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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, 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, 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

The Daily Journal, Saturday, March 23

In today’s Journal ▪ With respect to the OP… ▪ Topic: On Being a “Hybrid” Writer ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest (a boatload of links) ▪ The numbers With respect to the OP mentioned about Microsoft Word in “Of Interest,” you can still view (free) my blog series “Microsoft Word for Writers” at http://harveystanbrough.com/microsoft-word-for-writers/. Just sayin’. *** Topic: On Being a “Hybrid” Writer Part 1: Statement, History and Rationale At 66 years old, with 40-some novels and almost 200 short stories under my belt, I’ve decided to go hybrid. My work has been traditionally published before. I’ve had articles, … Read more

The Daily Journal, Friday, March 22

In today’s Journal ▪ I got a new coffee mug ▪ Topic: Turning a “Story Prompt”… ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest (a boatload of links) ▪ The numbers I got a new coffee mug from Zazzle (https://zazzle.com). My new mug reads I’M A FICTION WRITER. Yes, I’m poor. No, I don’t wish I wrote “__________.” Yes, I’m aware that no one reads anymore. No, I’m not drunk. Just thought I’d share. (grin) *** Topic: Turning a “Story Prompt” into a Story Idea From Reedsy’s Writing Prompts newsletter, “You’re a professional cleaner and the beginning of spring is always your … Read more

The Daily Journal, Wednesday, March 20

In today’s Journal ▪ I’m still offering ▪ I’m also considering ▪ I’ve listed the first few ▪ The famous novelist suffering ▪ Topic: On the Need for Authenticity… ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest (a boatload of links) ▪ The numbers I’m still offering a free first-page critique, say up to 500 words or so. Send what you have as a .doc, .docx or .rtf attachment via email to harveystanbrough@gmail.com. *** I’m also considering serving as a personal writing tutor for up to three writers/students. We’ll work our way through Your manuscript, focusing on Your writing problems or weaknesses … Read more

The Daily Journal, Sunday, March 17

In today’s Journal ▪ I’m on the road ▪ Topic: Critical Reading Plus ▪ Of Interest Today I’m somewhere in southwest New Mexico braving the absolute beauty of nature. I’m probably poised some 500 feet above the roaring Gila River in the Lower Gila Box Wilderness. The makeshift campsite is around 20 miles as the hawk flies north-northwest of Lordsburg and there’s a probably 10,000 year old pueblocito about a half-minute walk from the camp. I wish all of you could see it, especially if you write westerns or SF. I even placed one detective/crime novel there, and my friend … Read more

The Daily Journal, Saturday, March 16

In today’s Journal ▪ Repeating a reminder… ProWritersWriting blog ▪ Topic: On Character and Setting ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers I thought I’d repeat this reminder… the PWW blog goes live on March 18. I believe this will be a valuable new resource. If you subscribed to http://prowriterswriting.com through a “form” on the website in the early days, you need to subscribe again. I got rid of the form and that subscription service. Now you only have to click a link in the menu at the website. If you want to subscribe via RSS, you can … Read more

The Daily Journal, Thursday, March 14

In today’s Journal ▪ Quote of the day ▪ Update on admin stuff ▪ Topic: Four Harsh Truths ▪ Daily diary ▪ Of Interest ▪ The numbers “You only fail if you stop writing.” Ray Bradbury *** Well, I got my main author website up to date yesterday. And I got Blackwell Ops 4: Melanie Sloan uploaded for advance orders. It will release officially on April 15. The universal link is https://books2read.com/u/4NZxYz, but it’s currently available only in a few stores. (It takes a few days to get into all the stores.) The publisher website is going to take a … Read more