Daily Journal

The Daily Journal, Monday, August 5

In today’s Journal * Topic: Which Brass Ring to Grab? * Daily diary * Of Interest * The numbers Topic: Which Brass Ring to Grab? An Allegory When you decide to learn the craft of writing (or any other craft, really), it’s like being set at the edge of a wilderness that’s steeped in a forbidding haze. To either side are a million other aspirants, all wanting the same thing, all eager to become Real Writers. From either side, you hear a million advisers say to their charges, “The journey might take years. But if you want to excel at … Read more

The Daily Journal, Sunday, August 4

In today’s Journal * If you want to read in graphic detail * Show of hands * Topic: On Critique (and Other) Groups and the Stages of Writing * Daily diary * Of Interest * The numbers If you want to read in graphic detail why the myths of writing don’t work and why most writers who cling to those myths eventually fade away, see “When Writers Hit The Wall” at https://killzoneblog.com/2019/08/when-writers-hit-the-wall.html. For my take, see my comment on that post. Now back to our regularly scheduled programming. (grin) *** Show of Hands How many of you are licensing photos … Read more

The Daily Journal, Saturday, August 3

In today’s Journal * Thought of the Day * Topic: The Art of Writing Flash Fiction * Daily diary * Of Interest * The numbers Thought of the Day “[S]cience fiction should be less about predicting the future than observing the present.” A purported belief of Ursula K. Le Guin in New Documentary Focuses on Ursula K. Le Guin. Topic: The Art of Writing Flash Fiction Although you can find The Art of Writing Flash Fiction at both Amazon, Smashwords, and other major ebook outlets, today I thought I’d present it for you here free. I’ve written flash fiction for … Read more

The Daily Journal, Friday, August 2

In today’s Journal * I’m in the middle * A fellow writer * Daily diary * Of Interest * The numbers I’m in the middle of a messy whirlwind: writing fiction and this blog; continuing to get my inventory under control; reading for pleasure and to learn more about writing; learning about copyright, trademark and licensing; learning where and how to obtain original cover art; and all the normal life and medical things that come with age. Not that I’m complaining. Fun stuff, most of it. *** A fellow writer sent me an interesting link. It might be one more … Read more

The Daily Journal, Thursday, August 1

In today’s Journal * Straight to it today * Topic: Every Story Needs an Editor…. * Daily diary * Of Interest * The numbers Straight to It Today No lollygagging about. It’s time for a little tough love. Topic: Every Story Needs an Editor (and Other Stupid Blanket Statements) I read a blog post yesterday by a writer who has stopped learning because she apparently believes she knows enough. She even wrote, point blank, if you believe your story doesn’t need other eyes on it, you must believe your words are “precious.” Ugh. I really wish I hadn’t read that. … Read more

The Daily Journal, Wednesday, July 31

In today’s Journal * Wow * I might have mentioned * Topic: Update—Keep Abreast of Your IP * Daily diary * Of Interest * The numbers Wow. Already July 31. How’d that happen? We accomplished a lot at StoneThread Publishing in July with learning about licensing (and a ton of other things). Personally, as a fiction writer, not so much. I wrote upward of 40,000 words this month, but only around 7,000 of those were fiction. (A very far cry from my 110,000-word fiction months, eh?) We at STPublishing also made huge strides on getting my IP inventory under control … Read more

The Daily Journal, Tuesday, July 30

In today’s Journal * I almost * Topic: A Good Problem to Have (and More on My Process) * Daily diary * Of Interest * The numbers I almost gave you another two-fer of topics today. At the last moment, I decided to save one for tomorrow. I think the recent surge of topics is a result of my having been away from fiction writing for so long. I think my subconscious wants so much to play that it keeps coming up with topics, which I then write on the spot and post here. (grin) So today, “A Good Problem … Read more

The Daily Journal, Monday, July 29

In today’s Journal * Your eyes * Topic: How to Get More Sales * Topic: Writing and Publishing * Daily diary * Of Interest * The numbers Your eyes do not deceive you. Today is a two-topic day. Both are essential. (Well, if I didn’t think so, I wouldn’t have written them. Duh) So let’s jump right in. Topic: How to Get More Sales I started to add “at Amazon” to the title of this topic, but it will help improve your sales in all venues. I’m taking a free Reedsy lessons-by-email course on Amazon algorithms. Not that I’ll try … Read more

The Daily Journal, Sunday, July 28

In today’s Journal * Thanks * Quote of the Day * Another Recommendation * Topic: Why Google Play, Why All the Emphasis on Spreadsheets, and What About Length? * Daily diary * Of Interest * The numbers Thanks for all the comments over the past couple of days. I appreciate knowing you’re out there. Besides, you guys offer up some valuable advice! You can always share here through comments. Quote of the Day “If you capture the right beginning, you’ve written a small version of the whole.” Les Edgerton Another Recommendation In case you missed it in yesterday’s comments, Bob … Read more

The Daily Journal, Saturday, July 27

In today’s Journal * Because * Quotes of the Day * Topic: A Recommendation * Daily diary * Of Interest * The numbers Because (according to MailChimp) so few of you click-through to items in “Of Interest,” I’m putting this early in the body of this post: See “Day Job Thinking” at https://www.deanwesleysmith.com/day-job-thinking/. This is a great, extremely important post. Please read it carefully, maybe a couple of times. By the way, I’m not complaining about the click-throughs. I like to believe you aren’t clicking through on “Of Interest” items because you’re already checking them on your own. But I … Read more