Search Results for: physical senses

The Journal, Friday, September 13

In today’s Journal * I had this * A special bonus * Topic: On Word Choice and Distractions in Fiction * Related to today’s topic * The numbers I had this short post all set to go out yesterday, then got busy and forgot to post it. And shock of shocks, the world didn’t end. (grin) I guess it’s all right that I’m not hitting it every day after all. As a special bonus for those who are hanging-in with the Journal, please be sure to check the comments on Dean’s “Dumbest New Myth In Writing” at https://www.deanwesleysmith.com/dumbest-new-myth-in-writing/#comments. A ton … Read more

The Daily Journal, Saturday, June 15

In today’s Journal * Happy Father’s Day (tomorrow) * I cast about my mind * Topic: How to Practice (and Improve) * Daily diary * Of Interest * The numbers Here in the US, tomorrow is Father’s Day. Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there, in the US and elsewhere. I am blessed that my youngest son is visiting this weekend. *** I cast about my mind this morning, fishing for ideas for a topic for today’s Journal. I found too many, and they overlapped, but not in a good way. Rather than complementing each other, they contrasted … Read more

The Daily Journal, Thursday, April 4

In today’s Journal ▪ A little trivia ▪ Topic: Writing Action Scenes ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers According to a promo email I received yesterday, Motorolo made the first cellular phone call 46 years ago yesterday. Feelin’ old yet? (grin) *** Topic: Writing Action Scenes I’ve wanted to write a post on this for awhile now, and it’s finally time. This post results directly from a high-action scene, a fight scene, I wrote yesterday. It was probably the best high-action scene I’ve ever written. It isn’t so much a “how-to” as a “how-I-do-it” essay. All of … Read more

The Daily Journal, Monday, January 21

Hey Folks, Update: I talked with Mark Alpert via email. He did not take down his post at the Kill Zone blog. According to Alpert, unspecified others at TKZ took it down because it was “too political.” I can understand that, given that the stated purpose of the blog is to provide “Insider perspectives from top thriller and mystery writers.” But I still don’t like censorship. Oddly, I lost a long-time (over a year) subscriber yesterday too. I believe she left because of my response. Possibly I wrote too much re the Alpert column. I can’t apologize for that. This … Read more

The Journal, Tuesday, November 27

Hey Folks, A new favorite quote: “Don’t ever write anything you don’t like yourself and if you do like it, don’t take anyone’s advice about changing it. They just don’t know.” — Raymond Chandler And another one: “The more you reason the less you create.” — Raymond Chandler Topic: Learning and Being Remminded Professional athletes, first responders and others work in occupations where strength and flexibility are necessary. For those who are conscientious in those jobs, training and exercise never stop. If they do, strength and flexibility reach a plateau, then begin to decline. Muscles begin to atrophy as they … Read more

The Journal, Tuesday, April 24

Hey Folks, Great “Of Interest” section today. Don’t skip over Lee Lofland’s blog post just because maybe you aren’t a crime/police/detective writer. Using all the senses is a skill you need in ANY fiction. Topic: Aging as Excuse A young Marine Corps friend of mine recently posted on Facebook that he’s met 40 year olds who are old and 80 year olds who are young. I agree. In fact, I commented there that “I still tell people I’m 26, but I was rode hard and put away wet. Plus I have 39 years’ experience at being 26, so I’m REALLY … Read more

Gervasio Arrancado

New! To read an interview with Gervasio, please Click Here. Gervasio Arrancado was born in a small shack in Mexico and raised in the orphanage at Agua Idelfonso, several kilometers, give or take a few, from the fictional fishing village of Agua Rocosa. He is fortunate to have made the acquaintance of Augustus McCrae, Hub and Garth McCann, El Mariachi, Forest Gump, The Bride (Black Mamba), Agents J and K, a very old man with enormous wings, Juan-Carlos Salazár, Maldito, the chupacabra and several other notables. Gervasio visits regularly with his friend Nick Porter, whom he fondly calls Paco (nobody … Read more