the writing life

The Journal, Sunday, November 11

Hey Folks, Happy Veterans’ Day. Or as we in the Corps used to call it, Marine Corps Hangover Day. (grin) In truth, this is also (and was first) Armistice Day. It commemorates the end of the war to end all wars. Which later became known as World War I. The Armistice was signed officially at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Maybe that’s one reason Ambrose Bierce, in his The Devil’s Dictionary, defines November as “the eleventh twelfth of a weariness.” *** As a personal aside — and I’m speaking here only for myself, not … Read more

The Journal, Saturday, November 10

Hey Folks, A Toast on the Birthdate of the US Marine Corps May your days be vibrant, your evenings calm, your heart safe and warm at home. Semper Fi *** Given the length of the other books in this series (this is Book 4), I thought this novel might wrap today. That would mean I’d written a novel in 10 days. That would be one-half the shortest time it’s taken before. With this one, the ten writing days also happen to be 10 calendar days. That feels really good. Those are false goals, of course. What’s the difference in whether … Read more

The Journal, Friday, November 9

Hey Folks, Tomorrow, November 10, will mark the 243rd anniversary of the dubious beginnings of the United States Marine Corps in a bar (Tun Tavern) in Philadelphia. I will pass it, as I always do, with a piece of birthday cake that I will share in the collective consciousness of Marines past and present. Then I’ll do some writing. Later in the day, I’ll enjoy a healthy shot of Who Hit John in a toast to my brothers and sisters in the Corps, and by extension to my other brothers and sisters-in-arms in all branches of the military. I hope … Read more

The Journal, Thursday, November 8

Hey Folks, There’s a lot to explore in “Of Interest” today. I’ll begin with a new favorite quote: “You don’t have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.” ~ Ray Bradbury *** I have a slightly altered routine that I have to get used to. I’m leaving the writing computer in the Hovel now, hooked up to the big monitor, instead of carrying it back and forth to my office in the house. So I have to remember to carry a flash drive back and forth with me. Each day I’ll transfer the … Read more

The Journal, Wednesday, November 7

Hey Folks, Be sure to read through the “Hovel” stuff today. There’s a little topic hidden there. While looking through items for the “Of Interest” section today, I came across the item listed below. I listed it because I found a flaw that cracks me up. Many of you know I admire John Gilstrap for his knowledge of weapons and the advice he freely shares. That’s why so many of his Kill Zone blog posts make it into my “Of Interest” section. But today he pulled a real boner. The irony of the his own comments hit my sense-of-humor nerve. … Read more

The Journal, Tuesday, November 6

Hey Folks, RAmbling a little today, but it might be good. I never know. (grin) The polling places opened out here right at 6, and my wife and I drove down to vote. Feels good. I hope those of you who are citizens of this nation voted as well. Finally out to the Hovel at 7. I updated my reverse outline (much more on this later), then wrote around 1000 words, then headed up to the house. Back to the Hovel at 9:30. I started writing, but hit a minor snag. The WIP takes place in France (at least so … Read more

The Journal, Monday, November 5

Hey Folks, Yesterday evening, I saw a great little post in one of the blogs I subscribe to, and it led me to write the topic below. You can read the original post. It’s in “Of Interest” today. *** Food for thought: “The first page sells this book. The last page sells your next book.” ~ Mickey Spillane Topic: NaNoWriMo: Just Stop Already. Or Go Do It. I Don’t Care. Sounds callous, doesn’t it? Sorry. I only say I don’t care because I’ll be too busy writing instead of and seeking or checking with online partners and concentrating on doing … Read more

The Journal, Sunday, November 4

Hey Folks, What sites about writing do you follow regularly other than mine or the ones I regularly mention in “Of Interest”? If any of you know of any good websites from other writers who are serious about the craft or from writer-enablers that I don’t mention here at least occasionally, please share those URLs with me. I went through my list of “followed” sites this morning and found I had to delete roughly half of them. Most I deleted because the writers who were posting on them previously had faded into the “whatever happened to” domain. They hadn’t posted … Read more

The Journal, Saturday, November 3

Hey Folks, Not a lot to talk about today, but some good stuff in “Of Interest.” I got out to the Hovel a little early to get some writing done. The story’s rolling right along. We have a scheduled trip to Sierra Vista today, so an abbreviated writing day. Thanks for hanging in there. Never know what might happen so I wanted to post this before we leave. Talk with you again soon. Of Interest See “Requiescat in Pace” at https://killzoneblog.com/2018/11/requiescat-in-pace.html. See “Typing Fast vs Being Prolific” at https://www.deanwesleysmith.com/typing-fast-vs-being-prolific/. Also, Dean replied to explanatory comments on the other thing. See … Read more

The Journal, Friday, November 2

Hey Folks, There I was yesterday, writing my poor little fingers down to a nub, practically flying over the keys. I had a deadline. I had to stop typing in time to get a shower and get ready to go to the doc appointment. Dang! I finally stopped at noonish. Raced up to the house, jumped in the shower, got dried and dressed. Even put stuff on my hair so it’ll stop sticking up like that on a two-month old bear cub. Got back in the house office and saw I had a little time, so I filed yesterday’s edition … Read more