Dean Wesley Smith

The Journal: A Cornucopia

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * I hadn’t planned * In a break from my own norm * Just in case anyone’s interested * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “I pretended to be somebody I wanted to be until finally I became that person. Or he became me.” Cary Grant “Everyone wants to be Cary Grant. Even I want to be Cary Grant.” Cary Grant “Write the truest version.” Kathleen McCleary “All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know. So finally I would write … Read more

The Journal: Susan Ellison

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * The Passing of Susan Ellison and a Story * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “If you aren’t getting better, you’re getting worse.” Lawrence Welk on practice “Wit does not always mean funny. Many times it is, but the real basis of wit is sharpness. It gets the point across crisply, memorably.” James Scott Bell The Passing of Susan Ellison, and a Story I was late coming to this, but I thought it worthy of sharing in a special post. First, read Neil Gaiman’s touching post at https://journal.neilgaiman.com/2020/08/susan-ellison-rip-and-love.html. … Read more

The Journal: Let’s Get It Right

In today’s Journal * IMPORTANT * Quote of the Day * Topic: Let’s Get It Right * In other news * Of Interest * The Numbers IMPORTANT: See “The Return of Boss Kickstarter” at https://www.deanwesleysmith.com/the-return-of-boss-kickstarter/. Dean and Kris are offering some astounding stretch goals, many of which you can receive for a paltry $5 donation. You can check it out and donate if you want to at http://kck.st/3jRjlBP. Quote of the Day “If you make [the details] right for the people who know, then the other people will get a lot more out of it.” Sam Eliot on the authenticity … Read more

The Journal: Nothing Much

In today’s Journal * Nothing much * Of Interest * The Numbers Nothing much to talk about today. I’m still here (waving) and hope to be back to “normal” soon. In the meantime, I wanted you to have the “Of Interest” items below in case you missed them. During this break, if you have any questions about writing or storytelling that you think I can help with, don’t hesitate to ask. Talk with you again when I can. Of Interest See “What Is Writer’s Burnout?” at https://writershelpingwriters.net/2020/08/what-is-writers-burnout/. Thanks to the Passive Guy. See “Scary Scam” at https://www.deanwesleysmith.com/scary-scam/. See “The Writer’s … Read more

The Journal: A Little More on Cycling

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * It Keeps on Tickin * Topic: A Little More on Cycling * About Dean Wesley Smith * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “The good parts of a book may be only something a writer is lucky enough to overhear or it may be the wreck of his whole damn life and one is as good as the other.” Ernest Hemingway (via The Passive Voice) It Keeps on Ticking I came across an old Timex watch in my desk drawer a few days ago. On a lark, I … Read more

The Journal: WITD Has Two Parts

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * The current crisis * Topic: WITD Has Two Parts * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “By really getting into your work, the nonessential stuff drops away.” Bill Murray “Bill’s whole life is in the moment,” says Ted Melfi, who directed Murray in the movie St. Vincent. “He doesn’t care about what just happened. He doesn’t think about what’s going to happen. He doesn’t even book round-trip tickets. Bill buys one-ways and then decides when he wants to go home.” Gavin Edwards in “Being Bill Murray” in Rolling … Read more

The Journal: Not Tag-Line Verbs (Update)

In today’s Journal * Welcome * Topic: Not Tag-Line Verbs (Update) * Of Interest * The Numbers Welcome Here I am, barely blogging along after having written a post almost every day for years, and a new reader subscribed yesterday. Welcome, my new friend from Melbourne. While my blogging is less frequent than before, I invite you to use the tag cloud or search box to check for posts on topics that might interest you. A few more folks have joined us over the past couple of weeks too. Welcome, all. Topic: Not Tag-Line Verbs (Update) A couple of posts … Read more

The Journal: Body Parts and “Gave”

In today’s Journal * Topic: Body Parts and “Gave” * Of Interest * The Numbers Topic: Body Parts and “Gave” First, read the post over at the Kill Zone blog today, where Terry Odell discusses “Roaming Body Parts” at https://killzoneblog.com/2020/07/roaming-body-parts.html. Her point is that (as a reader) she doesn’t mind passages like “Her fingers flew to her cheeks.” Her reasoning is that since she doesn’t personally mind such constructions as a reader, she’s justified in using them in her writing. On the surface, that’s fine. Certainly we have the right to read what we want to read and write however … Read more

The Journal: Of Interest and Brief Thoughts

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Of Interest * The Numbers [Incredibly Stupid] Quote of the Day “I would say that over 75% of literary journals do not pay their writers. I have no problem with that, but it is nice to be paid occasionally.” Emily Harstone If anyone out there knows a good IP attorney or plumber or mechanic who is so accepting of not being paid for practicing his profession, please let me know. On fear of failure… As a student of human behavior it sometimes amazes me how unreasoningly fearful people can be of … Read more

The Journal: What Makes for Good Writing

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Even though * Topic: What Makes for Good Writing? * Adios for a While * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “I can repeat Mr. Heinlein’s advice to writers. If you pay attention to his dictums, you don’t need to know much else.” Dr. Jerry Pournelle, upon being asked his advice to new writers “The only opinion that counts of your story is whether or not someone will pay you money for it.” Dr. Jerry Pournelle Even though I haven’t written anything for almost two months, I still … Read more