Harvey

The Journal: A Writing Tip

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * A Writing Tip * The writing has slowed a bit * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “For reasons of high aesthetic principle, I do not write on a computer. Writing on a computer makes saving what’s been written too easy. Pretentious lead sentences are kept, not tossed. Instead of sitting surrounded by crumpled paper, the computerized writer has his mistakes neatly stored in digital memory. P.J. O’Rourke (via The Passive Voice) A Writing Tip If one or more of your characters in your novels or short stories … Read more

The Journal: A Free Boot Camp for Writers

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Ralphie May’s Boot Camp * The novel is coming along * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “Having a dedicated space is a signal to yourself that writing is not an idle hobby that you peck away at between household chores or doom-scrolling Twitter sessions. Ideally, there should be no Twitter allowed in this space. It is a place you go to work.” Kim Bullock That “no Twitter allowed” recommendation is why I also advocate a dedicated writing computer. This is kind of a special edition of the … Read more

The Journal: Quotes of the Day Expanded

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day (Expanded) * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day (Expanded) Quote 1: “What does it mean to write awesomely? At the very least, it means giving your readers more than a by-the-numbers story.” James Scott Bell “More than a by-the-numbers story.” I like that. it’s a great analogy. No great painting was ever created on a by-the-numbers canvas. Of course, Mr. Bell stopped too soon. So how do you give your readers more than a by-the-numbers story? Easy. “By the numbers” comes from the conscious mind. If you trust what … Read more

The Journal: I Guess I’m Smug

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * I love a writing challenge * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “Maybe you can be smug when you can actually write 50,000 words of fiction in a month again. When was the last time you did that?” A guy named Steve in a comment on my October 23 post I was going to write a whole thing about what it’s like to be challenged with a personal affront by a person for whom you’re trying to do a favor, but I spent enough time on that in … Read more

The Journal: NaNoWriMo Approacheth

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Topic: NaNoWriMo Approacheth, Slouching… * I’m writing again * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “It is the writer that creates a story that will sell … if the writer allows himself to be in the story with the character.” Dean Wesley Smith Topic: NaNoWriMo Approacheth, Slouching Toward Keyboards Everywhere Forgive me the following. I’m going to get a little snarky. In an article in Kobo Writing Life yesterday, the author advised writers to “prepare” for NaNoWriMo. The article suggests writers 1. Plot their outline 2. Do a … Read more

The Journal: Heinlein’s Rule 2

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * I’ve updated the mentorships * Topic: Heinlein’s Rule 2 — You Must Finish What You Write * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “At some point in the next 1,000 years, nuclear war or environmental calamity will ‘cripple Earth.’ However, by then, ‘our ingenious race will have found a way to slip the surly bonds of Earth and will therefore survive the disaster.’ The Earth’s other species probably won’t make it, though.” Max de Haldevang, quoting Stephen Hawking in Quartz magazine “In fiction, emotional release is boring. Drama … Read more

The Journal: “Turnaround” and Links

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * “Turnaround” Finished * My friend Robert S. * Not a lot, but links * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “The most regretful people on earth are those… who felt their own creative power restive and uprising, and gave to it neither power nor time.” Mary Oliver As advertised, I played a little yesterday and finished “Turnaround.” I wasn’t sure of the title when I started (it was just what occurred to me) but the reason for the title became clear as the story wrapped up. (grin) I … Read more

The Journal: A Rare Second Post

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Two Journal posts today * Six years ago today * Writing Into the Dark * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “Some days things don’t line up quite right. That’s why they make tomorrows.” Wes Crowley If you don’t receive two posts via email today, you can see the earlier post at https://hestanbrough.com/the-journal-bottom-line-concerns/. There are several “Of Interest” items in that post and none in this one, so you might want to take a look. I felt like something was special about today, October 19, but I couldn’t … Read more

The Journal: Bottom-Line Concerns

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Bottom-line concerns * Degrees of communication * Writing into the dark * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “In order to control myself I must first accept myself by going with and not against my nature.” Bruce Lee “Bottom line concerns have all but decimated the publishers’ promotional efforts….” Paul Dinas on Anne R. Allen’s blog “Bottom-line concerns.” Yes. Because today the major traditional publishers increase the value of their corporation NOT by publishing and selling books but by paying a pittance for IP, then valuating that IP … Read more

The Journal: An Intensive Learning Month

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * An Intensive Learning Month * Book Covers * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “In 1792, while Gustav III was attending a masquerade ball, he was shot and killed by someone who didn’t like him.” PG Well, it looks as if October 2020 will be my intensive learning month. (grin) The instructor of the Affinity Publisher for Beginners course also offers a couple of FREE courses on Affinity Photo. I’ve already signed up. To read about those, see * 10 Steps to Amazing Photos at https://courses.affinityrevolution.com/p/10-steps-to-amazing-photos. This will … Read more