the writing life

The Journal: WITD Has Two Parts

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * The current crisis * Topic: WITD Has Two Parts * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “By really getting into your work, the nonessential stuff drops away.” Bill Murray “Bill’s whole life is in the moment,” says Ted Melfi, who directed Murray in the movie St. Vincent. “He doesn’t care about what just happened. He doesn’t think about what’s going to happen. He doesn’t even book round-trip tickets. Bill buys one-ways and then decides when he wants to go home.” Gavin Edwards in “Being Bill Murray” in Rolling … Read more

The Journal: Not Tag-Line Verbs (Update)

In today’s Journal * Welcome * Topic: Not Tag-Line Verbs (Update) * Of Interest * The Numbers Welcome Here I am, barely blogging along after having written a post almost every day for years, and a new reader subscribed yesterday. Welcome, my new friend from Melbourne. While my blogging is less frequent than before, I invite you to use the tag cloud or search box to check for posts on topics that might interest you. A few more folks have joined us over the past couple of weeks too. Welcome, all. Topic: Not Tag-Line Verbs (Update) A couple of posts … Read more

The Journal: Update and Lessons Learned

In today’s Journal * Topic: Update and Lessons Learned * Of Interest * The Numbers Topic: Update and Lessons Learned Just to let you know what’s going on and share the experiece as I pull out of the doldrums, I think I’m over most of the internal stuff. Some of the external crap remains (and it’s all crap), but I have no control over that. As Barbarosa (Willie Nelson) says in the film by the same name, “The Mexicans have a saying down here: What cannot be remedied must be endured.” A more elegant version of “It simply is what … Read more

The Journal: Body Parts and “Gave”

In today’s Journal * Topic: Body Parts and “Gave” * Of Interest * The Numbers Topic: Body Parts and “Gave” First, read the post over at the Kill Zone blog today, where Terry Odell discusses “Roaming Body Parts” at https://killzoneblog.com/2020/07/roaming-body-parts.html. Her point is that (as a reader) she doesn’t mind passages like “Her fingers flew to her cheeks.” Her reasoning is that since she doesn’t personally mind such constructions as a reader, she’s justified in using them in her writing. On the surface, that’s fine. Certainly we have the right to read what we want to read and write however … Read more

The Journal: WITD and Detractors

In today’s Journal * Thank you * Topic: WITD and Detractors * Of Interest * The Numbers Thanks to everyone for the continued support. Your emails and other contributions are much appreciated. I have a feeling I’ll be back full-strength before too long. For today, here’s a topic for you. You’ll note, too, this is being delivered at a different time of day. Sorry about that. Topic: WITD and Detractors I won’t use the word “haters” because, frankly, I’m not a four year old boy or a young teenage girl, so “detractors” will have to do. I hadn’t planned on … Read more

The Journal: Of Interest and Brief Thoughts

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Of Interest * The Numbers [Incredibly Stupid] Quote of the Day “I would say that over 75% of literary journals do not pay their writers. I have no problem with that, but it is nice to be paid occasionally.” Emily Harstone If anyone out there knows a good IP attorney or plumber or mechanic who is so accepting of not being paid for practicing his profession, please let me know. On fear of failure… As a student of human behavior it sometimes amazes me how unreasoningly fearful people can be of … Read more

The Journal: What Makes for Good Writing

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Even though * Topic: What Makes for Good Writing? * Adios for a While * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “I can repeat Mr. Heinlein’s advice to writers. If you pay attention to his dictums, you don’t need to know much else.” Dr. Jerry Pournelle, upon being asked his advice to new writers “The only opinion that counts of your story is whether or not someone will pay you money for it.” Dr. Jerry Pournelle Even though I haven’t written anything for almost two months, I still … Read more

The Journal: Culling Sites and WITD

In today’s Journal * Cullilng sites * On WITD * Congratulations * Of Interest * The Numbers I’ve culled my own list of sites that I check daily (or to which I subscribe). My list is down to Dean (because he’s my friend), David Farland’s Writing Tips (subscribe at https://mystorydoctor.com/blog/), and The Passive Voice (for general interest). I still check Kill Zone blog too, but that usually takes only a second or two (long enough to read the title and the blogger’s name and move on). Only one or two bloggers on TKZ still provide worthwhile, original advice. And I … Read more

The Journal: Snippets and Priorities

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Snippets and Priorities * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “What they call you is one thing. What you answer to is something else.” Lucille Clifton (via The Passive Voice) Snippets and Priorities The following are snippets of what might have become topics or essays had I followed them through. I thought it might be fun to give you a glimpse at how my brain is working at the moment. Where a new mini-topic begins I use bold and italics. A few days ago I received an article … Read more

The Journal: In Case You Missed It

In today’s Journal * In Case You Missed It * Of Interest * The Numbers Since I’m posting much less frequently now, I’ve retitled the “Of Interest” section to “In Case You Missed It.” Seems more appropriate. Not much to talk about right now. Hope you’re all well. I’m posting this primarily to pass along what’s in the section below. Talk with you again when I can. In Case You Missed It See “Let The Critics Out To Play, A Guide For Unruly Writers” at https://prowriterswriting.com/let-the-critics-out-to-play-a-guide-for-unruly-writers. See “Switching Gears” at https://mystorydoctor.com/david-farlands-writing-tips-switching-gears/. For the record, I personally use (and advocate) a … Read more