the writing life

The Journal: On “Making” Good or Great Writers

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * On “Making” Good or Great Writers * An Observation on “Pressure” * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “All things are difficult before they are easy.” Thomas Fuller On “Making” Good or Great Writers In today’s “Of Interest” I’ve included a “Reader Friday” from the KillZone, primarily because it’s based on a Stephen King quote. Here’s my response (expanded): I think the key word in this passage is “make” and King’s repetition of that. This quote runs alongside his thought that writing can’t be taught, but it can … Read more

The Journal: Computers and Programs and Novels, Oh My

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Computers and programs and novels, oh my * Don’t ever write this * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “The upsides of a few Twitter likes and a small honorarium that won’t cover rent are hard to weigh against the risk of harassment that can destroy your mental health, career, or even life.” Lincoln Michel Computers and Programs and Novels, Oh My Sometimes it seems like there are always ten more things to do. Before I moved over to the writing ‘puter yesterday, I decided on a whim … Read more

The Journal: Don’t Cut Off Your Nose…

In today’s Journal * Topic: Don’t Cut Off Your Nose… * The Novel Wrapped * First Reader? * Of Interest * The Numbers Topic: Don’t Cut Off Your Nose… Before my computer crashed, I had a good quote queued up for today. In that quote Stephen King says [paraphrasing] he doesn’t write in science fiction or westerns or horror or mystery “or any of that,” but his work contains elements of all of them. Amen. (That quote and several other good ones are in one of the vids for which I gave you the URL the other day, the one … Read more

The Journal: Another Brief Note on Focusing Down

In today’s Journal * Another Brief Note on Focusing Down * The Novel * Of Interest * The Numbers Topic: Another Brief Note on Focusing Down Okay, and some story ideas, and a bit on dialogue. Focusing down means making readers lean into the story, or lean into it more closely. It means focusing their attention “down” or more tightly on a detail. You can’t do that with a chase scene. But you can do that with the tires squealing and a wheel cover spinning off and clanging down the side of the road. If it sends people scattering when … Read more

The Journal: Whose Story Is It?

In today’s Journal * Topic: Whose Story Is It? * Quotes of the Day * Some Videos to Check Out * Of Interest * The Numbers Topic: Whose Story Is It? Well, today is mostly quotes. You’ll see those below. I didn’t write fiction yesterday. Didn’t even move over to the writing ‘puter. Though some have come close, it dawned on me yesterday that I’ve never heard any other writer repeat my own mantra: It’s not my story, it’s the characters’ story. But let me elaborate. I truly believe the characters’ life, their story, is ongoing even when I’m not … Read more

The Journal: Journaling, Focusing Down and More

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Birthday thoughts * Thank you * For those of you interested * Whale Sharks * Focusing Down * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “If you’re only going to mention something once, and it has no other significance to the story, choose one specific detail, and that’s it.” James Scott Bell “In a way we’re stenographers. The story’s being told to us.” Stephen King Happy Birthday to my wife. Today she turns 36. No, seriously. 36. Happy birthday, Honey. Oh, and happy 245th birthday to the USA. Thank … Read more

The Journal: Good Days

In today’s Journal * I like days like this * Dean mentioned * Watch for my posts * Of Interest * The Numbers I like days like this when I have little to say on the Journal and few items in “Of Interest.” Those days enable me to post this Journal early and get back to the novel sooner. Just a hint: if you get anything out of these posts, I would appreciate a comment on that. Your comments keep this Journal going. Dean mentioned he got around 5000 words on the first day of the new novel in his … Read more

The Journal: Cigars Are on the Way Out

In today’s Journal * June slipped away * My Cigars Are on the Way Out (sigh) * Of Interest * The Numbers Wow, June slipped away from me. For some reason I confused it with July and thought it had 31 days. My spreadsheet’s all fixed now, after I pawed frantically at my keyboard before I’d even had my coffee. Well, apparently either I or my cigars are on the way out. My BP has my doc worried, so yesterday I canceled my email newsletter from my cigar providers, etc. (My take? It’s always been high, so whatever.) Anyway, my … Read more

The Journal: On Taking Your Time and Focusing Down

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Topic: On Taking Your Time and Focusing Down * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “I asked him how he described himself on his passport. ‘I bet you call yourself an Author,’ I said. He agreed, with a shade of reluctance, perhaps because he scented sarcasm on the way. ‘Just so,’ I said. ‘Well, I describe myself as a Writer. There are authors and artists, and then again there are writers and painters.’” Ian Fleming “There is only one recipe for a best seller and it is a … Read more

The Journal: Gems About Writing

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Dean Wesley Smith * John Gilstrap * Confidence Matters * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “In this line of work, every moment we live and every person we interact with is a moment of research. More times than not, I find that the really good stuff comes less from studying books than it does from passive listening and watching. It doesn’t take work so much as it takes paying attention.” John Gilstrap “Want to write about quilting? Go where quilters go and then shut up and listen.” … Read more