The Passive Voice

The Journal: In Case You Missed It

In today’s Journal * In Case You Missed It * Of Interest * The Numbers Since I’m posting much less frequently now, I’ve retitled the “Of Interest” section to “In Case You Missed It.” Seems more appropriate. Not much to talk about right now. Hope you’re all well. I’m posting this primarily to pass along what’s in the section below. Talk with you again when I can. In Case You Missed It See “Let The Critics Out To Play, A Guide For Unruly Writers” at https://prowriterswriting.com/let-the-critics-out-to-play-a-guide-for-unruly-writers. See “Switching Gears” at https://mystorydoctor.com/david-farlands-writing-tips-switching-gears/. For the record, I personally use (and advocate) a … Read more

The Journal: Browsing for Information

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * I’m not back * Topic: Browsing for Information * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “As a child I’d run into Wilde’s witticism ‘The only true talent is precociousness.’ I took my writing seriously, and it seemed to pay off.” Samuel R. Delany In the early part of the movie Twister, Bill keeps saying, “I’m not back.” It provides a quiet comedic undertone. Which is a little how I feel this morning. I’m not back. But I found a few things I hoped you would see and I … Read more

The Journal: Taking a Step Back

In today’s Journal * Taking a Step Back * Of Interest * The Numbers Taking a Step Back Hey folks, I’ve been publishing this Journal off and on almost every day for about six years. Doing so was/is my attempt to pay forward what I’ve learned during my journey as a fiction writer. I hope to get back to publishing the Journal regularly, but for now it’s time to take a step back. For the foreseeable future I’ll publish much less frequently, more like JA Konrath or Neil Gaiman than Dean Wesley Smith. In the meantime, I strongly recommend you … Read more

The Journal: Just FYI

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Nothing much * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “The first principle is that you must not fool yourself and you are the easiest person to fool.” Richard P. Feynman “It’s easier to fool people than it is to convince them that they have been fooled.” Mark Twain Nothing much to talk about today. I’m doing fine but still not doing much day by day other than reading and watching TV and urging all this mental fog to be over so I can get back to writing. I’m … Read more

The Journal: What’s Going On

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * What’s Going On * L. Ron Hubbard’s Writers of the Future * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “What a good thing Adam had. When he said a good thing he knew nobody had said it before.” Mark Twain “A metaphor, to be judicious, needs to support the tone of the scene or the tone of the action it is describing.” Jessi Rita Hoffman What’s Going On Reading Gaiman’s post from a day or two ago gave me the idea that I’m being a slacker. I set out … Read more

The Journal: Neil Gaiman

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * While I wasn’t paying attention * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “When you’re all alone out there, on the end of the typewriter, with each new story a new appraisal by the world of whether you can still get it up or not, arrogance and self-esteem and deep breathing are all you have. It often looks like egomania. I assure you it’s the bold coverup of the absolutely terrified.” Harlan Ellison When I wasn’t paying attention, Neil Gaiman decided to post a few blog posts. I encourage … Read more

The Journal: Of Interest

In today’s Journal * Today * Off for a Few Days * Of Interest * The Numbers Some good stuff in “Of Interest” today. This morning I received the final bit of feedback from my first readers on Book 2 of the Othgygnrk Invasion series, which will release on July 1. I’ll make those changes today, then finish the copyedit I’m working on. Listen, I’ll probably be off here for a few days. I have a feeling nobody’s reading this recently anyway, and I don’t blame you. I need to regroup a little, focus on some things I’m putting together … Read more

The Journal: Nothing Much

In today’s Journal * Yesterday * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Yesterday I tried to write a little and quickly realized my mind is not yet allowing that. Which is frustrating, but fine. “What cannot be remedied must be endured” (Willie Nelson as the title character in the film, Barbarosa). Or in my case, What one flatly refuses to remedy, one must endure. Whatever. Nothing much to say today. I’m publishing this edition because of the items in “Of Interest” below. Enjoy. Even in this time of dense brain fog, I’m learning and improving my craft and reaching … Read more

The Journal: Satellites and a Poem

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Satellites * Stone Libraries and the stories they tell * Yesterday and Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “Mrs. PG gave up bookstore signings a long time before she went indie. Too much time and effort for too little return.” The Passive Guy Each time I go camping, I try to spot satellites in the night sky. Sometimes I see one or two, sometimes none. This morning, at 4 a.m. on my way to the Hovel, I glanced up and spotted one traveling from southwest to … Read more

The Journal: What’s Going On

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Yesterday and what’s going on * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “St. Augustine tells the story of a pirate captured by Alexander the Great. The Emperor angrily demanded of him, ‘How dare you molest the seas?’ To which the pirate replied, ‘How dare you molest the whole world? Because I do it with a small boat, I am called a pirate and a thief. You, with a great navy, molest the world and are called an emperor.’ St. Augustine thought the pirate’s answer was ‘elegant … Read more