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Thanks for coming back again for the third and final post on writer Sean Ferrell.

The first two posts are below if you have not seen them:

Sean Ferrell – The Author Talks About Writing

Sean Ferrell – The Author Talks About Numb the Character

Today Sean talks about his Amazon Kindle book trailer Numb giving us an idea of how it was created.

If you have not seen it, please take a moment and view it below (you can also view it at Sean’s website and YouTube but if you want a day of ease – clicking one less click – just click play below):

Sean Ferrell’s Numb Book Trailer

Let the interview begin.

Imagine – we’re good at that, writers that we are – Sean Ferrell sitting on a comfy leather chair and I’m sitting on an identical one opposite. The cafe is full of people sheltering from the wind outside. We’ve finished our coffee. There is only silence in our corner. Our faces serious and intense. Then the samurai swords come out. Flick. Flick. No, not really. But the questions and answers are serious and he did answer them with his own email program. Oh Yeah. Ready?

Let the interview begin (again):

~

Q: Was the trailer ad libbed, improvised or scripted?

A: Ad libbed. I spoke into a recorder and did several takes on some lines (like the synopsis of the book). My brilliant brother edited it into one track using the best takes. He then filmed the video and used editing tricks so that the visuals matched my commentary.

~

Q: Who came up with the idea?

A: I did. I wanted to do something simple (one shot, no actors) and quick.

~

Q: Did you have a team to set it up or was it mostly just you and a cameraman?

A: Video was shot in Boston, audio recorded in Brooklyn. The magic of the internet. I recorded the audio and then used a file sharing site to transfer it to my brother. He filmed his own lovely hands (back off ladies, he’s married) with his wife’s Kindle. He created the graphics and sent me the final video via the file sharing site. There were a few minor edits, and then it was done. If it hadn’t been for my brother it wouldn’t have happened, so anyone who hated it: blame Matthew.

~

Thanks Sean ~

Are we going to blame Matthew? No. His hands are too lovely.

The 3 questions just raised more questions. Now I want to know more. Don’t you? This is what I want to know from Sean:

• Your brother Matthew – is he an editor?

• Do you think Matthew will buy his wife an iPad or something that looks like it’s not from 1986 (quoting you mate)?

Perhaps you could ask for me. That samurai sword scene did happen and frankly Sean is scared of me. See that Numb book cover? See that man with the ripped trousers? That’s what I did to Sean’s trousers with my samurai sword people. Oh, it’s okay. Don’t worry, he’s still alive.

Find Sean on Twitter @byseanferrell and ask him anything you want. Tell him I sent you.

Oh take a samurai sword.

You don’t have one?

Take a hammer.

No, he knows about hammers. Don’t take a hammer.

You only have a hammer? (Okay, read previous post and be prepared if you really insist on taking a hammer)

What? You have a ceramic mask?

Where did you hear about that? Nevermind. Take it.

Ready?

Wait.

Be prepared. This is what Harley May had to say about the book Numb. Yep, you heard right, she got to read it – THE BOOK NUMB. See previous post and comment from Harley. She knows something about that ceramic mask and she’s not telling me. She might tell you. (If you really insist on taking that ceramic mask of yours.)

Ready?

Wait.

Be extra prepared. Rumors abound – but I am sure that Patty Blount met Sean Ferrell recently. She might be able to give you clues.

Ready?

Okay.

Go. Go. Go.

Move. Move. Move.

*shouting into the internet ethers*

Sean Ferrell can also be found at his byseanferrell.com website if you don’t find him on…you still there?…Nevermind…Well if you can hear me – have a good weekend…and go safely into the night as someone said sometime somewhere…if not, they should…you still there?

(Please note: I don’t work for Apple though conveniently my last name is Mac. And it is my real name. I have no association with Apple whatsoever. And they didn’t disown me either for deciding to go against the path of technology to chase after my dream path – writing novels. I just love their products.)

Similar Posts ~

Sean Ferrell – The Author Talks About Writing

Sean Ferrell – The Author Talks About Numb the Character

“High achievers spot rich opportunities swiftly, make big decisions quickly, and move into action immediately. Follow these principles and you can make your dreams come true.”

Robert H. Schuller – Author

CURRENT STATUS: Reminder, Motivator and Review Meeting (Read on if you want to join me in my Corporation of One meeting)

What l have learnt:

• Introducing Guestblogging by Jon Morrow. There are free videos. I’ve signed up.
• Mike Larsen’s 6 Keys to Being a Contentrepreneur has good advice. I read his quote in Christina Katz’s book ‘Get Known Before the Book Deal’: ‘You are in three businesses: the book business, the marketing business, and the people business.’ Get used it people, you are. Hide away that eccentric recluse wannabe side of you. I have to. And you have to too. I know. *Group hug sob sob*
• I’m in it for the long haul. I’m tired but I’m in it for the long haul. Read Publishing Insiders Wrap-Up: From Blog to Book by Pamela Redmond Satran to see what I mean.
• Found Fictionaut.com and I signed up to be notified if I can sign up on this invite-only website. It focuses on short stories but there’s no word limit they say.
• Outsourcing. It makes perfect sense if you have the money to do so. Read BookEnds Spending Money to Make Money.
• The BookDepository.co.uk tells you who bought what book where. (via Guardian.co.uk) Are you a book voyeur?

What I have done:

• Participating. That’s work. It is. It is. *getting annoyed* It is work.
• Cleaned the other bathroom. Okay this isn’t work but there would be angry folk knocking down my door if this isn’t done.
• Christina Katz left a comment on my blog. Hurrah! Thanks Christina. *grins*

WORD COUNT: Night Walker 136,000 in total. Thursday 29 July wrote 1,000 words. Oh Yeah.

I admit I’ve seen this one. And all I can say is it was a bit cheesy. My sister had stronger words but in the same vein. So it’s a good thing we’re not reviewing it. Here’s Oosters who can always say it better.

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE * 1 Star

Directed by David Slade
Starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner

~ Film Reviewed by Oosters ~

Another crashingly dull instalment in a franchise that seems intent on tearing down women’s sense of self-esteem while boring the rest of us to tears.

Again, the hopeless woman has to rely on men to tell her what to do, and the fact that her suitors are emotionally controlling, obsessive to a dangerous degree and constantly on the verge of physically assaulting her only appears to confirm her attraction to them.

It’s difficult to think of a more dangerous and self-harming message to convey to young women (the target demographic of the series); however much its legion of fans might insist it’s all “just a bit of fun”, the misogyny running through its bones is simply too strong to ignore.

Thanks Oosters ~

Stephanie Meyer, the writer of the Twilight saga, has been compared to JK Rowling. I’ve included this snippet that highlights their different writing styles (and a bit that might explain all the intense drama):

Rowling pieces her books together meticulously, detail by detail. Meyer floods the page like a severed artery. She never uses a sentence when she can use a whole paragraph. Her books are big (500-plus pages) but not dense–they have a pillowy quality distinctly reminiscent of Internet fan fiction. (Which she’ll readily grant: “I don’t think I’m a writer; I think I’m a storyteller,” Meyer says. “The words aren’t always perfect.”)…

Bella never stops gasping and swooning and passing out and waking up screaming from nightmares. Her heart is always either pounding or stopping. (Bella’s histrionics don’t feel at all unrealistic. When you’re writing about adolescents, melodrama and realism are the same thing.)

Read more here. 

Which style of writing describes the way you write?

If I had to choose which style I write like, my first draft would be like Stephanie Meyer – just pouring it out. I’m hoping the second draft would be more like JK Rowling – looking at the details. That’s such a cop-out. But it makes sense though, right?

Some facts about Stephenie Meyer that I didn’t know but I do now:

• The first Twilight story came to her as a dream.

• Her sister encouraged her to get the first book published.

• Her mother helped her with the ending of her last book – Breaking Dawn – which is out on Aug 2nd.

• She’s ‘an observant Mormon, she doesn’t drink alcohol and has never seen an R-rated movie‘?

• Stephanie Meyer wrote the first Twilight book in 3 months.

• She is the second of six children.

• It took a total of 6 months from the first word written to getting the publishing deal. (that’s mighty quick in the world of publishing)

What about you? Do you write like Stephanie Meyer – just gushing it out?

Did you watch the film? If so, what did you think?

Similar Posts ~

Whatever Works – Film Review

Shrek Forever After – Film Review

“Fear of failure and fear of the unknown are always defeated by faith. Having faith in yourself, in the process of change, and in the new direction that change sets will reveal your own inner core of steel.”

Georgette Mosbacher – Business Executive

CURRENT STATUS: Reminder, Motivator and Review Meeting (Read on if you want to join me in my Corporation of One meeting)

What l have learnt:

• Top 10 Qualities of Working Freelance Writers by Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen. It works for novelists as well.
• How pink covers can make some people see red (via Guardian.co.uk). A bit of fun.
• Writing and Marketing by Elisabeth Spann Craig. I found this useful.
• Don’t Be Spam by QueryTracker.net. The focus is on queries.

What I have done:

• Still learning Squidoo.
• Reading Christina Katz’s book ‘Get Known Before the Book Deal’ again. I skimmed it before. Reading it again to create a plan.

WORD COUNT: Night Walker 135,000 in total. Wednesday 28 July – did not write – I know – see the guilt on my face? My face is now under a pillow. Yes, I’m giving myself a hard time.

It’s great to have you back after the first part of the interview with novelist Sean Ferrell – The Author Talks About Writing.

Today, we continue with Sean talking about Numb the main character of his book (the book is also called Numb). I had 3 questions for Sean about his main character and I must admit, and he can verify, that these questions popped into my head while writing my email to Sean. It’s cool that Sean doesn’t mind me being silly. Well, read on and you’ll understand what I mean:

1) If your character could take 3 items on a desert island, what would he take?

I don’t think he would want to take anything. Numb is a pretty unattached guy: at one point he becomes very aware of the uselessness of the materialistic items around him. So, the metaphysical answer to the question would be: nothing.

However, that’s not a fun answer, so: he would take a hammer, his suit, and a ceramic mask.

2) Is the character based on yourself or someone you know or was he conjured up totally from your imagination?

Yes.

I’m not trying to be difficult, but I think that he is all three, an amalgam of me and others and imagination, and I think that if I tried too hard to break him apart and “know” where he came from I wouldn’t have been able to write the novel. Sometimes its just best to listen to our characters instead of picking them apart.

3) If your main character could be an animal, what would he want to be and why?

A monkey, for two reasons. First: monkey is an awesome word and can’t be said enough. Try. Monkey monkey monkey. By the third monkey it’s like heaven.

Second, when I think of a monkey I think of an animal that seems observant and soulful. Numb is both, or at least he is to me.

Somebody ask Sean what he means by saying his character would bring a suit and a ceramic mask. Is it for fun? See, the hammer I understand. I’m dying to ask and should have asked but did not ask. So I’m asking now. Why the suit and ceramic mask? You may think I’m taking this questioning and answering a bit too seriously. You’re probably right. I’m just curious. Sean? Why? You’re going to say they were just random items that came to mind and now under such intense scrutiny you feel you’ve got to make up a reason?

Okay, I’ll quit provoking you.

While we wait for an answer…you could chant monkey monkey monkey to see if it’s like heaven… or you could watch this funny Numb book trailer – no, this book trailer is not the one I responded to – see previous post – this is another one (exact title and video taken from Janet Reid’s website):

Hell with 2010…the world might end Wednesday

Monkey, monkey, monkey…Monkey, monkey, monkey….Monkey, monkey, monkey…

And no, I did not make this up.

Sean, tell them I did not make up the answers.

People please.

Oh, don’t go yet.

Just a reminder, the third part of the interview: Sean Ferrell Talks About the Book Trailer Numb will be posted on Friday.

Yes, I am dragging it out. I’m just too long-winded and frankly I fear for your health, and Sean’s of course.

Don’t worry, I’ll remind you.

I have Twitter and Hootsuite. Oh yeah. I’ve been playing…and probably annoying. All in the name of work.

Monkey, monkey, monkey…I think I feel it’s like heaven.

Try it.

Then find Sean on Twitter @byseanferrell and let him know if you feel it’s like heaven.

Oh, and according to Janet Reid, the world is ending today. So get out there and do something.

Published by HarperPerennial, Numb is out in August 2010.

Numb ~ Review from Publisher’s Weekly
Sean Ferrell, Harper Perennial, $13.99 paper (288p) ISBN 978-0-06-194650-9
In Ferrell’s offbeat debut, an amnesiac joins a Texas circus where his inability to feel pain makes him a big-top hit and earns him the name Numb. After a haunting experience wrestling a lion, Numb and his best friend, Mal, give up the circus for life in New York, where they live in a crappy hotel and make a living as a lowrent one-man freak show. When Numb lands a talent agent and begins to move up through the layers of celebrity, he leaves Mal behind for a cast of characters including a blind artist girlfriend and bad news model Emilia. But in Numb’s world, nothing hurts much at all, so Mal comes back and predictably turns things upside down, despite the men’s bond being difficult to comprehend. There are captivating moments and passages, but details like Numb’s rise to recognized-on-the-street fame aren’t sufficiently explained and require a hefty suspension of disbelief. Though some of the storytelling nuts and bolts are missing, the book has a lot of heart. (Aug.)

(via Sean Ferrell’s website)

[All photos used belong to Sean Ferrell]

Sean Ferrell – The Author Talks About Writing

Sean Ferrell – The Author Talks About the Book Trailer Numb

Chuck Sambuchino – An Interview: Published Book, Writing and a Writer’s Life (Part 1)

“You cannot change anything in your life with intention alone, which can become a watered-down, occasional hope that you’ll get to tomorrow. Intention without action is useless.”

Caroline Myss – Author

CURRENT STATUS: Reminder, Motivator and Review Meeting (Read on if you want to join me in my Corporation of One meeting)

What l have learnt:

• Ebooks. More angst. Read When Assholes Collide by Matt Stewart (via Huffington Post).
• “Electronic rights are not e-book rights”. Read E-book Traps by Ron Knight (via UpAuthors.com). Something to think about.
• Could ‘The Jackal’ be the Death of Publishing? (via The Independent). I don’t know.
• There’s a 3 day novel writing contest in September. It sounds crazy to write a novel in 3 days and I’m tempted to try it.
• Mythbusting by Rachelle Gardner. It’s good to know.

What I have done:

• Learning about Squidoo.
• I cleaned my room and the bathroom. Ah, the smell of fresh linen. A gleaming bathroom is a wonderful bathroom.

WORD COUNT: Night Walker 135,000 in total. Tuesday 27 July 2,000 words.

Today’s film review is for Whatever Works directed by Woody Allen.

Here’s the second film review from Oosters. Enjoy.

WHATEVER WORKS **** 4 Stars

Directed by Woody Allen

Starring Larry David, Evan Rachel Wood, Patricia Clarkson, Ed Begley Jr, Michael McKean and Henry Cavill.

~ Film reviewed by Oosters ~

Surprisingly positive and optimistic stuff that gets its message across more effectively by not shying away from some pretty dark subject matter (it’s essentially about a man finding reasons not to kill himself).

It’s far-fetched and deliberately artificial, but its conceits are necessary to address its concerns of mortality and the pursuit of happiness, as well as giving it free reign to break a few cinematic rules in a manner all too infrequent in contemporary modern comedies.

It’s a brave attempt to wring mirth out of misanthropy, and mostly succeeds.

Thanks Oosters.

Did you know Woody Allen’s real name is Allen Stewart Konigsberg?

You can see why he changed it.

Woody Allen. Can’t get simpler or catchier than that.

But why Woody?

If you check out his website woodyallen.com, he reads quotes and some of the snippets are odd (a bit like him), some of them are funny (a bit like him) and the rest I couldn’t understand (he talks too fast, don’t you think? And often in riddles).

Did you know he started off as a joke writer before becoming a comedian?

Yep. I tell no lie.

I didn’t know that either.

Unless IMDB is telling the lie. Woody Allen

…broke into show business at age 15 when he started writing jokes for a local paper…pumping out an estimated 2000 jokes a day…

I never thought his films were particularly funny. Oh, but I am famous for not having a sense of humour – that must be it. I read this extract from IMDB and thought it fitting to include because as writers and readers we can’t help but wonder if other authors are writing about themselves especially when their main character is about the same age and the same gender. This is what Woody Allen had to say about it and I think it’s true for most writers. Unless you’re writing a memoir.

The sensibility of the film-maker infuses the project so people see a picture like Annie Hall (1977) and everyone thinks it’s so autobiographical. But I was not from Coney Island, I was not born under a Ferris wheel, my father never worked at a place that had bumper cars, that’s not how I met Diane Keaton, and that’s not how we broke up. Of course, there’s that character who’s always beleaguered and harassed. Certain things are autobiographical, certain feelings, even occasionally an incident, but overwhelmingly they’re totally made up, completely fabricated.

I’m still wondering – why Woody Allen is called Woody?

Come on someone must know, other than Woody Allen himself that is.

Any of you out there know?

[Woody Allen pic taken from here and Whatever Works poster from here]

Similar Posts ~

Shrek Forever After – Film Review

“If you keep on saying things are going to be bad, you have a good chance of being a prophet.”

Isaac Bashevis Singer – Journalist and Writer

CURRENT STATUS: Reminder, Motivator and Daily Review Meeting (Read on if you want to join me in my Corporation of One meeting)

What l have learnt:

• It seems your book can be very fashionable one minute and then not for ages and then fashionable again. Read Lost Classic Aunt Mame Revived After 50-Year Gap (via Guardian.co.uk). It would be a shame if you weren’t alive for it though.
• I have an iPhone so I sometimes check my blog pages on it. Read Why You Should Be Optimizing Your Blog and Website For Mobile by Jeff Bullas to see why.
• Authors Guild Estimates Royalties in Wylie Agency & Amazon Deal: “Author Receives 60 to 63% of the Retail Price of the Book” (via eBookNewser).
• Author Paul Elie on life before he got published (via The Days of Yore). It’s always good to know that even the published writers struggle too at one point.

What I have done:

• Managed to sleep. Trust me, it can be a massive feat sometimes.

WORD COUNT: Night Walker 133,000 in total. Friday 23 July 1,000 words. Didn’t write Monday 26 July and trying to not feel guilty about it.