The Journal: Good Fortune Strikes

In today’s Journal

* Good Fortune Strikes
* Yesterday
* A Very Special Project
* Today
* Of Interest
* The Numbers

Good Fortune Strikes (for you)

Yesterday, Kris Rusch added a new post to her Patreon page. And this morning, I found she’d also shared it on her Busines Musings blog, which means I’m free to share it with you.

I’m not exaggerating when I say this is one of the most eye-opening posts she’s shared.

If you read nothing else today, please read Paradigm Shift (Rethinking The Writing Business Part 16). You might want to read it two or three times. And let it sink in.
***

Yesterday, I had a very productive meeting with a mentoring student. We meet for two hours every other week, and we usually fill up the two hours. Yesterday was no exception.

We talked at some length about a story she started, one that she initially thought would be a short story but will turn into at least a novella if not a full-blown novel. And maybe, based on the strength of her protagonist, a whole series of novels.

In whatever final form it takes, I’m certain it will be a hit. In my 40 years of editing and writing, it’s one of the best, most well-written stories I’ve ever read. Even at this stage, when it isn’t finished. I’m very excited for her.

We also discussed various intricacies and nuances of that story and of writing in general, including word and punctuation use, syntax, personal style, tense shifts and so on. It was a fun meeting.
***

A Very Special Project

My student and I also talked a little about a very special project I have coming up: a shared world that will have plenty of room for any number of writers.

When I signed on for Dean’s 9-month Shared Worlds class — even before he’d posted the first video — I realized that a particular world I’d created in a novel a few years ago would be perfect for a shared-world project.

Immediately after completing the original novel, I felt overwhelmed at the number of genres and stories (both short and long) that could be based on that world.

Those of you who’ve been with me awhile probably remember that. To write all the stories and novels myself that could result from that world, I would have to live to be at least 150. (grin)

I told my student about it early because, based on the strength of her writing, I definitely want her included. (I already have a few of other writers in mind too.)

So when I got back to the Hovel, I realized I’d better get myself in gear. I spent the balance of the afternoon working on the bible for that project.

I hope to announce the project formally on or before January 1, 2020. I’ll announce it to my patrons first, then here, then over on the big blog on my author site.

I hope this project will interest you. Before you even consider it, though, be sure to read Kris Rusch’s post above. Realize that you have all the power. You are the owner of your own story (your own IP).
***

Went to the grocery early this morning to get that chore out of the way. Later (during a break) I’ll water Mona’s new iris bed and a few shrubs and vines.

And the balance of today will more than likely be a nonwriting day. I’ll work on covers for my three unpublished short stories so I can publish them and get them out to patrons.

If I have time left, I’ll either write or spend some more time developing the bible for the shared world.

As that is how the day will unfold, I’ll post this now and talk with you again soon.

Of Interest

Some great comments on “The Power of Having Inventory” at https://www.deanwesleysmith.com/the-power-of-having-inventory/#comments.

See also “How I Count Years…” at https://www.deanwesleysmith.com/how-i-count-years/. A good post with a lot to glean.

See “A Writer in Italy” at https://killzoneblog.com/2019/11/a-writer-in-italy.html. If you follow the links to her pics, you might find one or more that inspires a story.

See “How to End a Story…” at https://blog.reedsy.com/how-to-end-a-story/. As always, bring a shaker of salt. Take what resonates with you and leave the rest.

See “The Third Reich of Dreams” at https://www.thepassivevoice.com/the-third-reich-of-dreams/.

The Numbers

Fiction words today…………………… 0
Nonfiction words today…………… 720

Total fiction words for the month……… 6481
Total fiction words for the year………… 391574
Total nonfiction words for the month… 5530
Total nonfiction words for the year…… 286610
Total words for the year (fiction and this blog)…… 678184

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