The Passive Voice

The Journal: Nothing Much

In today’s Journal * Nothing much * Of Interest * The Numbers Nothing much to talk about today. I’m still here (waving) and hope to be back to “normal” soon. In the meantime, I wanted you to have the “Of Interest” items below in case you missed them. During this break, if you have any questions about writing or storytelling that you think I can help with, don’t hesitate to ask. Talk with you again when I can. Of Interest See “What Is Writer’s Burnout?” at https://writershelpingwriters.net/2020/08/what-is-writers-burnout/. Thanks to the Passive Guy. See “Scary Scam” at https://www.deanwesleysmith.com/scary-scam/. See “The Writer’s … Read more

The Journal: I’m Back

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it. Or, if proper usage gets in the way, it may have to go. I can’t allow what we learned in English composition to disrupt the sound and rhythm of the narrative.” [emphasis added] Elmore Leonard “Without translation, we would be living in provinces bordering on silence.” George Steiner (just beautifully written) I’m Back It’s been a struggle, and it isn’t over yet, but I’m over the hump. I won’t bore you with details, BUT: … Read more

The Journal: Why I Try to Teach Writing

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Topic: Why I Try to Teach Writing * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “Belief and reader absorption come in the details: An overturned tricycle in the gutter of an abandoned neighborhood can stand for everything.” Stephen King “The good parts of a book may be only something a writer is lucky enough to overhear or it may be the wreck of his whole damn life and one is as good as the other.” Ernest Hemingway Topic: Why I Try to Teach Writing Because doing things correctly matters. … Read more

The Journal: Quit but Keep Teaching?

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Topic: Quit but Keep Teaching? * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “You have heard the old chestnut that writers write, right? You wouldn’t say, ‘I’m a mountain climber’ without ever actually climbing a mountain, right?” Chuck Wendig “I am amazed, astounded, astonished at how often I see writers bitching about writing. I don’t mean bitching like, ‘Oh, shucks, I had a bad day,’ or, ‘Man, this story’s a lot harder to write than I anticipated.’ But… an endless stream of complaining about the very act of putting … Read more

The Journal: A Little More on Cycling

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * It Keeps on Tickin * Topic: A Little More on Cycling * About Dean Wesley Smith * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “The good parts of a book may be only something a writer is lucky enough to overhear or it may be the wreck of his whole damn life and one is as good as the other.” Ernest Hemingway (via The Passive Voice) It Keeps on Ticking I came across an old Timex watch in my desk drawer a few days ago. On a lark, I … Read more

The Journal: The Difference Between Rewriting and Cycling

In today’s Journal * How weird is that? * Topic: The Difference Between Rewriting and Cycling * Of Interest * The Numbers How weird is that? Two Journal entries in two days. I’m still not writing fiction, but I’m getting closer. I have a couple of major projects in mind. Once I settle on one, I should be off and running again. But for now, this Journal entry is necessary. Not for me or a handful of others I know, but for some of you maybe. Topic: The Difference Between Rewriting and Cycling This is a followup to the topic … Read more

The Journal: Not Tag-Line Verbs (Update)

In today’s Journal * Welcome * Topic: Not Tag-Line Verbs (Update) * Of Interest * The Numbers Welcome Here I am, barely blogging along after having written a post almost every day for years, and a new reader subscribed yesterday. Welcome, my new friend from Melbourne. While my blogging is less frequent than before, I invite you to use the tag cloud or search box to check for posts on topics that might interest you. A few more folks have joined us over the past couple of weeks too. Welcome, all. Topic: Not Tag-Line Verbs (Update) A couple of posts … Read more

The Journal: Body Parts and “Gave”

In today’s Journal * Topic: Body Parts and “Gave” * Of Interest * The Numbers Topic: Body Parts and “Gave” First, read the post over at the Kill Zone blog today, where Terry Odell discusses “Roaming Body Parts” at https://killzoneblog.com/2020/07/roaming-body-parts.html. Her point is that (as a reader) she doesn’t mind passages like “Her fingers flew to her cheeks.” Her reasoning is that since she doesn’t personally mind such constructions as a reader, she’s justified in using them in her writing. On the surface, that’s fine. Certainly we have the right to read what we want to read and write however … Read more

The Journal: Culling Sites and WITD

In today’s Journal * Cullilng sites * On WITD * Congratulations * Of Interest * The Numbers I’ve culled my own list of sites that I check daily (or to which I subscribe). My list is down to Dean (because he’s my friend), David Farland’s Writing Tips (subscribe at https://mystorydoctor.com/blog/), and The Passive Voice (for general interest). I still check Kill Zone blog too, but that usually takes only a second or two (long enough to read the title and the blogger’s name and move on). Only one or two bloggers on TKZ still provide worthwhile, original advice. And I … Read more

The Journal: Snippets and Priorities

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Snippets and Priorities * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “What they call you is one thing. What you answer to is something else.” Lucille Clifton (via The Passive Voice) Snippets and Priorities The following are snippets of what might have become topics or essays had I followed them through. I thought it might be fun to give you a glimpse at how my brain is working at the moment. Where a new mini-topic begins I use bold and italics. A few days ago I received an article … Read more