The Journal, Thursday, October 10

In today’s Journal * Nothing * Of Interest * The Numbers Nothing today other than the “Of Interest” section below. It’s the only reason I posted today. (grin) I’ll be out much of the day, then watch the baseball game in the early evening. Talk with you again soon. Of Interest See “Some Things Made Clear” at https://www.deanwesleysmith.com/some-things-made-clear/. See “Publishing Your Book Is Changing on IngramSpark” at https://www.thebookdesigner.com/2019/10/publishing-your-book-is-changing-on-ingramspark/. See “Favorite MS Word Keyboard Shortcuts” at https://www.thepassivevoice.com/ms-word-keyboard-shortcuts/. See “Business Musings: Creating Content, Using Licenses, Making Something New (Rethinking The Writing Business Part 13)” at https://kriswrites.com/2019/10/09/business-musings-creating-content-using-licenses-making-something-new-rethinking-the-writing-business-part-13/. The Numbers Fiction words today…………………… 0 … Read more

The Journal, Wednesday, October 9

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * I’m very excited * Topic: Pro, Hobbyist, or …? * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day Finn (Thanks, Finn!), a reader of this Journal, wrote, “How do I get better if I don’t allow myself to critique my own work?” For writers, how’s that for a quote of the day? First, it’s a really great question, one we all ask at least ourselves from time to time. My response was simple: That question itself comes from the critical mind. If you’re going back and critiquing (critical … Read more

The Journal, Tuesday, October 8

In today’s Journal * Silly Quote of the Day * Topic: Stick to Your Guns * Today * Of Interest * A couple of notes * The Numbers Silly Quote of the Day “No, you don’t need to outline, but you really need to stop and ask yourself questions before you write one word:” PJ Parrish in “What’s Your Point? Figuring Out What Goes Into Each Chapter” at https://killzoneblog.com/2019/10/whats-your-point-figuring-outwhat-goes-into-each-chapter.html. Really? “You don’t need to outline, but [you need to outline.]” Seriously? Committed much? (grin) Topic: Stick to Your Guns In my book Punctuation for Writers, there’s a whole section on … Read more

The Journal, Monday, October 7

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * First * Topic: POV (Point Of View) * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day (a lesson I haven’t learned well enough yet)       First, let me just say out loud that I strongly agree with Sean Monaghan’s post “There Are Lots of Ways to Write” over on PWW today. That being said, I’ve tried and dismissed the advice that is most often batted back and forth in writing groups and conferences and (I’ve heard) on “boards,” whatever those are. Personally, I can’t follow that … Read more

The Journal, Friday, October 4

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Yesterday * Licensing Stuff * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “A story has no beginning or end: arbitrarily one chooses the moment of experience from which to look back or from which to look ahead.” Graham Greene Yesterday we just got out of the house for most of the day. We enjoyed lunch and shopping and then got the oil changed on my pickup over in Sierra Vista. It even got a bath in one of those car wash places that grabs your tires and … Read more

The Journal, Thursday, October 3

In today’s Journal * Yesterday * Of Interest * The Numbers Yesterday, our lady cat Hannah passed at around 9:30 a.m. Mona was at work. Hannah was her special girl, so I spent the balance of the day washing and putting away things, clearing the house of unnecessary reminders. Later, when my little girl cat began to roam around the house looking for Hannah, I sat down with her and explained that Hannah wouldn’t be around anymore. I know, many believe all she heard is “blah, blah, blah.” But I believe she understands every word I say. Thing is, if … Read more

The Journal, Wednesday, October 2

In today’s Journal * Two days ago * Of Interest * The Numbers Well, two days ago I got through about half of my novel or novella without recognizing an ending. So yesterday I continued to read off and on as more pressing personal events permitted. I got a little farther. Today will be much the same, still dependent on those more pressing matters. I’m posting today mostly to get the info in “Of Interest” out to you. Talk with you again soon. Of Interest For something every writer needs to learn, see “Just Bloom” at https://prowriterswriting.com/just-bloom/. See “Amazon is … Read more

The Journal, Monday, September 30

In today’s Journal * Today, I hope * Unfortunately * Of Interest * The Numbers Today I hope to read my novel/novella and recognize what it is. I say “recognize” because this will be a subconscious reading and recognition (or not). Either way, I won’t evoke the conscious mind to “decide” what to do next. Not my job. If you don’t understand the difference, email me and I’ll try to explain further. Awhile back I wrote and published (right here in a series of topics first) what I commonly call The Critical Voice Book: Quiet the Critical Voice (and Write … Read more

The Journal, Sunday, September 29

In today’s Journal * I was certain * Topic: Preparation (Learning) Breeds Confidence * Thanks for your concerns * On the personal writing front * Of Interest * The numbers I was certain earlier this month that I’d be finished with the novel before the month was out. Looks like it’ll be October. Unless I can write another 30,000 words or so today and tomorrow. (grin) Still, it’s just not a big deal. It comes as it comes and I have a lot of other stuff I’m doing. (See the update in “On the personal writing front” below.) Here’s the … Read more

The Journal, Saturday, September 28

In today’s Journal * Nothing today * Topic: What I Missed * Oh, the rough night? * Of Interest * The numbers Nothing today other than the topic below and whatever’s in Of Interest. Had a rough night last night. Topic: What I Missed There are two key parts to this topic: preparation and confidence in one’s self and one’s abilities. Naturally, the former fuels the latter. If you are appropriately prepared, you have more confidence in what you do. More confidence that you will be successful. Preparation is key. Anyone who’s ever taken an exam in school understands that … Read more