KillZone Blog

The Journal, Saturday, October 12

In today’s Journal * Today is mostly * In other ridiculously stupid news * Topic: I Am Constantly Amazed (Amused?) * To give you at least something worthwhile * Of Interest * The Numbers Today is mostly an unbelievably ridicule-ous day. I hope you find the following as jaw dropping and have-to-laugh-to-keep-from-crying funny as I did. First, my apology for recommending the Glimmer Train link in “Of Interest” yesterday. Had I read it first (I didn’t) instead of simply trusting my source, I wouldn’t have posted it. There is more to the world than doom and gloom, and even if … Read more

The Journal, Wednesday, October 9

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * I’m very excited * Topic: Pro, Hobbyist, or …? * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day Finn (Thanks, Finn!), a reader of this Journal, wrote, “How do I get better if I don’t allow myself to critique my own work?” For writers, how’s that for a quote of the day? First, it’s a really great question, one we all ask at least ourselves from time to time. My response was simple: That question itself comes from the critical mind. If you’re going back and critiquing (critical … 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, October 7

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * First * Topic: POV (Point Of View) * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day (a lesson I haven’t learned well enough yet)       First, let me just say out loud that I strongly agree with Sean Monaghan’s post “There Are Lots of Ways to Write” over on PWW today. That being said, I’ve tried and dismissed the advice that is most often batted back and forth in writing groups and conferences and (I’ve heard) on “boards,” whatever those are. Personally, I can’t follow that … Read more

The Journal, Tuesday, September 24

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Today’s Journal is mostly * Topic: Have Faith * Still mostly on hiatus * The numbers Quotes of the Day Via The Passive Voice, “It all began with Adam. He was the first man to tell a joke–or a lie. How lucky Adam was. He knew when he said a good thing, nobody had said it before. Adam was not alone in the Garden of Eden, however, and does not deserve all the credit; much is due to Eve, the first woman, and Satan, the first consultant.” Mark Twain “The cure … Read more

The Journal, Wednesday, September 11

In today’s Journal * First, a moment * Public Service Announcement of the Day * Topic: An Important Post for Writers * For yet another * I think everyone out there knows * The numbers First, a moment to remember those who lost their lives in a selfish, shameful, cowardly act perpetrated by a few “unspeakable bastards” (as one columnist put it) 18 years ago today. I will personally never forget that day Neither will I ever forget the brave men who lost their lives needlessly in Benghazi on the same date 11 years later. Nor will I personally ever … Read more

The Journal, Sunday, September 8

In today’s Journal * In this time * Topic: Some Sources Say * What has become (daily diary) * The numbers In this time of weird events and self-absorption, I thought I’d share some info about a truly great organization: Team Rubicon. This outfit provides disaster relief without regard for politics, race, gender, nationality etc. Members are dispatched to trouble areas (mostly natural disasters) to help clean up, rebuild, comfort survivors and do whatever else is necessary. Team Rubicon is composed mostly of former and retired military and first responders, but anyone who wants to help is welcome to apply. … Read more

The Journal, Monday, September 2

In today’s Journal * Topic: On Reader Taste * The numbers Topic: On Reader Taste Some of you will remember, awhile back I had a problem understanding “reader taste.” One reader will be absorbed into a story whereas another won’t care for it at all. He might not even finish reading it. I’ve been on both sides of the experience as a reader, but still I didn’t quite get it. Slowly, I came to understand. I still say it’s the writer’s responsibility to do all the things necessary to pull the reader into the story. Otherwise, why bother studying and … Read more

The Journal, Wednesday, August 28

In today’s Journal * On vacation * Topic: What Is “Sexual” Violence? * I’m not sure I added * Of Interest * The numbers After I sent the previous edition of the Journal, I realized I was exhausted. Yesterday for the first time in a few years, I didn’t write anything at all. No Journal entry, no other nonfiction. I haven’t even added anything to the novel (to speak of). I told my wife (grinning), “Y’know, I think I’m gonna take a few vacation days.” She thought that was a good idea. So that’s what I’m doing. Yesterday I headed … Read more

The Daily Journal, Wednesday, August 21

In today’s Journal * Not sure * Tooting my own horn * Topic: Helping Reedsy Out * Daily diary * Of Interest * The numbers Not sure what today will hold. Tomorrow (Thursday) I’ll be in Tucson all day for various medical appointments. Just stuff I have to check out. No biggie. Yesterday, I mentioned a new cover and then forgot to insert it into the post. That’s it on the right. I’ve gotten into the habit of publishing the Journal early. So I don’t forget to post the cover again, I’m going to publish early again today. I also … Read more