In today’s Journal
* A Horrific Essay
* Time to Get Serious
* Of Interest
* The Numbers
A Horrific Essay
In today’s “Of Interest” I’ve included a link as I often do to a David Farland (The Story Doctor) Writing Tip.
I suggest you read it, if only as a cautionary tale. To my way of thinking, it’s a flat-out horrific essay. I physically shuddered in a few places as I read it.
So CAUTION. I included the link only as a (shudder) warning for most of you. The very title itself — and most of the rest of the post — actually advises you to engage your critical mind and bring the business side of writing into the writing itself.
I disagree with almost everything in the post. That being said, every writer is different. If the post speaks to you, by all means, go for it.
Time to Get Serious
In other news, even as I’m reinventing my own writing routine, I’m also looking at the business side and the teaching side. As part of the latter, prompted by a brief discussion with a former mentoring student, I’m creating a new series of mentorships.
As before, there will be different mentorships to serve different purposes. Unlike before, there will be a one-time payment and a somewhat flexible time limit for each mentorship. As anyone who has worked with me can attest, you will always get more than your money’s worth.
Soon I’ll announce the specific mentorships and offer them on both the Journal website and on HarveyStanbrough.com.
Talk with you again when I can.
Of Interest
See “Last Statements From The Texas Death Row Chamber” at http://dyingwords.net/last-statements-from-the-texas-death-row-chamber/. Maybe a little morbid, but some great writing prompts.
See “What James Daunt did and did not say about Barnes & Noble’s future” at https://www.idealog.com/blog/what-james-daunt-did-and-did-not-say-about-barnes-nobles-future/.
See “Write a Big Moment For All It’s Worth” at https://killzoneblog.com/2020/09/write-a-big-moment-for-all-its-worth.html. As a bonus, there’s a 9-minute film clip from an old, miraculous Dodger baseball game.
See “Costs Versus Rewards” at https://mystorydoctor.com/david-farlands-writing-tip-costs-versus-rewards/. CAUTION: Beware inviting your critical mind into your writing.
See “Jack Reacher’s revenge…” at https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8724461/Jack-Reachers-revenge-mother.html. A belated thanks to Patrick D. for the tip.
The Numbers
The Journal…………………………………… 360 words
Writing of Body on the Beach (novel, working title)
Day 1…… 1135 words. Total words to date…… 1135
Day 1…… 1409 words. Total words to date…… 2544
Total fiction words for the month……… 7817
Total fiction words for the year………… 323100
Total nonfiction words for the month… 8830
Total nonfiction words for the year…… 146400
Total words for the year (fiction and this blog)…… 469500
Calendar Year 2020 Novels to Date…………………… 5
Calendar Year 2020 Novellas to Date……………… X
Calendar Year 2020 Short Stories to Date… 12
Novels (since Oct 19, 2014)…………………………………… 50
Novellas (since Nov 1, 2015)………………………………… 8
Short stories (since Apr 15, 2014)………………… 208
Short story collections……………………………………………… 31