Daily Journal

The Journal: Spreading Yourself Thin?

In today’s Journal * Not Much * Spreading Yourself Thin? * Of Interest Not much of anything today. Mostly I just wanted to touch base and recommend the items listed in “Of Interest.” Dean’s post is time-sensitive if you want to back his current Kickstarter campaign. Spreading Yourself Thin? I also thought I’d share a bit of advice I sent another writer via email this morning. He emailed me to ask whether I thought it was possible for writers to “stretch themselves too thin,” for example writing plays and novels and short stories (not his specific example). No, I don’t. … Read more

The Journal: Some Thoughts on Writing and Writers

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Topic: Some Thoughts on Writing and Writers * Of Interest Quotes of the Day “Writers, of course, make the worst enemies.” Emily Temple (Appropos of nothing—I just like the quote.) “Writing is a joy. … If it’s not, something is wrong with the process. … For those who are mired in the ‘sweat equity’ of writing, please, for now, consider your approach and your attitude—and try something completely different.” Dan Baldwin in “Sweating Blood And Now For Something Completely Different” Topic: Some Thoughts on Writing and Writers My apology in advance … Read more

The Journal: It’s Much Easier

In today’s Journal * It’s Much Easier * Of Interest It’s Much Easier Over at the Kill Zone Blog a day ago, James Scott Bell posted an interesting question: “Should Writing Be Easy?” Naturally, I commented. Of course writing is easy. You’re sitting alone in a room, making stuff up. What could be easier than that? But I wasn’t quite that flippant in my actual comment. I wrote that, “Writing is easy (and fun!) for those who are able to trust their creative subconscious and not allow the conscious, critical mind to second-guess them and shut them down.” Which of … Read more

The Journal: A Little Fun Today

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * A Little Fun Today * Of Interest Quotes of the Day “The advocacy of the three-million-member organization for censorship is a chilling position for any group representing educators.” Jonathan Turley “I’ve put in so many enigmas and puzzles that it will keep the professors busy for centuries arguing over what I meant, and that’s the only way of insuring one’s immortality.” James Joyce A Little Fun Today Again, the Kill Zone rises up to hand me a topic, but this time it isn’t something to argue against. This time, Garry Rodgers’ … Read more

The Journal: Believe in Yourself, Part 3

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Read the Contract * Topic: Cycling (What It Is, How to Do It) * Maybe I Should Write a Book * Of Interest Quotes of the Day “READ THE DAMN CONTRACT BEFORE YOU SIGN IT! READ THE DAMN CONTRACT BEFORE YOU SIGN IT! READ THE DAMN CONTRACT BEFORE YOU SIGN IT! READ THE DAMN CONTRACT BEFORE YOU SIGN IT! READ THE DAMN CONTRACT BEFORE YOU SIGN IT!” The Passive Guy (an attorney well-versed in copyright law) “An author who has spent hours and days and weeks and months writing a book … Read more

The Journal: Believe in Yourself, Part 2

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * I almost went back * Topic: Believe in Yourself, Part 2 * Of Interest Quote of the Day “The devaluation of music and what it’s now deemed to be worth is laughable to me. My single costs 99 cents. That’s what a [single] cost in 1960. On my phone, I can get an app for 99 cents that makes fart noises — the same price as the thing I create and speak to the world with. Some would say the fart app is more important. It’s an awkward time. Creative brains … Read more

The Journal: Believe in Yourself

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Topic: Believe in Yourself * Of Interest Quotes of the Day [I]f you are really writing from your creative voice, it just ain’t possible to control it or steer it.” Dean Wesley Smith “[S]ince I never go into the writing with any idea what I am doing, I have been surprised every day what has appeared. And not questioning anything, just going for the ride and having fun.” Dean Wesley Smith “A year from now you will wish you had started today.” Karen Lamb Topic: Believe in Yourself In “Of Interest” … Read more

The Journal: Dave Farland (David Wolverton)

In today’s Journal * David Wolverton * Of Interest David Wolverton I’m still here, and there are some good things in “Of Interest.” But my main reason for posting today is to pass along some sad news. John David Wolverton, better known as Dave Farland or David Wolverton, suffered a massive heart attack yesterday and passed away last night. Our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and fans the world over. Dave’s departure is a huge loss to fiction and to the world in general. He, Dean Wesley Smith and Kris Rusch were longtime friends. Dean posted a great pic … Read more

The Journal: General Tidbits

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * The quote of the day… * This is the year you’ll finish your book * I was glancing over * If I May * Of Interest Quote of the Day “Publishers can’t publish without writers.” Dan Baldwin in “Son of Why Is This A Good Idea?” (see “Of Interest”) The quote of the day is a massive UmYup, a solid statement of fact, and one that is empowering for writers. From early school, we are taught that our creative subconscious (and ourselves and whatever we’ve learned) are inadequate to tell a … Read more

The Journal: Truly Stupid Advice and “Deep POV”

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Altered Brain Chemistry * Truly Stupid Advice * Topic: Deep POV * Of Interest Quotes of the Day “[J]ournalists need to be overt and candid advocates for social justice, and it’s hard to do that under the constraints of objectivity.” Stanford journalism professor Ted Glasser (As a writer, I personally see censorship as a bad thing. Your opinion might vary.) Altered Brain Chemistry From a dear friend whom I believe would not mind me sharing: “By now, you’re probably aware that the one change in your life—giving up nicotine in all … Read more