Month: April 2019

The Daily Journal, Saturday, April 20

In today’s Journal ▪ Quote of the day ▪ Topic: On the Value of Pre-Orders ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers Quote of the Day: “We shall soon be in a world in which a man may be howled down for saying that two and two make four, in which people will persecute the heresy of calling a triangle a three-sided figure, and hang a man for maddening a mob with the news that grass is green.” G. K. Chesterton *** Topic: On the Value of Pre-Orders Well, apparently I’m still having trouble with Heinlein’s Rule 4 … Read more

The Daily Journal, Friday, April 19

In today’s Journal ▪ Grand Master Jack Williamson ▪ There’s a great writing-book bundle ▪ Topic: Always Learning ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers In a comment on his post from yesterday, DWS reminded me of Jack Williamson, whom I was fortunate to study under and get to know during my final year in college at Eastern NM University in Portales NM back in the early ’90s. Jack had compiled a collection of short stories titled People Machines, and he gave me a copy. But it wasn’t only a collection of stories. Accompanying each short story was … Read more

The Daily Journal, Thursday, April 18

In today’s Journal ▪ Dean Wesley Smith’s free offer ▪ Topic: Always Learning ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers Dean Wesley Smith is incredibly generous. He is giving away his Pop-Up Workshop #9: “How Authors Hurt Their Own Writing and Sales and How to Stop.” No catches. No gimmicks. The Pop-Up consists of twelve videos plus a short story prompt. See the link to his post (and the first video) in “Of Interest.” ESPECIALLY if you think you don’t need this (critical voice) SIGN UP. Seriously. Topic: Always Learning Every morning I search the Internet for items … Read more

The Daily Journal, Wednesday, April 17

In today’s Journal ▪ A great day ▪ There’s a great writing-book bundle ▪ Thoughts on Realizations and Legacies ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers I had a great day yesterday in Sierra Vista. I bought some new jeans that are actually blue, don’t have frayed cuffs and aren’t falling off me. (grin) I also bought a few items to outfit my 4Runner for upcoming camping trips, got a haircut, and bought some other stuff. Topped it off with a visit to my favorite burger joint. It was a necessary trip, but if I’d tried to write … Read more

The Daily Journal, Tuesday, April 16

In today’s Journal ▪ We’re a strange lot ▪ Topic: Mentoring (or Not), A Cautionary Tale ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers We’re a strange lot, we humans. I left work and turned on the television yesterday, then flipped through news channels (all of the “biggies” as well as a few lesser-knowns) for coverage of the Notre Dame tragedy. There was good coverage for about an hour, complete with all the drama of disbelieving news anchors, trembling in their chairs as they guided on-scene witnesses through first-hand accounts of what was happening at the moment. Then news … Read more

The Daily Journal, Monday, April 15

In today’s Journal ▪ Notre Dame Cathedral ▪ Blackwell Ops 4: Melanie Sloan ▪ I couldn’t get through the OP ▪ Topic: Mentoring (or Not), A Cautionary Tale ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers First and foremost, our hearts go out to the people of Paris and France as Notre Dame, which has stood since the 14th century, is on fire today. I don’t watch network news, so I first learned of this at around 1:15 p.m. from my dear friend Michaele, for whom the Cathedral was once her parish church for a short while. Of course, … Read more

The Daily Journal, Sunday, April 14

In today’s Journal ▪ Quote of the day and thanks ▪ Another BundleRabbit bundle ▪ Yesterday I ordered ▪ Topic: “Take Your Time: Part 3” ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers Via The Passive Voice, “If you have a story that seems worth telling, and you think you can tell it worthily, then the thing for you to do is to tell it, regardless of whether it has to do with sex, sailors or mounted policemen.” — Dashiell Hammett *** I think I forgot to mention awhile back I’m in another BundleRabbit bundle called Eclectica. My short … Read more

The Daily Journal, Saturday, April 13

In today’s Journal ▪ Not a lot ▪ Topic: Take Your Time ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest (a LOT of links) ▪ The numbers Not a lot around the internet this morning, so probably a realtively short post today. I did take a few minutes to improve the copyright notice. It appears at the bottom of every page. Stop by http://prowriterswriting.com and take a look. Topic: Take Your Time (Revisited) As I was discussing with one of my mentoring writers a day or two ago, sometimes it’s necessary to take your time while writing. Yes, I write around 900 … Read more

The Daily Journal, Friday, April 12

In today’s Journal ▪ Thanks ▪ Trad pubs? ▪ Topic: Consistency Is Key ▪ A new icon for PWW ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest (a LOT of links) ▪ The numbers I read over yesterday’s post again last night, and wow did it sound needy. (grin) Anyway, thanks to all of you who commented on the post or in private emails to let me know the Journal matters to you. I appreciate it. I kind of figured it mattered to some of you, but I admit it’s nice to hear. If a particular edition of the Journal strikes you … Read more

The Daily Journal, Thursday, April 11

In today’s Journal ▪ Sometimes I wonder ▪ Topic: If You’re a Writer, Write ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest (a LOT of links) ▪ The numbers Sometimes I wonder whether anyone’s still reading these silly entries. I mean, I know a few people are, those with whom I’m working closely. But sometimes I wonder otherwise whether all this is worth it. Kris Rusch’s post makes even this nonfiction writing (and wondering) better. Her post in today’s “Of Interest” reminded me that I chat with my friends and acquaintances here each day because I enjoy doing so. She reminded me … Read more