The Journal, Sunday, March 4

Hey Folks,

Well, in a great first session this morning, I got a little over 1300 words. Now I’ll be visiting until the kids leave, then maybe more writing. Anyway, I’m happy with the day’s production so far.

Topic: Learning

Yeah, I know we’ve talked about this before, but today I’m coming at it from another angle.

Usually I recommend reading an author’s works. Then, if he or she does something you really like, take that author’s advice on how to do it.

Of course, most authors don’t also offer instruction. Dean Wesley Smith and I are two of the few who do.

You can still learn just by reading the author’s work for pleasure. Then, when a particular work or technique grabs you, go back and re-read the work (or at least those passages) and figure out how teh writer did what he did to blow you away.

This is exactly what I’m currently doing with some of the Jack Higgins novels. Especially those set in (or referencing) World War II.

Unfortunately, Jack Higgins doesn’t offer instruction. I’d be the first one signed up.

Just like I’m often signed up for Dean’s workshops and lectures.

Even though, aside from some of his science fiction stories, I’m not a major fan of Dean’s work. Just not my cuppa tea.

His thrillers, for example, leave me flat. BUT (I hasten to add) the guy teaches an invaluable workshop on How to Write Thrillers. Likewise, his mysteries are pretty good but not (in my personal estimation) excellent. Still, he teaches a dynamite workshop on How to Write Mysteries.

And that’s kind’a where I’m going with this brief essay on Learning. Your personal take on a writer’s work (you like it or you don’t) has no bearing on whether the knows what he’s doing. Maybe he knows what is necessary but is a bit lacking in application. That seems a relatively common situation.

Knowing something is one thing. Knowing how to apply it effectively is another.

Both DWS and James Scott Bell have made their living from their books. That’s good enough for me. I don’t care for James Scott Bell’s work either, but some of his advice has proven invaluable. So even if you don’t like their work, you’d be silly to pass up the opportunity to learn from them.

Of course, that knife slices both ways. I’ve tried to read a few of Patterson’s books too. Couldn’t stomach them. On the other hand, I’ve also explored a couple of his “courses.” Couldn’t stomach them either.

Or rather, I read right through the surface descriptions. They’re overpriced, and they contain basically the same information being hawked on every street corner by every non fiction-writing, retired English teacher out there.

So keep an open mind. If you’ve learned anything from me, I’m grateful. If you enjoy my work, I’m even gratefuller. (grin)

But don’t pass up the opportunity to learn from folks like Thriller Writers James Scott Bell or Dean Wesley Smith, Crime Writer Sue Coletta, or any of the dozens of others who share their knowledge. Even if they themselves don’t apply it in their work quite as well as they teach it.

***

Nope, no more writing today. R&R from the grandkids’ visit. (grin)

See you tomorrow.

Of Interest

See “How Should a Character Say Nothing?” by James Scott Bell at https://killzoneblog.com/2018/03/how-should-a-character-say-nothing.html. Even if you think you know the answer, read this. It’s interesting. I also recommend reading the comments.

Fiction Words: 1373
Nonfiction Words: 570 (Journal)
So total words for the day: 1943

Writing of Pulp 6 (working title)
Brought forward…… 11,008 words

Day 1…… 2008 words. Total words to date…… 13016
Day 2…… 2948 words. Total words to date…… 15964
Day 3…… 1860 words. Total words to date…… 17824
Day 4…… 4054 words. Total words to date…… 21878
Day 5…… 2250 words. Total words to date…… 24128
Day 6…… 1373 words. Total words to date…… 25501

Total fiction words for the month……… 9537
Total fiction words for the year………… 60842
Total nonfiction words for the month… 1310
Total nonfiction words for the year…… 20640
Total words for the year (fiction and this blog)…… 88192

Calendar Year 2018 Novels to Date………………………… 1
Calenday Year 2018 Novellas to Date…………………… 0
Calendar Year 2018 Short Stories to Date……… 0
Novels (since Oct 19, 2014)………………………………………… 28
Novellas (since Nov 1, 2015)……………………………………… 4
Short stories (since Apr 15, 2014)……………………………… 182