Daily Journal

The Journal, Monday, March 26

Hey Folks, Well, it’s Sunday as I write this, but I won’t post it until Monday, after I’ve written something. I only opened the boilerplate today to add the first bit in “Of Interest.” I’ll add others (if any) tomorrow before I post. Okay, now it’s Monday morning. The first thing I did was revise my “The Original Heinlein’s Rules” post (I added 450 words) and scheduled it for May 29 over on the big blog. When it pops up, I hope you’ll read it. It’s considerably different from when I posted it here back on March 9. Editing this … Read more

The Journal, Saturday, March 24

Hey Folks, Well, I decided to post this today mostly to share the “Of Interest” section. Well, and to publish the following topic. This one will be on the big blog in May as well. Topic: On Publishing, Indie-Publishing and Making a Name as a Published Author I received another query today from a writer who’s interested in a copyedit. He also asked whether I would help him find an agent and a traditional publisher. Uhh, no. After I explained why I thought the agent chase and traditional publishing in general was not a good idea, he wrote in reponse … Read more

The Journal, Friday, March 23

Hey Folks, Well, the copyedit came in. The plan was to copyedit the first few hours of the morning, then spend the rest of the day writing. But some glitches occurred today that kept me from going onto my own writing. I went out to the Hovel a few times, but was always called away. Finally I gave up on writing today and decided to focus on the copyedit. As I was doing that, I decided since the weekend’s coming up, I’ll plan to work only on the edit tomorrow and Sunday too. That should finish it (early) and I … Read more

The Journal, Thursday, March 22

Hey Folks, Well, the doc appointment was rescheduled by the office for next Tuesday. And I shed myself of the problem I’ve had for the past few days. So today I get to write. I also have a few chores to do, so this will be one of those Keep Coming Back days. We’ll see how it goes. *** According to my friend Dan Baldwin, “The Writer has an article on ‘How To Write A Book In 90 Days’ in eight simple steps. First step – take a month to prepare.” (grin) Thanks for the tip, Dan. *** Spent the … Read more

The Journal, Wednesday, March 21

Hey Folks, Out to the Hovel early but I didn’t turn to the novel right away. Instead I wrote a nonfiction piece that probably most of you will never see. Maybe more background for my next WIP, I don’t know. Then I worked on the current novel. After I had about 1600 words done, I headed out to check the PO at about 11, then back home. I boiled some eggs a couple days ago, and I had the bright idea that I’d make some deviled eggs as a surprise for my wife. So I decided to do that. The … Read more

The Journal, Tuesday, March 20

Hey Folks, Oh, if anyone wants to visit my site to see the changes in the menu that I mentioned yesterday, visit http://HarveyStanbrough.com. Sorry I didn’t include the link yesterday. And thanks to my friend Robert (by the way, that’s pronounced ro-BEAR as he is an honorary Acadian), for the gentle reminder. (grin) I still have a little work to do in that regard. A few fixes to target pages to make them more negotiable. But no rush on that. I learned yesterday that I have a new copyedit coming in, so I’ll be splitting my time between earning money … Read more

The Journal, Monday, March 19

Hey Folks, No writing today. More on that (through gritted teeth) later. Well, I simplified my website a bit, based on recommendations in the link I shared here a couple days ago. No drop-down menus on the home page. Now when you click (for example) Mystery Novels, it takes you to a page full of mystery novel covers. Each cover links to its own page on the site. They also recommended having only one row of menu items. I decided against that. I write in (so far) four differnt genres plus short fiction and poetry. So I decided to leave … Read more

The Journal, Sunday, March 18

Hey Folks, Okay, from the time I awoke this morning, I decided today would be a nonwriting day. My wife and I are in the midst of straightening, rearranging and cleaning our house, and it’s actually kinda fun. Also I felt a day off might help separate my WIP and my probable next WIP from each other in my mind. As I’m writing in the former, it’s racing right along, no problem. But bits and dregs of my probable next project keep squeezing out from between the polyps in my brain. As I have only a few polyps left, I … Read more

The Journal, Saturday, March 17

Hey Folks, Just a touch-up on yesterday’s topic re Lee Child and his buddy, Jack Reacher…. It occurred to me last night that some of the (what I saw as) excess description and unnecessary repetition might well be the result of his publisher’s prodding. After all, the novel length guidelines we’ve heard about all our lives are the direct result of traditional publishers needing to make a price point. To hit a particular price point, they need a certain number of folios. They tell the agents, and the agents push the writers to fill a certain number of pages. Many, … Read more

The Journal, Friday, March 16

Hey Folks, Sometimes I’m in such a foul mood, my only escape is into my fiction. There I can pal around with the people I like. And I can kill the ones I don’t like. *** Topic: Ongoing Learning A couple of days ago, I started reading the second Jack Reacher book Lee Child ever wrote. And his first Jack Reacher book was also very his first novel and a New York Times bestseller. That “bestseller” label doesn’t always do it for me, but this is very good stuff. The guy’s an excellent writer. As opposed, say, to someone else … Read more