Jane Friedman

The Journal, Tuesday, October 15

In today’s Journal * I caught my breath * Yesterday * Of Interest * The Numbers I caught my breath when “Intellectual Property: The Big Picture for Authors” popped into my inbox this morning. (First item in “Of Interest” below.) Could this be a post about (gasp) licensing? And one that’s not from Kris Rusch or Dean Smith? It is. Not only that, it’s posted on Jane Friedman’s site and was written by literary agent Ethan Ellenberg. What? Yeah, I could hardly believe it either. But it’s a great overview, entry-level article. If you read nothing else today, read this … Read more

The Journal, Tuesday, October 8

In today’s Journal * Silly Quote of the Day * Topic: Stick to Your Guns * Today * Of Interest * A couple of notes * The Numbers Silly Quote of the Day “No, you don’t need to outline, but you really need to stop and ask yourself questions before you write one word:” PJ Parrish in “What’s Your Point? Figuring Out What Goes Into Each Chapter” at https://killzoneblog.com/2019/10/whats-your-point-figuring-outwhat-goes-into-each-chapter.html. Really? “You don’t need to outline, but [you need to outline.]” Seriously? Committed much? (grin) Topic: Stick to Your Guns In my book Punctuation for Writers, there’s a whole section on … Read more

The Journal, Monday, September 16

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Topic: I’m Finally Convinced * Yesterday * In my reading this morning * The numbers Quote of the Day Via The Passive Voice, “There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that receives it.” Edith Wharton Which coined this thought in my mind: Most writers won’t risk the benefit of light. They blow out the candle and huddle safely in the corner of the room, secure in doing the same worn-out things in the same worn-out ways, then wonder why they aren’t successful. Topic: I’m … Read more

The Journal, Saturday, September 14

In today’s Journal * I decided yesterday * Topic: On “Intertextuality” * My son and grandson * The numbers I decided yesterday to write a Journal post for today when I received Jane Friedman’s “The People in Publishing I Learn From,” which you can find at https://www.janefriedman.com/people-in-publishing-i-learn-from/. I strongly recommend it. The fact that she listed Kris Rusch hooked me on checking out the other people and links she mentioned. Also see Michaele Lockhart’s “No, But I Saw the Movie” at https://prowriterswriting.com/no-but-i-saw-the-movie/. And you might want to read my comment. Topic: On “Intertextuality” Yep. Intertextuality. If it sounds like one … Read more

The Daily Journal, Thursday, August 1

In today’s Journal * Straight to it today * Topic: Every Story Needs an Editor…. * Daily diary * Of Interest * The numbers Straight to It Today No lollygagging about. It’s time for a little tough love. Topic: Every Story Needs an Editor (and Other Stupid Blanket Statements) I read a blog post yesterday by a writer who has stopped learning because she apparently believes she knows enough. She even wrote, point blank, if you believe your story doesn’t need other eyes on it, you must believe your words are “precious.” Ugh. I really wish I hadn’t read that. … Read more

The Daily Journal, Monday, July 22

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Some Thoughts on Me Writing Fiction * Topic: As You Consider Publishing Audio Books * Patronage * Daily diary * Of Interest * The numbers Quote of the Day “You must write.” Robert A. Heinlein in Business Habits for Writers Some Thoughts on Me Writing Fiction I almost named this section “Life Rolls” or “Placing the Blame” or something dramatic like that. I can’t even call it “Why I’m Not Writing Fiction” because that wouldn’t be accurate either. And I can’t bring myself to call it whining, though that’s probably all … Read more

The Daily Journal, Tuesday, July 16

In today’s Journal * Update * Topic: A Tale of Two Businesses * Don’t miss * Daily diary * Of Interest * The numbers Update Light day yesterday. I watched/listened to one of the Pop-Ups I received through a Kickstarter reward (writing stuff). I also decided to invest in a second set of speakers for my computers. I’ll keep one set in the Hovel for those times when I’m studying writers’ stuff and one in the house for when my wife and I are listening to publishing and marketing and licensing stuff. Topic: A Tale of Two Businesses First and … Read more

The Daily Journal, Thursday, July 11

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Update * A major new resource * Topic: A Toast to New Beginnings * Daily diary * Of Interest * The numbers Quote of the Day “The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge.” Daniel J. Boorstin *** Yesterday, I moved the large monitor for my business computer back up to the house since that’s where we’ll be doing most of our learning. (See the topic below) My new partner and I also started some preliminaries: setting up a new web-based email address for the … Read more