The Year Of Concerts--And It Ain't Over Yet / Happenings In The Outhouse 13-Oct-2023

For the past 12 months, my girlfriend Melissa and I have been to a slew of concerts.  Just this month alone, we saw Nickelback last week (with Josh Ross and Brantley Gilbert opening), Cole Swindell yesterday, and tomorrow is Luke Bryan.

Phew!

And next month is Shania Twain.

Going to these concerts have brought me back to my high school days when I dreamed of being a rock star.  Yes, yes, I was that kid.  I recall going to prom my sophomore year and being mesmerized by the live band that was on stage.  I wanted to see what they did and how they did it.  I wanted to watch how they entertained.

Even for movies, I wanted to know how things were done.  I wanted to be the entertainer.

The problem was, I was the shy kid.  I preferred to sit in the back of the class, keep my head down, and pray that the teacher didn't call on me.

As a writer, I can still entertain and that is how I view what I write: pure entertainment.

New Month, New Projects / Happenings In The Outhouse 06-Oct-2023

It is a new month, a new quarter.  The last three months of 2023.

I have at least three writing projects (short stories) that I am currently working on.  Five, if I include the projects that are due by the end of each month--these monthly ones are bonus submissions I earned because I contributed to a Kickstarter by an established science fiction/mystery/fantasy/etc. author that also does a lot of writing teaching.

Keeping this one short today as I just started this month's submission.  Sorry, no details.

Reminder to Buy / Happenings In The Outhouse 29-Sept-2023

My annual gym membership came to an end for another year a few weeks ago.  I received no reminder, no head's up that "hey, do you want to renew?"

Nothing.

This would've been a great opportunity to reach out and let me know about any new deals or even a simple reminder that my membership was coming to a close.

How does this apply to your art, to your creations?

You need to remind people that you're still creating, still working on your craft.  Whenever you have something new, tell people.

Handling Feedback / Happenings In The Outhouse 22-Sept-2023

No matter how you receive feedback, how you handle it is what matters.

You can choose to dismiss it.

You can choose to embrace it.

You can take it personally or not.

You can use it as a learning experience.

I recently got a piece of feedback on one of my submitted stories that wasn't quite rosy.  But I embraced it and used it as a learning experience to better future stories.

How do you handle feedback/criticism?  Be honest with yourself.

Lots Of Writing / Happenings In The Outhouse 15-Sept-2023

I have been doing a lot of writing lately.  Short stories.

I have been taking online classes by Dean Wesley Smith and learning lots of new skills, stretching my imagination in ways I barely dreamed of.

What the plan is now is to submit these for publication in the traditional market, whether it's Writers of the Future or other places.  Lots are out in places, and if anything sticks, I'll let you know.

Haircuts In College / Happenings In The Outhouse 08-Sept-2023

Where did I get my haircut while attending Bemidji State University?

No clue.

You may be wondering why I'm inquiring about this now.  Well, the other day, I was talking with someone about cosmetologists throughout our lives, and I stopped to wonder where in the world I got my hair cut in college.  I know I did, but where?

I guess haircuts weren't as important to me as other things.  There were plenty that I do recall, even vividly, over two decades later.

What's important to you?

Idea Machine / Happenings In The Outhouse 01-Sept-2023

I have written about ideas and brainstorming before, but let me elaborate on what could be an idea machine.

I've been improving my writing chops by taking writing classes through Dean Wesley Smith's WMG Publishing on Teachable.  If you're a writer and want to improve your skills, taking Dean's classes (also taught by his wife Kris too) is a must!

Now, what about ideas?

When you're thinking of story ideas, do you go with the first thing that comes to mind?  Chances are, it's what most people will think of and your story will be predictable.  Even the second and third and possibly the fourth thing will be predictable.

When you're brainstorming, try and come up with ten ideas.  I had to do this for one of Dean's classes.  The first few ideas were easy, but to come up with ten was a bit more difficult.  Not impossible by any means, but it allowed me to think well outside my comfort zone.  Well outside the mainstream ideas and come up with something more original.  More unique.

Good luck!