The Journal: Yes, That’s What Happens

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * I’m writing this * Yes. That’s what happens * On an oddly related note * Today I’ll finish cycling and write * The Numbers Quote of the Day “My story began to develop and grow in unexpected ways, much like a baby who resembles neither parent at first but occasionally, even eerily, flashes a crooked smile or gives you that soulful gaze that makes you know you are staring at your spiritual twin.” Sunday Taylor I’m writing this on Thursday morning. I finished the recast of Book 4 by around 7 … Read more

The Journal: Happy New Year, Yesterday, Cycling and Heinlein’s Rules

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Happy New Year * Thanks * Topic: Yesterday, Cycling, and the Two Days Before * Yesterday too, an article * Heinlein’s Rules * Annual Recap * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “It’s never too early to start something new, and it’s never too late to fix what’s broken for next time.” Wes Crowley “Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365-page book. Write a good one.” Brad Paisley (thanks to Sam T for sharing this) For those of you who wait to begin a new year on January 1, … Read more

The Journal: Today, an Odd Compilation

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * A do-over * New cats * This morning * Topic: “Thread” vs. “Outline” * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “It was only when publishing house after publishing house, agent after agent had rejected my submissions, and I’d decided that no one was ever going to read my books, that I threw the rules out the window. I then simply wrote what I wanted to write, wrote how the stories came to me, was true to them and my characters. Then I published myself … And I’ve sold more than two … Read more

The Journal: Adapted from Peter de Vries

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Free lecture on inspiration * My son and his beautiful girl Cathy * The Numbers Quote of the Day “[T]he next time a traditionally-published author or agent talks about Amazon ruining the book business, some might be tempted to say that the New York book business deserves to be ruined.” The Passive Guy From AuthorsPublish.com, “You are invited to attend a free lecture and Q&A session with New York Times Bestselling Author Emily Colin. She’ll be giving a talk on “Taming the Wild Beast: Making Inspiration Work for You. “The lecture … Read more

The Journal: Keep Coming Back

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Chatting on the phone * Keep Coming Back * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “Is PG the only person who is tired of the phrase, raise awareness? At the moment, PG’s awareness seems to be sheltering in place.” The Passive Guy Yup. Mine too. I’ve never been a big phone person. I’ve always considered the telephone a necessary evil. It’s something I carry around (usually) “just in case”) but it’s also an intrusive nuisance. However, there are a few people whose phone calls I happily anticipate and welcome when they … Read more

The Journal: Passion vs. the Critical Mind

In today’s Journal * Lest anyone misunderstand * I’m learning how to walk * The novel is writing itself * Of Interest * The Numbers Lest anyone misunderstand my recent post about passion, my intention was not to dissuade anyone from writing. My intention was to describe my own passion and to suggest you follow yours, whatever it may be. Nothing wrong with that. However, I also rail here regularly about the (evil) power of the conscious, critical mind and various ways it can stop you from writing. So let me add this to my previous post on passion: If … Read more

The Journal: NaNoWriMo Approacheth

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Topic: NaNoWriMo Approacheth, Slouching… * I’m writing again * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “It is the writer that creates a story that will sell … if the writer allows himself to be in the story with the character.” Dean Wesley Smith Topic: NaNoWriMo Approacheth, Slouching Toward Keyboards Everywhere Forgive me the following. I’m going to get a little snarky. In an article in Kobo Writing Life yesterday, the author advised writers to “prepare” for NaNoWriMo. The article suggests writers 1. Plot their outline 2. Do a … Read more

The Journal: Just Chatting

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Just chatting * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “Written stories belong to their individual creators as individuals. Copyright laws around the world reflect this belief and value. … Stories don’t belong to cultures or people who bear some similarity to the characters in a book.” David Vandagriff (as The Passive Guy) harkening back to my previous Journal post Just chatting this morning. I haven’t talked with you in a few days. That omission was unintented. But really, I haven’t had much to talk about, at least regarding … Read more

The Journal: In my own writing, a decision

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * In my own writing, a decision * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “I’ll go to the grave with some regrets, but none will be for things I wanted to do and didn’t try.” Wes Crowley In my own writing, I’ve decided to set aside Blackwell Ops 8 for now. Frankly, I’m just not into it, and (in my opinion) it reads like I’m not into it. Important: I used the qualifier “in my opinion” above because my opinion is only one opinion. Another reader might think it’s … Read more

The Journal: Dropping by for a Visit

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * How are you? * Weather update * Well, I’m still writing, but * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “Some days things don’t line up quite right. That’s why they make tomorrows.” Wes Crowley Yeah, I know that’s the same quote from the last time I posted, but I like that one. One of the best things Wes ever said. How’re ya’ll doing? I hope you’re doing better than I am. My brain’s still twisting in a wind of its own making (grin), with occasional heavy gusts from … Read more