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The Journal: Mentorships vs. Nonfiction Books

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Topic: Mentorships vs. Nonfiction Books * The Fiction * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “Q: I WROTE LESS THAN 200 WORDS TODAY. DO I STILL DEPOSIT THEM IN THE WORD BANK? A: Yes, because every word counts… (and you have written more than 99% of writers today).” FAQs at “THE 200 WORDS A DAY CHALLENGE.” Can this be true? Topic: Mentorships vs. Books I’m looking for feedback here. As I was looking over all the topics in The Writing Craft I mentorship, it dawned on me that … Read more

The Journal: No

In today’s Journal * No Topic * No Blog * Welcome * Of Interest * The Numbers No Topic Browsed the internet this morning for items of interest. I added those links to my Journal notepad document, then scrolled up to see what I’d written for a topic. I’ve written so many topics lately, I just assumed I’d written one for today and had it ready to go. I didn’t. So no topic for today. I usually write those the day before, then add the “Of Interest” items and “go to press.” No Blog I haven’t solved the problem of … Read more

The Journal: Readers Like to Fill-in the Blanks (Uh, No)

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * PQ Topic: Readers Like to Fill-in the Blanks * This morning I left a comment * Of Interest * The Numbers PQ Topic: Readers Like to Fill-in the Blanks Actually this isn’t a Persistent Question so much as a Persistent Misbelief. A myth. Something even writers sometimes pass along to other writers. And it’s male bovine excrement. My immediate response to “Readers like to fill in the blanks” is a pair of arched eyebrows, a head shaking slightly side to side, and “So?” As a writer, do you really care what … Read more

The Journal: A New Writing Process to Try

In today’s Journal * A New Writing Process to Try * The Reviews Begin * I wish I could share * Yesterday * Of Interest * The Numbers A New Writing Process to Try A writer (and a reader of the Journal) sent me an email I wanted to pass along: “I just came across the approach/process of method writing as taught by Jack Grapes and would like to share it with you, if you haven’t heard of it already. It seems quite interesting and worth considering. I have included two interviews he has on the FilmCourage YouTube channel below.” … Read more

The Journal: Rider Jones Wrapped

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Rider Jones Wrapped * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “PG suggests that electronic books and digital commerce in physical books (for people who still want them) is inherently superior to the business model of the physical bookstore.” The Passive Voice Rider Jones Wrapped Well, the novel wrapped yesterday, and it wrapped so hard I could barely see there for a little while. Does a scene in your writing ever sneak up on you emotionally like that? I both hope so and hope not, and both for your … Read more

The Journal: On the Use of “Blue” or “Bad” Language

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * The novel continues, combined * Topic: On the Use of “Blue” or “Bad” Language * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “The force that through the green fuse drives the flower Drives my green age; that blasts the roots of trees Is my destroyer. And I am dumb to tell the crooked rose My youth is bent by the same wintry fever.” Dylan Thomas Appropos of nothing, this is probably my favorite poem of all time. “It is a good rule in life never to apologize. The right … Read more

The Journal: Fiction Lengths and Much More

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * A Brief Introspection * A reminder * A heads-up * Fiction lengths * Fairly good day * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “When a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure.” Marilyn Strathern If you set a solid goal, chances are you will fall short. You want something to reach for, not something to obtain. “Most readers will subliminally appreciate the specificity even if they don’t know the reference.” James Scott Bell “No pressure, no diamonds. Little pressure, little diamonds. Great pressure, great … Read more

The Journal: Poetry Techniques for the Fictionist

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * A relatively short post * Poetry Techniques for the Fictionist * Toxic Productivity * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “Be careful to apply your poetic sensibilities to every line.” David Farland A relatively short post today to give you (and me) a break. The novel’s still racing right along. Poetry Techniques for the Fictionist I included the quote of the day to make a point: Apparently I’m not the only writer who believes learning and applying poetry techniques can enhance your fiction, or your nonfiction for that … Read more

The Journal: Conscious Mind

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Conscious Mind * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “We can’t solve poverty or hunger, but we’re going to solve global warming. Think about that.” Anonymous, from a meme Well, sometime or other I slipped from thinking it would be nice personally to finish 6 novels in the first quarter of the year to “trying” to make it happen. That’s conscious mind crap. And as a result, I had a non-writing day yesterday, the second one for this novel. I actually wrote probably 5,000 words yesterday in fits … Read more

The Journal: The world is chock full

In today’s Journal * The world is chock full * Free lecture * A recent lightning strike * A good day of writing * The Numbers The world is chock full of people who are willing to teach you how to write fiction but have never written so much as one short story or novel themselves. Think about that. The same people who smile smugly and would never sign up for an international money transfer from an obscure Nigerian Prince rush out to buy books on how to write fiction from people who’ve never written fiction. It’s exactly the same … Read more