Dean Wesley Smith

The Daily Journal, Friday, April 12

In today’s Journal ▪ Thanks ▪ Trad pubs? ▪ Topic: Consistency Is Key ▪ A new icon for PWW ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest (a LOT of links) ▪ The numbers I read over yesterday’s post again last night, and wow did it sound needy. (grin) Anyway, thanks to all of you who commented on the post or in private emails to let me know the Journal matters to you. I appreciate it. I kind of figured it mattered to some of you, but I admit it’s nice to hear. If a particular edition of the Journal strikes you … Read more

The Daily Journal, Thursday, April 11

In today’s Journal ▪ Sometimes I wonder ▪ Topic: If You’re a Writer, Write ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest (a LOT of links) ▪ The numbers Sometimes I wonder whether anyone’s still reading these silly entries. I mean, I know a few people are, those with whom I’m working closely. But sometimes I wonder otherwise whether all this is worth it. Kris Rusch’s post makes even this nonfiction writing (and wondering) better. Her post in today’s “Of Interest” reminded me that I chat with my friends and acquaintances here each day because I enjoy doing so. She reminded me … Read more

The Daily Journal, Wednesday, April 10

In today’s Journal ▪ It’s so good ▪ I’ve been thinking (oh-oh) ▪ Writing flash fiction ▪ Pro Writers Writing ▪ Topic: How I Learn to Write ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest (a LOT of links) ▪ The numbers Was my break really only four days long? When the floodgates opened again, it seemed as if it had been four weeks. It feels very good to be writing again. *** I’ve been thinking a lot lately about my 10-novel western series, The Wes Crowley Saga. I wrote it out of order. I wrote what ended up being books 4, … Read more

The Daily Journal, Tuesday, April 9

In today’s Journal ▪ Today I’ll start ▪ Topic: The New World of Publishing ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest (a LOT of links) ▪ The numbers Today I’ll start that new novel. I’ve had four days away from fiction writing, and frankly, I’m jonesing for it. Or as my wife put it, “Honey, you’re getting grouchy.” (grin) I thought I’d start writing again yesterday, but I wasn’t ready. Instead I spent a lot of quiet time with Jim Glaser and thought about the recent visit with my old friend and did some other things to slowly move myself back … Read more

The Daily Journal, Monday, April 8

In today’s Journal ▪ Today I’ll start ▪ Tutoring slot open ▪ Topic: Who a Story Is About ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers Today, sometime or other, I’ll start a new novel. Maybe. The visit with my old friend went really well, interrupted somewhat by the sobering news about Jim Glaser’s passing. This morning, I watched/listened to a few of Jim’s performances as a way to spend some time with him. It was enjoyable. *** I heard from another possible tutoring student that s/he decided to pass at the moment (until s/he decides what specifically s/he … Read more

The Daily Journal, Thursday, April 4

In today’s Journal ▪ A little trivia ▪ Topic: Writing Action Scenes ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers According to a promo email I received yesterday, Motorolo made the first cellular phone call 46 years ago yesterday. Feelin’ old yet? (grin) *** Topic: Writing Action Scenes I’ve wanted to write a post on this for awhile now, and it’s finally time. This post results directly from a high-action scene, a fight scene, I wrote yesterday. It was probably the best high-action scene I’ve ever written. It isn’t so much a “how-to” as a “how-I-do-it” essay. All of … Read more

The Daily Journal, Wednesday, April 3

In today’s Journal ▪ Dean’s “Great Challenge” ▪ My tutoring is still open ▪ Topic: Priorities ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest (a lot of good links) ▪ The numbers Dean’s “Great Challenge” is still open for sign-ups. Frankly, I’m surprised. On the surface, the cost appears a little steep, but it’s basically free tutoring from Dean Wesley Smith. You can use your $600 for credit toward anything you want, and if you make at least 52 short stories in a row (one per week for a year) you get a lifetime subscription of your choice. If I was still … Read more

The Daily Journal, Tuesday, April 2

In today’s Journal ▪ Inexpensive classes available ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers There are some inexpensive online classes available in police procedure and other topics (offered by RWA but not all about Romance). If you decide to take any of these classes, offered in Lee Loffland’s post from yesterday, please let the rest of us know what you think of them. For info see https://rwakissofdeath.org/coffin. For a list of upcoming RWA Kiss of Death classes see https://rwakissofdeath.org/coffin-classes. *** Wow. Rolled out late this morning. I couldn’t see the clock and thought it was around 2 or … Read more

The Daily Journal, Monday, April 1

In today’s Journal ▪ It’s April 1 ▪ An opportunity to reset goals ▪ Some valuable lessons on structure ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers It’s April 1. Let me just say up front, nothing in this edition of the Journal is an April Fool’s joke. (grin) I’ll be getting back to my WIP today. Also today, Blackwell Ops 3: Marie Arceneaux releases to the public. It’s available at https://books2read.com/u/3LGY00. I’m also in a new bundle, ECLECTICA, from BundleRabbit. Nineteen short stories and short story collections, featuring my own collection S, F, & H. For details, visit … Read more

The Daily Journal, Sunday, March 31

In today’s Journal ▪ One potential taker… ▪ Topic: On (Not) Developing Characters ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers I’ve had one potential taker on my offer to work with other writers as a tutor. I really look forward to working with this writer and hope s/he decides to go ahead. I’m thrilled to be able to share now the awakening that happened for me some 5 years ago. Finding Heinlein’s Rules and then the writing into the dark (or as Michaele L. calls it, “writing into the unknown”) technique was literally life-changing for me. I only … Read more