Daily Journal

The Journal: MOM (Moaning Over Misery)

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * A Lot Slower Yesterday * In a continuation of my MOM * The Numbers Quote of the Day “Being a writer does not make you an editor. And being an editor definitely does not make you a writer.” me A Lot Slower Yesterday Well, my progress on my recast novel was a lot slower day yesterday. I ran into the part of Book 4 that I kept, the thread that had nothing to do with the death that caused me to recast the novel. A cautionary note: If I had it … Read more

The Journal: Just Rambling

In today’s Journal * Just Rambling * On the other hand * The Numbers Just Rambling I’m constantly amazed by other “professional” writers, and all too often in a negative way. That sense of amazement makes me feel really blessed that I have my particular attitude and personality. I’m glad I can actually achieve and not simply talk about achieving. I’m glad, as a writer, I understand that actually writing is a thousand times better and more fun than talking about writing or the dreaded “deciding to be more proactive and assertive about writing.” I know a lot of people … Read more

The Journal: Opening Up a World Early

In today’s Journal * Opening up a World Early * Good day * The Numbers Opening Up a World Early A few days ago, one of my first readers emailed to say he’d awakened that morning with “an idea for another [FOH] storyline that could be interesting.” Then he asked whether he should “pitch it” to me or “write it up” like I offered with the Galaxy stories. I told him to go ahead and write it if he wants. So I’ll open that world up to others too. To save me reinventing the wheel, here’s the note I sent … Read more

The Journal: The Ongoing Saga

In today’s Journal * The Ongoing Saga of Recasting a Novel * The Numbers The Ongoing Saga of Recasting a Novel The first two days went more slowly than I’d hoped. I hadn’t remembered how much of the original Book 4 was predicated on and directly affected by Isabel’s death. So cycling won’t work. Cycling means reading and allowing yourself to touch the story as you read. That is not helpful when recasting a book. Remember, I’ve never done this before so I’m learning as I go. As I read, cycling through the book, my conscious, critical mind kept popping … Read more

The Journal: Mourning Characters, and Rewriting vs. Recasting

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * As you will see * Topic: Mourning Characters, and Rewriting vs. Recasting * Now it’s almost 9 a.m. * Yesterday and today * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “It’s never too early to start something new, and it’s never too late to fix what’s broken for next time.” Wes Crowley “WRITING A BOOK is a lonely pursuit, one that can take years of solitary work.” Kate Knibbs, a senior writer at WIRED “Yes. Alas, writing a book is such terrible drudgery. BWAAAAAhahahahahahahahahaha!” me As you will see, it seemed appropriate … Read more

The Journal: Happy New Year, Yesterday, Cycling and Heinlein’s Rules

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Happy New Year * Thanks * Topic: Yesterday, Cycling, and the Two Days Before * Yesterday too, an article * Heinlein’s Rules * Annual Recap * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “It’s never too early to start something new, and it’s never too late to fix what’s broken for next time.” Wes Crowley “Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365-page book. Write a good one.” Brad Paisley (thanks to Sam T for sharing this) For those of you who wait to begin a new year on January 1, … Read more

The Journal: An Open Statement on “Diversity” in Fiction

In today’s Journal * Welcome * Yesterday * Topic: An Open Statement on “Diversity” in Fiction * The Numbers Welcome to Bill S., the most recent subscriber to the Journal. Well, a pretty good day yesterday, but only because a day with any writing is better than a day without any. I fell far short of my goal, and really for no good reason. I just got lazy. Still, every little bit helps. Topic: An Open Statement on “Diversity” in Fiction Yesterday too, a reader pointed out that I “haven’t mentioned diversity very much on [T]he Ark.” That’s true. I … Read more

The Journal: On Traditional Publishing

In today’s Journal * Topic: On Traditional Publishing * Yesterday and Today * The Numbers Topic: On Traditional Publishing Be sure to check out David Farland’s link in “Of Interest” today, and then let’s all have a good cry for traditional publishing. If you didn’t catch it, that was sarcasm. For a major writer who influences so many other writers to defend traditional publishing so stringently, especially while omitting a lot of pertinent information, borders on the irresponsible. I can only wonder how many writers were on the verge of beginning their careers as indie publishers only to be nudged … Read more

The Journal: Welcome

In today’s Journal * Welcome * The Numbers Welcome to our new friend Yakov and any others who have subscribed or started reading the Journal in recent days. If I can do anything to help with your writing, feel free to email me at harveystanbrough@gmail.com. Now and then I miss a day posting, Yakov, as I almost did today, when I have nothing to pass along. Nothing else today but I wanted to get “Of Interest” out to you. Just writing. Yesterday I officially went over 100,000 words for the month. Oops. I screwed up and forgot to add a … Read more

The Journal: Today, an Odd Compilation

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * A do-over * New cats * This morning * Topic: “Thread” vs. “Outline” * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “It was only when publishing house after publishing house, agent after agent had rejected my submissions, and I’d decided that no one was ever going to read my books, that I threw the rules out the window. I then simply wrote what I wanted to write, wrote how the stories came to me, was true to them and my characters. Then I published myself … And I’ve sold more than two … Read more