The Journal: If You Want to See a Good Topic, and Kind of a Topic

In today’s Journal

* Quote of the Day
* If You Want to See a Good Topic
* Topic: Kind of a Topic
* Today
* Of Interest
* The Numbers

Quote of the Day

“If an indie author is publishing a book across a variety of different national borders via Amazon, even if the use of an image might pass muster under US law, the laws of other nations might give rise to claims for damages.” The Passive Guy

If You Want to See a Good Topic

I’m being lazy today. If you want to see a good topic, read “Why Your Books Should Be In Print Too” and the comments at https://prowriterswriting.com/why-your-books-should-be-in-print-too/.

That’s better than me copy/pasting my own comments from there to here. (grin)

Topic: Kind of a Topic

I was amazed at the requests I got for my novel, The Cazadores Lounge and Lonely Place. Thanks to all who showed interest in reading it.

Of course, it’s still available, free. All you have to do is email me to let me know your preferred format: Kindle (.mobi), Nook/Apple (.epub) or PDF. And please don’t be shy about sharing something about your own work.

Some who emailed me expressed an interest in reading more of my work for pleasure and/or as a learning experience. I’m both flattered and grateful.

If you feel that way too, consider becoming a patron for as little as $3 per month. You get all kinds of freebies.

In the alternative, you can also consider becoming one of my first readers. You get to see the work warts and all. (grin) I ask first readers only to read my longer works for pleasure as I finish them, then let me know if any wrong-words, typos, inconsistencies or other story-stoppers pop out at them as they read.

I also mention my first readers in the credits in my novels (when they participate), and all of my first readers get my latest releases even if they don’t participate. So same as the $3-level patrons.

Finally, if you want to browse and select which of my works to read, I recommend visiting https://stonethreadpublishing.com. There, you can read full descriptions AND you get a discount on anything you order direct from us.

Maybe interesting to note, as I told a couple of those who emailed and mentioned “style,” that style often changes with genre. For example, I absolutely love DWS’ science fiction/fantasy and his Cold Poker Gang books, but I’m not a fan of his Poker Boy series. Same writer, different styles.

However (and this is important), the basics of good writing (grounding the reader, setting and tone, realistic dialogue, etc.) carry over to all genres. What changes in “style” is how the writer uses those techniques from genre to genre. Just something to consider.

Today, I rolled out way late at 3:30, and owing to a needy kitten, I didn’t make it out to the Hovel until 4. So today should be an interesting day. (grin)

Then I was semi-inundated by emails from other writers. I am not complaining. At all. If my writing time is going to be interrupted or delayed, I can’t think of a better or more enjoyable reason.

Not because of the “writing is a lonely, solitary affair” blah blah blah. I just love hearing from other writers. If we all lived within a reasonable radius, I would even recommend we get together for lunch every couple of weeks or so. (grin)

Every conversation is a potential learning opportunity. At least I hope it is for them. It is for me, for sure. (Yes, I’m selfish in that way.) I think that’s why I keep writing this Journal. I know it’s why I offer mentorships, etc.

I was all set finally to write at about 8, but someone’s stray pigs were annoying the neighbor’s horses. So I borrowed the neighbor’s buggy whip and drove the blasted things home, a mile-long round-trip through sand.

According to the owner, the pigs are destined for a barbeque pit. I suspect they’ve overheard conversations about that, and that’s probably why they keep escaping. I wish them luck, frankly, but I would rather they’d go somewhere else.

Then I took care of a few other chores and finally sat down to write at 10:30, extremely late for me. And since I’ve been away from the novel for two days, more cycling will ensue.

Talk with you again soon.

Of Interest

See “First Page Critique ‘The False Curtain’:
Alone Again…Unnaturally” at https://killzoneblog.com/2020/01/first-page-critique-the-false-curtainalone-again-unnaturally.html.

See PG’s take on “Are You Ready For The Next eBook Boom?” at https://www.thepassivevoice.com/are-you-ready-for-the-next-ebook-boom/.

Then I recommend reading the original post on “The Digital Reader” at https://the-digital-reader.com/2019/12/29/are-you-ready-for-the-next-ebook-boom/. Seriously.

See also PG’s learned take on “What’s in one’s own image (right)?” at https://www.thepassivevoice.com/whats-in-ones-own-image-right/.

Per new patron Patrick Dorn, “I’ve been listening to a gold mine of FREE DWS playlists featuring “retired” workshops and videos on YouTube. Check them out at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBbq7XUUmCCU-lKTBeN793g/feed. A truly remarkable source of learning.

See “26 Publishers Seeking Young Adult Submissions (No Agent Required)” at https://www.authorspublish.com/26-publishers-seeking-young-adult-submissions-no-agent-required/.

See “Final Chapter?” at https://prowriterswriting.com/final-chapter/.

To check out a Patrick Dorn’s work, see “Father Declan O’Shea Supernatural Mysteries” at https://www.patrickdorn.com/?page_id=2513.

Then see Patrick’s “Weird Western Stories” at https://www.patrickdorn.com/?page_id=2579.

See “The Key to Marketing” at https://harveystanbrough.com/pro-writers/the-key-to-marketing/.

The Numbers

Fiction words today…………………… 1440
Nonfiction words today…………… 870 (Journal)

Writing of Algae Prime (SF novel?)

Day 1…… 2421 words. Total words to date…… 2421
Day 2…… 3312 words. Total words to date…… 5733
Day 3…… 2205 words. Total words to date…… 7938
Day 4…… 0578 words. Total words to date…… 8508
Day 5…… 1440 words. Total words to date…… 9948

Total fiction words for the month……… 61469
Total fiction words for the year………… 61469
Total nonfiction words for the month… 27510
Total nonfiction words for the year…… 27510
Total words for the year (fiction and this blog)…… 88979

Calendar Year 2020 Novels to Date…………………… 1
Calendar Year 2020 Novellas to Date……………… X
Calendar Year 2020 Short Stories to Date… 2
Novels (since Oct 19, 2014)…………………………………… 46
Novellas (since Nov 1, 2015)………………………………… 8
Short stories (since Apr 15, 2014)………………… 199
Short story collections……………………………………………… 31