My podcast was on research and how much and what you need to research and why before you start writing. Here are some of the main points from what I heard:
Basic Idea Behind Their Research:
Howard: Do just enough research to get by. Sci-fi takes a lot of research. Use Doctor Google!
Dan: Most research done at the beginning, front load everything.
Brandon: Fantasy does get things wrong. Yeah you're right, maybe we should do more research. I write fantasy is so that you can write most of the time and not research.
Other Points Made:
- Research keeps you from knocking people out of the story with glaring errors.
- More believability from people who know more than you do on the subject.
- Know what is wrong with your writing if you research.
- Use smoke and mirrors to hide errors, but don't cut corners.
- Everyone is an expert on something, someone will know way more about your topic than you do.
- You cannot learn everything, so learn how to use smoke and mirrors. Hand off problems to another character, have characters that don't know anything about the subject other than what you know.
- Fantasy does not need hyper-detailed and specific. You can get away with things like that unlike Sci-fi where they desire hyperrealism.
- Get a couple of details right and then have the characters move the story forward.
- Too much research pulls you out, it might cause the author to put all research in.
Main Point:
Use smoke and mirrors to hide things that you just cannot research, but never cut corners. Do as much research that you need, but don't go overboard, don't do too little. Remember to do your research!
Monday, March 3, 2014
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Civil Life Involvement
How can a person's education predict his/her level of involvement in civil life?
I've heard before that the more education that you have, the more involved you are in civil life, because generally, the more education a person has, the higher their income. I forget where it came from, but I read somewhere that people with higher incomes are more invested in groups such as PTA or other service opportunities because they want to give back or are invested in making sure that their children have the same success as they did.
Honestly, in my own life I do not see a correlation. As a person almost done with college, I should be starting to become more involved in civil life, but I feel like my life is going to take the opposite turn. Right now I'm barely involved in anything. I have a church calling, but I haven't really done anything yet, and that's really it. I spend the majority of my time trying to save enough money so that my husband and I can live comfortably and eventually buy a second car and a house. Weekends are for catching up, I don't really think about serving in the community because I'm trying to establish my life right now.
You can argue that since I haven't graduated yet that the question does not really apply to me, but I look at my parents and I see a similar pattern. My parents both work, and they spend most of their free time trying to catch up on things that are not work related or spending time with my sister and I, or relaxing.
I don't think that education level determines how involved a person is in civil life. I think it is determined by how their current work and financial situation is and then if that is pretty stable, then they might become more involved. Maybe if that person is more connected to a specific issue, like multiple children in school convinces parents to serve on the PTA, would be a better way to determine if a person will be more involved in civil life.
I've heard before that the more education that you have, the more involved you are in civil life, because generally, the more education a person has, the higher their income. I forget where it came from, but I read somewhere that people with higher incomes are more invested in groups such as PTA or other service opportunities because they want to give back or are invested in making sure that their children have the same success as they did.
Honestly, in my own life I do not see a correlation. As a person almost done with college, I should be starting to become more involved in civil life, but I feel like my life is going to take the opposite turn. Right now I'm barely involved in anything. I have a church calling, but I haven't really done anything yet, and that's really it. I spend the majority of my time trying to save enough money so that my husband and I can live comfortably and eventually buy a second car and a house. Weekends are for catching up, I don't really think about serving in the community because I'm trying to establish my life right now.
You can argue that since I haven't graduated yet that the question does not really apply to me, but I look at my parents and I see a similar pattern. My parents both work, and they spend most of their free time trying to catch up on things that are not work related or spending time with my sister and I, or relaxing.
I don't think that education level determines how involved a person is in civil life. I think it is determined by how their current work and financial situation is and then if that is pretty stable, then they might become more involved. Maybe if that person is more connected to a specific issue, like multiple children in school convinces parents to serve on the PTA, would be a better way to determine if a person will be more involved in civil life.
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Keywords and Influencers
My group has had a very interesting experience with trying to come up with our ideas for contacting and leveraging podcasters. Since podcasters do not seem to be the best market to leverage, we have switched to focusing on writers and that online community. We've discovered that some of the best keywords to use to access our target would be the following:
- Writing workshop
- Creative writing exercises
- Writing prompts
- Creative writing exercises daily
For possible people or accounts to leverage I found the following:
- Writing workshop
- Creative writing exercises
- Writing prompts
- Creative writing exercises daily
For possible people or accounts to leverage I found the following:
@writingprompt
Would be great accounts to use on Twitter.
Online we could use:
http://www.writersdigest.com/
and
http://www.writingforward.com/
Out of these sources though, the twitter examples might be the best place to start as each account has over a thousand followers with @NaNoWriMo with well over ten thousand.
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Computers in Our Lives
How has the introduction of the ‘personal computer’ and ‘the World Wide Web’ changed our way of life?
Well, how hasn't it changed our way of life? I honestly cannot think of a single way that the computer and web has not changed our way of life. From how we shop to how we can interact with people anywhere, technology has changed everything. Even now, most people have cell phones that are connected to the web that allow for these interactions to happen where ever they are, even if their isn't WiFi or an ethernet connection.
I can remember when my family got our first computer and how weird it was. It would make a horrible sound when it connected to the web, (you know, that lovely dial-up connecting sound) and would load each page very slowly. I can remember playing computer games on that computer and creating my first AOL account on it.
Well, how hasn't it changed our way of life? I honestly cannot think of a single way that the computer and web has not changed our way of life. From how we shop to how we can interact with people anywhere, technology has changed everything. Even now, most people have cell phones that are connected to the web that allow for these interactions to happen where ever they are, even if their isn't WiFi or an ethernet connection.
I can remember when my family got our first computer and how weird it was. It would make a horrible sound when it connected to the web, (you know, that lovely dial-up connecting sound) and would load each page very slowly. I can remember playing computer games on that computer and creating my first AOL account on it.
Oh my gosh, THIS SCREEN. I hated being stuck on this screen.
Ever since then it feels like I've always had a computer close by. When I turned 14 I got my own laptop and when I turned 16 I got my first phone that would allow me to access the internet wherever and whenever I wanted. Of course, this technology has changed every aspect of our lives because now we have it with us wherever we go. Trying to find a good place to eat? Yelp. Lost? Google Maps. Take a cool picture and post it to Instagram. I even used the internet while I was learning how to cook. My job requires that I use my own computer, and look at what I'm doing right now, I'm on my own computer writing this post up on the web for class.
Trying to identify specific ways that the internet and computers have changed our lives is impossible, it's just happened, and in my opinion, computers have made things pretty dang cool.
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Podcast Connections
I'm going to be honest, I know nothing about podcasts. I don't understand them and I've been having a difficult time trying to understand who these people are and who listens to and watches podcasts. After looking at Google Adwords, I am even more confused. It does not seem like many people search for these podcasts at all. Most terms, even very general terms, had under 100 searches a month. Only a couple had more than a hundred and all of them were under 200 a month. All of the keywords had low competition and only one had the ability to even put a bid on it. (That term started at $2.00 a click, and for a term that only gets 170 clicks a month, I thought that sounded a bit pricy.)
After looking at all of the options, I realized that using Google Adwords and looking at podcasters would not help us find our potential customers. I honestly do not think that they have a large enough audience to make a noticeable mark on Westercon attendance and I think that focusing on other areas would be more beneficial in the long run. If Westercon decides to host a couple of workshops that are specifically designed for Podcasters or if Podcasters would decide to make Westercon a gathering point for their fans, then maybe we would have something. However, that is not the case at the moment.
After reviewing the very small numbers returned by Google, I figured that I would focus on building the Westercon brand and use very general podcast terms, including the terms that turned up the most clicks per month. As I stated before though, I do not think that we should pursue podcasters unless the podcasters receive something from Westercon, such as a class or workshop. If we target these fans without some specific draw for them, I believe it will not work out in the end.
My Ideas:
Facebook:
After looking at all of the options, I realized that using Google Adwords and looking at podcasters would not help us find our potential customers. I honestly do not think that they have a large enough audience to make a noticeable mark on Westercon attendance and I think that focusing on other areas would be more beneficial in the long run. If Westercon decides to host a couple of workshops that are specifically designed for Podcasters or if Podcasters would decide to make Westercon a gathering point for their fans, then maybe we would have something. However, that is not the case at the moment.
After reviewing the very small numbers returned by Google, I figured that I would focus on building the Westercon brand and use very general podcast terms, including the terms that turned up the most clicks per month. As I stated before though, I do not think that we should pursue podcasters unless the podcasters receive something from Westercon, such as a class or workshop. If we target these fans without some specific draw for them, I believe it will not work out in the end.
My Ideas:
Facebook:
Have you always wanted to write a fantasy fiction podcast? Come learn how at Westercon 67 this July in Salt Lake City. Click here for more!
Do you always come up with excuses for not writing? Kick that writer’s block to the curb and check out Westercon 67.
Learn how to write a podcast this summer at Westercon 67. Click here for more.
Become the writer for the best horror podcast. Learn how to write the best scripts and more at Westercon 67.
Do you often listen to horror story podcasts? Meet those podcasters and learn how to write your own at Westercon 67.
Twitter:
Want to start a fantasy fiction podcast? Come learn how to start at @westercon67.
No more excuses for not writing! Kick that writer's block once and for all at @Westercon67
Are you writing a podcast and want to make it better? Come learn how to become a better writer at @Westercon67
Become the best horror podcaster by sharpening your skills at @Westercon67
Podcasters unite to write and discuss their favorite episodes at @Westercon67
Meet other people who love horror fiction podcasts at @Westercon67 and learn to write your own.
Are you a bloody good horror podcaster? Come meet fans and writers at @Westercon67 and learn how to write your own podcast.
Are you a follower of creative writing podcasts? Come meet other fans and podcasters and even learn to write your own at @Westercon67
Are you always writing podcasts that you never host? Come learn how to put a podcast together and meet other podcasters at @Westercon67
Create the best fantasy fiction podcast of them all with the help of many other writers and fans at @Westercon67
****So we are supposed to attach a spreadsheet to the post but here's my problem, I'm supposed to be working until class and I have class until late tonight and no way to access a computer that will allow me to insert a working spreadsheet by 7. So this is it. This is all I can do today because there is no way I can finish this assignment by the deadline with work and school. Sorry.
****So we are supposed to attach a spreadsheet to the post but here's my problem, I'm supposed to be working until class and I have class until late tonight and no way to access a computer that will allow me to insert a working spreadsheet by 7. So this is it. This is all I can do today because there is no way I can finish this assignment by the deadline with work and school. Sorry.
Google Keyword Planner
bloody good horror podcast
50
Low
-
0%
horror story podcasts
50
Low
-
0%
best horror podcast
30
Low
-
0%
the horror podcast
20
Low
-
0%
horror stories podcast
70
Low
-
0%
house of horror podcast
40
Low
-
0%
horror story podcast
40
Low
-
0%
best horror podcasts
90
Low
-
0%
horror etc podcast
70
Low
-
0%
horror podcasts
140
Low
-
0%
arkham horror podcast
10
Low
-
0%
podcast horror
10
Low
-
0%
podcast horror stories
10
Low
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0%
horror podcast stories
10
Low
-
0%
tales of horror podcast
10
Low
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0%
best horror story podcasts
-
-
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0%
fearshop horror podcast
20
Low
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0%
horror fiction podcast
30
Low
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0%
creative writing podcasts
20
Low
-
0%
writers on writing podcast
20
Low
-
0%
fiction writing podcast
10
Low
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0%
best writing podcast
-
-
-
0%
reading and writing podcast
30
Low
-
0%
creative writing podcast
30
Low
-
0%
writing podcasts
170
Low
$2.00
0%
i should be writing podcast
70
Low
-
0%
writing excuses podcast
140
Low
-
0%
fantasy podcasts
40
Low
-
0%
fantasy fiction podcast
170
Low
-
0%
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Story Immersion
Is there a point in which a story (deep media) can become too immersive? Can fans become too involved?
Uh, no way!
That would be the short answer in my opinion. I don't think that there is a way for people to become too immersed in deep media. As a rather fanatic fan of quite a few "fandoms" I don't think that there is a way for people to be too involved. In addition to that, as an advertising student, I think that it is the goal of any thing that is being consumed to have people become so immersed in that culture that they bring other people to that culture.
If you really think that people can be so immersed in a story, then you are probably a person that does not understand Comic-Con. The people who go to Comic-Con are so immersed in their stories that they spend hundreds of dollars on passes and sometimes dress up while they talk to the stars and creators of their favorite stories.
Comic-Con crowds.
Those people who are so immersed in the stories are the love group of that story. Studying those people will help advertisers understand how to bring more people to that story. In addition to advertisers learning how to bring people to a specific story, those people who are often immersed in specific story bring their connections into that story too. I have many friends that have introduced me to stories that they love and I in turn have passed those stories along to others and expanded that immersion.
I don't think it is a bad thing to be immersed in a story, it pretty much becomes a part of your culture.
Monday, February 10, 2014
Remembering Those Hilarious Times
Is humor simply a matter of taste or is it a vehicle?
Think of your favorite ad. Got it? Now tell me, how did that ad make you feel? Did you laugh? Groan? Cry? Time and time again, I hear similar ads mentioned as people's favorite ad. Old Spice. Snickers. Evian. E*Trade. M&Ms. Do you remember any of these advertisements? Do you remember why you liked them? I say, it's because they are funny.
Before you disregard this post and say that an ad does not need to be funny for it to be memorable or effective, I agree. An ad does not necessarily need to be funny to stick. Didn't everyone hear about the Budweiser puppy ad?
Think of your favorite ad. Got it? Now tell me, how did that ad make you feel? Did you laugh? Groan? Cry? Time and time again, I hear similar ads mentioned as people's favorite ad. Old Spice. Snickers. Evian. E*Trade. M&Ms. Do you remember any of these advertisements? Do you remember why you liked them? I say, it's because they are funny.
Before you disregard this post and say that an ad does not need to be funny for it to be memorable or effective, I agree. An ad does not necessarily need to be funny to stick. Didn't everyone hear about the Budweiser puppy ad?
Stop messing with my feelings! Be right back, crying.
However, you cannot deny the success of hilarious ads. One of the most widely successful ads of this past Super Bowl was the Radio Shack ad, and that was hilarious. Since it used humor as a vehicle to capture and keep our attention, it was very memorable and successful.
One CBS article reads, "Super Bowl 2014: Boring game, safe ads, transit nightmare". Many people that I spoke to said that they were bored by this years Super Bowl because the ads were not that funny. They didn't remember because they didn't connect, and that is humors strong point. (You can read the article here: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/super-bowl-2014-boring-game-safe-ads-transit-nightmare/)
Humor is a successful vehicle because it connects to so many people. Sometimes sentimental ads do not resonate because not that many people care about them. Informative ads might be interesting to those people who need to hear about a specific product, but let's be honest, how many of us would really be interested or remember an ad for UVU or Utah State? We aren't that target audience, and so we don't care. Humor can be more universal. It doesn't matter if you are not a part of the target audience, humor can still grab your attention and keep it. I'm well outside of Old Spice's target market, as an adult female, but I've seen and enjoyed their advertising campaigns. Honestly, one of my favorite ads is for Bud Light and as I do not drink, I am very much outside of that target market.
Humor is a vehicle to bring more brand awareness and eventual success. Some people might not find humor funny and some might even find it tasteless, but you cannot argue with the success and popularity of humorous ads.
Just for fun, my favorite ad:
Yes I know it's for beer, but I can still like the ad!
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