the writing life

The Journal, Friday, March 9

Hey Folks, Well, one more day on Pulp 6, which is now called Stern Talbot, PI: The Case of the Troubled Actress. That’s the cover over on the left. I read it aloud over the past two days to my wife, and during that process I heard some fat that needed to be trimmed. So I’m going to make another pass at it, strictly to trim anything that’s unnecessary. I don’t usually do this, but it’s all part of the learning process. I’ll still be reading over it in creative mind, but anytime my subconscious tugs on me with that … Read more

The Journal, Thursday, March 8

Hey Folks, No writing today. In fact, over yesterday and today, when my wife is home after work, I’m reading my latest novel to her aloud. Amazing some of the little things I’m finding and correcting as I go. For goodness’ sake, READ YOUR WORK ALOUD. I’m also formatting and proofing my wife’s recently finsihed memoir of her childhood, titled A WonderFull Life. Great fun, and well into our 33rd year of wedded bliss, I’m learning things I didn’t know. (grin) *** I chatted via email with my friend Robert Sadler earlier today, and the matter of Heinlein’s Rules came … Read more

The Journal, Wednesday, March 7

Hey Folks, Oof. Woke up out of sorts this morning. As a result, I didn’t start on the story until late. This almost always happens as I get near the end of a novel, long or short. This will be a short novel. (If you’d like to see my definitions of various fiction lengths, email me at harveystanbrough@gmail.com. I’d be happy to send it to you.) The numbers below include things I’ve cut as I cycled back each day. The novel will probably come in (published) at around 33,000 words. I think I have only two or three more scenes … Read more

The Journal, Tuesday, March 6

Hey Folks, It’s so cool to be able to see your own process evolving. Looking back over some of my Journal entries, I notice I used to mostly fritter away a lot of the morning and did most of my writing in the afternoon. Mostly under pressure to get my word count done back when I had a daily goal. But for the past while, I’ve started writing within an hour or so after I get out of bed. Of course, it helps having something to write (grin), especially when it’s flowing as well as my current WIP is flowing. … Read more

The Journal, Monday, March 5

Hey Folks, Got a good early morning session of around 700 words this morning, then went up to the house for a shower and to fix and eat breakfast. I don’t make a big meal really often for breakfast, but this morning it was hashbrowns, scrambled eggs, toast and country fried steak with gravy. Nomnomnom. I can only say I wish I’d eaten more slowly so I could enjoy it longer. (grin) Be sure to check out “Of Interest” today and visit Dean’s site. And if you’re at all interested, leave a comment. Please. Had two more good sessions before … Read more

The Journal, Sunday, March 4

Hey Folks, Well, in a great first session this morning, I got a little over 1300 words. Now I’ll be visiting until the kids leave, then maybe more writing. Anyway, I’m happy with the day’s production so far. Topic: Learning Yeah, I know we’ve talked about this before, but today I’m coming at it from another angle. Usually I recommend reading an author’s works. Then, if he or she does something you really like, take that author’s advice on how to do it. Of course, most authors don’t also offer instruction. Dean Wesley Smith and I are two of the … Read more

The Journal, Saturday, March 3

Hey Folks, It’s almost noon, and so far, surprisingly, I’ve had a pretty good writing day. That’s the result of getting up very late (almost 6), some visiting, a couple of outside chores and a couple of good sessions of writing. So that’s not too bad, considering. Now off for lunch, then maybe more writing afterward. The novel’s really flowing, though at just over 24,000 words I still have no clue where it’s going. But the character are sure having a good time getting there. (grin) If I happen to write anymore today, I’ll report the numbers tomorrow. See you … Read more

The Journal, Friday, March 2

Hey Folks, Wow. The last few mornings, I’ve been rolling outta the rack right at 2 a.m. no matter what time I went to bed. Those of you who’ve been around awhile will remember my usual time is between 3 and 4. My son and his family are coming in tomorrow. So with a weekend of visiting, I’m hoping to get a lot done early tomorrow morning. It typically takes me an hour or so of slapping myself around with the Internet to wake up. Then I head out to the Hovel for my first session on my WIP. While … Read more

The Journal, Thursday, March 1

Hey Folks, I realized early this morning I hadn’t created a reverse outline for my WIP yet. So I started the day by doing that. For those who don’t know, a reverse outline is a reference tool. When I finish a chapter, I write a few notes about it (which characters are included, POV, what happens, any significant descriptions, etc.) on the reverse outline. Later in the WIP, if I need to find something quickly, I can just glance at my reverse outline instead of searching endlessly through the WIP for the information. It saves a lot of time and … Read more

The Journal, Wednesday, February 28

Hey Folks, Well, there y’go. Last day of the month. I’m pretty sure I won’t finish my novel today, so I guess I’ll miss putting one out in February. (grin) Well, I won’t write a whole novel during February, but I published one yesterday. That’s the cover over there on the left. Came out okay, especially given that I’m considerably out of practice. I rolled out early this morning for some reason, around 2 a.m. Of course, I checked Dean’s site. At the time there were about 20 hours left in the North by Northwest Kickstarter. So I dropped in … Read more