The Journal, Friday, August 30

In today’s Journal * Remember in The Godfather…. * Topic: Writing Fiction * Of Interest * The numbers Remember in The Godfather when Michael Corleone was so frustrated? Just as he’s finally almost legit, “…they pull be back in.” That’s a little how I feel lately. No numbers today, no “Of Interest.” Just this and a topic. I’m corresponding with a young woman who wants to write. She’s considering becoming a mentoring student. I asked her to send me a story opening (character with a problem in a setting). She did. It was interesting. I asked whether the story wanted … Read more

The Journal, Wednesday, August 28

In today’s Journal * On vacation * Topic: What Is “Sexual” Violence? * I’m not sure I added * Of Interest * The numbers After I sent the previous edition of the Journal, I realized I was exhausted. Yesterday for the first time in a few years, I didn’t write anything at all. No Journal entry, no other nonfiction. I haven’t even added anything to the novel (to speak of). I told my wife (grinning), “Y’know, I think I’m gonna take a few vacation days.” She thought that was a good idea. So that’s what I’m doing. Yesterday I headed … Read more

The Daily Journal, Monday, August 26

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Announcement: Priorities and Time Management * Daily Diary * Of Interest * The numbers Quote of the Day “Writing advice? Put your writerly faith in Heinlein’s Rules, in yourself, and most importantly, in your characters. The characters, not you, are living the story. Instead of attempting to control them from an authorial ivory tower, roll off the parapet into the trenches of the story and run through it with them. Have fun! Record what happens and what the characters say and do. They will lead you through to the end, and … Read more

The Daily Journal, Sunday, August 25

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Miracle * Topic: The Short Story as a Marketing Tool * Daily Diary * Of Interest * The numbers Quote of the Day “You and I as artists inhabit one dimension of reality—the material dimension. … Creativity has its origin in a different sphere—the plane of potentiality. Our job is to tune in to that sphere. And to trust it.” Steven Pressfield Harvey’s corollary: “Especially after we start writing the story.” *** Well, in a very small way in my tiny world, a miracle happened. When I came to the Hovel … Read more

The Daily Journal, Saturday, August 24

In today’s Journal * Wow. It’s monsoon season… * Daily Diary * Of Interest * The numbers Wow. It’s monsoon season out here in Arizona. For days and days, we’ve been surrounded by storms on all directions, but not a drop for us. Then yesterday, at about 4 p.m., the rain started. Actually, it was the second-worst storm I’ve ever experienced (excepting typhoons in Okinawa). In two hours, we got just under three inches of rain, and at least three different sessions of hail. It was (ahem) interesting. And interesting how I reacted. The rest of this is kind of … Read more

The Daily Journal, Friday, August 23

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Happy much-belated 90th birthday, and welcome * Topic: How Long It Takes to Write a Novel * Daily Diary * Of Interest * The numbers Quotes of the Day “I don’t get writers’ block— …however, I do have lots of bad writing days. [But a] bad writing day is a million times better than a no-writing day.” Stephanie Feldman (short story writer and novelist) “Taylor Swift says she will be rerecording her early work. If she does this the right way, she will probably destroy the market value of the Big … Read more

The Daily Journal, Thursday, August 22

In today’s Journal * I kind of like * Daily Diary * Of Interest * The numbers I kind of like this new schedule, posting the Journal early and reporting fiction the following day. I don’t know that I’ll keep it, but I suspect I will. For one thing it takes the pressure off. I can write fiction at any time of day or night, and I’m not limited by needing to get the Journal out at a particular time. I had a fairly good day yesterday with a few thousand words (see below), especially after not writing fiction at … Read more

The Daily Journal, Wednesday, August 21

In today’s Journal * Not sure * Tooting my own horn * Topic: Helping Reedsy Out * Daily diary * Of Interest * The numbers Not sure what today will hold. Tomorrow (Thursday) I’ll be in Tucson all day for various medical appointments. Just stuff I have to check out. No biggie. Yesterday, I mentioned a new cover and then forgot to insert it into the post. That’s it on the right. I’ve gotten into the habit of publishing the Journal early. So I don’t forget to post the cover again, I’m going to publish early again today. I also … Read more

The Daily Journal, Tuesday, August 20

In today’s Journal * Yesterday, I mentioned * Topic: Cover Design, Part II * Daily diary * Of Interest * The numbers Yesterday, I mentioned that I’ll be returning to Douglas, Arizona to take cover photos, meaning pro-level photos specifically intended for use as book covers (and other IP things) vs. snapshots. I have hundreds of my own photos already, but most of them are snapshots. That was the intention at the time, and as a result few of them are appropriate for use as covers. In a way I’m glad, because going through them would be a monumental task, … Read more

The Daily Journal, Monday, August 19

In today’s Journal * Slow start today * Topic: Some Basic Tenets of Cover Design * Daily diary * Of Interest * The numbers Slow start today as I’m still worn out from the wonderful trek Dan and I had around southeast Arizona yesterday. Weird. We didn’t do a lot. Mostly we were driving, stopping now and then to take photos. But I could easily spend today doing nothing at all. I had hoped to find some new cover-pics, but no luck there. However, I did find a whole town full of cover-pic opportunities (Douglas, Arizona). I will revisit that … Read more