Topic

The Journal: Mourning Characters, and Rewriting vs. Recasting

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * As you will see * Topic: Mourning Characters, and Rewriting vs. Recasting * Now it’s almost 9 a.m. * Yesterday and today * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “It’s never too early to start something new, and it’s never too late to fix what’s broken for next time.” Wes Crowley “WRITING A BOOK is a lonely pursuit, one that can take years of solitary work.” Kate Knibbs, a senior writer at WIRED “Yes. Alas, writing a book is such terrible drudgery. BWAAAAAhahahahahahahahahaha!” me As you will see, it seemed appropriate … Read more

The Journal: Happy New Year, Yesterday, Cycling and Heinlein’s Rules

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Happy New Year * Thanks * Topic: Yesterday, Cycling, and the Two Days Before * Yesterday too, an article * Heinlein’s Rules * Annual Recap * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “It’s never too early to start something new, and it’s never too late to fix what’s broken for next time.” Wes Crowley “Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365-page book. Write a good one.” Brad Paisley (thanks to Sam T for sharing this) For those of you who wait to begin a new year on January 1, … Read more

The Journal: An Open Statement on “Diversity” in Fiction

In today’s Journal * Welcome * Yesterday * Topic: An Open Statement on “Diversity” in Fiction * The Numbers Welcome to Bill S., the most recent subscriber to the Journal. Well, a pretty good day yesterday, but only because a day with any writing is better than a day without any. I fell far short of my goal, and really for no good reason. I just got lazy. Still, every little bit helps. Topic: An Open Statement on “Diversity” in Fiction Yesterday too, a reader pointed out that I “haven’t mentioned diversity very much on [T]he Ark.” That’s true. I … Read more

The Journal: On Traditional Publishing

In today’s Journal * Topic: On Traditional Publishing * Yesterday and Today * The Numbers Topic: On Traditional Publishing Be sure to check out David Farland’s link in “Of Interest” today, and then let’s all have a good cry for traditional publishing. If you didn’t catch it, that was sarcasm. For a major writer who influences so many other writers to defend traditional publishing so stringently, especially while omitting a lot of pertinent information, borders on the irresponsible. I can only wonder how many writers were on the verge of beginning their careers as indie publishers only to be nudged … Read more

The Journal: Today, an Odd Compilation

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * A do-over * New cats * This morning * Topic: “Thread” vs. “Outline” * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “It was only when publishing house after publishing house, agent after agent had rejected my submissions, and I’d decided that no one was ever going to read my books, that I threw the rules out the window. I then simply wrote what I wanted to write, wrote how the stories came to me, was true to them and my characters. Then I published myself … And I’ve sold more than two … Read more

The Journal: Creating a Series Bible

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Welcome * Topic: Creating a Series Bible * After taking the day before * The Numbers Quotes of the Day On a character seeing a shattered mug on the floor of the kitchen or bedroom: “How it wound up on the floor isn’t important (yet). What is important is that I’ve created conflict just by showing the shattered mug.” Sue Coletta “A funny thing happens while creating a story bible. Scene ideas flood the creative mind.” Sue Coletta Welcome to my new UK subscriber and to others who have recently subscribed. … Read more

The Journal: A Question on Writing Setting

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Topic: A Question on Writing Setting * The Numbers Quote of the Day “The settings you create, the characters you bring to life, the stories you imagine into existence—those are important! Most readers don’t care if you can do stylistic handsprings. What they want is story that grabs them, holds them, and moves them.” David Farland Topic: A Question on Writing Setting A writer (not a Journal reader, I think) wrote to ask me about writing setting. I thought my response would make a good topic for the Journal. He wrote … Read more

The Journal: A Quick Note on Semicolons

In today’s Journal * A new first reader * Topic: A Quick Note on Semicolons * The Numbers I’m pleased to report I’ve added one new first reader, Tim W. in Virginia. Welcome aboard, Tim. And thanks! I’m still looking to add more female first readers. If you’re interested (male or female), email me at harveystanbrough@gmail.com. I like to get feedback from both a male and a female reader when possible. As politically incorrect as it is to say so, it’s been my experience that they have different sensibilities; therefore, different things pop out at them as they read. I … Read more

The Journal: On Comma Use

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * A writer friend in South Africa * A great new information site * Topic: On Comma Use * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “B&N’s new CEO, James Daunt, is designing the company’s phoenix-like rise from its ashes on the direct involvement of on-the-ground booksellers in the decisions on what books individual stores should stock. You know, the way booksellers used to do it before the superstores ran them out of business.” John Gilstrap “[A]s the [book] business fluctuates and expands and contracts, the one constant to all of it … … Read more

The Journal: Setting a “Floor” Goal

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Setting a “Floor” Goal * Be sure to see * After the novel sputtered * Remember that you * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader. No surprise in the writer, no surprise in the reader.” Robert Frost “Despite the number of writing skills we’ve mastered, if we’re not excited about the story we’re telling, it’s going to show.” Lori Freeland Topic: Setting a “Floor” Goal After reading Dean Wesley Smith’s post on the personal goals he set for himself for 2021 … Read more