Change is Hard
Sometimes you have to stop for organizing, migrating, and building stuff to move forward. Welcome to my first post and newsletter on Substack.
So, What’s going on Jotham?
First, thanks for signing-up. If you signed up because of reading my novel or short stories and looking for more. Signed up because we met at a con or book signing. Signed up because of a newsletter giveaway (DJ Butler was the latest I was in—Hello new folks). Signed up because you enjoy learning about new creators (Music, Books, Comics, etc). Maybe it’s because you enjoy going down the Rabbit Hole of Research and learning about the science in fiction. Or maybe because you are a friend or family member. However you got here, I am grateful that you have taken time to read my newsletter, and thanks for hanging in there with me over these last couple years as my writing career takes off.
Second, I enjoy doing this newsletter. I promised to do at least one of three things in each newsletter, 1) Educate; 2) Inform; or 3) Entertain. Hopefully, I‘ve lived up to that promise, and I will continue to, but change is a coming, or shall I say change has arrived.
Okay, that was a little melodramatic, but channeling my inner Thanos, because “The hardest choices require the strongest wills.”
Okay, that’s a bit over the top also, but that’s how I’ve been feeling about changes to the newsletter. I’ve had to make some choices about this newsletter. This is why the newsletter is a couple days late (switching platforms is never straight forward) and this isn’t the newsletter I wanted to write (I was going to write about story sequences and my analysis of Big Trouble in Little China), but changes on Mailchimp is forcing me (probably would have moved anyway) to a different newsletter provider. I have looked into others, but Substack will be the newsletter and future podcast’s new home. There are a lot of cool features and lets me focus on writing.
So, what does all this mean?
Nothing at first, but eventually I will monetize parts of the newsletter. Why? As much as I enjoy working on these newsletters they take time to create. Each episode takes about 4 hours to a few days of planing, researching, writing. So, at some point some things will be put behind a paywall, especially as I expand the newsletter to include other features and continue building a community. But don’t worry the newsletters you have been getting already will remain free. Free!!
Free stuff:
What’s up with Jotham?
The monthly Rabbit Hole of Research
Other creators that I’m listening, reading, watching, and getting inspired by.
Newsletter and Author Giveaways.
Podcast (eventually)
Subscription:
I’m thinking, (5 dollars/month or 50 dollars/year
You will get all the free stuff
Access to all of the research notes and extras that I use to write the Rabbit Hole of Research.
Archives of Rabbit Hole of Research Posts
Writing insights and advice
Access to bonus stories and story notes
Podcast extras, like me reading excerpts of my stories or other things
And extra stuff once we get going—maybe even a snail mail gift!
Okay, more on this later, but change is happening, and just like my office it will be for the better—I hope.
But thanks in advance for sticking it out with me. If you want to subscribe (or give me your thoughts), click the button.
So, you just going to tease us about these story sequences?
No, I’d never do that. Over the last several newsletters I’ve been talking about editing my new novel, The Cost of Us, and studying story structure and how it works (reading a lot of Robert McKee’s books: Story and Dialogue). All stories have a nested structure from the smallest unit—
Action beats—a change in action and reaction.
Scenes—Action beats that drive the action through conflict turning the emotional charge at least one value (negative to positive or vise versa).
Sequences-a culmination in greater value impact than anyone scene.
Sequences builds Acts, and Acts builds the story.
On each level several questions should be answered:
What does your protagonist want?
What or who is stopping them from getting it?
What happens if they don’t get it?
What do they need to do to get it?
Now, most successful stories can be broken into roughly 8 sequences (especially movies), and there are specific structure rules that successful stories follow. Okay, I’m going to stop here, but you can check out more on thescriptlab.com website @ https://thescriptlab.com/screenwriting/structure/the-sequence/45-the-eight-sequences/
I cannot wait to share my analysis of different stories and how I’m using this structure in my own writing. And moving to Substrack I will probably post more often since the interface is designed with writing in mind! Also, I’ll be adding “My Writing Notes” section to my website to compile all of my learnings and struggles on this journey
Change is good, now I just have to finish sorting out my office! Chat soon! May have to talk Zombie in the next Rabbit Hole of Research!
Okay, that’s it for now, but you can always email and let me know about change (I do answer back) or follow me online for real time tracking. Or a new feature, you can comment below!
Please keep reading to see what I’ve been keeping myself entertained with!
February Books Read:
I’m not sure how I did it, but I read five books last month. Must admit I didn’t write as much or have anything to edit as I’m waiting for next round of developmental edits from agent. There is something for everyone on this list, super raunchy John Waters Romance, to Science Fiction, Fantasy, and a classic literary novel.
White Noise by Don DeLillo
Liarmouth by John Waters
Lost in Time by AG Riddle
Lost in the Moment and Found By Seanan McGuire
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Comic:
I spent most of the month reading novels, but did get a kickstarter comic. While at the NWI Comic Con, I was personally given my copy of Wolhunt:The Werebeast of Bleed Street, another horror graphic novel from Guerrilla Publishing. What I’ve read so far is awesome. Go check it out https://globalcomix.com/c/wolfhunt-the-werebeasts-of-bleek-street-
Music:
So, for a Christmas gift Georgia (atomicnumber14) got me a subscription to Vinyl Moon. It’s like a mix-tape on vinyl, except they create an experience combining the curated eclectic mix of songs with story telling and artwork. It’s pretty cool and I’m excited to get more editions. '
I did do some record digging at a record shop recently, but I’ll share those gems next month.
Okay, that’s where I’m at. I’ll try to update y’all every month on books, comics, and music (podcasts) that I’ve been digging! I’ll try to add some indie author reads!
Email me or use the comment button below and let me know what you’ve been into and what I should check out! Or follow me online for more realtime updates: Jotham’s Social Links
Find your next favorite book or author with these newsletter giveaways or virtual book-fairs:
Dang, Jotham! I remember you saying you switched from Mailchimp but I didn't realize it was so recent. Welcome to Substack! Looking forward to following your work.