A Phoenix

Hi Folks, This morning as I conducted some routine maintenance on my website, I got curious. I checked the “Uncategorized” posts. Those marked Uncategorized were not sent to any list by MailChimp. Not even the Pro Writers blog, for which I wrote them. I found forty-three such posts, all of which should have gone to the Pro Writers list. So I’m beginning the arduous process of perusing, updating and rescheduling those posts. Those that are still … Read more

Getting Ideas (and other stuff)

This content was previously posted on June 26, 2016 in the Daily Journal. I posted it here because of the valuable topic included below. Soon I might begin posting the Daily Journal here every day. Hey Folks, Probably today will be another non-writing day for me. Despite the fact that when I take a day away from writing fiction I feel itchy and annoyed. I gave my word to a couple of folks who quickly took … Read more

Story Starters, Openings and How to Write Fiction

This is a topic of the day from my Daily Journal yesterday. I’m considering moving the Daily Journal over here and posting it to my Pro Writers list every day. If you’re reading this, you’re on that list. Anyway, here’s a topic of the day for you. Story Starters, Openings and How to Write Fiction One person asked me in an email yesterday where I get ideas and how I can move from story to story. … Read more

Workshop Report

Hi Folks, Because many of you still haven’t made the switch to my Daily Journal, I decided to post this over here as well. This is for you, not me. Workshop Report I finally watched and listened to the Week 1 videos from Dean Wesley Smith’s Teams in Fiction workshop at about 6:30 last night. I expected them to be bland and boring in the first week. Nature of the beast. In the first week, because … Read more

Writers’ Resources

Hi Folks, Every now and then I offer a post about writers’ resources. Most of the ones I use are in the left sidebar on my website. I add to them often, and I change one every now and then. So it’s a good idea to check them out from time to time to see what’s new. Awhile back I added a Readers’ Resources section too. The Writers’ Resources are below that. Also, Dean Wesley Smith, … Read more

Update to Brave New World of Publishing

Hi Folks, This morning as I emailed a friend, I had occasion to revisit an old blog post, one I wrote here back in October, 2015. The information in it bears repeating, especially in light of recent posts over at Dean Wesley Smith’s website. I recommend you read my older blog post before continuing with this one, even if you think you remember everything about it. To do so, click Brave New World of Publishing. After … Read more

Good Stuff for Writers

Hey Folks, I almost forgot to post something for today. This probably will be brief. First, my apologies for allowing two short stories to post yesterday. On the home page of my website at HarveyStanbrough.com you can scroll down to see both of them below this post. Or you can click the Free Short Story tab and see both of them there. I’m finally on the verge of writing again after a very long (for me) … Read more

Creating a Reverse Outline

Hi Folks, In the interest of full disclosure, I first posted this as a blog entry on April 2 in my Daily Journal at HEStanbrough.com. To continue the discloure, this is a technique I learned from Dean Wesley Smith. I find his openness and instruction (inadvertent and otherwise) pretty much invaluable. But to the topic at hand. Anyone who knows me or has talked writing with me for more than five minutes knows I don’t outline. … Read more

Interim, Interim Post

Hi Folks, If you’re a reader, I have some great news for you. If you’re a writer, I have some even greater news. There’s a new book bundling service called BundleRabbit. If you aren’t familiar with book bundles, let me explain. If you’re a reader, you can sign up to receive their newsletter. Each time a new book bundle is ready, they’ll send you an email. Then you read the email and, if you’re interested, go … Read more

Interim Post

Hi Folks, Well, I just posted a complete how-to book—in chapters and appendices—free on this site over the past several weeks. If you haven’t read it and you would like to, you can click Writing the Character-Driven Story to find the links to every chapter. I’ll be taking it down soon, so if you haven’t read it and you’d like to, please do so soon. If you would rather buy your own copy, you can find … Read more