Confessions of a Struggling Writer

Nearly a week.

2009-01-22T12:48:00.000-08:00

I tried doing the amazing 5 minute install for WordPress. I was finally able to get the blog to display with the theme I'd chosen internally on my web server. Alas, it never was able to pick up the style sheets to be viewable externally. So the pages looked all messed up. Rats.

I tried three different ASP.NET blogs, all had issues when I did the 'easy install' and kept giving me configuration errors.

So rather than fight with building my own cool blog I could manage and make look how I'd like it to look, I'll stick with blogger for now. I'd rather get the story recorded and posted than spend any more time messing around with blogs I can't get installed and running in a short period of time.

Keep checking back. I'll keep posting as I progress. WOO WOO!

Artwork

2009-01-16T16:11:00.000-08:00

I have gone from the "I think" stage to the planning stage. I'm currently looking for an artist to help me out with artwork for the V&A Shipping podcast and web page. I have nothing to offer but my undying gratitude and credit on the podcast and webpages. If you are an artist and are interested, let me know and I can supply you with the text of the book and an idea of what I'm looking for. It is a space opera, so there are bizarre aliens inside.

I plan to have fun with this novel. The book is done, I just need to podcast it. :) The more I think about it, the more excited I get. WOO WOO!

I had planned...

2009-01-16T13:29:00.000-08:00

I had planned to record a quick message this week announcing that I will return to podcasting shortly. Well, at least I'm posting, but I will get a short podcast in there soon.

Also, I'm giving serious consideration to podcasting my Novel V&A Shipping. If I do so, I will record the entire book first, then edit, then begin posting one episode per week. If you'd like to be a first reader, drop me an e-mail, comment to this post or DM me in twitter.

I WILL be back!

Another Month has gone by.

2008-12-08T21:33:00.000-08:00

Did I win NaNoWriMo? No, I didn't. I did, however, make it to nearly 25000 words before the end of November. Too many things are jumping in my path of writing and several times it was me distracting myself. I've got to stop that.

I really like the direction my book is taking. It's a super hero novel, but the heroes in my book have no super powers. They're vigilantes trying to be heroes and they've uncovered a larger plot than just the good guys versus the bad guys.

I listened to the audio books The God Delusion and both of Stephen Hawkings books. These have given me much fodder for my most recent novel. I also watched a marathon of The Universe and this also fueled the direction my novel will be taking. I can't wait to jump in and crank out.

After listening to the latest episode of The Secrets I've given much more thought of e-publishing my books. I'll give each a fair shot with agents before I do so, but hey, it sounds like fun. :) I'll let you know when I take that direction.

I realize it's been nearly a year since I did a podcast. I need to remedy that, but it may be into next month before I do so. This month filled up fast on me and I don't see much time freeing up any time soon. I hope everyone has a great holiday season no matter how you celebrate. :) For me, I'll do it the way they did in the days of old: Hide from Odion and party party party. WOO WOO!

NaNoWriMo Update

2008-11-07T20:39:00.001-08:00

I'm taking a short pause in my NaNo novel. I'm up to nearly 11K words at this point and I'm really happy with the way my story is going. I blame Mur Lafferty and Scott Sigler for my story. It's a superhero story with gods, monsters, heroes, and almost-super heroes. It's fast paced, gritty, and a whole lot of fun. I blame Tee Morris for one character named the Gobbler (NOM NOM NOM).

Okay, very short post. I'm back to writing.

Oh, I've got a story coming on in January. It can be found at http://www.lulu.com/chimericanabooks. No pressure to buy. I'm excited just to be in print again. I'm also sending out Astel (still) and I'm now starting to look for an agent with V&A Shipping. Both are as polished as they're going to get, now's the time for them to stand on their own. WOO. It's been a LONG time since I've been this excited about writing. I'll have to try NOT to slack off again.

NaNoWriMo

2008-11-06T06:07:00.000-08:00

I am using NaNoWriMo to get off my butt and write another novel. I've had the idea for quite some time (actaully since I finished my last Novel that I started during NaNoWriMo last year). So I'm finally getting it down. Mentally I had gotten stuck where to start and on Nov 1st, I started it and then thought "WAIT A MINUTE!" and bang! I had a better beginning. I didn't trash anything as the chapters I'd written fell into place after a different opening. I added a new POV character that gives the villain's POV without being inside the villain's head. It's worked out great so far and has really helped me pick up a head of steam on this novel. I'm presently up to 8700 words and you can find my NaNoWriMo page up. I'm posting again this year as JRMurdock if you would like to buddy me. If I can every find the page again, I'll be happy to buddy back.

I'm not quite up to the writing speed I was at 2 years ago, but I'm trying to get back there. Time, patience, persistence. I know I can do it. WOO!

I've been gigid'ied

2008-04-22T12:26:00.000-07:00

I made mention on twitter to BradP in NJ (http://twitter.com/bpende) about a show called Human Footprint. He made a show out of it and put me in his show notes. Guess I really need to get off my duff and record a show. SOON! Check out the show here. http://www.wholelotofnonsense.org/.

Twitter

2008-04-08T06:32:00.001-07:00

I am now on the timesink known as twitter.

Twitter Me

I realize it's April 1st.

2008-04-01T12:18:00.000-07:00

But I'm not going to let that stop me from posting today. After listening to the Joe Murphy Memorial podcast, I decided that I do need to get off my butt and start getting back into my podcasting. I've let it go for far too long and I'm sorry for that. I'm sorry to all those who've stayed subscribed for so long.

I have updates with regards to one of my short stories and one of my novels (well, okay, I have more updates than that) and I'll post them here on Thursday.

Thank you for hanging in there with me. It's been a rough ride these past several months.

Remembering Joe

2008-04-01T12:16:00.000-07:00

I just got done listening to Remembering Joe and if you ever knew Joe Murphy, take the time to listen.

Happy New Year!!

2007-12-31T18:09:00.000-08:00

I hope the new year finds you (and me) well and productive. I look forward to sharing more with you starting on Thursday! Stop by and share you writing goals with me. Drop me a note or an MP3. I'd love to see what you're planning.

Episode #24 - I'm Back

2007-12-07T13:37:00.000-08:00

WOW! I've been away from podcasting for far too long. I've been through fires, floods, a server crash, a bout with online poker, but I'm back. I've found my way back to reading, writing, podcasting. I'm sorry it took me so long to get back to what I really want to do.

Adventures in Sci Fi Publishing

Podiobooks.com

I Should Be Writing

Edits:

• V&A Shipping (1 / 254)
• Astel (1 / 301 (double spaced))
• Billy Barbarian (1 / 188)
• Paradise Palms (1 / 248)

Writing:

• Almost Heroes (0 / 90,000)
• Life of Lists (10,387 / 90,000)
• Magical Illness (0 / 80,000)
• Asteroid Bunnies (7,400 / 60,000)

Listen to Episode#24

Almost

2007-11-15T12:45:00.000-08:00

So, I'm still here. I'm still going to start the podcast once again. Please don't think I've gone and forgotten about you. Thank you for the feedback from new listeners. I love it!

I'm installing a new server (the old one is so LOUD I can't stand it any more). Once that is complete, I hope to get a new show recorded and running.

For those participating in NaNoWriMo, GOOD LUCK!

J.R.

Did I say Thursday?

2007-11-02T09:00:00.001-07:00

Once I get this episode published, you'll see why I've fallen so far from the podcasting wagon. But I will get an episode out very very soon. Please stay tuned and thank you for staying subscribed.

I'm not dead.

2007-10-29T14:35:00.000-07:00

Look for a new show on Thursday. Thank you to all who've hung in there waiting for me to come back. It'll likely be a short show, but there will be a show.

Episode#23 - Death

2007-03-23T06:29:00.000-07:00

The episode didn't push. Let me try this again.

Listen to Episode#23

Episode #23 - Death

2007-03-23T05:06:00.000-07:00

Moderately lazy show notes. I had intended to talk about the mundane, but got sidetracked and talked about death. Hope it's not too much of a downer. Will post links later today.

Listen to Episode#23

I'm not dead yet!

2007-02-23T12:14:00.000-08:00

First off, let me apologize for the length of time it's taken me to put in a simple post. I'm not procrastinating. Honest. Not two days after my last podcast, I was overtaken by some strange funk that's going around San Diego. It hit my father-in-law just before he left on a cruise, it took my wife's voice, and mine as well. I've had a lingering cough that's made it difficult for me to concentrate on anything for more than a few minutes.

I'm almost out of the woods with this sickness. It's been the worst cold I've had in years. I had intended to podcast this week to make up for last week, but talking for any length of time hasn't proven beneficial to recovering from my condition.

I want to thank all of you who have stayed subscribed and welcome all the new subscribers. You all mean a lot to me. If you've sent me an e-mail and haven't heard back from me, do not despair. I'm slowly getting myself back on track, again.

I will return next week. I might still be hopped up on antibiotics, but hey, I'll be there.

Episode #22 - Priorities and Procrastination

2007-02-01T12:41:00.000-08:00

What are you waiting for? Get up and get moving, well, after you listen to the latest episode that is.

Escape Pod's 300 word story contest, Group 8 (see if you can figure out which one is mine)

Pilgrim Novel

The Adult Space Child Free Podcast

MWS Media

Phil Rossi

Duo Trope

Listen to Episode#22

Episode didn't push

2007-01-23T09:18:00.000-08:00

I'm trying to figure out why last week's episode didn't push out. I think Blogger Beta doesn't like me, but hey, things like this happen.

Listen to Episode#21

Episode #21 - Back to Basics

2007-01-18T14:00:00.000-08:00

Just like the title says, I'm starting the new year at the beginning. Goals, priorities, and lists, oh my. I know what worked in the past. I need to start over, reset, and do it all again.

Escape Pod's 300 word story contest. It's only 300 words, you can do it.

Listen to Episode#21

I will return next week

2007-01-11T13:30:00.000-08:00

The holidays hit me hard this year (actually it's last year now, isn't it?) At any rate, I loaded new sound software and was playing with it today and just plain didn't get the show recorded. I will continue to toy with my new toy and I will produce a show next week. My hope is that the sound quality will improve and I need to work on better content rather than just ramble.

Look for me next week. I'm not out of ideas for shows and I know with Tee on break, Kiki MIA again, Mur being sporadic, and the Secrets having pod-faded, shows on writing are sparse. I will re-fill that gap next week.

Until that time, take a look around at things that are mundane and keep that in mind for next week's show.

Until then...

J.R. Murdock

Episode # 20: About Authors

2006-12-14T17:56:00.000-08:00

I've gotten long winded, haven't I? Or Have I? Please let me know.

I talk today about role models, and who I look up to as an author. I could have talked for hours and hours about this and I may talk about it again at a later date. There's a lot of material here. Hope you enjoy. If you have an author resource, please feel free to post it here.

I love feedback. Let me know what you're thinking.

Adult Free Child Space Podcast

The Only Phil Rossi Podcast worth listening to

NaNoWriMo Podcast

Tee Morris

Listen to Episode#20

Episode # 19: Sex. 'nuff said.

2006-12-07T17:43:00.000-08:00

Today's topic is sex. I ramble, I read an excerpt, I ramble some more. Enjoy!

Listen to Episode#19

Episode # 18: End of NaNoWriMo

2006-11-30T15:17:00.000-08:00

Yes, Yes, I know. I'm a slacker. I let distractions get in my way and they bombard me from all directions. Drat. Well, I'm back with another episode. I didn't mean to ramble for quite so long, but I did and that's that. I hope it's worth it.

What did I talk about? Well, I'll bet you want some links and show notes, eh? Well, here you go.

Jack Mangan's Deadpan Podcast

The Only Phil Rossi Podcast worth listening to

Whispers at the edge

The Kissy Bits

The Survival Guide to Writing Fantasy

I Should Be Writing

Heroes

Neil Gorman's talk about Psychogeography

All Sorts of People

I did forget to mention Mike Stackpole's The Secrets, but he's been absent for a couple of months so I almost completely forgot about him. He still sends out the news letters, so if you're not subscribed to those, and you're a writer, you're doing yourself a disservice.

I also read a small excerpt from my NaNoWriMo Novel and tell you why I didn't reach the 50K goal and what my plans are with the book. Congratulations for all who participated and a bigger congratz to all those who made their goal!

Listen to Episode#18