In today’s Journal
* Quote of the Day
* An Opportunity for Writers
* Of Interest
* The Numbers
Quote of the Day
“Hemingway … developed a technique that let him transfer from one point of view to another. He would simply start outside a character, describing the world and the character, and then move into dialog, which colors the world with emotion. Eventually, in a third paragraph, he would then move fully into the character’s thought processes. … To move out, he’d simply reverse the strategy.” David Farland
For the record, this works, although I would argue that it is not necessarily an intentional, conscious-mind process. Once you are aware of it (so, either now or after youv’e read the full article in “Of Interest”) there’s a good chance this will come straight from your creative subconscious as you write. Note that we’re talking about switching POV characters, not first- to third-person and back, etc.
An Opportunity for Writers
I mentioned Dean’s latest Kickstarter. Here’s the bottom line: In addition to getting whatever reward you sign up for (even for only $5), you will also get these pop-up workshops, each valued at $150, free:
–Pop-Up: When They Do it Wrong: Getting Inspiration from Things You Love to Hate
–Pop-Up: Writer’s Deadly Delusions: What Writers Believe That Can Kill Their Writing and Business.
–Pop-Up: A Tribute to the Pulp Writers: What You Can Learn and What to Avoid from How Pulp Writers Lived and Worked.
–Pop-Up: Can I Sell Without Promotion? (not hit yet, but close)
There are only a couple of days left on the Kickstarter campaign. This is the only time I’ll talk about it. So if you’d like to get these great pop-ups, I suggest you Click Here and donate $5 (or more) to the cause.
Talk with you again soon.
Of Interest
See “Everything I’ve Learned about Being a ‘Professional’ Writer in One Post” at https://countercraft.substack.com/p/everything-ive-learned-about-being. Some good stuff, some stuff that would be a great medium for growing mushrooms.
See “Telescoping Penetration” at https://mystorydoctor.com/telescoping-penetration/.
See “24 Publishers that Accept Science Fiction or Fantasy Novels (No Agent Required)” at https://authorspublish.com/24-publishers-that-accept-science-fiction-or-fantasy-novels/.
See “First Page Critique: A High Dive And A Hike To Somewhere” at https://killzoneblog.com/2021/08/first-page-critique-a-high-diveand-a-hike-to-somewhere.html. Especially see her thoughts under “Establish your setting.”
See “Should MFA Programs Teach the Business of Writing?” at https://www.thepassivevoice.com/should-mfa-programs-teach-the-business-of-writing/. Long but worth the time it takes to read. Either that or just don’t go for an MFA.
See “Book Wars” at https://www.thepassivevoice.com/book-wars/. Especially see PG’s take.
The Numbers
The Journal…………………………………… 400 words
Writing of WCGN 5: Tentative Title (novel)
Day 1…… XXXX words. Total words to date…… XXXXX
Total fiction words for August……… 6933
Total fiction words for the year………… 623282
Total nonfiction words for August… 3930
Total nonfiction words for the year…… 150360
Total words for the year (fiction and this blog)…… 773642
Calendar Year 2021 Novels to Date…………………… 13
Calendar Year 2021 Novellas to Date……………… 1
Calendar Year 2021 Short Stories to Date… 3
Novels (since Oct 19, 2014)…………………………………… 66
Novellas (since Nov 1, 2015)………………………………… 8
Short stories (since Apr 15, 2014)………………… 217
Short story collections……………………………………………… 31
Disclaimer: In this blog, I provide advice on writing fiction. I advocate a technique called Writing Into the Dark. To be crystal clear, WITD is not “the only way” to write, nor will I ever say it is. However, as I am the only writer who advocates WITD both publicly and regularly, I will continue to do so, among myriad other topics.