the writing life

The Journal: NaNoWriMo Approacheth

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Topic: NaNoWriMo Approacheth, Slouching… * I’m writing again * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “It is the writer that creates a story that will sell … if the writer allows himself to be in the story with the character.” Dean Wesley Smith Topic: NaNoWriMo Approacheth, Slouching Toward Keyboards Everywhere Forgive me the following. I’m going to get a little snarky. In an article in Kobo Writing Life yesterday, the author advised writers to “prepare” for NaNoWriMo. The article suggests writers 1. Plot their outline 2. Do a … Read more

The Journal: Heinlein’s Rule 2

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * I’ve updated the mentorships * Topic: Heinlein’s Rule 2 — You Must Finish What You Write * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “At some point in the next 1,000 years, nuclear war or environmental calamity will ‘cripple Earth.’ However, by then, ‘our ingenious race will have found a way to slip the surly bonds of Earth and will therefore survive the disaster.’ The Earth’s other species probably won’t make it, though.” Max de Haldevang, quoting Stephen Hawking in Quartz magazine “In fiction, emotional release is boring. Drama … Read more

The Journal: “Turnaround” and Links

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * “Turnaround” Finished * My friend Robert S. * Not a lot, but links * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “The most regretful people on earth are those… who felt their own creative power restive and uprising, and gave to it neither power nor time.” Mary Oliver As advertised, I played a little yesterday and finished “Turnaround.” I wasn’t sure of the title when I started (it was just what occurred to me) but the reason for the title became clear as the story wrapped up. (grin) I … Read more

The Journal: A Rare Second Post

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Two Journal posts today * Six years ago today * Writing Into the Dark * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “Some days things don’t line up quite right. That’s why they make tomorrows.” Wes Crowley If you don’t receive two posts via email today, you can see the earlier post at https://hestanbrough.com/the-journal-bottom-line-concerns/. There are several “Of Interest” items in that post and none in this one, so you might want to take a look. I felt like something was special about today, October 19, but I couldn’t … Read more

The Journal: Bottom-Line Concerns

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Bottom-line concerns * Degrees of communication * Writing into the dark * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “In order to control myself I must first accept myself by going with and not against my nature.” Bruce Lee “Bottom line concerns have all but decimated the publishers’ promotional efforts….” Paul Dinas on Anne R. Allen’s blog “Bottom-line concerns.” Yes. Because today the major traditional publishers increase the value of their corporation NOT by publishing and selling books but by paying a pittance for IP, then valuating that IP … Read more

The Journal: An Intensive Learning Month

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * An Intensive Learning Month * Book Covers * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “In 1792, while Gustav III was attending a masquerade ball, he was shot and killed by someone who didn’t like him.” PG Well, it looks as if October 2020 will be my intensive learning month. (grin) The instructor of the Affinity Publisher for Beginners course also offers a couple of FREE courses on Affinity Photo. I’ve already signed up. To read about those, see * 10 Steps to Amazing Photos at https://courses.affinityrevolution.com/p/10-steps-to-amazing-photos. This will … Read more

The Journal: A Quick Primer on Cover Design

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Topic: A Quick Primer on Cover Design * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “[I]n the online world, the cover is the single most important way to position the book.” Bigstock blog “When you browse the Amazon bestsellers in your genre, you should notice patterns in color schemes, fonts, layouts, and images.” Dave Chesson, Kindlepreneur Topic: A Quick (Very Basic) Primer on Cover Design If your immediate response to this is “I don’t need this because I have a cover designer,” well, good for you. But you’re throwing … Read more

The Journal: Save This Post

In today’s Journal * Save This Post * Of Interest * The Numbers Save This Post If you’re still on the fence about whether to purchase Affinity Publisher and/or the Affinity Revolution full course for how to use publisher, I recommend you keep this post. I might talk again about using or learning Affinity Publisher, but I probably won’t list the links again (see below). I’m still working my way through the so-called “beginners” course on Affinity Publisher. I’ve slowed down a little because as I come to things I don’t already know but that interest me, I’m applying and … Read more

The Journal: Griping a little

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Griping a little * Still in class * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “[L]ibraries promote more reading, which creates more readers, which creates more book purchasers, which means publishers make more money.” The Passive Guy I’m griping a little today. I don’t like inaccuracy in writing instruction, and there’s a lot of inaccuracy out there. When I read or hear a blatant inaccuracy that is obviously not a typo in a blog post or a misstep in a writing class, it makes the hairs on the back … Read more

The Journal: More on Affinity Publisher

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * From Diane Darcy * More on Affinity Publisher * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “[T]he final product isn’t important to me. What is important is the fun of the process of telling a story. … I love writing. I can take or leave having written.” Dean Wesley Smith “I don’t like every song [short story, novel] I write, but I like that I wrote it.” Jeff Tweedy Professional indie fiction writer and Journal reader Diane Darcy recommends a book called Writing and Marketing Systems. You can find … Read more