Smith’s Monthly Issues

Two Issues Out…

Those of you who have been hanging around here for a time might remember the novel I did in five days while traveling. The novel is called Ace High: A Cold Poker Gang Novel. I also wrote a book (basically my blogs) about how I wrote that novel in five days.

Well, in the issue of Smith’s Monthly that just went out to subscribers and Patreon supporters, both the novel and the book about writing the novel are in there.

Another issue will go out on Monday. And then later in the month another string of them as I work to get back on date. Means nothing to anyone but me, I know. But still, a person has to be driven by some delusions after all.

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October Master Class

Everyone who is signed up for the October Master Business Class here on the coast should have gotten a letter from me with an invite behind it to the email group. If you are signed up and didn’t get that, write me.

And we have had three people drop due to different issues, so if anyone is interested, check out the Coast Workshop tab at the top. It is October 21st-28 and is all business, indie business. Upper level stuff and fantastic networking. Write me for more information if you are interested.

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AUGUST ONLINE WORKSHOPS STARTING NEXT WEEK!!

All have openings at the moment. Information at

www.wmgpublishingworkshops.com

Any questions at all, feel free to write me. And if you are confused as to which workshop to take first, we have a full curriculum posted on its own page.

Class #13… Aug 8th … Depth #3: Research
Class #14… Aug 8th … Endings
Class #15… Aug 8th … Point of View
Class #16… Aug 8th … Writing Mysteries
Class #17… Aug 8th … Speed
Class #18… Aug 8th … Teams in Fiction
Class #19… Aug 9th … Depth in Writing
Class #20… Aug 9th … How to Edit Your Own Work
Class #21… Aug 9th … Character Development
Class #22… Aug 9th … Writing Secondary Plot Lines
Class #23… Aug 9th … Advanced Depth
Class #24… Aug 9th … Writing Fantasy

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6 Comments

Mark Kuhn

August 5, 2017 at 10:57 am

Dean, what you do means a lot to many people, so don’t sell yourself short. You are blazing a trail for many writers, steering us away from the traps and swindles in the traditional world of publishing and showing us that the Indie world is filled with promise. Before Indie came along, I think a lot of writers gave up when they realized how guarded the gates to being published actually are in the traditional world. To writers who still believe the traditional world can be their friend, you have shown the tactics they use today are downright unethical.
To me personally, you have been a beacon. Critical Voice is being held at bay now, and I’m actually writing daily, something I never did before. Writing into the dark has been a revelation for me. I recall a writing class I took back in 1992, offered by a college professor. Outlining was hammered into me. Then the tired, “Oh, geez, don’t write for more than a half at most. You’ll burn yourself out.” Oh, and he was a true believer in “the muse”. So after those 13 weeks, I was outlining and when the outline was finished I was like, why do I have to write this now? The story for me is finished.
Sitting down at the computer now, even on nights when I’m tired, is a productive time. Like you have said many times, just write the next sentence. Then the words come out. The five year old story-teller comes to life. Anything can happen.

dwsmith

August 5, 2017 at 11:48 pm

Thanks, Mark. Really appreciate the comments.

And we are toying with a full six week workshop called Writing into the Dark. There are so many myths and techniques and ways to do it, it finally dawned on me that it might not be a bad idea to teach it, since, as you said, so many places bang home the rewrite/outline myths. We shall see. (grin) Maybe soon.
Marsha

August 6, 2017 at 5:47 am

I second everything Mark said. I can’t remember how I came across your blog but you saved my writing life. Before you I spent years rewriting the same tired book trying to get it perfect. An impossible task of course. And so BORING. I had pretty much given up on a writing career. Then you came along and indie publishing and a whole new world opened up for me. Writing into the dark keeps it fresh and exciting and I’ve learned not to look back, only forward. Many thanks, Dean.

Harvey

August 6, 2017 at 2:30 am

I second Mark’s comments wholeheartedly. And even when there are crickets on shorter posts, I’d bet a lot of us mine a lot of gems you probably don’t even realize you’re dropping. I know I do. Thanks Dean.

Diane Darcy

August 7, 2017 at 5:22 pm

I’m supposed to be writing, but I got sucked into Ace High. Wonderful story! And yes, I was following along as you wrote it, and was just going to take a peek as I was curious, but you hooked me. =)

dwsmith

August 8, 2017 at 1:23 am

Thank you, Diane. Very much appreciated. (grin)

Mark Kuhn

August 5, 2017 at 10:57 am

Dean, what you do means a lot to many people, so don’t sell yourself short. You are blazing a trail for many writers, steering us away from the traps and swindles in the traditional world of publishing and showing us that the Indie world is filled with promise. Before Indie came along, I think a lot of writers gave up when they realized how guarded the gates to being published actually are in the traditional world. To writers who still believe the traditional world can be their friend, you have shown the tactics they use today are downright unethical.
To me personally, you have been a beacon. Critical Voice is being held at bay now, and I’m actually writing daily, something I never did before. Writing into the dark has been a revelation for me. I recall a writing class I took back in 1992, offered by a college professor. Outlining was hammered into me. Then the tired, “Oh, geez, don’t write for more than a half at most. You’ll burn yourself out.” Oh, and he was a true believer in “the muse”. So after those 13 weeks, I was outlining and when the outline was finished I was like, why do I have to write this now? The story for me is finished.
Sitting down at the computer now, even on nights when I’m tired, is a productive time. Like you have said many times, just write the next sentence. Then the words come out. The five year old story-teller comes to life. Anything can happen.
- dwsmith
  
  August 5, 2017 at 11:48 pm
  
  Thanks, Mark. Really appreciate the comments.
  
  And we are toying with a full six week workshop called Writing into the Dark. There are so many myths and techniques and ways to do it, it finally dawned on me that it might not be a bad idea to teach it, since, as you said, so many places bang home the rewrite/outline myths. We shall see. (grin) Maybe soon.
- Marsha
  
  August 6, 2017 at 5:47 am
  
  I second everything Mark said. I can’t remember how I came across your blog but you saved my writing life. Before you I spent years rewriting the same tired book trying to get it perfect. An impossible task of course. And so BORING. I had pretty much given up on a writing career. Then you came along and indie publishing and a whole new world opened up for me. Writing into the dark keeps it fresh and exciting and I’ve learned not to look back, only forward. Many thanks, Dean.
Harvey

August 6, 2017 at 2:30 am

I second Mark’s comments wholeheartedly. And even when there are crickets on shorter posts, I’d bet a lot of us mine a lot of gems you probably don’t even realize you’re dropping. I know I do. Thanks Dean.
Diane Darcy

August 7, 2017 at 5:22 pm

I’m supposed to be writing, but I got sucked into Ace High. Wonderful story! And yes, I was following along as you wrote it, and was just going to take a peek as I was curious, but you hooked me. =)
- dwsmith
  
  August 8, 2017 at 1:23 am
  
  Thank you, Diane. Very much appreciated. (grin)