The Writing Life

The Journal, Saturday, 4/29

Hey Folks, This just in, and I’m putting it right up front: For anyone out there who is still looking for an agent or who HAS an agent for that matter, please do yourself a favor and read Kris Rusch’s Business Musings post “Writers, Scam Artiss, Agents and More” at http://kriswrites.com/2017/04/26/business-musings-writers-scam-artists-agents-and-more-sigh/. Well, yesterday, even with my brain pretty much toast at around 2 p.m., I created a cover for “Suction Cups,” then a promo doc. Then … Read more

The Journal, Friday, 4/28

Hey Folks, Well, the first reader for “How Hard the Ground” enjoyed it, so it goes to market today. Of course, he’s alone with me often, miles from anywhere, way out in the desert. And he knows how well I can shoot. So that might have had a lot to do with his positive report. (grin) But I’ll take it. Topic: The Two Levels of Pacing If you’ve been following me or my work for any … Read more

The Journal, Thursday, 4/27

Hey Folks, Today is a nonwriting day for fiction. It’s currently only around 1:30, and I’m making the call. I’m in the Hovel, where I’m going to enjoy a good cigar in solitude and do something completely useless, like play solitaire or something. Then I’m going to finish a few chores at the house and call it a day. I spent much of the morning doing things around the house, including putting a new screen on … Read more

The Journal, Wednesday, 4/26

Hey Folks, Very short post today. Knowing me, I’ll be back with longer stuff tomorrow. Today, and Writing Rolled out at 3. Dabbled in what people call “politics” for awhile, but that isn’t an intense enough word. 5:30, I set aside the impulse to chew wheels and spit nails and escaped to the story. Cycling, of course. Wrote for about a half-hour, then got busy around the yard, then a walk with my wife, then Walmart, … Read more

The Journal, Tuesday, 4/25

Hey Folks, A few days ago I mentioned that I had an idea for an 11th novel in the Wes Crowley saga. A few of you cheered. Thanks for that. Part of my reasoning was that the last novel (and the saga) didn’t end the way I wanted it to. Several other readers also noted it didn’t end the way it would have if they were the protagonist. So I was all set to pull a … Read more

Keeping Up with the Joneses

Hi Folks, A writer and friend once asked in a comment over on my Daily Journal whether I would “address the issue of setting the bar of productivity so high that [some] of us … can’t possibly keep up with you? As much as I want to, I can’t keep up. I’m guessing that eliminates me from the ‘professional writer’ category.” I did respond in a comment (on the Journal), but I know a lot of … Read more

The Journal, Monday, 4/24

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 … Read more

The Journal, Sunday, 4/23

Hey Folks, Well, I woke up Sunday mornin’ with no way to hold my head that didn’t hurt… For some reason, I woke up with that in my mind. I love that song, “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down” by Kris Kristofferson, one of America’s foremost poets in my estimation. My own head isn’t hurting except with the hope that my novella will wrap today or tomorrow. Though I do love my whiskey and have several bottles on … Read more

The Journal, Saturday, 4/22

Hey Folks, I spent much of the early morning watching and listening to DWS’ “Lester Dent Master Plot Formula.” Wow. It was as informative as I hoped (and more so) and chock full of gems. I hope you’ll take this opportunity to get it through the StoryBundle offer I mentioned yesterday. If you didn’t, and in case you’re interested, here’s the link again: https://storybundle.com/writing. Again, you get nine books on the craft or business of writing … Read more

The Journal, Friday, 4/21

Hey Folks, Well, in the midst of writing the topic below, I came up with a new challenge for myself. I’ll announce it in the next couple of days. There’s an exciting new writing bundle out from StoryBundle. I bought it first thing this morning. To check it out, visit https://storybundle.com/writing. I strongly recommend you drop $15 and buy this bundle. Even if only so you can get DWS’ lecture on Lester Dent’s Master Plot Formula … Read more