KillZone Blog

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, Saturday, March 30

In today’s Journal ▪ Yesterday ▪ On the novel ▪ Topic: On Writing Series… ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers Yesterday I was thinking about going out into the desert behind my house for some target practice with my “new” 9mm. I realized the few rounds I fired at that old coyote the other day were the first ones I’d ever put through that piece. But instead, nagged by the constant PHP warning on all the websites I managed, I decided to look into upgrading the PHP version. (Don’t ask me. All I really know about it … Read more

The Daily Journal, Wednesday, March 27

In today’s Journal ▪ Quote of the day ▪ Update on Pro Writers Writing ▪ Topic: Once More Into the Breach ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers Social media quote of the day: “I don’t see a need to strong-arm people I’ve never met into giving me happy thoughts and supportive words.” ~ Anonymous *** The subscriber list for PWW is growing. If you haven’t subscribed yet, we’re in the second round of posts and they’re getting even more interesting. To subscribe, visit http://prowriterswriting.com and click Subscribe via Email in the menu. At the request of one … Read more

The Daily Journal, Tuesday, March 26

In today’s Journal ▪ Yesterday I read ▪ Update on my challenge ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers Yesterday, I had the pleasure of reading the first few pages of a story from a relatively new writer. Hey, we all start somewhere. The writing was good, though the writer is currently too wrapped around the wheel of the myths he was taught in school. Again, we’ve all been there. But this writer is different than many. He wants to improve his craft. He was honest enough to post specific questions (which pointed to his being wrapped around … Read more

The Daily Journal, Monday, March 25

In today’s Journal ▪ If you don’t read anything else ▪ Topic: On Being a Hybrid Writer, Part 2 ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers If you don’t read anything else all day, read “In Y.A., Where Is the Line…” at https://www.thepassivevoice.com/in-y-a-where-is-the-line-between-criticism-and-cancel-culture/. This sort of censorship crap makes me wonder what the hell is wrong with people. If you would ever succumb to this kind of censorship, I suggest you drop your pen, close your laptop, and go find something fun to do other than writing. And if you choose to keep writing, gird your loins: jerks … Read more

The Daily Journal, Sunday, March 24

In today’s Journal ▪ I was really surprised… ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers I was surprised not to find a slew of comments on my Journal post from yesterday. Nobody saying “No! Don’t do that!” or “Yeah, I’ve been shopping a manuscript around tradpubs for awhile” or “It’ll be interesting to see what happens.” Instead, crickets. (grin) UPDATE: I did get one comment after I wrote this. I suspect that’s because the results will affect only me, at least directly, and that’s fine. I don’t want to think it’s because the topic was simply not interesting, … Read more

The Daily Journal, Saturday, March 23

In today’s Journal ▪ With respect to the OP… ▪ Topic: On Being a “Hybrid” Writer ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest (a boatload of links) ▪ The numbers With respect to the OP mentioned about Microsoft Word in “Of Interest,” you can still view (free) my blog series “Microsoft Word for Writers” at http://harveystanbrough.com/microsoft-word-for-writers/. Just sayin’. *** Topic: On Being a “Hybrid” Writer Part 1: Statement, History and Rationale At 66 years old, with 40-some novels and almost 200 short stories under my belt, I’ve decided to go hybrid. My work has been traditionally published before. I’ve had articles, … Read more

The Daily Journal, Friday, March 22

In today’s Journal ▪ I got a new coffee mug ▪ Topic: Turning a “Story Prompt”… ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest (a boatload of links) ▪ The numbers I got a new coffee mug from Zazzle (https://zazzle.com). My new mug reads I’M A FICTION WRITER. Yes, I’m poor. No, I don’t wish I wrote “__________.” Yes, I’m aware that no one reads anymore. No, I’m not drunk. Just thought I’d share. (grin) *** Topic: Turning a “Story Prompt” into a Story Idea From Reedsy’s Writing Prompts newsletter, “You’re a professional cleaner and the beginning of spring is always your … Read more

The Daily Journal, Wednesday, March 20

In today’s Journal ▪ I’m still offering ▪ I’m also considering ▪ I’ve listed the first few ▪ The famous novelist suffering ▪ Topic: On the Need for Authenticity… ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest (a boatload of links) ▪ The numbers I’m still offering a free first-page critique, say up to 500 words or so. Send what you have as a .doc, .docx or .rtf attachment via email to harveystanbrough@gmail.com. *** I’m also considering serving as a personal writing tutor for up to three writers/students. We’ll work our way through Your manuscript, focusing on Your writing problems or weaknesses … Read more

The Daily Journal, Tuesday, March 19

In today’s Journal ▪ Dean Wesley Smith ▪ Mea culpa ▪ Catching up ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest (a boatload of links) ▪ The numbers If you missed it, do yourself a valuable favor and watch the half-hour video at https://selfpublishingadviceconference.com/how-to-write-a-novel/. Dean basically presents a masters class on writing fiction. I recommend you take notes. I did, and I also watched and listened to the video twice. It is incredible. I added this in several categories to my Writers Resources page. And for one of the most excellent and shortest posts I’ve ever seen, see “A Reminder” at https://phillipmccollum.com/a-reminder/. … Read more