Hey Folks,
Well, like the man said, Another day, another two dolla’s an’ fo’ty cent.
I’ve learned a great deal about the craft of writing over the past couple of years.
In that time, I stopped teaching seminars in order to focus more tightly on my own writing.
Also in that time, I’ve written 22 novels, 2 novellas, and over 160 short stories.
I’m currently working on my 23rd novel, and before this month is out, I hope to have finished my 24th.
Now, I’m thinking about firing up a brand new combination of at least one interactive seminar and at least one two-day workshop.
Some Thoughts
When I say “seminar” I mean an interactive lecture, a time during which I teach various aspects of the craft of writing and build on questions and comments from those in attendance.
Probably the seminar will be a one-day shot in person. Probably one in Phoenix and one in Tucson (metro areas). Maybe one or two in rural Cochise County (southeast Arizona).
When I say “workshop,” I mean a mixture of instruction (from me) and writing (from attendees).
Almost certainly the workshop will be in person at first. Attendees invariably get more out of the immersion among writers that happens in live workshops.
I’m thinking one two-day workshop in Phoenix and one two-day workshop in Tucson. And maybe one two-day workshop in Cochise County. And probably an online workshop afterward.
I’ll plan both the seminar and the workshop well in advance so I can get maximum exposure for both. In all likelihood, these will not be repeated.
What I Know Right Now
These will be on Craft (so not business, not mechanics).
They will suit everyone from beginning to advanced writers.
They will cross genre lines.
They will suit writers of novels, novellas and short fiction.
I haven’t set attendance fees yet, but as always, I will keep fees as low as possible to help offset attendees’ costs.
If you’re in the region, these will definitely be worth your time to drive in, by which I mean you will learn a great deal.
If you’re not in the region, these might well be worth the time and expense to drive or fly in.
I will emphasize Heinlein’s Rules, excepting Rule 3. (Your writing process is your business.) I won’t emphasize my own writing process, though I will mention it and then respond to questions if there are any.
I’ll announce complete details here and over in the big blog later.
I invite and welcome comments and questions.
Today, and Writing
Rolled out late at almost 4:30 after a pretty exhausting day yesterday. I capped that off by going to pick up my grandson around 8:30 last night.
I managed to wake up, get all the animals settled in, put together a third cup of coffee and head for the Hovel around 7:30. I stopped at a good place (jagged edge) yesterday. So it should be fairly easy to get back into the novel this morning.
Turns out I still had some admin stuff to do this morning. So after I got to the Hovel, I wrote everything above.
8:45, finally to the novel. Cycling in the first session. Got about 500 words. At 9:50, a break.
10:05, breakfast and iced tea in hand, back to the novel. Took a short break around 11:20, that turned into a longer break.
12:15, back to the novel after rearranging my office a bit to keep the dog out of the cat bowl. Sigh. Both girls have to take medicine, and with him eating their food I don’t know what they’re getting or what he’s getting. If he keeps it up, he’s gonna wind up in a chihuahua burrito.
Took the grandson to work at 3:30, then back here to finish up. A little short today, but no biggie.
Back tomorrow.
Of Interest
Well, it’s here. See “Strengths Workshop Starting Up!” at http://www.deanwesleysmith.com/strengths-workshop-starting-up/. Yes, I’m signed up. I suspect this will be the most valuable workshop I’ve ever taken.
If you already know you’re interested, you can find the details on the Regular Craft workshop at http://wmg-publishing-workshops-and-lectures.teachable.com/p/strength-workshop-regular-craft. (The link Dean included in the post is flawed.)
Fiction Words: 3985
Nonfiction Words: 710 (Journal)
So total words for the day: 4695
Writing of Novel One (tentative title, natch)
Day 1…… 3442 words. Total words to date…… 3442
Day 2…… 2089 words. Total words to date…… 5531
Day 3…… 3018 words. Total words to date…… 8549
Day 4…… 2882 words. Total words to date…… 11431
Day 5…… 5117 words. Total words to date…… 16548
Day 6…… 3985 words. Total words to date…… 20,533
Total fiction words for the month……… 20533
Total fiction words for the year………… 172399
Total nonfiction words for the month… 4940
Total nonfiction words for the year…… 41530
Total words for the year (fiction and nonfiction)…… 213929
Let me know if you want help finding a place to hold the Tucson seminar unless you already have that figured out.
Help finding venues is always welcome. We can email about it. Thanks.