Month: October 2021

The Journal: A Little More on Process

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * If you don’t currently practice * Questions from a screenwriter * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things.” Elinor Smith If you don’t currently practice writing into the dark, and if you want to, read my previous two posts. I have a feeling some folks see “WITD” in the subject line or in the contents list and skip reading the post. … Read more

The Journal: Writing Into the Dark: Part 2

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Topic: Writing Into the Dark: Part 2 * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “It’s all a matter of process vs. product. I like the writing. I like telling a story. I like being stuck and not knowing where I’m going. I love that process. If you want to write more, practice, and care about the process [vs. the individual story]. Having fun telling the story is what matters. Don’t worry about the end product. Readers will buy it or not, and there’s nothing you can do about … Read more

The Journal: What Is Writing Into the Dark?

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * “Of Interest” Is Back * Topic: What Is Writing Into the Dark? * Almost Writing Again * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “To see the blue color go right by you and now you’re staring into blackness, that’s the thing.” William Shatner, trying to convey his experience on Blue Origin “Of Interest” Is Back Yeah. I was silly to get rid of it. I’ll happen across things that might be of interest to you as writers of one genre or another or as writers in general, and … Read more

The Journal: How to Write Faster

In today’s Journal * “Of Interest” Is No More * How to Write Faster * Size Really Doesn’t Matter * The Numbers “Of Interest” Is No More After years of including an “Of Interest” section in the Journal I’ve discontinued it. I’ve realized there are no longer any writers out there who are both actively teaching and who can teach you more than I can about the craft of writing. Most of those who do purport to teach simply regurgitate the same old myths you’ve been hearing during most of your life. You can easily find them all over the … Read more

The Journal: Learn

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Today * A Rose by Any Other Name * Arm Yourself * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “Terror’s not ghosts flying through the walls, going woo-woo-woo. Terror is when the party is over and everyone has gone home and at last you can take a deep breath and you lock the doors and your place is finally empty and quiet, and you turn out the lights and then you hear the toilet flush upstairs. That’s terror.” Warren Murphy Today the Journal has only three entries in “Of … Read more

The Journal: Insider Info About Traditional Publishing

In today’s Journal * Insider Info About Traditional Publishing * Of Interest * The Numbers Insider Info About Traditional Publishing By his own admission, John Gilstrap was one of the last very fortunate writers for whom lightning struck under the old “traditional” publishing system. The lightning struck in the form of a very large, life-changing, six-figure advance. Today on the Kill Zone, he posted a brief explanatory article along with links to a video he recorded. In that video, he, his agent, and his editor are chatting about traditional publishing. I trust John for various reasons, so I’m publishing this … Read more

The Journal: Selling Books Without Promo

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Welcome * Selling Books Without Self-Promotion * The Person Who Doesn’t Conform * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “So! How do you sell books without a single self-promotional tweet, post, or video?” Greer Macallister (Writer Unboxed article in “Of Interest”) “[A] lot of people have lost respect for the … person who doesn’t conform.” Erykah Badu Ahem… based on my experience, I suspect Ms. Badu’s comment would be more accurate if she replaced “have lost respect for” with “fear.” Welcome to recent new subscribers! Glad to have … Read more

The Journal: Traditional Publishing Contracts: Derivative Rights

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * From Dan Baldwin’s Writing Tip of the Week * About Kris Rusch Licensing Books * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “There is only one thing you can do, I think. Log out of BookScan. Close Goodreads. Log off Twitter. And go write. I know it’s not a very original thought. But clichés can be true. Maybe it’s the only true thing.” Lincoln Michael “At the root of most fear is what other people will think of us.” Courage is Calling by Ryan Holiday Below is reprinted most … Read more

The Journal: One More Benefit of Being Prolific

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * One More Benefit of Being Prolific * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “Reading was like a drug, a dope. The novels created moods in which I lived for days.” Richard Wright, Black Boy I didn’t know books (and films) affected others like this. I received an email this morning from a person who apparently “follows” me on Amazon. She wrote, “Amazon announced yet another book publication by Harvey Stanbrough. How is it possible that you say you are not writing, yet books keep shooting out?” Well, that’s … Read more