In Today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * In an Email * Becoming the Character * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “Bobby has an invisible process. He becomes the character.” Sissy Spacek on Robert Duvall (Sound familiar?) In an Email One accomplished writer said she “just finished listening to Fahrenheit 451 on Audible. Wow. I’ve read it several times but probably the most recent was 10 years ago. What I listened to was the 60th anniversary edition. At the end of the audible version they included an afterword and coda of his. Both are gems. I … Read more

In Today’s Journal * What Is a Story Idea? * Of Interest * The Numbers What Is a Story Idea? Note: This is a much deeper take on a topic I originally posted on March 6, 2020. Some would-be writers believe story ideas are rare and wonderful things, that they arrive on the wings of a muse as the result of some kind of quasi-magical “inspiration” that only visits the gifted. And even some who consider themselves gifted believe that so-called inspiration strikes rarely, with roughly the frequency of thunderstorm driven lightning bolts in the Sahara Desert in the midst … Read more

In Today’s Journal * Be Sure to Check This Out * Smashwords’ “Read an Ebook Week” * Of Interest * The Numbers Be Sure to Check This Out As promised, Dean Wesley Smith is publishing an updated version of Killing the Top Ten Sacred Cows of Indie Publishing. He posted the Introduction today. This is too big a deal to put in Of Interest. Be sure to check it out. Smashwords’ “Read an Ebook Week” As anyone with a D2D account already knows, Smashwords is doing a site-wide promotion with its annual Read an Ebook Week. This is an advance notice. … Read more

In Today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * On Character and Setting * The Numbers Quote of the Day “The day will come when you have to call it quits. So whenever that comes, it comes. But until that time comes, live life to the fullest.” Robert Duvall On Character and Setting This post first appeared in different form in TNDJ on February 18, 2023. Even if you remember it from back then, you should read it today. One day I was exchanging emails with a fairly prominent writer about my nonfiction book, Writing the Character-Driven Story. (Note: That … Read more

In Today’s Journal * My Quote of the Day * Robert Duvall * Stanbrough Writes * That Isn’t to Say * Of Interest * The Numbers My Quote of the Day “The fundamental component necessary for success is believing in yourself, believing yourself capable.” Harvey Robert Duvall Character actor Robert Duvall has passed away. I always hoped to meet him, specifically to thank him for his portrayal of Texas Ranger Augustus McCrae in Lonesome Dove. That character was in my mind with every novel and short story I wrote in the Wes Crowley saga. He called the role his personal … Read more

In Today’s Journal * The Bradbury Challenge Report * Free College Courses in Your Interests * I Don’t Recommend Searching for Writing Courses * The Numbers The Bradbury Challenge Report Participating in any challenge is a great way to have fun and grow as a writer. The requirement is to write at least one short story per week, then let me know the title, word count, and genre per the format below. During the past week, the following writers wrote these new stories: Erin Donoho “The Meaning of Home” 2400 Contemporary Vanessa V. Kilmer “Apollo-gize” 3033 Alternative Christopher Ridge “Bathtub … Read more

In Today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * A New Short Story * On Clarity in Fiction * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “There is always some kid who may be seeing me for the first time. I owe him my best.” Joe DiMaggio Hmm… There is always some reader who might be seeing your work for the first time. You owe him your best, yes? A New Short Story “Johnny Baby” went live yesterday at 10 a.m. on my Stanbrough Writes Substack. Go check it out. It’s free. If you enjoy it, please click … Read more

In Today’s Journal * This Never Stops Being Funny * Stanbrough Writes Is Going Away * Valentine Sale * Of Interest * The Numbers This Never Stops Being Funny I recently received an email that read “Hello Hervey, “My name is Jennh Hannah. I moderate reader centered activity within Goodreads communities, including the 2026 Reading Challenge group. “I am reaching out because The Bad Country stood out during my review of titles being considered for our reader driven reward and recognition competition. There is something particularly unsettling about the way the novel places David and Mary in an isolated mountain … Read more

In Today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Tidying Up * A Great Comment * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “The same boiling water that softens a potato hardens an egg. It’s what you’re made of, not your circumstances.” widely attributed to Roald Dahl “It’s easier to fool people than it is to convince them they’ve been fooled.” widely attributed to Mark Twain “If that writer had spent the last decade (or however many years she wasted) actually writing and producing new work instead of endlessly rewriting and paying for ‘manuscript assessments,’ she would have … Read more

In Today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Attributes of Stage 4 Fiction Writers * On Stage 5 Writers * Alibi Syndicate Press * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “Life is like a ten speed bicycle. Most of us have gears we never use.” Charles Schulz Attributes of Stage 4 Fiction Writers Stage 4 Writers are free of the myths. They are fully aware and largely free of the unreasoning fears that give the myths power. They are also fully aware of Story and the nuances of the language as it applies to storytelling. Individual … Read more