UPDATE: There was a short story called "The New Age" here for a week. It has been replaced by another story called "Vengeance." As with every story I post here, it will be up free for a week then replaced. All stories that appear here will find their ways to publication via Kindle and other ereaders. I will post links to those stories and cover art as they go up.
Friday, April 26, 2013
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
A Day In The Life Of A Pro Writer
Recently, author Dean Wesley Smith began a series of daily posts where he documents his days while writing a 70,000 word ghostwritten novel in 7 to 10 days. The process is illuminating and there are many great comments below each post. I've learned a lot and I know other writers (and would-be writers) have too.
As Smith has said many times in past, there are a great many myths believed by writers and perpetuated by the publishing industry and academia. Most new writers swallow them hook, line, and sinker. I know I did for a while. I credit both him and his wife, Kristine Kathryn Rusch, for their willingness to break down those myths and give writers a different perspective on all of it--the view of the long-term professional, working writer. I've thanked them profusely in private and on this blog in the past.
They have certainly paid it forward hundreds of times over for me over the last couple of years. This series of Smith's is a great refresher and the perfect illustration of the methods and the perspective he has mentioned in numerous posts. I know I didn't believe that a novel could be written within a week, but Smith has stopped telling us and now offers to show us what it takes. I know I'm thankful for that.
If you want to read Smith's daily entries so far, here are DAY ONE, DAY TWO, DAY THREE, DAY FOUR, DAY FIVE, DAY SIX, DAY SEVEN, DAY EIGHT, DAY NINE, AND DAY TEN. Read THE DAY AFTER too. (Remember to read the comments too. Lots of value information there too.)
As Smith has said many times in past, there are a great many myths believed by writers and perpetuated by the publishing industry and academia. Most new writers swallow them hook, line, and sinker. I know I did for a while. I credit both him and his wife, Kristine Kathryn Rusch, for their willingness to break down those myths and give writers a different perspective on all of it--the view of the long-term professional, working writer. I've thanked them profusely in private and on this blog in the past.
They have certainly paid it forward hundreds of times over for me over the last couple of years. This series of Smith's is a great refresher and the perfect illustration of the methods and the perspective he has mentioned in numerous posts. I know I didn't believe that a novel could be written within a week, but Smith has stopped telling us and now offers to show us what it takes. I know I'm thankful for that.
If you want to read Smith's daily entries so far, here are DAY ONE, DAY TWO, DAY THREE, DAY FOUR, DAY FIVE, DAY SIX, DAY SEVEN, DAY EIGHT, DAY NINE, AND DAY TEN. Read THE DAY AFTER too. (Remember to read the comments too. Lots of value information there too.)
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Nothing Set In Stone: What's Been Happening?
Well, the last post mentioned the short story challenge I was undertaking with a friend. The whole thing started out well but circumstances conspired against both of us. I produced some good stories and so did he, but we stopped the challenge and moved on. I've been working on a book while trying to find other work as well so I can get back on a productive course for the remainder of the year. That's tough considering all that will be changing in the coming months.
I hope to write several books by year's end. This will be more challenging since a new baby is on the way. I'll have to bend like a reed and adapt to the circumstances. Nothing is truly set in stone--except maybe a few bad habits that need to be chipped away at.
There are things going on that have fractured my attention and made it difficult to focus solely on the writing. I've been trying to regain that focus. The last few months have been about that effort.
I have no sage words for writers or anyone who happens to visit this site. I am still a writer, still working towards some new goals, and hopefully with luck I'll get there by December.
I hope to write several books by year's end. This will be more challenging since a new baby is on the way. I'll have to bend like a reed and adapt to the circumstances. Nothing is truly set in stone--except maybe a few bad habits that need to be chipped away at.
There are things going on that have fractured my attention and made it difficult to focus solely on the writing. I've been trying to regain that focus. The last few months have been about that effort.
I have no sage words for writers or anyone who happens to visit this site. I am still a writer, still working towards some new goals, and hopefully with luck I'll get there by December.
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