tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22295344957957812002012-03-01T09:52:26.727-08:00Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.comBlogger941100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-39109845254373485832012-03-01T09:38:00.003-08:002012-03-01T09:52:26.739-08:00

A book I wrote over ten years ago just made the first cut in Amazon/CreateSpace's new novel competition (done with Penguin and Publishers Weekly). I did a quick revision on the book before entering but wish I'd had more time to do a longer one. As someone said on one of the many related Amazon discussion boards...editing is harder than writing because the editing is never done. I second guess,

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-681678690881758692012-02-12T09:09:00.000-08:002012-02-12T09:13:20.375-08:00

Paolo Coelho, or so I read, writes for eight hours then does social media for three. I’m full of excuses (and don’t live up to his standard though I’m in awe). Work-wise, and in many other areas I’m pretty disciplined.But I meander, day dream, listen to music (Spotify and itunes both!), scan most forms of media, play with perfume and my blackberry. Currently I’m obsessed with my new Smash

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-39890333356656039442012-01-30T12:38:00.000-08:002012-01-30T12:56:44.131-08:00

Lucky or unlucky, I’m an action oriented person. Always happy to jump into new challenges I must hold myself back…recognizing that time is a limited commodity and doing a thorough analysis before undertaking a major commitment is essential (otherwise lots of unfinished projects!).Currently, I’m buried deep in revising draft one of a sequel to Captive (at over 400 pages) and nursing a business

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-43031427174887600702012-01-14T09:22:00.001-08:002012-01-14T09:23:37.970-08:00

My drafts aren’t always very good. In fact, my first drafts are usually pretty bad. Right now I’m doing a cram revision of something I wrote about ten years ago so that I can (hopefully) submit it to the forthcoming Amazon novel competition.The good news is that reading something I wrote so long ago shows me how much my writing has improved. The bad news is that I may not be able to get it in

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-86963586772058196902012-01-04T10:24:00.000-08:002012-01-04T10:29:08.464-08:00

This post I originally put on my investment banking blog (IBLA.US) but think it belongs here as wellOr, why iterative changes matter more than disruptive ones.Punk rock erupted in 1974 as a response to the excesses of the mainstream 1970s rock world (big bands, big shows and big hair; more focused on business than music/audience; arrogance; bad music). Punk music was hard, fast paced and raw,

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-75004922189814788562012-01-03T12:56:00.000-08:002012-01-03T12:59:03.438-08:00

Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened Dr. SeussSure, I should have posted this two days ago; see above, I got busy (and will stay smiling in my lateness).Dr. Seuss was about as far from cliché as cliché gets. We aren’t all so original. I personally couldn’t imagine such vibrant and unusual characters). I had a writing professor at UCLA Extension (Les Plesko) who used to

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-9307042665948498652011-12-26T10:04:00.000-08:002011-12-26T10:05:06.718-08:00

Once and a while the upbeat American attitudes get on my nerves. I’m naturally a very upbeat person; a yoga addict I’ve also learned to view my world with more balance. Thus I realize that all qualities are both good and bad (being upbeat can earn you “insensitive” as well).Reading Joan Didion’s new book Blue Nights I was awed by her ability to write with such raw pain. I waver on whether or

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-67599670611532224762011-12-09T16:11:00.000-08:002011-12-09T16:12:44.289-08:00

I didn’t get enough done today. That reality isn’t exactly my norm but let’s just say it happens more than I’d like. My kids had a half day at school today (not the usual) so I’ve had to make adjustments for that change.But the bigger thing about today is that I got many, many little things done but no big one. With continual interruptions that goal seemed like the best way to plan my tasks.

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-80451957770389688812011-12-07T08:30:00.000-08:002011-12-07T08:33:31.492-08:00

Up early this morning I was reading Aristotle (love to write that….note below I’ll question whether I actually understood what I was reading) and was struck by some of his happiness/well being precepts. Since I’m not writing a primer on Aristotle here I won’t get much into details but a core concept is that virtue relates to the proper function of something. He makes ethics a practical and not

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-48122486410209040982011-11-29T15:24:00.000-08:002011-11-29T15:30:04.234-08:00

I’m looking for authors for an online publishing project.I’m still intent on getting into the online publishing world but to do so I need some creative and risk tolerant authors (willing to experiment with online publishing models) to be my partners. The traditional publishing model still works the best for established authors (well, perhaps a few others like Paolo Coelho have thrived by being

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-3163112160410955872011-11-15T11:46:00.000-08:002011-11-15T11:48:07.452-08:00

I have a loose deadline now on finishing Escape (at page 324 on draft one and keeping this post short so I can get back to writing). I did it to myself by agreeing to finish the book by a certain date (definition of deadline).Is my willingness to commit, or over commit, a good thing or a bad one? I do this a lot and was actually discussing it with friends at yoga. We were saying that we think

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-92189382476833743632011-10-21T09:36:00.000-07:002011-10-21T09:58:52.000-07:00

Well I’m coming to the ending of draft one. While that sounds like I’m almost done writing I’m not. Captive, and the sequel, are thrillers so my ending should follow a (very loose) formula. I need a big ending. At page 291 I’m just starting to wind it down (and will likely end up with 400 pages after edits are complete).So I’m building the grand finale. Someone will die; a bomb may go off;

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-89285541963200687302011-10-09T15:04:00.000-07:002011-10-09T15:09:26.137-07:00

The WS protests have spread to a thousand cities (that’s a lot of unhappy people). Select unions have joined them; the media has taken up coverage. The 99% campaign is visual and personal, which tends to draw support. Over $4,000 has been raised on Kickstarter to fund their “paper”. Today in Cairo the military/police drove armored vehicles into the protesting mobs and started shooting.

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-33888463828837114452011-10-06T14:49:00.000-07:002011-10-06T15:24:46.574-07:00

I’m in the process of transferring Captive’s distribution from my publisher to me. There may be some disruptions in availability but I’m learning (a lot). And it’s all fairly simple…surprisingly so. Or at least I’m saying that now.The Captive saga is long; suffice to say, when I decided to go with a smaller publisher I made the decision based on the fact that I kept full rights to the book

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-57877932218082149872011-10-01T17:23:00.000-07:002011-10-01T17:32:54.971-07:00

I've not been writing about important things today...or yesterday...So...what have I been doing?Protecting myself. Not rich or in that top tier I read about I've been dealing with those falling behind. And, as someone currently trying to write about the negative (societal) repercussions of other countries (Egypt) falling I'm facing it here.So how did we get here?People who aren't paying and know

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-71637876977119501452011-09-16T13:11:00.001-07:002011-09-16T13:33:54.294-07:00

"If you aren't creating (content) you aren't influencing," said Joe Fernandez, CEO of Klout, at the Wedbush Second Internet Conference last week. I wrote about it and included that exact quote on my other investment banking/digital media blog (www.ibla.us...can't get the link to work!) but I keep thinking about it anyway.Write another post on IBLA? No, another major theme of the conference was

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-46837686615973338902011-09-06T16:44:00.000-07:002011-09-06T16:51:54.217-07:00

is when life interferes...Writing...other projects...kids (on vacation! and demanding!), a family fight, friends, the newspaper, tweetdeck and a bunch of books I'm reading. The daily stuff.That's how we also don't write books, start companies, sit with a friend or family member or tell someone that we love them. I love a lot of people but I haven't been telling them lately.Why? Stress and a

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-12632257298889642802011-08-13T09:39:00.000-07:002011-08-13T09:42:26.338-07:00

First, let me say that the London riots are deeply affecting to me personally. I’ve said many times that my first introduction to terrorism, and part of why I wrote Captive, was the impact of the IRA bombs scares during my childhood visits to London (en route to my grandparents farm in Wales). To see the city I love so rocked by needless violence upsets me. I also still have pictures of the

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-54388999811245580632011-07-17T13:52:00.000-07:002011-07-17T13:53:50.722-07:00

Lately I’ve been obsessed with the concept of less. I live in clutter as does everyone else I know. Our society encourages more and I fall into that trap. Right now I want more watermelon twizzlers, more water, a glass of wine (more since I’ve had none), more time outside in the beautiful and sunny weather, more time reading, longer hair and more time socializing. More.We even use the phrase

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-36328738252346509562011-07-13T10:32:00.000-07:002011-07-13T10:38:13.871-07:00

Nick Kristof recently published a list of recommended summer reading books. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/10/opinion/sunday/10kristof.html?_r=1. He focused on novels, and all were at least fifty years old. Interestingly, he chose those with a social justice theme to them. I love the idea of focusing on great books or at least those that made a big impact on me to compile my own list.So, in

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-29690442080959951812011-07-05T13:50:00.000-07:002011-07-05T14:07:32.865-07:00

I heard about the Casey Anthony trial a week ago (yes, really). Someone mentioned this horrible mom who killed her toddler and was on trial in Florida. I looked the case up online and got hooked in about a minute. Such a great story line; which is the absolute temptation for a writer.The CA diary entry a few days after Caylee disappeared/was killed:I have no regrets, just a bit worried. I just

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-8152008452764902982011-07-05T12:50:00.000-07:002011-07-05T13:00:48.669-07:00

Much of what writers scribe is auto-biographical. All fiction written is. Writer’s have to build upon their experiences, beliefs and personalities, even if only to explore contradictions and alternate viewpoints. Sometimes we write about those we know…in varying levels of clarity.Indeed, those gradations are a tool. Do we want people from our lives to be recognized in what we write or not?

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-62518290880648289842011-06-23T11:04:00.000-07:002011-06-23T11:07:25.400-07:00

About ten year olds that I don’t.I love talking to my kids. My daughter is ten; my son is seven. Their perspective on the world is so hopeful, curious and at times surprising. I read somewhere that the only power children have is their imagination (since my daughter believes that she runs the house…I’d add that by using it they can also learn to manipulate). My children both imagine.Which

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-40550377300562289422011-06-15T16:08:00.000-07:002011-06-15T16:22:03.545-07:00

Or, is the jumble in my head leading somewhere?I don’t have a hard time brainstorming and coming up with ideas. And they come out clearly enough that I can usually sit down, organize my thoughts and write them out coherently. My problem lies in having too many thoughts, ideas and light bulb moments. And I can seem like a disorganized (disoriented) mess when brainstorming. That glazed eyes and

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-8865147421081093992011-06-05T15:48:00.000-07:002011-06-05T15:50:29.378-07:00

Then a sentence follows. Next comes a full page.That’s how to write a book.It’s born in your imagination but takes shape by the hard work of writing it down.I’ve been asked a number of times now about how I wrote Captive. The story remains the same and like so many other things in life it centers around discipline. If there is one issue I complain about constantly it’s the sunny Sunday

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-53510520380131929882011-05-27T15:09:00.000-07:002011-05-27T15:11:14.264-07:00

I was asked for them….I’ve never written reading group questions before. So, below is draft one. If you haven’t finished the book stop reading now!1. Captive is about two men who’ve had different options in life and made very different decisions. Character wise, are they similar? Were their lives shaped more by circumstance or by character?2. The story is told from a woman’s perspective twice

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-11156299139475279312011-05-18T16:45:00.000-07:002011-05-18T16:48:53.879-07:00

Story telling is simply the ability to engage with an audience and draw them into a world of your own creation. It was a central topic of discussion at a recent conference I attended. The Joan Ganz Cooney Center Leadership Forum was at the USC School of Cinematic Arts on May 16 and 17. As a writer, I’m obviously a huge believer in the power of story. What did I learn at the conference on the

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-70631336873180259192011-05-11T16:24:00.000-07:002011-05-13T06:09:50.652-07:00

Umm…Captive is now! And I did it myself on Barnes and Noble’s PubIt! site (my main publisher contact is abroad; I retained the rights to Captive; Nook sees going directly through them and going through PubIt! as essentially the same). I was surprised to realize that Captive wasn’t on Nook, and even more shocked to receive an email stating such. For, Captive (hard copy) is on barnesandnoble.com

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-3127961749746665452011-04-27T14:47:00.000-07:002011-04-27T14:49:06.577-07:00

Today we “officially” released the results of the Captive/BitTorrent promotion: over 400,000 downloads in about two weeks…globally.I wrote a book, got an agent, got frustrated, tried to find a new agent, got even more frustrated, went with a small publisher (instead of looking for an agent any more), then partnered with BitTorrent. I now have a global audience and a lot more options.I wasn’t the

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-65339830536783443442011-04-18T16:49:00.000-07:002011-04-18T16:56:23.833-07:00

Should it be a sin? Or is it perhaps pure at a level we/I never considered? Desire isn’t about gaining or controlling something, is it? No, desire is about admiring and not knowing if you can touch. Dare you?What about when you desire but know that you can never achieve the object of your desire? So many factors can interfere. Timing, past decisions, physical or other limitations, fate and,

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-3056414480177373052011-04-15T15:29:00.000-07:002011-04-15T15:30:55.978-07:00

During the BitTorrent/Captive promotion I loved watching the digital download numbers soar. My Facebook and Twitter numbers jumped. I got direct emails from readers…thankfully positive... After sitting in front of a computer screen or hard copy printout for so long writing the book seeing some actual proof of readers is gratifying.But each day, no matter how exciting or interesting an outward

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-27371950459038839612011-04-12T17:24:00.000-07:002011-04-13T09:54:47.599-07:00

Democratizing because Captive reached a large, global audience, and so quickly. As of a few minutes ago the completed download total is over 350,000 in under two weeks. I can't comment on BitTorrent's traffic but I can comment on the percentage that clicks through to my sites. Thus far my traffic comes from all parts of the world: Africa, Asia, the USA, Europe, Latin America and Australia/New

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-68868159078957286122011-04-08T16:24:00.000-07:002011-04-08T16:31:52.163-07:00

My week has been crazy!My children are on spring break (meaning no school); the Bittorrent promotion has bee ongoing (and going well). I had my Coro class this week (executive education in public policy). How to juggle the practical realities of life when they are all thrown at you at once.Please tell me...I draw from yoga and my classes at Maha. "Breathe," Steve Ross, one of my teachers said

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-74645494068078991272011-04-02T17:58:00.000-07:002011-04-03T02:39:06.931-07:00

We’re early into our two week joint promotion but I’m amazed thus far with the international buy in. I’ll write a short posting now as I’m spending the night with my kids (and supposed to be making dinner). But the response has been global.On my www.meganlisajones.com site (which gets about 1% traffic wise as does Bittorrent (www.bittorrent.com) with the download, I’ve seen amazing traffic.

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-70599411913477835752011-03-31T10:06:00.001-07:002011-03-31T11:44:09.802-07:00

Link to BitTorrent edition download http://www.clearbits.net/get/1684-captive---bittorrent-edition.torrentOkay, you finished your book so now what? Authors have so many options now that didn’t exist before yet overall book sales are down.What did I do? I started with the crazy normal path of finding agents who represented authors in my genre, sent them a manuscript then read the standard form

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-42564267959602583942011-03-27T13:05:00.000-07:002011-03-27T13:14:03.629-07:00

I overcame a major (writer’s) stumbling block yesterday: I stopped caring about the quality of my writing as I was writing a first draft. By the way, my first drafts aren’t good (more a sketch of the painting to come…).When I wrote Captive I just sat down and wrote…no one reading, commenting or adding input. Then, for a while, I worked with an agent who pushed book two. She wanted it on a time

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-6985238719359219392011-03-21T18:16:00.000-07:002011-03-21T18:19:46.777-07:00

Last weekend someone (Parissh) commented to me that while many are capable some are so lacking in moral compass that their skills or polish no longer matter. Wow!In this day and age of front page scandal are we judged on character or news value?The picture is of one of our cats. She has many names: Mischief is the official one but I mostly call her Kit Kat (don’t ask me what I yell when mad at

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-24844849743447445832011-03-18T15:10:00.000-07:002011-03-18T15:23:16.206-07:00

The below is from the AAP web site:E-Books, Downloadable Audio Books Continue GrowthBased on AAP Publishers January 2011 Sales ReportMarch 17, 2011, New York, NY– E-books and downloadable audio books continue to grow in popularity according to the January 2011 sales report of the Association of American Publishers.Figures for the first month of the new year show that E-book net sales increased by

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-24618815520647230222011-03-13T17:07:00.000-07:002011-03-13T17:08:50.365-07:00

So says the “writer”.I had work to do. Yoga. I wasted hours and wonder where they went. Blogs.I’ll write for a bit now. The book – Captive’s sequel – is so clear in my head. Why can’t I get it on paper?My mind has been a jumble: projects, kids, friends and life. How do we manage it all? I really want to just sit down with a piece of chocolate and glass of wine (in front of my fireplace)

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-56908370313066983202011-03-10T19:18:00.000-08:002011-03-10T19:23:52.754-08:00

I sat down to write today and I didn't.So many things I did do. Writing wasn't one of them. Our best intentions... And how do we juggle it all?I gossiped; shot yet another video for Captive, spent time with my kids, went to yoga, obsessed about a bunch of things and did some actual work.I didn't write. And I was planning to write so much. Behind on the blogs. Doing well on Captive's sequel

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-42719438730333784652011-03-07T15:53:00.000-08:002011-03-07T17:40:54.244-08:00

No, I’m not kidding. And, what’s more, I’m not going to take a cheap shot at the media/news industry (or bloggers) and say that they cover Sheen’s escapades more thoroughly than they do Mubarak’s.I’m serious about the question. What impact did each change have on your daily life?If you watch Two And A Half Men regularly you might be disappointed. If you were planning a near term trip to Egypt

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-83325566519883592132011-02-28T11:17:00.001-08:002011-02-28T11:19:25.590-08:00

Writing is easy but the editing will drive you (me) nuts! I’ve been comparing myself to Jack Nicholson in The Shining after the impending doom is no longer impending but a full horror. Sitting in a room looking at the same material over and trying to make the real decisions about its direction can drive you (me) nuts. I love writing but the editing gets laborious and that is when I start to

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-8580547003341677892011-02-19T15:38:00.000-08:002011-02-19T15:40:54.485-08:00

Fascinated, I’m watching northern Africa and the Middle East. People want rights. They want to be heard and the stories are visual, dramatic and touching. We hear the human voice and empathize with the pain. I cry at senseless death too. But what remains when the camera crews leave? We all hope that they get democracy, jobs, equal rights and an education. In an ideal world… I’m writing

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-82581863125375887142011-02-13T13:55:00.000-08:002011-02-13T13:57:33.052-08:00

Is democracy the best religion: exportable and broadly workable in today’s diverse and divisive world? As practiced in the United States democracy is a representative form of government – with the majority deciding on their representatives. It is less the classic ancient Greek implementation – which went directly to the public for policy and decisions. Armed by the media, we are led to believe

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-57149514981344223742011-02-01T16:22:00.000-08:002011-02-01T16:28:31.788-08:00

Revolutions are all the same? People tire of repression and corruption leading them to risk everything for a better life?I visited Cairo years ago and remember the guns, dirt and poverty. I put Khalil in a jail cell in the nearby desert in Captive. He gets the same bugs, heat and dirt that I had in one of my hotel rooms.The repressive governments of Northern Africa and the Middle East are

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-35910557196510167022011-01-26T14:46:00.001-08:002011-01-26T15:03:36.484-08:00

Last night Reason Foundation had a screening of Madeleine Sackler's documentary The Lottery. The film follows a few families as their children apply to Harlem Success Academy, a charter school which can only accept a minority of its applicants.Heartbreaking is watching the lottery results being read publicly. You see the small faces of those children of those not accepted fall as they realize

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-63024872872134239612011-01-20T13:12:00.000-08:002011-01-20T13:24:10.545-08:00

Anderson Cooper “tears apart” Rep. Steve Cohen for comparing Republicans to Nazis? Shame on you, Anderson. Rep. Cohen is using one of the most effective and widespread political techniques available to push his agenda - propaganda. And one can (hopefully safely) assume that the voters who elected him to office know that he is a democrat and will advocate for that position, using his discretion

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-42187647558443834412011-01-19T14:42:00.000-08:002011-01-19T14:44:27.622-08:00

Not everyone has read the book and not everyone will. But thank you for “liking” Captive!The numbers keep growing…When I first sat down to write a book I didn’t consider the marketing side of things. Had I done so I might not have written it! Writing is a private and very internal process. It can be lonely and is definitely introspective. It even ventures into obsessive and exacting as you

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-12310745100011695162011-01-11T17:14:00.000-08:002011-01-11T17:16:18.537-08:00

I was at the Milken Insitute hearing Barry Eichengreen speak about his book Exorbitant Privilege (see www.ibla.us) and got side tracked on an unrelated conversation after the main event. I wrote Captive because terrorism is an issue I take very seriously. And, while I don’t condemn or disagree with Islam I do disagree with how it’s being used today (religions don’t kill; people do). And so I

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-60158186887587853232011-01-05T16:48:00.001-08:002011-01-05T16:56:42.413-08:00

I've been spending time with younger friends (not exclusively!)over the holidays. They were around more? No, it just seemed to happen.I learned eight things:1. Honor life’s stages2. We all think alike irrespective of age3. There are some generational and life stage differences: learn from them and embrace them4. We get more understanding (tired?) as we get older5. We also get more confidence

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-9233817913191161532010-12-27T15:41:00.000-08:002010-12-27T15:45:32.085-08:00

I was planning to write about something else today then lunch with a friend derailed that plan and led me back to The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer. This book is among my favorites (indeed, I may head right back into another read of it once I finish the work that has piled up on my afternoon). The essential message is that in life we build up defenses which rear up at any sign of danger.

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-22129530922646767192010-12-18T14:39:00.000-08:002010-12-18T14:48:32.688-08:00

As we come to the end of a year I turn philosophical. New Years is my favorite holiday. For me, it symbolizes a time to reflect on what you’ve done and learned over the past year. Each year my resolution is the same: to do slightly better (I don’t seem capable of large change; like many individuals incremental change is a more realistic goal).What I’ve been reflecting on this morning is how

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-13763455069356918372010-12-16T14:02:00.000-08:002010-12-16T14:23:13.869-08:00

Running errands today I almost got into two accidents in about a minute. In the first, a woman driver apparently decided that she couldn't wait for a break in traffic to pull out of her spot and had to exit immediately into traffic. I almost hit her (but needed a spot and I got that).As I was reversing in to the spot a man walked by my car, then between my car and his, which was right behind me.

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-82137040307374629012010-12-09T14:06:00.000-08:002010-12-09T14:08:57.559-08:00

Last night someone read me the Buddhist story about two monks crossing a river. One, the older one, carries a nasty woman across to save her dress. Hours later, the younger one asks why the other monk did so when she was so mean and unappreciative. The answer? “I put her down hours ago why are you still carrying her?”This week I let down a burden that I’d been trying to shoulder but didn’t

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-43492698053713254212010-12-05T16:48:00.000-08:002010-12-05T16:59:10.883-08:00

I always have so much to say/write sometimes I don't know what to say/write.Today I resolved the last barrier to writing the Captive sequel. Odd, in that I already have about a hundred pages written. But that draft was forced (an external deadline that killed the draft) and I've been trying to unriddle it ever since.A walk on the beach with a neighbor I met a week or so ago (we run into each

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-20466492134539283062010-12-02T17:36:00.000-08:002010-12-02T17:41:37.107-08:00

My life has been such a hodgepodge lately. Good, bad, busy, always busy. I keep learning...often more than I want to learn.Thoughts for the evening?1. My son has a job, at sevem, getting payed to plow fields online2. People surprise you; on the upside and the down3. I like a lot of what I do; I don't like this economy4. December is shaping up to be another interesting month5. Maha keeps me

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-20331379025578955002010-11-26T15:58:00.001-08:002010-11-26T15:59:34.783-08:00

CharacterSo that’s my thought for the day. Being somewhat creative I try to grasp the vastness of the subject (in my life: Coro, work, my friends, writing the next book with Characters). But I’m also a lawyer (focused on the actual meaning) so I typed the term into a favorite site: thesaurus.com.I liked the note better than the definition:Character is what one is; reputation is what one is

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-87191325131819063592010-11-19T16:00:00.000-08:002010-11-19T16:05:44.591-08:00

I'm seeing the next book again. I'd lost it and now I can see so clearly what to write and how the story unfolds. Since I'd started working on it - then stopped after too many comments from an agent had me lose it - now I know where to cut and what to add.The characters are less clear; other than the main ones. And I have one huge, huge question (which will absolutely change the tone of the

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-31912793423811070512010-11-16T12:26:00.000-08:002010-11-16T12:28:16.045-08:00

I saw a screening last night of Charles Ferguson's Inside Job (thanks to The Wrap). Anyone interested...

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-21230798389164060502010-11-13T09:39:00.000-08:002010-11-13T09:40:52.997-08:00

I spent yesterday at City Hall downtown with Coro and met some amazing people – elected and otherwise. While the people themselves were admirable I did need to (internally) question their commitment to what “works” within the system. Works for whom?Los Angeles had a budget shortfall of $500 million last year and is projected to have a higher one next. They used some short term fixes to hold

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-40831875826520067672010-11-07T17:04:00.000-08:002010-11-07T17:13:23.504-08:00

Friday night, coming home from Coro and a drink with my other fellows in the program a car zoomed past me, lost control and hit another car just ahead of me. The driver tried to drive away and was blocked physically by the man whose care he'd just hit (with his little kids inside).Today in yoga my teacher, Steve, told us that yoga is to help us control the mind; the body is much easier to

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-80112834453118146712010-11-02T20:48:00.000-07:002010-11-02T20:53:00.158-07:00

Thank you Peter Shiao for putting together a wonderful summit.I learned that a good story works in any culture (let's just define a good story). What is culturally acceptable changes but we all like to connect with a story in any form of media.Sounds so basic but it really comes down to good stories connect - across divides.Today on my morning beach run I finally saw the book I want to write next

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-29199242481282067232010-10-30T07:33:00.000-07:002010-10-30T15:10:46.459-07:00

Thank you to my two great hosts: Richard Riordan at the Oak Room and Brigitte Bren at the Regency Club (thanked in order of the parties).And to my wonderful friends who came (and to those who couldn't) thank you! For the support and friendship. Thank you also to Village Books. The events were a benefit for them but we benefited from their involvement.My thought for the day is only that I am

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-50257086793432189152010-10-28T07:11:00.001-07:002010-10-28T07:15:14.681-07:00

Thank you Dick and Brigitte for hosting two great book parties! You aren't pictured here but I will get some pictures up soon - promise. I've been so busy this week but am so impressed with the turnout and love I got this week. Wonders to a new author to realize that her life is already so complete. I love you both and will write more soon?These two? My kids who dropped by the OR Monday.xo

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-75656056190293522262010-10-21T13:47:00.000-07:002010-10-21T13:48:49.990-07:00

FocusI do a lot. I do too much. Work, the book, selling the book, yoga, runs, reading, friends and most of all my children. And then some more on top of that!Many times I’ve been asked how I do it all. Yet how do we all do what we do? Some people handle so much more than I do.Focus is key. When I’m doing one thing I’m engaged and focused on that one thing. I’m not letting my mind wander

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-66721629364275726092010-10-18T20:15:00.000-07:002010-10-18T20:24:54.441-07:00

Today at Digital Hollywood Michael Eisner declared that he is very positive on the movie industry; and, the worse shape it's in, the more positive he is.Because that is what spurs creativity. I love that!Another quote: "making movies for less can often lead to a better movie - forced to be creative."Captive was written on a budget (no advances here!). Is it creative or not? Hopefully.I'm

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-57759066785810791522010-10-15T09:01:00.000-07:002010-10-15T09:10:25.577-07:00

Is the gloom inside or outside of us?Today is cold and overcast again, like much of our summer here in Santa Monica. Yes, we had some lovely, even hot, days. Overall, we had an unusually winter-like summer. And I'm feeling it in my mood. All of this week and last I've been so busy, running and never keeping caught up. I stopped this morning and felt the gloom. Looking around me I see it and

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-66904019654353796142010-10-12T09:05:00.000-07:002010-10-12T09:11:36.277-07:00

Don't we wake up to face the morning after with (at most) a few hazy memories and perhaps a slight hang over? Do we remember a love's touch or imagine we do?Captive was officially out late yesterday (as defined by Amazon who, after shipping dead lines for one day, seems to declare the next).I wrote yesterday about how much everything feels the same upon Captive's release. Today, too, the world

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-36112175371932080752010-10-11T15:40:00.000-07:002010-10-11T15:44:54.935-07:00

And I'm so excited. Though the world hasn't changed... and I won't sell so many books so soon (not being a name author). Now I start marketing!But I've never had a book for sale before; of course it feels great (after all that work getting to this point). And the idea that people can and will read it (some of my friends/family have pre-ordered copies...). Well, you don't put in that kind of

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-2103769853968607712010-10-09T16:51:00.000-07:002010-10-09T16:53:48.837-07:00

As a society, do we want children sleeping in the streets with drug addicts and the mentally deranged? Do we believe that thousands, or tens of thousands, of people starving in the US and sleeping in the cold is acceptable?Perhaps somewhat surprisingly I’d never asked myself these questions before yesterday. And, for a current figure, an estimated 41% of the homeless in Los Angeles are under 18

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-88862928241250428142010-10-06T15:35:00.000-07:002010-10-06T15:53:23.661-07:00

I went to a Warren Bennis book signing today. Still Surprised, his memoir. He spoke about his life, writing about leadership then about himself.And a main point was anecdote versus situations you had lived. Which carries over into living leadership or writing about it. His early experience with leadership was in World War Two.He warned about false modesty, not protecting other people as you “

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-61458047574266543592010-10-04T19:22:00.000-07:002010-10-04T19:28:23.888-07:00

The picture herein is such a moderate version of a riot's aftermath. Why do we feel so immune (and do we). The picture depicts a riot the lovely Ana Berman (photographer) encountered on her recent trip to Spain.I have pictures from the LA riots in the early 1990's. Greece, France, Iran... We've seen recent riots due to economic issue, lack of freedom, racial unrest, raising of retirement age.

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-6192485708298790772010-10-01T19:19:00.000-07:002010-10-01T19:27:26.527-07:00

I've been pretty self involved this week. And, so, so busy. My actual books arrived yesterday (saw Cative in print) and I went to a charity function with a friend, run by a friend.Then, finally today I read my newspapers (for the week). I saw that a friend (Richard Riordan) and an acquaintance (Frank Baxter) along with Eli Broad bailed out the ICEF Charter Schools. Caprice Young has stepped in

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-59904744986420914892010-09-30T21:18:00.000-07:002010-09-30T21:21:13.155-07:00

The actual books arrived!Amazing seeing what you wrote in print.Went to an event with friends and champagne. Entirely a coincidence. Put the kids to bed after. Funny how life works.

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-38727364890842631652010-09-27T20:46:00.000-07:002010-09-27T21:04:40.268-07:00

Today, at the Media Innovations Summit, I met Mark Cuban. And, I heard him speak. Those who follow my work blog know that I wrote about him in the context of the Lionsgate battle with Carl Icahn.What is it like to meet someone you’ve written about? Well, I remembered writing positive things but double checked when I got home. I felt responsible because I liked him and what he had to say. And

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-27237911998630670042010-09-26T19:41:00.000-07:002010-09-26T19:46:50.283-07:00

My weekend went too fast!Running. On the beach. Yoga. With my daughter.Taking her to get her ears pierced. And to dinner.Coro program. Leimert Park and doing the related presentation.Article in the WSJ about macro-factors affecting stocks more than/as much as fundimentals.Trying to finish reading a novel tonight. I will. Not great; engaging.Interest rates and the impact of unintented

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-83704113760857741832010-09-20T15:46:00.000-07:002010-09-20T15:52:12.365-07:00

I was sitting at my desk and asking myself "what is the best use of my time right now?" and I couldn't come up with an answer.The issue isn't that I don't have many, many things to do. Rather the answer to my question hinges on priorities. Over the weekend we shot raw footage for the Captive video,I went running on the beach and to my gym, I spent a lot of time with my kids and starting

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-64218910366589370482010-09-17T07:04:00.000-07:002010-09-17T07:16:37.338-07:00

This weekend we'll be shooting a video for Captive (thank you Amy Sommer). My kids will be there; helpers, not "extras". We mulled over the video strategy: why I wrote the book, what I hoped to accomplish and how I felt about the related issues.Terrorism is a heated topic. I took UCLA extension classes while writing this novel to learn how to write it better. At the beginning of each new

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-31434693112107385412010-09-12T09:27:00.000-07:002010-09-16T13:03:36.179-07:00

While I don't always agree with Kristof I do agree with his piece in this morning's New York Times. We all have a responsibility to see outside our own little worlds. While I feel no obligation to agree with the beliefs or even opinions of others I do think that they need to be free to have/state them.Education is one answer. Not judging pre-maturely, focusing on solutions not blame, crossing

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-57399324735059840312010-09-11T11:30:00.000-07:002010-09-11T11:32:07.335-07:00

Any need to say more?

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-1994109405495157362010-09-06T14:43:00.000-07:002010-09-06T14:48:55.138-07:00

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-83109378594815586852010-09-05T14:27:00.000-07:002010-09-05T14:28:58.392-07:00

October 4 is the official release date of Captive. We are doing reverse “windowing” with it being available on Kindle/digital first, hard copy to follow. A dear friend has offered to host a book party (details to follow…though perhaps not online).The idea of monetization, an issue which I face as part of my other life, my job, came up repeatedly last week.I was talking to a friend of mine from a

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-79248969977570689122010-09-02T13:05:00.000-07:002010-09-02T13:07:58.827-07:00

The Lights Are Starting To Go Out48 states are projected to have budget deficits this year. Countless municipalities (with more limited taxing power) are in worse shape and we’ve already seen the first bankruptcies in cities such as Vallejo, California. Harrisberg, PA passed a budget that didn’t include debt payments (effectively a default). Central Falls, RI has turned its finances over to a

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-78103561987405530262010-08-29T16:44:00.000-07:002010-08-29T16:47:00.952-07:00

All major religious traditions carry basically the same message, that is love, compassion and forgiveness the important thing is they should be part of our daily lives. Dalai Lama

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-68208118823033577792010-08-28T12:38:00.000-07:002010-08-28T12:58:53.968-07:00

The beach on another morning when you could see it.Yesterday morning I started my day with a run on the beach near my house. The morning was misty and indeed I couldn’t see very far in front of me. Santa Monica pier was hidden, as were the twists and turns of the bike path, its inhabitants and even the ocean itself.The effect was glorious. Private, intimate and soothing. I had a lot to think

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-81683250759401725212010-08-28T09:43:00.000-07:002010-08-28T12:38:16.229-07:00

Invited to a party in Monaco by friends I decided to go.I can't always just hop on a plane and fly to Europe on a whim (work, kids, money, other obligations...). This time I did.Sun drenched and breathtaking the locale (and people I met) couldn't have been more wonderful.A big kiss to all of those who were there with me.

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-38674980905497272512010-03-10T11:56:00.000-08:002010-03-10T11:59:58.472-08:00

The article below - offered free- persuaded me to buy his book...which I had no intention of buying. I'll write a review after I finish it. The Facebook Imperative Cannot Be Stopped Posted: 10 Mar 2010 07:35 AM PST Editor’s note: This guest post is written by Marc Benioff, chairman and CEO of salesforce.com. In it, he responds to critics of his last guest post arguing that enterprise software

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-4885763149475214882010-03-09T11:39:00.000-08:002010-03-09T11:49:24.263-08:00

Let's forget about the earlier posts....Now my focus has shifted.I'll be starting a fresh.So, a great video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuuTlQ0FzEU

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-82301643673855492382007-07-23T10:18:00.001-07:002007-07-23T10:18:53.889-07:00

Lauren at school

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-85921519237513472452007-07-07T04:32:00.000-07:002007-07-07T04:59:27.148-07:00

The experiment continues.I still don't like the idea of train of thought for a fiction writer. Instead, I am playing with rough structures of form, like and artist's sketch. That is why these efforts are an experiment!Transformers came out. The movie, not the toys, which have been out forever. Jason, almost four, is YouTube's newest convert."Can we watch Transformers again?" he'll say, his

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-77179802116518122032007-06-12T06:52:00.000-07:002007-06-12T20:40:44.995-07:00

Writing is inherently political. Writers portray the world as they see it. Anyone who feels strongly about something is likely to feel compelled to write about it - either to share their thoughts or to convince others.What can be more annoying than hearing someone wax long and hard on their own political views? And why do writers, merely because they like to communicate, have anything special to

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-70145028047255181492007-06-10T08:06:00.000-07:002007-06-10T08:34:21.661-07:00

I am still struggling with this issue. I am also grasping the implications of just writing something and losing control of it - in all senses. Normally, I write and revise over months. Now I write skim and post. Then send.The post is like sending an astronaut into space - we don't really understand the implications.For now I resolve the issues by telling almost no one that I am writing a blog

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-831603288694026472007-06-03T20:37:00.000-07:002007-06-03T20:51:10.472-07:00

I want to think about privacy and copyright. Now, i can write this for me - the blog is really just for me. I am keeping it that way, for now, perhaps forever.Writing is deeply personal - fiction more than any other form. Even in poetry you hide. Yet i can't post my poems here - not without copyrighting them first. And, isn't that wrong? Once you decide to write you agree - if you will let

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229534495795781200.post-41925138113122436312007-05-18T10:29:00.000-07:002007-05-18T10:30:23.343-07:00

Will post later. Advised to yank old post.

Megan Lisa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09248703685796710748noreply@blogger.com0