The Passive Voice

The Journal: Yesterday and an Offer

In today’s Journal * Yesterday * A lot of people * If you would like to taste-test * Finally, if any of my patrons * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Yesterday was a much better day of writing with well over 4000 words (see Day 7). The only thing that slows the process is stopping now and then to integrate the March novel with the current one. More than once I’ve felt like it would have been wiser (and easier and a lot more fun) to just trash the whole thing and start over like I was going … Read more

The Journal: Good Stuff and Bad Stuff

In today’s Journal * First, Happy Easter * Yesterday * Today * If you want to learn * Of Interest * The Numbers First, Happy Easter. Whatever it means to you, I hope it’s an enjoyable day. Yesterday, again I wrote only a little over 1000 words (see Day 6 below). We took an early drive to Sierra Vista mostly to get out of the house. We also had an enjoyable walk down along the San Pedro River. The pic is a selfie Mona took with her phone. That part of the day was wonderful. Then things went wrong. Almost … Read more

The Journal: A Mishmash of Info

In today’s Journal * Final day to get * As I browse the internet * Yesterday * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Final day to get ANYTHING on WMG Publishing’s (Dean Wesley Smith’s) Teachable account at 50% off. The sale closes at 5 p.m. today. For my money, there is no better, more knowledgeable, or more honest writing instructor than Dean Wesley Smith. Some have said I clarify things that Dean muddles. That’s simply because different instructors can get through in different ways to different students. But if it weren’t for Dean, I literally wouldn’t be where I … Read more

The Journal: Major Change in the Journal

In today’s Journal * For those who missed it, all of Dean’s lectures * Yesterday * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers All of Dean’s lectures, workshops, pop-ups, and even lifetime subscriptions are on sale for 50% off right now. But hurry. The sale ends on Friday (tomorrow) at 5 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time. Go to https://wmg-publishing-workshops-and-lectures.teachable.com/, click “See All Courses,” and use the code SpringTraining2020 at checkout. You can buy more than one, but you have to get them one at a time because Teachable has no shopping cart. Yesterday, I did a lot of non-writing stuff, including … Read more

The Journal: Wilhelm’s Law and Other Misunderstandings

In today’s Journal * WMG Publishing Offer * Topic: Wilhelm’s Law and Other Misunderstandings * Yesterday * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers WMG Publishing Offer WMG Publishing has decided to repeat their 50% off sale on everything they have on Teachable for 48 hours beginning last night at midnight. Everything. Lectures, workshops, pop-ups, lifetime subscriptions… everything. I can’t urge you strongly enough to take advantage of this offer. To do so, visit https://wmg-publishing-workshops-and-lectures.teachable.com/, click “See All Courses,” and use the code SpringTraining2020 at checkout. You can buy more than one, but you have to get them one at … Read more

The Journal: Probably a Full 99%

In today’s Journal * Probably a full 99% * Yesterday * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Probably a full 99% of the writers on Planet Earth right now are considering writing a novel about a plague or a pandemic. Unless you have a truly unique twist on it, I advise you to forget it. With all that’s going on, it’s too easy to involve the critical mind right now. If you’re determined to go ahead anyway, at least consider applying Kate Wilhelm’s Law. (See a great description of Wilhelm’s Law in the second paragraph at https://www.kboards.com/index.php?topic=220083.msg3074229#msg3074229.) Yesterday I … Read more

The Journal: A Rare Occasion of Looking Backward

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Koontz not Kuntz * Topic: A Rare Occasion of Looking Backward * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “The whole idea is to put yourself in a position to be recognized for your work so opportunities increase. False humility or even laziness could prevent that.” Actor Bryan Cranston In yesterday’s post I misspelled Dean Koontz’ name as “Kuntz.” Senior moment. Mea culpa. I’ve corrected it. When you write as many words per day as I do, I guess you can expect to make a phonetic mistake … Read more

The Journal: The Value of an Opening

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Affinity * Yesterday * Today * Topic: The Value of an Opening * Today redux * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “Reacher has remained a loner and a drifter, which allows Child the freedom to put his protagonist in virtually any role and in any setting and still continue the series.” Rick Pullen in an interview with Lee Child (see “Of Interest” below) “Advice to Writers: Ignore all advice because you’ve got to imagine here’s your book and that book is going to be competing with several … Read more

The Journal: Back to The Othgygnrkthers

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Topic: Back to The Othgygnrkthers * Yesterday * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “The world is visibly changing, and we have no idea what the outcome will be.” Kristine Kathryn Rusch “So release yourself from Outcome. Be unattached to Outcome, take a calming breath and just continue on.” My corollary Topic: Back to The Othgygnrkthers This will be another process topic, complete with a little waffling, so skip it if you want. Yesterday I said I was trashing the book. This morning, I thought Not … Read more

The Journal: Another Brief Lesson on Trust

In today’s Journal * Yesterday * Topic: Another Brief Lesson on Trust * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Yesterday I had a less-than-stellar day and finally stopped struggling and let myself drown at around 2700 words (see Day 20 below). As I wrote earlier, typical for me as I near the end-game of a novel. Topic: Another Brief Lesson on Trust Wow. A lot going on in the novel. Even as I approach the end, a little voice has been nagging me throughout about a “fatal flaw” way back in the basic premise of the story. I recognized … Read more