The Journal, Sunday, 5/21

Hey Folks,

Well, I decided early this isn’t going to be a writing day today either. I have to get my office situation settled out. Worked on that the better part of the day and think it’s finally there.

Tomorrow I’ll dive back into the novel. It’s been going great. No problems at all, and my favorite dictum, “just write the next sentence,” is easy on this one.

So I’ll probably blow through a bunch of it tomorrow. One proviso: tomorrow the kid calls Job Corps again, and if they say come on down, well, that’ll take priority. But otherwise it’s writing all the way.

Topic: Ask Me Stuff

If you need help with your writing, and if you think I can help, please feel free to ask. You can ask as a comment or in a private email. Either way is fine.

As I wrote to a friend earlier today, I’ve long believed the Question is the most important grouping of words.

Not only (or even) because questions lead to answers, but because they evoke thought. In both the questioner and the respondent.

When I’m asked a question about writing, I try to provide the best response I’m able to give at the time (at my current level of skill).

But to do that, I have to think. It’s impossible to know anyone else’s situation, of course, regarding their writing process or otherwise.

So I tell them what has worked (or is working) for me, to include anything new I’ve learned since we last talked.

But during that process, I also reinforce within myself the things I’m doing and/or remind myself of things I should be doing.

I’m pretty sure that’s why “they” say the easiest way to learn something is to teach it. I don’t know whether it’s the easiest way, but it’s definitely the best way.

Today, and Writing

Rolled out at 3. Didn’t really want to, but it felt like it was time (if that makes sense) so I did.

Screwed off the first couple of hours, then got busy on my office. That’s one of the reasons for all the slow starts recently. Too distracted by the desire to fix the office.

Back tomorrow.

Of Interest

Kind of interesting what Dean’s doing with his running. If you’re interested in running. Or you might be able to adapt it to your writing. See http://www.deanwesleysmith.com/started-running-finally/.

Fiction Words: XXXX
Nonfiction Words: 400 (Journal)
So total words for the day: 400

Writing of A Fresh Kill (tentative title, novel)

Day 1…… 2751 words. Total words to date…… 2751
Day 2…… 2986 words. Total words to date…… 5737
Day 3…… 2961 words. Total words to date…… 8698
Day 4…… 2612 words. Total words to date…… 11310
Day 5…… 2205 words. Total words to date…… 13515
Day 6…… XXXX words. Total words to date…… XXXXX

Total fiction words for the month……… 28929
Total fiction words for the year………… 276523
Total nonfiction words for the month… 10580
Total nonfiction words for the year…… 85270

Total words for the year (fiction and this blog)…… 361793

The Daily Journal blog streak……………………………………… 543 days
Calendar Year 2017 Novel Goal (15 novels)………………… 4 novels
Novels (since Oct 19, 2014)………………………………………… 24
Novellas (since Nov 1, 2015)……………………………………… 3
Short stories (since Apr 15, 2014)……………………………… 167