Professional Writer Series

The Journal: Alison Naomi Holt and Robert J. Sadler

In today’s Journal * Thanks for the input * Alison Naomi Holt * Robert J. Sadler * Yesterday * Of Interest * The Numbers Thanks to everyone who gave me input re my fairly recent announcement that I was considering writing nonfiction books on all my mentoring subtopics. I even thought about doing a Kickstarter for the series. I appreciate the input, but I’ve decided against doing that, at least for now, and at least as a series. It would take too much time away from my fiction, and really, that’s where I live and breathe. Besides, the mentorships, personalized … Read more

The Journal: A Day Off and Writing Sales Copy

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * A Day Off * Search the Journal * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “The less promise and potency in the self, the more imperative is the need for pride. The core of pride is self-rejection.” Bruce Lee Self-esteem is at the core of the ability to trust yourself and write into the dark. Yesterday I mostly blew off the day. I had to get labs (fasting) at 7 a.m. so I had no coffee etc. until after that. It’s only pure luck that yesterday’s Journal was coherent. … Read more

The Journal: The Novel Finished

In today’s Journal * Welcome * How to Write Fiction Sales Copy * More Boring Talk About My Own Writing * Of Interest * The Numbers Welcome to Kelley and Anitha and any others who have joined our little community lately. If I can ever do anything to help with your writing, please don’t hesitate to contact me. You know those writers you meet at writers’ conferences who deliver their lecture or class and then disappear into their room in the hotel for the duration? Yeah, that’s not me. I was the guy hanging out in the lobby or the … Read more

The Journal: A Story Idea

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Yesterday * A Story Idea * Of Interest * The Numbers Well, yesterday, finally, I took a few minutes to upload the slightly revised editions of The Rise of a Warrior and Comanche Fire, the first two novels in the Wes Crowley series. Nothing major. As I was reading through them, I spotted and corrected a few typos. Anyway, anyone who would like a “clean” copy of The Rise of a Warrior, you only need to email me at harveystanbrough@gmail.com. A Story Idea For those of you who enjoy reading or … Read more

The Journal: Absorbing Story

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Topic: Absorbing Story * The novel * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day a brief conversation between bestselling authors John Gilstrap and Jeffrey Deaver John Gilstrap: “What are you doing right that I’m doing wrong?” [Jeffrey Deaver] answered without pause, “Last time I counted, I was sixteen books ahead of you.” Yeah, okay. Fine. Perspective. Then he went on to say, “You know you have to keep writing. Stopping isn’t an option.” “What if I can’t sell anything?” I whined. “Nobody says you have to do it fulltime.” … Read more

The Journal: Four-Book Give-Away

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * A give-away * StreetLib * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “In Heinlein’s Rules, Product Focused writers have trouble with Rules #1, #2, and #3. Process focused writers have a horrid time with Rules #4 and #5.” Dean Wesley Smith, in his reply to my comment. Another of those gems I talk about. In honor of Dean’s previous two excellent posts, I’ve decided to do another give-away. For a limited time, you can get Quiet the Critical Voice (and Write Fiction) and Writing the Character Driven Story free. … Read more

The Journal: The Saguaro Cactus

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Actually, no * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day A little misinformation from an article a friend sent me, featured on Yahoo News: “Saguaro are considered to be a ‘symbol of the American west,’ yet they are rare, NPS officials say. ‘These majestic plants, found only in a small portion of the United States, are protected by Saguaro National Park’ near Tuscon.” Actually, no, saguaros aren’t ‘rare’. 1. Saguaros are protected in Arizona, but so are almost every desert plant. If you don’t believe me, be observed trying … Read more

The Journal: Character Descriptions

In today’s Journal * Wow. Lately * I’d be remiss * Topic: Character Descriptions * Yesterday, and Memorial Day * Of Interest * The Numbers Wow. Lately “Of Interest” seems a feast or famine prospect. Today it’s famine. I’d be remiss if I didn’t pass along the info on “David Farland’s Advanced Fantasy and SF Writing Workshop” (at https://mystorydoctor.com/david-farlands-advanced-fantasy-and-sf-writing-workshop/). I’d also be remiss if I didn’t remind you of my mentorships and recommend a comparison. But that’s up to you. Topic: Character Descriptions It’s difficult to point to a “good” book on characterization. Not because they aren’t out there, but … Read more

The Journal: An Epiphany

In today’s Journal * An Epiphany * Of Interest * The Numbers An Ephiphany In an effort to help with your writing career, I’ve always tried to be up front and honest with you guys with both my blunders as well as my achievements. Boy do I have a doozie for you today. You know how I’m always saying Take Your Time with your writing? Bear with me here. Sixty-some novels into my fiction writing career as I wrote the final chapter of the Wes Crowley saga, I decided to see whether there was room for more Wes Crowley novels … Read more

The Journal: More Good Input

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * More good input * Thanks to Maggie King * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “I’ve never followed the tide of popular opinion in the way I write my novels. I’m not going to start now. … I just make an effort not to write anything into my stories that would hurt or show contempt for someone because they’re male or female.” Haruki Murakami “Our job is to give new meanings and special overtones to absolutely ordinary words.” Haruki Murakami “When I’m writing, I write every day. It’s … Read more