Tossing Around Some Numbers

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Topic: Tossing Around Some Numbers * Of Interest Quote of the Day “Knowledge is proud that he has learned so much; Wisdom is humble that he knows no more.” William Cowper Topic: Tossing Around Some Numbers I wasn’t going to post a Journal entry today, but a conversation with a student this morning spurred some thoughts. The fiction-writing myths are deeply ingrained in our society. They’re inadvertently taught in junior high, high school, and college English and Literature classes by teachers and professors who are only teaching what they themselves were … Read more

What? and Writing Sales Copy

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * What? * Writing Sales Copy * Of Interest Quotes of the Day First, from the Department of the Absolutely Ridiculous: “The first words are the hardest. For many of us writing is a slog. Words drip with difficulty onto the page—and frequently they seem to be the wrong ones, in the wrong order.” not credited, so apparently a staff writer for The Economist “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” Albert Einstein Preach it, Brother. What? Did anyone else visualize Dr. Smith from Lost in Space as you read the first Quote … Read more

10 Lesser Mistakes Writers Make

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Topic: 10 Lesser Mistakes Writers Make * Up Next * Of Interest Quotes of the Day “[W]here there is fun, there’s no panic to do something a certain ‘correct’ way, or fear that certain mistakes will ruin the book. It’s just about having fun telling stories, and not worrying about the rest.” Chynna Pace “The writer who is a real writer is a rebel who never stops.” William Saroyan “Know what you believe, and be bold with it in your fiction.” James Scott Bell Topic: 10 Lesser Mistakes Writers Make Back … Read more

The Top 7 Mistakes Writers Make

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Topic: The Top 7 Mistakes Writers Make * Up Next * Of Interest Quote of the Day “When you think you’re pregnant, and you’re not, what happens to that child that has already formed in your mind? You keep it filed in a drawer of your consciousness, like a short story that wouldn’t work after the opening lines.” Hilary Mantel Topic: The Top 7 Mistakes Writers Make Very long post today. This is an update on an article I first posted over on my author site way back in 2013. It … Read more

I Can Write Anywhere. Wheee!

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Oops * I Can Write Anywhere. Wheee! * Trust the Characters; Write the Next Sentence * Of Interest Quotes of the Day “Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.” T. H. Huxley “You better live every day like your last because one day you’re going to be right.” Ray Charles “Live your life so that when you’re all alone you’re in good company.” Anonymous, Lubbock (TX) Avalanche-Journal, c.1969 Oops Sorry about that dangling PS in yesterday’s post. I had added a brief post script, then found I didn’t … Read more

Every Novel Writes Differently

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Every Novel Writes Differently * PS: * Of Interest Quotes of the Day From the Give Me a Break Department: “Can you become sick through social media? New research says it might be possible, as vulnerable people fall prey to mass psychogenic illnesses via the internet.” Kite & Key staff (I’m guessing mask mandates will come next.) “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.” Yogi Berra Topic: Every Novel Writes Differently The title is a maxim I first heard from Dean Wesley Smith. Now, as I write … Read more

Traditional Publishing and CovID-19 Fraud

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Traditional Publishing * CovID-19 Fraud * Of Interest Quotes of the Day “Let me be clear: I don’t dislike traditional publishing, but they’re operating in an antiquated system that has worked for them previously, but really doesn’t support the author or, for that matter, further book sales.” Penny Sansevieri (see first item in “Of Interest”) “Dare to know! Have the courage to use your own reason!” Immanuel Kant [Wow. Let that sink in.] Traditional Publishing We talked about this not too long ago. The Penguin Random House/S&S antritrust trial has forced … Read more

Yesterday, and Why Again

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Oops. * Yesterday * Why Again * Of Interest Quote of the Day “When writing, it’s often just as important knowing what not to say, as it is knowing what to include… but … it’s easier to perceive when expressed through the eyes of my fictional characters” [emphasis added]. Vincent Berg at Writer’s Nook Well, the eyes, ears, nose, and taste and touch sensors. Oops. First, a quick apology. My post of the 18th (“If You REALLY Want to Write Into the Dark”) posted again yesterday, on the 19th. I suspect … Read more

If You Really WANT to Write Into the Dark

In today’s Journal * Topic: If You Really WANT to Write Into the Dark * Of Interest Topic: If You Really WANT to Write Into the Dark If you Really WANT to let go of all the BS and just write into the dark, please read this post. I’m not saying anything new, but I’m saying it in a new way that some of you might “get” even if you didn’t before. (Note: If you DON’T want to WITD, I’m not trying to convince you. Feel free to skip down to “Of Interest” or come back tomorrow.) Of all the … Read more

The Reverse Outline Shines Again

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Topic: The Reverse Outline Shines Again * Sigh… More Controversy * Of Interest Quote of the Day “October 1st… Climb back on. That’s what I will be doing.” Dean Wesley Smith “I finally get it now. There really is no danger of over-describing. If it’s coming from the [POV] characters instead of my own brain, it makes sense for the story because it’s what they’re feeling, sensing, experiencing.” Chynna Pace, mentoring student Topic: The Reverse Outline Shines Again I can’t forcefully enough express the importance and usefulness of the reverse outline. … Read more