Pro Writers Writing

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, Wednesday, October 2

In today’s Journal * Two days ago * Of Interest * The Numbers Well, two days ago I got through about half of my novel or novella without recognizing an ending. So yesterday I continued to read off and on as more pressing personal events permitted. I got a little farther. Today will be much the same, still dependent on those more pressing matters. I’m posting today mostly to get the info in “Of Interest” out to you. Talk with you again soon. Of Interest For something every writer needs to learn, see “Just Bloom” at https://prowriterswriting.com/just-bloom/. See “Amazon is … Read more

The Journal, Saturday, September 28

In today’s Journal * Nothing today * Topic: What I Missed * Oh, the rough night? * Of Interest * The numbers Nothing today other than the topic below and whatever’s in Of Interest. Had a rough night last night. Topic: What I Missed There are two key parts to this topic: preparation and confidence in one’s self and one’s abilities. Naturally, the former fuels the latter. If you are appropriately prepared, you have more confidence in what you do. More confidence that you will be successful. Preparation is key. Anyone who’s ever taken an exam in school understands that … Read more

The Journal, Friday, September 27

In today’s Journal * Topic: On Licensing * Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow * The numbers Topic: On Licensing Yesterday, I talked with my wife about separating our professional income from licensing my IP from our personal income from a variety of sources (my social security, my USMC retirement, her day job, and so on). In any business, this is necessary. She mentioned that we currently have two registered LLCs: StoneThreadPublishing.com (hereafter referred to as STP) and HarveyStanbrough.com (hereafter referred to as HS.com). And she argued that income derived from STP is professional income, but income derived from HS.com (mentoring, teaching, … 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, Friday, September 20

In today’s Journal * A few words of advice * I recommend * The numbers A few words of advice for those who are sticking to their guns re traditional publishing — I recommend you subscribe to the Authors Publish Magazine newsletter. It’s free, and at least once each week they do a write-up on markets that are open to submissions in various genres, both literary and commercial. I had toyed with the idea of sending one of my novels the tradpub route. However,I have learned how to do everything myself; as a result I retain all net royalties plus … Read more

The Journal, Saturday, September 14

In today’s Journal * I decided yesterday * Topic: On “Intertextuality” * My son and grandson * The numbers I decided yesterday to write a Journal post for today when I received Jane Friedman’s “The People in Publishing I Learn From,” which you can find at https://www.janefriedman.com/people-in-publishing-i-learn-from/. I strongly recommend it. The fact that she listed Kris Rusch hooked me on checking out the other people and links she mentioned. Also see Michaele Lockhart’s “No, But I Saw the Movie” at https://prowriterswriting.com/no-but-i-saw-the-movie/. And you might want to read my comment. Topic: On “Intertextuality” Yep. Intertextuality. If it sounds like one … Read more

The Journal, Friday, September 13

In today’s Journal * I had this * A special bonus * Topic: On Word Choice and Distractions in Fiction * Related to today’s topic * The numbers I had this short post all set to go out yesterday, then got busy and forgot to post it. And shock of shocks, the world didn’t end. (grin) I guess it’s all right that I’m not hitting it every day after all. As a special bonus for those who are hanging-in with the Journal, please be sure to check the comments on Dean’s “Dumbest New Myth In Writing” at https://www.deanwesleysmith.com/dumbest-new-myth-in-writing/#comments. A ton … Read more