The Daily Journal, Sunday, March 3

In today’s Journal

▪ More on pacing
▪ A weird fact about me
▪ Daily diary
▪ Of Interest
▪ The numbers

A few days ago I mentioned pacing almost in passing. I got some good comments and a few emails about it, so I thought I’d expand on that in a topic.

Then I remembered I’d written a post about the topic over on the big blog.

To see that one (it holds up well) see “On Pacing and Paragraphing” at https://harveystanbrough.com/pro-writers/on-pacing-and-paragraphing/.
***

Here’s a weird fact about me. I guess you could call it part of my process if you’re interested.

Sometimes, when I could (should?) be writing, especially at the beginning of the morning, I play spider solitaire instead. I enjoy it for some weird reason. Probably because it’s a sheer waste of time. It’s relaxing but it also exercises my brain.

More often than not, I play it until a sudden urge overcomes me to turn to the novel. At that point, no matter how good the cards look, I turn to the novel.
***

Rolled out at 2:30 this morning. Today, like yesterday, I intend to keep coming back and see what I can add to the novel.

To the Hovel by 3, flailed about the internet for awhile and wrote the little bit above. I had two different topics in mind, but I couldn’t choose so I’ll put them off for awhile.

A break just after 4.

Back to the Hovel at 4:30. Then I played spider solitaire for awhile (see above). This morning the urge to turn to the novel struck at 5:45.

Cycled through what I wrote yesterday, then added about 400 new words. A break for breakfast at 6:45.

Had a great visit, then a little house cleaning, and back to the Hovel and the novel at noon.

For some reason, despite my worries earlier, the challenge feels like it’s going to be all right. I guess we’ll see. (grin)

I decided to call it a day at a little after 1. Spend some time with my bride. I’ll be back on the novel in the morning.

Talk with you again then.

Of Interest

See “Sun Dance – Why Custer Really Lost the Battle of the Little Bighorn” at http://dyingwords.net/blog-2/. Seriously, you can get a free book out of this.

See “Burn Baby, Burn: Concealing Murder with Fire” https://www.leelofland.com/burn-baby-burn-concealing-murder-with-fire/.

See “How Long Should A Sentence Be?” at https://killzoneblog.com/2019/03/how-long-should-a-sentence-be.html. Hmmm. Great for critical thought.

Fiction Words: 1698
Nonfiction Words: 410 (Journal)
So total words for the day: 2108

Writing of Blackwell Ops 4: Melanie Sloan (novel)

Day 10… 1235 words. Total words to date…… 26680
Day 11… 3140 words. Total words to date…… 29820
Day 12… 1698 words. Total words to date…… 31518

Total fiction words for the month……… 6073
Total fiction words for the year………… 165131
Total nonfiction words for the month… 3330
Total nonfiction words for the year…… 54550
Total words for the year (fiction and this blog)…… 219681

Calendar Year 2019 Novels to Date………………………… 3
Calendar Year 2019 Novellas to Date…………………… X
Calendar Year 2019 Short Stories to Date……… X
Novels (since Oct 19, 2014)………………………………………… 40
Novellas (since Nov 1, 2015)……………………………………… 7
Short stories (since Apr 15, 2014)……………………… 193
Short story collections…………………………………………………… 31