the writing life

The Journal: Update on Heinlein’s Rules Stuff

In today’s Journal * Update on Heinlein’s Rules Stuff * From B&N Press *  Nothing in “Of Interest” today * The Numbers You’ll remember my recent 5-post treatise on Heinlein’s Rules, which was based on the actual responses I provided to a series of questions from another writer. If you missed it, you can find the first post at https://hestanbrough.com/the-journal-awhile-back-an-introduction/. I provided that series while maintaining the author’s anonymity, but now she’s outed herself. Becca Publisi, the person who interviewed me about Heinlein’s Rules and then decided not to use (most of) the interview emailed me again yesterday. She needed … Read more

The Journal: The Internet, blah blah blah

In today’s Journal * The Internet, blah blah blah * I won’t be trashing * The Numbers My internet was down earlier today. Add to that the fact that I was under the weather last night and didn’t wake up until after 5 this morning, and I’m just not in a good mood. But the internet—well, the wind blew a little, and it rained a little (less than a half-inch spread out over 8 or 10 hours). Of course, neither wind nor rain have anything whatsoever to do with electricity and the signals it carries as long as the latter … Read more

The Journal: Statement by the ALA

In today’s Journal * Oof. The novel * Topic: Freedom to Read Statement * The Numbers Well, no Journal yesterday (my novel and I were arguing) and not much of one today. Sorry about that. Oof. This novel’s being difficult. This one is writing harder than any since way back in the Wes Crowley series when I wrote Book 3 as a bridge between Books 2 and 4. That one was difficult for a reason, though. I had to merge two timelines. Honestly, I’m not sure why this one’s being difficult. Anyway, I haven’t hit my daily word count goal … Read more

The Journal: A “New” Computer and Logging a Day

In today’s Journal * Free Hour-Long Lecture * A “new” computer * Logging a Day * The Numbers Free Hour-Long Lecture I updated yesterday’s Journal a little late. So in case some of you missed it yesterday, to register for a free hour-long lecture titled “The First Twenty Pages — How to Win Over Agents, Editors, & Readers in Just Twenty Pages,” click https://authorspublish.com/free-author-lecture-the-first-twenty-pages/. It’s free, so it’s worth checking out. I registered, and I’ve also since learned the lecture will take place on Wednesday, March 24, at 2pm ET and 11am PT. But just as a reminder, you really … Read more

The Journal: Get a Beverage and Settle In

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * First, there are a lot * Free hour-long lecture * Slow day yesterday * Just out of curiosity * Of her current Kickstarter * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “The writing courses taught me how to trust my characters even more than I had been – to let them lead me through the story.” Rachel Amphlett “There’s a term I like, coined by author Dean Wesley Smith over on his blog, called ‘writing into the dark.’ This means writing without an outline, without an overall plan, without a safety net, … Read more

The Journal: I’m a Fortunate Guy

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Topic: I’m a Fortunate Guy * If you haven’t pulled the trigger * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” Maya Angelou “In writing, the critical voice always makes the wrong decision. Readers don’t read safe, easy, dull books. Just like no one watches the perfectly behaved child walking beside their parent and doing nothing. Nope, people watch with laughter or shock or stunned amazement or horror the out-of-control funny child. Your book needs to be that child, not … Read more

The Journal: Second Novels and Mentorships

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * When I originally pointed to * And re the first item * Still a little under * The Numbers Quote of the Day “[I]f PG were to hypothetically consider using a Social Media Assistant, he might explore the college population. They’re likely to be intelligent and very familiar with the various platforms and the unwritten norms that govern interaction on those platforms.” The Passive Guy When I originally pointed to “Twenty Authors Talk About the Second Time Around” (“Of Interest”) I did so because I had in mind the thought that … Read more

The Journal: Started a New Novel

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Started a new novel * From David Farland (Dave Wolverton) * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “Substitute ‘damn’ every time you’re inclined to write ‘very’; your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be. Mark Twain (via The Passive Voice) “This is what Stephen King would write like if Stephen King could really write.” One reviewer of a Richard Bachman novel “‘Master your instrument,’ Charlie Parker once advised. ‘Master the music and then forget all that and just play.’” Michael Hall in Texas Monthly … Read more

The Journal: On Getting Paid in Copies

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Yesterday * On Getting Paid in Copies * Speaking of writing * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “People on the outside think there’s something magical about writing, that you go up in the attic at midnight and cast the bones and come down in the morning with a story, but it isn’t like that. You sit in back of the typewriter and you work, and that’s all there is to it.” Harlan Ellison “I get so angry about [people expecting writers to work for nothing] because you’re undercut by all … Read more

The Journal: All Caught Up

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * All Caught Up * Topic: The Pulp Writers * Turns out I’m lazy * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “I write for the joy of writing. It is the air I breathe and the joy of my life.” Charlene Iverson “There is in writing the constant joy of sudden discovery, of happy accident.” H.L. Mencken “In Sarasota, Florida, Stephen King reminded me of the joy of just writing every day.” Neil Gaiman All Caught Up I went ahead and published Book 8 of the FOH series too, early this morning. … Read more