In today’s Journal
* Quote of the Day
* Bradbury Challenge
* Of Interest
* The Numbers
Quote of the Day
“One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.” Arthur Ashe
Bradbury Challenge Writers Reporting
Most of those who have joined in this challenge have written tens of thousands more words than they might have otherwise. You can still join in the challenge at any time. And if you’re a fiction writer, why not?
There’s no cost, and the challenge is a great way to increase your inventory and jumpstart your writing. Chances are you’ll have more fun than you’ve had in a long time. The challenge is also a great way to get more practice pushing down the critical voice.
During the past week, in addition to whatever other fiction they’re writing, the following writers reported their progress:
- Erin Donoho “A Pearl for My Love, 1500 words, historical fiction
- Balázs Jámbor “David X and the books of destiny” 3000 words Fantasy
- George Kordonis “Depressed Girl” 2019 words Psychological Thriller
- Alexander Nakul “Dark-Skinned Priestess ” 2134 words Erotic Fantasy
- Chynna Pace “Beef Jerky Ghost” 3335 words Fantasy
- Christopher Ridge “Hangry Pains” 4200 words Horror
- K.C. Riggs “Bunnü the Magnificent” 1131 words Mythology
Congratulations to the participants. And again, feel free to jump in at any time. We’re all waiting for you.
Talk with you later.
Of Interest
See “‘We landed in Pamplona at night’: Hemingway’s first encounter with the Running of the Bulls” at https://english.elpais.com/culture/2023-07-08/we-landed-in-pamplona-at-night-hemingways-first-encounter-with-the-running-of-the-bulls.html. Great read. Story ideas, etc.
See “Sanfermines: The best fiestas in the world” at https://english.elpais.com/elpais/2018/07/09/inenglish/1531140699_623458.html. A longer read but good general research and some story ideas.
See “Visualizing America’s billion square feet of vacant offices” at https://www.visualcapitalist.com/visualizing-1-billion-square-feet-of-empty-office-space/.
The Numbers
The Journal…………………………………… 260
Writing of “Marvin McTavish Decides”
Day 1…… 326 words. Total words to date…… 326
Day 2…… 346 words. Total words to date…… 672
Writing of “A Midnight Sketch”
Day 1…… 1341 words. Total words to date…… 1341
Writing of Rose Padilla (WCG10SF5)
Day 1…… 4283 words. Total words to date…… 4283
Day 2…… 3963 words. Total words to date…… 8246
Day 3…… 1463 words. Total words to date…… 9709
Day 4…… 2445 words. Total words to date……12154
Total fiction words for July……… 2013
Total fiction words for 2023………… 112035
Total nonfiction words for July… 6180
Total nonfiction words for the year…… 137730
Total words for the year (fiction and this blog)…… 249765
Calendar Year 2023 Novels to Date…………………… 2
Calendar Year 2023 Novellas to Date……………… 0
Calendar Year 2023 Short Stories to Date………… 4
Novels (since Oct 19, 2014)…………………………………… 73
Novellas (since Nov 1, 2015)………………………………… 9
Short stories (since Apr 15, 2014)……………………… 221
Short story collections……………………………………………… 31
Disclaimer: I am a prolific professional fiction writer. On this blog I teach Writing Into the Dark, adherence to Heinlein’s Rules, and that following the myths of fiction writing will slow your progress as a writer or stop you cold. I will never teach the myths on this blog.