the writing life

The Journal: Busting Some Myths for a New Writer

In today’s Journal * The topic for today and why I’m here * Topic: Busting Some Myths for a New Writer * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers The topic for today (and a few more) were recommended to me in an email from a writer (RG) who joined our Journal family fairly recently. Some parts of the topic will be old hat to some of you, but I encourage you to read it anyway. You never know what particular phrase will strike a chord. I hadn’t planned to write a Journal entry at all today, but I appreciate … Read more

The Journal: Quotes, Finished, and I Don’t Share

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * I don’t share * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “I specialize in murders of quiet, domestic interest.” Agatha Christie “[I like] a story without ritual murder etc. or pulp. Straightforward murders and mob executions are OK.” Reader, in an email to me a few years ago I don’t share personal opinions that are not about writing very often. I almost did today, but decided (probably wisely) against it. I was going to comment on a truly stupid post I found on The Passive Guy’s website … Read more

The Journal: Almost Crickets and Copyright

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Almost Crickets * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “First reason is that fiction writers just don’t need it much at all. Fiction writers can’t seem to find the time or energy to learn copyright, what they do need to learn.” Dean Wesley Smith on why he stopped writing the trademark book Buy and start getting through the NOLO Press Copyright Handbook by Stephen Fishman. Trust me. If you’re a writer, you need it. Almost crickets out there today in the cyber-world with regard to items … Read more

The Journal: Humans Are Weird

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * In the Great News Department * Got Writing Chops? * Topic: Humans Are Weird * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “Habits can get me to the keyboard, but they can also keep me away from it. When the habit becomes an ‘I can’t,’ then it’s time to re-evaluate the habit.” Kristine Kathryn Rusch “It is only when the latecomers [would-be writers] make the decision to be punctual [write] that they change. It must be a conscious decision; if they merely make a woolly attempt to … Read more

The Journal: Another Way to Think of Your Daily Word-Count Goal

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Topic: Another Way to Think of Your Daily Word-Count Goal * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “[M]y editor and agent at the time felt strongly that a degree of ambiguity in the end made the story better. I never agreed, but it was my first book, and I was dizzy from the whole experience, so I said okay. I’ve regretted it for 25 years.” John Gilstrap Topic: Another Way to Think of Your Daily Word-Count Goal I happened on this while replying to Diane Darcy’s … Read more

The Journal: What Are You Writing?

In today’s Journal * Welcome * Topic: What Are You Writing? * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Welcome to Patrick D. It’s good to have you aboard! I hope you find the Journal useful and informative. I hope my recent new subscribers will also browse my author site at HarveyStanbrough.com. . There you will find a ton of writer resources, including Free Downloads (check this first) Other Resources for Writers (links) My Audio Lecture Series on Writing My Books on Writing (links to StoneThreadPublishing.com) and soon a free short story of the week. In coming months, either my … Read more

The Journal: Quote of the Day (and Little Else)

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “I got tired of wading through discussions that had nothing to do with helping authors make a living with their words and everything to do with Proper Group Think and Virtue Signaling the appropriate amount of Woke.” C.D. Watson on why s/he left RWA No topic today, and very little else, but a good “Of Interest” section. And I had a pretty good fiction writing day. Talk with you again soon. Of Interest See “But It’s Important!” at https://www.deanwesleysmith.com/but-its-important/. This … Read more

The Journal: I’m All About Productivity

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Well, I’ve been remiss * Topic: I’m All About Productivity * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “If, after that time, you feel stifled by your quota, don’t give it up. Just reduce the number to something easy. Like 250 words. Your ficus tree can write 250 words in a day. Don’t be shown up by your ficus tree.” James Scott Bell Well, I’ve been remiss recently, failing to welcome the few new folks who have joined us in the past couple of months: Ralph R, … Read more

The Journal: We All Have Days “Like That”

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Topic: We All Have Days “Like That” * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “I just go again, keep writing, and it all smooths out.” Dean Wesley Smith “My philosophy is it’s none of my business what people say of me and think of me. I am what I am, and I do what I do. I expect nothing and accept everything. And it makes life so much easier.” Anthony Hopkins, via The Passive Voice Topic: We All Have Days “Like That” You know, those days … Read more

The Journal: My Interview and Other Things

In today’s Journal * My interview on The Prolific Writer podcast * Well, for some reason * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers My interview on The Prolific Writer podcast is up. If you’re interested, or if you just want to hear my weird, western-twangy voice, check it out at http://theprolificwriter.libsyn.com/tpw-113-harvey-stanbrough-on-50-novels-in-5-years. Note: For some reason the interview cut short right at 54:11 as I was talking about writing influences. Makes me wish I’d kept a transcript of what I said. (grin) Well, for some reason, although I reset the MailChimp mailing time to 5 p.m. yesterday (after the other … Read more