Plague for Our Times, and Wattpad

In today’s Journal

* Quotes of the Day
* Story Idea
* Wattpad
* Of Interest

Quotes of the Day

“Publishing your own book may not come with the prestige of earning a book deal. However, publishing prestige is an outdated concept, and readers certainly don’t care.” Dave Chesson

“The Universe is not obliged to conform to what we consider comfortable or plausible.” Carl Sagan

“Writer’s block is a misnomer and can be compared with turning off a faucet. Like the ability to write, faucets can develop problems when they’re seldom used. You get all this rust in the pipes. When you turn on the faucet, a lot of rust comes out.” Susan Neville

“Three years since the COVID-19 pandemic began, 47% of Americans believe prepandemic normalcy is unattainable for them.” Megan Brenan for Gallup

Story Idea

Wow. Talk about a story idea falling into your lap! That last quotation, eh?

Maybe start with a news anchor reading Ms. Brenan’s quotation into the camera while his or her co-anchor looks on with—confident/compliant approval? nervous (hoping for compliance) approval? disbelief? disdain? fear? horror? disgust? or something else entirely. You choose.

Of course, the original anchor should betray his or her opinion of what s/he just read as well, albeit in a more subtle way. (S/he is more cognizant of being on camera.)

Maybe one of the anchors has a background in science and actually knows more about what’s going on than the other one does. Maybe s/he plans to escape. But to where?

There’s your idea, writers: A Plague for Our Times or something. Run with it. Oh, and the plague doesn’t have to be caused by a virus. Maybe it’s propaganda, looming statism, or whatever.

All About Wattpad

I heard of Wattpad several years ago, but I never looked into it. Now, primarily thinking of Harlan Ellison and his “writing in public,” I’m thinking of trying it.

The article that got me interested is “Wattpad for Authors: It’s Not Just for the Young Folks” at https://www.janefriedman.com/wattpad-for-authors-its-not-just-for-the-young-folks/.

I found this article to be comprehensive and chock full of little gems, so I thought I’d pass it along. I’m not so interested in the feedback aspect of the platform but am very interested in maybe introducing a new generation of readers to my work.

Also I naturally write short chapters (the article says that’s what Wattpad readers like) so from my current vantage point—outside looking in—Wattpad looks like it might be fun.

If they’ll allow me to try Wattpad with an existing, already published work, I’ll give it a shot. I probably won’t report back though because my experience might vary wildly from yours.

Talk with you again soon.

Of Interest

See “Learning In Writing” at https://www.thepassivevoice.com/learning-in-writing-not-like-other-skills/. Linking through the TPV post because I was flat stymied by the first comment. Silly me. When I find a long-term pro in any field who’s willing to share his or her knowledge, thank goodness I’m smart enough to shut up and listen.

See “To Speak Or Not To Speak” at https://killzoneblog.com/2023/03/to-speak-or-not-to-speak.html.

See “Amazon’s Ending of Kindle Newsstand Could Severely Impact SF/F Magazines” at https://www.thepassivevoice.com/amazons-ending-of-kindle-newsstand-could-severely-impact-sf-f-magazines/.

See “How to Get a Book Deal in 4 Steps + Why You Shouldn’t Bother” at https://kindlepreneur.com/how-to-get-a-book-deal/.

See “Pricing Ebooks: How to Choose Your Price” at https://kindlepreneur.com/pricing-ebooks/.

See “Nearly Half in U.S. Think Their Lives Will Never Return to Pre-Pandemic Normalcy” at https://news.gallup.com/poll/471953/not-expect-return-pre-pandemic-normalcy.aspx.

The Numbers

The Journal……………………………………550 words

Writing of Wes Crowley: Deputy US Marshal 2 (WCG9SF4)

Day 1…… 3231 words. Total words to date…… 3231
Day 2…… 2990 words. Total words to date…… 6221
Day 3…… 1805 words. Total words to date…… 8026
Day 4…… 2025 words. Total words to date…… 10051
Day 5…… 1451 words. Total words to date…… 11502
Day 6…… XXXX words. Total words to date…… XXXXX

Total fiction words for March……… 1451
Total fiction words for 2023………… 54275
Total nonfiction words for March… 10650
Total nonfiction words for the year…… 51980
Total words for the year (fiction and this blog)…… 106255

Calendar Year 2023 Novels to Date…………………… 1
Calendar Year 2023 Novellas to Date……………… 0
Calendar Year 2023 Short Stories to Date… 0
Novels (since Oct 19, 2014)…………………………………… 72
Novellas (since Nov 1, 2015)………………………………… 9
Short stories (since Apr 15, 2014)………………… 217
Short story collections……………………………………………… 31

Disclaimer: Because It Makes Sense, I preach trusting your characters to tell the story that they, not you, are living. See My Best Advice for Fiction Writers at https://hestanbrough.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/My-Best-Advice-for-Fiction-Writers.pdf.

2 thoughts on “Plague for Our Times, and Wattpad”

  1. Rusty pipes is such a good comparison. I love the mining you do for such an assortment of useful writing thought, thank you!

    • Thanks, Heather. Better to pass along what I learn than to keep it to myself. A rising tide lifts all boats.

Comments are closed.