-
Already Feeling Better
Very Annoying… But since I started eating very healthy, lower calories, more protein, and got my exercise going again, I feel better. I knew that would happen but every time I am shocked. I am over 5 miles walking per day (10,000 steps for my stride), a new streak starting, and have run at least a half mile two of the last three days. And the weight has started down. Shock. This is sort of like I feel with writing, and what I hear others expressing as well. Starting is hard, but once you start writing regularly, you feel so much better, so much more joy at the world. And…
-
The Rewriting Myth
Got a Letter Today… A very real private letter from a very, very frustrated person who had just seen the Sacred Cow posts I did all those years ago. (Some are dated but they are all still here.) The writer was thanking me for talking sanity. The letter was heartbreaking, described how it had taken a year-and-a-half to write the novel and two-and-a-half more years rewriting and the writer still wasn’t happy with it, but wanted to move on. The writer was clearly having a long-held dream crushed by the myths that range from writing slow and sloppy to rewriting and needing editors and agents and so on. Once again,…
-
Off and Running
Also Getting Back Into Shape… The goal is 13 weeks from this weekend to run/walk in the Las Vegas Marathon and complete it around four hours. So not only with the writing goals, I have an exercise and health goal. I considered today Day One, and got off to a good start. Did well over 10,000 steps (5 miles plus) of which a half mile of that was running. I want to do about 40 miles per week of walking. Then over the next 13 weeks really ramp up the totals on the running. Can you tell I am getting settled in here in Vegas? (grin) Reminder!!! August Regular Workshops…
-
Challenges Coming Up
I Am Getting Closer to Setting Some For Myself… Since my challenge of publishing 67 major books in my 67th year failed so fantastically due to the life roll of a sudden move to Las Vegas (I will manage about 20 or so), I’ve been thinking about maybe doing 68 major published books for my 68th year. I have a little time to decide. I am also thinking of the crazy idea that came up in some comments a week back. “Living at Pulp Speed Five.” Writing ten finished novels in 100 days. Yeah, that is crazy, but could be great fun. And it would be a great nonfiction book…
-
Depth Done Right
An Example of What I Try to Teach… I’ve been reading the new Dean Koontz thriller series that started with The Silent Corner. His character, Jane Hawk is great. Now I study Dean Koontz a great deal because his writing is often invisible, his characters built to be real people, his plots usually twisted. And he is a master at all kinds of techniques, from floating viewpoints to pacing that won’t let you go. So on looking back through the second book of the series, The Whispering Room, I happened to notice how well Koontz sat the scene with depth every chapter in one way or another. Now we have a…
-
Master Business Class Information
Still Have Openings… The workshop is October 19th through the 23rd in Las Vegas. A firehose of information at the top levels of indie publishing business. Folks, you don’t want to miss this one. Write me at dean.wmgworkshops@gmail.com to get more information and instructions on how to sign up and pay for the workshop. The workshop is being held at the Golden Nugget in downtown Las Vegas in a beautiful and modern convention center. There is a block of room you want to be in because it will be cheaper and also for ease and other reasons. I will send you a code to get into the workshop room block…
-
All August Workshops Started
But Still Time To Join One or More of Them… August Regular Online Workshops have all started. There are very few signed up for these August workshops. Remember, the workshops only take a few hours a week of your time, so even for a month like August it should be possible. And September there will be a new workshop or two announced. And some new lectures as well. And the reading list will go out for the first Study Along Workshop in September as well. And September starts the new short story and novel challenge. Still spots in both if you are thinking about it. The goal is thirty short stories…
-
Plot Twists
Maybe This Should Be A Workshop… Plot twists, when done right, are wonderful for readers, and can get your book talked about and help you sell more copies. When done wrong, plot twists make a reader toss a book against a wall and never read another thing by that author. So what makes a good plot twist? As I said, I think there is more than enough to make this into a full four week workshop with webinars. But for kicks here, since plot twists are on my mind, let me try to hit a few high points of good plot twists that spring to mind. — The twist must…
-
August Workshops Starting Up
It’s That Time… August Regular Online Workshops are starting up. Actually, this caught me by surprise tonight as well. Sort of snuck up on me to be honest with all the travel and move stuff. But now I am settled into my new office and moving forward again just in time for these to get started. To be honest, there are very few signed up for these August workshops. Almost everyone will get a private lesson. Remember, the workshops only take a few hours a week of your time, so even for a month like August it should be possible. And September there will be a new workshop announced. And…
-
Reading And Story Consumption
Today, While Resting, I Consumed Story… Since I just pulled into town last night, I decided to mostly rest today. So besides some naps, I read part of a Dean Koontz novel called The Silent Corner. It is the first book with a new continuing character. I think he’s got three or four in the series now and it is typical Koontz smooth writing and rich details. And then Kris and I went to a movie, a fun one about a spy who dropped his girlfriend. Just a wonderful, fun spoof. I seldom talk here about my reading or story consumption. But as any professional writer, I do it all…