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Why Does Fiction Work? (Video Blog ep 048)

December 15, 2012

Why Does Fiction Work Caleb J. Ross Video

Why does fiction work? It’s all about a little thing called Theory of mind. Theory of Mind is quite simply mind reading. We, as readers, utilize our understanding of the world to impart meaning upon the fictional worlds and characters in books. Without that frame of reference, without what we can understand as basic human truths—sadness, jealously, happiness, anger—we cannot understand the actions of the characters. Mentioned: The Collector Collector by Tibor Fischer Why We Read Fiction: Theory of Mind and The Novel by Lisa Zunshine

100 Years of Vicissitude video book review (Video Blog ep 047)

December 12, 2012

Andrez Bergen knows how to write a good "text book novel." What is a text book novel? Considering I just made up the term, I could define it however I want and you wouldn't know any better. I'm not a jerk though, and will define it appropriately as such: a novel that entertains AND teaches, in some respects even teaches more than entertains. 100 Years of Vicissitude takes place during World War II. We learn a bit about the war, but more specifically, we learn a bit about Japanese culture during the time. You'll like it.

Getting the Signed Book – Charactered Pieces: Stories by Caleb J. Ross (Video Blog ep 046)

December 8, 2012

Getting a signed copy of a book isn’t always easy. Though, sometimes, it’s incredibly easy. Behold, another unscripted account of how I managed to get a copy of a book signed by its author. In this episode, I discuss the long, arduous path to acquiring a signature by Caleb J. Ross.

Does every reader also want to write? (Video Blog ep 045)

December 5, 2012

I have three questions for you? Do people read without an ulterior motive anymore? What is so alluring about writing? Are you a reader, sans the writer motivation, willing to Skype about it? NaNoWriMo this year has made me realize just how rare the reader is becoming. It seems every reader out there also wants to be a writer. As a writer, this of course concerns me. What happens if the only market for a product is also the creator of the product? Watch the video below as I ask and explore these questions. Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube Channel to keep updated on all videos. I release about two videos per week.

Product Placement in Books? (Video Blog ep 044)

December 1, 2012

No matter the reality, books feel to most of us like the last bastion of commercially untouched culture available to us. We see product placements in every TV show and movie, and ads occupying every inch of livable off-screen space, but books seem to be pretty much ignored by advertisers. Why is this? I’ve been hired by Caleb J. Ross Enterprises to explore this question. Oh, and for all of your enterprising needs, call on Caleb J. Ross Enterprises: “Enterprising Since Even Before Star Trek.” Mentioned in the video: Unexpected Literary References blog category: https://calebjross.com/category/lit-references/

Tips for Writing a Telephone Conversation (Video Blog ep 043)

November 28, 2012

Phone conversations rarely work in stories. Why is that? The most common reason I’ve discovered is that it’s simply too easy; a reader is smart enough to know that the author is generally taking the easy way out of a weak plot. But, if you must include a phone call in a story, there are some basic things to keep in mind.

Easily Perverted Book Covers #3 (Video Blog ep 042)

November 24, 2012

It’s a gift, to see perversion in the uncorrupted. I bring you episode #3 in my Easily Perverted Book Covers series, wherein I manipulate existing book covers to my mind’s disturbed whims. Watch me as I contort Stiff by Mary Roach, Commonwealth by Joey Goebel, Mop Men by Alan Emmins, and The Girl in the Flammable Skirt by Aimee Bender. Fair warning: impending hilarity.