Professional Writer Series

The Journal, Sunday, 9/17

Hey Folks, Up a little earlier than usual this a.m. and was at the novel by 4. I did some cycling, then some writing into the dark, finishing a chapter and starting another chapter. And that was both “into the dark” and in the dark at my outside desk. Something peaceful about the only light in the universe being my computer screen. Maybe I need to write an SF novel next. (grin) It occurred to me this morning I might actually be writing two novels concurrently: a noir PI novel and a crime novel. Remember awhile back I mentioned this … Read more

The Journal, Saturday, 9/16

Hey Folks, Even after a relatively late night, I rolled out at 3:30 this morning. Not sure how much I’ll get done in writing today since it’s Saturday. TOPIC: On Challenges, Part 2 Note: This follows on yesterday’s topic. If you haven’t read it, you can find it at http://hestanbrough.com/the-journal-friday-915/. At the beginning of the calendar year, I challenged myself to write 15 novels during the year. Later, after an intended novel fell short and ended as a novella, I adjusted the goal to 16 novels or novellas. That should have clued me I was in trouble. It didn’t. I … Read more

The Journal, Friday, 9/15

Hey Folks, Welp, I started the day closer to my usual time. I read a lot (see “Of Interest”) and then checked Dean’s site. Much of his post for today is a rehash of the previous couple of days, so it didn’t make “Of Interest,” but parts of it keyed something in me. So I wrote the topic for today. Actually, I also wrote the topic for tomorrow (I won’t count those words until tomorrow). I had so much fun with the latter, I decided to cross post that one to the main blog where it will appear on September … Read more

The Journal, Thursday, 9/14

Hey Folks, Man, I hate outsmarting myself. And I’ve done that twice recently. The most recent was yesterday, when I planned to watch the historic Cleveland Indians’ game against Detroit. Cleveland won and extended their streak to 21 games. But I didn’t get to watch it. When MLB Network advertised they would show the game live at “noon Eastern,” I counted the hours the wrong way. I expected it at 4, when actually it came on at 9. Sigh. And a couple weeks ago, I decided to take down my 10-volume Wes Crowley saga from Smashwords and D2D. The series … Read more

The Journal, Wednesday, 9/13

Hey Folks, Not a lot other than reading and writing (very little arithmetic) going on at the old homestead today. It feels like a do-nothing day, but I don’t want one. Besides, I need that like I need a cliché in my head. I finally broke down and took my lawn mower in to a repair shop. That and surrounding details and sidetracks ate up the first two working hours of the day. I started playing at the novel right at 10:30. It’s now almost 1:30 (I’ve done some other little stuff too) and I’ve written barely over 1000 new … Read more

The Journal, Tuesday, 9/12

Hey Folks, Okay, I mentioned a couple of times a workshop I’m taking with Dean. It ended this morning, so here’s my report. On the Online Workshops tab of his website, the title (if you want to read about it) is officially “Writing Mysteries.” If you’re interested, I encourage you to read the writeup there. First, I found that the actual workshop more than nailed the description on the website. This is an actual writing workshop. He teaches you how to write mysteries in the ten most popular subgenres. Plus there are extensive notes on writing Thrillers (used to be … Read more

The Journal, Monday, 9/11

Hey Folks, Well, have you guys heard me whine enough? The thing is, I’m either a writer or I’m not. For awhile now, I haven’t been. Not really. So I’ll see about cutting down on the whining, and instead go back to tending to business. I am somewhat heartened, because in the original essay in which Robert Heinlein laid out his Business Habits for Writers, he mentioned that he himself had violated his own rules on occasion. *** Today in “Of Interest” you’ll see that Dean’s going to offer his services as a first reader again in two challenges, short … Read more

The Journal, Sunday, 9/10

Hey Folks, Rolled out late again this morning. That’s all right. Had an urge to write something different, so I started another story. Then I got stuck. Then I sat back and thought about that. It’s been happening a lot over the past couple of months. Then I realized what’s going on and wrote the topic below. TOPIC: Introspection Recently, privately, a friend applauded me for sharing the down sides as well as the up. Possibly he didn’t realize he was only encouraging me. (grin) I find myself in a ridiculous predicament, though “predicament” is too strong a word. Besides, … Read more

The Journal, Saturday, 9/9

Hey Folks, Well, I didn’t take the recliner back yesterday. If it doesn’t rain today, I’ll probably do that today. It did rain what seemed like all night last night, but less than 1/10 of an inch in the gauge this morning. Left about 8:30 for Sierra Vista. Back around 12. Not sure what else I’ll get done today. My WIP is kind’a weird. I mean, I keep hearing that all books write differently, and my experience has shown that’s true. In this one, not only will it (probably) be presented in “Parts,” but I’m getting the feeling I need … Read more

The Journal, Friday, 9/8

Hey Folks, Especially if you’re a writer of science fiction or science fantasy, check out Science Alert at http://www.sciencealert.com/. Bear in mind, though, it’s a good idea for writers to absorb knowledge on all sorts of topics, not only those that are genre specific. I saw articles and photos on Science Alert today that would easily lend themselves to ideas (and stories) in Mystery, Psychological Suspense, Noir, Romance and other genres. So pretty much everything. *** I rolled out late, then spent part of the morning updating my website and redesigning the sidebars. If you go looking for stuff on … Read more