Matthew Von Prince

7/16/11

2011-07-16T18:35:00.000-07:00

Hey, what is everybody up to? personally I am just loving summer right now, besides the "work" part of course. Planning on hitting the Free Fair next week, I am sure I will run into at least a few people I know their.

Anyways got The Last Good Man back from my editor. I am giving myself a few days away, then implement my selection of changes and be done with that story. Lots of production work to do after that to bring it to the masses but at least the story will finally be done.

It might sound weird but having that story be DONE actually scares me. That story has been such a friend and such a companion. I have spent nearly 600 hours working on that story, I think that is like 24(?) days. Thats crazy. But I feel like it is time to give it wings and let it fly. So when I do get it published please give it a read and let me know what you took away from it.

Peace - MVP

Happy Birthday USA

2011-07-03T09:31:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone has a very happy and safe 4th of July. Celebrate Americas birthday safely and legally(or at least close to it). More news coming soon regarding my writing but nothing I can say for sure at the moment so keep reading.

Peace - MVP

6/20/11

2011-06-20T16:44:00.000-07:00

In communication with two editors trying to decide which is the better choice, which has more to offer, etc... It can be expensive, nothing comes free in this world but it will be worth the money.

Looking forward to the upcoming Independence day celebrations, good food, good fireworks, the whole deal.

Anyways, I got things to do, and mouths to feed.

Thanks for reading.

Peace
MVP

6/16/11

2011-06-16T16:34:00.001-07:00

It has been some time since I have been here I know, but I am hoping - I promise - I will be spending a lot more time here in the near future.

Have recently made the decision not to attend school this fall. There are too many things to line up before I could go and doing something so significant in a rush could be a disaster.

I have a single story ALMOST ready to be published. For real this time. I am looking at 3 different final editors for the story. After that I will find somebody to format the text for digital format(for release on Kindle, Nook, iPad, etc..). Then pay somebody to take some publicity pictures of me. Pay someone else to put together a cover. And finally go to print(digitally speaking of course).

I am also trying to choose a charity to donate 50% of net profits to... because I am a nice guy.

Peace,
MVP

9/11/01

2010-09-11T20:57:00.000-07:00

9/11/01 In justice may there be forgiveness, in remembrance let there be change, in sacrifice may we seek not reward, in pain save us from sorrow.

If we dont find this violent peace,
I fear we'll find ourselves deceased.
If we dont make a stand today,
I fear we'll find we've lost our way.
Life has made us very ill,
But life cant break our very will.
Rise with me and take a stand,
Walk by me, please take my hand.
I cant lead us all the way
But we will find the light of day.

Back to Work

2010-09-07T20:56:00.000-07:00

Well, since getting some of my work back from my editors I have made the decision to take some time off, clear my head, and come back to it refreshed and with new perspective. Well that was a month ago and I think it is about time to get back to work. In the coming days I will be returning to the three shorts that will make up the collection I will publish next.

Another couple projects I am working on are a play and a song. I have no real experience in either but am applying myself and the results will speak for that.

Also, seen a great show Saturday night set up by Nick James Warren, check him out on myspace(I know, I didnt know people still used that either.)

Stay Tuned

Peace - MVP

Impact

2010-09-05T20:27:00.000-07:00

Ever feel like you've been impacted in a way you never expected by something you never suspect? I feel like I've had one of these moment lately. Nothing major, something seemingly insignificant, but something I feel has changed me. I dunno what will become of it, maybe nothing, never. I feel like I am changed for it none the less.
And yes, I do like being so ambiguous.

Peace - MVP

Dishes are not Done

2010-08-06T21:38:00.000-07:00

Its true, the dishes are not done.
Met with one of my editors Wednesday night, looked over three manuscripts. After talking to her and reading notes/comments from my other editor I clearly have lots of work to do before I can consider releasing these stories as in published form. It is actually a relief to know that though. I feel like all three of these works are worthy of reading, and if I have that much room to improve, these could be very satisfying pieces by the time they are cut and polished.
Remember: When life gives you lemons, squeeze them right back in its eyes.

Peace - MVP

Slightly More To Mention

2010-08-02T20:32:00.000-07:00

So I have slightly more to update fans on this evening.
First off. I GET TO VOTE FOR THE FIRST TIME TOMORROW!(Aug3rd) God save Michigan and God save America lol.

Also, will be meeting with my editor Wednesday night hopefully. The final, published copy of my writing will probably not be available for some time, even longer if I get picky about timing the release, which I may be prone to do. But we are getting close, with the drafts long finished and two stages of editing already complete, its all about the fine tuning, the polishing, now.

In the down time as I wait for more technically proficient writers to work their magic with my stories I have begun some of the work on the business side of publishing a book, including a concept cover. Here it is, and yes, it is meant to be that simple.

Peace - MVP

Why Yes, It Has Been A Long Minute

2010-07-30T21:40:00.000-07:00

Okay, so most of July I was away from this blog, yes, I am sorry. My internet was down and all that good jazz but I know, you dont care. Not much to report, I have been in contact with some people about more long term future plans for my writing career but nothing solid. Still waiting on contacts back regarding more immediate business: editing a book as well as a potential book signing. I also need to get in contact with some local book stores, see if they would be interested in joining me or if they just want to be added to the blacklist with the rest of the industry.

Yea, so thats about my report on nothing.
Hope all is well till next time.
Peace - MVP

Midweek

2010-07-07T20:29:00.001-07:00

Middle of the week, I am not gonna lie, work has been a pain with all this heat. The lady at the gas station in the morning said "Keep hydrated" all I could do was laugh. Hydration is a losing war on days like its been around here lately, 90s and high humidity.
The short story collection that I sent off to see some important people last week is still outta my hands, I would expect nothing for a couple weeks though.
Currently corresponding with people at a certain area location to see about doing the Grandpas Storybook Collection - The Race Is On - The Tale Of Two book signing at there location. I cant really say where it might be yet, but if I can do it where I am hoping to, it would be big.
Have gotten out in the woods on consecutive days, enjoying nature a bit, its been nice to clear the head. Here is a pic I took, enjoy.

Anyways, thats about it for now.

Peace - MVP

Latest News - Possible Book Signing?

2010-07-05T20:58:00.000-07:00

So last week I sent out a query to the publisher(Potential Heights LLC/Stories That Lift) of my children's work The Tale of Two in Grandpas Storybook Collection concerning the possibility of doing a book signing. Today I received a reply in the affirmative, which is of course very exciting.

Now, the details are far from worked out, and quite frankly I cannot even say with certainty that this is going to happen, but it is now an option in play. Much of the responsibility for the entire event will fall on my shoulders, and as you can imagine, to organize even a small time event of this sort is a relatively big undertaking.

I would need to secure the copies from the publisher, secure a location for the event. Would also need tables, maybe a banner, probably some free promotional stuff, stickers and such things. Once everything was in place for the actual event I will need at least some level of promotion, not exactly sure what route to go for that but need to get the word out a bit.

Anyways, thats whats new, kinda big news, but nothing is certain at this point.

Thanks for reading.

Peace - MVP

Inspiration

2010-07-04T21:41:00.000-07:00

From whence do I draw my inspiration? Well, obviously the catch all answer is "everything in the world around me". More specifically I would have to say my inspiration comes from two things.
First of all Charles Dickens. He was a man who wrote, not only for his own pleasure, and not only for others enjoyment, but virtually everything he wrote was a rebuke of his society, a rebuke of the state of humanity in his day. From that I draw much inspiration, to write with purpose, to write with meaning, to write to make a difference.
Secondly I draw simply from the news, I watch the news, I read the news, I try my best to follow everything thats occurring in the world in the world, which is of course a futile quest, but all my writing is based in reality. Not saying I would be opposed to write fantasy or something of the sort at some point, but primarily I try to piece together an image of where we are at today, as a race, as a civilization. At times it seems so bleak but I am never failed to be reminded that there is yet good, there is yet hope.

Peace - MVP

The Weekend: Happy Birthday America!

2010-07-03T22:33:00.000-07:00

So it is the weekend, and a very special weekend at that. Happy birthday America, as Americans we ought never forget what a special nation we have here. A very special thanks to all the men and women in the armed forces, both past and present.

In MVP news: There is really no news to report. Lots of work though. As an indie author, very little of the process is out of my hands. Unlike a mainstream author who writes a draft, little more than a collection of ideas, and sits back to collect their paycheck, I must be writer, editor(granted I do have some help in that area), management, publisher, and the list goes on. It is not a bad thing though, merely a bit more work, of which I am unafraid.

Watched UFC tonight. Was very happy to see Chris "The Crippler" Leben defeat Yoshihiro Akiyama, especially after the way the Japanese star disrespected Leben by saying he was an "unworthy opponent". I was a bit disappointed to see the superior athlete in Shane Carwin lose to Brock Lesnar in the fashion he did, but oh well.

Have a safe and enjoyable 4th of July weekend.

Peace - MVP

Steam is Building

2010-06-30T21:04:00.000-07:00

Rather important news. I have sent off copies of my work to a couple of very important people. Hopefully my short story collection will be in the hands of a capable editor within days. It is very exciting for me, not only to be moving this much closer to publication again, but also to have some of the work out of my hands, knowing that there is someone who can strengthen my literary weaknesses.

I have also been struck by inspiration recently for two rather intriguing stories. I'd rather not divulge too much about either right now, but I will give everyone a preview of the working titles: Barnstormer Whiskey and The Lost Record of The Flood. Should be some very enjoyable and different writing. Especially Flood, as it will not be written in the traditional format a story is supposed to follow, it will be a rather experimental piece.

Thats all for now, hopefully more news to come soon.

Thanks for reading.

Peace - MVP

Ambition

2010-06-29T20:10:00.000-07:00

“I force a smile, knowing that my ambition far exceeded my talent.”
Mr. “Boston” George Jung

“Ambition covers a multitude of deficiencies.”
Mr. Matthew Von Prince

Ambition = Everything, without it, no one is capable of anything, no matter their skills or talents. With ambition, nothing is impossible. Ambition is the single most important attribute a person must posses in the pursuit of ANY goal. Ambition is the most powerful tool I have in my arsenal for my assault on the literary industry. I am a good writer, but not great, I am a good thinker, but not great, my talents are good at best, but my ambition to take the world by storm is unforgiving.
We all have goals, we all have dreams, we all have hopes, we all have desires, and if we forget not ambition, we may all achieve anything.
Peace - MVP

Unmade Plans

2010-06-28T20:40:00.000-07:00

Ahhh, so sometimes, even with the most thought out plans, the fates have other intentions. A minor hiccup today(read: car failure) has delayed the delivery of my writing to some important people in the process. Yes I could use that newfangled computer web thingy but I prefer to work with physical documents. I suspect this delay will only last a number of days at the most, in the mean time I have plenty to keep me busy.

I spend much time in thought concerning the launch/release of my forthcoming collection. I can never decide if I want to go with a very showy, rockstar type release/signing party? Or maybe I should go with a very raw, personable, stripped down release? I swing back and forth. At heart I would choose the latter, thats the type of person I am. On the flipside, perception is reality, and going big could pay dividends in the long run. I suppose I will decide about the time the release/signing/launch/party is over, lol.

Peace - MVP

Early morning - first post

2010-06-26T22:09:00.000-07:00

It is indeed very early sunday morning. Actually a very good week for me and the whole MVP project. Computer is back up and running, the final story for my debut solo release is nearly ready for an editor. Hopefully the editor thing will happen within the next week or two. A lot to look forward to for me as an artist after that: Cover design, photo shoots, haggling with stores and shops to carry my work, trying to convince readers to give me a chance. It will not be an easy road, but I will enjoy it and I will take the world by storm(go ahead, write that down.)

Peace - MVP