Professional Writer Series

The Journal: Writer Seeks Actual Publisher

In today’s Journal * Topic: Writer Seeks Actual Publisher * Wimped out a little * The Numbers Topic: Writer Seeks Actual Publisher A couple days ago I posted about numbers, and yesterday I posted about priorities. Who knew I was building up to posting about Heinlein’s Rule 4: “You must publish” (in today’s parlance)? I just read another post about organizing, or rather the consequences of the lack of organization. And I was moved to leave a brief comment. I wrote “For me, at least, that’s why Heinlein’s Rule 4 is so easy to fall off of.” (Yeah, I know. … Read more

The Journal: A Thought on Priorities and Writing

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Topic: A Thought on Priorities and Writing * Another Note on Numbers * A decent day yesterday * The Numbers Quote of the Day “You don’t need more time, you need more focus.” FS Blog Topic: A Thought on Priorities and Writing When I was a child in New Mexico, I heard a Realtor’s spot on the local radio station: “There will always be more people, but there will never be more land.” The Realtor in question most often dealt in large tracts of land: farms, ranches and the like. And … Read more

The Journal: Writing “Fast”

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Topic: Writing “Fast” * A dismal day * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “Professional writers think of stories or novels as just one continuous thing they write, never making one or another more important.” Dean Wesley Smith “I usually write a play in six days. A novel takes a month.” William Saroyan Topic: Writing “Fast” Again today I saw a writer trying to define “fast,” as in “Are you a ‘fast’ writer?” To me, this is like defining heat and cold or light and dark. Really, there is no such … Read more

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: MOM (Moaning Over Misery)

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * A Lot Slower Yesterday * In a continuation of my MOM * The Numbers Quote of the Day “Being a writer does not make you an editor. And being an editor definitely does not make you a writer.” me A Lot Slower Yesterday Well, my progress on my recast novel was a lot slower day yesterday. I ran into the part of Book 4 that I kept, the thread that had nothing to do with the death that caused me to recast the novel. A cautionary note: If I had it … Read more

The Journal: Just Rambling

In today’s Journal * Just Rambling * On the other hand * The Numbers Just Rambling I’m constantly amazed by other “professional” writers, and all too often in a negative way. That sense of amazement makes me feel really blessed that I have my particular attitude and personality. I’m glad I can actually achieve and not simply talk about achieving. I’m glad, as a writer, I understand that actually writing is a thousand times better and more fun than talking about writing or the dreaded “deciding to be more proactive and assertive about writing.” I know a lot of people … Read more

The Journal: Opening Up a World Early

In today’s Journal * Opening up a World Early * Good day * The Numbers Opening Up a World Early A few days ago, one of my first readers emailed to say he’d awakened that morning with “an idea for another [FOH] storyline that could be interesting.” Then he asked whether he should “pitch it” to me or “write it up” like I offered with the Galaxy stories. I told him to go ahead and write it if he wants. So I’ll open that world up to others too. To save me reinventing the wheel, here’s the note I sent … Read more

The Journal: The Ongoing Saga

In today’s Journal * The Ongoing Saga of Recasting a Novel * The Numbers The Ongoing Saga of Recasting a Novel The first two days went more slowly than I’d hoped. I hadn’t remembered how much of the original Book 4 was predicated on and directly affected by Isabel’s death. So cycling won’t work. Cycling means reading and allowing yourself to touch the story as you read. That is not helpful when recasting a book. Remember, I’ve never done this before so I’m learning as I go. As I read, cycling through the book, my conscious, critical mind kept popping … Read more

The Journal: Mourning Characters, and Rewriting vs. Recasting

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * As you will see * Topic: Mourning Characters, and Rewriting vs. Recasting * Now it’s almost 9 a.m. * Yesterday and today * 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 “WRITING A BOOK is a lonely pursuit, one that can take years of solitary work.” Kate Knibbs, a senior writer at WIRED “Yes. Alas, writing a book is such terrible drudgery. BWAAAAAhahahahahahahahahaha!” me As you will see, it seemed appropriate … 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