Month: November 2019

The Journal: Good Fortune Strikes

In today’s Journal * Good Fortune Strikes * Yesterday * A Very Special Project * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Good Fortune Strikes (for you) Yesterday, Kris Rusch added a new post to her Patreon page. And this morning, I found she’d also shared it on her Busines Musings blog, which means I’m free to share it with you. I’m not exaggerating when I say this is one of the most eye-opening posts she’s shared. If you read nothing else today, please read Paradigm Shift (Rethinking The Writing Business Part 16). You might want to read it two … Read more

The Journal: Update: Game On

In today’s Journal * Update: Game On * Topic: Inventory * More and more patrons * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Update: Game On I reached out to a writer who has attended the Master Business Class and asked him whether anyone there talked politics during the sessions. His answer was a resounding No. He wrote “at the beginning of both Vegas workshops I attended, they announced that there was to be absolutely NO discussion of politics or religion inside or outside of the classroom. They said they have sent people home for doing so.” Good enough. I … Read more

The Journal: Rethinking, Rethinking

In today’s Journal * Rethinking ways to rethink the future * I’m also rethinking * Some days are downers * Of Interest * The Numbers Part of the creative person’s ongoing task is to experiment, plan, rethink, and adjust. Regrettably, I’m rethinking a couple of things today. The first is rethinking ways to rethink the future of our business. Only yesterday, I was certain I wanted to attend the Master Business Class in Vegas next October. Today, not so much. It would be an invaluable investment in our business. What we could learn there — if the instructors and students … Read more

The Journal: On Efficiency and Establishing Habits

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Topic: On Efficiency and Establishing Habits (and a Bit on Today) * Yesterday I picked up * Toward the end of the day * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “I’m not a young man. I’m old, tired and full of no coffee.” Raymond Chandler, in Playback I can totally relate. (grin) Topic: On Efficiency and Establishing Habits (and a Bit on Today) Yesterday, Mona noted that the recurrent theme in my personal notes over the years has been scheduling. She’s right, and that was an epiphany for … Read more

The Journal: It’s All About Learning

In today’s Journal * Notice the new format * Quote of the Day * Lee Child * Topic: Investing in Your Own Future * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Notice the new format. The date of each post is already automatically added to the post (duh). So from now on I’ll endeavor to give each new edition of the Journal a title that indicates what you’ll find inside. Enjoy! Quote of the Day “Yeah. Importance is the worst thing you can put on any kind of creativity. As soon as you think it’s important, you’re dead.” Jerry Seinfeld … Read more

The Journal, Saturday, November 2

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * After slacking off * Topic: A Few Thoughts on Publishing * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “When in doubt, have a man come through the door with a gun in his hand.” Raymond Chandler *** After slacking off for a couple of hours yesterday, I decided to go ahead and publish “Seven Minutes in Belfast.” This is a fast-paced thriller in a tight package. If you want to study tight pacing and how to delve deep into your protagonist’s psyche all in a small package, … Read more

The Journal, Friday, November 1

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Finished * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “The more you reason the less you create.” Raymond Chandler (wise words from another Stage 5 master) Finished the short story. I’ll call it “Seven Minutes in Belfast.” It’s a fast-paced story in the Blackwell Ops world. I wrote only a little over 500 words (the opening) yesterday, then had my doctor appointment and basically lost interest for the rest of the day. I can’t remember the last time a short story spilled over from one day to the next. … Read more