Lee Lofland

The Journal: Focusing Down, Revisited, Briefly

In today’s Journal * Topic: Focusing Down, Revisited, Briefly * I’m in a race * The Numbers Topic: Focusing Down, Revisited, Briefly Hmm. I think there might be a bit of a disconnect between what I mean and what you hear when I say “focus down.” When I say a writer should focus down, I’m going back to emphasizing that it’s the characters’ story as described through the physical and emotional senses of the POV character. It isn’t what the writer thinks (critical mind) to add-in, but what the POV character sees, hears, smell, tastes and touches and his opinions … Read more

The Journal: In Protest of Hatred

In today’s Journal * Topic: In Protest of Hatred * Another good day * The Numbers Topic: In Protest of Hatred There are only two things I cannot personally tolerate: intolerance and hypocrites. But with that statement, when it comes to some writers, I repeat myself. I despise writers (and people in general), who lade themselves with tons of unearned guilt, primarily to call attention to themselves and how wonderful they are, and then attempt to project that guilt onto others. I despise writers who make absolutely certain they’re touching on all the accepted and expected social biases and preferences … Read more

The Journal: A Primer on Learning to Write Fiction

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Topic: A Primer on Learning to Write Fiction * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “Those that know, do; those that understand, teach.” Aristotle “We can know something without understanding it. But what a difference it makes when we do understand; when the subject in hand isn’t something that we know a few facts about, but we have personal experience of what that feels like.” John Dsouza “Resident Writing Coach — [name redacted] has been a freelance editor and reader for literary agent [name of agent and agency redacted] for over … Read more

The Journal: The Journey Home: Part 6

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * The Journey Home: Part 6 * A Second (Very Short) Addendum * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “Most cynics are really crushed romantics: they’ve been hurt, they’re sensitive, and their cynicism is a shell that’s protecting this tiny, dear part in them that’s still alive.” Jeff Bridges “No one expects a medical student to perform surgery correctly on his first try. And no corporate lawyer would be allowed to negotiate a merger without experience and years of law school behind her. Lawyers and doctors learn by doing. Writers feel we … Read more

The Journal: Writer’s Block and Coming Up with Ideas

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Topic: Writer’s Block and Coming Up with Ideas * The Numbers Quote of the Day “You can not do this from critical voice. You must learn it by reading and typing in openings of top bestsellers (stage four writers) and pay attention to what they are doing. Then you just trust your creative voice to add what it has learned into your stories over time.” DWS on learning pacing Note for any RSS readers: I added the above Quote of the Day after I initially posted today’s edition of the Journal. … Read more

The Journal: Character with a Problem

In today’s Journal * Topic: Character with a Problem * Additional References * The Numbers Topic: Character with a Problem Yesterday, I received a complimentary email from a writer. In it, he initiated two topics, one intentional and one peripheral. The more important is the peripheral one, so I’ll talk about that today. Many times, I’ve said all you need to start a story is a character with a problem in a setting. In his email, the writer wrote, “I have no trouble with the setting part. That’s what comes to me first. (Like the painting that has given you … Read more

The Journal: Information

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Information * Yesterday turned out * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “You need to remember this. The cat sat on the mat,” said David. “That’s not a story. But the cat sat on a dog’s mat. Now that’s a story.” Kate Weinberg quoting David Cornwell (AKA John LeCarre) “The writing is a great palliative…” David Cornwell (AKA John LeCarre) Information I don’t think I’ve mentioned this “Colliding Worlds” Kickstarter here before, so I’ll mention it now. Seems like a great deal to me if you enjoy reading science fiction. See … Read more

The Journal: Decisions, Decisions

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * I started writing * Decisions, decisions… * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “Traditional publishing and selling physical books are, in the 21st century, narrow-margin operations without a lot of room for error or financial difficulties.” The Passive Guy “[E]ven fools can often recognize a death spiral.” The Passive Guy, talking about the book business, but easily relatable to other endeavors as well “Leonard, we know you’re great, we just don’t know if you’re any good.” CBS Records President and CEO Walter Yetnikoff to Leonard Cohen, as reported by Joe Hartlaub … Read more

The Journal: Feedback and Thinking Out Loud

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * One astute reader noticed * Feedback on my negativity * I didn’t have as good a day * Just thinking out loud * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “I think some aspects of writing can be taught. Obviously, you can’t teach vision or talent. But you can help with comfort.” Toni Morrison (via The Passive Voice) One astute reader mentioned she noticed that although I finished the recast of Book 4 of the FOH series earlier this month, my novel total for 2021 still indicates 0. That’s true, but it … Read more

The Journal: An Opportunity to Learn

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * An Opportunity to Learn * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “[A]void using an abundance of clunky “ly” words.” Lee Lofland “The best crime stories are not about how cops work on cases. They’re about how cases work on cops.” Joseph Wambaugh An Opportunity to Learn See “Five Tips For Writing to a Large Audience (48 minute video)” at https://mystorydoctor.com/get-the-five-tips-for-writing-to-a-large-audience/. I suggest listening to this free video by David Farland. For one thing, it will help with good ways to think about your IP, not only the stories themselves but parts … Read more