Rob Parnell's Writing Academy Blog

Rob Parnell This is probably the least understood phrase for new writers – probably because it seems to go against logic. Writers tell stories right? No. Good writers show stories. To me there’s really only one thing you need to remember when it comes to showing your stories, and that is a quote from Graham Masterton. He said: “Don’t tell your story. Be there.” Basically, it doesn’t matter how good your writing is. If you’re telling the story you are distancing your reader from it. Here’s an example of telling: Jason knew he had to go to the Dentist. His teeth hurt so much that he told his mother about it. She suggested he call Dr Evans, a man who had looked after the family’s teeth for years. He made the call and arranged to be at Dr Evans surgery at three o clock. That would give him plenty of time to do a few errands – and be back in time for tea. This is completely passive because the information is being related from the omniscient, non-personal viewpoint. In order to ‘sh...

The trick with creating success in writing is to do what all bestselling writers have done. That is, try lots of things, find out what works - and then follow the money. But where do you start? Here's my best advice: Take a piece of paper. Real paper - and a pen. Write down a list of writing activities that you believe would provide a nice balance of work for you on an ongoing basis. Then ascribe a percentage value to each. For instance: Short Fiction - 35% of my writing time Magazine Articles - 15% of my writing time Fillers - 5% of my writing time The Great Novel - 10% of my writing time And so on. Put as many categories as you like. Then, take the same list and ascribe the monetary income you visualize your writing efforts bringing in over the course of a year. Like this: Short Fiction - 20% of my writing income Magazine Articles - 35% of my writing income Fillers - 25% of my writing income The Great American Novel - 5% of my writing income You get the id...

There's really only one way to achieve success in writing and it's very simple to learn: to keep writing! I know this is my call sign - but I use it for a reason. It's based on my experience of watching thousands of writers over the years. The truth of it is very basic. That is, the Universe favors those who do not give up. It's obvious really. If you set out on a path and commit to it, many things in the world need to change for you to accomplish your goals. People around you need to think of you as a writer. Publishers, agents and readers need to know that you are a writer. They need to see you working and taking your craft seriously. You need to be building a catalogue of work - articles, short stories, novels, non-fiction work, ebooks, websites, blogs, anything that proves that you live your life through writing. The Universe needs to see you improving - and wanting to improve - so that it can then do its bit: creating unseen connections for...

This week a writer asked me a great question - something I take so much for granted that I realised I don't talk about it much! The question was simple: "I love what you teach, Rob, but can you give me the names of any popular novels that exemplify and reflect your teaching?" Where to start? First, take a look at the top 100 bestselling novels out there at any one time! All of them contain the elements I teach. All of them. You name a successful author, and I can tell you exactly what they do that makes them commercial and popular. Anyone from Jeffrey Archer to Poppy Z Brite. The Fact Is... I have made it my business over the last twenty five years to study all kinds of popular fiction - in all kinds of commercial genres: thrillers, romance, mystery, fantasy, horror and science fiction - hence, my expertise and my ability to teach these genres. I have made similar studies in popular film making - hence, I would have to say, our recent successes is screen...

This week I've received lots of correspondence from my esteemed subscribers over the issue of whether writers should have to pay for writer's resources - including market listings. I thought the topic worthy of discussion, not least because there are so many writer's sites out there that do charge fees - for almost everything from agent contacts, representation services, and the old chestnut, vanity (now often called POD or partnership) publishing. It's interesting to me because it seems to be an issue that is unique to the Internet. Writers feel no similar qualms over paying for writing services and market listings off-line. It's only on the Internet that writers seem to think everything should be free! Why, I'm not really sure. I guess it's because once, a long time ago, there was an idealistic notion that the web would one day become a resource for humanity, free to all, forever... Whilst a fervent minority bought into this cute idea, vast money...

Rob Parnell Below is an article I wrote way back in 2002. It's been reproduced hundreds of times on the Net and in books and courses. I guess that means it's kind of famous! Take a look - it's still inspiring! Understanding genius is a three-stage process. First, you need to break down your preconceptions about what you think being a genius is. When you call someone a genius, what do you mean? That they display characteristics that seem to be above the common herd? That they think ahead of their time? That they seem to be able to create perfect art with little or no effort? Einstein was a genius they say. So was Leonardo da Vinci, Shakespeare, Beethoven and Van Gogh. Why? Because they displayed a unique way of thinking that separated them from the mainstream. Did genius just bestow itself upon these individuals? No, every so-called genius is a craftsman first. They learn the basics. They study them, copy them until they are implicit. So that, when it's time to create fo...

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