Reedsy

The Daily Journal, Wednesday, April 3

In today’s Journal ▪ Dean’s “Great Challenge” ▪ My tutoring is still open ▪ Topic: Priorities ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest (a lot of good links) ▪ The numbers Dean’s “Great Challenge” is still open for sign-ups. Frankly, I’m surprised. On the surface, the cost appears a little steep, but it’s basically free tutoring from Dean Wesley Smith. You can use your $600 for credit toward anything you want, and if you make at least 52 short stories in a row (one per week for a year) you get a lifetime subscription of your choice. If I was still … Read more

The Daily Journal, Tuesday, March 26

In today’s Journal ▪ Yesterday I read ▪ Update on my challenge ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers Yesterday, I had the pleasure of reading the first few pages of a story from a relatively new writer. Hey, we all start somewhere. The writing was good, though the writer is currently too wrapped around the wheel of the myths he was taught in school. Again, we’ve all been there. But this writer is different than many. He wants to improve his craft. He was honest enough to post specific questions (which pointed to his being wrapped around … Read more

The Daily Journal, Tuesday, March 19

In today’s Journal ▪ Dean Wesley Smith ▪ Mea culpa ▪ Catching up ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest (a boatload of links) ▪ The numbers If you missed it, do yourself a valuable favor and watch the half-hour video at https://selfpublishingadviceconference.com/how-to-write-a-novel/. Dean basically presents a masters class on writing fiction. I recommend you take notes. I did, and I also watched and listened to the video twice. It is incredible. I added this in several categories to my Writers Resources page. And for one of the most excellent and shortest posts I’ve ever seen, see “A Reminder” at https://phillipmccollum.com/a-reminder/. … Read more

The Daily Journal, Thursday, February 28

In today’s Journal ▪ Quote of the Day ▪ Topic: Words ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers Via the Passive Guy, the quote of the day: “Tomorrow may be hell, but today was a good writing day, and on the good writing days nothing else matters.” ~ Neil Gaiman Topic: Words Words are our friends, writers. There have been many bits of advice handed down over the years, sometimes from “on high” by writers who have Made It. Like Stephen King famously writing “The path to hell is paved with adverbs” or Samuel Clemens’ admonition to hunt … Read more

The Daily Journal, Friday, February 22

In today’s Journal ▪ MurderCon registration opening soon ▪ Daily diary and general rambling ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers Registration for MurderCon, presented by Writers’ Police Academy, opens this coming Sunday. For information, see https://www.writerspoliceacademy.com/classes-available/. *** Up at a little after 3 to a rainy, drizzly morning. And the rain’s supposed to turn to snow later. According to those who profess to know, we’re supposed to get 6″ before it’s all done. Not something we’re used to here, but it’s only weather. It will be 70 degrees here by the middle of next week. Of course, today many of … Read more

The Daily Journal, Thursday, February 14

In today’s Journal ▪ Topic: An Apology ▪ A new blogger ▪ The daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers Topic: An Apology Yesterday in “Of Interest” I posted a link to “Nine Lessons from a Small Indie Publisher.” Had I read it first (I usually do), I wouldn’t have posted it. IMHO, this is not a “small indie publisher.” This is a traditional publisher doing his best to make indie publishing look bad, and he’s doing such a bad job at it that the attempt is transparent. How low will they stoop? Yes, in true indie publishing the … Read more

The Daily Journal, Friday, February 8

In Today’s Journal ▪ Short Journal entry today ▪ On cycling and first reading and how they’re similar ▪ The daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers Not a lot going on today. Got the gate moved and a new upright post in place on the latch side yesterday afternoon. Now I need to rebuild the gate itself. Probably this weekend. *** I was talking with a guy the other day (maybe in comments) about cycling. I don’t recall the whole conversation, but the take-away point was, cycling is all about Story. It isn’t about individual words or sentences. … Read more

The Daily Journal, Wednesday, February 6

Hey Folks, In today’s Journal ▪ Tigritude ▪ First readers abound ▪ On process ▪ I didn’t keep a reverse outline ▪ The daily diary ▪ A LOT in Of Interest ▪ The numbers From The Passive Guy, “A tiger does not shout its tigritude, it acts.” ~ Wole Soyinka I’m not sure, but I believe “tigritude” is my new favorite word. *** I’m amazed (but very pleased) to report I had four positive responses to my request on the Pro Writers blog for first readers yesterday. Should any of them happen to read this, Thank You. Of course, I … Read more

The Daily Journal, Monday, February 4

Hey Folks, In today’s Journal ▪ An opportunity for a free writing webinar ▪ Topic: Ramblings on a Minor Crisis ▪ The daily diary ▪ A LOT in Of Interest ▪ The numbers According to the latest Reedsy newsletter, there’s a new live webinar this Wednesday (Bebruary 6) at 2 p.m. eastern time. Ann Leslie Tuttle, who “spent over 20 years as an editor at Harlequin, the world’s leading publisher of romance,” will present “What Makes the Perfect Romance.” For more information or to register, visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/what-makes-the-perfect-romance-registration-55070670859. Did I say it’s free? *** Topic: Ramblings on a Minor Crisis Yesterday … Read more

The Daily Journal, Thursday, January 31

Hey Folks, Probably my best day of writing fiction ever. (grin) Today we have an absolute must-read as the first item in “Of Interest.” Read it a few times, even. Be sure you understand it. Especially you younger writers who have the potential for a long-term (20+ years). Plus there’s a lot more in “Of Interest” and a short topic today. Today is a built-in short day for me (ends around noon) so I’m in the Hovel early today. Topic: Writing in Challenges and What’s Truly “Special” Be sure to see Dean’s new challenge (the second item in “Of Interest”). … Read more