Comments on: My E-zine is Sent http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/01/10/my-e-zine-is-sent-2/ America's Mad Professor of Fiction Writing Fri, 29 Aug 2008 03:19:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.3 By: Gerhi Janse van Vuuren http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/01/10/my-e-zine-is-sent-2/#comment-3592 Gerhi Janse van Vuuren Thu, 10 Jan 2008 12:08:19 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/01/10/my-e-zine-is-sent-2/#comment-3592 I find your information on a corporation interesting. The Companies Act in South Africa is being amended so nobody knows exactly how that works out. But I'm in the process of creating two Trusts for our family. The main advantage is that both these Trusts will not be me, can't be sued if I am, and don't die if I do. The one Trust will own property, for instance the copyright to my work. The other Trust will deal with the liabilities such as sign licensing agreements and 'manage' the copyright and more on behalf of the first Trust. They are not functioning yet, but I must agree that it is at the moment still a mind spin. The main reason and advantage of setting up Trusts, and a Corporation if I understand it correctly, is that you seperate your assets and liabilities. That way you protect your wealth for yourself and your children. An added advantage is that assets in a Trust is not subject to Estate Duties. It is you who die, not the Trust, so your children inherit significantly more (in South Africa in particular). I find your information on a corporation interesting. The Companies Act in South Africa is being amended so nobody knows exactly how that works out.
But I’m in the process of creating two Trusts for our family. The main advantage is that both these Trusts will not be me, can’t be sued if I am, and don’t die if I do.
The one Trust will own property, for instance the copyright to my work. The other Trust will deal with the liabilities such as sign licensing agreements and ‘manage’ the copyright and more on behalf of the first Trust.
They are not functioning yet, but I must agree that it is at the moment still a mind spin.
The main reason and advantage of setting up Trusts, and a Corporation if I understand it correctly, is that you seperate your assets and liabilities. That way you protect your wealth for yourself and your children. An added advantage is that assets in a Trust is not subject to Estate Duties. It is you who die, not the Trust, so your children inherit significantly more (in South Africa in particular).

]]> By: Parker Haynes http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/01/10/my-e-zine-is-sent-2/#comment-3594 Parker Haynes Thu, 10 Jan 2008 12:51:17 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/01/10/my-e-zine-is-sent-2/#comment-3594 Randy, Thanks again for your tireless work with your blog and your newsletter! And a special hug (yeah, guys can hug guys and still be straight) for recommending Margie Lawson's lecture packets. I ordered "Empowering Characters' Emotions" immediately and although I've only read the Welcome so far, I'm hooked, psyched, excited. I've known that showing/conveying emotions has been difficult for me and I expect Margie's insights to be tremendously helpful. As soon as I've worked my way through this I'll order her "EDITS" packet. As an added bonus, Margie, like yourself, seems to really reach out in her efforts to help. And, in her eamil says that although she didn't really meet you, you are her new best friend. I highly recommend her! www.margielawson.com Randy,
Thanks again for your tireless work with your blog and your newsletter!

And a special hug (yeah, guys can hug guys and still be straight) for recommending Margie Lawson’s lecture packets. I ordered “Empowering Characters’ Emotions” immediately and although I’ve only read the Welcome so far, I’m hooked, psyched, excited. I’ve known that showing/conveying emotions has been difficult for me and I expect Margie’s insights to be tremendously helpful. As soon as I’ve worked my way through this I’ll order her “EDITS” packet.

As an added bonus, Margie, like yourself, seems to really reach out in her efforts to help. And, in her eamil says that although she didn’t really meet you, you are her new best friend.

I highly recommend her! www.margielawson.com

]]> By: Gerhi Janse van Vuuren http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/01/10/my-e-zine-is-sent-2/#comment-3595 Gerhi Janse van Vuuren Thu, 10 Jan 2008 13:56:35 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/01/10/my-e-zine-is-sent-2/#comment-3595 Ok, now I had a chance to read the newsletter and I'm back with a gripe. Ok, maybe not a gripe, let's say an appeal. I have to face the fact that until I make megabucks or have saved for a number of years attending one of the type of conferences you mention is just a pipe dream. I love conferences and I would love to go. An if I could drive there I'd sleep in the foyer to make it happen. But I would need a Visa, a passport, a return plain ticket, a guaranteed amount in my account or my wallet (which is a lotta money taking the exchange rate into account) and that is before I even arrive at the conference and start paying fees there. So, if a conference is the best thing you can do to market your writing career, while also hobnobbing with other literati and taking workshops on craft, what is the SECOND best thing you can suggest for us poor smucks that can't get to a conference? Ok, now I had a chance to read the newsletter and I’m back with a gripe. Ok, maybe not a gripe, let’s say an appeal.
I have to face the fact that until I make megabucks or have saved for a number of years attending one of the type of conferences you mention is just a pipe dream. I love conferences and I would love to go. An if I could drive there I’d sleep in the foyer to make it happen.
But I would need a Visa, a passport, a return plain ticket, a guaranteed amount in my account or my wallet (which is a lotta money taking the exchange rate into account) and that is before I even arrive at the conference and start paying fees there.
So, if a conference is the best thing you can do to market your writing career, while also hobnobbing with other literati and taking workshops on craft, what is the SECOND best thing you can suggest for us poor smucks that can’t get to a conference?

]]> By: Carrie Stuart Parks http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/01/10/my-e-zine-is-sent-2/#comment-3596 Carrie Stuart Parks Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:24:36 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/01/10/my-e-zine-is-sent-2/#comment-3596 Hi Gerhi, I don't know if Randy wants us to respond to each other, but if you can't get to to a conference, why not make a conference? After all, a conference is nothing more than like-minded people getting together, pooling some money, and bringing in presenters. You find a hotel, or camp, or school willing to give you a great break on facilities, get a core group willing to help (for reduced conference fees), have a theme where local folks (no fees, no travel) can contribute, and go for it. Your name looks Dutch, but possibly S. Africa. There are writers everywhere, and publishers, and people who know a lot about different aspects of writing (estate lawyers, CPA, etc.) who would talk about some part of writing in order to pick up some clients. OK, 'nuff said. -Blessings, Carrie Hi Gerhi,
I don’t know if Randy wants us to respond to each other, but if you can’t get to to a conference, why not make a conference? After all, a conference is nothing more than like-minded people getting together, pooling some money, and bringing in presenters. You find a hotel, or camp, or school willing to give you a great break on facilities, get a core group willing to help (for reduced conference fees), have a theme where local folks (no fees, no travel) can contribute, and go for it.

Your name looks Dutch, but possibly S. Africa. There are writers everywhere, and publishers, and people who know a lot about different aspects of writing (estate lawyers, CPA, etc.) who would talk about some part of writing in order to pick up some clients.

OK, ’nuff said.
-Blessings,
Carrie

]]> By: Robert Treskillard http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/01/10/my-e-zine-is-sent-2/#comment-3597 Robert Treskillard Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:30:38 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/01/10/my-e-zine-is-sent-2/#comment-3597 Randy, You mentioned in your e-zine that you've been working on a proposal. One question I have is if your proposal is for a series of books or just a single book? And if it is for a series, how does that kind of proposal differ from one for a single book? What kind of things would a publisher want to know about the "future" books in order to commit to a series? Anyway, this is probably off-topic, so if need be I'll be fine waiting for the answer until proposals become the topic. Thanks! Randy,

You mentioned in your e-zine that you’ve been working on a proposal. One question I have is if your proposal is for a series of books or just a single book? And if it is for a series, how does that kind of proposal differ from one for a single book?

What kind of things would a publisher want to know about the “future” books in order to commit to a series?

Anyway, this is probably off-topic, so if need be I’ll be fine waiting for the answer until proposals become the topic.

Thanks!

]]> By: Karla http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/01/10/my-e-zine-is-sent-2/#comment-3598 Karla Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:47:11 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/01/10/my-e-zine-is-sent-2/#comment-3598 I don't know why, but it is more intimidating to me to be critiqued by peers than to be critiqued by an editor. Am I the only one? I don’t know why, but it is more intimidating to me to be critiqued by peers than to be critiqued by an editor. Am I the only one?

]]> By: Sylvia http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/01/10/my-e-zine-is-sent-2/#comment-3599 Sylvia Thu, 10 Jan 2008 16:46:49 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/01/10/my-e-zine-is-sent-2/#comment-3599 Hi Randy, Thank you for the information on incorporation. I found it helpful. Obviously, I'm not there yet, financially, but it is good to know about these things ahead of time, right? May I answer Karla? I was terrified when I went to my first critique group. My hands shook and I could hardly read my piece without crying. However, after many years, it has become a delightful process, because I know that my work grows better after each critique. Just remember that your critiquers are not "killing your baby," they are just doing needed surgery which will make it function better. And possibly SELL! I prefer to ask for "suggestions" rather than a "critique." "Critique" seems harsh and uncompromising, somehow. Hang in there! Hi Randy, Thank you for the information on incorporation. I found it helpful. Obviously, I’m not there yet, financially, but it is good to know about these things ahead of time, right?

May I answer Karla? I was terrified when I went to my first critique group. My hands shook and I could hardly read my piece without crying. However, after many years, it has become a delightful process, because I know that my work grows better after each critique. Just remember that your critiquers are not “killing your baby,” they are just doing needed surgery which will make it function better. And possibly SELL! I prefer to ask for “suggestions” rather than a “critique.” “Critique” seems harsh and uncompromising, somehow. Hang in there!

]]> By: ML Eqatin http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/01/10/my-e-zine-is-sent-2/#comment-3600 ML Eqatin Thu, 10 Jan 2008 20:31:23 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/01/10/my-e-zine-is-sent-2/#comment-3600 May I also answer Karla? Facing readers with what you've written is just like any other skill. First time, you aren't used to it, you're probably not very skilled, it's terrifying and there are aspects which are unpleasant. But then you get over the things that were said that you didn't like, you see that the criticisms had some validity, or you figure exactly who your reader is. And then you get better; and if you keep it up, you develop a thicker skin. Eventually you get to a place where you are eager to hear what people didn't like, where they got bored, what stopped them or turned them off. Hearing that from your readers is the most valuable input you can get. Way better than editors or other professionals. I eat it up. James 1:2-4. I also like hearing that something I wrote amused or entertained somebody, but I've already heard that. Just tell me where I need to improve. Don't wait to jump through the professional hoops to start learning from your readers. Plunge in, the sooner you do, the sooner you'll swim! May I also answer Karla?
Facing readers with what you’ve written is just like any other skill. First time, you aren’t used to it, you’re probably not very skilled, it’s terrifying and there are aspects which are unpleasant. But then you get over the things that were said that you didn’t like, you see that the criticisms had some validity, or you figure exactly who your reader is. And then you get better; and if you keep it up, you develop a thicker skin. Eventually you get to a place where you are eager to hear what people didn’t like, where they got bored, what stopped them or turned them off. Hearing that from your readers is the most valuable input you can get. Way better than editors or other professionals.
I eat it up. James 1:2-4. I also like hearing that something I wrote amused or entertained somebody, but I’ve already heard that. Just tell me where I need to improve.
Don’t wait to jump through the professional hoops to start learning from your readers. Plunge in, the sooner you do, the sooner you’ll swim!

]]> By: Pam Halter http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/01/10/my-e-zine-is-sent-2/#comment-3601 Pam Halter Thu, 10 Jan 2008 20:41:46 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/01/10/my-e-zine-is-sent-2/#comment-3601 Welcome back, Daan ~ I was wondering why you were so silent. Critiques ARE hard. When someone doesn't absolutely love our stuff, it makes us feel as though we arent' good enough. The truth is, we all need critiquing. We need a good editor to work with us and make our writing shine. But remember, the seed of the work is yours, the sweat of the work is yours and it's your name on the cover. Welcome back, Daan ~ I was wondering why you were so silent.

Critiques ARE hard. When someone doesn’t absolutely love our stuff, it makes us feel as though we arent’ good enough. The truth is, we all need critiquing. We need a good editor to work with us and make our writing shine. But remember, the seed of the work is yours, the sweat of the work is yours and it’s your name on the cover.

]]> By: Charlotte Babb http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/01/10/my-e-zine-is-sent-2/#comment-3617 Charlotte Babb Fri, 11 Jan 2008 19:46:41 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/01/10/my-e-zine-is-sent-2/#comment-3617 I have used critters.org and they have an excellent system. You get critiques after you give them, and you can ask for or sign up for critique partners who will work on an entire novel instead of a short story. Most of the critiques I got were very good. You don't get points if you don't write detailed (or at least long) critiges, so the system works very well. I have used critters.org and they have an excellent system. You get critiques after you give them, and you can ask for or sign up for critique partners who will work on an entire novel instead of a short story.

Most of the critiques I got were very good. You don’t get points if you don’t write detailed (or at least long) critiges, so the system works very well.

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