In today’s Journal
* Quote of the Day
* Today
* Of Interest
* The Numbers
Quote of the Day
“I’m not much of a fan of starting a novel off with unanchored dialogue. It’s hard to start investing before we know where we are, who the characters are, and how we should be contextualizing the conversation.” Nathan Branford, former literary agent
Yes. In the opening of every chapter and every major scene, remember to ground your reader (pull him into the setting)
Today will be similar to Saturday for me, with a necessary trip to Sierra Vista and much learning.
I should be back in the writing saddle tomorrow, and then fiction and an intriguing meeting with a mentoring student on Wednesday.
As always, if you’re interested in possibilities of what you can accomplish as a writer, see the “Numbers” section below. Amazing how they grow.
And my keeping track of numbers has another special side benefit for me. Because I’ve written, finished and published “only” 7 novels, 1 novella and a few short stories this year, I feel like I’ve “failed.” (grin)
Yet how many writers do you know who have accomplished the same or better? That’s what keeps me calm and keeps me writing.
I’ll talk with you again soon.
Of Interest
For anyone who did not follow the links in James Scott Bell’s post yesterday, see “Book Contract Basics” at https://www.thebalancecareers.com/book-contract-outlined-2799862. (Pay particular attention to “Grant of Rights: Territories” and “Out of Print.” Note that with today’s ebook publishing, a title never goes “out of print.” Um, so rights are never reverted.)
See “Writing that Final Chapter…” at https://annerallen.com/2019/11/writing-final-chapter/. More learning. But remember that all advice is not good advice. Use what applies to You and Your Story.
For a great compendium of posts on self-publishing (indie publishing), see “Your Publishing Options: Traditional, Self-Publishing, Print, Ebook And Audiobooks” at https://www.thecreativepenn.com/publishing/.
Some great comments on “Delete Naiveté From Your Writing Life” at https://killzoneblog.com/2019/11/delete-naivete-from-your-writing-life.html#comments.
See “You Want to Steer Clear of Reviews” at https://prowriterswriting.com/you-want-to-steer-clear-of-reviews/.
See the Passive Guy’s take on “Contest Caution…” at https://www.thepassivevoice.com/contest-caution-the-sunday-times-audible-short-story-award/.
The Numbers
Fiction words today…………………… 0
Nonfiction words today…………… 340 (Journal)
Total fiction words for the month……… 6481
Total fiction words for the year………… 391574
Total nonfiction words for the month… 12280
Total nonfiction words for the year…… 293360
Total words for the year (fiction and this blog)…… 684934
Calendar Year 2019 Novels to Date…………………… 7
Calendar Year 2019 Novellas to Date……………… 1
Calendar Year 2019 Short Stories to Date… 4
Novels (since Oct 19, 2014)…………………………………… 43
Novellas (since Nov 1, 2015)………………………………… 8
Short stories (since Apr 15, 2014)………………… 197
Short story collections……………………………………………… 31