Measure of a Man

Try not to become a man of success but rather a man of value.

Success Is

Success is going from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm.

Percentages of Life

Life is 10% of what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it.

The Fox and the Grapes

One hot summer’s day, a fox strolled through an orchard until he came to a bunch of ripe grapes on a vine trained over a lofty branch.

“Just the thing to quench my thirst,” he cried.

Drawing back a few paces, he took a run and a jump, and just missed the bunch. Turning round again with a “One, Two, Three,” he jumped up, but with no greater success. Again and again he sought the tempting morsels, but at last had to give it up, and walked away with his nose in the air, saying:

“I am sure they are sour.”

Moral: It is easy to despise what you cannot get.

Please post a comment if you know who this fable should be attributed to.

Drink To Feel

Never drink to feel better. Only drink to feel even better.

Post a comment if you know who this quote should be attributed to.

The Only Rule That Matters

Do unto others as you would have them to unto you.

This is the most important thing anyone can consider with regard to any action they take. It is quite literally that simple.

A Friend Is

A friend is someone before whom you may make a fool of yourself and they do not feel you’ve done a permanent job.

Post a comment if you know who this quote should be attributed to.

Things That Will Destroy Us

The things that will destroy us are:

• politics without principle
• pleasure without conscience
• wealth without work
• knowledge without character
• business without morality
• science without humanity
• and worship without sacrifice

America’s First Dictator

The Michigan state legislature quietly passed a bill granting the Governor of Michigan martial control over every city in the entire state.

Writing A Storyline

My notes for writing an effective storyline.

Single sentence of 25 words or less.

Tell only the most interesting thread of the story.

Do not reference more than two characters.

Reference the character(s) that must overcome the biggest obstacle, has the most significant paradox, severe contradiction in personal values and/or plays the strongest role in the story.

Unless it’s a famous character like Yoda, don’t use the characters’ name. Instead, provide a description using adjectives that evoke feelings of sympathy (e.g. vulnerable), places them outside the norm (e.g. telepathic), or both (e.q. disabled).

Omit anything that isn’t absolutely essential to leaving an impression compelling the reader to want more.

Look at the New York Times best sellers list has lots of examples – Click Here.

Examples:

An escort, desperate to pay for her upcoming wedding, is trapped in a box and tormented.
CLICK HERE TO READ: Girl In A Box

A closer look at the telepathic waitress Sookie Stackhouse, her family and, of course, her lovers.

BUY IT AT AMAZON: The Sookie Stackhouse Companion (Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood)