David Farland

The Journal: Lansdale, Orwell, and Farland

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Lansdale and Orwell * Farland * Wholeness * Yesterday * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “Here are keys: Relax and write. It’s not a root canal. It’s writing and you should write something you care about. It can be light, or insightful, or whatever, but it always works best when you come at it with enthusiasm. That way, if it’s hard, you still have fun. Otherwise, it’s just hard.” Joe R. Lansdale “The point is, are you holding your attention? If so, you just might hold the … Read more

The Journal: The Five Most Important Things

In today’s Journal * Topic: A Question * Thanks * The novel * Of Interest * The Numbers First, a shout-out to Bob B for his continued support (as verified by almost daily TalkWalker alerts) of my nonfiction books Quiet Your Critical Voice (and Write Fiction), Writing the Character-Driven Story and this Journal. Thanks, Bob. I appreciate it. Topic: A Question Or maybe a test, I dunno. I was going to make a list (in my opinion, of course) of the Five Most Important Things writers should know, but instead I decided to ask you. So in your experience as … 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: Point of View

In today’s Journal * A lighter day * Topic: Whose Point of View Is It? * Of Interest * The Numbers Had a lighter day yesterday. I wanted to break 30,000 words but didn’t quite get there. I found a glitch I had to work out. This series has a cast of dozens of main characters, so I get confused with some of the names and assignments every now and then. (grin) When that happens, it’s better to slow down and work out glitches when I find them than to wait and hope for the best. But the story’s still … Read more

The Journal: It’s Good to Be Back

In today’s Journal * Quick Diary of Days * A Very Pleasant Surprise * Of Interest * The Numbers It’s good to finally be back. Incredible how being without the internet for a few days disrupts a schedule. Since I’ve been gone, I thought I’d toss out a quick diary of those few days. Monday: I wrote some (Day 5), messed around some, went to the grocery, wrote some more, moved the cactuses from the Hovel where they were stored for the winter back to their normal places in the yard, wrote a little more, and set up my portable … Read more

The Journal: Get a Beverage and Settle In

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * First, there are a lot * Free hour-long lecture * Slow day yesterday * Just out of curiosity * Of her current Kickstarter * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “The writing courses taught me how to trust my characters even more than I had been – to let them lead me through the story.” Rachel Amphlett “There’s a term I like, coined by author Dean Wesley Smith over on his blog, called ‘writing into the dark.’ This means writing without an outline, without an overall plan, without a safety net, … Read more

The Journal: I’m a Fortunate Guy

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Topic: I’m a Fortunate Guy * If you haven’t pulled the trigger * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” Maya Angelou “In writing, the critical voice always makes the wrong decision. Readers don’t read safe, easy, dull books. Just like no one watches the perfectly behaved child walking beside their parent and doing nothing. Nope, people watch with laughter or shock or stunned amazement or horror the out-of-control funny child. Your book needs to be that child, not … Read more

The Journal: Started a New Novel

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Started a new novel * From David Farland (Dave Wolverton) * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “Substitute ‘damn’ every time you’re inclined to write ‘very’; your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be. Mark Twain (via The Passive Voice) “This is what Stephen King would write like if Stephen King could really write.” One reviewer of a Richard Bachman novel “‘Master your instrument,’ Charlie Parker once advised. ‘Master the music and then forget all that and just play.’” Michael Hall in Texas Monthly … Read more

The Journal: On Getting Paid in Copies

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Yesterday * On Getting Paid in Copies * Speaking of writing * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “People on the outside think there’s something magical about writing, that you go up in the attic at midnight and cast the bones and come down in the morning with a story, but it isn’t like that. You sit in back of the typewriter and you work, and that’s all there is to it.” Harlan Ellison “I get so angry about [people expecting writers to work for nothing] because you’re undercut by all … Read more

The Journal: Post 5 on Heinlein’s Rules

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * A friend brought a truism home * Topic: Post 5 on Heinlein’s Rules * The Journey Home: Part 8 is finished * The Numbers Quote of the Day “Nine months later, I’d written and published 500,000 words and learned more from that process than I could have imagined.” Cat Sole in the AuthorsPublish article linked to below on writing FanFic (I suspect she was able to write so much so quickly because since it was fanfic it was easy to think of it as unimporant… just sayin’) A friend brought a … Read more