Rob Parnell's Writing Academy Blog

Dear Fellow Writer, I've been restless these last few weeks. Developing and pushing new ideas to the fore. Succeeding in some but ultimately feeling unfulfilled by others. The lure of writing is just too strong. I've realized I can do other things - but that writing is the only thing I love doing.  More than love, I can't remain sane and not do it. I need it - is that how you feel too? I hope you'll forgive me for coming back to the Easy Way to Write. I'm at home here. Rob Parnell THIS WEEK'S ARTICLE: Dust in the Wind Rob Parnell The secret to good writing is to stay in the moment while you're doing it. Doesn't matter which draft you're on - the first or the twentieth, you have to stay in the moment - the eternal NOW. When you think about it, the past is a figment of our imagination. We're tempted to believe our past has substance and influence over us - that it is somehow important, relevant, filled w...

Dear Friend, Been doing some filming this week for a doco I'm making. Fun - but a different discipline to pure writing obviously - but it all starts there. And as any TV exec know - just look at the front credits these days - the best people to lead any visual projects are writers, who often have the innate understanding of structure, pacing and form that writing engenders. Once a writer, it's hard to break the hold of writing. I came up with what I consider a brilliant idea for a novel this week - a sort of vampire meets alternate history adventure quest - started plotting it - but time, as always, seems to be the enemy. I have so many fiction projects to complete I literally can't see the wood for the trees - or the paper for all the potential reams I would use! I need clones of me - all working away in a back room, locked in until they finish their books. It's no wonder James Patterson co-writes - it's the only way to keep up with the ideas... ...

It's important to establish ground rules by emphasizing that it's how you feel about yourself that will determine your effectiveness. How you feel about yourself is more important than where you are. It's all very well setting lots of goals for yourself but if the thought of them fills you with dread you're not going to get very far. This is why most goals you set are doomed to failure - because what seems like a burning conviction one moment can quickly turn into a damp 'maybe' a day or so later! The trick is to set 'aspirations' that make you smile and fill you with a warm fuzzy feeling that will last. Born to be Mild This is what Robyn and I learned on a road trip to Darwin. We were filled with love for each other - high on traveling and having fun when we sat down and drew up a list of 101 things we'd like to do in the following year. There were good, noble things there like writing books and creating charity foundations - ...

It's a truism that pop stars marry models, actors marry other actors and writers marry people with proper jobs - to help support their vocation! The idea of marrying for 'only love' is wonderful, of course, but how many of us would choose haphazardly if we knew our artistic careers (or lack of them) were so dependent on picking the right person to share our lives with?  Fact is, if you have any creative leanings and you pick an unsupportive partner, your life may well be full of frustration, bitterness and regret - and not a little resentment aimed directly at your 'other half'! I remember meeting a guy who shared an apartment in London with Hugh Grant and Elizabeth Hurley when they were a couple.  He said they spent most of their twenties sitting around the house waiting for casting calls or modeling assignments.  Despite having no real evidence that they would both end up being superstars, their faith in each other's talent, good looks and abilitie...

There's speculation on E-News that the split between power couple Seal and Heidi Klum is not all that it seems. Despite the official line of 'having grown apart', both are still wearing their wedding bands and neither have filed for divorce. There's also the convenient fact that both have much to gain from extra publicity at this point in time. Seal has a new album out and is touring to promote it. Heidi is up for another Runway Model show. Far be it from me to suggest that the split may be in some way manufactured but... I'm reminded of a superb book written about how individuals can go about developing beneficial media relationships called "It" by Paula Froelich . If you ever had aspirations to be famous one day, this book is the only handbook you need.  In "It" (2005) Paula, herself a reporter for the New York Post's entertainment sections and an Entertainment Tonight correspondent, spills the goss on publicity and PR - how i...