In today’s Journal
* Lest anyone misunderstand
* I’m learning how to walk
* The novel is writing itself
* Of Interest
* The Numbers
Lest anyone misunderstand my recent post about passion, my intention was not to dissuade anyone from writing. My intention was to describe my own passion and to suggest you follow yours, whatever it may be. Nothing wrong with that.
However, I also rail here regularly about the (evil) power of the conscious, critical mind and various ways it can stop you from writing. So let me add this to my previous post on passion: If you decide to stop writing because you feel telling stories isn’t your passion, that’s fine. But as I mentioned in the original post, that would mean finding something you ARE passionate about and doing that instead.
If you “decide” (conscious mind) to stop writing but do NOT move from writing to your presumably true passion, probably your critical mind is using my post as an excuse to stop you from writing. Only you can know for sure, so if you stop writing, I suggest you check in with yourself and be sure of the reason.
Around 50 years ago, the Marine Corps taught me two new ways of walking. When we were on the “Marine Corps bus,” which meant marching in formation to wherever we were going, I learned to pick up my feet, take a 30″ step and contact the ground with the back of my heel to end that step and begin the next one.
But at all other times, I learned to keep my feet as close as possible to the ground. The purpose was not to move quietly. That was only a valuable fringe benefit. The purpose was to feel with the toes of my boots for tripwires, which were in use in combat environements in Southeast Asia.
I learned that lesson so well that it became my normal way of walking. Which is fine in boots or dress shoes or tenny-go-fasters (athletic shoes). Not so much for open-toed flip-flops.
So now, at the ripe old age of 68, I’m learning to walk all over again, focusing on picking up my feet. I’m not afflicted with any sort of paralysis or disease. I’m just tired of getting sand in my sandals and having to kick it out. (grin)
How does this relate to writing? Shrug. I don’t have a clue. I just wanted to share.
The novel is writing itself, as it should. I know now (far too early) how I think it will end. I hate knowing this early. Anyway I expect to finish it in the next few days. I’m looking very forward to writing Book 3.
Talk with you again soon.
Of Interest
See “The True End of Trade Publishing” at https://www.deanwesleysmith.com/the-true-end-of-trade-publishing/.
See “Cheyenne Mountain Nuclear Bunker” at https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/cheyenne-mountain-nuclear-bunker. This place appears in at least one of my stories.
See “Writers’ Police Academy Online’s December 2020 Schedule” at https://leelofland.com/writers-police-academy-onlines-december-2020-schedule/. A fantastic deal, even if only for the first two instructors in the lineup. If I’m free on December 5, I’ll probably sign up for this one.
The Numbers
The Journal…………………………………… 490 words
Writing of The Journey Home: Part 1 (novel)
Day 1…… 3373 words. Total words to date…… 3373
Day 2…… 3312 words. Total words to date…… 6685
Day 3…… 3292 words. Total words to date…… 9977
Day 4…… 3794 words. Total words to date…… 13771
Day 5…… 4482 words. Total words to date…… 18253
Day 6…… 3379 words. Total words to date…… 21632
Day 7…… 4550 words. Total words to date…… 26182
Day 8…… 3326 words. Total words to date…… 29508
Day 9…… 6033 words. Total words to date…… 35541
Day 10… 3847 words. Total words to date…… 39388
Day 11… 4704 words. Total words to date…… 44092
Total fiction words for November……… 75714
Total fiction words for the year………… 438992
Total nonfiction words for November… 17190
Total nonfiction words for the year…… 183030
Total words for the year (fiction and this blog)…… 622022
Calendar Year 2020 Novels to Date…………………… 6
Calendar Year 2020 Novellas to Date……………… X
Calendar Year 2020 Short Stories to Date… 13
Novels (since Oct 19, 2014)…………………………………… 51
Novellas (since Nov 1, 2015)………………………………… 8
Short stories (since Apr 15, 2014)………………… 214
Short story collections……………………………………………… 31