Now we’re going into the nuts and bolts of how to practice writing. At this point, either you’ve bought my argument that you need practice, or you haven’t. I hope you have, no matter what your skill level currently is at.
Friday Morning Pages: Getting Started with Practice
Mystery writer John D. McDonald has a famous quote (paraphrasing a bit): You have a million words of crap in you before you can write a publishable novel. The more stories I write, the more I see how true this is. When I first started, I couldn’t plot my way out of a paper bag. I knew jack about character development. I had no grasp of voice, or setting, or pacing. Don’t tell the younger-me any of that.
February Review 2017
Had a goal of 70,000 words to write in February, and I missed by a lot. Yesterday was day 630 of writing every day in a row, and it is currently week 91. Finished no new projects this month, and no publications out. But I've got a few ideas for this blog. The word count break-down is below.
Friday Morning Pages: Write Scenes
One sentence at a time. Or one page at a time. However you divide up your novel, it should be in small enough chunks to be easily chewed. I tend to focus on the level of scenes. Fifteen minutes here, 250 words there, by the end of the day if I’ve put in enough writing time, I can get a scene.
2017 Short Story Challenge
I've been bitching to people lately that I want to write more fantasy and science fiction. I'm far from bored with the stories I have been writing, but definitely something is missing. And I want to be more productive. So here's the new challenge: Post a short story to this blog every Tuesday in 2017. … Continue reading 2017 Short Story Challenge
Writing Is Not Work
Just a quick announcement for a new non-fiction book I'm currently in the middle of, Writing Is Not Work: Finding Your Voice During National Novel Writing Month. To the left is a mock-up of the cover. The final cover, of course, might look different. I cover a lot of ground in this book. Ways to … Continue reading Writing Is Not Work
Goodbye 2014!
Lots and lots of changes in the last year. I'm both pleased and disappointed in what I've accomplished. I learned a lot, but had many missed opportunities to do so much more. I feel I've gone from learning how to write, to learning how to be a storyteller. Huge world of difference. If you don't … Continue reading Goodbye 2014!
Friday Fiction: The Gondolier
The rolling, rocking motion of the gondola forced Tom to grip the edge; the smooth, wet wood slippery under his white knuckled grasp. Brine and ether coated his skin, clothing, and hat. The port he had before disembarking left a pungent imprint on his tongue, and already he regretted the silver coin he had traded … Continue reading Friday Fiction: The Gondolier
SPEED OF DARKNESS: Day 4
Day four of retyping StarCraft: Speed of Darkness by Tracy Hickman. Oddly, even though it's not my book, I am hitting the middle-of-the-story blues in writing it. Worked three sessions today. So far, still on track to make my ten-day deadline. Word count: 3,969... total: 22,384 Hours: 3... total: 16
SPEED OF DARKNESS: Day 2
Day 2 of retyping Tracy Hickman's StarCraft: Speed of Darkness. I'm actually having fun doing this, even though it's not real writing. Just having a blast typing a story, and being incredibly productive at doing so. Did five sessions today, starting around 5 pm, going to midnight, with plenty of breaks in between. My session word … Continue reading SPEED OF DARKNESS: Day 2
