to your local coffee shop or library. Many authors have chosen this avenue with great success. Libraries have more confining hours, but most coffee shops are open 24 hours. The idea is to create both time and space for yourself to write. Plus, you’ve got fresh coffee or tea on demand, so that’s a bonus!
A more expensive idea if you can swing it is to rent a motel or hotel room for a personal writing retreat. You might be able to get a good deal during off-season periods, or even use those air miles you’ve been saving to cash in on a room. What about using a friend’s home or apartment a few times a week? The possibilities are available, but we have to utilize them.
This upcoming year, I need to make some sacrifices and define my space (physical and emotional) in order to finish writing the next installment of my time travel series (so close!), and start brainstorming the next book. I’m lucky enough to have my own writing office, and there’s no little ones around to knock on the door. Unless my 100 pound yellow Labrador decides to nudge open the door to be fed or walked! I’ve used a timer in the past, but like anything, if it’s not made a habit, it’s not going to work. Self-discipline is the name of the game in this business, that’s for sure! So keep a stiff upper lip, define your writing space and time, and get that book written!
How do you define your boundaries as a writer? Where are some great places you like to write? Do you allow yourself a certain amount of time to write? Would love to read your comments! Cheers and thank you for reading my blog!
0 Comments on Writers and Boundaries… as of 1/1/1900
We’ve collected the books debuting on Indiebound’s Indie Bestseller List for the week ending December 14, 2014–a sneak peek at the books everybody will be talking about next month.
(Debuted at #15 in Hardcover Nonfiction) So, Anyway… by John Cleese: “Cleese was just days away from graduating Cambridge and setting off on a law career when he was visited by two BBC executives, who offered him a job writing comedy for radio. That fateful moment—and a near-simultaneous offer to take his university humor revue to London’s famed West End—propelled him down a different path, cutting his teeth writing for stars like David Frost and Peter Sellers, and eventually joining the five other Pythons to pioneer a new kind of comedy that prized invention, silliness, and absurdity.” (November 2014)
(Debuted at #14 in Paperback Fiction) Inherent Vice by Thomas Pynchon: “It’s been a while since Doc Sportello has seen his ex- girlfriend. Suddenly she shows up with a story about a plot to kidnap a billionaire land developer whom she just happens to be in love with. It’s the tail end of the psychedelic sixties in L.A., and Doc knows that ‘love’ is another of those words going around at the moment, like “trip” or “groovy,” except that this one usually leads to trouble.” (June 2012)
National Public Radio (NPR) has an interview with John Cleese about his new autobiography So, Anyway... Check it out to discover what the British wit whose comic characters and hit movies, including Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Time Bandits, and A Fish Called Wanda, has to say about writing funny.
Here's a highlight from the NPR interview:
Cleese's advice for young comedy writers
"I tell them to steal, because comedy is extraordinarily difficult. It's much, much harder than drama. You only have to think of the number of great dramatic films and then compare that with the number of great comic films ... and realize that there's very, very few great comedies and there are lots and lots of very great tragedies, or dramas. That tells you, really, which is the hard one to do. So at the very beginning, to try to master the whole thing is too difficult, so pinch other people's ideas and then try to write them yourself, and that'll get you started."
To read and listen to the NPR interview, click on this link to NPR's website:
Do you agree that it's hard to write funny?
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0 Comments on Writing Funny Isn't Easy: Just Ask John Cleese as of 1/1/1900
It was announced last week that animation director Will Vinton, creator of the term Claymation and recipient of an Academy Award for his 1974 short film Closed Mondays, has a new film in the works called The Quest, an absurdist outer space adventure written by himself, Andrew Weise and Peter Crabbe. Vinton, who was forced out of Will Vinton Studios in 2002, the company that eventually became LAIKA, has previously directed one animated feature—The Adventures of Mark Twain (1985).
Names attached to The Quest, which will be computer animated, are production designer Bruce Zick (The Lion King, Prince of Egypt, WALL-E) and Monty Python alum John Cleese, who will provide the lead voice. The film will be produced by Will Vinton’s Vinton Entertainment and Gnosis Moving Pictures, a new production company founded by Darius A. Kamali, human rights advocate and associate producer on the 2008 MGM/Weinstein Company animated film Igor.
According to their website, Gnosis “aim[s] to explore the human condition, propagate communal understanding and reflect the creative potential of individual consciousness.” In addition to regular live action and 3D film projects, Kamali has aligned Gnosis with West coast game developers IPFranchise for the creation and distribution of apps, social media games and digital intellectual properties.
Have we posted this before? Maybe, but it’s worth watching again: John Cleese’s wonderful talk on creativity (circa 1991 (?), and found on the Google+ profile of The IT Crowd creator Graham Linehan). It’s about a half-hour long, but you can play it in the background.
0 Comments on Have we posted this before? Maybe, but it’s worth watching... as of 1/1/1900
You know it has happened to you. You're blissing out
inside your favorite bookstore, wrapped up in another world within the crisp
pages of a new book—or the crinkly ones of an old favorite—when suddenly it
happens. Another customer single-handedly destroys your literary
wanderlust with words that sends you reeling. Perhaps something like:
"You know, I'm not sure I've ever really read a
1 Comments on Announcing A New Release and Call for Entry: WEIRD THINGS CUSTOMERS SAY IN BOOKSTORES, last added: 4/29/2012
When I asked a customer why he wanted to return his book (a Hebrew edition Torah) he said, "I didn't want the Japanese edition, I want the American one!"
Your iPad just got funnier.Monty Python: The Holy Book of Days has been released as an interactive iPad app that takes readers behind the scenes to tell the story of making the classic Terry Gilliam film The Holy Grail. A diary of sorts, the app reads like a book, chronicling the 28 day film shoot.
Like a good set of DVD bonus features, the $4.99 app was made as a companion to the blu-ray with ultra-violet release. It includes original outtakes, rehearsals, songs, sound effects, scripts, storyboards and photos from the archives of people who worked on the movie. It’s got an introduction by John Cleese, interactive maps and even behnind-the-scenes details about props and costumes.
ScrollMotion and Melcher Media created the experience.
This year, many people are predicting that Apple’s iPad will be the number one gift found under the Christmas tree. Assuming that you’ve embraced the notion of e-books—and you’re happy with the saying: “Any reading is good reading!”—we’re certain that you’ll be looking for a couple of book apps to get your iPad recipient started.
From the more traditional pieces of literature to the fun, book-related games; these apps are a great way to kick-start a new iPad library or add to an existing one. Hopefully this list makes your job of sifting through the hundreds or available apps just a little bit easier.
Tom Thumb and the Knights of the Round Table
Told by John Cleese, illustrated by Tim Gabor, music by Elvis Costello
Price: $3.99 on iPhone / $3.99 on iPad
Publisher’s synopsis: John Cleese tells the tale of tiny Tom Thumb and his larger-than-life adventures in the land of King Arthur. Read along, play along, and record your voice with apps for families from Ruckus Media!
Features:
• READ the classic story!
• SEE the enchanting video!
• HEAR Emmy-Award winner John Cleese tell the story with an original score by recording artist Elvis Costello!
• RECORD your voice reading to your child!
Told by Meryl Streep, illustrated by Dave Jorgenson, music by George Winston
Price: $3.99 on iPhone / $3.99 on iPad
Publisher’s synopsis: Meryl Streep shares the tale of love so powerful it can turn a toy bunny into a real rabbit. Read along, play along, and record your voice with apps for families from Ruckus Media!
Features:
• READ the classic story!
• SEE the award-winning video!
• HEAR acclaimed actress Meryl Streep tell the story accompanied by pianist George Winston!
• RECORD your voice reading to your child!
Today's Ypulse Youth Advisory Board post is from Nina Lepp about the bond she formed with her dad over British comedy troupe Monty Python.
As always, you can communicate directly with any member of the Ypulse Youth Advisory Board by emailing them... Read the rest of this post
This upcoming year, I need to make some sacrifices and define my space (physical and emotional) in order to finish writing the next installment of my time travel series (so close!), and start brainstorming the next book. I’m lucky enough to have my own writing office, and there’s no little ones around to knock on the door. Unless my 100 pound yellow Labrador decides to nudge open the door to be fed or walked! I’ve used a timer in the past, but like anything, if it’s not made a habit, it’s not going to work. Self-discipline is the name of the game in this business, that’s for sure! So keep a stiff upper lip, define your writing space and time, and get that book written!
We’ve collected the books debuting on Indiebound’s 
Your iPad just got funnier. 
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When I asked a customer why he wanted to return his book (a Hebrew edition Torah) he said, "I didn't want the Japanese edition, I want the American one!"