Have you ever heard the term Pechakucha (Pe-chuk-a-cha)? Pechakucha is Japanese, meaning "chit chat" and the best way to understand it is on the Pechakucha website. It is "show and tell" for adults - with a twist.
So why am I blogging about a Pechakucha? Because I live and thrive in the world of storytelling. And not knowing about Pechakucha presentations is like missing an arm or leg, or at least a few digits. Have I piqued your interest yet? A bit of history is necessary before we dive into why doing a Pechakucha presentation. In 2003, architects Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham of Tokyo's Klein Dytham Architecture invented the Pechakucha presentation. Their goal was to create a way to maximize the exchange of ideas while keeping the audience's attention by streamlining long design presentations. Basically, twenty PowerPoint slides, created by the presenter, are flashed onto a screen for twenty seconds each. The slides automatically advance, giving the presenter a total of 6 minutes and 40 seconds to make presentation. The Pechakucha method is currently being implemented in schools, business, and at what is known as Pechakucha Nights (PKN). There are one thousand cities worldwide that have PKNs. Klein and Dytham held their first PKN in Tokyo at the SuperDeluxe. ペチャクチャ “Chit chat” Who and where are PKNs held? The general format for PKN events is the same, but some hosts add their own twist to the event. A few years ago, I attended a Pechakucha event called Spark Exchange, hosted by Pire Associates Architects in New Haven, CT. At this event there were a handful of wonderfully creative, invited presenters. Then host Laura Pirie challenged the audience members to participate. A random slide flashed onto the screen and an audience member had twenty seconds to tell the story of that slide. The entire night was a success. Recently I attended a PKN where a presenter spoke about her fear of heights while hiking in Peru to Machu Picchu. Another explained how he created a community-building concept called Dinner Stories to bring ten housemates closer. I left the event totally inspired and have signed up to present at the June New Haven PKN. Why is the Pechakucha important? We all have stories to tell about our life's experiences. The Pechakucha provides an avenue to share our tales, inspire people, and develop interest in something we are doing. Remember that Klein and Dytham first created the Pechakucha presentation format as a business tool. PKN is a way to share what inspires you, an experience you had, or promote what you love to do. As an author, I can see the potential of sharing my work with groups of people and grow my reader list at the same time. Klein and Dytham were onto something. Google Pechakucha with your local city's name to see if there is one near you. If not, start one yourself by going on the Pechakucha website to register. I recommend going to a local PKN first. You won't be disappointed. What's most astonishing is the diversity of presenters and topics. From aliens to zookeepers, inspirational to comical, you never know what's going to be coming your way. The presentations are always informative and if you're not interested, it's okay; there will be a new one along in just under seven minutes. If you're wondering, speaking this blog takes about 5min 34sec. Add in a few deep breaths, perhaps a long dramatic pause, and you're at the 6min 40sec Pechakucha presentation limit. Don't wait; be a Pechakucha presenter today!
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That is the QuestionIt seems that the consumer has been answering this question for some time.
In an online article recently posted by the BBC culture section, they noted that audiobook use is on the rise while the book industry finds its numbers on the decline. According to Deloitte, the audiobook market expects to see a growth of 25% in 2020. Forbes magazine (7/2019)- The audiobook industry has been seeing this 25% yearly growth rate since 2016. Forbes continues by saying that double-digit growth numbers have been on the rise for the last seven years. The numbers don’t seem to lie. It is well known that America’s major brick and mortar bookstore, Barnes&Noble has been reporting a decline in yearly sales for the better part of a decade. While they do carry an audiobook section, it can’t compete with the ease that the online aspect offers. INC. magazine states that Barnes&Noble has a new CEO with a proven track history. For more on CEO, James Daunt, and his refreshing approach for Barnes&Noble visit INC. or The New York Times. Why is the audiobook industry seeing such tremendous growth? Online sales, even in the printed book industry, have made international markets more available, but it’s the instant gratification that may be the driving force. We live in a world that has become much smaller, so the consumer has many more options than say just thirty years ago. Second on the list is TIME. Having to Commute, fast pace lives, the advent of working multiple part-time jobs, and the like, don’t allow consumers the luxury needed to sit and read for long periods. Audiobooks allow for multi-tasking to occur. Yes, I know what you’re thinking. How can someone get the true essence of a book when they are multi-taking. Well, you may be showing your age. Many kids and college students today study for exams while singing along to songs chiming through earbuds. The BBC article notes that there is a rising concern about screen time usage. This is more related to television than phones or computer devices. Perhaps the rise in audiobook use is some type of subliminal need to stay connected and not wasting time in front of a television screen. Good E-reader states that another factor for the rise in audiobooks is mental health. We live in a stressful world, and the audiobook format can be used to quiet our inner voice and mute our internal dialogue. It has been known for years that reading to a child from day one can help in speech development and bonding with parents. Audiobooks are nostalgic and can trigger a feeling of being read to as a child. Who are the audiobookers? The Guardian reports that individuals between 25-44 make up the largest population contributing to audiobook sales. Of those, the majority are men. What do they like to listen to? The genres cover science fiction, fantasy, the classics, self-help, history, and science The 65+ crowd make up another significant facet of the audiobook industry. Vision conditions may be the factor here. Well, after all, that’s where it all started. A little history of the audiobook format is worth mentioning. They were first called “talking books.” The talking book was developed in 1931 by a joint venture between the American Foundation for the Blind and the Library of Congress. Talking books were initially recorded on long play vinyl known as LP(s). In 1963 the cassette was invented replacing the LP format and allowing local libraries to carry the new technology. In 1994, the term “Audiobook” became the official name. 2004 saw the replacement of the audiobook cassette with its successor, the compact disc (CD). By 2009 the downloadable audiobook surpassed the CD version and a new era was born. For a more detailed history, visit the Audio Publishers Association. Podcasts should also be mentioned as they have played a role in the growth of the audiobook industry. The most obvious is that the shorter audio version (podcasts) has left the consumer willing to try some longer formats. There is a natural progression or merely a curiosity to see if they like it. In any event, the increase in podcast use spikes at the same time as audiobooks. You can decide. The audiobook boom has also created a growing revenue stream for many new audiobook recording companies and narrator careers. If you have the tech or the voice, you could cash in. To Audiobook or Not to Audiobook? The answer is up to you, whether you’re the author or the consumer. All artists, and by artists, I mean every one of us, can create in some way form or fashion. Our own creativity is as unique as our fingerprint. Creativeness isn't limited to words, drawings, or music; it includes necessity, ingenuity, and the ability to see past what already exists. Creativity is discovery in whatever form it takes.
Having said all this about being creative, what happens when we become stuck? When we lose our desire or misplace our will to create. Maybe it's because we've narrowed our vision, or fallen prey to outside influences. This triggers anxiety and our creativity withers, or we decide to push harder. Let's take a look at the first option: The withering of creativity -Alexander Den Heijer stated: "When a flower doesn't bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower." For those who are not familiar with Den Heijer, he has written a very insightful book called Nothing You Don't Already Know. The point is that we need to take a look at what is stifling our creativity. What around us is taking over and wilting us? Has our environment changed, or does it no longer suit our needs? We are influenced by what we surround ourselves with. That statement leads a truth; we are in control of what and who we chose to have around us. We create our environment. The second step is a bit harder. Why have we let the external affect the internal so drastically? Creativity comes from within. Our ability to create is personal. Whether it's writing an elegantly crafted sentence, stringing together just the right combination of musical notes to a song, or engineering the most ingenious mathematical equation, it's personal. It becomes necessary to look inward to see what may be blocking us. Emily Rose Barr in a blog for nosidebar.com depicts looking describes steps to take to look inward. She gives five easy steps on how to get back to who you are. These steps are an excellent place to start regaining your creative flow. How about that second option: Let' push harder and push through it. Wellness author Christine Arylo, in a blog at Huffpost.com writes: The challenge is that most of us don't know we are pushing ourselves too hard until we have already gotten to the "bad place" -- the land of the crabby, the self-critical and the unhappy version of ourselves. The first step in transforming self-induced pressure to a more supportive, sustainable way of living is awareness, knowing the signs for when we are pushing ourselves too hard. Arylo depicts there are five signs we are pushing too hard. I will not cover those five signs, but the link to the blog is live by clicking on Huffpost.com hyperlink. If we are unable to craft with the mastery that we've become accustomed to and now we add the pressure of pushing harder, the only thing we have created is a downward spiral. Pushing ourselves harder; an old school thought is not the way. The flip side of that; letting ourselves "off the hook," some would call this a more modern approach, is also not the way. Both methods are ways of deterring us from looking at the root of the matter. The Answer: Take a look at what has changed to cause the rift in our creative self. See why it has affected us so and find a creative way back. Yes, I said a creative way back. After all, that is our nature. An important note- asking for help is not a sign of weakness; it's a sign of authentic power. Not asking for help is a weakness. It causes us to stay hidden in the shadows, silently suffering. Creativity is a gift we all possess and it manifests itself in hundreds of thousands of ways. If you get in a rut or forget your passion for being creative, use that which comes naturally to you to find a way back. Know that you have it within you to do so. Your creativity is your expression; share it with the world. I usually stay away from political issues because they can be such a sticky topic, but I thought I couldn’t keep quiet anymore. As a nation, we have fought in many wars to defend those who could not protect themselves and we did this in the name of humanity. It doesn’t matter what your point of view is on the border, jobs, or your political position; the right to be treated with decency and as a fellow human is a must. We fought each other to free slaves, we fought others to free nations from injustices, and now we have become the monsters that we set out to destroy. Where has the line of humanity that we don’t cross gone? Is nothing out of bounds?
No water, no showers, little food, separation of families. Does any of this sound familiar to you? I am ashamed not only as a nation but as an individual. As a nation, we talk and talk about these intolerable acts and we do nothing. As individuals, we talk and go to court to talk some more. It’s time to let them out of the cages. It’s as simple as that. Open the gates, reunite the families, and destroy the monster that we have become as a nation. Today we are a nation that is pitted against itself and those less fortunate are paying the price. We are no longer the United States but have become the Divided States. Political jockeying and outdoing each other has become the norm. Is this the new American dream? We have prided ourselves as a nation of freedom for all. The last part has become a lie. How can we call ourselves the land of the free when we cage those who seek it? We have forgotten, or choose to ignore that none of us originated on this land. That we are the very proof that immigration to a new land can work. Generations ago our relatives endured the turmoil of coming to a new land and now we are so willing to pass that punishment onto those seeking the very same thing. Have we learned nothing? I would like to hear your thoughts, not your political views but your opinions on the loss of our humanity. They are human beings, mothers, fathers, and children. I ask one question. Where has the line gone? Networking Groups, join them, don't join them. This has been a question I have been asked many times when I was a doctor. As an author, I now ask myself this question. Yesterday I decided to go to a networking group (I was invited). My motivation was to promote my debut novel, Green Haven, especially the crowdfunding campaign I have been pushing so hard. Like everyone else I went to this to self promote, make business connections and sell my up coming wares.
Honestly, I was forcing myself to go. I don't like to sell; as a doctor, most of my business was from referrals. Now I have to sell. I did. What I found interesting was that I enjoyed the connection beyond the business part of it. I did make good business relationships but I also made some new friends I had lunch with one today and we found that even though our businesses may not compliment each other, our connections will work in both our favors. So why share all this? Because networking can happen on many levels. I ask that you remain open to seeing every possible level an any given time. Networking groups? Yes visit them, their not all the same. Find one or two or twelve, if you have the time. The trick is to make more than a business venture and be willing to give and maybe get somewhere down the road. That was my give. Now I'll ask for my get. Please network with me and share my crowdfunding campaign and please donate. Time is crucial so don't wait. Plus there are some interesting gifts. You could see your name in print or help me name a character in my next novel (already under construction). The writing of a good story, whether it is a novel, short story or essay, has a common link between the author and the reader. This commonality lies in the emotion that is bestowed by the author and to the reader.
The author is charged with creating a picture that is locked in place in the reader's mind. How is this done? The key is emotion. Anyone can explain events that may occur, but only when there becomes a connection to that story is the reader engaged and invested in that story. The reader longs to be tied to the story, unable to pull themselves away from it. As an author we must enlist emotions; joy, fear, anger, sadness, hatred, love, the list could be endless. Every reader and every author experiences emotions daily; put them into play in your writing. Use them to lock the reader into the story. The secret is to take the reader on an emotional roller coaster ride. Different character actions, different settings and different events within a story to guide the reader through various different emotions at any given moment. This keeps the reader glued to the story. A character’s reaction to an event, their body language, their speech, their emotions, all can be used to allow the reader to become invested in that character. If a character is feeling emotional pain, you want your reader to feel that emotional pain, therefore you, as the author, must feel it too. The description of a scene can play just as an important role in cementing a reader’s emotions into the story. The more vivid the wording of the scene the more the reader can visualize the scene and the more they become invested in the scene. Their emotions take over. Events in a story line can be used to trigger emotions in the reader. Readers associate with events in a story line because they may have had a similar event or know someone who has had a similar event. They are already emotionally tied to the event in their memory. Another way is to take away something from the reader that they may have already become invested in, such as a character or object within the story. Loss is a powerful emotion. There are many ways to keep the reader emotionally tied to the story. It is the craft of the author to portray these emotions through the written word. As an author read what you write and decide if you're getting the emotional point across to the reader. If so, you’re creating a wondrous experience for the reader. The writing of a good story, whether it is a novel, short story or essay, has a common link between the author and the reader. This commonality lies in the emotion that is bestowed by the author and to the reader.
The author is charged with creating a picture that is locked in place in the reader's mind. How is this done? The key is emotion. Anyone can explain events that may occur, but only when there becomes a connection to that story is the reader engaged and invested in that story. The reader longs to be tied to the story, unable to pull themselves away from it. As an author we must enlist emotions; joy, fear, anger, sadness, hatred, love, the list could be endless. Every reader and every author experiences emotions daily; put them into play in your writing. Use them to lock the reader into the story. The secret is to take the reader on an emotional roller coaster ride. Different character actions, different settings and different events within a story to guide the reader through various different emotions at any given moment. This keeps the reader glued to the story. A character’s reaction to an event, their body language, their speech, their emotions, all can be used to allow the reader to become invested in that character. If a character is feeling emotional pain, you want your reader to feel that emotional pain, therefore you, as the author, must feel it too. The description of a scene can play just as an important role in cementing a reader’s emotions into the story. The more vivid the wording of the scene the more the reader can visualize the scene and the more they become invested in the scene. Their emotions take over. Events in a story line can be used to trigger emotions in the reader. Readers associate with events in a story line because they may have had a similar event or know someone who has had a similar event. They are already emotionally tied to the event in their memory. Another way is to take away something from the reader that they may have already become invested in, such as a character or object within the story. Loss is a powerful emotion. There are many ways to keep the reader emotionally tied to the story. It is the craft of the author to portray these emotions through the written word. As an author read what you write and decide if you're getting the emotional point across to the reader. If so, you’re creating a wondrous experience for the reader. Whether you’re writing a novel, short story, screenplay, or just about anything creative, the characters will portray some type or types of traits. These are called Archetypes. If you’re having trouble developing your characters, I suggest looking at the people you have engaged with during your life. The workplace is an excellent spot to start.
To save time, I have come up with seven modern-day archetypes to help pinpoint people you might know. Most of my characters wear multiple archetypes that can change as the story goes on. This is important, as every character must show relatability and transition. Relatability is pretty straightforward; the character has to create a real bond with the reader. The transition can take a few directions. Most characters may go through a regressive transition and then move forward. Some characters begin severely flawed and transition back and forth a few times. Whatever approach you choose for your characters, the important thing to stay extremely aware of what you are doing. It has to make sense. The archetypes here are not presented in any specific order. See if you can connect each one to someone you know. The Leader: Intuition guides this person to naturally take charge. They don’t sit around waiting for a solution, they create solutions with thought and care that benefit a situation or others. The Hinderer: This individual questions others on just about everything. Rarely give useful information and is always looking for a way to make themselves look better. The Pleaser: A person who signs up for everything. They are willing to help, no matter the personal cost. May have a tendency to over execute tasks. The Follower: This is the good worker bee. Takes no risks, needs direction, and will not step up to lead even the simplest tasks. The Sacrificer: Boundaries don’t exist for this person. This one doesn’t care about rules or casualties. The result is the most important. The Independent: This is the loner who struggles to play with others. Good at making choices, but doesn’t necessarily see the consequences. The Visionary: A person who sees the bigger dream, the long-range goal. This person may take longer to contemplate and action to see how it might affect the future. Most characters share parts of any of these archetypes. I’m sure you could come up with a few more. I have found these seven archetypes are a good starting point. I hope this was helpful for you as you're developing your characters. Please let me know your thoughts and if you were able to match actual people to these archetypes. If you need help in developing depth for your characters, let me know. I would love to help. We all dream of being able to write a book, blog or how about a play? Life is always getting in the way.
“I have too much work to do, the kids need to be driven to practice, I’m too tired, or I just don’t know what to write about.” What transpires next is a recount of the process of writing my first novel. It’s meant as a helpful tool. There are specific guidelines to use as a new author or even a seasoned one. I’ll cover just some of the basic lessons I’ve learned. First, a bit of background on me you may want to know. I was a podiatrist, I am an energy healer, and I have been and always will be an author. You may be asking why this is important. Well, while I was doing all the things in my life to function, I constantly heard the call to write. Like almost everyone else, I had a billion things that needed to be checked off before I could write. So I thought. My wife, Laura, reminds people (and me) that the universe always gives you what you ask for. It may not look the way you asked for it, but you will get it. If you don’t see it at first, the universe will tap you on the shoulder to show it to you again. If you still don’t see it, then the universe may hit you with a bat to make you see it. I received the bat. The details are not the point here. If you feel the urge to write then make the time. It’s important. First Lesson: How to make the time. I suggest setting a writing schedule. Most of us have a smartphone with a calendar where we can mark out certain days and times to write. If you are serious about becoming a writer, then treat it like the career you love. Make time for it. Make the appointment to write. Second Lesion: Write about what you know. Stay in your wheelhouse. A doctor might write a novel about a medical situation. A policeman might write a story about a criminal on the loose. You get the idea. It is much more difficult to write outside of your knowledge. It can be done, but it will take a great deal more time and work to learn what you’re writing about. If you’re a first-time novelist, I not suggesting this path. Third Lesson: Create a loose skeleton of the characters, the plot and the ending. I use the words “loose skeleton” so you can allow yourself to change the story at it grows. BE FLEXIBLE. You may want to write small chapter outlines to help. One of the most important aspects for me was separately creating a backstory on every character. The more detailed the backstory, the more depth your characters will have. This will make them more lifelike and more believable. A great way to do this is to carry a pocket-sized notebook or use your smartphone to take notes on interesting people you meet during the day. You can combine attributes from different people to create a multi-dimensional character. The development of characters and plots is explained well in Christopher Vogler's "The Writer's Journey." (third edition). The link is to a pdf. I suggest purchasing the book. Fourth Lesson: Do the research Just because you’re staying in your wheelhouse doesn’t mean you know everything about what you’re writing about. You want your characters to be plausible and your situations to be realistic unless you’re intentionally writing a novel that way. Writing does entail research. Readers generally like to learn something new. If your story is to be believable, it has to be based on some fact. You can be creative and extend the truth or bend it, but you have to know what you are extending or bending. Take the time to find out. Fifth Lesson: Keep your own style Writing is an extension of who you are. It’s not mimicking famous authors or being something other than you. Keeping true to your style will keep you writing and make the words flow much more natural. What does all this mean? It means that writing is a unique process that each person develops to match their thinking and even speaking. Those readers who enjoy what you write will follow you because they like your work and your style of writing. Changing your style from one body of work to another can be as detrimental as changing in mid-novel. Writing, not from a grammatical standpoint, but from a stylistic point is personal and helps you in getting the reader into the world your depicting. I hope sharing these lessons that I have learned, and am still refining in my writing career, are helpful to you. Writing is a process. Be enthusiastic and confident but don’t be arrogant. It will show in your writing. I would love to hear your questions and comments. "In a world of video games, fake new and never-ending scandals we need to find a release."
Why Write? Words are a doorway to worlds that we can only imagine. We are built to express ourselves; whether it's through music, art or written word, it's the way we create, the way we share our talents. Our brains have two hemispheres, the right for logic and the left for creativity. We cannot function with only one or the other, so why try? I ask you to embrace the logical side when it's needed and let the creative side free when the urge calls. We all have words rumbling around in our minds just waiting to be expressed in one way or another. Take the chance and let them out. A tiny bit of courage can lead to an endless possibilities. For many years, I was living in a right-brained world. I was uncertain about my creativity and how to share it - until it burst out of me! Now, writing is my passion. It's why I get up every morning. It's what I dream about at night. Written words manifest into people, places, and ideas to take us on a fantastic journey where entire worlds emerge to be shared with others. I find it new and exciting to see what fellow writers have penned to share with us. Their sentences form endless chapters of imagination. Whether you're writing a poem, short story, or novel, you are unleashing a creative adventure. Be brave. Write often. Share widely. |
Author's Quote:"Writing is the flow of life through words on a page. We all have this talent to share." Luca DiMatteo For the latest blog, please sign up for my monthly newsletter.
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