Daily Journal

In Today’s Journal * Little or Nothing * In the Meantime * The Numbers Little or Nothing to talk about today. I’ll add to the novel this morning. I suspect it will wrap in the next day or two or maybe three. Probably like most of you, I’ll check election results now and then. After all, it’s only every two or four years. This afternoon I have a doc appointment (routine). I’ll deliver a test sample, undergo a very minor procedure, and and be back in the TNDJ saddle tomorrow morning. In the Meantime a couple of things…… 1. I’m … Read more

In Today’s Journal * Election Day 2024 * A Cover Blurb Speaks for Itself * The Writing * A Reminder * Of Interest * The Numbers Election Day 2024 I will not tell you whom to vote for. That is neither my place nor the place of anyone else. But it is incumbent upon us all to urge others to vote. You vote anyway, either by casting a ballot or by not casting a ballot. Please do the former, and make your voice heard. That is the single most important activity you can achieve today. A Cover Blurb Speaks for … Read more

In Today’s Journal * The Bradbury Challenge Writers Reporting * An Encounter With Critical Voice * “The Breath Formed” * Christopher Fried * The Numbers The Bradbury Challenge Writers Reporting I really wish more of you guys would jump into this. C’mon, show us what you’ve got. The whole point is to have fun and grow as a writer. There is no cost. The only requirement is to write at least one short story per week. (I’m no longer keeping track of your longer fiction. Too erratic.) During the past week, in addition to whatever other fiction they’re writing, the … Read more

In Today’s Journal * More on Replacing “It” * A New ‘Down in the Weeds’ Newsletter? * About ‘Down in the Weeds’ * ‘Down in the Weeds’ Is Not a Done Deal. * Of Interest * The Numbers More on Replacing “It” A writer asked whether you should also guard against repetition when you replace vague pronouns (that is, pronouns whose antecedents are vague) with a noun or proper name. The answer is Maybe. It depends. (Yes, an example is coming.) The writer also reminded me that although I recommend AGAINST conscious-mind ‘revising,’ ‘rewriting,’ and ‘editing,’ I also hold that … Read more

In Today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * A New Short Story * Over a Million Consumable Words * The Darling Members Club * The Writing * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” George Bernard Shaw “November, n. The eleventh twelfth of a weariness.” Ambrose Bierce in The Devil’s Dictionary A New Short Story “The Breath Formed” went live yesterday at 10 a.m. on my Stanbrough Writes Substack. Go check it out. Bring tissues. A note on the writing—If you want … Read more

In Today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * First, a Caution * Welcome to November, and an Update * Writing Better Fiction * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “No big challenge has ever been solved, and no lasting improvement has ever been achieved, unless people dare to try something different.” Tim Cook, Apple CEO Note that Mr. Cook didn’t say ‘something hard.’ He said ‘something different.’ If you want to solve the challenge of writing fiction, dare to try writing into the dark. Just sayin’. First, a Serious Caution About the November Challenges As a … Read more

In Today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Being Too Vague Is Not Good * Another Reminder * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “Once we realize we are all members of humanity, we will want to compete in the spirit of love.” Muhammad Ali “You must learn to be still in the midst of activity and to be vibrantly alive in repose.” Indira Gandhi Being Too Vague Is Not Good I’ve said many times that a good fiction writer is continually learning more about the craft of fiction writing. Despite the proliferation of how-to books … Read more

In Today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * A Very Short Post * Just a Reminder * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “I’ve been making it my goal to write everyday, and get 7,000 words a week. The only way to learn any craft is to exercise it! There were some rough patches getting started (old fears coming back into play etc.) but I’m glad to say Ive been pretty consistent over the last few months, and many times I end up exceeding my goal. I feel myself learning more about myself as a writer … Read more

In Today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Free Nonfiction Books: A Reminder * Priorities * When You Buy a Used Laptop * The Writing * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “[As I was jogging in place while watching a video,] I heard a voice say, ‘You didn’t say anything about why I set up the display in the first place. Are you interested?’ Of course I was interested, and now I’ve added another 156 words to a story I thought was finished. So the lesson—listen to that quiet voice that has such impact. It … Read more

In today’s Journal * November Challenge Expanded * The Bradbury Challenge Writers Reporting * Writers Write * The Writing * KKR’s Reading Program * Of Interest * The Numbers November Challenge Expanded Owing to a friend reminding me that November is also National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo, and see below), I’ve expanded the upcoming November challenge. On October 26 I announced the Stephen King Challenge (see below): 1000 words per day, or 30,000 words for the month. I’m adding a second challenge for anyone who’s intrigued with the NaNo goal of writing a 50,000 word novel in a month. The … Read more