In Today’s Journal
* My Quote of the Day
* Stage 2 Fiction Writers
* Of Interest
* The Numbers
My Quote of the Day
“We who write into the dark abstain from conscious mind revision and rewriting, not because our words and stories are precious, but because we prefer the character’s true, authentic story to our own ego-driven fabrication.” Harvey
Stage 2 Fiction Writers
Stage 2 is primarily a transition from Stage 1 to Stage 3. I know, duh. But the point is, Stage 3 and advancing from the “young-in-craft” stages is the goal. Not everyone makes it.
Stage 2 writers retain many of the traits of Stage 1 writers, though usually to a lesser degree.
Most Stage 2 writers
- have at least heard of Heinlein’s Rules, but many have dismissed them—especially Rule 3—as being archaic or (my personal favorite) as not being applicable to their writing because they don’t write speculative fiction (sigh).
- still fear inadequacy and still largely believe themselves incapable of writing ‘good’ fiction, but
- Their self-confidence has begun to sprout.
- Likewise, they are beginning to sense overall Story, but they still see what they write as their story (vs. the characters’ story).
- Their focus is still largely on typing, grammar, individual words, and individual sentences and paragraphs.
- And perfection.
- They are still largely not aware of potential readers, so they aren’t even close to realizing that what seems “perfect” to one reader seems terrible to another.
- They might even begin to recognize characters as being something apart from themselves, fictional people through whom the writer wants to live vicariously through the characters’ stories.
- They have come to recognize bits of themselves and other ‘real’ people they know in the characters, and they’ve begun to understand that’s all right.
- They might also begin to understand the value of hooks and of story- and scene- and chapter-openings, setting and character description, and POV, but
- Pressed by the fear of inadequacy, most are still more or less solidly bound to the myths and believe revisions and rewrites and editing and content critiques by other writers and “polishing” (all functions of the critical mind) will help or improve a story.
Note: It won’t. In every case, conscious mind revision and rewrites will take the story further from authenticity and make it worse.
- Many Stage 2 writers still melodramatically complain about writing being a “solitary endeavor” while simultaneously believing it takes a team to write a story or novel (beta readers, critique groups, various types of editors, etc.).
- Some later Stage 2 writers, especially if they experience some level of success, will actually say they have learned “enough” and stop seeking or accepting new knowledge re the craft of fiction writing. As a result, they become stuck in Stage 3 and never advance.
- Unfortunately, many Stage 2 writers will remain in Stage 2, trapped in the comfort and “safety” of the myths. (But seriously, safety from what?)
Note: In the “critiques of openings” I offer I don’t touch content. Those critiques concern only the inclusion of that content and how it’s arranged. Imagine that: I might actually respect your characters more than you do. (grin)
- A few Stage 2 writers, primarily due to their own or their contacts’ skill in marketing or sheer good luck, will become (or are already) bestselling authors. Go figure.
- Sadly, once they attain such a lofty goal, many self-imlpode, frightened their next story won’t be as good as the previous one. At that point, the fear freezes them and many stop writing altogether.
So my advice is this:
- If you want to make a steady income, get or keep your day job, and
- If you want to make a lot of money, make good investments. But
- If you want to write great fiction, read on. (And maybe grab a copy of Writing Better Fiction. It contains everything you need to know about writing fiction.)
Traits Stage 2 writers display after the writing is finished
- Like Stage 1 fiction writers, Stage 2 writers have heard and firmly believe in the admonition that “A writer is the worst judge of his own work.” However, they also tend to apply that admonition only if they believe their own work is ‘good.’ If they believe their own work is bad, it’s as if the admonition never existed.
Note: Again, the admonition is actually true in all cases. Regardless of what you personally think of your story or novel, if you make it available to other readers by publishing it, some will love it, some will like it, and others won’t. “So what?” is a great attitude to develop.
- Most are still dependent-on and seek approval and validation from “book doctors,” “developmental editors,” and other editors, literary agents, and publishers (again, in almost every case, people who don’t write fiction).
- Most early Stage 2 writers still seek out and use “beta” readers, the equivalent of critique groups.
- Some more advanced Stage 2 writers tend to eschew critical input and use a “first” reader, a person who simply reads their work and comments on anything that pulls him or her out of the story: inconsistencies, wrong words, broken timelines, etc. (These are more likely to make it to Stage 3.)
- Stage 2 writers still might also believe in order to be a “real author” or make money, they must pursue traditional publication and therefore need to find a literary agent and/or need to “network” writers’ conferences to meet influential types (mostly literary agents and publishing house editors) etc.
- If they want to self-publish, they probably have already opened an Amazon or Draft2Digital (or other aggregator) account, and they’ve probably published at least a few works.
- They might or might not put off actually publishing (uploading their cover and the document that contains the text of their work.
Next up we move from young-in-craft writers to the traits and attributes of Stage 3 fiction writers.
Of Interest
The Five Types of Amazon Ads Every Author Should Understand
The Collector daily or weekly newsletter A great source for information and story ideas.
Why Tough Choices Create Stronger Stories Basic stuff, but important to be aware of. So study with your conscious mind, then forget it and write with the creative subconscious.
The Numbers
The Journal………………….. 1000
Mentorship Words…………….. 0
Total Nonfiction…………………. 1000
Writing of
Day 1…… XXXX words. To date………… XXXXX
Fiction for February………………………. XXXX
Fiction for 2026…………………………… XXXX
Nonfiction for February.…………………. 9030
Nonfiction for 2026………………..……… 28620
2026 consumable words………………… 28620
2026 Novels to Date……………………… 0
2026 Novellas to Date…………………… 0
2026 Short Stories to Date……………… 0
Novels (since Oct 19, 2014)…………….. 123
Novellas (since Nov 1, 2015)…………… 10
Short stories (since Apr 15, 2014)……… 310
Short story collections……………………. 29