Daily Journal

In Today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * A Musing on Practice and Pacing * The Writing * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “The person who makes a success of living is the one who sees his goal steadily and aims for it unswervingly. That is dedication.” Cecil B. DeMille (per 1440 Daily Digest, Jan 21, 2025) “Hope is a good breakfast, but it is a bad supper.” Francis Bacon (per 1440 Daily Digest, Jan 22, 2025) A Musing on Practice and Pacing Oh, and on practicing pacing. I talk a lot about pacing here at TNDJ, but … Read more

In Today’s Journal * Notes on Copyediting for Fiction Writers * Of Interest * The Numbers Notes on Copyediting for Fiction Writers Okay, one, I decided NOT to lay out all the things Writer’s Digest University is offering in their Copyediting Certificate Course. Just looking at it was too freakin’ depressing. In the first place, their course is intended to turn you into a professional copyeditor vs. copyediting your own work. And as a very good copyeditor with over 24 years’ experience, frankly they fall short in that regard too. Far short. For just one of many examples I could … Read more

In Today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * The Bradbury Challenge Writers Reporting * A Little More Inspiration * The Writing * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “I write every day. The work could be terrible; it could be nothing. I could be fooling myself. The extraordinary thing is that I look forward to doing the work. I can’t wait to get down to it.” Writer and painter Frederic Tuten (see Of Interest) Note: Short post today. Tomorrow I plan to talk about the upcoming copyediting course. I’ll show you what’s included in the $799 … Read more

In Today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * The Copyediting Course * An Exciting Call for Submissions * The Writing * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “Inspiration, n. The birth of a notion.” Dr. Mardy Grothe (See Of Interest) The Copyediting Course Two folks have expressed an interest thus far. If you’re interested in this, let me know. I won’t bother with investing the time to put it together unless there’s enough interest. Of course, I might still write a nonfiction book off the idea, but it wouldn’t have nearly the same impact because it … Read more

In Today’s Journal * My Quote of the Day * A New Short Story * Bradbury Reminder * Also Remember the 2025 Challenges * WDU Copyediting Certificate Program * The Writing * Of Interest * The Numbers My Quote of the Day “What we will do or want to do or think about doing or might do doesn’t matter in the slightest. What matters is what we decide to do, and then do. That is our life. All the rest is only contemplation.” A New Short Story “Mac and the Mentioners” went live yesterday at 10 a.m. on my Stanbrough … Read more

In Today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Steam Powered Typewriter! * To Be Honest * Mentorships Available * Writers Write * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “For 2025, I plan to use slow-growth strategies and steady, low budgets for advertising that lean on audience building. My goal is to spend no more than 30-60 minutes on ads per day.” Katie Cross (See the first item in Of Interest.) Steam Powered Typewriter! My endless thanks to my buddy Patrick D who provided the following link: The Steam Typewriter Thanks, Patrick. I knew I hadn’t mentally … Read more

In Today’s Journal * Steam-Powered Typewriters? * My Quote of the Day * Revisiting the Algonquin Round Table * The Writing * The Numbers Steam-Powered Typewriters? Yesterday, I assured you these existed. They did not (and do not). Sigh. It was an honest mistake. When I was writing that post, I swear I saw an article that referenced a steam-powered typewriter. I might’ve gotten confused about a behemoth typewriter that was invented at about the same time as the first steam engine. Still, I wish I’d copied the link now and included it. Couldn’t find it again today. My Quote … Read more

In Today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * What’s Keeping You…? Part 3 * The Numbers Quote of the Day “What’s keeping you from finishing—or starting—your story?” Opening sentence of a Writer’s Digest newsletter article titled “Five Steps to an Airtight Plot” (Tiffany Yates Martin, Feb 13, 2024) What’s Keeping You…? Part 3 You can read Part 1 of this series on Substack or on the Journal website. You can read Part 2 of this series on Substack  or on the Journal website. I strongly recommend you read both parts before continuing. I can wait. Okay, now let’s continue…. … Read more

In Today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Writers Write * What’s Keeping You…? Part 2 * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “What’s keeping you from finishing—or starting—your story?” Opening sentence of a Writer’s Digest newsletter article titled “Five Steps to an Airtight Plot” (Tiffany Yates Martin, Feb 13, 2024) Writers Write From Bob B. Woodward’s site has some links to good Jim Butcher posts related to a craft book by Dwight V. Swain. Karen Woodward: Jim Butcher On Writing. What’s Keeping You…? Part 2 You can read Part 1 of this series on Substack … Read more

In Today’s Journal * Ludicrous Quote of the Day * The Bradbury Challenge Writers Reporting * Blackwell Ops 34: Solomon Payne * What’s Keeping You…? Part 1 * Of Interest * The Numbers Ludicrous Quote of the Day in which an unintentional fear-peddler asks seemingly innocently, “What’s keeping you from finishing—or starting—your story?” Opening sentence of a Writer’s Digest newsletter article titled “Five Steps to an Airtight Plot” (Tiffany Yates Martin, Feb 13, 2024) What’s Keeping Me I could pretty much chew wheels and spit nails. I didn’t get to start a new novel yesterday (not that important) because a … Read more