DyingWords.net

The Journal: A Bestseller Goes Indie (and Why)

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * See the rest * I wrote nothing * The Numbers Quote of the Day “Which brings us to the huge burning question: what will the publisher do for us that will be worth giving up 3/4 of our money forever? A publisher would have to make a very compelling argument and that argument can’t be just ‘We will give you a big advance.’ Here is why the advance argument falls flat on its face. “Let’s say we get an advance of $100,000 for a book price $4.99. The book sells 30,000 … Read more

The Journal: A Thought on Priorities and Writing

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Topic: A Thought on Priorities and Writing * Another Note on Numbers * A decent day yesterday * The Numbers Quote of the Day “You don’t need more time, you need more focus.” FS Blog Topic: A Thought on Priorities and Writing When I was a child in New Mexico, I heard a Realtor’s spot on the local radio station: “There will always be more people, but there will never be more land.” The Realtor in question most often dealt in large tracts of land: farms, ranches and the like. And … Read more

The Journal: Today, an Odd Compilation

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * A do-over * New cats * This morning * Topic: “Thread” vs. “Outline” * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “It was only when publishing house after publishing house, agent after agent had rejected my submissions, and I’d decided that no one was ever going to read my books, that I threw the rules out the window. I then simply wrote what I wanted to write, wrote how the stories came to me, was true to them and my characters. Then I published myself … And I’ve sold more than two … Read more

The Journal: Adapted from Peter de Vries

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Free lecture on inspiration * My son and his beautiful girl Cathy * The Numbers Quote of the Day “[T]he next time a traditionally-published author or agent talks about Amazon ruining the book business, some might be tempted to say that the New York book business deserves to be ruined.” The Passive Guy From AuthorsPublish.com, “You are invited to attend a free lecture and Q&A session with New York Times Bestselling Author Emily Colin. She’ll be giving a talk on “Taming the Wild Beast: Making Inspiration Work for You. “The lecture … Read more

The Journal: A Horrific Essay and Time to Get Serious

In today’s Journal * A Horrific Essay * Time to Get Serious * Of Interest * The Numbers A Horrific Essay In today’s “Of Interest” I’ve included a link as I often do to a David Farland (The Story Doctor) Writing Tip. I suggest you read it, if only as a cautionary tale. To my way of thinking, it’s a flat-out horrific essay. I physically shuddered in a few places as I read it. So CAUTION. I included the link only as a (shudder) warning for most of you. The very title itself — and most of the rest of … Read more

The Journal: About Marketing, and Alison Holt

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * About that second quote (griping about marketing) * Alison Naomi Holt and Kickstarter * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “An author who gives a manager or publisher any rights in his work except those immediately and specifically required for its publication or performance is for business purposes an imbecile.” George Bernard Shaw (Thanks to The Passive Voice for the quote) I would add that any writer/author who gives any manager (agent) or publisher all rights needs to work on his or her self-esteem. “There’s nothing like low … Read more

The Journal: A Rare Treat

In today’s Journal * The numbers for yesterday * A Rare Treat * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers The numbers for yesterday are below. I missed my short story for this week and stopped short on the novel, and that’s fine. I’m not worried about it. To see why, please read on. (grin) A Rare Treat But not rare enough. We no longer have to wonder when our first rattlesnake of the season will visit. I was sitting in the Hovel about three feet from the door (that’s significant), writing on the novel again when I decided I … Read more

The Journal: When a Novel Becomes Work

In today’s Journal * A Note to New Subscribers * Topic: When a Novel Becomes Work * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers A Note to New Subscribers First, welcome. I’m glad you’re here. Second, a bit about what you can expect from the Journal. I’m an open book, and a blunt, straightforward one. As most of my long-time subscribers know and have somehow survived, I don’t have (or employ) many filters when it comes to talking about writing. To me, storytelling is too important—THAT you write, not WHAT you write—to pull many punches. And I post here almost … Read more

The Journal: A Matter of Mindset

In today’s Journal * Topic: A Matter of Mindset * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Topic: A Matter of Mindset You might consider this a little tough love. In this business, and it IS a business, your mindset is all-important. If you want to be a writer, you have to write. It really is that simple and, for some, that difficult. Please remember that I’m not talking from some magical ivory tower here. I’ve been where all other writers have been before or are now. Some writers outline. Been there, done that. Some writers research, research, research. Until … Read more

The Journal: How to Learn Fiction-Writing Techniques

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Topic: How to Learn Fiction-Writing Techniques * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “[W]hat the character notices and how s/he notices something are reflections of who s/he is.” Michaele Lockhart Topic: How to Learn Fiction-Writing Techniques This topic arose from an email I received a few days ago. What appears below is my expanded response. If you want to learn new fiction-writing techniques and improve your craft, 1. Take in-person or online video or audio courses from knowledgeable sources. By knowledgeable sources, I mean folks with … Read more