In Today’s Journal * A Note from Aspen Delaney * Yeah * Of Interest * The Numbers A Note from Aspen Delaney “Hey there, ya’ll. Harvey was gonna share another excerp’ with you? Only it would’a been a complete spoiler? So I wouldn’ let him do that? He ain’t much, but he listens good? “Anyway, ya’ll can see the whole story when he puts it on that Mornin’ Serial thang startin’ on the first’a May? So ya’ll stop by there an’ subscribe, okay? You can find that right here. “Thanks. I’ll see ya’ll there?” Yeah I’ve long preached that all … Read more

In Today’s Journal * Let the Characters Be Who They Are * A Little Poem * The Writing * Of Interest * The Numbers Let the Characters Be Who They Are What follows is a mini-scene, part of a conversation between Sam Granger and his grizzled first contact for this job, Federico Cantán. Just thought I’d share. Always let the characters be who they are and say what they say. Federico’s cigar had gone out the window a few miles back. I looked at him. “How long ‘til we get there?” The near corner of his mouth curled into a … Read more

In Today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * The Bradbury Challenge * You Know I’m a Copyeditor Too, Right? * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “Consider again that dot. That’s here, that’s home, that’s us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives … on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam.” Carl Sagan’s comment on Voyager 1’s image of Earth The Bradbury Challenge The whole point of the Challenge is to have fun and grow as a writer. … Read more

In Today’s Journal * Happy Easter * Last Day of the Easter Sale * The Writing * Of Interest * The Numbers Happy Easter Whatever the day means to you, whether sunrise or other church services, or hiding eggs for the children or grandchildren or for other adults, or picnics or cookouts or any or all of the above, I hope it’s a peaceful day for you and yours. Last Day of the Easter Sale Writing Better Fiction is 33% off until midnight, April 20. At checkout, add coupon code VCP2YKDNDD. Any Omnibus Novel Collection is 33% off until midnight, … Read more

In Today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * People Are Always Saying * A New Story * The Writing * Re the Attitude of a Fiction Writer * Two Days Left on the Easter Sale * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “I look forward to every Wednesday when I sit down and just start a story of some sort. And please believe me when I say that I often don’t know where a story is going.” Actor James Woods, excerpted from his newsletter, The Road Back People Are Always Saying I ought’a stick a picture … Read more

In Today’s Journal * Know Where the Story’s Going? Grousing a Little * Of Interest * The Numbers Know Where the Story’s Going? Grousing a Little Yesterday I was blessed with a visit from a dear cousin/brother’s son. I would adopt him in a heartbeat. The guy’s a modern-day real cowboy and horseman. He works for a railroad, but during his weeks off, he serves as a guide and hunter in the Sacramento Mountains in New Mexico. Livin’ the life. At one point during our conversation, he asked how I started writing fiction. Between the two of us, we wandered … Read more

In Today’s Journal * The Stages of Any Story, Part 2 * How I Start and Write Any Story * About Your Morning Serial * Of Interest * The Numbers The Stages of Any Story, Part 2 This is the second of two posts in which I’ll talk about the stages of any story. Yesterday, because I’m deep in the Blackwell Ops world and writing the 42nd novel in that series, I focused down on that as an example. There are probably gems for you in these two posts, so read them with an open mind but with an eye … Read more

In Today’s Journal * The Stages of Any Story, Part 1 * How I Start and Write a Blackwell Ops Novel * I’m a Little Excited * I’m Pretty Well Aware * The Numbers The Stages of Any Story, Part 1 This is the first of two posts in which I’ll talk about the stages of any story. Today, because I’m deep in the Blackwell Ops world and writing the 42nd novel in that series, I’ll focus down on that as kind of an example. There are probably gems for you in these two posts, so read them with an … Read more

In Today’s Journal * Some Ways to Get Story Ideas * Six Days Left on the Easter Sale * About Your Morning Serial * Of Interest * The Numbers Some Ways to Get Story Ideas A writer friend (Thanks, BJ) emailed me to ask about where to get story ideas when you want to write but you’re stuck for an idea. First, if you’re ‘stuck’ when you ‘want to write,’ you’re probably making the story too important. This might easily happen when you have limited time to write, so you feel pressured to write while you can. The answer to … Read more

In Today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * The Bradbury Challenge * Looking to Write a Short Story? * Blackwell Ops 41: León Garras * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “We are entertainers. And good characters are not whiners. (How long do you want to be around a whiner in real life?)” Dean Wesley Smith The Bradbury Challenge The whole point of the Challenge is to have fun and grow as a writer. There is no cost. The only requirement is to write at least one short story per week. Feel free to jump in … Read more