Hey Folks,
Well, first an update:
A prolific young writer who was certain his blog post was the catalyst for my Journal post yesterday (maybe it was, maybe it wasn’t) emailed me to say he’s back on track and committed to writing again. Also he won’t be starting a Patreon account for a good while, if ever. His plan all along was to wait until he had plenty to offer subscribers.
He also wrote that the “Time for excuses is over. Now is the time for me to put up or truly fade away and realize that [I] dont have what it takes to make it.”
For the record, that wasn’t at all what I was trying to convey in yesterday’s Journal. In my estimation, being a writer is no more important than being any other kind of artist or professional. Again, for me, what we choose to do is all a matter of our own priorities. And as always, this is only the opinion of one old curmudgeon.
The only “wisdom” I have to pass along is pretty common: Whenever possible, do what you enjoy and don’t sweat the small stuff, including my opinions.
***
I appreciate all of you being out there. As I was telling a friend earlier today, my posting in this Journal is no longer a streak of any kind. Almost, maybe, but I don’t look at it that way.
The Journal goes out almost daily, but only when I feel like chatting with my friends or have something to pass along in “Of Interest.”
Really I see the Journal as a kind of virtual back fence. In that way, it generates no pressure on me at all. Rather, it’s an exercise in relaxation. My elbow is propped up on this fence as I visit with my friends. Sometimes there are several dozen others standing in the yard next door. Sometimes only one or two. But the visit is the thing. (grin)
I had a topic or two, but this is already getting sort of long so I’ll hold off for today. You’re welcome. (grin)
***
To the Hovel at 6:30 for the first session. I also did some cycling and adding to the reverse outline.
Back to the Hovel at 10 for the second session. Another short break, then back to see whether the story would contine or whether it would wrap.
Unfortunately, it wrapped. Sigh.
To the copyedit for the rest of the day, then to a new story tomorrow or the next day.
Of Interest
See Linda Maye Adams’ “Fear of Ideas” at https://lindamayeadams.com/2018/08/15/fear-of-ideas/. Good post.
See “Pathological Need for Ideas” at https://www.deanwesleysmith.com/pathological-need-for-ideas/. His third paragraph is a gem. Read and re-read it. But there are other gems too, scattered through the post. I added this one to the Helpful Specific Topics on my Writer Reference page.
For my own take on ideas, see “Exercising the Idea Muscle” at http://harveystanbrough.com/pro-writers/exercising-the-idea-muscle/.
See “Say Hello to My Little Friend” (free short story) at https://kriswrites.com/2018/08/13/free-fiction-monday-say-hello-to-my-little-friend/. As always, great to study for technique. Good story too.
Talk with you again soon.
Fiction Words: 2377
Nonfiction Words: 510 (Journal)
So total words for the day: 2887
Writing of Nick Spalding 2 (novel, tentative title)
Day 10… 3477 words. Total words to date…… 30128
Day 11… 1911 words. Total words to date…… 32039
Day 12… 3251 words. Total words to date…… 35290
Day 13… 1327 words. Total words to date…… 36436
Day 14… 4420 words. Total words to date…… 40856
Day 15… 3618 words. Total words to date…… 44474
Day 16… 2377 words. Total words to date…… 46851 (done)
Total fiction words for the month……… 35897
Total fiction words for the year………… 284194
Total nonfiction words for the month… 10370
Total nonfiction words for the year…… 108656
Total words for the year (fiction and this blog)…… 392600
Calendar Year 2018 Novels to Date………………………… 6
Calenday Year 2018 Novellas to Date…………………… 2
Calendar Year 2018 Short Stories to Date……… 11
Novels (since Oct 19, 2014)………………………………………… 32
Novellas (since Nov 1, 2015)……………………………………… 6
Short stories (since Apr 15, 2014)………………………… 193