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I don't have cable at all, which is both a good thing and a bad thing. These days I can watch most anything worthwhile on Hulu or Netflix (five dollars a month!), which is handy.

What I miss is being able to turn on the TV to some basic documentary or crappy sci-fi b-movie while I work. Sometimes I like having the sound, or something I can look up at periodically.

There are about five channels I would love to have, and I'd be willing to pay about five bucks a month for those five channels, so it really isn't worth it for me to pay $60+ for cable when I just want some fluff sometimes.

On the other hand, I've been watching more documentaries on Netflix lately, and I've learned a lot. Back in the day before Discovery and TLC became primarily reality-based shows, I used to love sitting around watching documentaries. It's cool to be able to do that again, so I'm getting more out of it. :)

Now if I could only get Hulu to put up the early seasons of Chuck streaming...

We did away with TV because we couldn't afford it. We did away with internet because we couldn't afford it either. Hey, YOU try to decide if you want to eat or have entertainment. It sucks. We now have internet again (obviously since I spend so much time on it) but still no TV.

Our roommate has a TV and has the converter box so she can watch network television. I may stop for a minute to watch while I wait for water to boil, but then I'm back to my books, my writing, and occasionally watching streaming stuff on my laptop or the big computer. I'll even watch the occasional DVD - okay, okay, I'll LISTEN to the occasional DVD movie/TV series...watching requires actually looking at the Mac where it's usually playing - while I'm writing to provide background noise.

When we get a place of our own, the only thing our TV will be used for is for my gamer husband to play his video games. We are just not a TV oriented couple anymore.

We have never had more than basic cable until a few months ago when my sister-in-law moved in and had to have ESPN. As soon as she moves out, we're back to basic. For the few times we watch TV, that's more than enough. I just can't find much that's worth my time to watch.

Television is both expensive and distracting.

My kids were really upset at first, but we have Netflix which streams television shows...granted they are a season old, but they didn't really seem to care.

So the habit to plop on the couch is not totally gone, but seriously curbed.

I get a lot more writing at night done when I'm not worrying about Pacey and Fringe.
Edge of Your Seat Romance

I was a teenager in the Fifties (I'm much older than all of you!) Nowhere near the number of commercials then on TV. And I still read books, books, books, and played outside with my friends. Then came Cable, and now DirecTV, which I canceled last summer; they kept raising the rates My disabled daughter agreed all she was really watching was weather (which she can get on her iPod and I on the Internet) and old movies/shows (which we now get through Netflix via Roku). Why pay almost $70 a month? That's a lot of money! Hooray for those who have done the same, or use antennas, etc.

Haven't had TV since I was seven. I watch House on Hulu and that's pretty much it.
Also, not having a TV to center my living room around makes my living space so much more zen.

All... the... time.

Unfortunately, our Networks suck.

Sigh.

*hugs* It's a tough world, but thanx to the internet we can have it all if we really want to. I don't watch too much TV either and I could survive on basic cable if I needed to, probably less if the truth be known. Thank God for the internet. I don't miss my newspaper prescription, or even watching the news. It's changing so many things, even the way in which I read (ipad). It's a good thing.

No TV. Just Netflix and a projector. It's great.

Not watching TV, when everyone else does, is probably the best way to take over the world. I'm sad you're jumping on that boat too. I'd rather not divide that pie again.

We dropped cable. The husband and I had a wonderful honeymoon in a house on a beach without telephone, internet, or cable, and we read like mad, wrote like mad, and enjoyed having dinner together sitting at a table.

We dropped our cable package - even went from digital cable with a box to good ole' coaxial in the back of the tv, and kept basic cable and broadband internet, and we're probably going to drop both for mifi as soon as we're convinced it's reliable.

We watch Hulu - Kitchen Nightmares, The Office; A&E online - Hoarders, Heavy; and the Daily Show on Comedy Central. We watch movies on Netflix. We bought episodes of The Walking Dead from Amazon on demand, so we didn't even miss out on that.

It's awesome to be off cable. We may buy a big monitor, so we aren't just huddling around a laptop -- but we may not.

I've never been a big TV fan, and I would rather listen to music than turn on the TV.

Haven't unplugged though, due to hubby's attachment to certain channels - like Mythbusters, Top Gear, etc.

For me, I like the movie channels -- especially when there's talk of more charges being levied for downloading movies, Netflix, etc. via the internet (in Canada, anyway). I'm hoping there will be intervention on that one.

Your brain cells thank you when your viewing of reality shows take a dive. (just IMO)

We can't get cable where we are, so we have a satellite, but only to watch sports and movies. And a lot of the movies we watch are DVDs, so mostly the sattelite is for sports. We watch almost no TV in terms of shows. Which is good, I think. I don't feel like I'm missing much, and I don't like that feeling of compulsion, of needing to watch this specific thing every week. I can't miss it! And so all your nights fill up with these shows you've scheduled into your life. Freedom and whimsy? No thank you. The next episode of ________ is on.

Congratulations on your rediscovered love of reading!!! You're right, when you do a lot of writing/reading, your brain just needs some veg time. That's great. No, I try to watch as little TV as possible, and descend into a crazy nonsensical guilt-spiral every time I find myself loving a show. Only "Twin Peaks," "Lost" (for a time), and "Glee" have ever sucked me under. Oh, and "Inside the Actor's Studio.":)

To be totally honest, my first thought reading this post was, 'Yay! Another writer loves television as much as I do.' I've always felt like writing and television are incompatible, or at least I feel like I've been told that a lot. But to be honest, I don't really watch that much TV. A few shows that I adore (House, Big Bang Theory, and The Office), and then sometimes I'll lounge with the Food Network on. But I do try not to let it cut in on my writing time. Anyway, I am super glad you are getting a chance to read some books of your own choosing. Hope this new pattern works well for you :)

Sarah Allen
(my creative writing blog)

I have a TV with a digital tuner. I had to cut back on some bills and cable was the first. I put rabbit ears on that TV and got 11 regular channels, 6 PBS channels (didn't even know that had that many), and 4 Spanish.

In Florida where I live we have the red box where you can rent a movie for $1, that's right $1.

The kids still watch to much TV, even with no cable. They complain a little about some of the shows they can't see, but they don't complain as much anymore.

We cut cable a year ago and haven't looked back. Much. We use netflix and watch online via hulu, etc. The only thing we miss is NFL, but that's what friends are for.

My writing time has skyrocketed, but even better, we're not exposing our two littles to all the advertising.

We never had a cord. We don't watch any broadcast TV at all, only videos, and those in moderation. Mostly classic movies and BBC, which we usually get from the library. It's more a cultural and spiritual decision for us than a financial one, although we couldn't afford cable if we wanted it.

I just bought a Playstation and stream Netflix through the console. So not only am I fine through basic cable, but I cut down the number of disks I get in the mail. Ding ding! Extra savings! Maybe after 20 years or so the Playstation will pay for itself.

I lived in a house without a tv for nine months. It was a basement flat and television signals apparently don't delve that low. Anyway, after these nine months of being tv less, tv was not fun anymore. Too many adverts and too static. I can't sit down for that long anymore. My concentration span it seems is not suited to the television.

For four years, we didn't have a tv really. We bought the shows we wanted to watch from itunesand used a projector and computer. Then we moved house and are without DSL plus the floor plan didn't allow for a projector.

So we bought a tv but for a month just watched DVDs and downloads that we'd stockpiled before moving, since we knew it would be awhile before we got DSL.

Then I had a baby at the end of November. Four years without any kind of broadcast tv and all it took was two nights alone with an infant to break me. I agreed to satellite television andbhave been watching while nursing my son, who is hungry *all* the time. Since Christmas, I've been on a steady diet of baby-related reality shows, reruns of the 90s (Frasier, Friends, ER, and XFiles), and some pretty good new shows, like Parenthood.

I've felt a little like my brain is rotting, but it's tricky to read one-handed, not to mention the hassle of driving 20 miles to the library or 40 to the bookstore. Then I hit upon the idea of getting Kindle books and reading them on the iPad. It's magic. I've already read 7 chaptersbof Dennis Lehane's latest and am happy out.

Here’s the thing, I hate cable TV but when I met Himself, part of the package along with two great step-sons was Sky TV. Three soccer mad males that need televised games as much as they needed oxygen. I hate sport of any kind – not doing it just watching it but the alternative was being a soccer widow had they decided to follow games at the stadiums. Ten years later and I am a convert. Why? Because I hate adverts even more than I hate televised sport and all the low rent stations that come with cable and SKY+ lets me fast forward past the whole lot at the touch of a button. Magic, worth every penny!

We are very retro living out in the wilds of Upstate New York. There is no cable. It is not a choice. We could go for a satellite as our neighbors have, but I object to paying for TV. As a consequence, we have a marvelous big flat screen TV connected to the networks by a reasonably good antenna providing us with more viewing options than we need. Movies look really good on that screen. So does PBS! I am content with my books, my e-reader and the manuscripts I am working on. Now if I could wean myself from FaceBook.....

We haven't had a TV in more than 2 years, though we DO watch some shows on Hulu and AETV with our laptops, such as House, Lie To Me, Bones, The First 48 and Glee! =)

I miss having a "real" TV from time-to-time, as I love playing the Wii, but I must say, we've been more productive over the past 2 years than I think we've ever been! We've even lost weight, as we don't snack as much without a TV.

Now that I have an e-Reader (the Nook), I find that I read even MORE than ever, which gives me great pleasure =)

Good on ya for getting rid of cable and its brain-sucking capabilities. I agree, TV just ain't what it used to be with all of the ridiculous, inane reality shows.

I've had basic cable in the more than three years I've been married. It was hard at first, because I live on channels like Discovery and History, but I got used to it. We have Netflix and only pay like $9 a month for unlimited streaming movies and TV shows. We've been thinking of cutting the basic cable too and just using an antenna since all the channels are digital now, and I really have like one or two shows that I watch regularly. And if I miss those--Hulu :)

I don't pay for the cable in my house, so I really don't have a say in whether we keep it or get rid of it.

This isn't as awesome as your lifestyle adjustments, but we recently got rid of HBO and Showtime-and saved $30 a month in the process. Am I still going to watch True Blood? Absolutely! I may have to wait for it to come on DVD, though.

I watch so little TV I would definitely save the cash if I could- but I'm outvoted in this house...BBC America (Doctor Who, basically) keeps us a slave to the cable powers that be...for now.

I just don't have enough eyesight to go around, I honestly only watch a couple shows, mostly ones I got hooked on while I was too sick to do anything else last year and so I still watch them- Cake Boss and Pawn Stars (which is funny and you learn the coolest stuff on that show).

There are just so many other things I'd rather be doing...believe me when I tell you, Jedi Master, when I went blind, TV was NOT something I cried over losing.

In fact, when the last of my vision was going, I would sit every night and watch the sunset and wonder if it'd be the last one I would ever see. Then, when I got limited use of my sight back, the sights I saw- my child's shiny new braces and the smile that went with them, the stars, for the first time in years, and the ability to see colors to paint again...well, yeah.

TV is still a hugely low priority for me.

They don't know how long I'll keep the vision I got back- already lost a great deal of it in the one eye. The other has a clock ticking on it but no one knows when time will be up. So every day, I have to decide what I spend my eyesight on very carefully.

For just about a year now, as much as possible, this blog has been one of those things. :~) Soon as I figure out how to make it work i'l have my reader program reading your words to me in a British accent and that will amuse me highly.

and I never like, link my blog here and stuff but I know you have said you love Disneyland- if you want to see something cool, there's a post on my blog from August 10, 2010 where I talk about going to Disney World to see the fireworks after getting my sight back.

The Cast Members there did some pretty cool stuff for me when they found out about my eyes- you may enjoy it.

I just wish I could adequately describe what it was like to see the individual little lightbulbs lighting up Main Street for the first time in my life. I never saw them right, even as a child. It was incredible...and so much better than TV. And I remember sitting in Rocket Tower Plaza, eating popcorn for breakfast before going to see the Jack Sparrow pirate show and thinking- THIS is the kind of thing I fought to get my sight back for.

Sorry for the detour there...I just hope that maybe somebody reading this will decide to unplug today too and appreciate their vision a little more in the process.

~bru

Stopped cable in 2003. Best decision EVER. If I find a television show I like, it's cheaper to buy it or to rent it.

I am so geared up it is ridiculous. Digital cable with premium channels, Roku box and Apple TV. Stream Netflix, Amazon VOD as well as Comcast On Demand. Cable is outrageously expensive. I have thought about trying to cut cable out all together but it comes down to a math equation. If you watch a good 6 shows or so (especially premium cable shows) and want to catch them on original release it can be more expensive to buy them online. That said if you only like a few shows cut that cable. The prices charged for top of the line cable service are absurd.

Great minds (?) do not always think alike! I'm going the other way soon. I've hardly watched TV in 3 years, but I do miss it. Movies and documentaries more than series, though.

I do watch DVDs though, and Blu-rays when I can get the damned blasted AACS Key work-of-the-devil-himself thingybob updated. I hope e-books work better than Blu-rays, or we could all be doomed! DOOMED, I tell ya!

So, your indirect employers are indirectly rotting your brain? But not in their view, of course. I see a plot! An SF plot. JACOB WONDERBAR AND THE TRIBAL JOB POW-WOW?

P. S. You won't LITERALLY cut the cable, will you, Nathan? I have visions of thousands of SURVIVOR-deprived San Franciscans throwing themselves off the Golden Gate Bridge and causing one helluva traffic jam.

I cut back ages ago and found some interesting alternative channels were included in my basic DISH lineup. Nothing like Free Speech TV, Link TV, and others to remind you of how filtered our news is on regular channels.

If the UK's Syfy, E4, Skys and the channels that are loosely BBC's, weren't available, I'd be gnawing on my TV set like a Daybreakers-bad-vamp. Nasty.

We cut the cable completely about five months ago. Nobody really misses it, the six year old included.
I have books to write, my husband has films to edit, and my son has lego towns to build. Once in a while we make some treats and watch a movie.
Life is good.

Dumping ESPN gets you a corner cut off your Man Card.

Oh my God - i'm the only one i know (up until i read your post responses)that does not have television. that is so not a reflection of the national average. me included; i don't have a television.

are we the only beings in the Western Hemisphere that prefer, dare we say, something else?

We have basic cable, but don't watch that often. We're more likely to set the TV to a cable music channel or Pandora Radio.

99% of what we watch is DVR-

Modern Family
Big Bang Theory
The Daily Show
The Colbert Report
America's Funniest Videos

And of course, read/write as time permits.

My fiance and I have a TV that we only use for watching DVDs. We don't have Sky (British cable) and we're not even sure if our house has a TV license (which you legally need in order to watch TV in the UK). It's great. We spend loads of time reading and writing, we only watch shows we really like on DVD or on the Internet, and we don't have to sit through inane commercials.

We cut the cord when our first born was about a year old. That was almost 10 years ago and haven't looked back since. And thanks to good ol' fashioned commercialism and utube, our kids haven't been sideswiped by it. They're just as familiar with Sponge Bob and Phineas and Ferb as the next kid.

We haven't had any cable at all for years. Not even during
9/11. It was a week until I actually saw the horror of that on a TV screen. I read a lot, write a lot, and watch movies on Netflix.

I used to be a TV junkie. My weekdays were driven by what shows to watch on each night. Even if I wasn't watching TV it had to be on (it was like having company, a distraction from the silence where you can hear the house settling). Needless to say, I wasn't much of a reader (or writer) at that time. Since I found the joys of getting lost in a book or creating my own worlds through writing, however, I've weened myself from the idiot box. Now, I find that I watch one or two shows on network television. For anything else, such as Dexter or Dead Like Me, my family and I will catch those episodes on Netflix during "family time". I've come to revel in the pleasure of life outside of the glass tube. Cheers, Nathan. Thanks for sharing!

We go with the basic package which is already highway robbery.

I'm sort of a news junky, which is usually a complete waste of time as it just loops and teases.

I have three shows I really like, so they will probably not last long:

Glee (LOVE it!)
Harry's Law
Parenthood

Others, I might tune in for or not.

If I could just rig a set of rabbit ears and get the main stations, I would be happier not paying $80.00 a month!

Over the weekend I ended up watching an hour of National Geographic on my computer on i-tunes: a documentary about crocodiles. It was unbelievably moving and I realized how different and intimate it was with headphones and the screen right there.I was affected so much more than on the TV across the room. I noted that there are over 2,000 such documentaries on i-tunes of free National Geographic with awesome footage, original music, and that bring you into the universe.

Welcome back to rereading and the love of reading for relaxation.

Not itunes, watched it on Youtube.

(brain on after Superbowl loss of wiring)

You should be watching Community. Best show on TV.

I've never really understood the aversion to television. As long as it's not your only source of entertainment, why not watch T.V.? Sometimes, after a week of running around constantly, being around people all the time, and taking in endless reams of information, it's just nice to sit and veg out in front of the television for a little while.

That said, I'm quite sure I watch much more television now than I did when I was younger.

Nathan,
I was going to tell you not to shit where you eat, but if CBS is one of your handful of channels they should be happy.

I'm wondering if it would be possible for you to pick up more digital channels with an antenna than paying for basic cable? I've tried the indoor antennas and they suck. I bolted a Wingaurd (sp?)to my roof and was able to pick up about 20 channel between Chicago and Madison. If you search Google for "over the air digital TV" you will find a site which tells you which channels are in your area.

Unfortunately I'm a DIY and HDTV junkie.

We fired our Cable company two months ago and haven't looked back. Have a ROKU box and Netflix and digital rabbit ears (we get about 20 HD channels with this alone). We watch MAYBE one regular show - Big Bang Theory - a week.

Have watched a lot of interesting movies and documentaries.

And of course READ!!!!

My husband and I ditched cable a couple of years ago because we just weren't watching that much tv. Now we can't even get regular television channels and that's ok. I watch streaming shows on Netflix on my XBox or on Hulu and if I can't get something on either of those that I really want to watch, I'll buy a season pass on Zune on my XBox. Right now I only watch Supernatural this way. I really don't miss cable as much as I thought I would.

We have basic cable. We'd have even less if it were possible, but we have to buy cable to get cable internet (and I'd give up my hot water before I gave up my cable internet). College pretty much weaned me off TV. I'd rather be writing :-) But I do watch nikita online.

Welcome to our world Nathan! Cable cutting is taking over my friend. Haven't had it now for a year plus. I also happen to be writing much more in that time frame. And if you ever want to watch something the internet has it all anyway. TV is only useful for live sports these days.

In New Zealand we have "Sky TV", which is like your cable. I too have been thinking about cancelling or suspending our account. Over the last few months there's only been a couple of good shows a week, if you don't count the regular shows they have on every day about antiques and food.

I suggested this to my husband and he protested vehemently.

Basic cable for us as well. I am happy Parks and Rec is back, and we also are mad for 30 Rock.

I just watched a program I "missed" on my computer and it was way better as there were only a few seconds of commercials, not enough to interrupt the program the way TV commercials do.

NOW that I realize all my shows can be seen on my computer,my biggest consideration is just the "sharing the show" part with my hubby.

Hmm, but now some ideas on rabbit ears. Thanks guys. I thought they wouldn't work anymore after TV changed over.

I cut the cable a few years ago. I work in television and find Reality TV impossible to watch. I found that the only thing I was watching were sports and cable shows. Oh, and sometimes the news.

Now, my smartphone gives me the news.

Netflix gives me a season's worth of good tv shows. All I have to do is wait, and I don't mind waiting.

And I get the sports via my computer.

To the list of great scripted shows I'd add to yours; Dexter, Southland and The Closer.

All available on your computer.

My tv is rarely even on anymore.

We only have basic cable. Our ah ha moment came when my husband and I figured out we were watching a lot of DIY home improvement shows when we could be working on the house. DUH! Couldn't agree with you more. Bring back Seinfeld! ; )

I am a former news and reality tv junky who gave it all up for only two channels 9 years ago

I still dream of Jeff though-can´t hep it :)

We've cut it totally. Haven't had television for three years, except for a brief stint when I was home on maternity leave.

The only two shows I miss (and which I watch on the internet at their channel sites) are Bones and The Vampire Diaries.

I don't miss anything else except news. And anything important in the news is on CNN live. :)

I watch TV less than anyone in my house... but I haven't cut the (DirecTV) because it makes a great babysitter for my husband. Um, I mean my kids.

Embarrassed to say I read, The Great Gatsby, for the first time two months ago. Loved it!

Big Bang, Modern Family and Glee, that's about all our family watches. Guess I should think about cutting the cable too.

I've never had more than basic cable, and that I only pay for because I need it to get decent reception. The few shows I still watch are on network tv, and for everything else, there's Netflix. There's just too much else I'd much rather do than watch tv.

I have lived WITHOUT A TV for SIXTEEN MONTHS now!!! It's amazing how life changes...and how much you can still watch online these days. Saving a lot of money and got wayyyyy more writing etc done last year.

I have the opposite problem: all the shows I follow are on premium channels (Showtime, HBO, Logo, Bravo, SyFy, RFD-TV). Many of these are not available on Hulu yet, and I'd have to wait until the seasons came out on DVD to rent. To cut cable means to go without completely.

I wish there were an ala carte option, whereby one could pick and choose only the "favorites" and leave the remaining 7,000 channels off the roster.

Well, I suppose there is--iTunes subscriptions might do the trick. Hmm. You've given me an idea.

Oh, I stopped watching TV 10 years ago and haven't really missed it. I don't even own a TV and don't want one.

But now I have the distraction of the internet. Smack in the middle of writing something, I suddenly have this "urge" to check my email.

So, I turn everything off, do my work, get some reading done and then at the end of the day, have fun on the internet and deal with the emails I didn't get done during the say.

Basic is what we've been the last four years since returning from Asia where we lived for a couple of decades (without cable). The only reason for Basic is because the antenna has terrible reception, it comes cheap with the internet connection, and I like to watch the local news on occasion - plus Bill Moyers was great before he retired.

No cable whatsoever. BUT I just finished The Great Gatsby over the weekend :-). I absolutely loved it. Pop culture melds with Shakespeare…so genius.

Also, I came across this youtube of The Office spliced together to form The Great Gatsby. It made me laugh.

the office

a girl & her books

Can't do it, as I have a package deal--cable, phone and Internet. Reduce the size of the cable package and I also reduce how much I can download per month.

I've talked to the cable company about reducing the cable but keeping the Internet at top levels. They don't allow that. Nor do they allow me to pick which channels I'd like to pay for. Because there are plenty of channels I never watch and never will...but I'm not allowed to just pay for what I use. It's very silly.

Once we reached the point that even the ten-year-old had his own laptop, someone IM’d someone else to turn the TV off because it was so noisy and no one was watching it.
But really, the ten-year-old usually plays outside until the sun goes down and then reads until he falls asleep, unless this schedule is interrupted by whatever sport practice is in season. We are all so busy that we watch things on Vudu or Netflix when we really want to see something, and most days no one even bothers to find the remote.
We could save some serious $ if we made the call to cut the cable. I think we are ready to take that step too.

I don't have cable at all. I used to have bunny ears, but now I have the digital version of bunny ears, which btw STINKS! because that fuzzy picture that you could sort of watch, but more listen to doesn't come in at all now. It shows an icon, No Signal. Boo! I want my static back! LOL :D Besides that though, no cable is not that bad anymore. I get lots of channels...and I even catch reruns of Burn Notice, not to mention THREE channels of PBS that feature all the cool stuff PBS used to never have, including craft, cooking, world news, travel, and kid shows. It's like cable, compressed into three stations.

Way to go Nathan. A dollar saved is a dollar earned. ;) LOL

I've got cable but I'm the only one in my family who doesn't really watch TV all that much. Everyone else does! I only watch roughly two hours a week.

~TRA

http://xtheredangelx.blogspot.com

I have no television.

Okay, technically I DO have A television. It doesn't work. I tried to turn it on one day so my mom and I could watch a movie (Time Traveler's Wife. The only way I can get them to read good books is to go watch the movies based on the good books) and the thing made a fizzling sound, and has since refused to turn on.

It is not missed. I have the internet (and an employer who buys 52 inch flatscreen TVs for the breakroom) and if I really want a movie, I can buy the download off of Amazon. And because there are three or four things I need to be doing at any given moment (work on knitting designs, paint something, write, read a book) having a TV that actually functioned wouldn't be a good plan.

And I hate reality television (excepting Deadliest Catch) because most of the time it portrays terrible people doing things a brainless monkey would know not to do. (Teen Mom. TEEN. MOM. WE ARE GLORIFYING PEOPLE MAKING REALLY BAD LIFE DECISIONS GOD HELP US ALL) Most scripted TV is also terrible (2 1/2 men) and the handful of exceptions have lost me due to my not having a TV. If I want a well written story I will buy a book.

I think I'm going to take the tube out of the Telepaperweight and turn it into a bookcase. Just 'cause.

I actually just RESTARTED my cable for the specific purpose of having ESPN. And, almost immediately upon the cable guy leaving, I realized that you can get quite a bit of ESPN programming live through their website. So...

Hi Nathan,

Last year I gave up cable TV for Lent...and never turned it back on. Not only has it been better for my check book, it's been good for my spirit. I used to be addicted and if the tube was on i couldn't get anything done! Especially Writing!
It's been a year now, and I couldn't be happier. I can get most all of the shows I enjoy (Castle, NCIS, Project Runway, Bones) online the day after they air!
And I've written one book and working on another...thinking of writing a screenplay, too! And I see my friends more, socializing now with REAL people rather than the 2D ones....And I've read a lot more as well.
Good for you!! I look forward to your post one year from now celebrating "Cutting the Cable."

Nathan! I just had to comment because I'm currently re-reading The Great Gatsby too--albeit for school, haha. I just love everything about it, especially the setting and the melancholic descriptions of the summer as it comes to its tragic close. Great choice after years of being unable to pleasure re-read!

I usually watch t.v. at night as a break from writing & blogging. No network, just cable channels and movies.

Never had cable. Ever! There are times I think I'd like it, but I have a few shows on regular TV that I watch regularly and that's enough for me!

I haven't had cable, satellite or as much as rabbit ears in 8 years. All my "TV" needs are satisfied through the internet. While everyone complains about paying for HuLu or pays a monthly NetFlix bill I enjoy the free TV shows on the internet right from the three main channels. ABC.com, NBC.com, and CBS.com. THey are as easy to change channels as they always were.

Then I budget in about $20 a month for iTunes downloads. No TV bill what so ever. The only thing I can't get this way is any sports, and that is fine. I can read in the paper.

I will never go back to a TV bill.

Hubs and I have never had cable. Whatever comes through the antenna seems to be fine, and I only need to see House, 30 Rock, The Office and Masterpiece Theater. Netflix is a godsend and I highly recommend HBO's Band of Brothers and The Pacific. Superb TV!

Other than that, I'm reading. (Right now Daniel Abraham's four Long Price Quartet books. Awesome!)

Any TV watched in my house is either streamed from the network or Netflix, or bought per episode or season.

We tried cable TV twice. The DVR kept filling up, and we never used it.

As a college student, my free time for both television and pleasure reading has decreased the closer I get to graduating.

And I agree with Nate Wilson. For the price of Cable TV, I could buy six paperbacks or two hardcover books. I get much more out of reading a book for the first time, than turning my brain off for 24 minutes.

My husband is glued to the TV from the moment he walks into the house. It pulls him in like a magnet. I can't understand it. But he's not a reader. So what's left? I like only a couple of shows. That's it. Much rather prefer to read, write, learn...

Good for you! Money saved.

I can't afford Pay TV - which is what we call it in Aussie - and I'm not a big TV fan. IMHO, which no one else might agree with, I feel the Brits produce the best TV in the world. I love BBC shows like Merlin, The Vicar of Dibley, Dr Who and BBC documentaries. I'm not enamoured with the endless police and murder type shows from the U.S or the over-the-top sitcoms. (Again, this is just IMHO.) However I feel the U.S. does a very entertaining reality TV show. Programs such as The Bachelor and American Idol have me watching every episode. I have to resort to Youtube for American Idol, though, as it's only available on Foxtel or Star something or other.

Nope, 'cause my hubs is a TV addict, we're fully cable-fied. Although I love TV, I'm pretty disciplined about my watching: only my few favorites (Modern Family and Mad Men included), and only during "brain dead" time.

We have TV, but I don't watch much except for peeking in on some Glenn Beck when Mom watches it, and Big Bang Theory -- which is a lovely way to waste time, I tell you! I don't get into movies much either -- except good stuff, like Inception, Batman Begins, and Dark Knight. ;D

I find I just don't have much time for TV, what with a full time job, kids, and writing. And since I am not an agent, I definitely prefer reading to watching the tube. But I do have a couple faves.

I'm down to antenna only. On an HDTV... just as good as cable reception.

I stopped watching TV in 1982. My only regret is never seeing the final episode of MASH. That's it.
"The rest is silence."

I have box sets of The Tudors, Deadwood and Big Love. What more does one need?

The Borgias, that's what. Bring it, Showtime.

With rabbit ears I get cbs, abc, nbc, fox, cw/wb, 4 or 5 PBS stations, a weather channel, pentagon channel, and about six stations in Spanish. I go to Hulu for what I miss seeing at its original air time. Why pay for anything when I get that much for free? I'm hooked on Fringe right now.
Try rabbit ears for digital signals. You might get more stations than you do with basic cable.

We LOVE TV and movies! We had the platinum version of cable that included EVERYTHING for over a year, and we loved it. But we work in the industry and we're too busy to watch all the shows we record. We'd have marathon sessions watching all the CSI episodes we'd taped, then all the Dexters, then all the Chucks, etc. And we'd fall exhausted into bed. Then one day someone invited us for lunch on a Saturday - TV watching day! When we hesitated to say yes, we realized maybe we had a tiny problem. LOL! So we cut it all the way back to basic - and then summer came and we weren't missing anything. Now we're reading more again, so we rent or buy the full season of whatever we can't see and we have a marathon session at our own leisure. (We just watched all four years of Farscape over three months! Awesome!)

...cut the cable when my daughter was 5 years old...she's now a scholarship sophomore at Yale...

When my wife and I bought our house, our monthly outflow for housing went from $1100/month to $1400, and my wife was only working part time, so we cut cable. We watch HDTV using rabbit ears and TiVO, and it works great. Anything we can't watch that way, we either wait for DVD or watch it on Hulu.

That said, I'm also almost always within reach of several books, so a lot of reading gets done, too.

Holy cow, if you ever get to this one, Nathan, I'll be giddy. My husband and I have thought of cutting cable for awhile now. The problem is, we get cable/cable internet in a bundle and we'd only save about $10 if we cut the cable and kept the internet. It doesn't really seem worth it.

My name is Kerry Gans. I have NO cable! That's right, just broadcast TV.

Even before our baby came along, I only watched a little TV - my husband didn't even HAVE a TV before we married. After the baby came, well, forget about it! Any time I have free is for writing and other things that do not involve the TV. So, broadcast works for us!

We've never had cable, but just bought a new wide-screen TV because are old one packed in.

Now, there are lot's of new channels, but I still don't watch it much. The only programes I watch are the news and animal shows. I can't miss Bondi Vet. (Chris Brown is awesome.)

I mainly write, read, work, excersise, and life. No time left for TV.

I don't want to alarm you with The CrazyTalk here, but I recommend ditching cable altogether. We did years ago and don't miss it at all. Between the internet, Netflix, Hulu, etc. we can get pretty much everything we need, with the added benefit of a friends and family filter ("Hey, we just finished watching seasons one and two of Lie to Me. What do you recommend watching next?").

Also? You could spend even *more* money on books published before 2005/1930. ;)

I only watch Chuck. How could I not? Best Show EVER!

Yeah, ditch basic too. We've been off the television grid since 1997 and it's only when we stop at my in-laws' house that we realize what we're not missing.

We do watch lots of movies, and have introduced our kids to a lot of the classics. Our boys -- ages ten and six -- were transfixed a few weeks ago by an episode of "The Waltons," of all things.

We don't miss it. We're both too busy to miss it, and so are the kids. My wife and I both write and edit at night after the kids go to bed, the kids have their Legos and other toys to play with and plenty of books to read.

The only network show I watch on a regular basis is NCIS. Never miss it.

But I can't get rid of cable because I cannot live without the History Channel. (At least I don't have super duper cable so I can watch History Channel International.)

Actually the History Channel feeds my reading habits. I discover many great books and authors on there. But then I mostly read nonfiction.

yup yup yup. i had the exact same realization. we decided to get rid of our television completely. now if there's anything we want to watch we have netflix, hulu, iTunes, etc. it's amazing.

and.. somehow incredibly liberating.

I've nearly always only had basic, or broadcast over cable, or whatever you want to call it. Every few years I'd get HBO or Showtime for a season. Lately I've had the expanded because I so love AMC. (MAD MEN! BREAKING BAD!) But I could go back down to basic pretty easily.

And yeah, COMMUNITY is pretty awesome. Look for the episode MODERN WARFARE -- you can stream it via Amazon. Sooooo funny!

I stopped cable 2 years ago because I found myself turning it on just out of boredom. All of a sudden I realized that I could do so much more with my evenings if the TV wasn't on. I have five channels and never watch them and because of this I finished my first book. Besides...all the really good TV is on Netflix. :-)

My hubby loves the TV in the evening. He'd never go for basic cable. We watch with the kids usually for a little while. I tend to knit during that time, so I feel like I'm being productive.

My roommate has cable. I rarely use it, and sort of resent being asked to pay my "half" for it. I have Netflix, and I'm perfectly happy with that. But the cable is tied in with the Internet, and I do use that quite a bit.

Myself and my partner choose not to have a tv. We watch a film a couple of times a week on one of our laptops. We don't download or stream shows. We are both studying and noise of tv in house would just disrupt the other person.

We can't afford anything TV. We do HAVE a TV, though. Combine that with a DVD player and a library card, and you get hours of Star Trek, Deep Space Nine. (Which I'm just discovering, and am (almost) unashamed to admit it.)

Meanwhile, my side of the bed is overflowing with half-read books. Edgar Allen Poe, Disney's Fairies, Rick Riordon's Red Pyramid, The Grimms Brothers, Lori Copeland's Heavenly Daze... I'm having trouble finding the spark that keeps me reading. Although, the first thirty pages of Suzanne Collins' Greg the Overlander seems promising.

In the frustration of my rut, I picked up drawing again. It's exciting. I'd forgotten the physics of that world.

Wait... this isn't my diary. Wait... I don't have a diary!

I swear, for a split second, I thought you loved TV like Chris Hansen liked rose ceremonies. You know, the guy from To Catch a Predator? I thought maybe TV had reached a new low.

We canceled cable a few years ago, opting to watch everything online instead. Partly it was to save money, but mostly it was because we were fed up with the crappy service and intermittent functionality from our cable provider. Between Netflix, Hulu, the networks' own websites, and fancast, we're missing only a couple shows that we used to watch. One of those we pick up on DVD when it comes out, another releases some episodes online periodically, and the third we really don't miss. We've also discovered so many other shows that we missed the first time around, like Buffy, Angel, Veronica Mars, and Eureka. So I can't really see going back to cable.

After deciding to cut our cable two years ago, we had to get inventive for Hockey Night in Canada. My husband and I call it the "hell raiser". He made it out of a plank of wood and a bunch of nails. When hung at the right angle, we can get the games in HD!

It's simple for us. We live in the boonies where no cable company dares to come. :)

My husband and I have decided to go without any TV—or rather, we still have the television, but the only thing it’s hooked up to is the DVD player. We still watch tons of shows, but we watch through hulu or Netflix. On our own schedule, not cable’s.

I will admit there are few things I don’t love about it … I don’t love that I’m the last to know when something amazing happens on True Blood because I have to wait for the season to be available for rent. And there are three times a year when I truly deeply painfully wish I had TV – the Super Bowl, the Oscars and the Macys Thanksgiving Parade. These three traditions can’t really be watched any way but live, and I miss that. But there are sports bars, fashion magazines and relatives’ houses for those. You get over it pretty fast.

Trying to keep mine closed as much as I can. I put it on "HDMI 1" so it only works with the playstation (games + movies). It's already time gained.

Trying to keep mine closed as much as I can. I put it on "HDMI 1" so it only works with the playstation (games + movies). It's already time gained.

I could "cut the cord" in a minute, but my husband is addicted to Turner Classic Movies and sports.
I have been known to sit with my laptop, earphones and a DVD of Man Men while he watches whatever he watches. At least we are in the same room!

My hubby and I have never been big television watchers. We do have ESPN due to being crazy football fans, but that's about the extent of our must-watch tv. We're also big nerds and love NatGeo--we've watched about four documentaries in the last few weeks.

The only time we watch on-going shows are through Netflix. We've seen BSG, and are currently watching Glee. I've heard Modern Family is great, so maybe we'll try that next.

I canceled my cable when I moved into my house and replaced rent with mortgage.

Without basic cable, I had to buy the rabbit ears converter boxes when everything went digital a few years back. Since then, one has died and I'm waiting for the 2nd one to follow suit.

Overall, I don't miss it. I can get my baseball audio feel online, most of my shows via hulu or the network site, and really, when I think long and hard about it, I don't even care about the shows I do watch online.

My tv watching habits changed after I had our first child. I needed to record shows that I could watch in the wee hours of the morning while I fed my son but knew I wouldn't be awake or too busy during primetime tv. I also don't watch the news anymore because its too depressing or infuriating.
We scaled back our fios package to save money a few months ago though- diaper prices keep increasing

Nice idea, but I'd miss CNN, headline news and others. I use the Weather channel a lot, also.

Just found "Being Human" on the Syfy channel (there is also a BBC version). Love it!

My husband and I decided almost a year ago that anything on tv worth watching we can catch on hulu. We don't even have basic anymore. When we sold the big screen for the computer-sized screen, I will admit, I had a slight panic attack. But it's been great. The kids watch less, I watch less, and more stuff gets accomplished. I savor the special shows for when I'm folding clothes (it makes folding them bearable).

I don't pay for TV at all.

I use a digital antennae and get about six channels.

The rest of my viewing pleasure comes from free DVDs borrowed from the library. You can even get TV on DVD there so it's a perfect (and cost effective way) to watch.

I don't even have basic cable.

Why?

Because I am a hopeless addict of all things smut/awful/pointless TV. I will watch ALL day if it's available.

I love smut TV like the "Real Housewives of Atlanta" love cat fights, plastic surgery, and fake Manolos. It's B.A.D.{ and quite sad, really}.

Good for you for making a little break from some of it.

Oh, and your three "can't miss" shows? SO there with you. We stream Mad Men onto the laptop, and love watching the other two on the 5 channels we get for free :)

I'm still waiting for ANYTHING to top Arrested Development though. Ah, those were the good old days...

Goodness What a great blog, i'm sure you get tired of hearing that! Or perhaps you don't!

:-) Who am i to judge foibles.

Thanks for some fantastic links!

I will follow your blog with over avid eagerness I'm sure.

i am a brand spanking new author :-) Just starting to play. What fun! What fun!

this is Moi! --> http://precociousscribe.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html

Well done

Constance (or some other such name)

Well, despite your advice a few weeks ago to be one of the first 10 commenters, I couldn't get by yesterday, but I want to say that 30 Rock is one of the best scripted shows on TV. For the record, I agree with your top three, but 30 is also amazing and on right after Parks&Rec.

We only have basic cable, too. I was raised on a TV, and so prefer not having so many options that I keep flipping for hours instead of just turning the TV off and reading a good book. The author took the time to think through every sentence and every word. TV shows are written quickly to get to the masses, and it's hard to sense the care involved that is easily found in a nice paperback written with love and passion for words.

nathan- i haven't been by in awhile, so wanted to say hi and I can't believe you're not agenting! whoo!

re: tv: we cut the cord 3 years ago when our cheapy introductory rate expired. glad we did! our electricity bill went down by $15/month and we're more active overall.

We cut the cable about two years ago. I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss it from time to time (usually on days of big sports events that I have to go over to someone else's house to watch), but most of the time I hardly notice it's gone. I only watch two shows that are airing right now and I can get both of them on Hulu. Anything else I can watch on Netflix whenever I want. And there aren't as many commercials.

I too am considering cutting the cable. I watch very little during the week besides the news and The Daily Show...and it's just too expensive.

Dan Brown isn't trying to write lyrical masterpieces. He's writing what he loves. It works for him and millions of others. I don't think there's anything to be ashamed of for liking a great story. I can't wait to read his latest.

Before coming here, I had just linked to Rebecca Ramsey's post in a comment response on my own blog. I'm partial to "it's raining chair legs."

At the end of the day, if I'm in love with my story and my characters, at the very least they work for me.

At this humble point, I am aiming for a twenty-person readership fan club.

I have 2 for 2 on full reads so far and a handful of chapter fans. It may seem like small stuff, but I can't begin to tell you all how wonderful even one reader is, especially when they go on about your characters because they came to life for them.

(When and if the price for on-demand is ever right, I am considering hiring an editor so that my novel is polished and then on-demand pubbing it for those twenty folks. My own little limited edition.
But if you can't make it in the big pond, maybe a little puddle could be a splash.)

Wow! Daniel Menaker's article was truly impressive. Like all well-written novels, his voice was engaging, the facts were frightening, and yet, he ended it on a positive note. Well, he ended it as positively as reality would allow.

I learned more about the deeeep inner workings of the publishing industry from his article than I've learned from anywhere else. Sure, I've known the facts, the statistics, and all of the other assorted bad news for some time, but I’d never experienced it.

By the end of the article, I was genuinely feeling empathy for the acquisition editors, even the ones who will one day be rejecting the fruit of my blood, sweat, tears, and fragile ego.

Thanks for sharing the article.

Wow! Daniel Menaker's article was truly impressive. Like all well-written novels, his voice was engaging, the facts were frightening, and yet, he ended it on a positive note. Well, he ended it as positively as reality would allow.

I learned more about the deeeep inner workings of the publishing industry from his article than I've learned from anywhere else. Sure, I've known the facts, the statistics, and all of the other assorted bad news for some time, but I’d never experienced it.

By the end of the article, I was genuinely feeling empathy for the acquisition editors, who will eventually be rejecting the fruit of my blood, sweat, tears, and fragile ego.

Thanks for sharing the article.
(I didn't mean to post as Anonymous)

Nathan, Thanks a lot for mentioning our GENRE WARS contest! I really appreciate your support! I also wanted to mention that the proceeds from the anthology will also be donated to a reading/writing charity or non-profit.

"It's not like I watch The Bachelor in the hopes of finding deep meaning and spiritual enlightenment!! That's just a bonus."

How many times have I laughed on this blog? I'm going to have to start a Nathan Bransford quote wall in my room.

On another note, I'm starting to wonder if holding on to my novel until brighter (or at least different) days wouldn't be such a bad idea.

Nathan, regarding your anon judgment, King Solomon would be so proud.

And I do like Dan Brown because sometimes you just want to sit down and plow through a book. His books are fun. It's as simple as that.

Spiderman? Spiderman?


Nathan, Nathan, Nathan...


BATMAN. Find a BATMAN quote. BATMAN is so much cooler I can't even type BATMAN unless I do so in capital letters.


Spiderman.... sheesh!


:P

I'm not going to diss Dan Brown because I think I'm too cool for his books, but the Da Vinci Code was one of those books I put down after a couple of pages because I didn't get into it. Saying that, I do that with a heck of a lot of books. It's just that anyone would think God had released a sequel to the Bible, the way everyone is carrying on... Surely it couldn't have been THAT fantastico a book? Or should I give it another shot?

Ha. love the spider-man comment. I still can't believe brown broke the sales on first day record. crazy.

Thanks for the interesting links.

I'm trying like crazy to think of some comment that's just on the edge of smarmy but not something that would have to be moderated.

Either I'm too tired or Nathan's good karma is blocking it.

Curses. Foiled again!

Warning: extremely complimentary post about to follow. :)

Nathan, yesterday was marvelous. Watching as you asked input, engaged, weighed both sides, and came to a decision was major cool. You have a gift for leadership.

But most important, thanks for allowing this blog to continue to be an open forum. And I like your compromise. I hope having to ponder deletion decisions less will make your job easier.

And speaking of gifts, since I'm being complimentary, can I just add that I gave alittle sigh of envy at your humor writing in your post? The line: "That's just a bonus" - oh, such nice timing. Surprise jokes like that - they're delicious.

Sigh. :)

Hope you and everyone else on the blog has a great weekend.

Lol. I re-read my post, and realized I ended up editing out most of the compliments about ethics and responsible handling of power and your award for best industry blog and how I saw your leadership abilities at your workshop as well.

Well, probably just as well I edited all of that out. It might have been abit too much.

I dunno. If it rained she-trolls, I might be more astonished than if a hail of shoemakers' apprentices fell down around me.

Great links!

Awesome post as always Nathan. Even when I'm too busy to read all of my fav blogs, I never miss TWIP.

I am looking forward to Brown's new book. I like being entertained! I also agree that anything that gets folks into bookstores and reading is a good thing.

Our business has one employee. He barely finished high school. However, he could build the space shuttle with a 2X4, a screwdriver, and a roll of duct tape. Not well educated, but tremendously talented. He told me one day that he doesn't read a lot, but has read every book written by Grisham.

Tell me, you literary critics, how is this a bad thing?

Long live books that are entertaining for the sake of being entertaining!

Terri

Can't wait to submit to "Genre Wars". I have a shortie called 'Serial Killer's Day Off' that might be just the ticket!

Well, I did it. I submitted a literary short story to the genre wars. And would you believe my word verification for this comment? suffur - exactly what I'll be doing till January when they announce the winners.

Wow... The Menaker piece kind of makes you want to stick a pencil in your eye. "Redactor Agonistes" (Publisher Struggles) is beyond bleak.


Admittedly, I tend to be the snotty literary type Nathan describes, but I enjoy a Twinkie book every now and again... and not just to be lamely ironic.

Generally I'm pretty easy-going, but all the Dan Brown bashing going on has made me really impatient and frustrated with the literati--and the twitterati. For all people are talking about literary merit or success or whatever-- what does any of that matter if people don't read your work? People are reading his book. MILLIONS of people. And I'm sure a good portion of those people will like it, enjoy it, love it, etc. Who's to say that those people are enjoying it, but it's still crap? I think it's horrifically patronizing to say that Brown must want to write something of "great literary merit" but can only come up with crappy thrillers. What rot. A huge value judgement, as if brilliant writers can't choose to write genre fiction. As if choosing to entertain with your writing cannot be a valuable goal in itself.

And maybe I feel so strongly about this b/c as someone who writes romance, I've had to grit my teeth on too many occasions to count when told that romance is crap or--the term used most often--"trash." As if there's something wrong with writing about love and sex and commitment, about falling in love and the beauty of human connections. I'm always saddened to see someone in the romance community coming out with a "defense of romance" blog post or article, because the need for defense is predicated on the idea that writing and enjoying romance must be justified. It shouldn't have to be, though. It doesn't have to be. In that same vein, I don't think the people enjoying Dan Brown's work need to offer a defense or justification.

Oh, wow, I guess I had more to say on this topic than I thought.

Back to lurking now...

Dan Brown is laughing all the way to the bank. People can talk about the "drivel" that he writes and he will still be sipping margaritas in The Bahamas. I'd trade places with him anyday, and I'm actually doing very well. Brown's publisher is pretty happy too. Even with all the lukewarm reviews the book is still in the Amazon top 10.

Just watch though--- he might just pull an Anne Rice and get all nutty. Authors seem to go a little crazy when they have too much success.

I'm sorry but I never understood why Dan Brown ever got such a bad rep.

I have not bought the book yet. However, it will be the next book I buy! I'm not afraid to admit Dan Brown is one of my favorite writers (if not THE favorite). Think what you will! But DaBro has mad skillz.

Thanks for the links! I appreciate it. I'll try to get through them during the week (yes I'm slightly behind here...school is kicking my hiney)!

Sorry to hear you're keeping anonymous commenting. lol. But hey, maybe you made your point. :) There is always the option of holding anonymous comments but I'm not sure blogger does it.

I know Jennifer Jackson can do it. If you use your profile, there is immediate posting. Anonymous posts are held to be reviewed prior to posting. She uses LiveJournal though. We would follow you if you moved! Or maybe you could mention it to blogger?? I'm sure you have a bit of weight you can throw around. ;)

PurpleClover (Jenn)

OMG Nathan! I'm not sure you subscribe to comments on older posts so let me reiterate what I was saying when I read about JACOB WONDERBAR!

HOLY CRAPOLA!! I'm so terribly sorry I missed the fantastic news! I've been SO busy with school (I'm in the ICU this semester and clinicals have been kicking my hiney since I'm on evening shifts). I'm SO PROUD! I love when great things happen to great people and I'm not just saying that.

I'm so happy for you and I knew you seemed to understand the writer's perspective too well to not have experienced it! You are fantabulous and I can't wait to read your MG book. My daughter will be 6 when it comes out so just in time!


MANY MANY CONGRATS! And again, I apologize for not seeing it sooner!

PurpleClover (jenn)

essay by Paul Graham on future of publishing

I already buckled and started posting free chapters (at least Chapter 1 is up now) on my blog and on goodreads. Umm.. it's a good start for one who fears "free"... anyway, now I get to try to use all those self-promotion ideas to network with other writers and publishing people. Actually, I found out about goodreads from Courtney Summers' post.

Hahahahahaha! Oh my gosh! Thanks for lengthening my life with laughter after all the depressing news on Pub. Lunch. (Oh if only it were Pub lunch!) I'm so sorry your faith in true love has been shaken so deeply! All it takes is one more season!

Nathan, I hate to pop more of your illusion, but the Bachelor/Bachelorette is a HOAX!!! lol, none of them really love each other (ok, except Trista and Ryan).

have a great weekend!

Loved Sphere. The movie was another, embarassing story! Thanks for the post, Nathan!

I have a relative who is conservative. He'll enjoy Churchill for his birthday in December and I'll get a break from trying to buy two gifts.

I loved _Timeline_. I reread it every couple of years and still love it.

I'm still waiting for a reality show about writers. Every week a different genre.

I'm a serious history nerd and have been waiting (semi)patiently for Churchill By Himself. Cool beans!

Nathan,

A question: I was wondering about some of the specific downsides to shopping a book in this economic climate, and if a decision might ever be made to wait a bit? I was considering whether editors might get gunshy. "Oh, I love it, and two years ago I would have published it, but these days..."
As it seems to be a no no to shop a book twice, would this be a way of shooting a book's future in the foot? Would it be better to wait for a possible upturn, or is that too big a gamble? "Who knows what the future will bring, and the book is ready so we shop it now..." Or would editors be willing to reconsider something when financial times are better?

The financial articles you linked to got me thinking, and I was wondering if you'd noticed any initial reactions from editors. Business as usual, or are people starting to hedge their bets and play it safe? I'm hoping for the former, and hoping the upturn comes fairly quick in the economy, so that the downward pressure doesn't last long enough to inhibit the acquisition processes of publishers.

So, basically, how does this all affect an agent, and how much more crucial is timing in regards to shopping a book in the current situation?

word verification: eardabut... it's like you're already telling me where to stick my head. Spooky.

bryan-

Very good questions. That's a little more inside than I'm usually comfortable blogging about, but yeah, I'd say most agents I know are feeling the effects.

A bit of Churchill trivia - he is one of only six people to be made honorary U.S. citizens.

1. It's good to know that Churchill By Himself is THE book, instead of being the book, or ever worse, a book. Did that make any sense?

2. Crichton was a great writer who practically invented the techno thriller.

3. One thing is for certain about social network sites is that you'll meet some real weirdos on MySpace. ;)

4. I refuse to embrace poverty, because poverty's sitting on top of me.

5. I think it has a lot to do with the sort of fans certain genres attract and whether or not it will work or not.

6. Interesting, the publishing industry will publish a novel about a man who wants to take a shot at Bush, but won't take a shot at publishing Bush.

7. Embrace the poverty.

8. There is no such thing as true love in reality television, just faking it until the checks stop coming.

Thanks Nathan.

And it seems eardabut was right! Even more spooky.

new word verification: pesse... pessimistic? But cuter, so there's always hope (if the book is good enough)

Thanks again.

that was me, by the way... (darn overeager fingers on the keyboard...)

Oh, Nathan...true love isn't found on reality tv.


It's found in trashy romance novels.

I also feel very sad about the death of Michael Crichton. I absolutely loved every minute of reading Sphere, and the movie is one of my favorites. I remember hearing many years ago that filmmakers love Crichton’s visual storytelling ability because his novels include so many details they can use in making the movies.

The financial meltdown continues. I’m suddenly happy that I’m deep into writing a new novel with no thoughts of marketing it right now. After all, what does a writer need in the middle of writing a novel? Just space, something to write on, and access to research materials. I must be one with the writing. Obi-Wan Kenobi, that is my only hope.

It is sad about Crichton. I loved Timeline. Also, A Case of Need. That was a great medical thriller. The guy knew how to keep you reading.

Adored Sphere ...

"Luckily we have an upcoming season to restore my faith that love can be found on a reality TV show in which you date multiple people simultaneously."

That's a funny bit dude. Very good use of irony. I didn't realize M.C. wrote "Sphere".
Like most really good fiction it concealed a true story and resonated with readers for a reason. They sensed it was true.

Mind is a quantum field activity.
Body is a quantum field activity.

Its all static until the sphere comes back.
Would you try to sell a story like:

"Sphere: The Reckoning"

Have a nice weekend Komrade.

The market won't change until the writers have some control, which either means there are a lot few writers, a lot more readers, or the take over the means of production by force.

As to which is more likely, I'd like to note that most writers I know would have trouble finding the business end of a rifle, so I think we have to look for a more civil route than the last one.

I hurd Bush's memwars was gonna be writed in crayon. Splendificous.

I will miss Michael Crichton, too. He truly was a significant contributor to modern culture. My mother passed away from ovarian cancer in 2001 (just 2 months before my first son was born), and I hope the Crichton family can find peace now that his suffering is over. Watching a loved one succumb to cancer is heart wrenching indeed.

Churchill...solves at least one Xmas gift for my father.

Speaking of TV, I recently watched season one (are there more?) of The Hills –- after the title was planted in my brain by reading this blog. I loved it. But I was completely shocked when Lauren did not go to Paris!!!

She gave up the chance to become Mrs. Csinsuiwnelkfj? WTF?

Hey Nathan,

The Churchill book sounds like something that would be great for my dad for Christmas. He loves things related to WWII since he grew up during it.

Just a question though. Is it coming out on Book on CD before Christmas? He doesn't read small print very well anymore.


P.S. Your blog always has the best word verifications! I am keeping track of my faves to post my own definitions sometime. ;)

Oh gosh, so that engagement ending coming from the beginning. She was just TOO over the top "in love". Really.

I'll try the free route. I have to make a name for myself. And I'm buying my myspace friend J.R. Turner's books this weekend!

Don't give up on true love, Nathan! Not knowing anything about your personal life, I hope you've already found it. If not...don't despair. Every pot has a lid. :-)

Am giving the Churchill book as stocking stuffers this year. Cheers!

I think I might as well throw in the towel in regards to this whole 'love' thing. If I can't find love by competing with 12 or so beautiful girls (ALL kissing and etc with the man I'm supposed to be going after) then where can I find love? This is getting ridiculous. Where can a young woman like myself and a young man find love nowadays if not on telly?

Congrats on the publication of CHURCHILL BY HIMSELF. I did indeed notice it on the side bar of this lovely blog. Nice to see it's out and about for me to pick up. This biliophobe can never resist a good book.

And on a serious note, the death of Mr. Crichton is a great loss. Every time a great author dies it gives you pause. Their never going to write another amazing story because their light has been blackened forever. I know it sounds quite cheesy for me to say that, but I just can't think of any other way to put it.

Cheers, and have a great weekend.

SPHERE is aswesome!

Sort of reminds me of the movie Abyss, but earlier, and better.

Bush can remember stuff?

What Ryan said. Dad all set for the Holidays. He likes the "vote liberal under 30 or you don't have a heart, vote conservative over 30 or you don't have a brain" quote. However, I did get him to agree to upping the age to 50, and citing Obama's age of 47 as a perfect twixt number.

Which makes me wonder if buying the book on Nathan's recommendation means your query moves to the top of the pile.

Hey, if we can't bribe in this country anymore, that's some change I can do without! /sarcasmism

On Seth Godin, I think free has to have a purpose. i.e. at some point someone has to fork over some money. Be it a publisher or fans. While it's goofy probably to expect to make "real money" writing fiction, artists still deserve to be compensated for their work.

Maybe fans will cough up donations, or buy print copies if they get a free ebook or podcast first.

But what I'm seeing is, the more publishers start to cut out writers on the money end, the less motivation writers have to go through their gates in the first place. I mean can't we "give it away" without a publisher? Probably, yes.

And if we then, after giving it away, build up a reader base, why would we need a third party involved unless they're willing to give serious front cash?

Things like HarperStudio, if publishing is going in that direction, then the only true line between self publishing and traditional publishing would be the "vanity" of saying, "Harper published me."

Whooptie doo.

We've gotten so big about telling people not to write for the money, that somehow that has translated to: "you don't really deserve any money."

Don't give up on love. My husband and I started going together at the age of 16 in high school, went to college together and married over winter break when we were 21. Began having kids when we were 24 and will celebrate our 23 anniversary in Jan.

We were not on a reality show---that might be the thorn.

We're still going strong!!

Coll

Sigh. So the numbers indicate people aren't buying books. Is it so wrong then, to publish books online free for people who can't afford something new or that they can't get from the local library?

I'm all right about sharing. What hurts is knowing that so many people throughout the industry are affected by the loss of revenue, from bookstore clerks who could lose their jobs to copy editors, production staff, proofreaders, editors and yes, agents.

Erg, this recession thing is such a brutal cycle...

:O Hey, guys, did anybody else notice the Freudian slip in my last post: "...from bookstore clerks who could lose their jobs to copy editors..."

LOL There should be a comma after "jobs." Without the comma, it sounds as though bookstore clerks will be replaced by copy editors who lost their own jobs!

So a conversation over dinner led to this discussion re the fate of the publishing industry:

Can a mega-hit save the industry?

What will that mega-hit be about? And will it be fiction or non-fiction? Conventional or alternative?

Of course, if any of us knew the answers, we'd have the mega-hit on our own hands... :P

Excellent site you have here. I run a site similar to yours, and was wondering if you would like to trade links with me?

You can see my site at http://Jijol.Com . I would give your site a prominent listing on my page, if you would be willing to do the same.

I enjoyed reading your stuff!

Link Exchange / Blog Roll Info:
Title: Jijol.Com - Key To Success - 21 Things You should Know
URL: http://jijol.com

Regards,
Joseph

The Keys to Success: 21 Things Every Teen Should Know

I believe reality T.V. is an oxymoron and telly will rot your mind, you must resist!
It's a fact that the business is in horrendous decline but at least we can take comfort in the cyclical nature of everything on this planet.(Zen of me) Hopefully I won't be dead by the time publishing is on an upswing.(realistic fatalist of me)

Erik, I completely agree with your sentiments about writers having more control etc...however, as for the business end of a rifle, your remark only applies to those who don't write westerns.

The novel most complete, attributed, annotated and cross-referenced collection of the great statesman's quotations, ripostes, aphorisms, sayings and reflections ever published. He also highlights the myriad quotations commonly mis-attributed to Churchill.
--------------
Kimrennin

Influencer

Great blog! Re: the bachlerotte (and I do realize you wrote about more important issues...what is her problem??? She wanted this 'true love' crap from day one and she kept picking the wrong guys!!

I love watching teh show though, it's a total train-wreck.

@lifeofanambgirl - the laugh is in the fact that they actually believe they're going to find the love of their life on a TV show which is edited in such a way as to have every X personality in full display. The ditz, the brain, the beauty, the shallow, etc....I think the only happy batchelor couple was Trisa and her hot firefighter hubby. I think their expecting baby number two. She bagged a hot firefighter who is fantastically just a little bit younger then her but just as prepared for the long hall.
Though the genius in the show is that I immediately pick a favourite every season, and like clockwork I delight in their victory (no matter how short-lived it turns out to be in the future). I love to discuss reality telly. Has everyone seen 50 cent's new show called 50 Money something or other?

An electronics manufacturer opening up their device to competition from other retailers so that users can better use the product??? What a concept!! I salute Sony's non-evilness.

Heh. After the crappy conclusion of the HD-DVD/Blu-Ray format war, Sony can probably afford to be a little generous about other media. :)

Does this mean you'll be picking up a Sony reader to complement the Kindle???

Sir, we really need your commentary on The Amazing Race someday...

When is TAR coming back?

The agent blog situation (or blogging agents situation) is getting out hand. At one time, there was Miss Snark, of beloved memory. And then there were a few more. And then a few more. And then ...

But ya gotta read all of them, because you don't want to miss that one blog that will have that crucial bit of insider info that will make all the difference!

Well, Nathan's blog will always remain on the list because he's so funny as well as informative. Is that a subtle message to other agents who blog?

So sad about Randy and what a legacy he left his children. My niece's husband died of pancreatic cancer and so did my best friend. I couldn't help think of them as I read his book.

Nathan -

I don't know but I am feeling a definite TAR withdrawal. Project Runway can only hold me for so long. ;-P

Colleen

PS: Thanks for the shout-out!

RIP Randy. Sad times indeed.

Don't lie Nathan. IAdmit that SATC (short form, feel free to use it...I didn't make it up) was the best film you've seen this year. All the fashion and female issues....best $10 dollars ever spent (or however much you folks pay to watch films in cinema). I love how a book came out of it. Reminds me of how in Harry Potter six, there is mention of a wizarding children's book called TALES OF BEEDLE AND THE BARD (something like that), and now JK has written the actual book.

OH NO! Shayne (aha! That's how you spell her name) broke up with Matt Grant? I may as well put in the towel then. I totally thought that true love could be found by going on a TV show and being one of 50 million women to make out with and scantily clad myself, and become a drama queen, in order to get his attention. For shame! Love the series anyways....

The blogosphere (and Tweet-osphere) response to Dr. Pausch's life is truly incredible. He's a true inspiration and my thoughts are with his family at this unimaginably difficult time.

(spoiler alert). Mad Men is excellent! Peggy and that bastard baby! Heartbreaking. Office Joan is awesome. Hobo Code rules! I love the music in the opening sequence. Love the sets and the clothes. Love Pete and his sad, wicked ways. I can't wait. I can't wait.

LA Times, I spit on you!

You can't write. I hope you find something you can do before you get too old.

anon-

I hear the crazy anonymous commenter gig pays well. I suppose I can always fall back on that.

Just to add, from my view, here in the middle of America,
the news reported that book sales were up -way up- since the recession.
Good news for writers, agents, and publishers!

People want books and movies. Both are up.

An electronics manufacturer opening up their device to competition from other retailers so that users can better use the product??? What a concept!!

I think a computer maker did something like this back in the 1980s. They went through some tough times for a while, but they're OK now.

I was wondering if you watched Mad Men, and when I read your post on characters and the wire I thought Mad Men would be a great fit for it too - because the characters are so ambiguous - I'm not sure how I should feel about Don Draper, which is why I like him.

And keep paying attention to the fake books in those movies you "get dragged to see" - maybe you can give us some ideas to make it big!

This week, in publishing.

Nathan Bransford forgets to blog on Thursday. No mention of why.

His fans spend an anxious 24 hours worrying about him, and not even reality TV can cheer them up.

Seriously, Nathan. Missed you on Thursday. I've come to expect a daily Nathan.

I thought I'd plugged MAD MEN in these spaces before...well, in my own mind I did!

I was very sad to hear of Dr. Pausch's passing - and now determined to watch the lecture.

Who else Twitters? I'm an addict.

Nooo Shayne and Matt have broken up? The couple who, when Matt was asked about why he loved Shayne, he waxed lyrical for about five minutes about the wind in her hair when she got out of the limo and the way she moved her shoulders as she walked? They didn't make it? I'm stunned!

You cannot give up on true love over Shayne and Matt! Now if Jesse and Deanna break up - then you can give up ;)

OMG Nathan! You not only watch The Bachelor, but you have the guts to admit it? Wow! I'm so impressed. I watch it but only admit it a few select few...

But the Sex & City? Oh no, I can't agree with you there. Being a huge fan of S & C, I have to defend the movie, and everything that goes along with it. And I don't have to be objective either.

What I really wanted to say though, was thanks for this amazing blog. I love it. Even if you didn't like S& C, you've more than made up for it here.

Thanks, Nathan.

Michele

Nathan, you watch The Bachelor?

Hmmmm, a man who watches The Bachelor, for fun--not because his wife makes him watch it--and who also happens to live in San Francisco...hmmmm...am I getting the wrong idea here?

anon@8:29-

No, I don't want to be on the next Bachelor, but thanks for asking. Is it set in San Francisco? I hadn't heard.

LOL smooth.

1. Not going to make a joke about that story.

2. Looks like some blog on blog action as they start about their blogs.

3. Sure, why fight the competition when you can screw them by getting around their DRM.

4. That's because the only thing that gets read in LA are summaries of screenplays written by the assistants of producers.

5. His next book will be called: Shameless Book Pimping By Not Pimping the Book, for Dummies.

6. It wasn't longer than Ben Hur, it just felt that way. They were trying to cram a season's worth of stuff into one movie you know.

7. Now I am confirmed in my own sense of superiority because I spurn those shows as I would spurn a rabid dog.

8. And he should be in jail for unlawfully tacky use of television airtime. At least that will be a law when I rule the world with an iron fist.

9. We just started getting Season 1 in Canada, and I must admit that I enjoy it. In fact, I've taken up smoking and heavy drinking, two things I've always found disgusting, just because of that show. *cough* *retch*

Say it backwards and it's golb! Twist the letters up and it's glob! Or bolg!

Jeez, I need to stop eating sugar first thing in the morning....

Thanks for the link to Dennis's blog. I mean, sheesh, I only wasted an hour I could've been writing. Thanks a LOT, Nathan!!

QUIT giving us cool links to hit. We should be WRITING!!!!!

I have a theory about the Bachelor.... It only works when it's the Bachelorette - cuz men like to pursue women. So it doesn't quite work right when the women do the pursuing.

That might sound crazy - but think through it. It's true :-)

I'm hoping Jason is the next Bachelor. He might defy my theory.

The Last Lecture is amazing. It is one of the best hours of film I have watched, and been glued to, and laughed often out loud, in a long time.

I can say I probably laughed in that almost more often than I did in rather dull and predictable, S&TC. Did no one else mention yet, the dialogue was terrible? It had its moments, but OMG some of it was so stilted. Ben Hur is better by far.

Kindle, Sony Reader, my theory (and recent blog article) is that book prices are going to take a hike in price relatively short term, as paper prices on the rise (especially in China production due to factory closures and material shortages). So the ebook will become a cheaper option of the future. Goodbye dog eared pages?

Thanks, Wanda. I'll check it out.

I have a theory about the Bachelor.... It only works when it's the Bachelorette - cuz men like to pursue women.

Very interesting theory . . . the girl chose the firefighter dude and they're the only ones that are still together; in fact, didn't they have a baby? Maybe it has something to do with men in general. Their heads get turned by waxed legs and makeup. Women can see through that sh**. They're just better at choosing, I guess . . .

Ever notice when the men dis the women and send them to the limo? No remorse! They think with their d***s. When it's the women, they agonize for weeks! They cry, they second-guess, they blame the men. It's hard to watch! Great tv, though.

Anyway, I think if the tv matches keep going south, the ratings are going to suffer. Or not. Hope springs eternal.

"Brick walls are there for a reason. They let us prove how badly we want things." Dr Pausch's words not mine, but boy are they relevant to writers these days.

@wanda/michelle -

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=58

nona, you're all wrong. Women are every bit as bad as men when it comes to judging by looks. Often worse.

Last weekend I sat by while several well educated, sophisticated, liberal minded women sat around dissing other women's husbands. "He's an ugly little troll. She could do so much better. He must have lots of money."

Perhaps men think with their dicks but women think with their credit cards? Which is the more morally reprehensible?

My theory on bachelor/bachelorette is less about pursuit and more about trumped-up, false romance. Anyone can "fall in love" during an all-expenses-paid romantic extended vacation at an Italian villa. The men on The Bachelorette are less affected by the atmosphere of romance and the fancy location and the trappings, and they just want to get into The Bachelorette's panties. (You're right, there.) The women on The Bachelor, however, fall for the image presented of the man. They are less interested specifically in getting into bed with him than they are in living the life they feel they're being promised during the whole courtship experience. That's the first part. When they get home, they can't help but be disappointed that he actually has to go off to work every day and they aren't taking hot air balloon rides and cruise ships and having gourmet dinners every night. That's not the man she thought she was getting. Whereas the Bachelorette, well, she still has her looks and her smile and her sense of humor when she gets home.

The second part goes to the definition of marriage that I like best: it's when the woman expects a man to change and he doesn't, and the man expects the woman not to change but she does. The women in The Bachelor spend their whole time thinking that if he selects me, then that means I am his one and only true love, and he'll stop chasing other skirts. But as you point out, the men are who they are. They signed up so they could be wooed by fifty beautiful chicks. When they get home, they're going to want that to stop? Especially when the woman they selected suddenly becomes someone else entirely--perhaps a bad-breath slob, or a raving jealous lunatic, or the call-every-six-minutes freak. In any case, the woman will become something The Bachelor did not expect, and because he just had fifty gorgeous bombshells clamoring for his attention, he assumes he'll get the same treatment from the rest of the world's females. He can have anyone he wants, and suddenly--without the evening gowns and Italian villa and free gourmet meals--he doesn't want her.

So basically, the women are seduced by the fake romance and not the actual man. While the men are seduced by the woman and hope like crazy she sticks with them when they get home and start having to eat Hamburger Helper.

Actually what I meant was that perhaps when a man has to fight for a woman (which would be his natural inclination) than it means more - than when 25 are throwing themselves at him.

Not that women choose any better than men.

Ooops - typo.

"THAT it means more to him"

:-)

So, he's more likely to stick with her... She's more of a treasured "prize" if you will. Otherwise she's just one of many that he could have.

Amen
Namaste

I'm done posting.

promise.

Mad Men is now on our Netflix queue! I've heard from about eighty people that we MUST watch it, so the first DVD should be winging its way to us soon. Have also started DVRing the second season on AMC, so we'll be all prepared for the next crack hit once we finish the first season.

But a replacement for The Wire? REALLY?

So basically, the women are seduced by the fake romance and not the actual man. While the men are seduced by the woman and hope like crazy she sticks with them when they get home and start having to eat Hamburger Helper.

Anonymous:

Thanks for that! It explains alot!

Here's how my husband of 28 years proposed to me: "I know this guy in France who raises horses. Would you like to go there someday?" I thought to myself, "OMG! I have to marry this guy! He knows someone who owns HORSES!"

Did I mention that I was twenty at the time? By the way, what are you doing Saturday night?