Rob Parnell's Writing Academy Blog

I have a fascination for celebrities - especially when it comes to how they handle success. From Lilo to Robert Downey Jr, from Orson Welles to Marilyn Monroe, I study behavior and try to gather clues as to the correct way to behave to sustain a successful artistic career. The clues are there - just not always obvious. Demi Moore's been having a spectacular fall from grace recently, what with her split from one of the coolest dudes on the planet, Ashton Kutcher, and her recent collapse after inhaling 'not marijuana' but some unspecified incense product (believe what you will.) And now apparently she's devastated by losing the title role in the upcoming film Lovelace, a bio pic based on the life of porn star Linda Lovelace. Ironic really, seeing as her career began to falter after the soft porn Striptease , you'd think she'd want to distance herself from 'that kind of film', especially at her age. Celebrity is as much about perception as it is...

According to her bio, Jane Friedman used to be a publishing and media executive (which could mean anything) but is now assistant professor of e-media at the University of Cincinnati. The good news is that for writers, especially wannabes, she has a blog with more pertinent information than is probably good for a writer to know!  Her latest article (28.1.12) covers the thorny question we all get asked so often: "How do I get published?" Her answer is candid, authoritative and thorough - and you would do well to read the advice and inwardly digest it. Go here . You might also want to read my own thoughts on the subject here .

I get asked this question a lot. I usually forget all about it when it comes to Friday newsletter time. But it's pertinent today because I only have a limited time to write an article - probably less than an hour, so it will be a good test of any advice I have to offer. It's now ten fifteen - so time me! In the increasingly competitive world of the Net, you need to get articles and blogs out regularly. Not only do your friends and subscribers like it - Google does too. If you put out article sized messages often - at least weekly - then Google will recognize that you have something to say and start putting you in their search results. If you're reading this article, you probably don't need to me to sell you on the importance of writing articles... So, first, how long is an article? In order to write quickly you need to have a clear idea of how long you've got to say something. I recommend around 500 to 800 words. Less than that and it's not real...

My latest novel, PSI Kids: Willow, is on Amazon Kindle. If you've got a Kindle, you can borrow it for free. Go get it! If you're curious, here's a link to the latest R&R press release. It will open in a one page PDF. We're making a video promo for Robyn's latest book, Maya and the Crystal Skull, at the moment. We spent yesterday filming 13 year old actor Leila Clendon against a green screen and on top of a cliff near here. Great fun - though it was scorching hot near the beach! A writer friend recommended some wonderful free writing software to me. I'm hooked. It's called Celtx and you can use it to write pretty much anything - books, movies, graphic novels, even story boards. It really is free - and I get nothing for promoting it! Go here for that. Also, many of you are still asking for another tiny wee extension to the Easy Way to Write Digital Disposa l . Go here for a (final, final, final!) chance to get the writin...

In case you didn't know, my latest novel, PSI Kids: Willow, is now on Amazon Kindle. Go get it! Onward. I've almost made a decision. It feels right to me but I'm giving myself another couple of weeks before I totally commit... Deep breath... I'm starting a new website - actually more of an on-line magazine focused on art, wealth creation and achieving true happiness - all the things you'd expect from me. I'm sure I'll keep you posted on how it's progressing... Also, many of you are still asking for a tiny extension to the Easy Way to Write Digital Disposa l, for whatever reason. Okay, go here for a (final, final!) chance to get what you need. THIS WEEK'S ARTICLE: How To Be Happy Rob Parnell Human consciousness is a wonderful thing. It enables us to feel we exist. According to the latest research, this ability is achieved by a constant stream of short circuits in our heads. All day long,...

People keep emailing me - begging me not to stop. It's awesome - and humbling. In truth, I get to today and the pull of writing an article is too strong to resist. I'd be lost without having to do it. Also, many of you have asked for a tiny extension to the December Digital Disposa l, for whatever reason. Okay, go here for a (final!) chance to get what you need. THIS WEEK'S ARTICLE: The Search 2 Rob Parnell If you could have anything you wanted - what would that be? If the world conspired to grant all your wishes and desires, would that make you happy? Perhaps - for a week, or a month, but what then? If anything was possible, what would you WANT to spend your time doing? What would make you feel fulfilled? I like that word - it describes what it represents. Full filled. Filled to the max with - what? Satisfaction? Pride perhaps? Enriched to overflowing with a sense of purpose? Of course, all of us are going to be...