The Journal, Thursday, January 18

Hey Folks,

Be sure to hit the “Of Interest” section below. There’s a lot there. It will seem overwhelming, but I read all of the info there in less than an hour. Either way, you don’t want to miss it.

***

Well, the water heater started leaking last night. One of those times I’m glad I’m renting instead of buying. The owners know us well and trust us, so we do pretty much anything we want to the house and the property, but when big expenses come up (like replacing a water heater) that’s on them. It’s all good.

I moved out to the Hovel a little early this morning at 5. I put down about 600 words then headed back up to the house to shower and spend some time with my wife before she heads off to work.

Still chilly here, in the low 20s overnight and with around 60 for a high, with a cold north wind that feels like it’s blowing off a block of ice. I count my blessings though, that I’m here and not on the icy plains or in the refrigerator of the midwest.

***

Well, kind of a slow day for writing. I got one more good session, then helped the landlord install the new water heater, then ran back out to hammer away a little more. Not the day I’d hoped for, but I’ll take it.

Back tomorrow.

Of Interest

For a much more in-depth explanation of Dean’s new coast workshop see “I Wasn’t Clear” at https://www.deanwesleysmith.com/i-wasnt-clear/.

See James Scott Bell’s “What’s the Deal on Dreams in Fiction?” at https://killzoneblog.com/author/jimbell.

See John Gilstrap’s “Internal Monologue” at https://killzoneblog.com/2018/01/internal-monologue.html. I especially like this one because he talks in some detail about italicizing unspoken thought.

Then see Jordan Dane’s “5 Key Ways to Balance Internal Monologue with Pitfalls to Avoid” at https://killzoneblog.com/2018/01/16773.html.

Finally (for The Kill Zone blog) see PJ Parrish’s “The Agony and Ecstasy of Starting Over” at https://killzoneblog.com/2018/01/the-agony-and-ecstasy-of-starting-over.html.

See “How To Brief A Cover Designer” at https://kobowritinglife.com/2018/01/16/how-to-brief-a-cover-designer/.

As a resource, see the list of “The Book Designer” article categories at https://www.thebookdesigner.com/articles/.

And strictly for nostalgia, see “Goin’ by Fats’ House” at https://killzoneblog.com/2018/01/goin-by-fats-house.html.

Fiction Words: 1857
Nonfiction Words: 360 (Journal)
So total words for the day: 2217

Writing of The Origin Novel (working title)

BF…………… 32658 words.
Day 1…… 2689 words. Total words to date…… 35347
Day 2…… 2636 words. Total words to date…… 37983
Day 3…… 3189 words. Total words to date…… 41172
Day 4…… 2525 words. Total words to date…… 43697
Day 5…… 2609 words. Total words to date…… 46306
Day 6…… 2455 words. Total words to date…… 48761
Day 7…… 1341 words. Total words to date…… 50102
Day 8…… 2354 words. Total words to date…… 52456
Day 9…… 1194 words. Total words to date…… 53650
Day 10… 3297 words. Total words to date…… 56947
Day 11… 1358 words. Total words to date…… 58305
Day 12… 2840 words. Total words to date…… 61145
Day 13… 2615 words. Total words to date…… 63760
Day 14… 1857 words. Total words to date…… 65617

Total fiction words for the month……… 36661
Total fiction words for the year………… 36661
Total nonfiction words for the month… 6620
Total nonfiction words for the year…… 6620
Total words for the year (fiction and this blog)…… 43281

Calendar Year 2018 Novels to Date………………………… 0
Calenday Year 2018 Novellas to Date…………………… 0
Calendar Year 2018 Short Stories to Date……… 0
Novels (since Oct 19, 2014)………………………………………… 27
Novellas (since Nov 1, 2015)……………………………………… 4
Short stories (since Apr 15, 2014)……………………………… 182