the writing life

The Daily Journal, Wednesday, April 3

In today’s Journal ▪ Dean’s “Great Challenge” ▪ My tutoring is still open ▪ Topic: Priorities ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest (a lot of good links) ▪ The numbers Dean’s “Great Challenge” is still open for sign-ups. Frankly, I’m surprised. On the surface, the cost appears a little steep, but it’s basically free tutoring from Dean Wesley Smith. You can use your $600 for credit toward anything you want, and if you make at least 52 short stories in a row (one per week for a year) you get a lifetime subscription of your choice. If I was still … Read more

The Daily Journal, Tuesday, April 2

In today’s Journal ▪ Inexpensive classes available ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers There are some inexpensive online classes available in police procedure and other topics (offered by RWA but not all about Romance). If you decide to take any of these classes, offered in Lee Loffland’s post from yesterday, please let the rest of us know what you think of them. For info see https://rwakissofdeath.org/coffin. For a list of upcoming RWA Kiss of Death classes see https://rwakissofdeath.org/coffin-classes. *** Wow. Rolled out late this morning. I couldn’t see the clock and thought it was around 2 or … Read more

The Daily Journal, Monday, April 1

In today’s Journal ▪ It’s April 1 ▪ An opportunity to reset goals ▪ Some valuable lessons on structure ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers It’s April 1. Let me just say up front, nothing in this edition of the Journal is an April Fool’s joke. (grin) I’ll be getting back to my WIP today. Also today, Blackwell Ops 3: Marie Arceneaux releases to the public. It’s available at https://books2read.com/u/3LGY00. I’m also in a new bundle, ECLECTICA, from BundleRabbit. Nineteen short stories and short story collections, featuring my own collection S, F, & H. For details, visit … Read more

The Daily Journal, Sunday, March 31

In today’s Journal ▪ One potential taker… ▪ Topic: On (Not) Developing Characters ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers I’ve had one potential taker on my offer to work with other writers as a tutor. I really look forward to working with this writer and hope s/he decides to go ahead. I’m thrilled to be able to share now the awakening that happened for me some 5 years ago. Finding Heinlein’s Rules and then the writing into the dark (or as Michaele L. calls it, “writing into the unknown”) technique was literally life-changing for me. I only … Read more

The Daily Journal, Saturday, March 30

In today’s Journal ▪ Yesterday ▪ On the novel ▪ Topic: On Writing Series… ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers Yesterday I was thinking about going out into the desert behind my house for some target practice with my “new” 9mm. I realized the few rounds I fired at that old coyote the other day were the first ones I’d ever put through that piece. But instead, nagged by the constant PHP warning on all the websites I managed, I decided to look into upgrading the PHP version. (Don’t ask me. All I really know about it … Read more

The Daily Journal, Friday, March 29

In today’s Journal ▪ Nothing really ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers Nothing really to talk about today. The pup’s improved over the past couple of days, so that’s good. He’s eating again, albeit soft food. A lazy day for me today, back and forth watering the yard, doing chores, checking on the pup and writing. I didn’t get much done in that last department. As old Wes Crowley said one time, “Sometimes things just don’t line up right. That’s why they make tomorrows.” Talk with you again tomorrow. Of Interest See “We Learn From All Story” … Read more

The Daily Journal, Thursday, March 28

In today’s Journal ▪ I can tell you right now ▪ I’ve also decided ▪ Update on Casey and the Coyote ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers Well, I can tell you right now I’m probably not going to finish Book 5 in the Blackwell Ops series today. It’ll take at least one more good writing day and possibly two. Or three. No biggie. I can’t write the next one (in the series or otherwise) until I finish this one. (shrug) *** I’ve also decided I’m dropping the challenge. It just doesn’t mean as much to me … Read more

The Daily Journal, Wednesday, March 27

In today’s Journal ▪ Quote of the day ▪ Update on Pro Writers Writing ▪ Topic: Once More Into the Breach ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers Social media quote of the day: “I don’t see a need to strong-arm people I’ve never met into giving me happy thoughts and supportive words.” ~ Anonymous *** The subscriber list for PWW is growing. If you haven’t subscribed yet, we’re in the second round of posts and they’re getting even more interesting. To subscribe, visit http://prowriterswriting.com and click Subscribe via Email in the menu. At the request of one … Read more

The Daily Journal, Tuesday, March 26

In today’s Journal ▪ Yesterday I read ▪ Update on my challenge ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers Yesterday, I had the pleasure of reading the first few pages of a story from a relatively new writer. Hey, we all start somewhere. The writing was good, though the writer is currently too wrapped around the wheel of the myths he was taught in school. Again, we’ve all been there. But this writer is different than many. He wants to improve his craft. He was honest enough to post specific questions (which pointed to his being wrapped around … Read more

The Daily Journal, Monday, March 25

In today’s Journal ▪ If you don’t read anything else ▪ Topic: On Being a Hybrid Writer, Part 2 ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers If you don’t read anything else all day, read “In Y.A., Where Is the Line…” at https://www.thepassivevoice.com/in-y-a-where-is-the-line-between-criticism-and-cancel-culture/. This sort of censorship crap makes me wonder what the hell is wrong with people. If you would ever succumb to this kind of censorship, I suggest you drop your pen, close your laptop, and go find something fun to do other than writing. And if you choose to keep writing, gird your loins: jerks … Read more