The Passive Voice

The Journal: Finding a Writing Guru/Mentor

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * A comment I added * An addendum * Not as good a day * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “We create fear or make fear go away depending on what story we tell ourselves…” Roger Martin Here’s a comment I added to Dean Wesley Smith’s post in “Of Interest” today. It just felt like something I should share with you: “At some point, a would-be writer who’s looking to actually learn anything has to stop, consider the experience of the source, and assume the source probably knows what he’s talking … Read more

The Journal: The Writing, and Me Griping About the Language

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * The Writing * Here I continue to gripe about the decline * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “There are plagues, and there are victims, and it’s the duty of good men not to join forces with the plagues.” Albert Camus “Some people contend that the English language is a living, breathing organism wherein the definitions of words and rules should change to reflect their mass misuse. … English should not stoop to embrace the lowest common denominator. Rather, society should step up and grant the language the respect it deserves.” … Read more

The Journal: A Dreary Cautionary Tale

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * A Dreary Cautionary Tale: Save Your Work * I also looked on the bright side * The Numbers Quote of the Day “We have described our use of artificial intelligence (AI) to provide you with valuable personalized advice.” from the Terms of Service of a corporation with which I’m acquainted A Dreary Cautionary Tale: Save Your Work As you know, I always try to share the bad as well as the good, the setbacks as well as the accomplishments. Not to put too fine a point on it, but if you’re … Read more

The Journal: On the Split Infinitive…

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Topic: On the Split Infinitive and Other Inane Rules * I’d spend more time * What It Takes to Have a Really Good Day * Another personal record-setting day * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “And all dared to brave unknown terrors, to do mighty deeds, to boldly split infinitives that no man had split before–and thus was the Empire forged.” Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy “When I split an infinitive, God damn it, I split it so it stays split.” Raymond Chandler “Making … Read more

The Journal: BookExpo Is No More

In today’s Journal * BookExpo is no more (!) * Mentorships and first readers * Call for topics * Another really good day * Of Interest * The Numbers Back in the late 1990s or early 2000s, my Writing Realistic Dialogue & Flash Fiction won fifth place (1st Honorable Mention) for the Book of the Year Award in the Education Category at BookExpo New York. Not too shabby, given that there were well over 25,000 entries in that category, including dozens from the “Big Five” publishers. Today, BookExpo is no more. See the first item in “Of Interest.” I haven’t … Read more

The Journal: A Really Good Day

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * A really good day yesterday * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “We know the human brain is a device to keep the ears from grating on one another.” Peter De Vries “I write when I’m inspired, and I see to it that I’m inspired at nine o’clock every morning.” Peter De Vries “We all learn by experience, but some of us have to go to summer school.” Peter De Vries Oof. December 1 already. I had a really good day yesterday to close out November with over … Read more

The Journal: Critical Mind vs. Creative Mind

In today’s Journal * Nobody noticed * Deposit Photo * Started The Journey Home: Part 2 * Topic: On Specificity and the Critical Mind vs. the Creative Mind * Of Interest * The Numbers I forgot to add the cover for The Ark to yesterday’s post. Oops. On the other hand, apparently nobody noticed so no big deal. Anyway, you can see the cover and read a description at https://stonethreadpublishing.com/the-ark/. I think it’s a great cover, one of my better ones. (Later I’ll be revising the description sales copy, but for now it will do.) Deposit Photo is currently running … Read more

The Journal: Silliness and Dystopia

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Happy Thanksgiving * Ridiculous “Are You Kidding Me?” Joke of the Day * Today will be an abbreviated writing day * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “It is difficult to free fools from the chains they revere.” Voltaire Happy Thanksgiving. I hope you and yours will enjoy a thoughtful, peaceful Thanksgiving day. Ridiculous “Are You Kidding Me?” Joke of the Day Disclaimer: I’m not offering an opinion here—political, philosophical or otherwise—only food for thought. Today over on TKZ you’ll find “True Crime Thursday – How Not to … Read more

The Journal: Take Your Time

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Topic: Take Your Time * “That” and other words of interest * Great writing day * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.” Pablo Picasso “My goal is to live my life in such a way that when I die, someone can say, she cared.” Mary Kay Ash (thanks to Sam T. for the tip) “In 1977, I wrote my autobiography. Since I was dealing with my favorite subject, I wrote at length and I ended with 640,000 words.” Isaac … Read more

The Journal: Find Your Passion

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Farewell and welcome * Topic: Find Your Passion * Goal talk * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “When you’re too focused on making money you lose touch with the person you want to be.” Anonymous from an article I read “Staying home for the entire year was sort of a vacation for me, and I had more time to write.” Kay DiBianca Farewell to subscriber “canyonwhispers” and welcome to Ellen in the Phillipines. Glad to have you with us. If I can ever help in any way … Read more