Dean Wesley Smith

The Journal: Not Much Today

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Not Much Today * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “This is a hard technique to teach writers: how do you write setting from the point of view of someone who sees the same thing every day? You write about what’s different, as well as describe what they’re actually doing. If you’re not careful, you’ll overdescribe—or underdescribe. And if you’re wondering, overdescribing is better.” Kristine Kathryn Rusch Not Much Today and a Minor Change If you missed yesterday’s post, I encourage you to read it. It’s … Read more

The Journal: Big “Of Interest” Section

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Info-packed “Of Interest” today * Today and critical mind * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “That which horrifies me interests me, and those things that horrify me the most sometimes become a book.” Douglas Preston, suspense author (with Lincoln Child) I like to think what I pass along in “Of Interest” is good every day, but today is a little special. During some research yesterday I stumbled on Strand Magazine. They have a blog. Within that blog they have a “Writing Tips” category. A lot of the … Read more

The Journal: Tidbits and Thoughts

In today’s Journal * Putting this right at the top * The above is not something * On Amazon exclusivity * Clarification on critiques * I’m bone weary of listening * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Putting this right at the top. Probably a great opportunity for somebody. See “Collaboration Special Class” at https://www.deanwesleysmith.com/collaboration-special-class/. The above is not something I would personally be interested in for the simple reason that I can’t imagine collaborating on a short story. Though I do know a few novelists with whom I would welcome a collaboration if the genre and premise of … Read more

The Journal: Feeling Overwhelmed

In today’s Journal * Topic: Feeling Overwhelmed: A Process Post * In light of Dean’s post today * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Topic: Feeling Overwhelmed: A Process Post I’m feeling a little overwhelmed. Well, actually, not a little. Actually a lot. I have a pretty big goal, writing a short story every week and a novel every month. And I’m aiming at a streak, but I don’t really care about that. Even if I miss, I intend to pick back up and keep the same goals just as if I hadn’t missed. So my weekly and monthly … 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: Further Elucidation on Firearms

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Topic: Further Elucidation on Firearms * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “Think like a wise man but communicate in the language of the people.” William Butler Yeats Topic: Further Elucidation on Firearms In my topic yesterday on authenticity I wrote that a clip is used to feed a magazine, the cartridge-feeding mechanism used to deliver cartridges to the chamber of a semi-automatic weapon. My intention was to explain that the device a shooter would manually insert into the underside of a semiautomatic rifle or the … Read more

The Journal: On Reverse Outlines

In today’s Journal * Topic: On Reverse Outlines * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Topic: On Reverse Outlines A patron wrote to ask me, in part, to explain reverse outlines in more detail. While I’m writing a novel, occasionally I have to fact-check something that happened earlier in the novel. That might be a place name (name of a town or building, etc.) or an aspect of a character description (eye color, hair color, what they’re wearing, etc.) or a timeline item (what time they left the bar, etc.) if correct timelines are important to the story. Using … Read more

The Journal: The Value of Challenges (and the Attendant Deadlines)

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day: A Masters Course * Topic: The Value of Challenges (and the Attendant Deadlines) * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day: A Masters Course These quotes are gleaned from Dean Wesley Smith’s inteview (in “Of Interest” below) with 6 Figure Authors. “At a certain level in this business, you quit listening to other people about your work. You become an artist. I wish writers would get to that spot sooner rather than later. You keep learning…, but don’t let other people mess with it.” Dean Wesley Smith “I’m … Read more

The Journal: On Process

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the day * On Process * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day Via the Passive Voice, “A classic is a book that has never finished saying what it has to say.” Italo Calvino “Wayne Gretzky said, ‘You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.’ The core of any unusual profession … is embodied in that quote: You can’t succeed if you don’t try.” Kristine Kathyrn Rusch On Process Yesterday I mentioned I thought the WIP was stalled. I opened it this morning, looked it over, and realized it … Read more

The Journal: It’s Easier to Fool People…

In today’s Journal * Quote of the day * What’s Coming * I was completely underwhelmed * I got a review * I’m on the verge * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “It’s easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled.” Mark Twain Yesterday I wrote a blog post for HarveyStanbrough.com for 18 February, then moved another one to 25 February. And my current thinking is, that will be that. Beginning in March, the blog over there will effectively become my author newsletter. I plan to alternate posts every … Read more