Dean Wesley Smith

The Daily Journal, Friday, May 10

In today’s Journal ▪ Kristine Kathryn Rusch (one more time) ▪ Bundle time again ▪ Mentoring still open ▪ Almost had a minor melt down ▪ Topic: Boxed Sets ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers Kris added a second stretch goal and more rewards to her Kickstarter. Read about it at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/403649867/the-diving-universe/posts/2503773. *** Yesterday I learned my Science Fantasy novel In the Siberian Fields (StoneThread Publishing, 2016) will be included in the forthcoming bundle, Gods Among the Stars. (grin) When that one goes live, my work will be available in 10 active bundles. Woohoo! To see the … Read more

The Daily Journal, Thursday, May 9

In today’s Journal ▪ Kristine Kathryn Rusch (again) ▪ Kristine Kathryn Rusch (yet again) ▪ Topic: Yesterday, I Shared ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers Too important to be buried in “Of Interest.” If you read nothing else today, read “Business Musings: Patreon, Copyright, And Personal Choice” at https://kriswrites.com/2019/05/08/business-musings-patreon-copyright-and-personal-choice/. *** Kris’ Kickstarter has already funded and is well on its way to the first stretch goal (see Dean’s post in “Of Interest”). Frankly, I hesitated yesterday. I was going to fund it at the $50 level because I wanted the notes (in paper, so I could easily … Read more

The Daily Journal, Wednesday, May 8

In today’s Journal ▪ Kristine Kathryn Rusch ▪ I wrote a whole long ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers Kristine Kathryn Rusch is conducting a Kickstarter with a goal of putting her (huge) Diving Universe novels in hardback. I mention this here because of the rewards offered at the $15 (ebook) and $50 (trade paperback) level. At those levels, in addition to The Renegat (latest DU novel) Kris offers “two large books of all the extra scenes and materials not used in the Diving novels, including a number of essays…[for] writers who want to see how writing … Read more

The Daily Journal, Tuesday, May 7

In today’s Journal ▪ Sign up for this! ▪ Rare Photos! ▪ Topic: To Share Something Interesting ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers Penny Sansevieri of Author Marketing Experts is conducting a fee webinar on Marketing on May 16 at 11 a.m. It’s hosted in collaboration with Draft2Digital. Be sure to register. Penny will email a recording of the event to all registrants even if they can’t attend live. Sign up at https://www.amarketingexpert.com/marketing-basics-and-beyond-webinar-draft2digital. *** Recently unearthed! An actual photo of my creative voice! And to give him equal time, here’s a pic of my critical voice: Any … Read more

The Daily Journal, Saturday, May 4

In today’s Journal ▪ Delayed start ▪ I labeled one ▪ Topic: Letting It Fly ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers Sometimes the way my brain works annoys me. I rolled out early this morning specifically so I could have fun (write) early, but I’m also a writing instructor. So my brain gave that mentoring role priority. I’m not complaining. I just think it’s an interesting curiosity. I took about an hour to respond to an email that should have taken a few minutes max. I mentally meandered around, eventually finding (I hope) the right words to … Read more

The Daily Journal, Friday, May 3

In today’s Journal ▪ A roundup of story starters ▪ If you write short stories ▪ I’m still considering ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers This morning I have a roundup of story starters for you. I’m even thinking about adding a page of these to the Daily Journal website (HEStanbrough.com). If I do they will be across different genres. Today, as I got these from CrimeReads.com articles, most of them are Mystery, Crime, Distopian fiction, etc. The idea is to read any articles that interest you. If your creative voice leaps at some of what you … Read more

The Daily Journal, Thursday, May 2

In today’s Journal ▪ Yesterday, I stayed… ▪ Topic Part 1: On What Beginning Writers Believe ▪ Topic Part 2: Business, Schmizzness ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers Yesterday, I stayed on the computer long after I planned to leave. As a result, I didn’t give much thought to what fiction I’ll write next, so I definitely won’t start anything new today. I keep getting a feeling my next WIP will be something completely different. I’ll read Joe Lansdale’s article again sometime today. I like people who are up front and plain spoken, and the guy gives … Read more

The Daily Journal, Wednesday, May 1

In today’s Journal ▪ A productive day ▪ In the ongoing saga ▪ Another professional writer I follow ▪ Topic: Yes, Virginia, Writers Lie. ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers I think I’m over the bug. I had a really productive day yesterday, both physically and otherwise. I swapped-out parts of my in-home office with parts of my Hovel to make the latter more comfortable and more of an office. There’s more to do, but a lot of it is done. I also did some major revamping of my main website (more to come). I hope you’ll … Read more

The Daily Journal, Tuesday, April 30

In today’s Journal ▪ Thanks for all the well-wishes ▪ Topic: I’m All Done with Patreon ▪ Note: An advertisment ▪ If you enjoy great thrillers ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers As I begin the day, thank you for all the well-wishes. I appreciate it. I’m feeling a little better each day, though I’m still sleeping more than I care to. (grin) As I morph from ill to well, I’m also determined to catch up on some admin stuff. That includes “needing” to read through my last WIP, the final chapter or two I wrote as … Read more

The Daily Journal, Monday, April 29

In today’s Journal ▪ Quote of the Day ▪ My two year old says being sick sucks ▪ Note on Joe Lansdale’s essay ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers Quote of the Day: “[N]ever fight what’s working.” Joe Lansdale *** Wow, April 29 already. Where does the time go? I’m one of those unfortunate souls for whom the ticking of the clock is a powerful catalyst. It’s been that way since I was about ten years old. When an hour passed, even when I’d accomplished something during that hour, it was still an hour I’d never get … Read more