Harvey Stanbrough

The Journal, Thursday, September 13

Hey Folks, Welcome to a new member, Ilsa from Germany. And welcome to all other recent members. Glad you could join us. Some great stuff in “Of Interest” today, and that’s the main reason I’m even posting this entry. It would behoove you to click through. I’m focused on other things today, so no fiction writing again this morning, and probably none this afternoon. If I do write this afternoon, I’ll report it tomorrow. Talk with you again soon. Of Interest See “New Fiction River Kickstarter Award for Writers” at https://www.deanwesleysmith.com/new-fiction-river-kickstarter-award-for-writers/. This is a good one, folks. Don’t miss it! … Read more

The Journal, Friday, August 31

Hey Folks, The end of August! Where in the world did the time go? And it’s 2018! Shouldn’t it still be around 1978 or so? (grin) Anyway, some very exciting news today, especially for those of you who design your own book covers. One of the best publishing suite companies is England’s Serif. Their products are intuitive, and they easily rival Adobe at a small fraction of the cost. Serif finally came out with the new Affinity Publisher (beta version) and is offering it free at https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/publisher/. I just downloaded my copy. Based on my long use of Serif products, … Read more

The Journal, Wednesday, August 15

Hey Folks, Well, first an update: A prolific young writer who was certain his blog post was the catalyst for my Journal post yesterday (maybe it was, maybe it wasn’t) emailed me to say he’s back on track and committed to writing again. Also he won’t be starting a Patreon account for a good while, if ever. His plan all along was to wait until he had plenty to offer subscribers. He also wrote that the “Time for excuses is over. Now is the time for me to put up or truly fade away and realize that [I] dont have … Read more

The Journal, Tuesday, July 10

Hey Folks, Seems to be The Week of Scams, all vehemently defended by the very writers who are the scammers’ targets. But that’s all right. At long last, I’ve seen the light. As a result, I’ve decided to completely revamp my main website. I’ll begin by getting rid of all those silly book covers and book descriptions and individual book pages. In all, I’ll be able to delete around 100 pages (of 104). It will be SUCH a relief, not having to keep up with all of that. I mean, think about it: ● I won’t have to design any … Read more

The Journal, Tuesday, June 26

Hey Folks, Nothing really to report today. I took too many days off (got used to it). I’m glad I started working toward next month a little early. So this is mostly to send you the “Of Interest” stuff below. See you soon. ​ Of Interest See Sue Coletta’s “9 Ways To Build Suspense ~ Fiction Writing” at https://www.suecoletta.com/9-ways-to-build-suspense/. See Sue Coletta’s “Pinch Points In Fiction Writing” at https://www.suecoletta.com/pinch-points-in-fiction-writing/. See Sue Coletta’s “How To Craft A One-Page Synopsis Using Story Beats” at https://www.suecoletta.com/how-to-craft-a-one-page-synopsis-using-story-beats/. Fiction Words: 1816 Nonfiction Words: 90 (Journal) So total words for the day: 1906 Writing of Stern … Read more

The Journal, Tuesday, June 12

Hey Folks, I almost didn’t post a Journal entry today. Nothing in “Of Interest” today, and I didn’t write any new fiction. But I wanted to share with you. Wow. What a great day! Already! (It’s about noon as I write this.) It isn’t a great day writing-wise, at least not yet. And if it ends either way, that’ll be fine too. But it’s a great day in the realm of serendipity. Now understand, I’m in the middle (well, the first quarter or third) of a novel. The D.R.E.A.D. thing. Only I already know I’m going to change one character … Read more

The Journal, Friday, June 8

Hey Folks, This will almost be a topic on websites and what to do with them. Welcome to new subscribers. In this golden era of indy publishing, there are no limits. You can have complete control of your writing career. IF you’ve managed to avoid the hordes of traditional and vanity publishers out there who only want to take your money. But it does take a little work. It’s important to have an author website, a place where fans can visit to learn about you and what you’re doing. It’s also important, especially as you write more stories and novels … Read more

The Journal, Sunday, May 27

Hey Folks, Well, summer is here. Not only temperature-wise but with the earlier sunrises. I like that. With the advent of earlier sunrises, my wife and I can get back to walking in the early morning. We walk for time at the beginning. About 12 minutes out, then whatever time it takes to get back. Later, as I get in better shape and my weight starts to readjust a bit, we’ll increase the time out. I’ve written a lengthy two-part topic on Ebook Distribution. A comment I ran across on another blog set me off. I think I have a … Read more

The Journal, Tuesday, May 22

Hey Folks, Rolled out at 3:30 this morning and went straight to an online workshop. Finished that (6 weeks’ worth) around 9:15. Then I started my daily rounds of the Internet and putting this edition of the Journal together. Finally out to the Hovel at 10:30. I started cycling through the novel again from about the midway point, touching only the intermissions. I took a break around 11:20, then again around 12:15. In the final session I wrote very little and only changed a few names, mostly with a global search. Today actually felt more like work than fun. But … Read more

The Journal, Thursday, May 17

Hey Folks, Topic: How Do You Know You Won’t Like It If You Don’t Try It? Parents? Sound familiar? Well, we’re in the same boat here. I received a very congenial email from a friend and one time editing client that contained a link to an article titled “I Copied the Routines of Famous Writers and It Sucked.” As it turned out, the article was more humorous than serious. I’ve included the link (last) in “Of Interest” below. And just so you know, the author of the article is not a novelist. He’s a columnist and/or contributor to several online … Read more