Future Pivot / Happenings In The Outhouse 25-April-2025

For many of us who grew up watching TV in the 90's, saying the word pivot brings up memories of Ross Geller from Friends.

As I am nearing the end of my latest novel (trust me, I still have a few weeks to go, if time allows), I always think of what to do next.  As I ponder, here is what may be on the horizon, as I pivot to my next work-in-progress:

The final two books in my superhero trilogy.

Review the 3 remaining novels that were written long ago but have been sitting in the proverbial drawer and deciding if one may be worthy.

Two new series: a vigilante series and . . . something else.

Republishing my single book under a pseudonym under my own name.

I also want to explore putting some of my books into print.

Lots to do.  And I am having a blast doing it!

Progress / Happenings In The Outhouse 18-April-2025

I am making tremendous progress on my latest work-in-progress, my new cozy mystery (first in a series).  This will be a short post today, but rest assured I am still writing, and I am currently over the 37,000-word mark (over 150-pages) on it.

My goal is to finish and publish it by the end of the month.

Rule Two: Finish What You Are Writing / Happenings In The Outhouse 11-April-2025

My first novel I ever completed was while I was in college at Bemidji State University.  Prior to that, I started many stories, but it wasn't until then that I actually finished one.

This is rule number two: finish what you are writing.

Again, seems like a simple concept (and it is), but you would be amazed at how few people actually finish it.

It was a huge sense of accomplishment when I finished my first novel.  It was something I remembered, and it was in late November 1994.  I have finished many novels and shorter works since then.  But I always make a point of finishing what I'm starting.

Game Changer / Happenings In The Outhouse 04-April-2025

I am going to pause on sharing my experience with Heinlein's five rules of writing to share something that has absolutely changed the course of my writing.  To simply call it a game changer doesn't do it justice, but it truly is.  Not only is it a game changer, I now view stories in a whole new light.

Emotions.  Opinions.  Five senses.  Or in a single word: depth.

Author Dean Wesley Smith has an extensive lecture series on what it means to have depth in your writing.  It is well worth the money for the 7-course bundle, or you can go through each one individually too.

If anything, take the introductory Depth in Writing class.

Trust me, it's a game changer for sure.

Because after I took the class, my stories changed and were noticed more than before.