David Farland

The Journal: A Lesson on Short- and Long-Term Goals

In today’s Journal * Had a great visit * Topic: A Lesson on Short- and Long-Term Goals * Lost a subscriber * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Had a great visit with some of my extended family over the past two days during a whirlwind trip to New Mexico. We even got a five-generation pic. That was fun. I also learned I’m no longer able to work while on the road. So in the future, when I have to go somewhere for a specific reason, I’ll focus on that without stressing over it. The writing etc. will necessarily … Read more

The Journal: What Is a Story Idea?

In today’s Journal * Correction * Quotes of the Day * Over the next few months * Topic: What Is a Story Idea? * I talk too much * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Correction Yesterday, I really screwed up the math in my post on time, as pointed out by Céline in a comment. I’ll re-address the time thing in a future post. And I’ll double-check my math. Quotes of the Day “Every accomplishment begins with the decision to try.” Brad Cook, professional fiction writer, St. Louis Writers Guild (Wow. Is this appropriate for writing into the … Read more

The Journal: A Smattering of Thoughts and Self-Hypnosis

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Thus ends the current string * Correction * Topic: Self-Hypnosis * I love to write * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “If you make people think they’re thinking, they’ll love you; but if you really make them think, they’ll hate you.” Harlan Ellison “The only thing worth writing about is people.” Harlan Ellison “The trick is not becoming a writer. The trick is staying a writer.” Harlan Ellison “I was the green monkey, the pariah. And I had no friends. Not just a few friends, … Read more

The Journal: Recognizing Life Rolls

In today’s Journal * I felt a little disjointed * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers I felt a little disjointed yesterday, a little out of sorts. I was fatigued, felt less than interested in the novel I’m writing, etc. I wanted only to go sit on my recliner and watch reruns of old Twilight Zone episodes. (The writing in most of those is excellent, though the dialogue often leaves a lot to be desired.) So that’s what I did. I barely got my 3000 words yesterday, and as soon as I did, I retired to the house. But … Read more

The Journal: When Rewriting Is (Maybe) Appropriate

In today’s Journal * Getting close * Topic: When Rewriting Is (Maybe) Appropriate * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers At almost 52,000 words, I finally have a sense that I’m nearing the final scenes of my WIP. The end isn’t in sight (thankfully) but probably within another 10,000 words or so. So it looks like I’ll finish it in February. Woohoo! Topic: When Rewriting Is (Maybe) Appropriate Yeah, I actually said the R word. But I didn’t really mean it. What I actually meant was Cycling After the Fact (after a book is published). I actively teach (and … Read more

The Journal: Another Myth Revealed

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Update on my offer * Topic: Another Myth Revealed * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “We’re very lucky as prose writers. We can market our practice. We don’t see the reactions to it in real time.” Kristine Kathryn Rusch Update on my offer If you don’t know what offer I’m talking about, you can read all about it at https://hestanbrough.com/the-journal-writer-fear/. I know not everyone reads the Journal every day, so I’ll leave the offer open for a week. If you browse these posts less often … Read more

The Journal: Inviting Critiqe

In today’s Journal * Topic: Inviting Critiqe * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Topic: Inviting Critiqe As most of you know, I’m dead set against running my work through critique groups. After all, I actively battle to keep my own critical mind out of my work, so why would I then turn around and actually invite criticism from others? That being said, in the “Of Interest” section of the Journal, I often include a link to a “first-page critique” post from one of The Kill Zone bloggers. In an email early this morning, one of my astute patrons … Read more

The Journal: Using the Senses

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the day * DWS Announcement * The Prolific Writer podcast * In the first link below, Dave Farland * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “Writing is not magic. It’s a combination of art and craft.” Laura Benedict “For most of Earth’s history, Venus may have been the nearest habitable planet and possibly even home to a thriving biosphere. … They may even have very occasionally exchanged life….” David Grinspoonin an article for Nautilus In the February 5 post on his website, Dean Wesley Smith announced, “[I]f you are … Read more

The Journal: The New World of Publishing

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Topic: The New World of Publishing * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “Doing has always been a binary choice; to do or not do. … Revel when you can in the celestial creative mind.” Robert J. Sadler Topic: The New World of Publishing Yeah, I know. Digital publishing and ebooks have been around awhile now. But every now and then I’m reminded why I still love this new world of publishing. An attentive reader who is also a successful professional writer pointed out that my … Read more

The Journal: Almost Crickets and Copyright

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Almost Crickets * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “First reason is that fiction writers just don’t need it much at all. Fiction writers can’t seem to find the time or energy to learn copyright, what they do need to learn.” Dean Wesley Smith on why he stopped writing the trademark book Buy and start getting through the NOLO Press Copyright Handbook by Stephen Fishman. Trust me. If you’re a writer, you need it. Almost crickets out there today in the cyber-world with regard to items … Read more