Blog – The Write Thought

CHATgpt Character Background

Posted by Stephen Blake Mettee at 8:00 am No Responses »

Jun 232023

I decided to use CHATgpt to research the backround for a minor character in Thecla, a novel I’m writing. Wow!

My query:
Pretend you are a experienced historical fiction writer. Produce about 500 words of background information, including work and family life, on a first-century man in Asia Minor who makes and sells idols. His name is Sayegh.

Here are 3 CHATgpt responses, the first one and two regenerated responses. Note that the title changes.

Sayegh: A Journey through the Craft of Idol Making in First-Century Asia Minor

In the bustling region of Asia Minor during the first century, a man named Sayegh found his calling as an idol maker. Born into a family of craftsmen, Sayegh inherited their passion for creating exquisite works of art. His skillful hands and creative mind transformed lifeless materials into captivating idols that captured the hearts and beliefs of the people.

Sayegh’s workshop, nestled amidst the narrow streets of a vibrant city, was a sanctuary of creativity and devotion. The scents of wood, clay, and pigments filled the air, while the rhythmic tapping of hammers and chisels provided the soundtrack of Sayegh’s daily routine. He meticulously crafted each idol, pouring his heart and soul into every detail, for he believed that these representations of gods and goddesses were the physical embodiment of divinity.

Beyond his artistic prowess, Sayegh possessed an astute understanding of the religious and cultural landscape of the time. He studied ancient texts and legends, delving into the mythology and traditions of diverse civilizations. This knowledge allowed him to bring forth idols that resonated deeply with the beliefs and aspirations of the people, ensuring a steady demand for his creations.

In the labyrinthine streets of the city, Sayegh’s idols found their way into temples, private altars, and homes of the faithful. They became objects of veneration, conduits for devotion and prayers. His reputation as a master idol maker spread far and wide, drawing patrons from near and far who sought his expertise in capturing the essence of their chosen deity.

Sayegh’s workshop was not just a place of work, but a familial haven. He had a loving wife, Aurelia, who supported him in his artistic endeavors. She shared his passion for the craft and would often assist in painting and adorning the idols, bringing an extra touch of grace to their creations. Together, they would work long hours, immersed in their shared world of artistic expression.

Their only child, a young daughter named Lysandra, had inherited her parents’ creative spirit. She spent countless hours observing her father’s work, learning the intricate techniques and mythology that wove together to create the idols. As she grew older, she showed remarkable talent, and Sayegh envisioned passing down his craft to her, ensuring the continuation of their family’s legacy.

Despite the success and acclaim, Sayegh grappled with inner conflicts. As an idol maker, he occupied a unique position within society. On one hand, he was a respected artisan, valued for his talent and skill. On the other hand, he was aware that the idols he crafted were objects of worship, and this gave rise to ethical questions. Did his work merely cater to the desires of the faithful, or did it exploit their spiritual yearning for personal gain?

Sayegh’s journey was one of exploration and self-reflection. He wrestled with these moral dilemmas, seeking to strike a delicate balance between his artistry, the religious beliefs of his patrons, and his own sense of integrity. As he matured as an artist and a man, he would come to understand that his craft held the power to shape hearts and minds, and he had a responsibility to approach it with reverence and humility.

Sayegh’s story weaves together the intricacies of art, spirituality, and personal conviction against the vibrant backdrop of first-century Asia Minor. Through his devotion to his craft, his family, and his search for meaning, he leaves an indelible mark on the tapestry of history, reminding us that the choices we make as individuals can shape the world around us.

—-

Sayegh: A Tale of Craftsmanship and Devotion in Ancient Asia Minor

In the bustling city of Ephesus, nestled within the vast province of Asia Minor during the first century, there lived a man named Sayegh. He was known throughout the region for his exceptional skill as an idol-maker, crafting intricate and captivating statues that captured the hearts and imaginations of both locals and travelers alike.

Sayegh hailed from a modest background. Born into a family of craftsmen, his father, Nicander, was a renowned woodworker, renowned for his ability to fashion intricate furniture pieces and ornate carvings. It was under his watchful eye and skilled hands that Sayegh first learned the art of woodworking and developed a deep passion for sculpting.

As a young boy, Sayegh would often accompany his father to the bustling marketplace, where artisans and merchants from far and wide gathered to showcase their wares. This vibrant atmosphere fueled Sayegh’s imagination and ignited his desire to create something unique, something that would leave a lasting impression on those who beheld his work.

Sayegh’s craftsmanship flourished over the years, as he honed his skills and sought to bring life to the blocks of wood that lay before him. He dedicated countless hours to studying the human form, capturing its nuances, and breathing soul into his creations. His idols ranged from depictions of revered deities to ordinary people, each sculpted with meticulous attention to detail.

Beyond his work, Sayegh found solace in a loving family life. He was married to Elara, a gentle and supportive woman who understood his unwavering dedication to his craft. Together, they had two children, a son named Caius and a daughter named Lysandra. Sayegh’s family provided the much-needed balance to his demanding profession, offering him comfort and inspiration when the trials of the workshop seemed overwhelming.

As an idol-maker, Sayegh’s life revolved around his craft. The workshop, nestled in the heart of the city, became his sanctuary, a place where creativity flowed freely and dreams took shape. He would spend hours meticulously chiseling away, coaxing the wood to reveal the hidden beauty within. The scent of sawdust and the gentle tap of his tools against the wood became the backdrop of his daily existence.

Sayegh’s idols gained fame not only for their exquisite craftsmanship but also for the spiritual aura they seemed to emanate. Many believed that Sayegh possessed a rare ability to capture the essence of the divine, instilling life and presence into his creations. Devotees flocked to his workshop, seeking solace, guidance, and a tangible connection to the gods.

However, Sayegh’s work was not without its critics. In a city where religious beliefs were diverse and fervent, there were those who saw his idols as mere objects of false worship. They questioned the legitimacy of his art, asserting that his creations distracted people from the true spiritual path.

Despite the controversies surrounding his work, Sayegh remained steadfast in his passion, viewing his idols as a means to bridge the gap between the mortal and the divine. To him, his art was an expression of devotion and a conduit for spiritual enlightenment.

Sayegh’s legacy as an idol-maker would transcend his lifetime, as his works found their way into the hands of collectors and admirers far and wide. Through his skill and unwavering dedication, he left an indelible mark on the ancient world, forever immortalized as a master craftsman who, through his art, sought to capture the essence of the divine and inspire the souls of those who beheld his creations.

——

Sayegh: The Master Artisan of Asia Minor

In the bustling city of Ephesus, during the vibrant first century, a man named Sayegh emerged as a prominent figure in the ancient trade of idol making. Hailing from a humble background, Sayegh’s journey from a skilled craftsman to a renowned idol sculptor is a testament to his unwavering dedication and unparalleled talent.

Born into a family of artisans in the bustling town of Pergamon, Sayegh inherited the rich legacy of craftsmanship that permeated his lineage. From a young age, he showed an exceptional aptitude for the arts, demonstrating a natural flair for carving and sculpting. Under the guidance of his father, a skilled woodworker, Sayegh honed his talents and developed an unparalleled mastery over his craft.

Sayegh’s devotion to his work extended beyond the confines of his small workshop. He spent countless hours observing the world around him, immersing himself in the diverse cultures and mythologies that pervaded the region. Inspired by the stories of the ancient gods and goddesses, he embarked on a lifelong journey to breathe life into these myths through his meticulously crafted idols.

His reputation as a master artisan quickly spread, drawing patrons from far and wide seeking his exceptional creations. The city of Ephesus, renowned for its vibrant marketplaces and flourishing trade, became the epicenter of Sayegh’s entrepreneurial endeavors. His intricate statues and beautifully crafted idols adorned the grand temples and wealthy households of the region, captivating the hearts and minds of all who beheld them.

Sayegh’s success in the world of idol making was not without its challenges. The Roman Empire’s pervasive influence meant that the worship of traditional deities had to coexist with the state-sanctioned pantheon. Consequently, Sayegh found himself walking a fine line, creating idols that appeased the Roman authorities while preserving the authenticity of his craft. His ability to strike this delicate balance made him highly sought after, as patrons valued his skill in capturing the essence of both Roman and local deities.

Outside his workshop, Sayegh’s family life provided him with a sense of stability and purpose. He married a kind-hearted woman named Lysandra, who supported his artistic pursuits and shared his passion for the arts. Together, they raised two children, a son named Marcus and a daughter named Helena. Marcus, much like his father, exhibited a natural talent for sculpting, and under Sayegh’s tutelage, he became an apprentice in the family trade.

As the years passed, Sayegh’s influence continued to grow, and his craftsmanship became an integral part of the cultural fabric of Asia Minor. He became not only an idol maker but also a storyteller, infusing each creation with the tales and myths that shaped the lives of the people who worshipped them. Sayegh’s idols became not mere objects of veneration, but conduits through which the divine connected with the mortal world.

The legacy of Sayegh, the master artisan of Asia Minor, remains etched in the annals of history. His passion, talent, and unwavering dedication to his craft continue to inspire generations of artisans. The idols he meticulously crafted, infused with the essence of ancient myths and legends, stand as a testament to his creative genius and his ability to capture the hearts and minds of a bygone era.

——

Henry Miller’s 11 Writing Commandments

Posted by Stephen Blake Mettee at 10:19 am No Responses »

Mar 162022

Henry Miller was known for breaking with existing literary forms and developing a new type of semi-autobiographical novel that blended character study, social criticism, philosophical reflection, stream of consciousness, explicit language, sex, surrealist free association, and mysticism.

Many of Miller’s books were banned. It took a U.S. Supreme Court decision to free them from the chains of censorship.

Henry Miller’s 11 Writing Commandments

Work on one thing at a time until finished.
Start no more new books, add no more new material to Black Spring.
Don’t be nervous. Work calmly, joyously, recklessly on whatever is in hand.
Work according to Program and not according to mood. Stop at the appointed time!
When you can’t create you can work.
Cement a little every day, rather than add new fertilizers.
Keep human! See people, go places, drink if you feel like it.
Don’t be a draught-horse! Work with pleasure only.
Discard the Program when you feel like it—but go back to it next day. Concentrate. Narrow down. Exclude.
Forget the books you want to write. Think only of the book you are writing.
Write first and always. Painting, music, friends, cinema, all these come afterwards.

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The Hero’s Journey

Posted by Stephen Blake Mettee at 8:40 am No Responses »

Aug 212021

Twelve Ancient Storytelling Elements You Can Use
to Attract and Hold Your Readers

Have you ever noticed that certain elements in novels and movies seem to repeat themselves? For instance, in most stories the hero is reluctant to take the particular action that it is necessary for him to take for the story to begin. In private-eye novels, the detective initially balks at accepting the case, protesting that he doesn’t do divorce work or that the police are more equipped to locate missing persons.
Then, after expressing this initial reluctance, the hero decides to do—or is forced to do—that which he resisted and, having accepted this “call to action,” takes the first step on a journey from which there is no turning back. In J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, Frodo leaves the Shire and cannot return until he has destroyed the “one” ring.
During his journey, Frodo is assisted by the wizard Gandalf who dispenses sage advice. This hero-meets-mentor stage is also a reoccurring element in stories.
These elements, which surface to one degree or another in almost all stories, are old as storytelling itself. It was mythologist Joseph Campbell who first identified twelve universal road marks in what has become known as the “hero’s journey.” Campbell found these stages to exist in everything from ancient Sumerian myths to the work of film maker George Lucas.
That these elements exist is important information for the novelist—or the memoir writer— because, on some primal level, readers are strongly drawn to stories that possess all or most of these stages. If, as you write, you keep these stages in mind or even use them as an outline for your story, you are more likely to tap into this unconscious hunger.
While the order of the twelve stages as listed below is common, the sequence often varies
from story to story.

• Ordinary world—The reader is allowed to see the hero in his everyday world.
• Call to adventure—The incident that beckons the hero to start his journey.
• Refusal of the call—The hero’s reluctance to leave the ordinary world.
• Meeting the mentor—The mentor can be anyone from a hooker with a heart of gold to an alien. As with Gandalf, the mentor may appear numerous times and there is often more than one mentor.
• Crossing the first threshold—The action the hero takes from which there is no turning back.
• Tests, Allies, Enemies—The meat of the story where most of the action plays out.
• Approach to the inmost cave—At this stage the hero prepares to cross another threshold, one after which he must confront the most frightening or most critical part of his journey.
• Supreme ordeal—This is the hero’s greatest challenge. Here his character, intelligence, and strengths are put to the maximum test. The hero often appears to die—metaphorically or otherwise—at this stage.
• The seizing of the sword—This is the point at which the hero accomplishes his task. His triumph may not last, or it may have unexpected consequences.
• The road back—Most heroes attempt to return to the ordinary world and experience further adventures or difficulties on the way back.
• Resurrection—The hero has been changed by his experiences. In one sense his old self has died and his new self born. To the reader, this transformation or growth is often the most satisfying part of the story.
• Return with the Elixir—After the hunt, the hero returns with his kill and shares it with those who stayed in the village. Often the hero, since he has changed, no longer fits in the ordinary world and must ride off into the sunset unable to stay and enjoy the fruits of his journey.

The hero’s journey is something that lives within us all. Even with the process of our writing we travel a hero’s journey. The more we can tap into these elements within us, the more we will capture our reader’s hearts, minds and souls.

Check out Steve Mettee’s entertaining Recipes & Ramblings focused on healthy, satisfying eating.

Seuss Books to Be Canceled

Posted by Stephen Blake Mettee at 7:19 am No Responses »

Mar 022021

My favorite quote for the day:
“I don’t think my book is going to change society. But I’m naïve enough to think that society will be changed by examination of ideas through books and the press, and that information can prove to be greater than the dissemination of stupidity.” –Dr. Seuss

Publication of six Dr. Seuss books will be canceled:
“McElligot’s Pool,”
“On Beyond Zebra!,”
“Scrambled Eggs Super!,”
“The Cat’s Quizzer,”
“And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street” and
“If I Ran the Zoo.”
—
I knew little of Theodor Seuss Geisel and his support of the WWII war effort before reading this BBC article: “The surprisingly radical politics of Dr Seuss.”

In the Mood for a Recipe?

Posted by Stephen Blake Mettee at 12:16 pm No Responses »

Jul 282019

Here’s one I just posted on The Sexy Beast Diet book’s website.

Grilled Halibut, Greek Style

Why did the vegan go deep-sea fishing?
Just for the halibut.

There are legions of Greek-style halibut recipes, each claiming to be the authentic one. This is one of the simplest and best. Garnish your plates with a few kalamata olives and grilled tomato halves if you like.

Ingredients
4 halibut fillets (approximately 6 ounces each)
Marinade
1/4 cup olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced, or ½ teaspoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped, or ¾ teaspoon of dried parsley
2 teaspoons fresh oregano finely chopped or ¾ teaspoon of dried oregano (If you can find fresh “Greek” oregano all the better.)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

Directions
Combine olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, parsley, oregano, salt and pepper in a large zip-top bag. Massage the bag to mix the marinade.

Add the fillets one at a time and carefully coat each piece with the marinade.

Place all the fillets back in the bag and place the bag in the refrigerator for an hour. (Okay to leave it in longer.)

Preheat your grill and oil it. (Oil a grill by bunching up a paper towel dipping it in the oil and, using long tongs or an oven mitt, carefully wipe the paper down the grate. Olive oil or canola oil work well for this.)

Place the fillets on the hot, oiled grill. Grill for 4 to 5 minutes without moving the fish then carefully flip the fillets and grill another 4 to 5 minutes. The fish is done when it flakes easily with a fork and is opaque all the way through.

Move the fillets onto a pre-warmed dish and, if not serving them immediately, place them in an oven warmed to about 200 degrees.

Serves: 4 Calories: 190 (Add 5 calories per olive and zero for the tomatoes since they are on The Sexy Beast Diet eat-all-you-want list.) Satisfaction factor: 4.2

Recipe courtesy Neil Fernbaugh
Photo by Malidate Van from Pexels

Secrets about You only Your E-book Retailer Knows!

Posted by Stephen Blake Mettee at 11:41 am No Responses »

Jul 152012

B & N’s Nook accounts for about 25% of the e-book market.

Amazon, Apple, Google, Kobo—whichever company you buy your e-books from—knows more about your reading habits than you yourself may know.

For instance, according to a Wall Street Journal article they know:

• How many hours it takes you to read a book

• What parts of a book you choose to highlight

• What the first thing is that you do in the bookstore after you finish a book

• Which books you quit reading without finishing them

• If you skip the introductions

• How much time you spend reading any chapter or other part of a book

• What search terms you use to find books when shopping

The retailers use this data both granularly—for instance to make suggestions to you of other books you might like—and globally—for instance to pinpoint the degree of eroticism in romance titles that will return the maximum sales.

The retailers are beginning to share this information with publishers who, I assume, will pressure authors to write books that cater to the details the data provides.

Will this intensify or squash the creativity of authors? Will books begin to be aimed at the lowest common denominator as are TV sitcoms or will this allow authors to truly satisfy every desire in the nooks and crannies of the book reader universe?

You predict.

Just a write thought.

Peter H. Gott, M.D. Found His Voice by Being Himself

Posted by Stephen Blake Mettee at 12:36 pm 3 Responses »

Jun 222012

Dr. Gott's personality came through in his writing, as should yours.

Physician and columnist, Peter H. Gott died June 13. He was the most famous syndicated medical columnist in the country, receiving 2,500 letters weekly.

I was proud to publish his books and proud to call him a friend. I visited him in his Connecticut home once or twice and he came to Fresno once.

His hometown obituary didn’t mention his friend Pat Miller. They had been a couple for two decades and I know she added love, warmth, and direction to his life.

When I was trying to sell Peter on the idea of doing the No Flour, No Sugar Diet book he would only respond that, if we put one word on each page, it would only be 4 pages long. His diet was that simple.

One day when I was talking to Pat on the phone, she said, “We’ll get him to do that diet book” and, at that moment, I knew we would.

I think Peter was glad Pat came on board with the diet book idea, it was the book that made him a New York Times best-selling author and was a grand cap to a fabulous career of helping people.

People ask me what I mean when I say you need to put your voice into your writing. When Peter wrote, he wrote with humor, warmth, and compassion, three characteristics that were part of his spirit. Peter cared about people and he thought doctors were often “pompous asses” and this came through no matter the subject he was writing about.

He’ll be missed.

Just a write thought.

Proofreader’s Nightmare

Posted by Stephen Blake Mettee at 10:27 am No Responses »

May 312012

Reading T.E. Lawrence’s 19th-Century accounts helps you understand why this area of the world is still a mess.

Known for his (practiced?) eccentricity, T. E. Lawrence was, as described in the unattributed Introduction to his Revolt in the Desert, an “archeologist, philosopher, diplomat and student of military affairs, [with] the genius of a surpassing leader of irregular cavalry.”

Apparently he was also something of an opportunist. Before World War I, while on a more-or-less unofficial mission for the British government, Arab tribesmen mistook him for a man of authority. Lawrence took it from there, coopting the dangerous task of instigating the Arab Revolt against Ottoman-Turkish rule. The revolt, in the complex intrigues of pre-WWI posturing, would work to Britain’s advantage.

An “Oh, no!” moment.

In 1919 he wrote a 400,000-word account of his Arab adventures. He left the book and many photographs in a handbag in the Reading railway station. When he returned it was gone.

Luckily for history, he started again from scratch.

Unconventional answers

His eccentricity shows in the responses he penned to the poor fellow charged with proofreading his manuscript. The publisher, both, I suppose to share in the amusement and to shield his company from claims of laxity, included in the book the following:

P U B L I S H E R’S N O TE

It seems necessary to explain that the spelling of Arabic names throughout this book varies according to the whim of the author.

The publisher’s proof-reader objected strongly to the apparent inconsistencies which he found, and a long and entertaining correspondence ensued between author and publisher. The author’s attitude can best be judged from the following extracts which show questions and answers in parallel columns [here shown with the question in red and T.E. Lawrence’s reply in blue].

I attach a list of queries raised by F. who is reading the proofs. He finds these very clean, but full of inconsistencies in the spelling of proper names, a point which reviewers often take up. Will you annotate it in the margin, so that I can get the proofs straightened?

Annotated: not very helpfully perhaps. Arabic names won’t go into English, exactly, for their consonants are not the same as ours, and their vowels, like ours, vary from district to district. There are some ‘scientific systems’ of transliteration, helpful to people who know enough Arabic not to need helping, but a wash-out for the world. I spell my names anyhow, to show what rot the systems are.

Slip I. Jeddah and Jidda used impartially throughout. Intentional?

Rather!

Slip 16. Bir Waheida, was Bir Waheidi.

Why not? All one place.

Slip 20. Nuri, Emir of the Ruwalla, belongs to the ‘chief family of the Rualla.’ On Slip 33 ‘Rualla horse,’ and Slip 38, ‘killed one Rueili.’ In all later slips ‘Rualla.’

A .

Should have also used Ruwala and Ruala.

Slip 28. The Biaaita is also spelt Biseita.

Good.

Slip 47. Jedha, the she camel, was Jedhah on Slip 40.

She was a splendid beast.

Slip 53. ‘Meleager, the immoral poet.’ I have put ‘immortal’ poet, but the author may mean immoral after all.

Immorality I know. Immortality I cannot judge. As you please: Meleager will not sue us for libel.

Slip 65. Author is addressed ‘Ya Auruns,’ but on Slip 56 was ‘Aurans.’

Also Lurens and Runs: not to mention ‘Shaw.’ More to follow, if time permits.

Slip 78. Sherif Abd el Mayin of Slip 68 becomes el Main, el Mayein, el Muein, el Mayin, and el Muyein.

Good egg. I call this really ingenious.

In the face of such replies to the publisher’s well-intentioned questions, further expostulation was clearly impossible.

_______________

I’ve worked with a number of brilliant and, at times, difficult authors and I would work with all of them again, but being cavalier when working with editors or proofreaders isn’t suggested for those with a second book in the works.

Just a write thought.

Inspiration vs. Homework when Writing Your Novel

Posted by Stephen Blake Mettee at 1:07 pm No Responses »

Mar 062012

Michael Newton has written more than 240 novels

The following was excerpted from Michael Newton’s classic How to Write Action/Adventure Novels recently republished by The Write Thought. The examples may be a bit dated, but the advice is as solid as the day it was written.

Many authors draw on personal experience for inspiration, falling back upon the maxim that it’s best to “write what you know.” Ex-Green Beret Barry Sadler is a prime example; having first parlayed a tour of Vietnam into a million-selling record album, he now enjoys a successful career as a novelist in the action/adventure genre. Big-city police work has yielded several authors of note, including Robert Daley, Dorothy Uhnak, and Joseph Wambaugh. Service in the intelligence community provides a taste of gritty realism to novels written by E. Howard Hunt and Bill Fieldhouse, not to mention the late, great Ian Fleming.The quest for raw experience is sometimes carried to extremes. One writer on the staff of Able Team (Gold Eagle Books) became so fascinated with the politics of Third World liberation struggles that he wound up in Sri Lanka, teaching martial arts to rebel forces, building barricades and booby traps while bloody riots raged around him in the streets. I generally would not recommend this type of “research” to the novice, but there’s no denying that a taste of combat can provide new insight, bringing an immediacy to the printed page.It isn’t necessary for an author to be living on the edge, however, for experience to serve as inspiration. Even the most trivial, mundane event may offer grist for the creative mill. Stephen King’s short story “Crouch End” was inspired when King got lost in London’s back streets, searching for a friend’s address. In 1983, Gold Eagle’s authors gathered for a two- day conference in Las Vegas, plotting new directions for their series. One of the attendees, Jerry Ahem, subsequently used the meeting as the centerpiece of an adventure novel. In The Hard Way (Gold Eagle, 1984), Ahem portrays a group of action writers, meeting in Las Vegas, who are taken hostage by a band of terrorists. They finally defeat the heavies, using weapons one of them habitually carries in his luggage, and the day is saved.

Assuming that you’re not a mercenary, and you don’t spend your vacations stalking terrorists or bugging embassies, you have another source of inspiration at your fingertips. That’s right—the daily news! If you possess the requisite imagination to be writing novels in the first place, any network news show, any major urban daily should provide you with at least the germ of an idea. If you cannot rack up at least a dozen viable suggestions from the news in any given week, there’s something badly out of whack. I’d recommend you try a different source, or take another look at the material in hand to jump-start your imagination.

Television and the movies fall back constantly on current issues as the basis for their action plots. In Dirty Harry, for example, the sadistic “Scorpio” is no more than a stand-in for a real-life killer, the elusive “Zodiac.” (Unlike the heavy played by Andy Robinson, however, Zodiac is still at large.) An episode of TV’s “Equalizer” squared the title hero off against an adult bully bent on harassing a small boy plagued with AIDS— a story lifted more or less intact from headlines out of Florida and Indiana. And if you’re afflicted with insomnia some evening, don’t waste time with sheep; try counting all the films and novels rooted in the controversy over MIAs in Vietnam.

I personally try to link my action novels with the latest news whenever possible. A blend of fact and fiction, if judiciously employed, adds authenticity—and it may entice new readers who are interested in your subject matter from their own perusal of the daily news. In 1981, when several members of the Ku Klux Klan were busted on the eve of their attempt to seize the island of Dominica, I saw potential for a story. Phasing out the Klan in favor of a neo-fascist billionaire with syndicate connections, planning an invasion of Grenada, I produced the novel Paramilitary Plot (Gold Eagle, 1982). Reports of Yakuza involvement in Las Vegas gambling inspired The Bone Yard, and a Sunday supplement on teenage runaways in Southern California prompted me to write Hollywood Hell (both from Gold Eagle, 1985). In 1986, a “60 Minutes” segment dealing with Vietnamese “dust children” planted the seed for a revenge novel, Child of Blood, which sold to Bantam Books.

Sometimes, with luck, you get the jump on history. Six months before the flight crew of a skyjacked aircraft used their fire ax on a terrorist, with permanent results, I included a similar scene in the manuscript of Flight 741 (Gold Eagle, 1986). And five full years before Islamic gunmen captured the Achille Lauro, I dispatched a team of Black September terrorists to seize the good ship Crystal Belle, in Death Cruise (Carousel, 1980).

Psychic? Hardly. Nor do I believe the PLO was studying my manuscript before they launched their raid. The fact is, if you learn enough about the real-life heavies, come to understand the way they think and operate, you may incorporate a realism in your work that offers a decided edge in making sales.

With 248 (!) published books under his ammo belt, one might reasonably expect to learn a bit on how to write from Michael Newton.

Just a write thought.

Thoughts from the Digital Book World Conference

Posted by Stephen Blake Mettee at 3:37 pm No Responses »

Feb 052012

Over 1,000 people attended the DBW 2012 conference.

I attended the Digital Book World Conference in New York City toward the end of January.

It was held at the Sheraton Towers on 7^th Avenue, just down the street from Molyvos Restaurant where famed freelance editor Patrick LoBrutto and I lunched on roasted octopus.

Here, to get you thinking, and in no particular order, is just a little of what I culled from the three-day affair:

• Kobo, the Canadian answer to Kindle and now Japanese-owned, is transforming itself for the international market.

• Seven percent of Kobo’s titles are self-published—it’s 14% in Africa—making Kobo among the world’s largest publishers.

• Kobo’s English language sales are up in non-English markets 300% in “all kinds of places we never expected.”

• Metadata has never been so important. Including the basics increases sales 98%. Enhanced metadata with only four additional elements increased sales an additional 55%. For more information on metadata go to www.nielsenbookscan.co.uk.

• One in three American adults now owns a tablet or e-reader. These people are just one click away from ordering a book no matter where they are.

• Today books find the reader instead of the other way around.

• Bookstore recommendations are said to still drive 30% of the sales.

• Amazon has sold 1.3 million kindles in the UK or 92% of all UK e-readers.

• Generally DRM (Digital Rights Management) is looked down on by those in the industry. It is thought that it might even make piracy worse.

• Today we can gather more data than ever before. Including data on how consumers are using the books. Which pages they linger on and more.

• Getting the data is one thing, figuring how to use it another.

• E-books are 26% of adult fiction sales. Nonfiction lags behind fiction.

• With illustrated e-books, making the consumer pinch and zoom is thought to produce a poor reader experience. This is a problem with small screens like the one on the iPhone.

• The price range of $7.99 to $10.99 is popular with illustrated e-books.

• Book apps are taking a beating with publishers considering the e-pub options first. E-pub3 should further this trend.

• Measure the success of your website not just in traffic, but in engagement.

• Look for additional ways beyond selling books to create revenue from your site. Perhaps partner with a company with an allied product.

• As we all know, technology is advancing at a never before experienced rate, but, according to futurist David Houle, the rate at which technology is advancing is itself advancing 100-fold. He predicts that the same amount of technological progress of the last 1,000 years will be experienced in the next decade.

• Curation is the next big thing in the Internet.

• Be the parent of the future, not the child of the past.

If the advances in technology don’t excite you, feel around to see if you are lying in a satin-lined box.

Just a write thought.

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