The Journal: Just FYI

In today’s Journal

* Quotes of the Day
* Nothing much
* Of Interest
* The Numbers

Quotes of the Day

“The first principle is that you must not fool yourself and you are the easiest person to fool.” Richard P. Feynman

“It’s easier to fool people than it is to convince them that they have been fooled.” Mark Twain

Nothing much to talk about today. I’m doing fine but still not doing much day by day other than reading and watching TV and urging all this mental fog to be over so I can get back to writing. I’m reminded of Jack Williamson’s “With Folded Hands.”

But I know it’s going to take some time so I’m also trying to be patient and give the healing process the time it needs. Some of you know what I mean. But of course I’m bored out of my mind.

I’ve dipped a toe or two into depression too, so there’s that. And it’s to be expected, probably, so no big deal. One can only read so many stories and watch so many episodes of brain-dead TV and nap so long. I try not to go out. Not for fear of contracting the virus, but to avoid witnessing the insanity of so many people going along to get along. Yes, it’s different in downtown Manhattan, but I’m about 6 miles south of Benson, Arizona.

Anyway I suspect the depression will disappear the instant I’m able to escape back into a fictional but much more authentic world, one that is likewise peopled with authentic characters who think for themselves and act accordingly.

Do you realize how very fortunate we are? When the nation goes batsh*t crazy and society in general links hands and races along with it, we can retire to a dark room and make up a better, saner world.

Dot dot dot.

Yeah, one problem of this brain fog is that it’s suddenly much easier to set aside my comm filters and allow my personal opinions to seep out. (grin) You should see some of the stuff I deleted.

Anyway I wanted to publish this edition for the “Of Interest” section, especially the bit on Affinity Publisher. In the article, note that everything at Affinity is at half-price currently.UPDATE: Even though the article says Affinity is on sale only through May 20, each program (Designer, Publisher, and Photo) is still on sale for half-price. Visit https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/.

I might not be back for a few days, or until this crap clears up. In my absence, check Dean’s site and some of the others from below as well as Jane Friedman’s (she posts something good from time to time) etc.

Talk with you again soon.

Of Interest

See “A review of Affinity Publisher” at https://www.bookdesignmadesimple.com/review-affinity-publisher/.

See “Great Character Arcs” at https://mystorydoctor.com/david-farlands-writing-tips-great-character-arcs/.

See “The ‘Oh, No!’ Promo” at https://prowriterswriting.com/the-oh-no-promo.

See PG’s take on “How The Publishing World Is Staying Afloat During The Pandemic” at https://www.thepassivevoice.com/how-the-publishing-world-is-staying-afloat-during-the-pandemic/.

See “Knowing When to Be Quiet” at https://killzoneblog.com/2020/05/knowing-when-to-be-quiet.html.

See “Serialists: How Male and Female Serial Killers Differ” at https://www.suecoletta.com/serialists-how-male-and-female-serial-killers-differ/.

See PG’s take on “As bookstores in France re-open…” at https://www.thepassivevoice.com/as-bookstores-in-france-re-open-early-euphoria-gives-way-to-plummeting-book-sales-in-week-two/.

See “Cool Deck of Cards” at https://www.deanwesleysmith.com/cool-deck-of-cards/. Great idea, but I’m still waiting for him to finish the novel for the shared world series.

See “How to Become a Self-Published Author” at https://www.thepassivevoice.com/how-to-become-a-self-published-author/. OR you can write the best book you can at your current skill level, design a cover for it, and distribute it through D2D and Amazon.

The Numbers

Fiction words yesterday…………………… XXXX
Nonfiction words today…………… 550 (Journal)

Writing of (novel)

Day 1…… XXXX words. Total words to date…… XXXXX

Total fiction words for the month……… 30061
Total fiction words for the year………… 309655
Total nonfiction words for the month… 13010
Total nonfiction words for the year…… 116120
Total words for the year (fiction and this blog)…… 425775

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