The Journal: Inviting Critiqe

In today’s Journal * Topic: Inviting Critiqe * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Topic: Inviting Critiqe As most of you know, I’m dead set against running my work through critique groups. After all, I actively battle to keep my own critical mind out of my work, so why would I then turn around and actually invite criticism from others? That being said, in the “Of Interest” section of the Journal, I often include a link to a “first-page critique” post from one of The Kill Zone bloggers. In an email early this morning, one of my astute patrons … Read more

The Journal: Further Elucidation on Firearms

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Topic: Further Elucidation on Firearms * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “Think like a wise man but communicate in the language of the people.” William Butler Yeats Topic: Further Elucidation on Firearms In my topic yesterday on authenticity I wrote that a clip is used to feed a magazine, the cartridge-feeding mechanism used to deliver cartridges to the chamber of a semi-automatic weapon. My intention was to explain that the device a shooter would manually insert into the underside of a semiautomatic rifle or the … Read more

The Journal: A Matter of Authenticity

In today’s Journal * Topic: A Matter of Authenticity * Wow. I was looking over my files * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Topic: A Matter of Authenticity Hey, folks, if you’re ever writing a Marine Corps character, officer or enlisted, use a 24-hour clock when you’re giving the time. For example, 3 a.m. is “0300” (not even oh-three-hundred) and 6 p.m. is 1800. Most people know that, right? It’s a matter of authenticity. And if you’re writing that Marine Corps character, NEVER add “hours” to the time. So 3 a.m. is zero-three-hundred (0300), not “0300 hours.” Adding … Read more

The Journal: On Reverse Outlines

In today’s Journal * Topic: On Reverse Outlines * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Topic: On Reverse Outlines A patron wrote to ask me, in part, to explain reverse outlines in more detail. While I’m writing a novel, occasionally I have to fact-check something that happened earlier in the novel. That might be a place name (name of a town or building, etc.) or an aspect of a character description (eye color, hair color, what they’re wearing, etc.) or a timeline item (what time they left the bar, etc.) if correct timelines are important to the story. Using … Read more

The Journal: The Value of Challenges (and the Attendant Deadlines)

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day: A Masters Course * Topic: The Value of Challenges (and the Attendant Deadlines) * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day: A Masters Course These quotes are gleaned from Dean Wesley Smith’s inteview (in “Of Interest” below) with 6 Figure Authors. “At a certain level in this business, you quit listening to other people about your work. You become an artist. I wish writers would get to that spot sooner rather than later. You keep learning…, but don’t let other people mess with it.” Dean Wesley Smith “I’m … Read more

The Journal: Just a Reminder

In today’s Journal * Just a reminder to my patrons * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Just a reminder to my patrons, please don’t forget to let me know what you’d like from your reward tier. You can see the tiers by clicking https://harveystanbrough.com/be-a-patron/. To read descriptions of novels, novellas, nonfiction books and short story collections (and make your selections), visit StoneThread Publishing at https://stonethreadpublishing.com/. Today is a day of book shifting, business planning, reading, studying and a trip to Sierra Vista. No fiction writing. (But I have a sneaking suspicion Algae Prime might be coming back.) Talk … Read more

The Journal: Using the Senses

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the day * DWS Announcement * The Prolific Writer podcast * In the first link below, Dave Farland * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “Writing is not magic. It’s a combination of art and craft.” Laura Benedict “For most of Earth’s history, Venus may have been the nearest habitable planet and possibly even home to a thriving biosphere. … They may even have very occasionally exchanged life….” David Grinspoonin an article for Nautilus In the February 5 post on his website, Dean Wesley Smith announced, “[I]f you are … Read more

The Journal: On Process

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the day * On Process * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day Via the Passive Voice, “A classic is a book that has never finished saying what it has to say.” Italo Calvino “Wayne Gretzky said, ‘You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.’ The core of any unusual profession … is embodied in that quote: You can’t succeed if you don’t try.” Kristine Kathyrn Rusch On Process Yesterday I mentioned I thought the WIP was stalled. I opened it this morning, looked it over, and realized it … Read more

The Journal: The Good and Bad of Critique

In today’s Journal * Quote of the day * Today’s “Of Interest” * Today and tomorrow * Of Interest * The Numbers Most of the items in today’s “Of Interest” are all about selling ebooks. Don’t miss those. There’s a ton of good information at those links. The last item in “Of Interest” illustrates why inviting critique on your work can be a bad idea. In fact, it can be detrimental to your work. The simple fact is, some critiquers go too far, and how screwed-up your work can become depends on how much you trust your critiquer. I recommend … Read more

The Journal: It’s Easier to Fool People…

In today’s Journal * Quote of the day * What’s Coming * I was completely underwhelmed * I got a review * I’m on the verge * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “It’s easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled.” Mark Twain Yesterday I wrote a blog post for HarveyStanbrough.com for 18 February, then moved another one to 25 February. And my current thinking is, that will be that. Beginning in March, the blog over there will effectively become my author newsletter. I plan to alternate posts every … Read more