In today’s Journal
* Cullilng sites
* On WITD
* Congratulations
* Of Interest
* The Numbers
I’ve culled my own list of sites that I check daily (or to which I subscribe). My list is down to Dean (because he’s my friend), David Farland’s Writing Tips (subscribe at https://mystorydoctor.com/blog/), and The Passive Voice (for general interest). I still check Kill Zone blog too, but that usually takes only a second or two (long enough to read the title and the blogger’s name and move on). Only one or two bloggers on TKZ still provide worthwhile, original advice. And I still check JA Konrath’s site once a week or so. That’s it.
If you’re into the Business Side of writing (and you probably should be, although I’m really not), and if you don’t mind political boobytraps and ambushes, you should really follow Kris Rusch’s Business Musings posts. I no longer do because I do mind those things. It’s probably just me, but a category titled Business Musings should be free of political sniping.
As to why I culled the other sites I used to visit, for just one example, a few days ago I read a post that actually advocated writing to market, and even advocated thinking about the market and marketing as you write (picture my head exploding). My immediate thought was Are you #&$%ing kidding me?
That’s easily some of the worst advice I’ve ever heard. Inviting critical thought and the business side of your writing into the creative process is just insane. But (and I quote), “Whatever works for you.” To save time in the future, I think I’ll shorten that unfortunate cliché to “whatever.”
Really, well-over 99% of the writing advice out there is terrible. It stinks of stomach acid. It’s regurgitated content, most ofen upchucked by people who apparently are unable to form an original thought. So to appear wise, they parrot the same tired old crap they’ve heard all their lives, usually as if they just came up with it themselves. Listen to them if you want. I’ll pass.
Back on June 3 I posted “Some Things Can’t Be Taught”. If you missed it, I recommend reading it.
Although I won’t actively teach Writing Into the Dark anymore, I’ll still practice it. It isn’t the “only” way (and I’ve never said it is), but doesn’t it make sense that we should create with the creative voice and keep the second-guessing, self-doubting critical mind the hell out of it? And who wants to be ruled by unreasoning fear? I’m all about things that make sense. What doesn’t make sense is doing things that keep you from writing in order to call yourself a writer. Or doing the same thing over and over when it never works.
Anyway, if you want to learn WITD you have the same resource I had (Dean) plus many others: his books on the topic, my books on the topic, a free PDF on Heinlein’s Rules, and so much more. So if you want to learn it, you will. If you don’t, you won’t. It really is that simple. I hope you do. Not because I’ll get anything out of it (I won’t) but because I wish the wonderful freedom and elation that comes with it for everyone.
Congratulations to my friend Waldo in Texas for completing Dean’s short story challenge (52 short stories, one per week for a year) and earning a lifetime subscription. Way to go, Waldo!
Talk with you again when I can.
Of Interest
See PG’s take on “Place In A Book – Do You Need To Go There?” at https://www.thepassivevoice.com/place-in-a-book-do-you-need-to-go-there/.
See “Opening Well” at https://mystorydoctor.com/david-farlands-writing-tips-opening-well/.
See “Be Double-Minded” at https://mystorydoctor.com/david-farlands-writing-tips-be-double-minded/.
See “Author’s Copies” at https://www.deanwesleysmith.com/authors-copies/.
The Numbers
Fiction words yesterday…………………… XXXX
Nonfiction words today…………… 600 (Journal)
Writing of (novel)
Day 1…… XXXX words. Total words to date…… XXXXX
Total fiction words for the month……… XXXXX
Total fiction words for the year………… 309655
Total nonfiction words for the month… 5380
Total nonfiction words for the year…… 121500
Total words for the year (fiction and this blog)…… 431155
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