The Journal: Character with a Problem, Part 2

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Ooh I was so tempted * Censorship * Pro Writers Writing * Topic: Character with a Problem, Part 2 * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “One of the things Dean Wesley Smith talks about is how he learns himself through teaching. I feel that this has been as much about me learning as anything. Putting down my thoughts about things I’ve learned over the years has helped to crystalize and solidify them for me.” Sean Monaghan in a comment on Pro Writers Writing “For those of you who have already … Read more

The Journal: Character with a Problem

In today’s Journal * Topic: Character with a Problem * Additional References * The Numbers Topic: Character with a Problem Yesterday, I received a complimentary email from a writer. In it, he initiated two topics, one intentional and one peripheral. The more important is the peripheral one, so I’ll talk about that today. Many times, I’ve said all you need to start a story is a character with a problem in a setting. In his email, the writer wrote, “I have no trouble with the setting part. That’s what comes to me first. (Like the painting that has given you … Read more

The Journal: Information

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Information * Yesterday turned out * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “You need to remember this. The cat sat on the mat,” said David. “That’s not a story. But the cat sat on a dog’s mat. Now that’s a story.” Kate Weinberg quoting David Cornwell (AKA John LeCarre) “The writing is a great palliative…” David Cornwell (AKA John LeCarre) Information I don’t think I’ve mentioned this “Colliding Worlds” Kickstarter here before, so I’ll mention it now. Seems like a great deal to me if you enjoy reading science fiction. See … Read more

The Journal: Trust Your Process

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Topic: Trust Your Process * Only a little over * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “I have always read to be entertained, and have always written to return the favor.” John Gilstrap “I often tell people that I don’t want to think too hard about the creative process for fear of breaking a machine that I don’t know how to fix.” John Gilstrap “Remember always that the voice in your head is unique to you. Even a well-meaning teacher can ruin that voice if you’re not steadfast in your defense … Read more

The Journal: A New Nonfiction Book Is Coming

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Anyone can figure out * Are you one * Topic: A New Nonfiction Book Is Coming * I had a good day writing * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “One thing that apparently still has the power to infuriate people, though, is how many spaces should be used after a period at the end of an English sentence.” from an article sent to me by a friend via email “I’ve gotten lots of advice in my novel writing career. Some of it good. Much of it stupid. It just took … Read more

The Journal: A Mind-Control Technique

In today’s Journal * Topic: A Mind-Control Technique * Help Keep Me in Cigars * Be Wary * The Numbers Note: Today’s post is around twice as long as usual, but it’s very informative. Topic: A Mind-Control Technique (and Why to Use It) You’ve heard it here at least a few times: When you allow your POV character (not yourself) to describe a setting, it’s a good idea to let the character use all five of his or her physical senses: sight, smell, sound, touch, and taste. I also recommend letting the POV character use his emotional senses: dread, elation, … Read more

The Journal: A Bestseller Goes Indie (and Why)

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * See the rest * I wrote nothing * The Numbers Quote of the Day “Which brings us to the huge burning question: what will the publisher do for us that will be worth giving up 3/4 of our money forever? A publisher would have to make a very compelling argument and that argument can’t be just ‘We will give you a big advance.’ Here is why the advance argument falls flat on its face. “Let’s say we get an advance of $100,000 for a book price $4.99. The book sells 30,000 … Read more

The Journal: Decisions, Decisions

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * I started writing * Decisions, decisions… * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “Traditional publishing and selling physical books are, in the 21st century, narrow-margin operations without a lot of room for error or financial difficulties.” The Passive Guy “[E]ven fools can often recognize a death spiral.” The Passive Guy, talking about the book business, but easily relatable to other endeavors as well “Leonard, we know you’re great, we just don’t know if you’re any good.” CBS Records President and CEO Walter Yetnikoff to Leonard Cohen, as reported by Joe Hartlaub … Read more

The Journal: Story Ideas

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Topic: Story Ideas * A slow start * The Numbers Quote of the Day “A government of, by, and for the people requires that people talk to people, that we can agree to disagree but do so in civility. If we let the politicians and those who report dictate our discourse, then our course will be dictated.” Donna Brazile (thanks to the Passive Guy) Note: Beyond hinting at censorship, the Quote of the Day has nothing to do with writing. I included it only because it is so closely related to … Read more

The Journal: A Run-on Sentence? Nope.

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * An alternate dictionary * A Little Fun * A Run-on Sentence? Nope. * No writing yesterday * The Numbers Quote of the Day “Noir is urban gothic—hopeless. Hardboiled is gritty and unsentimental.” Garry Rodgers For maybe the past 40 years or so, I’ve been slowly compiling an alternate dictionary of sorts as a mental exercise, something similar to The Devil’s Dictionary by Ambrose Bierce. Despite its name, Bierce’s dictionary has nothing to do with Satan, by the way. If you’re not familiar with it, you can find a free copy at … Read more