tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71369922650636966412024-03-13T10:52:33.767-07:00Strange WordsThe official blog of AmericanHorrorWriter Scott A. JohnsonScott A. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00401840261793826042noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136992265063696641.post-10317381665586592012019-12-02T13:35:00.000-08:002019-12-02T13:35:30.829-08:00How to be a Writer: Part VII - Dealing with Criticism
Last week, we talked about how to handle rejection. This week, we'll talk about your response to something far more insidious, and possibly far more psychologically damaging: criticism. When you write, it's easy to lose objectivity on a story. I mean, for heaven's sake, you know what you're trying to say, and what comes out through your fingers may be brilliant to your mind, but it may not Scott A. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00401840261793826042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136992265063696641.post-21344128918860816312019-11-25T06:10:00.000-08:002019-11-25T06:10:59.835-08:00How to Be a Writer - Part VI (Dealing with rejection)
The dream of being a writer is wonderful. In theory, you write a book, send it off to either a publisher or agent, and they give you a suitcase full of money and you live happily ever after. However, that's not the reality. In reality, you spend months writing your book, send it off, and odds are more likely you'll be told "no." Worse, much of the time you'll be told "no" with a form-letter Scott A. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00401840261793826042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136992265063696641.post-33175143957664556812019-11-19T05:56:00.001-08:002019-11-19T05:56:59.867-08:00How to Be a Writer - Part V (Making Routines and Setting Goals)
One of the most common things I hear from people who glamorize the writing lifestyle (oh, yes... It's sooooooooooo glamorous) is "I just don't have time to write" followed by "Where do you come up with all those ideas?" The second one is a whole barrel of monkeys that I'll dive into on another day. But the first one, I have lots of advice for. And, should you find yourself pondering the Scott A. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00401840261793826042noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136992265063696641.post-85743830714338993402019-11-11T07:36:00.001-08:002019-11-17T17:04:34.757-08:00How to Be a Writer - Part IV (Managing the Day Job)
Today, in Part IV of our series about how to be a writer, we're going to discuss one of the most hated aspects of being a creative of any type: The day job. I know, we've all been fed the image of the professional writer who flies off to make movies of his work and has a huge mansion and a private plane and gobs of money that would make Scrooge McDuck envious, but that's not how it actually Scott A. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00401840261793826042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136992265063696641.post-55879965152196175522019-11-04T18:44:00.000-08:002019-11-04T18:44:34.201-08:00How to Be a Writer - Part III (Self Care)
This is a very sensitive subject, and one that is very close to my heart. I talk about mental health and physical well-being all of the time, but I think there are aspects of being this weird "writer" creature that many people do not take into account. Someone has to talk about it, so it may as well be your old Uncle Scott.
First thing's first: This whole "writing" thing? It's hard. Really Scott A. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00401840261793826042noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136992265063696641.post-47521998879226317592019-10-28T06:36:00.001-07:002019-10-28T06:36:14.935-07:00How to Be a Writer - Part II (Your Writing Space)
Last time, in part one of our multi-part series, I talked about the basic tools that you need to be a writer. This time, I'm going to talk about where you write. Keep in mind, there is no right answer for this. There is what works for you. I'm going to be talking about what works for me, sharing a few glimpses into my writer's lifestyle, and what works for a few of my contemporaries (with Scott A. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00401840261793826042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136992265063696641.post-91523704110027176582019-10-23T11:16:00.000-07:002019-10-23T11:17:05.679-07:00How to Be a Writer - Part I (Tools of the Trade)As writers, we spend a lot of time dealing with mechanics. Punctuation, grammar, spelling, storytelling, plot, etc. We spend so much time learning the craft of being a writer, but no one ever really tells us how to be a writer. I get it, sure, if you don't have the tools, you're not going to get very far. But let's say, just for the sake of argument, that you've finished your MFA, you have aScott A. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00401840261793826042noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136992265063696641.post-50513518856751577432019-08-21T19:09:00.001-07:002019-08-21T19:09:57.398-07:00Readings in the Genre: MONSTERS
Hey, everybody! Remember me? I'm back!
For the past ten or so years, I've been teaching in Seton Hill University's MFA in Writing Popular Fiction program. What that means is that I actually teach in a college masters program that's dedicated to horror, sci-fi, romance, mystery, etc. etc. etc. Such things exist. This semester, my RIG (Readings in the Genre... Keep up) class focuses on monsters.Scott A. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00401840261793826042noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136992265063696641.post-55110693196024031332017-11-28T11:31:00.002-08:002017-11-28T11:31:41.792-08:00Shy Grove and Self Publishing - Part I
Last year, I enrolled in an MFA program in Publishing and Writing Popular Fiction through Emerson University in Boston. My first two semesters (summer) went exactly as I thought they would. Literature courses, things of interest, and processes that would turn me into a more well-rounded writer. I went into the program without illusions and without thinking I'd be the most published person Scott A. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00401840261793826042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136992265063696641.post-27369148625962200312017-06-29T14:14:00.000-07:002017-06-29T14:14:49.224-07:00Growing as a Writer
At each Seton Hill Writing Popular Fiction MFA residency I attend, opening night is punctuated with a question that is designed to foster discussion throughout the week. We're supposed to use these questions if we finish our critique sessions and discover that we have time left over. It happens. The question at this residency was especially poignant, so I figured I'd discuss it here too. Quite Scott A. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00401840261793826042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136992265063696641.post-84303617531014625232017-05-03T12:08:00.001-07:002017-05-03T12:08:55.129-07:00Branching Out
There are times in our lives when we all do things, whether on purpose or not, that limit us. "I only eat" this or "I only wear" that brand, that type of thing. When we label ourselves, we limit ourselves. And, in doing so, we don't grow as human beings, or as artists. Imagine, if you can, being handed the variety pack of breakfast cereals and being told that, whichever one you choose, it's theScott A. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00401840261793826042noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136992265063696641.post-18008378578216225112017-04-10T08:15:00.001-07:002017-04-10T08:15:31.446-07:00Side Missions
Okay, hotshot, here's the situation: You've finished your manuscript. You've done the mandatory edit, revise, edit, cry, rage, edit, revise and revise again dance, and now it is finished. Finally. Truly. Finished. All that's left now for your newly birthed child is for your agent (or you) to sell it for a suitcase full of cash and promises of questionable moral behavior. So what do you do now?
Scott A. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00401840261793826042noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136992265063696641.post-1868359039176096982016-11-22T11:02:00.001-08:002016-11-22T11:02:30.494-08:00Research: Know what you write.
In the world of writers, there's a trite, glib statement that is often shouted at us, and just as often causes feelings of murderous rage: Write what you know. It's really meant in the best possible way, I know, but it's possibly one of the worst pieces of advice that you could give a writer. "Write what you know." Why is that so bad? Well, let's look at that statement for a moment.Scott A. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00401840261793826042noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136992265063696641.post-29791321460855624182016-10-05T10:31:00.001-07:002016-10-05T10:31:25.876-07:00The Waiting Game
I'm sitting at my desk staring at the little icon for my email. When I get a message, it jumps up and down like an excited pug and I get the nervous butterflies in my stomach. But then, when I click on the little hyper bastard and see that the incoming message is spam, my mood sinks just a little bit more.
Welcome to my life.
Actually, it's the life of every writer, agented or not. Scott A. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00401840261793826042noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136992265063696641.post-16863502467809686042016-08-08T11:30:00.001-07:002016-08-08T18:30:05.835-07:00Movie Review: Suicide Squad (what went right and what went wrong)
If you are in any way attached to the internet (which, if you're reading this, you are), you've probably seen at least some of the hype surrounding the new DC movie Suicide Squad. Since this movie seems to be very polarizing, I figured it would be a good exercise to take a hard critical look at it to see what went wrong and what went right in it. Why? Because there's a lot to be learned from a Scott A. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00401840261793826042noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136992265063696641.post-6931771495916167382016-07-22T08:31:00.001-07:002016-07-22T08:31:56.351-07:00Rejection
It's bound to happen. In fact, if it doesn't happen, you're not trying hard enough. I'm not talking about the eventual publishing contract that comes with a suitcase full of money and promises of questionable moral fiber. I'm talking about that little thing that comes before. The little thing that can destroy your self esteem, cripple your ego, and make you wonder if this "writing" Scott A. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00401840261793826042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136992265063696641.post-1440706917067806312016-07-18T13:45:00.002-07:002016-07-18T14:08:32.957-07:00Worldbuilding: Who is particularly bad at it?
I go on and on about world building. It's kind of annoying, really, and I know it, but if a world isn't properly constructed, I get yanked out of the story. I know I should just sit back and enjoy the show/book/movie/whatever, but I just can't. See, that's one of the drawbacks to being a writer. Not only are you hyper-cricical of your own work, you notice when others aren't doing their Scott A. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00401840261793826042noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136992265063696641.post-25919743707277608132016-06-30T13:01:00.001-07:002016-06-30T13:01:10.554-07:00Getting Down the Basics
Here we are, the first week back from residency at Seton Hill University's Writing Popular Fiction Masters in Fine Arts program. And while we're all simmering in the creative juices (alcohol) from a week of hanging around with other crazy people (writers), I figured now would be a good time to remind everyone of a simple truth: If you're going to be a writer, or be in a MFA program (and Scott A. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00401840261793826042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136992265063696641.post-57514882968540812082016-06-14T19:18:00.000-07:002016-06-14T19:18:03.392-07:00It's That Time Again!
Twice every year (January and June), I travel to the wooded wilds of Pennsylvania to the quaint village of Greensburg. There, I teach in the low-residency MFA in Writing Popular Fiction program at glorious Seton Hill University. During the week-long residency, I (along with people far better published than me) attempt to take students and mold them into something that they most desire: Scott A. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00401840261793826042noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136992265063696641.post-82980184943401962952016-06-07T19:31:00.000-07:002016-06-07T19:31:01.262-07:00A Few Words on Agents
Writers depend on a lot of people to do their jobs. Sure, the actual writing part of it may be a largely solitary endeavor, but once the first draft is done, we need help. We need our beta readers, critique partners, editors, significant-others, and a host of others to help us achieve our collective dreams of getting on the NYT Bestseller List, and eventually conquering the world. And one Scott A. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00401840261793826042noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136992265063696641.post-47840881957851883892016-05-31T13:22:00.000-07:002016-05-31T13:22:49.272-07:00What makes you a writer?
I live in a town rife with weird people, hipsters, artists, yuppies, hippies, yippies, dippies, stoners, boners, phonies, bronies, furries, and freaks. Yes, Austin is all that and more. But there's something else that has been pointed out elsewhere that bears repeating. For some reason everyone in Austin calls themselves writers. Oh, there are quite a few writers here, to be sure. But it Scott A. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00401840261793826042noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136992265063696641.post-7624446845046405802016-05-19T07:25:00.000-07:002016-05-19T07:25:26.643-07:00But that really happened!
When my novel City of Demons came out, there was a scene in particular that pulled people out of the story because it was just too unbelievable. The scene in question was one in which one of the lead characters discussed learning martial arts from a legit grandmaster who happened to teach at the college she attended. Magic murder, they can deal with. But learning a devastating Scott A. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00401840261793826042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136992265063696641.post-18502484540646255852016-04-07T20:39:00.001-07:002016-04-07T20:39:05.650-07:00Humility: Training to Make Yourself Better.
No matter how good you are, there's always someone out there who is better than you. Chances are, quite a few. You train and work for your entire life, and no matter what, the only certainty is that someone, somewhere, will still be better than you. It's a cold hard fact of life. Deal with it.
Stay with me here.
I'm a 5th dan black belt in Kajukenbo. My legit rank is "MasterScott A. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00401840261793826042noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136992265063696641.post-90737982418071419272016-01-29T12:17:00.000-08:002016-01-29T12:17:15.832-08:00The Haunting of Hill House
This term, I'm teaching an online reading course for Seton Hill University's Masters in Writing Popular Fiction program. I teach one every semester, but this term, the emphasis is "The Haunted." So that means, of course, a subject near and dear to my black little heart: Ghost Stories.
As part of the course, I get to choose books and movies that I feel best exemplify the genreScott A. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00401840261793826042noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136992265063696641.post-22706663879093981582016-01-17T08:01:00.001-08:002016-01-17T08:01:51.794-08:00The Two Things a Writer Must Do
We hear all the time about things a writer must do to be considered, well, a writer. Primary research, grammar, punctuation, spelling, sentence structure, plot, characterization, and a partridge in a pear tree. All are great things. And all of them are tools that should be in your tool box. But, if I'm being honest, there are only really two things that a person must do to Scott A. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00401840261793826042noreply@blogger.com2