The Journal: A Really Good Day

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * A really good day yesterday * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “We know the human brain is a device to keep the ears from grating on one another.” Peter De Vries “I write when I’m inspired, and I see to it that I’m inspired at nine o’clock every morning.” Peter De Vries “We all learn by experience, but some of us have to go to summer school.” Peter De Vries Oof. December 1 already. I had a really good day yesterday to close out November with over … Read more

The Journal: Critical Mind vs. Creative Mind

In today’s Journal * Nobody noticed * Deposit Photo * Started The Journey Home: Part 2 * Topic: On Specificity and the Critical Mind vs. the Creative Mind * Of Interest * The Numbers I forgot to add the cover for The Ark to yesterday’s post. Oops. On the other hand, apparently nobody noticed so no big deal. Anyway, you can see the cover and read a description at https://stonethreadpublishing.com/the-ark/. I think it’s a great cover, one of my better ones. (Later I’ll be revising the description sales copy, but for now it will do.) Deposit Photo is currently running … Read more

The Journal: Don’t Be Dismayed. Have Fun.

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Topic: Don’t Be Dismayed, Be Determined. And Have Fun. * Yesterday by 9 a.m. * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “Every day is another chance to make it happen. That’s why I don’t wait until Monday.” a United Parcel Service (UPS) ad “Execution beats luck.” from the FS.blog newsletter “Nothing other people do is because of you. It is because of themselves. All people live in their own dream, in their own mind; they are in a completely different world from the one we live … Read more

The Journal: Bradbury, and the Novel Is Finished

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * About Bradbury’s Quote * The novel is finished * I’m a lucky guy * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “When I started writing seriously, I made the major discovery of my life—that I am right and everybody else is wrong if they disagree with me. What a great thing to learn: Don’t listen to anyone else, and always go your own way.” Ray Bradbury (thanks to Phillip M.) About Bradbury’s Quote — I believe the only way to “not listen to anyone else” when writing is to … Read more

The Journal: Passion vs. the Critical Mind

In today’s Journal * Lest anyone misunderstand * I’m learning how to walk * The novel is writing itself * Of Interest * The Numbers Lest anyone misunderstand my recent post about passion, my intention was not to dissuade anyone from writing. My intention was to describe my own passion and to suggest you follow yours, whatever it may be. Nothing wrong with that. However, I also rail here regularly about the (evil) power of the conscious, critical mind and various ways it can stop you from writing. So let me add this to my previous post on passion: If … Read more

The Journal: Silliness and Dystopia

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Happy Thanksgiving * Ridiculous “Are You Kidding Me?” Joke of the Day * Today will be an abbreviated writing day * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “It is difficult to free fools from the chains they revere.” Voltaire Happy Thanksgiving. I hope you and yours will enjoy a thoughtful, peaceful Thanksgiving day. Ridiculous “Are You Kidding Me?” Joke of the Day Disclaimer: I’m not offering an opinion here—political, philosophical or otherwise—only food for thought. Today over on TKZ you’ll find “True Crime Thursday – How Not to … Read more

The Journal: Take Your Time

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Topic: Take Your Time * “That” and other words of interest * Great writing day * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.” Pablo Picasso “My goal is to live my life in such a way that when I die, someone can say, she cared.” Mary Kay Ash (thanks to Sam T. for the tip) “In 1977, I wrote my autobiography. Since I was dealing with my favorite subject, I wrote at length and I ended with 640,000 words.” Isaac … Read more

The Journal: Find Your Passion

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Farewell and welcome * Topic: Find Your Passion * Goal talk * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “When you’re too focused on making money you lose touch with the person you want to be.” Anonymous from an article I read “Staying home for the entire year was sort of a vacation for me, and I had more time to write.” Kay DiBianca Farewell to subscriber “canyonwhispers” and welcome to Ellen in the Phillipines. Glad to have you with us. If I can ever help in any way … Read more

The Journal: Maybe A Valuable Lesson on Writing Series Novels

In today’s Journal * Maybe A Valuable Lesson on Writing Series Novels * On Writing * My own writing * Of Interest * The Numbers Maybe A Valuable Lesson on Writing Series Novels In fact, this might be a good lesson for writing short stories in series too, if you’re into that. I haven’t published The Ark yet. I’m waiting for all the input to get back from my first readers. But I discovered a valuable lesson on writing series novels yesterday. Around 23,000 words into the first sequel (The Journey Home: Part 1), one of my characters thought it … Read more

The Journal: One Writer’s Process

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Topic: One Writer’s Process * Yesterday, I stopped writing * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “In Greek tragedy, they fall from great heights. In noir, they fall from the curb.” Dennis Lehane (via The Passive Voice) Topic: One Writer’s Process A few days ago, bestselling thriller writer and author John Gilstrap talked in the KillZone blog about his process. It was very informative. Dean Wesley Smith often also talks about his process, or his day, mostly to keep his blog streak alive. On John’s post, I was … Read more