Professional Writer Series

The Journal: Readers Like to Fill-in the Blanks (Uh, No)

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * PQ Topic: Readers Like to Fill-in the Blanks * This morning I left a comment * Of Interest * The Numbers PQ Topic: Readers Like to Fill-in the Blanks Actually this isn’t a Persistent Question so much as a Persistent Misbelief. A myth. Something even writers sometimes pass along to other writers. And it’s male bovine excrement. My immediate response to “Readers like to fill in the blanks” is a pair of arched eyebrows, a head shaking slightly side to side, and “So?” As a writer, do you really care what … Read more

The Journal: If I May Share

In today’s Journal * If I may share * A Special Treat * Of Interest * The Numbers If I may share something near and dear to my heart and on the edge of personal, this will pertain especially to those of you who enjoy reading or writing (or both) westerns. It will also be suitable for dreamers, like my friends Russ J, Robert S and Dan B. In the original Wes Crowley novels, Wes rode on horseback from Amarillo Texas to Agua Perlado, a fictional fishing village in the state of Guerrero, Mexico. Although I have a detailed map … Read more

The Journal: Again I got a question

In today’s Journal * Traditional Publishing Sometimes? * Again I got a question * The novel * Of Interest * The Numbers Traditional Publishing Sometimes? A few days ago, Dan Baldwin mentioned in his weekly blog that sometimes traditional publication is preferable. You can find his Tips of the Week on his website at https://fourknightspress.com/. If I’d written a children’s book, I might want to go the traditional route. If that’s you, if you write children’s books, you might want to check out “57 Children’s Book Publishers that Accept Direct Submissions” at https://authorspublish.com/57-childrens-book-publishers-seeking-submissions/. As always, of course, read the fine … Read more

The Journal: Analysis Paralysis

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Wes Crowley Rides Again * Topic: Analysis Paralysis * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day When you doubt your importance as a writer compared with editors and publishers, remember this brief one-sided conversation I had with a major NY acquisitions editor who seemed a little full of himself a few years ago at the Tucson, AZ writers’ conference: I said, “Know what writers would do if there were no editors or publishers?” He shook his head. I said, “We’d write. But do you know what editors and publishers … Read more

The Journal: Reader Taste vs. Writer Skill

In today’s Journal * Well, Not a New Writing Process * Topic: Reader Taste vs. Writer Skill * If anyone else encountered a problem * Yesterday * I’ve decided * Of Interest * The Numbers Well, Not a New Writing Process Sorry about that. I labeled what I passed along to you yesterday “a new writing process.” It wasn’t. I watched/listened to both videos. Well, all of the first one and the first few minutes of the second one. I want to say the videos contain a lot of filler, among which the “real” information is scattered. Unfortunately, I can’t … Read more

The Journal: A New Writing Process to Try

In today’s Journal * A New Writing Process to Try * The Reviews Begin * I wish I could share * Yesterday * Of Interest * The Numbers A New Writing Process to Try A writer (and a reader of the Journal) sent me an email I wanted to pass along: “I just came across the approach/process of method writing as taught by Jack Grapes and would like to share it with you, if you haven’t heard of it already. It seems quite interesting and worth considering. I have included two interviews he has on the FilmCourage YouTube channel below.” … Read more

The Journal: Rider Jones Wrapped

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Rider Jones Wrapped * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “PG suggests that electronic books and digital commerce in physical books (for people who still want them) is inherently superior to the business model of the physical bookstore.” The Passive Voice Rider Jones Wrapped Well, the novel wrapped yesterday, and it wrapped so hard I could barely see there for a little while. Does a scene in your writing ever sneak up on you emotionally like that? I both hope so and hope not, and both for your … Read more

The Journal: Nada

In today’s Journal * Nada * Of Interest * The Numbers Wow, really nothing to talk about today. I mentioned yesterday that I believe the novel is nearing completion, though the end is not yet in sight. That might also be wishful thinking. Not that I’m tired of it at all, but my creative subconscious has become accustomed to novels wrapping in about two weeks, so…. And sometimes, when a novel’s running but getting close to the end, the other stuff in the Journal seems to dwindle. Anyway, I posted today mostly to get the “Of Interest” items below out … Read more

The Journal: Bitter Mountain Moonlight

In today’s Journal * Bitter Mountain Moonlight is out! * The novel continues * Of Interest * The Numbers Bitter Mountain Moonlight is out! Not a lot to talk about today. But hey, if anyone out there would like to see Bitter Mountain Moonlight, the Cave Creek anthology containing my short story, “Rider Jones and the Portal,” you can read about it at https://www.wmgpublishinginc.com/project/bitter-mountain-moonlight-a-cave-creek-anthology/. Amazon’s Cave Creek series page is at https://amzn.to/3gW3tyO. You can also find links to every book retailer where the ebook is available using this universal link: https://books2read.com/u/4ERdXz. (Amazon wasn’t there yet as of this morning.) If … Read more

The Journal: On the Use of “Blue” or “Bad” Language

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * The novel continues, combined * Topic: On the Use of “Blue” or “Bad” Language * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “The force that through the green fuse drives the flower Drives my green age; that blasts the roots of trees Is my destroyer. And I am dumb to tell the crooked rose My youth is bent by the same wintry fever.” Dylan Thomas Appropos of nothing, this is probably my favorite poem of all time. “It is a good rule in life never to apologize. The right … Read more