I’ve been in a slump. Probably the worst slump of my life when it comes to writing. I’ve never gone quite as long as I’ve gone this time without wanting to spend time writing anything at all. I think I’m finally recovering. “Think” being the real state of things, though. I can’t say for sure.Continue reading “I’ll think of a title later”
Tag Archives: How I do things
Daily writing – Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020
I wrote 190 words on Tuesday, and more than half of those were on paper with a pencil. :-O What? I used to write a lot on paper, but I really don’t work like that anymore. This is what the streak has driven me to. :D I was out yesterday evening and tired when IContinue reading “Daily writing – Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020”
Daily post – Jan. 23, 2020 – Thursday – Part one
As I said in my last post, I seem to be feeling better today (those sleep habits coming into play again) so I’m expecting myself to get some real writing done today. Luckily I woke up feeling good today and hopeful and even a little inspired so maybe I’m getting there. :-) I’ve had aContinue reading “Daily post – Jan. 23, 2020 – Thursday – Part one”
A test post that turned into a post about writing and trusting the process
This is a test post that I’m posting before I make a fool of myself complaining about a WordPress bug. I’d like to see if it’s reproducible before I publish that draft! This post was already a draft that I made on January 1st, but never posted, so it fits the bill for what IContinue reading “A test post that turned into a post about writing and trusting the process”
The difference between writing and rewriting
Yesterday I didn’t write as much as I really thought I would. It was my first day with the kid back at school and the house was quiet and I have no one to blame but myself. The problem is that I’m really not sure how I managed not to write more. Still, dwelling onContinue reading “The difference between writing and rewriting”
The spreadsheets that help me tame the minutia of indie publishing
I’ve been reading a lot lately about spreadsheets and inventories on another site. Reading about the time involved in such a massive project has made me very happy that I’ve been tracking my stuff from the very beginning. My main “publish-list” spreadsheet is up to ten tabs of data these days, and even includes allContinue reading “The spreadsheets that help me tame the minutia of indie publishing”
Chopped up writing day but a writing day it will be
It’s going to be a chopped up day but writing can’t wait, so I’m setting aside several blocks of time. I’m posting here for the accountability. I’ll come back and fill in my progress later today when I have the time to spare. I think I’m going to like this planning and working to theContinue reading “Chopped up writing day but a writing day it will be”
My writing process in five sentences (and some words about those sentences)
I write a book. I start at the beginning. I write through to the end, taking a few detours along the way usually but always ending up at the end. (3) I read the book and mark errors and continuity issues to check or fix and make sure nothing sounds wrong (that’s a totally subjectiveContinue reading “My writing process in five sentences (and some words about those sentences)”
About trusting yourself and letting go
My most recent book was a lesson in trusting myself and letting go of notions of what I thought the book should be. The comments I’ve received on the book are better than usual, and that is gratifying. I don’t think I would regret anything even if they weren’t, because by the time I’d writtenContinue reading “About trusting yourself and letting go”
Don’t link to your email list provider in your books
I’m going to sound smug for a moment, because frankly, that’s how I’m feeling right about now. From the beginning, I’ve done everything I can to make life easier on myself, and it’s paid off in several ways in the long run. I make all my links in my books go back to my ownContinue reading “Don’t link to your email list provider in your books”
LibreOffice has an undo limitation that isn’t working for me
I have spent a lot of time preparing myself to switch permanently to LibreOffice before I move to a new computer and no longer have access to my old Microsoft Office 2007 install. Well, today, I came across the first limitation that actually might be a problem for me. I edit as I write. InContinue reading “LibreOffice has an undo limitation that isn’t working for me”
I’ve discovered pandoc
I’ve discovered pandoc. Here’s where I talk about why I’m happy about that. This one is image heavy so watch out. :-)
That didn’t last
I made plans before I finished my last book not to start the next in that series until I’d written the book that I already have in progress. I’m attempting to keep my enthusiasm for my projects high by managing them better. It’s easy to lose enthusiasm when I write a few thousand words andContinue reading “That didn’t last”
Weird ways I use my calendar
I use a Google calendar for all kinds of things, most of them very normal. I use it for my scheduled appointments and events, and I use it as a task list. I hear you’re not supposed to do that, and I understand why because I’ve read the trusty Getting Things Done book. I foundContinue reading “Weird ways I use my calendar”
July 9, 2018 Monday writing
Here’s another post about my writing day. On the one hand, I’m pleased that I started off my plan to write 2,000 words a day somewhat successfully. I ended up with 1,825 words. Not 2,000, but close enough that it won’t drag my average down in the long run (I hope). On the other hand,Continue reading “July 9, 2018 Monday writing”
Timed reading while I’m working on my book
Today’s writing plan was simple: time myself as I read through what I already had written (chapters one through four) and then use my timer for some 45 minute writing sessions. I use the timer when I’m doing my proofreading check at the end (for publishing).* I’m pretty sure I’ve talked about that here before.Continue reading “Timed reading while I’m working on my book”
June 19–29 progress
Hey, maybe I’ve found a title format I like for these posts. :) I feel like I’ve been stuck in a vat of Elmer’s glue. I have been making progress almost every day. I’ve had only two zero word days for the entire month of June. Those are the only two days I didn’t sitContinue reading “June 19–29 progress”
June 16–18 progress
Here’s an update. These updates are one of the several ways I’m trying to stay accountable to the writing plan I’ve made for what’s left of 2018. (Especially important considering how I let the year start off.) June 16: 715 June 17: 193 June 18: 259 The goal each day has been at least 2,000Continue reading “June 16–18 progress”
Playlists help me focus when I’m writing
This is my current music playlist, using Amazon’s Prime Music (except for one song on there that I purchased from Amazon a while back). —deleted because I think I deleted it at Amazon— :D I’ll probably end up purchasing several of these songs eventually. My favorite find of the bunch is Best Shot by JimmieContinue reading “Playlists help me focus when I’m writing”
Ready to edit today
Today I’ll be editing. I have fresh coffee, my document on my Kindle Fire (the oldest one I have), and some fresh sunlit paper and a pencil for notes. I have tablets and journals and pencils and pens everywhere, to be honest. :) It’s time to edit this book and I want to do itContinue reading “Ready to edit today”