the writing life

The Journal: One Reverse Outline Template

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * In response to John Gilstrap * Yesterday * Topic: One Reverse Outline Template * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “It’s easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled.” Mark Twain “If I’ve started a story in the wrong spot, I generally won’t realize it until I’m around page fifty or so.” John Gilstrap “I do not romanticize the act of writing. I don’t talk about the anguish I suffer in creating. I do not have a fear of the blank page, writer’s … Read more

The Journal: The Journey Home: Part 1

In today’s Journal * The Journey Home: Part 1 * I have great first readers, and about genres * Another thing about The Journey Home: Part 1 * Update on the Journal * Of Interest * The Numbers The Journey Home: Part 1 Well, I sat down yesterday morning and started my next novel, The Journey Home: Part 1. It will be the second book in The Ark series. It will feature the main characters from the first book, but I have a feeling a different POV character will take charge not too far in. With around 800 crewpeople aboard … Read more

The Journal: Quotes and The Ark

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * One more note on The Ark * My internet connection * Early feedback on The Ark * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “Many great projects go through a stage early on where they don’t seem very impressive, even to their creators. You have to push through this stage to reach the great work that lies beyond.” Paul Graham (thanks to Phillip M. for the tip) “Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel … Read more

The Journal: Missed It By That Much, and Cycling

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Missed it by that much * A new app for authors * Because one writer asked * Yesterday’s cycling session * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “But why write stories that don’t engage you? It’s like cooking a feast that you wouldn’t eat.” David Farland “If you’re not learning, you’re standing still.” FS Blog “[Stephen King] weds an imaginative plot with characters you can almost touch.” James Scott Bell Missed it by that much Note that in today’s Quotes and in “Of Interest” James Scott Bell, praises … Read more

The Journal: A Diary of Days and an Epiphany That Might Help

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Topic: A Diary of Days and an Epiphany That Might Help * Why I’m telling you all of this * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “And that’s why I don’t outline and plot novels in advance. My characters and their stories don’t like to be forced into submission.” me Topic: A Diary of Days and an Epiphany That Might Help You know the slump I was in? Totally my fault. It had nothing to do with CovID-19 or the political season or me quitting cigars, though mostly … Read more

The Journal: A Change to the Journal

In today’s Journal * Yesterday’s Journal * You’ll notice I’ve switched * Authors in My Novels * The writing slowed again today, but * Of Interest * The Numbers The Journal that went live on Nov 12 I actually posted on Nov 11. Not sure why it didn’t go out until the 12th. Anyway, I thought it was an important one. Frankly, I’m surprised I got such a small response on that one. (Thanks, Patrick.) I thought everyone would find it useful if not illuminating. Mark it up to reader taste, I suppose. Who knew reader taste worked for writing … Read more

The Journal: The Essential Elements of a Story

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Topic: The Essential Elements of a Story * Hit another minor snag * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “The greatest threat to freedom is the absence of criticism.” Wole Soyinka (the first African writer to win the Nobel Prize in Literature) How very apt. Thanks to PG for the quote. Topic: The Essential Elements of a Story Disclaimers 1. In the following, when you see “story,” know that the advice applies to a short story, novella, or novel. A short story is about one event. A novella … Read more

The Journal: A New Use for Reverse Outlines

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Happy Birthday * Topic: A New Use for Reverse Outlines * The Value of Cliffhangers * Tomorrow * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “The faster the action, the more the writer should slow down the description.” Debbie Burke Yes. In the heat of battle, the POV character will notice far fewer aspects of the setting, but he will focus on that one aspect (or those few aspects) with a heightened sense of awareness because those aspects are crucial, as if time has slowed almost to a crawl. … Read more

The Journal: My (Our) Beginning-Writer Anti-Scam Efforts

In today’s Journal * My (Our) Beginning-Writer Anti-Scam Efforts * Of Interest * The Numbers I dropped in on my Facebook account this morning just to see what was going on. In a writing group (Arizona Writers) several days ago, I’d responded to a question from a new author who’d just finished her book. Other apparently beginning writers and-or writers who have bought into all the most prevalent myths were telling her how much it costs to self-publish and talking about traditional publishers. I wrote “Self publish. ALWAYS keep control of your intellectual property (IP) copyright and it will pay … Read more

The Journal: A Conundrum

In today’s Journal * Digital Marketing Assistance * Karen Riggs * Odd. At roughly the 2/3 point * Of Interest * The Numbers Over at The Passive Voice today, among other articles, was one titled “Should You Hire a Social Media Assistant?” See https://www.thepassivevoice.com/should-you-hire-a-social-media-assistant/. The article was written by Barbara Linn Probst as a guest post for Jane Friedman. If this topic interests you, I also encourage you to read the comments. For one digital marketing and/or virtual assistant possibility, see https://www.pub-craft.com/. I’m not recommending them, only mentioning them. I encourage you to key “digital marketing” and/or “virtual assistant” into … Read more