Daily Journal

In Today’s Journal * On the Purpose of Description * The Numbers On the Purpose of Description I often hear or read that any description a writer includes in a story should advance the story line. Um, not true. Plus it gives the writer the idea that s/he should ‘think’ about the description. The plot—this happens and then that happens and then another thing happens (as Bradbury said, the footprints that are left behind as the characters run through the story)—advances the storyline. And of course, in an authentic story that’s unfolding before your eyes, you can’t preplan that. But … Read more

In Today’s Journal * How to (and How Not to) Set Goals: Part 2 * A Writer Emailed Me * Of Interest * The Numbers How to (and How Not to) Set Goals: Part 2 Please read Part 1 of this post on Substack or on the Journal website. Let’s pull up our big-kid pants and face it: In any endeavor, defeat absolutely sucks. “Failing to success,” when it spurs you to greater heights, can be a good thing. But when it serves as a catalyst to accept or even expect that you “can’t” do something…. well, as my mama … Read more

In Today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * How to (and How Not to) Set Goals: Part 1 * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “I know I am weird, setting up a challenge I was almost certain I would fail at. But unlike many of you, I have no fear of failure and can use failure to move forward. The short story challenge was a perfect example.” Dean Wesley Smith, on his previous ‘big’ challenge (see Of Interest) How to (and How Not to) Set Goals Note: This is a two-parter. I didn’t want to … Read more

In Today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * File Management? * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “The soul should always stand ajar, ready to welcome the ecstatic experience.” Emily Dickinson File Management? A writer emailed asking about how I handle file management (so organization) for my writing. I haven’t talked about this for a year or three, so I thought I’d walk you through it here. First, I have Dropbox, and it’s installed on both my writing ‘puter and my business ‘puter. I use Dropbox because all my files update on all my computers at … Read more

In Today’s Journal * Your Morning Serial * Yesterday and the Day Before * On Book Covers and Sales Copy * The Numbers I haven’t posted a pic for awhile, so….   I’m on the western edge of the Chihuahua Desert. This is the view I have (facing west) each early morning as I leave the Hovel to head up to the house for another cup of coffee. Those are the Whetstone Mountains. Just thought I’d share. Your Morning Serial Chapter 16 of The Rise of a Warrior just posted yesterday over on Your Morning Serial. There’s some good dialogue … Read more

In Today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * The Future of TNDJ * The TNDJ Challenges Report * On Book Covers and Sales Copy * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “One has to regard a man as a Master who can produce on average three uniquely brilliant and entirely original similes to every page.” Evelyn Waugh, of Dr. Mardy Grothe’s ‘mystery man’ (see today’s Of Interest). For more examples of great similes, see any fiction written by Raymond Chandler. The Future of TNDJ Beginning on January 1, 2026, most issues of TNDJ will go only … Read more

In Today’s Journal * A New Short Story * The Impending Demise of Your Morning Serial * A Writer Comments on the Challenges * Another Writer Wondered Why… * Of Interest * The Numbers A New Short Story Some were concerned when a new short story didn’t come out on Friday. Oops. I forgot to announce even to those who are subscribe to Stanbrough Writes that I switched the free story of the week to come out on Saturdays from now on. Mea culpa. Anyway, the next story in the rotation did come out yesterday and everything’s fine. “The Brief, … Read more

In Today’s Journal * One More Note… * A New Nonfiction Book? Nah… * Meanwhile, the Novel * Of Interest * The Numbers One More Note… on POV self-description and on the POV character speaking directly to the reader through narration. This is another note I sent a mentorship student yesterday. Like anyone else, I realize different things at different times, or update previous realizations later, or find another way to explain. In this particular story, the POV character is awakened by knocking on the door of his apartment, in which he also has a roommate: The POV character (or … Read more

In Today’s Journal * Flip-Flop * Professional Critiques * Of Interest * The Numbers Flip-Flop I didn’t plan to do this but I’m flip-flopping on my mentorship offer. I recently offered mentorships to all comers, but I’m rescinding that offer and closing down the mentorships again. Those currently in a mentorship can continue as long as they want, but I’m not taking on any new mentorship students. Why? Because as I was answering one student’s questions yesterday, it dawned on me that I really miss teaching live seminars and mentoring students one-on-one in person. Teaching live is interactive. In a … Read more

In Today’s Journal * My Quote of the Day * I Had Another Thought re POV Character Description * Another Thought on Scams, and Not Scams * Yesterday * Of Interest * The Numbers My Quote of the Day “The nasally lilt of his voice reminds me of Truman Capote combined with an ancient, whiskey-soaked barfly: whiny, but with the sound of heavy iron chains being dragged over gravel.” POV character Jack Striker in BO-53 I Had Another Thought re POV character description in a first-person narrative: Third-person limited omniscient (or full omniscient) narrative is by far the easier way … Read more