WCRI Flash Brief: Recent Episodes
Jamais Jochim
A reposting of the Alexa Flash Brief, this offers some quick tips for writers and marketers. Check out the full podcast, available on iTunes, Spotify, and other podcast sites.
https://vurbl.com/station/3fwjAzfH9m2/
We need to remember as writers that we need to manage our time, be it through schedule or routine.
We all need a community, both to be helped and to help. We can teach and learn, and sometimes we need hugs or to be slapped down.
Being competitive is part and parcel of being a writer. You need to find a way to compete with others to keep up your competitive side.
Old-time radio serials may appear to be a weird source of inspiration, but they use a lot of techniques that some of us wish we could master.
It may sound weird, but cooking shows can show you the differences between different regions, especially those that focus on specific regions or traditions.
Writers are often looking for ways to master dialogue and inspiration. Watching talk shows can provide both.
When you are looking at potential merch for your comic, make sure that you ask yourself if it will sell.
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When deciding on the advertising budget, make sure that you are using it to advertise as efficiently as possible.
There's a temptation to get a little crazy about exploring characters in your writing; don't go deeper than you need.
Don't worry about if your story is going to be considered "literature"; no one really knows what it is, and it's usually not what you want to be.
https://vurbl.com/station/3fwjAzfH9m2/
While you shouldn't be afraid to discuss politics in your writing, don't go overboard: Too much political talk can ruin the story, making it little more than a mere screed.
When you research don't be afraid to explore all of the weird tangents that come up. They can only help your story.
Your project can't survive if no one hears about it. Do what you can to make sure everyone hears about it!
When you start doing research, keep in mind that you should question every source that you come across.
Any expression of a person's creativity will express things important to that person; as such feel free to talk about politics if it's what you want to talk about.
Too many writers worry about working in original territory when they should just worry about writing a good story.
A little extra detail can help create an identifiable character. Add those peacock feathers, red caps, and...dare I say it? Twirl those mustaches!
Anyone can do all of the bio stuff; it takes a real world-builder to know what the foods of the world are.
Passion is fine; anger is not. Video games can be an excellent therapeutic tool to deal with your anger.
Rituals and routines keep you regular. Establishing them as quickly as possible is always a good idea.
You need to protect your rights and reputation. The first step is to use a search engine to see what's going on in that regard.
If you're serious about your business, make sure you have all the copyright and trademark protection you can get.
Sometimes you need to expound on your emotions. Share them with others for maximum effect.
Sometimes crinkling something up, feeling it crunch, hearing it crunch is all sorts of cathartic.
Some of us use music to wake up. Make sure that the music doesn't put you back to sleep.
Plants make your room nicer, smell better, and keep you breathing. You may want to get some for your room.
You need something that's healthy, quick, and doesn't need plates and silverware. Burritos may just be the best food ever!
When you start working out your business plan, don't forget that more and more readers don't do floppies. Digital needs to be part of any successful business plan.
Not all plots need to be linear: You should feel free to play around with flashbacks, flash forwards, and time travel.
Part of writing is marketing yourself. Make sure that you put some serious effort into it if you wish to succeed.
The best writers learn to read a story as both a reader and a critic, usually at the same time.
Writers suffer from postpartum in their own weird way upon finishing a book. Get some support for it.
If you want to be successful, you'll need to figure out how to balance your paying work and the work you want to do. At least, at first....
A comic book shop is great for you by itself. But a comic book shop with a web presence? EVEN BETTER!
What works for someone else may not work for you. Figure out what works for you and go for it!
You want to survive a convention without worrying about the dreaded con crud. This should help you do exactly that!
A garden can do more than just supply you with food; it can also give you a wide variety of subjects and should be explored to see what's there.
You need to engage your audience, and nothing encourages engagement as much as having a fanart page.
Flying a rocket is the ultimate expression of optimism. That's something it helps to keep in mind in any situation.
If you keep some basic provisions on hand at all times, you shouldn't have to worry about some of the more basic grocery problems.
When you're sick, soup is the most perfect food for you. Here are the recipes for two great soups.
You need to learn how to the numbers your business generates. As such, you need to learn how they work and how to use them effectively.
Part of running a business is knowing how to look at the numbers; this means you need to learn how to deal with spreadsheets.
You need a place where your brain can relax and recharge. Set this place up so you can get away from your writing for a bit.
Sometimes writers tend to force their politics to the fore the detriment of the story. They need to learn when to dial them down for the story.
You should never limit your genres to just one or two; twist them together as much as you want to see what happens.
Friends and family can be great for support, but can also give you the wrong kind of praise and even holding you back. Sometimes you need to know when to ignore them for your own career.
Sometimes you need to take a break. Just remember that when you come back to come back harder than you left.
Watching the cartoons of your youth is not just good for nostalgia, but to see how things have changed in your life and to inspire your current one.
You need to allow time for emergencies and when you may go over your alloted work time.
Sometimes your living space and working space are the same; here is how to separate them.
Learning self-defense techniques helps you do more than protect yourself; the confidence you gain helps in so much more.
You have to write for yourself; this means add some fun things to the story to keep your interest.
SEO isn't just about an organized site; it's about everything on a site and how popular you can make it. Notes give the search engines more to play with and make it popular with fans, both of which help with SEO.
Fads never do you right. Avoid them unless you have some seriously fortuitous timing....
You should never be afraid to poke the bear. Just do so with a tickler and be ready to run....
Everyone love's a good holiday. They're good for fun, showing other sides of your characters, and drama. All sorts of drama.
Pinterest was made for visual artists. You're a visual artist. This could be a match made in Heaven.
Notecards are indispensable for writers. Make sure you have some on hand before you start writing.
The relationship with your local comic book shop may be the key to successfully selling your books.
Want to lose the inhibitions slowing you down, get a little braver, and relax? We may have something that can help you....
Making a factual mistake in your comic can take people out of your story. Find a source that allows you to do the best possible research.
You need a way to find inspiration, advice, and neat new tricks. Podcasts may be exactly what you are looking for.
Search engine rankings can only help you sell your comic. Make them happy by optimizing your site.
You need to be emotional to do your best work. Don't worry about the wrinkles; you're going to get some anyway!
Nothing aggravates someone like seeing someone do what they've described as "impossible". Be their aggravation.
Writing shouldn't be all serious. Use challenges, goals, and plot to have some fun with your writing.
You need someone to challenge you and keep you going. The Rival can be your best friend.
Cross-promotions can work if you do it together, have common ground, and don't sweat the numbers.
Knowing what you're going to do with your book when you've finished it is half the battle.
Red/blue lasers optional.
You need someone to help edit, market, and distribute. Find those people and keep them close.
You're going to need to spend money at some point, be it for publishing, marketing, or even just art. Just make sure you do your research and spend your money effectively.
You need to have someone you talk to when you have problems. Just remember to reciprocate for best effect.
You need someone you love, trust, and will defend you. You also need someone to shoot you down every so often. This is why family is so important.
Paper can be one of your best tools when it comes to writing; it gives you all sorts of freedom and makes organization easier for you.
You need a way to eliminate writer's block and be inspired; watching history shows may be the solution to those problems!
You're running a business so find ways to make sure that you have the skills you need to do so.
You need to get away from the keyboard for your own mental health. Make sure that you take some time off.
You don't write for the sake of the critics; you write to read those cool scenes you want to read. Make sure you include them in your writing!
Submitting your comic for review can be a great form of publicity. Just don't let it depress you or go to your head.
Linkedin is the ultimate place to find people looking for your skills and products; it's like a matchmaker for business people!
Sometimes you see nothing but trouble ahead. Sometimes you should persevere regardless of the outcome.
Sometimes you write something really, really great but it doesn't fit. You need to learn when to delete it and move on.
Sometimes a project just isn't working. You need to learn when to step away from it for your own mental health.
The cool thing about being a writer is that you don't need a therapist: Your demons can be your best friend when it comes to writing.
You need a community for support and to promote. Make sure you have one and life will go a lot easier.
Part of writing is that you need to sell yourself. Just debate creating a brand that may act as a straight jacket more than help you sell your brand.
Just like you need an outline for writing, you need a plan for marketing. Establish a plan, keep to it, and you should do well.
Getting down to writing can be hard; you need some way to get into the mindset. As such setting up some sort of ritual to make the shift can only help.
You need to have passion when you write, be it love or hate; if you don't it will show in what you do. Also, if you lose the passion don't be afraid to move on. Just make you some sort of connection to what you're writing.
You need an outline like you need a road map: It tells where you're going, what you need to do to get there, and makes sure you don't get lost. Make sure that you have one.
Basically, just write. Don't just plan, prepare, or fantasize about being a writer, but write.