Hey Folks,
Happy November, everyone!
After I published the Journal yesterday, I went ahead and published the novella. You can see all of my mystery/noir/PI things at http://harveystanbrough.com/mystery/.
To see the most recent cover and description, visit http://harveystanbrough.com/stern-talbot-disappearing-worm/. (grin)
I have a doc appointment I’d forgotten about early this afternoon. Just a followup with the cardio-plumber. I’ll see the electrician on the 13th. I’m happy to report that will not be a Friday.
I almost wish I’d gone ahead and written more yesterday, when my fingers were jonesing for the keys. But it isn’t all bad today either. I just have to settle on something, then start writing it.
I also learned yesterday that my novel Nightfall, which some of you recently received, has two Chapter 33s in it. The content is fine. I just repeated a chanpter number. I corrected the problem and uploaddc the new version yesterday afternoon too.
***
Be careful with the Kill Zone blog bit of advice today (below). I listed it just in case you might find a gem there somewhere, but it’s confusing and clichéd advice at best.
I didn’t even respond to her question about how to make a character “memorable” because I knew it would do no good. But I noted, not once did she mention character description. Just sayin’.
Making a character memorable is difficult if you don’t put a picture of the character (plus clothing, mannerisms, etc.) in the reader’s mind.
***
Have I mentioned lately how much I enjoy the Hovel and why? Especially at this time of year?
Outside temps are hovering in the mid-30s this morning (5:30) but it’s a warm 64° in the Hovel. (grin) I wish everyone had a Hovel, or at least a good, settled place to write.
Topic: A Place (and Computer) of One’s Own
I’ve said it before, but having a dedicated writing space is all-important.
Now and then I hear about folks who are able to write “all the time.” For example, they’re equally able to write on their laptop in their office or on their iPhone on the bus or on their notebook PC (or Mac) while otherwise on the move.
They are blessed, maybe, in that apparently every place they find themselves enables them to write.
But for most of us, a dedicated writing space is essential.
You’ve all heard the drill. It should be a space that has few if any distractions and so on.
But more importantly, it becomes a place that, when you enter it, keys your subconscious that it’s time to write fiction. It’s nothing less than a way to psych yourself up. A way to let your subconscious know it’s time to play.
I take that a step further with a dedicated writing computer, and of course since it works so well for me, I recommend it.
My writing ‘puter is an older model HP. The keyboard is comfortable, meaning I can type faster and experience far fewer instances of having to visit the delete or backspace key.
I often at least begin the Journal on a Notepad (.txt) document on my “main” computer. It isn’t dedicated to fiction, or to me for that matter. Through the Journal and other things I do on it — covers, editing, uploads and so on — it belongs to the business side of things, not to me, the writer.
As is the case this morning, I often add to the Journal on my writing ‘puter. It isn’t fiction, but it’s pertinent, and using it saves me from trying to remember things until I get back to the house. (grin)
As close as I can figure (early 2014 numbers were sketchy), since April 16, 2014 I’ve written just under two and a half million words of fiction (2,422,643). That’s up through yesterday.
Most of that, if not all of it, was on this dedicated writing computer. Some of the characters on the keys are worn off. (grin)
Of course, I didn’t write all of those in the Hovel. And I prefer writing in the Hovel. The atmosphere is perfect for me.
But I very seldom go anywhere without my writing computer. And just the act of opening it keys my desire (and ability?) to write fiction. For me, that’s the key.
My dedicated writing ‘puter creates its own “place of my own” and makes wherever I happen to be more conducive to writing fiction.
I should add that owning a dedicated writing computer doesn’t have to be expensive. As DWS mentioned long ago in a post, you can pick one up at a second-hand store for next to nothing.
It only has to be able to run whatever program you enjoy writing on. And you can find older versions of most word-processing programs on Ebay.
So if your production is lacking, whether you count it in words typed, short stories completed, or novels finished, consider finding a place of your own.
It might be a completely separate abode, like my Adobe Hovel. Or it might be nothing more than a different desk and chair (and computer), as in DWS’ office.
Or it might just be a dedicated writing computer that, no matter where you happen to be at the moment, keys the desire to tell stories as soon as you open it.
***
To the aforementioned Hovel at 5:30 this morning, where I was inspired to write the stuff above this. (grin) Now a brief break for breakfast and then to the fiction for the day.
Turned out I grabbed a Ziploc that contained three slices of cold pizza (breakfast of champions) and headed back to the Hovel. (grin)
***
And I wrote. I took a few breaks, including one to polish off the last slice of pizza for lunch, and had a good day of writing.
Talk with you again soon.
Of Interest
See “Business Musings: The Post-Master Class Process Blog” at https://kriswrites.com/2018/10/31/business-musings-the-post-master-class-process-blog/.
See “Make Your Characters Memorable” at https://killzoneblog.com/2018/11/make-your-characters-memorable.html. Be careful with this one. I listed it here just in case it might touch some of you.
See “These Scary Things in Space Will Haunt Your Dreams” at https://www.space.com/34546-scariest-things-in-space-photo-gallery.html. Meh, not really.
Fiction Words: 3894
Nonfiction Words: 1000 (Journal)
So total words for the day: 4894
Writing of Consequences (Nick 4)
Day 1…… 3894 words. Total words to date…… 3894
Total fiction words for the month……… 3894
Total fiction words for the year………… 382424
Total nonfiction words for the month… 1000
Total nonfiction words for the year…… 152106
Total words for the year (fiction and this blog)…… 534280
Calendar Year 2018 Novels to Date………………………… 8
Calenday Year 2018 Novellas to Date…………………… 3
Calendar Year 2018 Short Stories to Date……… 11
Novels (since Oct 19, 2014)………………………………………… 34
Novellas (since Nov 1, 2015)……………………………………… 7
Short stories (since Apr 15, 2014)……………………… 193
Short story collections…………………………………………………… 31