Writing Into the Dark

The Journal: Post 4 on Heinlein’s Rules

In today’s Journal * Topic: Post 4 on Heinlein’s Rules * Not a great day * The Numbers Topic: Post 4 on Heinlein’s Rules A lot of this one is about the most controversial of Heinlein’s Rules: Rule 3. Q: Ok, my next question is about Rule #3: Refrain from rewriting except to editorial order. So, if a story is good enough to be accepted by a publisher, and they give you feedback on what needs to be changed, you should make those changes (within reason). But you shouldn’t do revisions on your own. Q (cont.): I agree with the … Read more

The Journal: Post 3 in the Heinlein’s Rules Series

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Topic: Post 3 in the Heinlein’s Rules Series * It’s no secret * For an update * The Numbers Quote of the Day Fun quote of the day: “After I saw a bumper sticker that read I’m a veterinarian so I drive like an animal, I realized how many proctologists I see on the roads.” Anonymous meme Topic: Post 3 in the Heinlein’s Rules Series Today the topic is mostly about Rule 4: You must put it on the market. Q: I want to dive right in to some of my … Read more

The Journal: Post 2 in the Heinlein’s Rules Series

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Topic: Post 2 in the Heinlein’s Rules Series * For an update * The Numbers Quote of the Day “[B]y pushing productivity, we may actually be creating a generation of better storytellers.” David Farland Topic: Post 2 in the Heinlein’s Rules Series Actually, more introductory stuff today, with some specifics on Heinlein’s Rules mixed in. Q: To provide context, how long have you been using this process, how many books/stories have you been able to write, and what kind of success have you achieved? Harvey: I first discovered Heinlein’s Rules and … Read more

The Journal: Awhile Back: An Introduction

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Topic: Awhile Back: An Introduction to a Series on Heinlein’s Rules * For an update * The Numbers Topic: Awhile Back: An Introduction to a Series on Heinlein’s Rules Awhile back, I received a note from a writer who wanted to interview me about my adherence to Heinlein’s Rules. The purpose was so the writer could put up a blog post on the topic. Later, the writer decided the post would be too long for their format. I agreed. But the questions the writer asked, and the indicental comments the writer … Read more

The Journal: A Rare Second Post

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Two Journal posts today * Six years ago today * Writing Into the Dark * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “Some days things don’t line up quite right. That’s why they make tomorrows.” Wes Crowley If you don’t receive two posts via email today, you can see the earlier post at https://hestanbrough.com/the-journal-bottom-line-concerns/. There are several “Of Interest” items in that post and none in this one, so you might want to take a look. I felt like something was special about today, October 19, but I couldn’t … Read more

The Journal: WITD Has Two Parts

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * The current crisis * Topic: WITD Has Two Parts * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “By really getting into your work, the nonessential stuff drops away.” Bill Murray “Bill’s whole life is in the moment,” says Ted Melfi, who directed Murray in the movie St. Vincent. “He doesn’t care about what just happened. He doesn’t think about what’s going to happen. He doesn’t even book round-trip tickets. Bill buys one-ways and then decides when he wants to go home.” Gavin Edwards in “Being Bill Murray” in Rolling … Read more

The Journal: WITD and Detractors

In today’s Journal * Thank you * Topic: WITD and Detractors * Of Interest * The Numbers Thanks to everyone for the continued support. Your emails and other contributions are much appreciated. I have a feeling I’ll be back full-strength before too long. For today, here’s a topic for you. You’ll note, too, this is being delivered at a different time of day. Sorry about that. Topic: WITD and Detractors I won’t use the word “haters” because, frankly, I’m not a four year old boy or a young teenage girl, so “detractors” will have to do. I hadn’t planned on … Read more

The Daily Journal, Saturday, August 10

In today’s Journal * I’m on the road today * Topic: Just Write the Scene * Of Interest * The daily diary and the rest I’m on the road today, and actually tomorrow, though I’ve pre-posted a topic for tomorrow to give you something to look at. (grin) The “live” Journal will return on Monday, August 12, in the usual format. For now, I hope you’ll enjoy this blast from the past from my post archives at HarveyStanbrough.com. Topic: Just Write the Scene Some time back, I posted that if you’re writing and you get bogged down, you should just … Read more

The Daily Journal, Thursday, July 25

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Correction * Topic: A Reminder of What It Takes… * Daily diary * Of Interest * The numbers Quote of the Day “[M]y creative voice is barely verbal. Maybe two [years old]. … [S]he whined, ‘I don’t wanna spend the rest of my life doing stinky licensing.’” (grin) Kristine Kathryn Rusch Correction While putting together my novel and novella inventory, I found what I thought was an error. I seemed to be missing a novel. But I added every new thing I wrote to my New Fiction spreadsheet as I finished … Read more

The Journal, Monday, October 22

Hey Folks, Long post today, but a good one, I think. I’m in the Hovel as I write this. I got out here around 7 this morning, played a game or two of Spider Solitaire, then decided to write this stuff before moving back to the novel. I’ll probably finish the novel today, but as I’ve mentioned, I’m in no big rush. After I write the stuff below, I’ll probably delay writing on the novel for a little longer. I have to update my reverse outline. For those who don’t know yet what a “reverse outline” is, I’ll explain it … Read more