David Farland

The Journal: Post 4 on Heinlein’s Rules

In today’s Journal * Topic: Post 4 on Heinlein’s Rules * Not a great day * The Numbers Topic: Post 4 on Heinlein’s Rules A lot of this one is about the most controversial of Heinlein’s Rules: Rule 3. Q: Ok, my next question is about Rule #3: Refrain from rewriting except to editorial order. So, if a story is good enough to be accepted by a publisher, and they give you feedback on what needs to be changed, you should make those changes (within reason). But you shouldn’t do revisions on your own. Q (cont.): I agree with the … Read more

The Journal: Post 3 in the Heinlein’s Rules Series

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Topic: Post 3 in the Heinlein’s Rules Series * It’s no secret * For an update * The Numbers Quote of the Day Fun quote of the day: “After I saw a bumper sticker that read I’m a veterinarian so I drive like an animal, I realized how many proctologists I see on the roads.” Anonymous meme Topic: Post 3 in the Heinlein’s Rules Series Today the topic is mostly about Rule 4: You must put it on the market. Q: I want to dive right in to some of my … Read more

The Journal: Post 2 in the Heinlein’s Rules Series

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Topic: Post 2 in the Heinlein’s Rules Series * For an update * The Numbers Quote of the Day “[B]y pushing productivity, we may actually be creating a generation of better storytellers.” David Farland Topic: Post 2 in the Heinlein’s Rules Series Actually, more introductory stuff today, with some specifics on Heinlein’s Rules mixed in. Q: To provide context, how long have you been using this process, how many books/stories have you been able to write, and what kind of success have you achieved? Harvey: I first discovered Heinlein’s Rules and … Read more

The Journal: Maybe an Exciting New Source

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Note: Gilbert Bassey * I’m writing again * Dean’s at it again * Sorry about the snow and ice * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “Story is about emotional manipulation.” Gilbert Bassey “[S]tories are the most powerful creations of mankind.” Gilbert Bassey “In an era when Woke culture apparently has the power to turn business executives of all sorts into quivering and spineless pools of goo, a morals clause can be dangerous to a traditionally-published author’s financial and emotional health, both presently and in the future.” The Passive Guy and … Read more

The Journal: On Solitude, and Openings

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * On Solitude and Dismissive Attitudes * Openings * The Numbers Quotes of the Day from my Did She Really Say That? file “Let me tell you this: if you meet a loner, no matter what they tell you, it’s not because they enjoy solitude. It’s because they have tried to blend into the world before, and people continue to disappoint them.” Jodi Picoult (via The Passive Voice) Note: Whatever the reason, I absolutely LOVE solitude, not that it would do any good to tell Ms. Picoult that, given her self-centered, audacious … Read more

The Journal: The Shared World short story

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * The Shared World short story * Still looking for a publisher * And where do I leave a legacy? * The Numbers Quote of the Day “There is only one place to write and that is alone at a typewriter. The writer who has to go into the streets is a writer who does not know the streets. . . when you leave your typewriter you leave your machine gun and the rats come pouring through.” Charles Bukowski (via The Passive Voice) Well, yesterday I stopped writing the short story with … Read more

The Journal: An Addendum

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Topic: An Addendum * It will be interesting, * The Numbers Quote of the Day “My advice to writers who think they’re out of ideas is to tell them to write the word ‘The’ and then follow with another word and… bing-bam-boom straight to the Moon, Alice… there’s your idea.” Dan Baldwin Topic: An Addendum One addendum to yesterday’s post — Everything you are able to learn and absorb and put into practice about writing or anything else is dependent on whether you’re ready to learn and absorb the lesson. Much … Read more

The Journal: Quotes, Comments and an Email

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Quotes of the Day by Ray Bradbury (and one from me) * Thanks * Topic: Email, the “writing zone,” and whose story is this, anyway? * Public Service Announcement * The Numbers Quote of the Day “By the end of the third day [at a writing retreat], I find myself waking up eager to write.” David Farland Quotes of the Day by Ray Bradbury “The great fun in my life has been getting up every morning and rushing to the typewriter because some new idea has hit me.” RB “My stories … Read more

The Journal: Practice in Writing

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * A Question for You * Topic: Practice in Writing * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.” Louis L’Amour “Fiction writing can be learned, if one studies diligently and keeps practicing.” James Scott Bell “I don’t know how to tell if my writing’s any good while I’m writing it.” Greer Macallister A Question for You Given today’s topic. I have a question, and I’m serious. One of the most clichéd sentences in the writing profession is … Read more

The Journal: Trust Your Process

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Topic: Trust Your Process * Only a little over * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “I have always read to be entertained, and have always written to return the favor.” John Gilstrap “I often tell people that I don’t want to think too hard about the creative process for fear of breaking a machine that I don’t know how to fix.” John Gilstrap “Remember always that the voice in your head is unique to you. Even a well-meaning teacher can ruin that voice if you’re not steadfast in your defense … Read more