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Tee Morris

Writer, podcaster. and streamer

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Rants, Opinions, and Overall Observations

Six Things to Know When Searching for an Agent

A new and uncharted path lies ahead for this word-herder…

You might have heard me talk a little about this on The Shared Desk, or you might have bumped into me at an event and asked me “So, what’s next for you?” Well, since you are curious, here’s what I’m currently up to â€” I’m agent hunting.

If this comes as a shock to you, then you really should listen to The Shared Desk.

Yes, I’m looking for an agent. Bylines with the biggest publisher in “How To” books, awards and accolades for a successful steampunk series, and years of being in the business of storytelling does not shield me from starting from Square One all over again. See, my latest idea yielded a book that isn’t Science Fiction. It isn’t Fantasy. It’s not even Horror. My latest completed novel is a thriller.

Albeit, this is a thriller set in the video games and eSports industry, so it’s still very much me. Have no fear in that.

Write what you know.

Since I’m braving undiscovered country, I’m putting together a cover letter and proposal for agents. Again, the confusion probably deepens as many of you know I’m no stranger to the D.I.Y. approach of publishing. Thinking about it, I want this title to find a home with a traditional publishing house (or, as the cool kids call it — trad publishing — which is…cool…I guess…). That means agent hunting; and seeing as how almost twenty years has passed between the last time I did this and now, a lot has changed…

…but some of the basics in seeking representation still stand.

[Read more…] about Six Things to Know When Searching for an Agent

You Got This. And Other Things You Already Knew.

When LinkedIn decided “We don’t want to be just a place where people can find a job. Want want to be more like Facebook…” I knew there was no way this was going to end well. And I was right, as my feed is now full of business contacts all sharing the latest moment of wisdom from the modern-day snake oil salesmen: Motivational Speakers.

Fuckit, I’m out…

If you ever take a closer look at these “inspirational wunderkinds” and look at where they are coming from professionally, you can get a good idea of their background. Many of them were involved with marketing at one point of their careers, so — sticking with what they know — they market in their webinars and IRL seminars “insight” on the secrets of success. I’ve seen one individual call herself a “Chief Inspirational Officer” (see what she did there?) while another posted “Do the thing for yourself not for others. When it’s for you, it’s passion. When it’s for others, it’s your job.”

Maybe they just need a hug.

When you’re in the moment with these Cults of Personality, I’ll admit it’s all incredible, awesome, and affirming; but stepping back and really looking at their “secrets” you’re paying top dollar to find out more about, you discover what they are selling: Common Fucking Sense. Live passionately! Set goals and then map yourself a path to those goals! Water is wet! Fire is hot! Put your pants on one leg at a time, you dumbass! Many of these gurus take Life 101 approaches and re-package them as “Life’s Secrets” which is ridiculous.

Actually, I take that back. What’s ridiculous is when these “Motivational Mavericks” (and yes, all of the titles I have seen before, and they hurt my brain…) attempt to work off-script. Then you see just how little they really know.

Step back in time with me for a moment…

[Read more…] about You Got This. And Other Things You Already Knew.

Looking to Mix Things Up: Thoughts on Ninja Leaving Twitch

On August 1, 2019, Tyler “Ninja” Blevins made the Internet implode with an announcement:

The next chapter,https://t.co/lvn9KBjEYq pic.twitter.com/tljVgyM3bG

— Ninja (@Ninja) August 1, 2019

Ninja’s move reminds me a bit of Howard Stern’s jump from terrestrial radio to satellite, only done with a lot more subtlety and grace. (You can only say “When I go to satellite…” so many times until I stop listening.) What was even more astounding was how Ninja brought thousands of new viewers to Mixer even before his first stream there. This announcement  carried such an impact that while at GenCon, I had someone ask me “Are you going to make the jump?” on noticing my “World’s Okayest Streamer” shirt. This was less than 24 hours after Ninja’s tweet.

So…what am I planning for the future?

As I say on my stream, “Let’s talk, Chat…”

[Read more…] about Looking to Mix Things Up: Thoughts on Ninja Leaving Twitch

Something for today…

This struck a chord with me today…

We’re still finding out details, and we need to wait until the facts are in, until we know as much as we can. The one thing we cannot — should not — do is to be afraid. There are other things more important than fear.

Tell someone you love them.

Do something good for a total stranger.

Remember what is important.

There are things more important than fear, and there is risk in everything we do, everywhere you go. Don’t stop living on account of fear. Life is too precious. Kia Kaha, everyone.

The Orville, Con Man, and First Impressions in Comedy

photo by P.J. Schnyder

When it comes to comedy, I like to think I know what I’m doing. MOREVI: The Chronicles of Rafe & Askana, amidst its swashbuckling action and romance, indulged in some well-needed comedic scenes. The Case of the Singing Sword is my homage to mystery noir and epic fantasy, and takes great joy poking fun at both. The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences offers up intrigue, twisted tales, and cliffhanging moments. There are also moments of whimsy that steampunk allows.

And before my life in between a book cover, I was treading the boards bringing to life comedy from Christopher Durang and William Shakespeare and making laughs up as I went with the good people at ComedySportz.

So yeah, I know a thing or two about comedy.

This is why I was a little disappointed and somewhat troubled by the early reviews of The Orville, a new science fiction comedy from Seth McFarlane. When the trailer dropped, the hype was the The Orville looked more like Star Trek than Star Trek’s upcoming Discovery. [Read more…] about The Orville, Con Man, and First Impressions in Comedy

One Last Time: Returning to the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences

“One last time
Relax, have a drink with me
One last time
Let’s take a break tonight
And then we’ll teach them how to say goodbye
To say goodbye
You and I”

— George Washington to Alexander Hamilton
Hamilton: An American Musical

PFD_3rd-SQUAREIt’s hard to believe the summer is in full swing, but here we are; and if you’re following any of my social media streams, you know I’ve been busy…

  • A new podcast is in full swing. (I’ll share Episode #010 here when it goes live. Trying a few new things with this podcast.)
  • The Third Edition of Podcasting for Dummies is in the final edits, and both Chuck and I could not be happier. (And it’s been an absolute blast.
  • A new idea is still coming together, and the feedback on it has been overwhelmingly positive.

But after a really hard start to 2017, I thought I had brought my year back on track. Thing is, I was putting off something that I know has been lurking in the shadows—the final installment to the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences.

[Read more…] about One Last Time: Returning to the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences

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What’s on My Mind

  • A New Adventure: Tee Morris on YouTube
  • 4 Lessons Learned in a 3-month Dummies Project
  • 4 Signs an Interview Has Gone South
  • Playing the Toughest Game on Twitch: The Numbers Game
  • Take Me to the River: The 2019 James River Writers Conference

What’s on Your Mind…

  • Cyberpunk 2077: No Patch Can Fix Bad Writing - Cyberpunk 2077 videos on Shop
  • 4 Lessons Learned in a 3-month Dummies Project on Playing the Toughest Game on Twitch: The Numbers Game
  • 4 Lessons Learned in a 3-month Dummies Project on Embracing the Dummie in Me
  • Indiana Jim on Embracing the Dummie in Me
  • 4 Signs an Interview Has Gone South on You Got This. And Other Things You Already Knew.

 

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