Hey Folks,
Some folks’ need for boundaries is amazing to me. To see what I mean, read the comment by “Patrick R” on Dean’s http://www.deanwesleysmith.com/story-twenty-one/ and then Dean’s response.
With appropriate respect to Patrick R, I found the exchange hilarious.
***
I did a spell check of The Platinum Blond Perturbance yesterday after I finished it. Ugh. Even writing the promo doc for this one was like pulling teeth.
And there are people who spend months or years writing a novel? I swear, I think I’d shoot myself. Or at least go find something fun to do.
This morning I’m going to create a cover and get it out. I want this thing off my desk.
For some reason this one really annoyed me. This is one of those that I was tempted to let die a few times. Even now I’m tempted to just throw it away instead of publishing it.
Fortunately, in my mind DWS keeps saying “What right do you have to pre-judge what the reader will like?”
And doubly fortunately, that admonishment was borne-out the last time I wrote something that I thought sucked canal water from all 50 states.
Not surprisingly, I don’t remember the title, but it was a short story. And the day after I published it, a reader emailed me to tell me it was one of the best things she’d ever read.
Go figure.
Remember that, folks.
1. Writers really ARE the worst judges of their own work, not only when they think it’s good, but when they think it’s horrible.
2. Every value judgement really does come down to the reader’s taste. Period.
***
Well, Bryan finally got through to JobCorps at about 9, only to hear “call back in two weeks.” That’s what they said two weeks ago.
Well, I guess it’ll be what it’ll be. But I’m annoyed to say the least. The last WIP plus this has me wanting to do odd things. I’ll leave it at that.
Today, and Writing
Rolled out at 4. I kept waking up and then just lying there until I went back to sleep.
I spent the first two hours reading stuff online. Spent the next couple getting a cover done and getting The Platinum Blond Perturbance distributed and uploaded to BundleRabbit.
Went to lunch with my grandson, then updated HarveyStanbrough.com and StoneThreadPublishing.com with the new book.
Nonwriting day today.
Back tomorrow.
Of Interest
At Dean’s place, “Story Twenty-Three plus stuff” at http://www.deanwesleysmith.com/story-twenty-three-plus-stuff/.
From The Digital Reader (http://the-digital-reader.com) a compilation of tweets chock full of URLs for you to research and read if you’re interested. See http://the-digital-reader.com/2017/04/22/paul-bibas-ebook-elibrary-emuseum-epublishing-news-compilation-week-ending-saturday-april-22/.
Fiction Words: XXXX
Nonfiction Words: 440 (Journal)
So total words for the day: 440
Writing of
Day 1…… XXXX words. Total words to date…… XXXX
Total fiction words for the month……… 30647
Total fiction words for the year………… 239203
Total nonfiction words for the month… 13710
Total nonfiction words for the year…… 71050
Total words for the year (fiction and this blog)…… 310253
The Daily Journal blog streak……………………………… 516 days
Calendar Year 2017 Novel Goal (15 novels)… 5 novels
Total novels to date (since Oct 19, 2014)… 27 (includes 3 novellas)
I would have to agree with Dean about pre-judging. I don’t have a tendency to do it so much with my writing, but I do with my art. I have a number of painting that I absolutely hate and have thought about painting over, but sometimes before I do someone comes along and buys it. They tell me how much it speaks to them. I sit there smiling, appreciating the new view they are giving me about what I had previously thought as a piece of garbage. I no longer try to judge the art to my personal taste but rather remember that the piece came through me and just needs to find the person it belongs to. With all my creative endeavors, I remind myself that if I was entertained in creating it, I have had my fun and now I must release it to the world for others to enjoy. I have no right to judge; I can only share.
Great way to look at it about writing, too. It comes through us and must find the person it’s supposed to be with or the person who needs it. Thanks!