Rob Parnell's Writing Academy Blog

Movie Funding Needed Click here for a free copy of a screenplay I will be making as a feature film. What I need is some backing to get the project going. If you're a producer or distributor looking for a tentpole project, contact me . Keep Writing! Rob Parnell THIS WEEK'S ARTICLE: My Life Downunder Rob Parnell Still raining in Oz, like the gods decided we need more water. The land, the cities, the infrastructures are not set up for lots of rain - so we struggle to deal with flooding and power outs. I like it here at this time of year because the constant wet reminds me of the UK, without the cold. I came to Australia because I knew it would be good for my writing. I knew I could make it work here. Because London, you see, is a far too expensive place to live without a high paying job - and there's nowhere else I wanted to reside in England. The weather's too gray and sombre most of the time. And cold. Did I mention the cold?...

News, Views & Clues... to Writing Success FanStory.com If you love writing then joining FanStory is one of the best decisions you could ever make! For over twelve years FanStory.com has been helping writers improve their craft. You receive detailed feedback for everything you write!  Best part, you can enter writing contests with cash prizes for FREE. Over 50 contests are always open. You can view the full listing of contests  here . Go for it. Click below to see my "Interview with a Bestselling Author" Keep Writing! Rob Parnell THIS WEEK'S ARTICLE: Once Upon a Time Rob Parnell Tis the dark of winter as I write. It's June but this is Australia where the seasons are the wrong way round to everyone else. It's been raining constantly for days. The wettest month for seven years they tell us. Of course we blame global warming - the weather's getting worse, we say, as we do every year, though t...

Dear Fellow Writer, This Week Had a weird dream last night about something that happened twenty years ago - funny how the mind does that... Today, still working on the video interview with Robyn. Editing, makin' it sparkle! Should be ready in a day or so. The Character Creation course is going really well. I'm learning as much as I'm teaching on this one! It's great fun to go back to basics. Join me if you can. Keep Writing! Rob Parnell THIS WEEK'S ARTICLE: Using True Ideas for Fiction Rob Parnell We all do it. When looking for ideas, we plunder our own lives. From using people we know as a basis for characters to plotting stories based on things that have happened to us. It's just natural: writers have been doing this since writing began. But we should remember that it's not actually the ideas that impress us or inspire us to tell a story. No, it's the idea's effect on ...

Ask the Author! This week we'd like to invite you to ask your questions to bestselling children's author of 86 published books, Robyn Opie Parnell. We're making a new video interview this weekend - and we thought it would be nice if YOU asked the questions!  Please email me with your questions about writing or whatever you'd like to know about Robyn, here: rob@easywaytowrite.com Please be quick - we're making the vid at the weekend! Keep Writing. Rob Parnell Long Live Ray Bradbury Rob Parnell I've never been a big science fiction fan, even though the genre has touched my life at many times. But I've always loved Ray Bradbury, who sadly died at 91 this week. I loved the way he was never ashamed to call writing a career and was always so focused on helping other writers understand the craft. He wrote every day - at least 1000 words - even when he was traveling. He wrote in hote...

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Thanks to everyone who said such nice things about my interview.  It hadn't really occurred to me that I might seem different in person! If you missed the video, it's here: Here's my latest writing course: Keep Writing! Rob Parnell THIS WEEK'S ARTICLE: Another trip down memory lane. This article has been reprinted and cited hundreds of times in the last decade... Unleash the Genius Within Rob Parnell This 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 ea...

WATCH & WIN! Simply watch the video below... ... and answer a simple onscreen question - for your chance to win The Write Stuff - my latest and greatest new writing course!   Here's what you could win: Soon to be $370 through The Writing Academy , The Write Stuff could be yours FREE - five lucky winners will be announced next FridayI Hurry - full instructions are on the video! Play it now - and win! Keep Writing. Rob Parnell   How to Believe in Yourself Rob Parnell There will be many times when your self confidence is tested.  Sometimes to a painful degree.  Don't you be one of those that falls victim to the idea that you lack the self confidence to succeed. You don't. All you might lack from time to time is self belief - a temporary aberration that is easily fixed. First off, you need to understand that self doubt is completely different from lack of self belief....