Sep
27
Now Announcing Telegraph!
September 27th, 2007 
With the release of our first book, The 5 Powers of Story: How to Write More, Better and Sell!, we would like to introduce you to the publishing company at work behind the scenes: Telegraph, an artist-driven publishing company.
Writers Wanted
Illustrators Wanted
Telegraph is focused on delivering books in the how-to/educational and graphic novel categories. If you have experience or book ideas in this area, feel free to submit a cover letter through www.brianmcdonough.com
Our first event will be this Saturday and Sunday, September 29 and 30 in Portland, Oregon at the Stumptown Comic Books Festival, (table 123) where we will be actively engaged in signing up writers and illustrators.
We hope to hear from you soon!
Sep
2
Upcoming Class
September 2nd, 2007 What: How to Write More, Write Better and Sell!
Where: The Learning Annex - Los Angeles
When: Saturday, September 8 from 1-4 pm
For more information, visit The Learning Annex.
Aug
31
How to Write a Book, Step-by-Step
August 31st, 2007So, you have an idea you want to turn into a book. It could be a nonfiction book, novel, comic book, or what have you…I am in the process of publishing a non-fiction book, so I know exactly what it takes. I will also dedicate an upcoming article to selling the book. Everything is easier when you take it step-by-step, so that’s exactly what we’re going to do.
Step 1: Write down the idea
Every good book starts with a great idea. If you can successfully communicate your idea in a few lines, you’re on your way to writing a great book. For example:
A SHERIFF drives on a country road when he sees an asteroid plow into a nearby field. An ALIEN BEING emerges from the asteroid and terrorizes the nearby town, leaving the SHERIFF with no way to defend himself or the town. The ARMY comes in with all their firepower, but they quickly fall dead, even with gas masks. The SHERIFF has one last idea, drawn from the few clues he’s gathered…a last chance to save the town from annihilation.
That may or may not be a great idea, depending on who you ask, but good enough for an example. It’s an idea that’s been translated to written form, setting us up for step #2
Step 2: Test Your Idea
Take your idea to someone you know (and/or someone you don’t know) and pitch the story to them. Use a dramatic delivery to heighten the emotion of the story, then ask the person what they think of the idea. Take the feedback and adapt your idea to fit the needs of the audience. Just keep in mind that everyone is different. Different people will have different responses to the idea. The more people you ask with an interest in your area of writing, the more accurately you’ll be in your testing. You are the test audience in this case. Please leave a comment on this blog telling me what you think of a book about an asteroid alien. Now, we’re ready for the 3rd step.
Step 3: Outline the Book
Create an outline for the chapters of your book. If it’s fiction, every chapter should include characters who gain or lose something over the course of the chapter. In order to gain or lose something, they need to be looking for something. The sheriff in our example is going to have to look for the alien, then for a solution. In a non-fiction book, you set up what the audience can expect to gain from each chapter. In the case of this article, the structure lends itself to explaining step-by-step how to write a book.
Step Out the Chapters
Stepping is the process of summarizing the content you intend to cover in each section. For example, if we are starting with the first chapter of the sherriff asteroid book, chapter one would look something like this in step form:
SHERIFF drives on country road. Sun coming up. Ear-splitting sound interupts peace. SHERIFF pulls over. Looks to sky. An unidentified object hurls through space, its fire blinding to the eyes. The noise is deafening. The SHERIFF falls to his knees and puts his hands on his ears. As the object decends to earth, HE falls over to his side. The earth quakes beneath HIM. Pebbles jump up and down in front of HIS face. The object hits the ground with a great crash, throwing turf up in the air in the distance. Then silence. The SHERIFF opens his eyes and climbs to his feet. HE looks to the horizon. Smoke ascends from a distant field. HE climbs in the police cruiser and calls on the radio, describing the scene and letting HQ know that HE’s heading over the the ALBERT’s farm to investigate. Arriving at the farm, HE sees bodies on the ground. HERB ALPERT lies dead at HIS feet. There are three other bodies. MRS. ALPERT and the CHILDREN also lie dead, apparently.
The SHERIFF runs to the place where the asteroid hit. Inside the gaping hole where the asteroid came to rest, a hollow rock sits, broken open. HE examines the ground for prints and finds a strange impression in the dirt. A great CRASH comes from the distance. HE swivels his head quickly up to see smoke coming from town. Running back to HIS car, HE stumbles. MRS. ALPERT reaches out to him. HE goes to her. SHE’s short of breath, but she manages one word, which SHE whispers to the SHERRIFF before falling dead, “Devil.”
That’s an example of how a chapter can be stepped out. It includes the action, but no dialogue. The most important thing is that the character loses something by the end of the chapter, i.e., peace and quiet. You may have noticed that I balanced this loss with one piece of information, meaning I am giving the character something–albeit very small–in the form of the word, “devil.” If it were a nonfiction book, it would look more like this:
Begin by annoucing the subject of the article and state what the reader will gain from the time spent reading it: Step-by-step method of writing a book. Get to step one quickly, write down idea, and give an example. Idea: Sherriff witnesses asteroid crash. Back up fictional example with nonfiction example. Use current article for reference. Every chapter must end with a successful completion of the task to be learned, write down the idea, accomplished via example. Throw to next section, “setting us up for step #2.”
The reason why you step out your book before you write it is to focus on getting the ideas out without having to worry about the language you deliver it in. It’s a rough version. That helps eliminate any worry that it’s not good enough. It’s clearly a rough step outline and doesn’t resemble anything near our finished format. It also paves the way to great writing. With the knowledge of what every chapter is about and how it progresses from beginning to end, you can write with greater confidence and you won’t get stuck in the middle wondering where to go. You already know. When you finish stepping out your chapters, you proceed to the 4th and final step.
Step 4: Write the Book
Finally, we get to write the book. Trying to write without preparing the ideas that go into something as long as a book is a recipe for disaster. Don’t underestimate the blank page.It may eat you and your idea alive. But by using an outline and the step process, by the time you get to step 4, you have already put in all the hard work and the writing of the book becomes a joy. That’s not to say that you won’t need revisions, but you will have finished your book in much less time and with much less pain than writing from scratch, facing a big blank page at every turn. For more information, check out The 5 Powers of Story
Stay tuned by subscribing to the free newsletter for an upcoming article on how to sell the book when you’ve completed step 4.
Aug
16
High Noon: Hardcover or Paperback
August 16th, 2007After much deliberation, binding tests, and number crunching I am going back on what I said in the last post. I’ve decided to publish in paperback. I know, you’re disappointed that I couldn’t keep my word, but there’s a good reason. Just listen to me for one second, then you can get back to sipping your mocha latte.
Hard cover with Bright White Paper
Paperback with Natural Paper
As you can see, the hard cover does have more of a spine too it, but after trying to tear the paperback in half (I’m not Superman), I concluded that Publisher’s Graphics does such a fine job in paperback that it’s a better fit for me. In fact, (and this suprised me, because I prefer to read hardcovers) I really liked the way it felt. I couldn’t find a hard cover sample that I liked, from any company. Publisher’s Graphics is one of the few companies that does short-run hardcover of excellent quality, but in the end, the paperback sample was more friendly and elegant in the hand.
On a side note, I called the company that prints the Harry Potter series in harcover. I love the feel of these books. Although the website says they are trying to implement a short run press, the rep I talked to said that they generally don’t do anything under 5000 in one run.
For those of you who want to or are interested in publishing your own book: The quote for my book = $650 for 150 books, or around $4.30 per book. If I were to do 250, the price dropped to $4 and $3.50 for 500. These prices don’t include the five years of my time to research and write it, but on it’s own merits it’s a damn good price. Other quotes I received were either in this same ballpark (lesser quality samples) or in the $8-9 range. There seems to be no in-between. In any case, I highly recommend Publlisher’s Graphics for a short-run 6×9 paperback. After looking into Lulu, xLibris, and a number of others for self-publishing solutions for an independent author…this is by far the best option. I will keep the updates coming as I step through each phase with Publisher’s Graphics.
Aug
5
Second Edition of The 5 Powers of Story!
August 5th, 2007 
The new edition has been formatted and fully-revised. The new version is much easier to hold and read with 20% new content.
The new format is 6X9, a preparation for the printing process. I am waiting on samples from Publishers Graphics, a printer located in Carol Stream, IL, just outside of Chicago. There’s a big difference between prices for hard cover and paperback, but I’m mainly interested in the longevity and quality of the product.
A clear advantage of going through a publisher is cost. Per unit cost for printing books goes way down when you print in volume. A publisher has the resources to distribute, market, and store a title. Unit cost will explain the higher price on my book when compared to books you find in the bookstore. You CAN get a paperback for around $4 on a short-run, but there’s no guarantee that book won’t fall apart in the hands of your customer.
It would be a disaster to sell books that fall apart. I’ve bought books like that. It sucks. So, I’ve decided to spend the extra money–even though the price of the book for students will ultimately be the same, $30 from the website and in-class or at events.
I will be sending out updates on this process all the way to the point where a publisher makes an offer…then there will be even more to discuss…
Aug
1
Comic Con is All Growns Up!
August 1st, 2007
Welcome to San Diego
This is my official report on Comic Con this year. First of all, you don’t have to like comic books to like comic con. Second of all, I was informed at the event that comic books are officially sexy.
Walking in the door, the first thing you’ll notice is the people scantily dressed in expensive costumes. These include large men in skin-tight, leather supehero get-ups; young women in nothing but underwear…or plastic wrap. If you need attention, this may not be the best place to try and get it. The third and most important note I took: comic books now drive a multi-billion dollar industry.
SOLD OUT!!!
I am consistently suprised by how far things have come in the past few years. Every other comic (spun from “Life in Hell”) or a toy (of which there were plenty at Comic Con). The event sold out four consecutive days this year. In past years, they’ve sold out Saturday, but never any of the other days.
More Please…
My overall reaction to the event: Comic Con is by far the most fun I’ve had in the past several weeks. It brings out the child in anyone.
Pretty girl in chains + geeks = lots of pictures…
Afterward: About half of Comic Con seemed to be about soft porn. One of Bree’s friends showed up with his Booty Babes. These booths were mildly interesting to me, mainly id they decided to do something different, but I know these things only go so far without a story. Most people at the event were all about the stories and a lot of the booths focused on half-nude illustrations and toys were noticably slow. Not so with booty babes. It may have something to do with the novelty of a big bootied doll amongst all the small booty ones on the market. Smart move, Spencer.
Conclusion: They were already signing up attendees for next year’s event. I will be hosting a booth again next year, so I hope to see you there. In the meantime, take a look at upcoming events in Portland, OR on September 29-30, San Francisco on February 22-24 2008, and Los Angeles on August 19.
Jul
26
Cultivate the Intellect
July 26th, 2007A good friend of mine posed the question to me yesterday:
“How do you get past the fact that you’ve never sold a screenplay etc when pitching people on taking your seminar/buying your book? Seems like that would be the first thing people ask? Just curious.”
My friend has written four solid screenplays, which he is trying to sell, one “attached to” at SNL. Though I’ve never sold a script myself, I have optioned one and completed three. The big difference between us is that I fix scripts and production issues every day for television that is produced and distributed. My friend, on the other hand, is a lawyer and does lawyerly things every day. I’ve looked through more that 10,000 hours of produced footage over the past six years. I also took the time to research and write a book about how stories bond with an audience, something I always intended to share with other writers. My response to him:
“What I teach is not really about screenwriting or novels, it’s a new approach to audience.
I made a conscious decision to teach, which required a commitment to writing and finishing a book. I’ve found that most published and/or produced writers aren’t very good at teaching what they do because they just do it; they don’t really know how because they never made the commitment to understand it. Teaching is not for everyone and neither is writing. Robert McKee hasn’t written anything substantial in film and yet his screenwriting book is a best-seller and he’s a world-reknown speaker on how to write screenplays. Many of his students have won Oscars.”
I post his question because I think it’s important to be upfront with people. By writing and selling the book, it was always my intent to share a method by which authors can connect more completely with their audience. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a screenplay or a novel. The method allows a writer to write more, better, and to sell their work if they can finish their projects. I’m glad he asked the question. It helped me to define what it is I do more specifically. Challenging questions like this always help to cultivate the intellect.
Jul
17
Harry Potter Goes to War
July 17th, 2007 Movie: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Rating: 4/5.
I saw the movie with my good friend, Jim, this past Sunday at the Mann Chinese, a spectacular theatre in the heart of Hollywood (conveniently located three blocks from my home).
It is officially official; Harry Potter is all growns up. The book by J.K. Rowling (pronounced like “Bowling”) was written as a kind of transition between daylight and blackness in the midst of the series. This evidenced by the oncoming storm clouds and the many bloody themes, including Delores Umbridge’s torture scenes and Hagrid’s face. If you’re looking for happy-go-lucky brand of magic, as evidentily Roger Ebert is, who says:
My hope, as we plow onward through “Potters” Nos. 6-7, is that the series will not grow darker still,
then you’re out of luck. Harry is a teenager preparing for a war. Obviously, Ebert hasn’t read the books, which begs the question…are the movies better or worse if you haven’t read the books??? I enjoyed the film Order more so than all but Azkaban and I have read the books. The Harry Potter books are some of the best I’ve ever read, ranking up there with some of Shakespeare’s plays and Moby Dick. The movies have scored well in general. I usually judge movies by how many times I can watch them and I’ve seen the Harry Potters about three or four times each.
Jul
15
Response from Michael Wiese Publishing
July 15th, 2007Michael Wiese turned down the opportunity to publish “The 5 Powers of Story” with the feedback, “It’s not break-through enough.” That’s something I understand. The book is not the proverbial hare, it’s the tortoise. I always knew selling a book like Powers would be a long walk uphill. Now I have evidence to back it up.
On the flip side, I recently delivered the material from the book in San Diego and every student in the class bought the book in a wire binder format (something I published through Kinko’s). This is the same format that I’ve made available online (see right).
I am planning to have the book bound and printed in paperback through Print Media by the middle of August. Granted, that puts me in charge of all distribution and marketing, but I also gain control over the flow of income. If a publisher is taking their share, for example, it would require me to sell four times as many books to see the same amount of income. I would recommend that any author consider doing everything themselves until the time comes when publishers and agents can see your success. When you bring the audience with you, you gain greater control over the terms. I now plan to publish my first five books through a short run printer.
Jul
12
You Can Now Watch Tapout Online
July 12th, 2007The show I’m working on right now is all over the Versus Network. You can watch clips from the show on their website. Check out Matt Major as he talks up his game. He’s a volatile fighter.
The 5 Powers of Story
Now Available Online!
Check out Brian speaking.
2007 Speaking Dates
- June 21
- San Francisco, CA
- June 30
- San Diego, CA
- July 28
- Los Angeles, CA
- August 8
- San Diego, CA
- Sept 8
- Los Angeles, CA
- October 6
- San Diego, CA
For opportunities to see Brian speak, check out the calendar.
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Phone: (310) 382-6158
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