KillZone Blog

The Daily Journal, Sunday, May 19

In today’s Journal * My friend Dan * Weird how writers say * Topic: My Own Stages of Becoming a Fiction Writer * Daily diary * Of Interest * The numbers My friend Dan Baldwin will be dropping by today mid-morning or a little later. We’ll enjoy a couple of cigars and, no doubt, a lot of talk about writing. It’s always enjoyable visiting with Dan. I invariably learn something new or realize something I’d forgotten. So I’ll devote the first couple of hours this morning (after the Journal stuff) to the WIP, then post this early. *** As another … Read more

The Daily Journal, Saturday, May 18

In today’s Journal *My bride and I *I’ll be glad *All good fiction *As I was writing *Daily diary *Of Interest *The numbers My bride and I have a fun trip planned to Sierra Vista today where we’ll visit an estate sale, then attend a gun show, then visit the commissary to grab some grub, plus lunch somewhere in all that. So I had a decision to make. So no topic today (Chapter 3 will keep). Instead I’ll write a bit more on the WIP and on this Journal with my available time. Enjoy the respite. (grin) *** Just a … Read more

The Daily Journal, Thursday, May 16

In today’s Journal By pure chance Just a reminder Topic: How to Quiet the Critical Voice (Chapter 1) Daily diary Of Interest The numbers By pure chance, there are two items in “Of Interest” today about Kickstarter. Weird. One is by Kris Rusch, who usually blogs about actual, nitty-gritty writer-business things. The other is by Thad McIlroy, who posts on items that interest me (and to which I subscribe) about once a year. Yet the two of them both posted blogs on Kickstarter today, one more or less a how-to about Kickstarter Present and one about Kickstarter Future. What’s weirder, … Read more

The Daily Journal, Wednesday, May 15

In today’s Journal Quote of the Day Well, without really planning to Topic: How to Quiet the Critical Voice (Intro) Daily diary Of Interest The numbers Quote of the Day From Jeff Goins’ newsletter: “You don’t have to want to be a writer. You just have to write.” *** Well, without really planning to, I guess I’ll take a shot at writing the critical-voice nonfiction book. As DWS has done before me (and as I did over on the big blog with Writing the Character-Driven Story), I plan to write the entire book a chapter at a time here in … Read more

The Daily Journal, Tuesday, May 14

In today’s Journal Quote of the Day In the past two days Topic: How to Write “Complicated Stories” into the Dark Daily diary Of Interest The numbers Quote of the Day From The Passive Guy: “Writing well means never having to say, ‘I guess you had to be there.’” Jef Mallett *** In the past two days, I came up with two topics that are so huge they want badly to be nonfiction books. One is How to Quiet the Critical Voice, and the other is Writing High-Action Scenes. Of course, the former probably won’t sell five copies. (grin) The … Read more

The Daily Journal, Sunday, May 12

In today’s Journal Happy belated Mother’s Day Quotes of the Day Topic: Verified — Yep, I’m a Hack Daily diary Of Interest The numbers To any moms out there, a heartfelt happy belated Mother’s Day. I know, it’s still Mother’s Day, but most of it will be over by the time many of you read this. I should have mentioned it in yesterday’s journal. *** Quotes of the Day “[T}he shift I felt when I finished my first novel. Once I knew I could do it, I knew that I could learn to be a better writer.” Shaunta Grimes* Also, … Read more

The Daily Journal, Saturday, May 11

In today’s Journal ▪ Today will be a fairly short day ▪ I’m not sure ▪ Topic: I’m a Hack ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers Today will be a fairly short day since it’s Saturday. I’ll spend some time with the WIP, then some time with my wife. *** I’m not sure whether I’m actually writing right now (telling a new story, putting new words on the page) so much as taking some enjoyable time AWAY from actual writing. Or more succinctly, away from writing for publication. At least that’s how it feels. I AM writing, … Read more

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