the writing life

The Journal: On the Perceived Threat of Writing Off Into the Dark

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * On Amazon Prime * Topic: On the Perceived Threat of Writing Off Into the Dark * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “It is not merely enough to love literature if one wishes to spend one’s life as a writer. It is a dangerous undertaking on the most primitive level. For, it seems to me, the act of writing with serious intent involves enormous personal risk. It entails the ongoing courage for self-discovery. It means one will walk forever on the tightrope, with each new step … Read more

The Journal: A Short Story Contest

In today’s Journal * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers This morning I was handed a theme for my upcoming short story: People are strange. It’s a contest prompt, and the deadline is midnight EST, 1 March. That’s TOMORROW. Just in case you want to and can pound out a short story in that time, I’ve included the link in “Of Interest” below. Apparently the opening date was Feb 10, but I didn’t learn of it until today. Probably due to my own inattention. Anyway, I turned-to. Wrote a short story to meet my own deadline and then submitted … Read more

The Journal: Dean Wesley Smith and Exciting News

In today’s Journal * About Dean Wesley Smith * New Patronage Tiers * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers I have a feeling (I hope I’m wrong) that Dean Wesley Smith is moving away from sharing writing tips in his daily blog. That’s why I haven’t linked to his posts much lately in “Of Interest.” He’s a great teacher, which in my mind, for my way of learning, means he drops gems of information that I can glean, figure them out on my own, and learn from them. But it seems to me he isn’t doing that as much … Read more

The Journal: A Cover Reveal and On Being Prolific

In today’s Journal * Clive Cussler * Topic: A Cover Reveal and On Being Prolific * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Clive Cussler, one of our better authors, passed away today at the age of 88. May his family and friends heal quickly and well. Topic: A Cover Reveal and On Being Prolific Part 1 I’m taking a day off today, sort of. Early this morning, I was tempted to let Heinlein’s Rule 4 slip. But not from fear of what readers might think of my story. I was tempted to let it slip because publishing just isn’t … Read more

The Journal: Recognizing Life Rolls

In today’s Journal * I felt a little disjointed * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers I felt a little disjointed yesterday, a little out of sorts. I was fatigued, felt less than interested in the novel I’m writing, etc. I wanted only to go sit on my recliner and watch reruns of old Twilight Zone episodes. (The writing in most of those is excellent, though the dialogue often leaves a lot to be desired.) So that’s what I did. I barely got my 3000 words yesterday, and as soon as I did, I retired to the house. But … Read more

The Journal: When Rewriting Is (Maybe) Appropriate

In today’s Journal * Getting close * Topic: When Rewriting Is (Maybe) Appropriate * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers At almost 52,000 words, I finally have a sense that I’m nearing the final scenes of my WIP. The end isn’t in sight (thankfully) but probably within another 10,000 words or so. So it looks like I’ll finish it in February. Woohoo! Topic: When Rewriting Is (Maybe) Appropriate Yeah, I actually said the R word. But I didn’t really mean it. What I actually meant was Cycling After the Fact (after a book is published). I actively teach (and … Read more

The Journal: A Quick Lesson on Openings and Hooks

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Topic: A Quick Lesson on Openings and Hooks * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “I’m letting the story and characters unfold… and writing whatever comes. It’s definitely faster. It’s not at all exhausting. I’m not feeling the ‘brain drain’ I get when I try to craft a story from the outside in. And I’m eager to pick [the story] up again tomorrow.” Patrick Dorn, a new proponent of writing into the dark Topic: A Quick Lesson on Openings and Hooks One of my patrons emailed … Read more

The Journal: Boredom and the Power of I Am

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Topic: Boredom and the Power of I Am * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers “[B]oredom comes when a reader anticipates (even subconsciously) what will happen next—and then it does.” James Scott Bell Know how to beat boredom for your reader? Don’t plan. Just write. Topic: Boredom and the Power of I Am Even if you’re a non-believer, the bible and other religious texts hold important lessons for everybody. There’s much wisdom there. In my humble opinion, the most important is the concept of I AM. I Am is the … Read more

The Journal: A Matter of Mindset

In today’s Journal * Topic: A Matter of Mindset * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Topic: A Matter of Mindset You might consider this a little tough love. In this business, and it IS a business, your mindset is all-important. If you want to be a writer, you have to write. It really is that simple and, for some, that difficult. Please remember that I’m not talking from some magical ivory tower here. I’ve been where all other writers have been before or are now. Some writers outline. Been there, done that. Some writers research, research, research. Until … Read more

The Journal: Just a Thought

In today’s Journal * Just a thought * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Just a thought— As I told a mentoring student this morning, “There are two kinds of writers: The first kind are those who live on high in an ivory tower. They dress in heavenly robes and exert control over every aspect of their characters’ lives as the characters move at the writer’s command (begrudgingly) through the trenches of the story. “Then there are those writers who aren’t afraid to get dirty and don’t WANT to control others’ lives. Those are the fortunate ones. They don … Read more