Hey Folks, I talk a lot in this Journal about Dean Wesley Smith and his lectures and workshops. One reason for that is that he (along with his wife, Kristine Kathryn Rusch) is a long-term fiction writer who has made his living with his writing for about four decades. Lest you think they write only SF, they don’t. Both of them write across all genres. And unlike most writers in their position, they (and especially Dean) … Read more
Hey Folks, Wow, announcement remorse, eh? Yesterday I announced I plan to do a seminar and a workshop in the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas and in Cochise County Arizona. I believe I was thinking out loud. When I read the announcement myself in the post, I finally got a clue. If I do that, it will be in the future. Far enough in the future so I can set up a large venue and Fill … Read more
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, … Read more
Hey Folks, Well, I should have mostly a full day of writing today. Still having a little trouble actually writing the whole time I’m in the chair. (grin) Just gotta keep working on it. Today, and Writing Rolled out at 3:30 and made it out to the Hovel by 7:30. Jumped right back into an unfinished scene from yesterday. Also wrote a reverse outline for what I’ve done so far. Wow. Cycling, and by 10 I … Read more
Hey Folks, Not much of a journal up here today. Everything’s in the “Today and Writing” and “Of Interest” sections. Today, and Writing Rolled out a 4. Didn’t get out to the Hovel until a little after 8. But at least I’m awake, showered, fed etc. and expecting a good day on the novel. To the novel around 8:20. Cycling ’til around 9:30, a break, then writing/cycling ’til around 10:20, break to get some more tea. … Read more
Hey Folks, Well, my grandson is off today unless he gets called in. So he’s up at the house working his way through his GED book. I, on the other hand, am out in the Hovel where I shall endeavor to persevere in the insane challenge I set for myself a few days ago. (grin) A few thoughts on getting up early… It isn’t really necessary to my writing, as I long since gave up on … Read more
Hey Folks, Okay, venting alert. But this also morphs into a kind of topic. Down in the “Of Interest” section, you’ll find that Dean and Kris are bringing Pulphouse magazine back. Stage One of my automatic response was good for them. I was glad to hear it. Still am, actually. An additional publication = another stream of revenue for them. And during Stage Two, which I admit followed closely on the heels of Stage One (because … Read more
Hey Folks, Apparently I visited Dean’s site too early yesterday. After I left he posted a new article. See “Of Interest” below. There’s a lot down there today, and it’s all good. Ted White, one of the great editors of SF and Fantasy, needs help saving his house. If you can help, visit https://www.gofundme.com/44r62-save-my-house. And if you have a Facebook page and/or are in any writers’ groups, please share. (This is also in “Of Interest” below.) … Read more
Hey Folks, All the recent talk about people being “offended” and “sensitivity readers” is just annoying. But they aren’t really connected. This is two different mini-topics: perception and censorship. Perception People have every right to perceive anything they see or hear in any way they want. And they have a right to be “offended” if that’s how they want to spend their time. Shrug. Fine by me. However, whether they are offended is a direct function … Read more
Hey Folks, The “Of Interest” section most often (like today) has a referral to Dean Wesley Smith’s site, but not always. Sometimes it has other stuff too. A few days ago I posted a link here to an article about “sensitivity readers” now being employed by the traditional publishing houses. This morning I received three emails from subscribers to this Journal giving me that same link. (grin) I urge you to check out “Of Interest” each … Read more