In Today’s Journal * First, a Disclaimer * Writing Past the End First, a Disclaimer In the article below, I’m not talking about a novel having a “sagging middle” or “painting yourself into a corner” or any of the other usual problems that plague those who “plot” or “erect sign posts” or otherwise plan in advance and construct a novel from that plan. I’m not even talking about “bogging down” as something to be expected, as it pertains to writing a novel from an outline. When a novel bogs down for those writers it does so for only one reason: because … Read more

In Today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * About Publishing to Audiobooks * Of Interest Quote of the Day “The soul of negotiation is knowing you can always walk away.” A popular aphorism widely attributed to business and negotiation lore About Publishing to Audiobooks Okay, first, the new novel’s going well at over 37,000 words in and no end in sight. The writing’s pretty much my only excitement and my primary reason to get up, make coffee, and trudge out to the Hovel every morning. And that’s fine. I’m not complaining. My drive or enthusiasm or whatever is much … Read more

In Today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * The Bradbury Challenge Report * On Author Websites * Of Interest Quote of the Day “On your website, don’t be in the way of anything your customers want. Be welcoming: Newsletter popup signups are not welcoming, and white text on red or black backgrounds is not welcoming. Make the information easy to find and fun. Authors are amazingly good at annoying people who are trying to buy their books.” Dean Wesley Smith The Bradbury Challenge Report Participating in any challenge is a great way to have fun and grow as a … Read more

In Today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Don’t Confuse Movement with Action * Of Interest  Quote of the Day “Never confuse movement with action.” Ernest Hemingway Don’t Confuse Movement with Action Great advice from probably the best writer who ever lived. The quote of the day ranks up there with “All you have to do is write one true sentence, Just write one true sentence, then go on from there.” But what does “Never confuse movement with action” mean specifically? Notice that the advice doesn’t exclude either aspect. It just says not to confuse the two. I saw … Read more

In Today’s Journal * My Quote of the Day * Ambition, Talent, Skill, and Outcome * Update on My Own Writing * So TNDJ * Of Interest My Quote of the Day “‘Luck’ only means when the knock came at the door you were prepared.” Ambition, Talent, Skill, and Outcome Don’t confuse ambition, talent, skill, or even outcome with excellence. They’re different animals inhabiting the same world. Ambition is only desire and the willingness to work toward a goal or dream. Talent is only a degree of natural ability, and skill is only a marker of your level of proficiency … Read more

In Today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * An Email on Focusing Down * On Learning * Focusing on Learning * Of Interest Quote of the Day “The second you think you know all you need to know about writing fiction, you’re done as a writer.” Dean Wesley Smith An Email on Focusing Down This from a long-time, dear writing friend: Remember when I asked why you thought [A Most Unusual Day] might be [your] best, and you did not, of course, give me an answer. I went back and read it and the next chapter with an editor’s … Read more

In Today’s Journal * …and Point of View (POV) * If You Found This Helpful * A Brief Promo * Of Interest …and Point of View (POV) In yesterday’s post at the Journal website and on Substack (pick your poison) I offered up Chapter 23: The Hit on Eldridge Reeves. This is an excellent story to study if you want to learn how to focus down. I could teach a five-day seminar with a 4- to 6-hour session each day on this chapter alone. And the topic of the entire seminar would be “Focusing Down”… well, and “on POV.” Yesterday, … Read more

In Today’s Journal * My Quote of the Day * The Bradbury Challenge Report * On Focusing Down * A Special Bonus * Of Interest My Quote of the Day “Could’a would’a should’a didn’t never made a damn.” My version of an unattributed, informal, colloquial folk saying expressing regret over missed opportunities The Bradbury Challenge Report, in memoriam Saturday, August 22, would have been Ray Bradbury’s 106th birthday if he was still around. I wish he was, but then everybody deserves a rest after awhile. Participating in any challenge is a great way to have fun and grow as a … Read more

In Today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * As You Have Time * On Tightening Your Writing * Of Interest Quotes of the Day “‘Moderately prolific’ is about a thousand words per day, average. That’s about four books a year.” Dean Wesley Smith “Creative voice—the more you use it, the more it wants to be used.” Dean Wesley Smith As You Have Time I suggest you stop by James Ron’s Before I Forget… and check out some of his fiction. James was kind enough to donate to the Go Fund Me effort for my young friend’s wife. That makes … Read more

In Today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Wow * A Horror Show of Myths * Audiobook Narration, and a Brief Memoir * Of Interest Quotes of the Day “Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.” Anton Chekov (Widely attributed advice emphasizing active, sensory imagery over passive statements.) “Caress the details, the divine details.” (Highlighting how intimate, precise descriptions bring a fictional world to life.) “If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it.” Elmore Leonard (A famous rule of thumb reminding writers to keep descriptions invisible and natural.) Wow Welp, … Read more