the writing life

The Daily Journal, Saturday, April 13

In today’s Journal ▪ Not a lot ▪ Topic: Take Your Time ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest (a LOT of links) ▪ The numbers Not a lot around the internet this morning, so probably a realtively short post today. I did take a few minutes to improve the copyright notice. It appears at the bottom of every page. Stop by http://prowriterswriting.com and take a look. Topic: Take Your Time (Revisited) As I was discussing with one of my mentoring writers a day or two ago, sometimes it’s necessary to take your time while writing. Yes, I write around 900 … Read more

The Daily Journal, Friday, April 12

In today’s Journal ▪ Thanks ▪ Trad pubs? ▪ Topic: Consistency Is Key ▪ A new icon for PWW ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest (a LOT of links) ▪ The numbers I read over yesterday’s post again last night, and wow did it sound needy. (grin) Anyway, thanks to all of you who commented on the post or in private emails to let me know the Journal matters to you. I appreciate it. I kind of figured it mattered to some of you, but I admit it’s nice to hear. If a particular edition of the Journal strikes you … Read more

The Daily Journal, Thursday, April 11

In today’s Journal ▪ Sometimes I wonder ▪ Topic: If You’re a Writer, Write ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest (a LOT of links) ▪ The numbers Sometimes I wonder whether anyone’s still reading these silly entries. I mean, I know a few people are, those with whom I’m working closely. But sometimes I wonder otherwise whether all this is worth it. Kris Rusch’s post makes even this nonfiction writing (and wondering) better. Her post in today’s “Of Interest” reminded me that I chat with my friends and acquaintances here each day because I enjoy doing so. She reminded me … Read more

The Daily Journal, Wednesday, April 10

In today’s Journal ▪ It’s so good ▪ I’ve been thinking (oh-oh) ▪ Writing flash fiction ▪ Pro Writers Writing ▪ Topic: How I Learn to Write ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest (a LOT of links) ▪ The numbers Was my break really only four days long? When the floodgates opened again, it seemed as if it had been four weeks. It feels very good to be writing again. *** I’ve been thinking a lot lately about my 10-novel western series, The Wes Crowley Saga. I wrote it out of order. I wrote what ended up being books 4, … Read more

The Daily Journal, Tuesday, April 9

In today’s Journal ▪ Today I’ll start ▪ Topic: The New World of Publishing ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest (a LOT of links) ▪ The numbers Today I’ll start that new novel. I’ve had four days away from fiction writing, and frankly, I’m jonesing for it. Or as my wife put it, “Honey, you’re getting grouchy.” (grin) I thought I’d start writing again yesterday, but I wasn’t ready. Instead I spent a lot of quiet time with Jim Glaser and thought about the recent visit with my old friend and did some other things to slowly move myself back … Read more

The Daily Journal, Monday, April 8

In today’s Journal ▪ Today I’ll start ▪ Tutoring slot open ▪ Topic: Who a Story Is About ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers Today, sometime or other, I’ll start a new novel. Maybe. The visit with my old friend went really well, interrupted somewhat by the sobering news about Jim Glaser’s passing. This morning, I watched/listened to a few of Jim’s performances as a way to spend some time with him. It was enjoyable. *** I heard from another possible tutoring student that s/he decided to pass at the moment (until s/he decides what specifically s/he … Read more

The Daily Journal, Sunday, April 7

In today’s Journal ▪ I regret to report ▪ Day 3 of my days off ▪ Topic: Who a Story Is About ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers I regret to report a massive sadness. This morning, my wife told me she saw on Facebook that my dear friend and mentor Jim Glaser passed away last night. Jim and I occasionally talked about both music and writing. I will miss his insights, and him, a great deal. For those of you who knew his music or the harmonies of Tompall and the Glaser Brothers (Tompall, Chuck and … Read more

The Daily Journal, Saturday, April 6

In today’s Journal ▪ Day 2 of my days off ▪ Topic: What Writing Into the Dark Really Is ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers It’s Day 2 of my days off. Had a great 3-hour visit last night and will do touristy things today. In the meantime, don’t skip today’s topic: *** Topic: What Writing Into the Dark Really Is Especially if you think you already know what WITD is, please don’t skip this topic. If you do know, you will have lost only a few minutes. If you don’t, this might open up a whole … Read more

The Daily Journal, Friday, April 5

In today’s Journal ▪ Day One of my days off ▪ Topic: Writing Action Scenes ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers Well, today will be Day One of my days off. I’ll still visit with you each morning, but I plan not to begin a new fiction project until the visit with my friend is over. My first four years in the USMC were akin to many other people’s college time. It was a time during which I mostly grew up, had parties, learned a ton of new stuff, and made lifelong friends. The guy who’s coming … Read more

The Daily Journal, Thursday, April 4

In today’s Journal ▪ A little trivia ▪ Topic: Writing Action Scenes ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers According to a promo email I received yesterday, Motorolo made the first cellular phone call 46 years ago yesterday. Feelin’ old yet? (grin) *** Topic: Writing Action Scenes I’ve wanted to write a post on this for awhile now, and it’s finally time. This post results directly from a high-action scene, a fight scene, I wrote yesterday. It was probably the best high-action scene I’ve ever written. It isn’t so much a “how-to” as a “how-I-do-it” essay. All of … Read more