Well, it's been a while. Thankfully, I'm not a famous author, so no-one has noticed. Phew that could have been embarrassing.
Although, according to the views tracker thing I've had a few page views in the last month which originated from a dirty site called Ourmeets.com. Dafuq?
Why am I getting traffic from a site for people trying to get shagged?
I went onto the site and there appears to be a 'chat with our ladies' thing. This just raises more questions. Is my blog a source of chat for people trying to organise hookups?
"Hey, you read SJ Magill's latest blog post?"
"I sure have, you looking forward to reading the Werechicken? I am."
"Yeah, me too. Wanna meet up and fuck?"
If that's the case, I'm thrilled to be a part of such an arrangement.
Anyway, moving on from that sort of thing. I am still redrafting the Werechicken. I know it's taking forever, but I haven't JUST been super OCD redrafting for the past 8 months. I got bored of the whole redrafting thing and started work on the sequels. Plus my job leaves me drained a lot of the time, so when work is busy, writing is slow.
The sequels, The Vampire Horse and Technically a Dragon, are being written in tandem. It's a lot of fun writing them, but I really want to get The Werechicken out there. So, I've finally gotten back to the redrafting. It's going well! I'm happy with the majority of what I've written, and I think it's almost at the point where it's a product that I could sell to people. So look out for that.
Anyway, I'm exhausted. It's bed time :-)
TTFN
Essjay
Tuesday, 22 October 2013
Sunday, 10 February 2013
The BAFTAS
This blog post is aimed at my fellow writers. I'm currently sitting watching the ridiculously accomplished and lucky people at the BAFTA awards. I wonder what it would be like to be sitting there, and hearing my name being called as the winner in the 'best screenplay' or 'best film' award for a film based on one of my books.
It's a long and hard road, but if you want it hard enough, you'll do it. But is just wanting it enough? Obviously there are things that you can't control that factor into success. As for those other things, what are the essential features of an award winning writers? The first thing is obviously the ability to come up with a great story. One can be the most technically brilliant writer on the planet, but if the story sucks, who will want to read it?
Then there's that second part: the ability to write. The best story in the world means nothing if it reads like it's told by a mental-patient with a crayon.
Fortunately, both of these are skills. The writing more obviously so: practice makes perfect etc. Coming up with good stories on the other hand is more tricky. It requires things like inspiration, experience, and imagination. I believe that things like this can be practiced as well.
But say I'm the best writer in the world. That doesn't automatically entitle me to a seat next to Hugh Jackman. I have to get my writing out there.
My current philosophy is that one only fails if one gives up (or dies trying, but lets pay no attention to that for now). I'm planning on playing the shit out of the 'long game' i.e. get a shit-ton of books out there, like Terry Pratchett, and acquire an awesome cult following. Then I will get them to harrass Hollywood types (set up camp on their front lawns etc.) until I get a movie made. If they don't agree to all of my terms and my script etc, I will instruct the fans to stay there forever until all my demands are met. Then BAFTA.
I think it's a good plan tbh.
It's a long and hard road, but if you want it hard enough, you'll do it. But is just wanting it enough? Obviously there are things that you can't control that factor into success. As for those other things, what are the essential features of an award winning writers? The first thing is obviously the ability to come up with a great story. One can be the most technically brilliant writer on the planet, but if the story sucks, who will want to read it?
Then there's that second part: the ability to write. The best story in the world means nothing if it reads like it's told by a mental-patient with a crayon.
Fortunately, both of these are skills. The writing more obviously so: practice makes perfect etc. Coming up with good stories on the other hand is more tricky. It requires things like inspiration, experience, and imagination. I believe that things like this can be practiced as well.
But say I'm the best writer in the world. That doesn't automatically entitle me to a seat next to Hugh Jackman. I have to get my writing out there.
My current philosophy is that one only fails if one gives up (or dies trying, but lets pay no attention to that for now). I'm planning on playing the shit out of the 'long game' i.e. get a shit-ton of books out there, like Terry Pratchett, and acquire an awesome cult following. Then I will get them to harrass Hollywood types (set up camp on their front lawns etc.) until I get a movie made. If they don't agree to all of my terms and my script etc, I will instruct the fans to stay there forever until all my demands are met. Then BAFTA.
I think it's a good plan tbh.
Monday, 4 February 2013
Time...
Where does time go? Seriously? How is a person supposed to do EVERYTHING he wants to do?
Right now, I'm trying to fit in all of the following into my life:
Work (out of necessity, not much choice here)
Writing
Editing
Blogging
Forum-ing (that's right, I verbed that shit)
Climbing
Snowboarding
Reading
Movie-watching
Spending time with my girlfriend (boy is she going to be pissed that she's tenth on the list...)
Spending time with friends
Blogging
Cooking
Painting
World-Domination (that's more of a long-game activity)
Taking care of my snakes
Eating
Sleeping
I know what you're thinking: 'Steve, cut some of that shit out!' But to that I say: 'no sir! That's not the way I do business!'
During the week I've been trying to dedicate my two free evenings to writing and writing related activities. There's also SOME free time for writing on the weekends. I've identified at least two hours of my day when I'm wholly unproductive, and that's the drive to and from work. What I would love to be able to do is be able to write/read/edit while I'm driving. Unfortunately, I'm a sucky driver as it is, so that's probably not the safest idea.
I've toyed with the idea of doing some writing at work at lunchtime, but I rarely get a lunchbreak these days (oh woe is me!). Also, when I do get a lunchbreak, I like to spend it doing very little, to relax the old brain. Obviously I can sneak in a little forum-ing at work. This has a double-function as a kind of advertising, especially with my books in my sig.
But there's very little scope for sneaking in a little bit here and there on all of the other activities. I can't write while snowboarding (or can I? I mean I could give it a go and post the results on YouTube, that might help with the advertising too).
So what's the solution? Right now I'm working on a 'everything in moderation' philosophy. I can go climbing one weekend, snowboarding the next, and go to the cinema the next. That frees up the rest of the weekend for other things. It's not a bad system, but I'd really like to dedicate two whole days per week to snowboarding, two to climbing, and two to painting. I would write every evening, and on my spare day: I would go into work, for triple what I'm being paid now. Any ideas how I can pitch that one to the boss? Anyone who comes up with something workable is a shoe-in for the Nobel prize in badassery (new category for 2013).
Hugs and kisses,
S.J.
Right now, I'm trying to fit in all of the following into my life:
Work (out of necessity, not much choice here)
Writing
Editing
Blogging
Forum-ing (that's right, I verbed that shit)
Climbing
Snowboarding
Reading
Movie-watching
Spending time with my girlfriend (boy is she going to be pissed that she's tenth on the list...)
Spending time with friends
Blogging
Cooking
Painting
World-Domination (that's more of a long-game activity)
Taking care of my snakes
Eating
Sleeping
I know what you're thinking: 'Steve, cut some of that shit out!' But to that I say: 'no sir! That's not the way I do business!'
During the week I've been trying to dedicate my two free evenings to writing and writing related activities. There's also SOME free time for writing on the weekends. I've identified at least two hours of my day when I'm wholly unproductive, and that's the drive to and from work. What I would love to be able to do is be able to write/read/edit while I'm driving. Unfortunately, I'm a sucky driver as it is, so that's probably not the safest idea.
I've toyed with the idea of doing some writing at work at lunchtime, but I rarely get a lunchbreak these days (oh woe is me!). Also, when I do get a lunchbreak, I like to spend it doing very little, to relax the old brain. Obviously I can sneak in a little forum-ing at work. This has a double-function as a kind of advertising, especially with my books in my sig.
But there's very little scope for sneaking in a little bit here and there on all of the other activities. I can't write while snowboarding (or can I? I mean I could give it a go and post the results on YouTube, that might help with the advertising too).
So what's the solution? Right now I'm working on a 'everything in moderation' philosophy. I can go climbing one weekend, snowboarding the next, and go to the cinema the next. That frees up the rest of the weekend for other things. It's not a bad system, but I'd really like to dedicate two whole days per week to snowboarding, two to climbing, and two to painting. I would write every evening, and on my spare day: I would go into work, for triple what I'm being paid now. Any ideas how I can pitch that one to the boss? Anyone who comes up with something workable is a shoe-in for the Nobel prize in badassery (new category for 2013).
Hugs and kisses,
S.J.
I'm Excited!
Hi all,
As you can tell by my title, I'm pretty happy right now. I've been working really hard on my latest novella, Licking Walls in the Dark, and I've been getting good responses from test-readers :-)
I'm going to give it one more look over, then send it to my meanest, least feelings-caring-aboutest friend, for him to shout at me until my book is good. Then I'll begin the long search for a good cover, slap my name on it, and throw my book into the hellish maelstrom of obscurity that is Amazon.
This is now my sixth book. That will be three short stories and three novellas available. I'm planning on doing collections, and then (drum roll) it will be time to unleash the novel.
The Werechicken has been sitting on the back burner for quite a while now. I'm really excited about finally getting it out there.
That's all for now. Watch this space for more self-indulgent ramblings. Coming soon!
As you can tell by my title, I'm pretty happy right now. I've been working really hard on my latest novella, Licking Walls in the Dark, and I've been getting good responses from test-readers :-)
I'm going to give it one more look over, then send it to my meanest, least feelings-caring-aboutest friend, for him to shout at me until my book is good. Then I'll begin the long search for a good cover, slap my name on it, and throw my book into the hellish maelstrom of obscurity that is Amazon.
This is now my sixth book. That will be three short stories and three novellas available. I'm planning on doing collections, and then (drum roll) it will be time to unleash the novel.
The Werechicken has been sitting on the back burner for quite a while now. I'm really excited about finally getting it out there.
That's all for now. Watch this space for more self-indulgent ramblings. Coming soon!
Friday, 25 January 2013
Reviews
I just wanted to quickly say thank you to everyone on Reddit who downloaded my book, The Head Vampire, for free on Wednesday and wrote a review of it.
Reviews are difficult to get, but they're so important when it comes to convincing people to buy your book. I hate asking friends to write reviews, because I can never be assured of an honest opinion. It's a great feeling when I get a complete stranger, with no reason to be kind to me, giving me a good review. It makes me feel like I'm not wasting my time by writing.
So thank you again to everyone who took part, and to those of you who downloaded without reviewing: soon.
Reviews are difficult to get, but they're so important when it comes to convincing people to buy your book. I hate asking friends to write reviews, because I can never be assured of an honest opinion. It's a great feeling when I get a complete stranger, with no reason to be kind to me, giving me a good review. It makes me feel like I'm not wasting my time by writing.
So thank you again to everyone who took part, and to those of you who downloaded without reviewing: soon.
To Do List...
My list of things to do:
1. Redraft Licking Walls in the Dark
2. Redraft The Werechicken
3. Publish the above
4. Publish 'collections' of work to date
5. ?????????
6. Make millions
7. Go into work in a kangaroo suit until they ask me to leave
8. Smoke cigars and drink whisky
1. Redraft Licking Walls in the Dark
2. Redraft The Werechicken
3. Publish the above
4. Publish 'collections' of work to date
5. ?????????
6. Make millions
7. Go into work in a kangaroo suit until they ask me to leave
8. Smoke cigars and drink whisky
Monday, 21 January 2013
Interview with myself, Part Two
Evil Steve: All right everyone we're back with everyone's favourite author that no-one has ever heard of, S.J. Magill.
S.J. Magill: I didn't even want to come back...
ES: Hush now, I have more questions. So you currently have three short stories, and two novellas. Is there something wrong with writing a full-length novel?
SJ: Not at all, I have one ready to go, but I thought I should work up some hype before releasing my full-length work.
ES: Well, considering you're interviewing yourself, I think we can all tell how that's going.
SJ: Fair enough. Next question, please.
ES: Which is your favourite colour of Skittle?
SJ: Yellow.
ES: ... I don't think you fully understood the question.
SJ: ... Orange?
ES: Well done. So, your first novella was Love and Lycanthrope. Wouldn't you say that alliterative titles are a bit 1800's?
SJ: Not at all.
ES: What was your inspiration to write a romance novel? Is it because you're a bit girly?
SJ: I wouldn't call it a 'romance novel'
ES: I would.
SJ: Well you're wrong. It's a romantic comedy with werewolves. The setting is a village high in the mountains. It was inspired by the game Skyrim, which I was playing at the time.
ES: Werewolves and a snowy-setting? Sounds like you were asking to be sued.
SJ: Those are about the only similarities.
ES: That's probably true. Skyrim wasn't a sissy romcom.
SJ: It's not 'sissy'.
ES: If you say so. So what about this latest one: The Battlemage. It's a bit different for you.
SJ: What do you mean?
ES: Well, the other ones had jokes, and funny bits. This one is downright creepy.
SJ: Well that was the idea.
ES: Oh thank god, I thought you had taken a blow to the head or something and you thought you were being funny, but just weren't.
SJ: No no, this one was meant to be a horror.
ES: So what are you working on now?
SJ: I've finished the first draft of my third novella, Licking Walls in the Dark. It's about a dwarf who was born and raised in a mine. He uses his sense of taste to seek out deposits of valuable metals in the mines. That's where the title came from.
ES: Gosh, that sounds thrilling, and I'd love to hear more about it, but we're all out of time. Thanks for stopping by. And to my audience: next week we'll see if we can get someone whose work you might have actually read. Goodbye for now.
S.J. Magill: I didn't even want to come back...
ES: Hush now, I have more questions. So you currently have three short stories, and two novellas. Is there something wrong with writing a full-length novel?
SJ: Not at all, I have one ready to go, but I thought I should work up some hype before releasing my full-length work.
ES: Well, considering you're interviewing yourself, I think we can all tell how that's going.
SJ: Fair enough. Next question, please.
ES: Which is your favourite colour of Skittle?
SJ: Yellow.
ES: ... I don't think you fully understood the question.
SJ: ... Orange?
ES: Well done. So, your first novella was Love and Lycanthrope. Wouldn't you say that alliterative titles are a bit 1800's?
SJ: Not at all.
ES: What was your inspiration to write a romance novel? Is it because you're a bit girly?
SJ: I wouldn't call it a 'romance novel'
ES: I would.
SJ: Well you're wrong. It's a romantic comedy with werewolves. The setting is a village high in the mountains. It was inspired by the game Skyrim, which I was playing at the time.
ES: Werewolves and a snowy-setting? Sounds like you were asking to be sued.
SJ: Those are about the only similarities.
ES: That's probably true. Skyrim wasn't a sissy romcom.
SJ: It's not 'sissy'.
ES: If you say so. So what about this latest one: The Battlemage. It's a bit different for you.
SJ: What do you mean?
ES: Well, the other ones had jokes, and funny bits. This one is downright creepy.
SJ: Well that was the idea.
ES: Oh thank god, I thought you had taken a blow to the head or something and you thought you were being funny, but just weren't.
SJ: No no, this one was meant to be a horror.
ES: So what are you working on now?
SJ: I've finished the first draft of my third novella, Licking Walls in the Dark. It's about a dwarf who was born and raised in a mine. He uses his sense of taste to seek out deposits of valuable metals in the mines. That's where the title came from.
ES: Gosh, that sounds thrilling, and I'd love to hear more about it, but we're all out of time. Thanks for stopping by. And to my audience: next week we'll see if we can get someone whose work you might have actually read. Goodbye for now.
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