YOUR goals for 2010 /  by J.C. Hutchins

I recently asked on Twitter:

GOALS! What are some of YOUR goals for 2010? Zip me one. :)

Here's what you said. Lots of creativity and ambition here -- and yet, all are attainable...

  • Buying a 50 inch plasma!
  • my goal is to double the reach of my podcast
  • To finish 'Outcast' by end of January, and its sequel by August.
  • i want to make significant progress on one if not more then one, of my books if not finish them.
  • Get first novel complete and subsequent audio drama started.
  • Same as my one word mantra: DO!
  • To get an article or story published in something with a pricetag, ISBN or ISSN on it. :)
  • Graduate law school! :D
  • to podcast on a more regular basis...
  • Finish writing my book.
  • Doubling my clients from 2009. Need 140 new clients for 2010 to do that.
  • Write more words, eat more bacon, make more friends. I figure if I walk around with a plate of fresh bacon...
  • my biggest goal is to get my comics and photography financially independant from me.
  • On a more practical note: To reduce my debt to just my mortgage, and then pay that off within 10 years or less!
  • To write, produce, and release the first Adventures of the Snarky Avenger Audio Drama.
  • Finish jobs needing to be done.
  • Shooting MB's Famous in early 2010.
  • To be fearless in anything related to my writing.
  • finish writing, editing and recording first novel and start 2nd that's already chomping at the bit to start already :)
  • love more, save money, write daily are my goals :)
  • Test for my green belt in Kenpo
  • my goal in 2010 is to star in the 7th Son movies :P
  • get "Closet Treats" published. Finish writing "Garaaga's Children" series and podcast it all.
  • Goals for 2010: Finish 2nd draft of my novel and find beta readers; organize and name all my digital photos
  • get back into shape after surgery on the 30th of this month
  • 2010 goal: Serialize my first novel
  • my biggest goal is to be a better father
  • To do more volunteer work for a cause about which I am passionate.
  • my plan is to read more. but i need quantifiable goals. so, read one book a week. and not just yours, over and over. :)
  • write 500 words a day. Submit one story for publication.
  • to write something polished enough to podcast... And then podcast
  • From 70% autonomous to 100%.
  • Making time & $ to attend a con - preferably one that you're at, so I can thank you in person!
  • 2010 goals: Start re-writing Mallville, and start podcasting it. Try to write some more short stories.
  • goal- finish novels #2&3 and get podcast author career off the ground. Been a groupie long enough.
  • goal for 2010 = write something publishable

More will likely flow in (which I can't add to the list here), but these 2010 goals are remarkable, brimming with drive and passion. Let's all exhibit some Pure Badassery™ and make good on these goals next year.

What's YOUR goal for 2010?

--J.C.

Avatar, and James Cameron 2.0 /  by J.C. Hutchins

Just came from seeing James Cameron's Avatar. Loved it. The movie demands to be seen on the big screen. I won't bore you with a review of plot points and performances; that's what Google and Roger Ebert are for. I want to talk about the flaws of the movie, why they don't matter ... and why James Cameron is now officially in the "2.0" phase of his career.

I came up in the same era in which Cameron was cutting his teeth as a writer/director. I've lost count of how many times I've watched and rewatched his movies. I'm convinced that if there's any one storyteller to study, it's him. His movies are often dark and dystopian, packed with memorable, brilliantly-written ensemble casts. They're perfectly contained stories, yet feel untamed, subversive. They bristle, hungry to make with the violence -- and they always deliver it.

Something seemed to change within Cameron's stories in the 1990s. The decade started strong for superfans with Terminator 2 (dystopian, violent science fiction). A few years later, he delivered True Lies, an action comedy. It's an optimistic gunblazer, great popcorn fare. What the film lacked in brains or story, it more than compensated with action and visual effects. A rock-solid B for superfans like me.

Titanic became his obsession. Say what you will about the story (and I will, in a moment), but it was a cinematic masterpiece. Avatar is even better. Both deliver stories with the epic scope of the Truly Great films such as Gone With the Wind; seeing these things on anything less than a movie house screen is a mortal sin.

But both also represent a shift in Cameron's writing, which in many ways disappoints superfans like me ... but also showcases a breed of brilliance worthy of admiration. The man is smart, understands narrative, understands audiences -- and it's now clear that he deeply understands the business of making narratives for those audiences.

Long gone are Cameron's days of bubblegum-and-a-prayer movie budgets. He now makes supermovies -- stupefyingly expensive movies. Avatar's budget was at least $250 million, but rumors put the pricetag as high as $350 million. That's money that defies meaningful understanding.

Supermovies are high-risk endeavors for producers, and there are well-documented tradeoffs that come with superbudgets. Make the film PG-13 to ensure as many people as possible can see it ... make stories simpler to accommodate that mass appeal ... make the concepts of the story more universal as to snag the support of international markets and filmgoers ... it goes on. The worst supermovies, like Transformers 2, fully embrace these compromises and treat their audiences as idiot children.

Cameron does not, though savvy superfans like me spot the compromises in what I'm calling the  "2.0" stage of his career. Titanic's story has been characterized as "romance on a sinking boat," and Avatar is now getting the inevitable (if unfair) Dances With Wolves comparisons. Both parallels are completely accurate, and yet absolutely inaccurate. To keep focus on Avatar: It is not a dumb movie. It is a movie that has a simple storyline with nigh-universal theme and appeal. There isn't much development in many of the secondary characters. And I insist that's just fine.

Much like Titanic, the movie is gorgeous, and absolutely convincing in its execution. It's the first film I've ever seen in which the extended use of CGI didn't harm the overall product. I was spellbound throughout, dazzled and dwarfed by the world Cameron created. It's not a perfect story, but it's a perfect movie -- it fully embraces the big screen experience.

Did I pine for scenes that better-illustrated the main character's inner conflict, or better-explained the reasons why the villians were being so villainous? Sure. Do I think that, given the compromises a filmmaker must make when they're $300 million in the red, the movie suffered greatly from those omissions? No way.

Avatar is a cinematic masterwork. It doesn't hail from the uberbrainy tradition of the best science-fiction stories. (Neither did Star Wars back in 1977. And while it's my favorite movie, Star Wars is a rather simplistic and noisy tale.) It doesn't hail from Cameron's dark and dystopic sci-fi roots, either. But it is absolutely beautiful, ultimately optimistic, and an absolute blast to watch.

See it. On the big screen.

"In the Nick of Time" - Free 300+ Page Holiday Sampler of Bestselling Books! /  by J.C. Hutchins

Books make terrific holiday gifts, but finding those perfect books for friends and family is always a challenge. If only we could flip through those books’ pages on our schedule. If only if the bookstore could come to us.
That’s the idea behind this In the Nick of Time! holiday sampler PDF. Inside are excerpts from a dozen new novels and nonfiction books by New York Times bestselling authors, successful entrepreneurs, and wickedly talented storytellers, including:
Laurell K. Hamilton -- Divine Misdemeanors
Seth Godin -- Tribes and an exclusive excerpt of Linchpin, out next year
Joseph Finder -- Vanished
Cory Doctorow -- Makers
Chris Brogan & Julien Smith -- Trust Agents
Robert J. Sawyer -- Wake
Mitch Joel - Six Pixels of Separation
Cherie Priest -- Boneshaker
Tara Hunt -- The Whuffie Factor
Scott Sigler -- The Rookie
Seth Harwood -- Jack Wakes Up
J.C. Hutchins -- 7th Son: Descent
If you spot a great gift opportunity, you can order from online retailers directly from the PDF. You can also print the order form at the end of the document, and present it to your local bookseller. Helpful staff will find what you’re looking for.
From high adventure to savvy business advice, you’ll find something special for the special someones on your holiday list -- including you. You're also welcome to share this free sampler with friends and family. Refer them to this web page to download In the Nick of Time! -- http://JCHutchins.net/hoy .

I'm delighted by this project, which I coordinated -- and am honored to have worked with the amazing authors who participated...

Books make terrific holiday gifts, but finding perfect books for friends and family can be a time-consuming challenge. If only if the bookstore could come to us.

That’s the idea behind this In the Nick of Time! holiday sampler PDF. Inside are excerpts from a dozen new novels and nonfiction books by these New York Times bestselling authors, successful entrepreneurs, and wickedly talented storytellers:

DOWNLOAD THE IN THE NICK OF TIME! HOLIDAY SAMPLER

Spot a great gift opportunity? Order from online retailers directly from the PDF, or print the order form at the end of the document and present it to your local bookseller. Helpful staff will find what you’re looking for.

From high adventure to savvy business advice, you’ll find something special for the special someones on your holiday list -- including you. You're also welcome to share this free sampler with friends and family.

Click here to download the In The Nick of Time! holiday sampler -- and have the happiest of holidays!

7th Son: Descent - Episode 9 PDF /  by J.C. Hutchins

7SDescent_cover.jpg

Welcome to the ninth (of ten) serialized PDF episodes of the novel 7th Son: Descent. 7th Son is now available in bookstores and for immediate purchase online. Learn how you can support the novel's print release at this page.

Like what you've read? Tell a friend, and give a shout in the comments!

7th Son: Descent - Episode 9 /  by J.C. Hutchins

Welcome to the ninth (of ten) serialized episodes of the free audiobook, 7th Son: Descent. 7th Son is now available in bookstores and for immediate purchase online. Catch up with the story by downloading past episodes. Learn how you can support the novel's print release at this page.

7th Son: Descent's anthem is "Descent" by Celldweller. Learn more about the band at Celldweller.com.

Like what you hear? Tell a friend, and give a shout in the comments!

What Matters Now - Free eBook /  by J.C. Hutchins

It's not every day that the world's most popular marketing blogger asks you collaborate on a project designed to get folks thinking about their lives, the world, and positive ways to improve them. So when bestselling writer Seth Godin invited me to participate in What Matters Now, I dove right in.

As Seth wrote in his post announcing What Matters Now, this eBook "encourages people to focus and use their energy to turn the game around," providing big thoughts and small actions to make a difference in the world. More than 70 authors contributed to the project, including big thinkers I've followed and respected for years: furturist Kevin Kelly, publisher Tim O'Reilly, writer and programmer Gina Trapani, artist Hugh Macleod, brilliant writers and entrepreneurs such as Merlin Mann, Derek Sivers, Chris Anderson, Guy Kawasaki, Paco Underhill ... the who's who list goes on and on.

I'm honored to be in such ultra-creative, ultra-talented company. My contribution, titled "Gumption," can be found at the end of the eBook.

Each contribution is well worth your time, and may provide a nugget of resonance -- or encouragement -- for you as we enter the new year. If you find value within its pages, please share What Matters Now with your friends and coworkers.

--J.C.

7th Son: Descent - Episode 8 PDF /  by J.C. Hutchins

7SDescent_cover.jpg

Welcome to the eighth (of ten) serialized PDF episodes of the novel 7th Son: Descent. 7th Son is now available in bookstores and for immediate purchase online. Learn how you can support the novel's print release at this page.

Like what you've read? Tell a friend, and give a shout in the comments!

7th Son: Descent - Episode 8 /  by J.C. Hutchins

Welcome to the eighth (of ten) serialized episodes of the free audiobook, 7th Son: Descent. 7th Son is now available in bookstores and for immediate purchase online. Catch up with the story by downloading past episodes. Learn how you can support the novel's print release at this page.

7th Son: Descent's anthem is "Descent" by Celldweller. Learn more about the band at Celldweller.com.

Like what you hear? Tell a friend, and give a shout in the comments!

Your beloved books /  by J.C. Hutchins

Today, I asked on Twitter:

What's the most dog-eared book in your home? Mine's my copy of THE STAND.

Here were your replies:

http://twitter.com/CWSeidman/status/6436593692

http://twitter.com/Rasplundjr/status/6436588543

http://twitter.com/MarvelSmartAss/status/6436571187

http://twitter.com/Rasplundjr/status/6436469815

http://twitter.com/NukeHavoc/status/6436395897

http://twitter.com/PGHolyfield/status/6436359833

http://twitter.com/Quonundrum/status/6436298609

http://twitter.com/AlasdairStuart/status/6436286252

http://twitter.com/otherdoc/status/6436261538

http://twitter.com/pfischer/status/6436239493

http://www.twitter.com/MisterDubbs/status/6436135966

http://twitter.com/Cynical_Woman/status/6436934554

http://twitter.com/zard/status/6436127818

http://twitter.com/tabisue/status/6436088021

http://twitter.com/brucefp/status/6435985866

http://twitter.com/shiatis/status/6435909443

http://twitter.com/DanDanTheArtMan/status/6435895224

http://twitter.com/spiritualtramp/status/6435870801

http://twitter.com/martyndarkly/status/6435868046

http://twitter.com/DrunkasaurusRex/status/6435866457

http://twitter.com/mplested/status/6435862545

http://twitter.com/madpoet/status/6435848506

http://twitter.com/BetaClone076/status/6435819437

http://twitter.com/Battlemouth/status/6435801384

http://twitter.com/MistressJett/status/6435778298

http://twitter.com/SVAllie/status/6435771648

http://twitter.com/thegr8merlyn/status/6435759830

http://twitter.com/melissamdavies/status/6435756693

http://twitter.com/jramboz/status/6435742488

http://twitter.com/Selorian/status/6435740172

http://twitter.com/MsBobbilicious/status/6435729312

http://twitter.com/dcperry/status/6435725906

http://twitter.com/KateSherrod/status/6435725845

http://twitter.com/glemak/status/6435720000

http://twitter.com/mark_marshall/status/6435713205

http://twitter.com/brandg/status/6435711099

http://twitter.com/rsmit212/status/6435708756

http://twitter.com/amberh/status/6435693489

http://twitter.com/dreamrock/status/6436968197

7th Son: Descent - Episode 7 PDF /  by J.C. Hutchins

After a week off for the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, 7th Son: Descent is back! Welcome to the sixth (of ten) serialized PDF episodes of the novel 7th Son: Descent. 7th Son is now available in bookstores and for immediate purchase online. Learn how you can support the novel's print release at this page.

Synopsis: The story shifts to Houston, where billionaire oil tycoon A.U. Rookman conducts a videoconference with a business associate. Michael, John, Dr. Mike and the 7th Son soldiers reach Los Angeles. After a tense ride through the streets of West Hollywood, the team arrives at Folie a Deux. The mission to stop John Alpha -- and save Dania Sheridan -- begins. At the 7th Son facility, Father Thomas, Jack and Jay learn more about Kilroy2.0's world. A powerful benefactor lends a hand.

Like what you've read? Tell a friend, and give a shout in the comments!

7th Son: Descent - Episode 7 /  by J.C. Hutchins

After a week off for the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, 7th Son: Descent is back!

Welcome to the seventh (of ten) serialized episodes of the free audiobook, 7th Son: Descent. 7th Son is now available in bookstores and for immediate purchase online. Catch up with the story by downloading past episodes. Learn how you can support the novel's print release at this page.

Synopsis: The story shifts to Houston, where billionaire oil tycoon A.U. Rookman conducts a videoconference with a business associate. Michael, John, Dr. Mike and the 7th Son soldiers reach Los Angeles. After a tense ride through the streets of West Hollywood, the team arrives at Folie a Deux. The mission to stop John Alpha -- and save Dania Sheridan -- begins. At the 7th Son facility, Father Thomas, Jack and Jay learn more about Kilroy2.0's world. A powerful benefactor lends a hand.

Chatter: J.C. teases a fun 5-minute fan-powered presentation that appears after the chapters. 7th Son: Descent needs your support now more than ever.

7th Son: Descent's anthem is "Descent" by Celldweller. Learn more about the band at Celldweller.com.

Like what you hear? Tell a friend, and give a shout in the comments!

7th Son: Descent - Episode 6 PDF /  by J.C. Hutchins

Welcome to the sixth (of ten) serialized PDF episodes of the novel 7th Son: Descent. 7th Son is now available in bookstores and for immediate purchase online. Learn how you can support the novel's print release at this page.

Synopsis: Coming soon; J.C. apologizes for the inconvenience. He's currently speaking in NYC.

The Descent podcast will take a brief break next week for the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, and will resume the following week.

Like what you've read? Tell a friend, and give a shout in the comments!

7th Son: Descent - Episode 6 /  by J.C. Hutchins

Welcome to the sixth (of ten) serialized episodes of the free audiobook, 7th Son: Descent. 7th Son is now available in bookstores and for immediate purchase online. Learn how you can support the novel's print release at this page.

Synopsis: Coming soon; J.C. apologizes for the inconvenience.

Chatter: J.C. is short on time in this episode -- he's about to hop on a plane for NYC. (This is explains the current lack-o-synopsis.) The Descent podcast will take a brief break next week for the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, and will resume the following week.

7th Son: Descent's anthem is "Descent" by Celldweller. Learn more about the band at Celldweller.com.

Like what you hear? Tell a friend, and give a shout in the comments!

Meet J.C. at the Urban Think! bookstore in Orlando /  by J.C. Hutchins

Hey, everybody! If you live in the Orlando area, swing on by the Urban Think! bookstore this Saturday. I'll be reading and signing!

When: Saturday, Nov. 21, 1 pm Where: Urban Think! Bookstore ~ 625 East Central Blvd. ~ Orlando, FL 32801

What’s up: I’ll be reading and signing at this fantastic indie bookstore. Come out and see me!

More information: urbanthinkorlando.com

I hope to meet some of you awesome peeps at the event!

--J.C.

Anyman EP Track 6: "Do This For Me (Bonus Percussion Version)" /  by J.C. Hutchins

"Do This For Me (Bonus Percussion Version)" is the sixth of six free folk songs from Anyman, written and performed by John Smith, which were released on a weekly schedule here at JCHutchins.net.

While a link to more songs was mentioned in John's 7th Son: 7 Days prequel story, J.C. wanted to provide all five songs to all 7th Son fans. This is the bonus track, a version of "Do This For Me" with a light percussion background.

Miami resident John Smith, a character in J.C.'s upcoming thriller 7th Son: Descent, is a man who dreams big ... but lives a small life. Determined to change his life's course, he recorded a five-song EP titled Anyman, and posted it to the Web. This occurred two weeks before the events seen in 7th Son: Descent.

Lyrics for this song appear beneath the audio player. Learn more about 7th Son: Descent’s print novel release here. Order your copy today.

"Do This For Me" Lyrics

Lemme lay out the situation
The house I'm living in
Is made of blame and condemnation
I'm lookin' to move out
When the goin's tough
That's what I'm all about

Now you could be
A big help to me
Lemme slip on in
So I can start all over again

Let's explore the opportunity
I'm in your hands
Get a grip and think what you could make of me
You're on top in this scenario
But when the time is right
I'll be your impresario

Do this for me
It's a simple thing
For a complex girl
Do this for me
And I'll make sure
That I do right by you

Take your time on this decision
I got nowhere to be
And the sun is barely risen
All while you're thinkin'
I'll be down here
Persuadin' and convincin'

Free fiction PDF: "The Caffeine Collection - The 39" /  by J.C. Hutchins

Check out this badassery: My pal and fellow writer/podcaster Steve Saylor recently released a new collection of short stories called The Caffeine Collection -- and he wants YOU to get a free sneak peek! Yummy free fiction in PDF form ... it doesn't get any better than that, peeps! He and brilliant musician (and businessman) Geoff Smith have combined forces to create an innovative new series and way to distribute it! Check this tweaked excerpt from a recent press release Steve circulated:

From science fiction and fantasy, to action and comedy, there is a genre for anyone's taste. Steve Saylor started writing "The Caffeine Collection" after the launch of his podcast novel "Black Shadow" in December of 2007. He wrote most of the collection at his local Starbucks during the summer of 2009 -- which inspired its title.

What's equally noteworthy is how Saylor is using Smith's "RingtoneFeeder" platform to sell and distribute the series.

RingtoneFeeder is an innovative approach to distributing digital content, such as ringtones. The service offers a paid subscription model which automatically installs original ringtones to an iPhone via iTunes. Saylor's The Caffeine Collection uses this proven delivery method and model to distribute stories to paid subscribers.

"I am super excited to be the first to distribute a short story collection in the same way," Saylor said. "This is an experiment which could revolutionize the way authors can publish their work."

I'm pretty excited about it too -- and will be closely watching Steve's success. In the meantime, you should learn more about Steve's work, and bebop over to The Caffeine Collection RingtoneFeeder page to experience more risk-free fiction before deciding to support his work. And of course, check out the below link to the free short story Steve's given us: The 39. Enjoy!

--J.C.

7th Son: Descent - Episode 5 PDF /  by J.C. Hutchins

Welcome to the fourth (of ten) serialized episodes of the free audiobook, 7th Son: Descent. 7th Son is now available in bookstores and for immediate purchase online. Learn how you can support the novel's print release at this page.

Synopsis: The clones continue to decipher the Morse Code clue. Dr. Mike takes charge. John Alpha's intentions become more clear. The second half of the clue is decoded. Meanwhile at a military base in the Russian wilderness, a former CIA agent named Doug Devlin reminisces about his past -- and his current alliance with a man the clones know very well. A much larger conspiracy is unveiled. The implications of John Alpha's plans become clearer.

Like what you've read? Tell a friend, and give a shout in the comments!

7th Son: Descent - Episode 5 /  by J.C. Hutchins

Welcome to the fifth (of ten) serialized episodes of the free audiobook, 7th Son: Descent. 7th Son is now available in bookstores and for immediate purchase online. Learn how you can support the novel's print release at this page.

Synopsis: The clones continue to decipher the Morse Code clue. Dr. Mike takes charge. John Alpha's intentions become more clear. The second half of the clue is decoded. Meanwhile at a military base in the Russian wilderness, a former CIA agent named Doug Devlin reminisces about his past -- and his current alliance with a man the clones know very well. A much larger conspiracy is unveiled. The implications of John Alpha's plans become clearer.

Chatter: J.C. briefly mentions the news found in the most recent Beta Clone Army update podcast. He also mistakenly says that there are two chapters in this episode. There are more than two. :)

7th Son: Descent's anthem is "Descent" by Celldweller. Learn more about the band at Celldweller.com.

Like what you hear? Tell a friend, and give a shout in the comments!

Beta Clone Army Update – Episode 4 /  by J.C. Hutchins

Welcome to the fourth Beta Clone Army Update episode! WARVEMBER IS HERE. Are you in?

J.C. spills deets about Week One sales of 7th Son (it's great news -- snag a copy if you haven't already), and then delivers a nuclear payload of an announcement: he's declared war on planet Earth! It's WORLD WAR 7, and you're invited to enlist in DIVISION 7, an ultra-elite sect of the Beta Clone Army!

In this episode, J.C. chats about:

  • WORLD WAR 7, Warvember and Division 7
  • Call the Clone Line and get on the show: 435-55-HUTCH (435-554-8824)

NATASHA'S MINISTRY MISSION FOR THIS WEEK:

  • OPERATION FRIEND-7
  • Talk to seven friends about 7th Son: Descent
  • This must occur in real life ... no Tweeting, Facebooking, emailing, etc. allowed! :)
  • Email J.C. the first names of those friends (his email address: 7thSonNovel@gmail.com).
  • Complete this mission by Wednesday, NOV. 18 and get mentioned on the Agents of the Ministry page and you'll be in the running for a signed ULTRA RARE advance reader copy of 7th Son: Descent
  • Mission completion after Nov. 18 still earns you a place on the Agents page

The Beta Clone Army Update anthem is "Birthright: Birthwrong Remix" by Celldweller and Blue Stahli. Learn more about the artists at Celldweller.com and BlueStahli.com.

The Ministry of Propaganda anthem is "Korobeiniki" by Ozma. Learn more about the band at OzmaOnline.com.

Like what you hear? Tell a friend, and give a shout in the comments!