Finding Value, Finding Fun / Happenings In The Outhouse 25-Dec-2020

Merry Christmas!

I didn't purposefully intend for this blog post to drop on this blessed day.  Some blogs I plan out a week or more in advance.  Others are more spur of the moment, something that sparked a thought in my mind.  This one was planned.

In fact, I had another one in mind, one that has been generating a bit of news throughout the publishing and financial community, but decided to put that one off for a bit.

If you've been reading this blog for quite some time, you know that once every year or so, I go on what I call a "podcast fast."  This is where I completely distance myself from podcasts--or dramatically cut down on the number of them.  My goal is to be able to listen to all of the episodes that drop in a single week.  But there are only a handful of weeks where I'm able to do this.

Hence, I question on what I find value in.

Finding value is the barometer in which I select not only my podcasts, but even podcast episodes and other content.  Some of a more Christian nature I will listen to the majority of them.  But given how people have become in 2020, especially since late May 2020 and even leading up to the U.S. Election, I have cut out a number of podcasts.  I even tried to listen to a podcast that had a political view much different than mine, just so I could diversify my knowledge.  But when I found their facts as grounded as wet sand, I didn't find any value in it and unsubscribed.

I have two measurements in which I consume content.  Does it have value?  Or is it fun?  Or both?

If it's something I find value in, I will latch onto it.  If there's no value, I question whether or not to consume it.  Chances are, I dismiss it and move on.  There is too much going on for me to waste with mindless drones--can anyone say mainstream media?  Yup.  No value there.

Taking the Mystery out of Creativity / Happenings In The Outhouse 18-Dec-2020

If you would have asked me a month ago if I had ever heard of Jeff Tweedy, I would've furrowed my brows and asked, "Jeff Foxworthy?  Of course.  He's hilarious."

No, not Foxworthy.  Jeff Tweedy.

"Oh.  Conway Twitty?  Is Jeff his real first name?"

No, that's still not right, but in reality we're closer to who Jeff Tweedy is.  Jeff Tweedy is a prolific songwriter and has recently released a book called How To Write One Song.  I'm only halfway through reading it and I can already tell that I'm going to read it again.  And possibly even a third time.

"But, Mark, you don't write songs.  You write stories."

Of course!  But in a nutshell Jeff is talking about creativity.  For him, he focuses on writing one song and the habits that go along with writing it.  For writers, focus on writing one story, no matter the length.  Create a deadline.  Once it's done, you're done.  Write another one.  There's nothing mysterious about creativity.  All of us have wanted to create something.  Whether it's something physical, like a painting or a wooden figurine, or something not physical like a song or a story.

All of us have the tools to create something.  Although he talks about writing songs, one at a time, there are parallels to writing stories or other pieces of art.  Make writing a habit.

Make your art a habit.

Don't have time?  Why did you just spend thirty to forty-five minutes playing a game on your phone?  Use that time, even part of it, to create something.

Don't know what to write?  Try freewriting.  Brainstorm and throw ideas down on the page.  It doesn't matter what it looks like.  You're the only one who's going to see it.

Creativity isn't this mysterious power that only a few possess.  All of us have it in one form or another.  Mine happens to be in the form of a story.

One final note: in full disclosure, when I was sixteen, I dreamed of being a rock star.  Even back then, I knew I had to write my own songs in order to make it big.  So I did--write songs, not make it big.  I have at least a dozen or so songs that I wrote back then.  So it's funny that I now discover this book.  Believe me, it's well worth its weight in gold and then some.

Baby steps / Happenings In The Outhouse 11-Dec-2020

Looking back on the past two years, my writing output has been minimal.  I started a fantasy epic in early 2019, only to set it off to the side to work on a YA novel.  About a dozen chapters into that one, I also set it off to the side.

Needless to say, I had things on my mind.  I can usually separate my work life and personal life, and even separate it all from my writing life, but with the end of my late wife's life coming to an evitable end, I can look back now--gives it a whole new meaning to hindsight is 20/20, huh?--and say it all was wearing on me.

These past six months or so, I've been slowly getting back on the horse.  Baby steps.  I have a small set of weekly goals, and it has given me the courage to go forth and conquer.  Albeit on a small scale.  Baby steps.

How does one eat an elephant?  One bite at a time.

How does one write a novel?  One page at a time.  One sentence at a time.  One word at a time.

If you find yourself overwhelmed, take a step back and do some small tasks.  One at a time.  Baby steps.

In the end, you'll get there.  Trust me: been there, got the T-shirt.

Goals achieved and not achieved / Happenings In The Outhouse 04-Dec-2020

Although it is my ultimate goal to finish the latest thriller, that goal may not be achieved before the end of 2020.  I am currently around the 34,000 word mark--and your average thriller is around 65,000 to 75,000 words, but that is not a firm rule--and I have a lot yet to write.  It is coming along nicely.  By January or February 2021, I should be able to hit the PUBLISH button.

I do not consider my goal a bust.  I did complete two short stories this year.  And although they were not winners of the contest I had submitted them too, which is fine considering the high number of submissions, I am submitting them to various short story publications.  If that doesn't pan out, I'll publish them on my own anyway.

Looking back over the last few years, my publishing output has been diminished due to personal reasons with my late wife's health.  I only published two shorter stories in 2019, and the last novel I published was under a pseudonym in mid-2018.

Don't beat yourself up over goals you didn't achieve.  I'm sure there are smaller goals you did accomplish, and that's a good thing.  Give yourself some credit and then move on.  Keep moving forward.

Changing times / Happenings In The Outhouse 27-Nov-2020

Back in college and in my early working years, I used to write until the wee hours of the morning.  Looking back only seven or eight years ago, I used to get up at 5:00am to write instead of going to bed so late.  I would write until the kids started to get up for school, then once they were off I'd go back down for another hour of writing before going to work.

Now?

Times are changing.  For the past year or so, I've written some at night after supper, but the bulk is between the kids heading off to school and me getting ready for work.  And with me working from home, I'm writing up until the time I need to clock in to work.

Don't worry if you need to rearrange your schedule if something doesn't feel right.  Time change.  What worked yesterday may not be the best for today or tomorrow.

As long as the work gets done, do what you need to do.

I currently surpassed the 30,000 word mark on my latest thriller.  It's chugging along nicely.  My goal is to complete it by the end of the year.  Fingers crossed.

Using lists wisely / Happenings In The Outhouse 20-Nov-2020

I have written about lists and their importance before.  However, I saw that need come to a head about a month ago as I was struggling to write the next thriller in the Central Division Series.

The story is about a Catholic priest who was brutally murdered and the investigation to find the killer.  And, like all thrillers, there is a lot going on and I kept losing track of some key pieces.

So I made a list.  I made a list of every possible scenario and piece of evidence, and when I addressed it I crossed it off the list.  I can tell you for a fact that this has made a tremendous difference.

But the question I asked myself was why.  Why now?  I've written thrillers before and not needed such a list.

I'm not going to sugarcoat this, so here it goes.  I have a lot going on.  I know I'm not alone in this.  With losing my wife in January 2020 to the global pandemic to working from home, there are good points to this all and some that are more difficult to manage.  So my mind hasn't been all there.

The list helps.

If you find yourself getting sidetracked, see if a list will help get you back on track.  I am currently around the 27,000 word mark on the thriller, and these past few weeks I have seen great progress as I chug forward.

How far to take creative license / Happenings In The Outhouse 13-Nov-2020

I am currently writing a thriller set around the murder of a Catholic priest.  Having grown up a Lutheran, I know little about the inner workings of the Catholic Church.  So I had to do a bit of research.

Yes, I watched the Netflix series The Keepers.  And, of course, I was revolted to wonder how the types of crimes covered in the show could exist within such an organization.  But thinking that all I needed to know about the Catholic Church could be had by watch this show would be like thinking all I needed to know about the FBI could be gleaned from watching the movie Silence of the Lambs.

Absurd, I know.

I have done enough research to be competent in how the Church works for the story itself, and I have a disclaimer stating that I know I didn't get everything right.

However, how far can one take creative license?  I just finished reading a thriller, based on a town not far from where I live.  In fact, the title of the book is also the name of the town--for reasons that will soon be clear, I am not naming it here.  Why?  Because I hated it.  I know hate is such a strong word, but I felt it was one of the worst books I had ever read.  The only reason I read it to the end was because of the town.

In the end, many of the events that occurred became clear due to an unreliable narrator.  Books like Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train also had unreliable narrators, and were also books I disliked and had a difficult time reading.  But this one that I recently read was so unbelievable that there was no way things like that could happen.  Ever!

This might be a longer than usual post today, so please be patient.

I also recently read a thriller about a serial killer who terrorized the San Francisco area.  The killings spanned across a few decades, with a quiet period in between.  The detective, new to the position, took on this killer's case as it became personal, for her father was the one who investigated the crimes years before.  Now, where the creative license comes into play is at the end.  The detective is immediately recruited into the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit.  Sorry, anyone who knows anything about the FBI knows that this would NEVER happen.  That is not how they get recruits for the BAU.  The author could've mentioned this, how unusual the recruitment was, but failed to do so.

And with that, it fell short.

This other one, about the town close to where I live, just had one event after the other that just would NEVER happen.  One or two things, I can overlook it.  But every single chapter had event after event that was completely unbelievable.  The narrator, an author herself, actually used her father-in-law's name as a villain in a book, portraying him as this cardboard 2-dimensional evil bad guy--sorry, if that happened, she would've been sued big time.  Also, apparently, a big name actress loved her book so much that she called the author personally to say she wants to make it into a movie.  Sorry, this doesn't happen either.

It's okay to take creative license.  And if you feel something it out of the norm, take a moment and mention that.  There is so much more I could say, but I may speak about it again on a later post, one dealing with the notion of an unreliable narrator.

Beholder's Eye is (finally) free in the Amazon Kindle store!

Yes, you heard it right!  I was finally able to get Beholder's Eye, the first novel in the Central Division thriller series free in the Amazon Kindle store.

Here is a link to the store: Beholder's Eye.

Here's the full link from my website.

Create your own genre / Happenings In The Outhouse 06-Nov-2020

I was listening to a podcast the other day with Seth Godin, and he mentioned something that made me stop in my tracks.  The discussion was about many things, but then it turned to subject of genre.  He alluded to the notion of creating your own genre (and he gave an example of Agatha Christie and Earl Stanley Gardner, although both mystery writers they are quite different).

Huh?  Create your own genre?

I know, right?

Think about your favorite YA fantasy books about a wizarding/magic school, and of course one name goes right to the top.  Think about legal thrillers and Grisham comes to mind.  Even though other books/authors play in both of these fields, one appears to be a genre all their own.  But then again, so are the others.

Let's look at the horror genre.  The stories are fairly spread out when it comes to styles and voices, but one author from Maine seems to rise to the stop--it should be noted that said author produced some of his best works in this arena in the 1970's, 80's, and into the 90's; not that he hasn't continued to do so, but I personally have steered away from him for reasons I won't care to indulge.

Down the road a bit, I'm going to delve into the cozy mystery genre.  Although mine will have a slant to them.  I'll expand more when I get to them.  Do all cozy mysteries need to have the same basic elements?  Some would argue yes.  Me?  Nope.  I've been reading a bunch of thrillers, by a variety of authors, and they're all different.  Some don't have the same elements, yet are still considered thrillers.

Write the best worlds you can.  Do them in your own way.  Create your own slice of a genre, if you will.

Your gifts / Happenings In The Outhouse 30-Oct-2020

Everyone has strengths.  Natural gifts, in other words.  And they're not all the same.

Some can regurgitate facts as if their brain was a giant encyclopedia.  Others struggle to find the words to say in certain settings.

I am always amazed at how some can converse on social media with ease.  For me, my mind has a tendency to seize up, depending on what's being said.  I may know what to say--or would like to say--but for whatever reason my fingers can't find the words.

I read a verse in Proverbs the other day that really got my mind thinking about this entire season of life, from COVID-19 to the 2020 Election in the United States.  Take a moment and read the entire 17th chapter of Proverbs, but one is verse 14: "Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so stop before a dispute breaks out."  This is why I don't like to start arguments online, because (I know this sounds corny) I just want everyone to get along.  We have more in common than we realize.

Another verse is Proverbs 17, verse 16: "It is senseless to pay to educate a fool, since he has no heart for learning."

Think on these verses.  We all have gifts.  Use them wisely.  Mine seems to be silence, with engagement after much thoughtful wondering.

What are your gifts?  What comes naturally to you?

Monday is just another day / Happenings In The Outhouse 23-Oct-2020

It irks me when I hear people say, "Oh, God, it's Monday!  I hate Monday!  Ugh!  Why can't this day be over?"  Or, "No one talk to me until I've had my coffee!"  Or, "Can this year just be done?  2020 sucks!"

The last one, concerning 2020, was covered two weeks ago, so I won't rehash it.

Oh, I forgot one more: "Is it five o'clock yet?"  Or whatever time you get off work or whatever you see as the end cap to your day.

This negative mentality has to stop.  It's a self-fulfilling prophecy to tell yourself that a certain day is bad and that day ends up being as bad as you thought.  Everyone knows someone who tells themselves they're not a morning person or not an evening person or they have to drink (fill in the blank) before getting going with their work.

Think about the words you say to yourself.

And remember, Monday is just another day.  If we worked Saturday and Sunday, and had the rest of the week off, I'm sure there would be people saying, "Oh, God, I hate Saturday!"

Something to think about.

How much is too much? / Happenings In The Outhouse 16-Oct-2020

Too much research?

Too much thinking?

Too much planning?

These may lead to . . . not enough doing.

If you're putting something off because not "all of your ducks are in a row" or if you wonder if planning a bit more will make it better, chances are it won't.  Start now.  Whatever it is that you're putting off, don't put it off any longer.

Start today.

Right where you're at.

If something needs to be fixed, you can fix it later.

On a side note, I have surpassed the 20,000 word mark on the new thriller novel.  I seemed to have hit a stride the last few weeks, logging in 30-45 minutes of writing each morning before work.  By the end of the year, it would be nice to hit PUBLISH on it.

2020 Doesn't Suck. You Do / Happenings In The Outhouse 09-Oct-2020

Earlier this week, rock legend Eddie Van Halen passed away.  This caused many people on my Facebook feed to post things like, "That does it!  2020 sucks!"

Sorry, 2020 doesn't suck.  You do.

Let me say it a little different: your mindset sucks.

Each year, whenever some celebrity dies, people come out of the woodwork spouting off that (fill in the blank on the year) just sucks.  It doesn't matter if it was 2019 . . . 2018 . . . 2017 . . . 2012 . . . 2011 . . . or 2000.

Let me say it again.  The year doesn't suck.  Your mindset to it does.

Last year, my wife's health took a turn for the absolute worst.  I could have spouted off that 2019 sucked the big one.  But I didn't.  I had so many things I was thankful for, and wasting my time being negative wasn't going to be one of them.

On January 16, 2020, when my wife finally passed over into the glorious arms of God and Christ Jesus, I was devastated.  But at the same time, her passing was the end of a chapter in my life.  I have absolutely no regrets.  I cherished every single moment I was with her, even right up to the end.

I am not going to sugarcoat that the events of 2020 surrounding COVID-19 really aren't pleasant.  I feel bad for business owners who were forced to close due to government mandates.  I also feel bad for the employees of those businesses too.  But at the same time, many businesses have re-orientated themselves to serving customers in new ways.

How you view the world is a reflection of your life.  If you think everything sucks, then sorry you suck.  Can you change it?  Absolutely!  I relish those who do!

Focus on what is important / Happenings In The Outhouse 02-Oct-2020

It's easy to get distracted.

Especially in today's time where more and more are vying for out attention.  All of our social media channels thrive on people staying on their platform longer and longer.  The 24/7 news media companies are offering up the latest BREAKING NEWS.

But I believe this has always been the case.  We want to stay busy, work longer hours, constantly feeling needed by those around us.

Step back for a moment and ask yourself, "What's important?"

Health?  Family?  God?  Hobby?  Something else?

When I updated my quarterly "Top Five" for the next quarter, I reviewed last quarter's.  I had more than five things.  And I barely accomplished any.  So I kept it simple for the last quarter.  Just five.  Five goals.  Are they attainable?  Yes.  Will they be easy?  Depends on how you look at it.  I broke the goals down into smaller chunks of five total, so I should be able to do at least three, if not four.

Another item for consideration is cutting down on the amount of podcasts I listen to.  Yes, again.  My list seems to grow and grow, and although I get through them all in a given week, I still wonder if I can cut them down more.

Look back in the archive of this blog and search "podcast fast" and you can see I've done this before.

It's okay to quit something.  Nine years ago, I resigned my part-time job as a licensed peace officer.  Sure, the extra cash was nice, but other areas in my life suffered.  Do I regret it?  Nope.  If you need to quit something, do it.

Remember to focus on what's important in your life.  God gave you a purpose.  Fulfill that destiny He gave you.

A Brief Pause / Happenings In The Outhouse 25-Sept-2020

I am currently around the 15,000 word mark on the fifth book in the Central Division thriller series.

But I am going to pause.  Briefly.

I have a contest to enter.

The Writers of the Future contest is a quarterly contest, and the deadline for the next submission is next Wednesday.  As of this writing, I am around 2,000 words into a new short story that I'll be submitting.

But be assured, once it's complete, I'm diving back into the thriller novel.  At first, when I realized the deadline for the next contest was coming up, I contemplated not entering.

Needless to say, I changed my mind.

Wish me luck!

Lessons learned from David Fincher's The Social Network / Happenings In The Outhouse 18-Sept-2020

Ideas are a dime a dozen, or so says the saying.  Most ideas turn out to be nothing without a power behind them to turn them into something tangible.

One can say that most ideas are crap.

But are they?  My feeling is that those who say it are covering up their own insecurities about failing to produce something while comparing themselves to those who did.

Over the Labor Day weekend, I watched The Social Network, directed by the amazing David Fincher.  I understand that the movie was based loosely on true events, and there is a scene in the film that struck me.  In the scene, the Winklevoss twins are speaking with the Harvard University president, pleading their case about Zuckerberg's theft of their social network idea to create Facebook and how it went against the college's ethics.  The president dismisses their claim and tells them that students at Harvard create ideas all the time.  He then advises them to move on and do something else.

In other words, create something else.

Earlier that day, I watched another program and someone in the show said, "Go show them the ropes."  That phrase of showing someone the ropes just wouldn't leave me for the longest time.  It kept rattling over and over again in my head.  I kept seeing someone being promoted and then, in the end, a noose is tied around their neck and they fall to their death.

Creepy, huh?

It's an idea.  I wrote down the idea, putting it away for another time with all the other ideas I have.  Will I get to it one day?  Possibly.  It may be a novel, a short story, maybe even a piece of flash fiction.  At this point, I have absolutely no idea--no pun intended.

But if someone takes this idea and makes a million dollars out of it, good for them.  I don't need any credit from it.  Because, chances are, my idea would've turned out differently than theirs anyway and they just made a better mousetrap.

Do something with your ideas.  If you seem to have too many, just pick one and do something with it.  Create.  Stop with the excuses.  The world needs you more than you think.

Also, don't horde ideas.  Share them if you wish.  Ideas really are a dime a dozen.  Be good at creating ideas.

What if I don't? / Happenings In The Outhouse 11-Sept-2020

I've read from many time management gurus who proclaim that their way is the best way.

And, of course, I've spouted many of their anecdotes on this blog.  Things like, set up a daily (or weekly monthly) goal and set aside 30 minutes a day for X.  Sounds easy, right?

But something hit me last week: what if I don't?

Everyone is different.  On top of all that, we all go through various seasons of life, sometimes several in a single week.

What if I take a week off?  What if I don't write for thirty minutes today?  What if I don't finish the novel this month?

What if I don't . . . and fill in the blank.

I can't change what I didn't do tomorrow, but I can change what I do today.  And if something doesn't get done today, do it tomorrow.

Accomplish what you need to do in little baby steps, if you have to.  Let's say I only write for five minutes before heading off to work.  Good.  It's better than nothing.  What if I watch a movie instead of working on my craft?  In my creative world, even if it's not adding pages it may be giving me ideas for something.

Don't be too hard on yourself.  You can't change the past.

You can only control the future.

Take back your future.

Remember, if you need to do baby steps, do it.  If you need a break, take it.

Keep your eye on the ball / Happenings In The Outhouse 04-Sept-2020

Keeping this brief today.

With all that is happening this year, no matter the circumstance, always keep your goal in mind.  Work on your project in baby steps, if  you have to.

Every progress you make, no matter how small, brings you closer to your goal.

No, what you may have had planned for 2020 may not be completed.  But keep in mind, others are experiencing the same issues as you.  Why not urge yourself a little more and not quit.

Because where others may quit, be the one that plunges forward in spite of the chaos.

My gift to you / Happenings In The Outhouse 28-Aug-2020

I have a gift for you.  I told you about it a few weeks ago.  It's the first novel in the Central Division thriller series: Beholder's Eye.

 As you may notice, it is still not free on Amazon.  I would appreciate it if you would let them know this book is free on other ebook platforms, from Barnes and Noble Nook to Google Books and others.  Here's the link on my website, which has all of the ebook platforms it is on.

Thinking like a garage band or amateur chef / Happenings In The Outhouse 21-Aug-2020

Beginning artists/creatives start by learning the basics.

Painters don't go from paint-by-number to Picasso or Bob Ross just by the snap of the fingers.  It takes practice.  Learn, and master, the basics.  Then, you know where you can go creatively.

I've watched the Food Network for quite some time.  I'm always amazed at how such simple ingredients and techniques can create such masterpieces.  Again.  Practice.  Years and years of practice.  Sure, talent has something to do with it.  But you need to master the basics, to go from amateur kitchen cook to a full-blown master chef like Gordon Ramsey or Bobby Flay.

The same goes for musicians.  When I was in my teens, I wanted to be a rock star.  No kidding.  But then again, isn't that every kid's dream when they're that age, to be a star of some kind?  But I certainly couldn't start out by joining a garage band.  I needed to learn the basics of whatever instrument I chose.  In that case, it was the guitar.  Once the basics were mastered, then one could move on to more collaborative work with a garage band.  And even your most seasoned bands started out by playing in their garage for hours and hours on end, for years.

With writers it's no different.  You need to practice writing.  For years.  You also need to read.  Like musicians need to listen to music and painters need to study other painters, writers need to read.

Before an artist/creative can experiment in their craft, the basics need to be studied and mastered.  That's what makes a master chef instead of a garden variety kitchen cook.

Beholder's Eye is free / Happenings In The Outhouse 14-Aug-2020

Beholder's Eye, the first novel in the Central Division thriller series, is free.  Permafree, to be exact.  Click on this link to my website, to view your favorite ebook retailer--please note, as of this writing, it is not free on Amazon but if you click on the link of the Amazon page to advise them of the lower price (and where) it won't take them long to make it free.

I will expand more on this in the upcoming weeks on the strategy behind this move.

This pandemic will pass / Happenings In The Outhouse 07-Aug-2020

This week is week number 20 of me working from home.  Hard to believe.  Yet at the same time I'm blessed to have an employer who has the capability of so many of its employees to work from home.  Not all businesses have that luxury.  Some have remained open, like grocery stores, hardware stores, auto mechanics, carpenters, restaurants (as limited as their capacity is) and so many more, to serve customers who need them.

Frankly, all businesses are essential.  All workers, no matter the business, are essential.  If you don't think an artist is essential (I use the term artist to capture a wide range from those who create physical art to authors and actors/actresses and anyone who creates something from nothing), when was the last time you were entertained?  Who entertained you?  Even professional athletes are essential for those who enjoy their craft.

Let me tell you again: EVERYONE is essential.

No matter your circumstances, don't let the media get you down.  Watch what you listen to as far as media is concerned.  Life isn't that bad.  Get a new mindset.  Look around.  Talk to people.  Read a good book.  Watch a movie.

In these past twenty weeks, my family has grown much closer.  My youngest knows my daily schedule, my breaks and lunches, and plans for those times.  Our supper time has been earlier simply because I'm already home.

While the debate of masks and vaccines and pandemics and politics rages on, I'm putting my head down and working.  At my job as well as my writing.  The new thriller is coming along nicely and I'll give further updates as the weeks and months go by, as I near closer to it being finished.

Because this one I will finish.

And publish.

Then, it's on to the next book.

Happy and productive days are ahead.

So I strongly urge you to clear your mind, ignore the petty differences on social media, and be the best you can be to one another.  The world needs a better you.

Do it today.

Another discussion on story details / Happenings In The Outhouse 31-July-2020

I recently re-read Red Dragon by Thomas Harris, the book he published before the iconic Silence of the Lambs.

Despite it being published in 1981, the details of the criminal investigations that took place in the novel were mind-blowing.  And all of this was before DNA was introduced as a major player in crime scene analysis in the mid-1990's, thanks to the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman.  And of course we are now light years ahead in DNA analysis, with all the advances in just the last few years.

But can details be too much?

My answer: it depends on the story you're telling.

Many of Tom Clancy's books delve into minute details of military equipment, like submarines and ships and tanks, but at its core is the story.  The story is never lost.  Jeffrey Deaver's The Bone Collector is written as close to a textbook in crime scene collection as possible, albeit the story is threaded through it like a skillful weaver.

Are you going to get all details right?  Heavens no!  My youngest daughter and I were watching an episode of Friends, the one where the gang sans Ross go on a trip in Phoebe's cab and get stuck at a rest area with no gas.  Who do they call?  Ross.  Although they have no idea where they are.

My daughter turns to me and asks, "Why don't they look at the map that's on the wall?"

"What map?"

"There's always a map at rest stops that shows 'You are here'.  Why don't they look at that?"

Very astute, for an intelligent fourteen-year-old.  And a level of detail that was either never considered by the show writers.  Or, it was considered, but to move the story along they decided to ignore it.

I am currently past the 10,000 word mark on my latest thriller, and I can assure you I do not have the same level of detail as Deaver or Harris in my crime scene investigation.  But there are many other authors who don't either.  The story is moving along nicely.

And in the end, that's all that matters.  Telling a story.  If you want to read a textbook, read a textbook.  But if you want to read a story, read a story.

It's all in the details / Happenings In The Outhouse 24-July-2020

A funny thing happened earlier this week.  I'm about 8,400 words into the next thriller in the Central Division Series and it dawned on me that I may not have one of the details right.

The detail in question was the day of the week.  The story involved the murder of a religious figure, which occurred right after an evening service.

Now, around here, most religious services occur on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and of course Sundays.  In other areas, it's just Sundays.  For some, services are a daily occurrence.  Even a many-time-a-day thing.

But this was one detail, albeit minor, that could have had greater implications down the road if I didn't get it right.

When I look back at other stories I've enjoyed, it's the small details that make or break it.  I'm knowledgeable about firearms--no, I am not a firearms guru who can rattle off stats and give intricate details about this model of weapon--and it irks me to no end when I see a line that goes something like this: "He cocked back the hammer on his Glock . . ."  Sorry, but Glocks do not have an external hammer to cock back.

Look for the small details in your story.  If the day of the week is important, be specific about it.

The business of art revisited / Happenings In The Outhouse 17-July-2020

Back in 2011, I wrote a series of blog posts on the three aspects of the business of writing:

1) Research and development

2) Production

3) Sales / Publishing

This basic business structure is the same structure for any business, regardless of size, although the last one for most will not have publishing.  Just sales.  Because all businesses sell something, whether you're a Mom and Pop shop who sells only at a local farmer's market or a billion-dollar enterprise.

In these posts I called it the business of writing.  I am re-wording it now to be the business of art, to be more inclusive to other creative endeavors.

With these in mind, I am experimenting with setting up my weekly goals to include aspects of each of these.  No, I won't be publishing something each week--unless I was pushing to write and publish a short story each week--but . . . well, more on that later.

Research and development is learning something new.  For writing, there are online courses (many of them free or inexpensive) one can take--I suggest paying something for these because one learns more when you pay for it.

The production side of your art is actually producing art.  In my case, it's sitting my butt in a chair and writing.  Putting new words on the page.  I have a daily minimum time limit, to see if that will kick my behind into gear.  So far it's working.

The sales/publishing side of the art business can vary according to what art you're creating.  Again, I'm sticking with what I know: writers.  If you don't have anything to publish, look over what you have written and published, to see if a blurb or keyword can be changed/added.  Or look at your cover art.  Can it be changed?  Updated?

The important aspect of these is to do something.  Learn something new.  Produce something.  And sell it.

Is it really that simple?

It can be.  If you let it be simple.

Don't throw out your 2020 goals yet / Happenings In The Outhouse 10-July-2020

2020 is halfway over and what a year it has been!

As far as goals are concerned, I urge you not to throw out your 2020 goals completely.  Or even at all.  If you do, then you aren't setting your goals right in the first place--I've touched on these before but I feel it is time to revisit the subject.  Keep in mind too, setting goals is different for everyone.  It depends on your motivation and life circumstance.

One should always anticipate some degree of turbulence in life.  For me, I could have thrown them out in 2019 but I didn't.  Many of the goals look similar, except on a smaller scale.

Disasters happen.

Okay, I get it, how many people could have predicted the pandemic that ripped across the planet, shutting down many businesses?

Instead of throwing out your 2020 goals, ask yourself what it would take to accomplish them?  Or even a few of them?  I'm talking about a shift in mindset.  When the government started shutting businesses down, many folded up and went away.  But a surprising number took it as an opportunity to thrive.  They looked at how they could serve their customers.

And you are no different.

What can you do differently?  Experiment.  If it doesn't work, so be it.  At least you did something.

What it takes to be better / Happenings In The Outhouse 03-July-2020

Last week, I went on a bit of a rant about being better.

Now it's time for everyone to put it into practice.  It's simple, really.  But at the same time it's not.  Because we're all human, and there has only been One who has walked this planet who has been perfect.  But is that an excuse to not even try?

Nope.

Let's start by being thankful for what we have: life.  Because it could end tomorrow.

Then let's quit being so angry.  At everything!  Seriously, people, if we would just take the time to love your neighbor, many of the problems in our society would go away.

Along with anger is jealousy.  This also needs to go.  I could care less if Jeff Bezos has tons of money and either supports or doesn't support your causes.  Instead, find out what he did, get out and stay out of debt, and create wealth for yourself.  No one on this planet is more privileged than the human being.  We were all created in the image of God, every single one of us.  So what if your environment makes it difficult to achieve success.  The only difficulty is within your own mind.

For now, let's work on these.  It'll still be a battle.  But if we work to better ourselves each day, the world will be better.

Be Better / Happenings In The Outhouse 26-June-2020

My heart hurts.

A few weeks ago, I stayed off of social media completely for an entire day.  It felt so good to do so.  All I see are negativity and to completely stay away from it was heavenly.

Of course everyone seems to view their opinion as correct and not hateful.  It's always the other side.  Let me speak to them for a moment.  Please take a step back and be honest with yourself.  What do you hate?

I have lived through many Presidencies in the United States, and I have NEVER in my life seen such hatred toward our current President.  Yet these same people who HATE him preach that we shouldn't hate people who are different than them.

Hypocrites.

And, of course, these hateful people are the ones who seem to dominate social media and the news outlets.

Wipe the slate clean.  Learn to be better.  Toward everyone.

Yes.  I said it.  Be better.

First completed story of 2020 / Happenings In The Outhouse 19-June-2020

2019 was abysmal for writing/publishing.  I published a short story in May and then a novelette August.

2020 hasn't been much better, as I charge ahead with so many new normals it's making my head spin.  But, as of this past Sunday, I completed a short story.  It's around 5,000 words and my plan is to submit it to the Writers of the Future contest.

The story has an interesting genesis.  My youngest daughter was looking for this drawstring bag, getting a little frantic as she couldn't find it, and then she found it near where she was looking--albeit beneath a small pile of clothes.

We had a conversation about it afterward . . . and, well, not to spoil anything but needless to say this story appeared, nearly fully formed.

I also dedicated the story to her too.

Not everything needs an explanation / Happenings In The Outhouse 12-June-2020

Writing a decent story means, at times, that you may be walking a fine line between a well-paced story and one that drags.  Well-paced doesn't necessarily mean fast-paced.  Have you ever read a book or watched a movie/TV show where you found it difficult to stop?

That's good pacing.  And the best ones blends fast and slow pacing very well.  It would do you well to study how it was done.

A few weeks ago, I decided to watch all eleven Star Wars movies back-to-back, in chronological order by the events in the movies, not the release dates.  I started with the three prequels, then Solo and Rogue One, and of course the original trilogy and finished off with the sequel trilogy  Now, before you ask, I didn't watch them straight through without any sleep.  Lord no!  But it was interesting how quickly I moved through the first movies--including the prequels--and by the time I got to the final sequel movies, I found it difficult to watch for too long.  In fact, it took longer to watch the final trilogy than the others.

Then I discovered why.  Pacing.

Even Rogue One and Solo didn't suffer from a pacing problem.

If you view the sequel trilogy, there is a problem with the characters having to explain EVERYTHING.  True, there was some explanation in Phantom with the whole midichlorian thing when it came to the Jedi and Sith, but it was done quickly, in passing, and then we moved along--well, some were upset by it and still are to this day.

Remember.  Not everything needs to be explained.  And mindless banter just for the sake of banter only drags the story along.  Not that dialogue needs to be eliminated.  If you want a lesson on dialogue, read anything by J. D. Salinger.  Especially his other stories.

Watch one of your favorite movies or read one of your favorite books.  I can almost guarantee you that the pace of the story doesn't suffer.  Events don't always have to be explained in great detail.  Even Tolkien didn't explain a lot of the events in Lord of the Rings.  Neither does Rowling and George R. R. Martin, when it comes to their worlds.

Please leave something for the imagination.

I Get To Write / Happenings In The Outhouse 05-June-2020

I'm lucky.  I feel blessed.  I get to write.  I don't sit down daily and say, "Well, I have to write."  The "have" sounds like something I'm dreading to do.  Nope, I sit and say, "Yes, I get to write."  See the difference?

Writing is something I love to do.

Some people love to tinker on old cars.  Some love to put their woodworking skills to good use.  Some love to read.  Some love to talk.  Some love to sew.  Some love to care for children.

Be grateful for what you have.  Others may not be so blessed.

Whenever you're starting something, change your mindset from "I have to . . ." to "I get to . . ."

Ricky Gervais and After Life (Netflix) / Happenings In The Outhouse 29-May-2020

About a month ago, I noticed that a Ricky Gervais show on Netflix called After Life came out with its second season.

In early January 2020, I told my wife Melissa about Ricky's monologue as he hosted the Golden Globes.  Here's a link to the entire monologue, which is quite hilarious.  Unless you're a Hollywood snob.  Which, in that case, you may be offended and will probably storm off into the corner to pout.  Anyway, after telling her about what he said near the end, she chuckled, smiled, and said, "I've always thought he was funny."

Hard to believe now on the timing, but she passed roughly ten days later.

Back to After Life.  I wasn't sure what I was getting into, but I wanted something short and light.  Each season had six episodes, and they were less than 30 minutes each.  Perfect.  I wasn't in the right mind for anything less.

It didn't take long for the show to hit me right in the gut.  You see, the main character, played by Gervais, had just lost his wife from cancer.  He was dealing with grief.  Now, as a recent widower, I know that grief takes many forms.  And what Gervais did in After Life was brilliant.  The acting and writing was remarkable, and the storylines took me to places I didn't quite expect--and that's a good thing.  Stories should do that, to be more effective.  I won't spoil anything here.  You have to watch it for yourself.

It didn't take long for me to finish both seasons.  I shed quite a few tears, while at the same time laughed my butt off.  I'm giving myself a little breather before I watch the show again.

And again.

Thank you Ricky.

Need a little patience / Happenings In The Outhouse 22-May-2020

Everyone's path to success is different.  But the key to success is not to compare yourself to other people's paths.  Because you're wasting your time comparing yourself when you should be working on improving yourself.

Keep working on your skills.

Set goals.

As far as goals are concerned, start small.  And when I mean small, don't write down too many things.  I have four on my weekly goals list.

Take time for yourself, to give yourself grace.  Who cares if your high school buddy is a budding millionaire with three houses, a gorgeous spouse, a dozen nice cars, and such forth?  There may be more to his story than what you know.  And even if it is, who cares?  Take stock in what you have and do your best.

Have patience.  Life is a journey, not a sprint.

One short story almost done / Happenings In The Outhouse 15-May-2020

Writing has been slow but steady.

I'm working on a new short story, one inspired by a conversation with my youngest daughter, and I'd like to get it done soon.

Keeping this post short today.  I have a feeling that once the story is done, that feeling of accomplishment may push me to do more.

Don't give in to the self-fulfilling prophecies that surround us / Happenings In The Outhouse 08-May-2020

What is a self-fulfilling prophecy?

One of my majors in college was Psychology.  I first heard this phenomenon of the self-fulfilling prophecy back at Bemidji State University in the early 1990's.  By definition, a self-fulfilling prophecy is a psychological phenomenon where someone predicts a behavior within either themselves or someone else and that prediction somehow comes true.

Let me give you some examples:

Let's say you tell a coworker that they must feel depressed after losing a loved one (or some other traumatic event).  That coworker may not feel depressed and even says so, but you keep on, day after day, telling that coworkers that they must feel depressed.  Well, one day that coworker actually admits that they feel depressed.  They weren't feeling that way until you introduced it to her, but now here it is.

Or if a parent was to say to their kid, who had been caught drinking at the age of twelve, that they were going to be an alcoholic by the time they turned eighteen and would never achieve anything better than a minimum wage job.  Would it surprise anyone that the kid did everything the parent predicted, that they could never hold down a job and did indeed develop a drinking problem?  Simply because it was suggested to them?  Nope, no surprise here either.

That is a self-fulfilling prophecy at work.

What irks me are how many articles and podcasts and news segments are out there, with headlines about how stressful people are now and how we're living in uncertain times.  Doom and gloom.  Stress.  I don't know how many times I've seen the word "stress" or "stressful" on these headlines.  I subscribe to a number of leadership, business, and entrepreneur type of email newsletters and/or podcasts, and that seems to be all they can talk about lately.

I have two words for those creators: STOP IT!

I have been through stressful financial times in my life, many of which were during my marriage with my late wife, and we got through it all.  We had each other, we thought positively, we worked hard, and instead of asking "why us?" we asked, "Okay, what can we do to fix this?"

Don't give in to what so many want to do: by putting you down and putting the thought of stress, uncertainty, and complete hopelessness in your life.  Take control of your life.  Turn the questions around by asking, "What can I do to turn my business around?" or "What can I do to create more financial freedom in my life?"

Stop listening to the negativity.

And start thinking, praying, for what you should be doing.  Come up with ten ideas on what you should do.

Do it today.  The universe is counting on you.

Two new stories / Happenings In The Outhouse 01-May-2020

An amazing thing happened last week.  I started two new short stories.  Yes, you heard right.  Not just one.  Two!

I'm still working on the fifth novel in the Central Division Series, but when the idea for these two stories popped into my head . . . well, I just had to start writing them.

I was at a lull anyway on the thriller novel, and the new stories was just enough of the kick I needed to boost my writing into a higher gear.

In the middle of July 2019, I posted a blog regarding my not submitting any longer to the Writers Of The Future (WOTF) contest.  Well, all of that has changed now.  Nothing is holding me back from submitting--honestly, I should've kept on submitting, because I would've still be writing.  Anyway, I'm back in the saddle, and more will be submitted and/or published soon.

The new normal is simply change / Happenings In The Outhouse 24-April-2020

There's been a lot of talk lately about the current events surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic being the new normal.  Many people are working from home, more people are cooking at home instead of going to restaurants, families are watching more movies at home because the theaters are closed, and people who live under the same roof are doing more things together.

Why is this the new normal?  Why should a pandemic have caused families and loved ones to do things together?

I view this new way of doing things as change.  When my wife and I got married, that was change.  We had to adapt to a new normal of married life.  Then the same thing occurred when we had kids.  Every life change is simply that.  Change.

April 2011 was a major change when my late wife was diagnosed with leukemia.

Then, last year, on May 19th, our family had to adapt to a new normal as my late wife started going downhill health-wise.  And of course my world turned completely upside-down when she passed on January 16th of 2020.

A new normal for me?  Sure.

I call it change.  Get used to change.  Change happens.

Vincent Van Gogh, The Doctor, and the tortured artist / Happenings In The Outhouse 17-April-2020

About ten years ago, an episode of Doctor Who called "Vincent and the Doctor" aired--my youngest daughter and I watched it on DVD yesterday, as we're doing our best to social distance.  Long story short, in this episode The Doctor and his companion Amy Pond go back to the time of Vincent Van Gogh, where they have an extraordinary adventure.  I won't go on much more than that.

As stated in the timeline of the story, the fictional event takes place roughly a year before he commits suicide.  The episode ends with The Doctor giving Vincent an unexpected gift: to go into the future, to see the impact his paintings had on the world, because everyone thought his paintings were rubbish.  Honestly, this ending scene always gives me chills.  Here it is.  Enjoy.

This episode reminds me of what the majority of people just think about artists.  That we're all tortured souls and the only way to relieve our pain is to create the art we were meant to create.

And that's true.

Well, for some artists it is.  The majority just love to tell stories.

Stop trying to be clever and tell the story / Happenings In The Outhouse 10-April-2020

For those who know me, I don't trash any of the Star Wars prequels and sequels.  I take them for what they're worth as pure entertainment.  Obviously, the original three are my favorites--and Empire being my favorite of those three.

But as I watched the last movie this past weekend, there were a few times I shook my head and urged the story to just move along . . . move along.

This seems to be the case with all three sequel movies.  Clunky dialogue that doesn't serve any purpose except some cheap thrills, endless bickering about nothing, overexplaining, and the list goes on.

Take the first Star Wars movie: A New Hope.  Did it have clunky dialogue?  Sure, like Han explaining to Luke that flying through hyperspace isn't like dusting crops.  But it flowed.  In the first thirty minutes of the final movie, there were five to ten minutes of overexplaining and bickering and weird dialogue that could've (should've) just been cut.

Back to A New Hope.  Luke asked Ben/Obi Wan if he fought in the Clone Wars.  He said he did.  And that was it.  No explaining WHAT the Clone Wars was or anything.

All of these things on the sequel movies took away a bit from the overall story, and with that I am sad.  I still loved them, but they could've been better.  And with that, our lesson for today.  When telling a story, don't feel the need to explain every little thing.  Rowling didn't do that in the first Harry Potter book.  She showed us the canvas and left it for us to wonder, to use our imagination.

Do that with your story.

Tell the story.

And leave it at that.

Progress on WIP / Happenings In The Outhouse 3-April-2020

Keeping this short today.

I'm making progress on the new thriller.  A bit over 5,000 words into it.  Most days I put in around 500 to 900 new words, so I expect the total to climb much higher rather quickly.

Take care in these unusual times.  Take care of yourself.  Take care of your family.  Connect where you can.

Speaking of all this, I cannot imagine what my late wife Melissa would be thinking about all of this.  It has been 11 weeks since she passed.  And with everything going on, if she had not passed, visiting her would be near impossible.

Why I'm not freaking out (special coronavirus / COVID-19 special)

I read a blog post this morning by a well-known science fiction writer and felt more than compelled to write this post.

First, the author (no, I will not disclose the name nor gender, as this person is fairly smart but seems to be a bit misguided in light of current events) wrote about all of the uncertainty in the world and how the whole coronavirus is impacting the world economy.  No argument there, however said author seemed to imply that the entire global market is on the verge of collapsing and we may never recover from it.

Now, I am not a fortune teller and cannot see the future, but I am not freaking out about this whole mess.  True, I am nearing the close of my second week of working from home, and I am thankful for having this job.  Also, the company I work for is thriving to help bring products to the various manufacturers who are building many of the world's leading edge innovations.  It is also on the forefront of many manufacturers who are changing their business model to help build ventilators and other necessary medical devices to battle this pandemic.  But the world economy collapsing?  I find that hard to believe.

Are you familiar with the book "Who Moved My Cheese?" by Spencer Johnson and Kenneth Blanchard?  It's a quick read that is well worth the time.  The gist of it is the world is always changing and if something disrupts it, we should figure out a way to move with it.  In other words, if we're mice in a maze and our cheese has always been in one particular spot, what happens when the cheese is no longer there?  We go find it in its new place.

Many of our local restaurants have changed their business model to offering curb side service or even home delivery, whereas they never offered it before.  Is business through the roof?  Probably not.  But then again, if you offer excellent service, you never know where this economy will take you.

People talk about this being the New Normal.  Heck, this all started for me on January 16th of this year (11 weeks ago, to be exact), when my wife passed away.  In a way, I am thankful she is no longer in this world because many of the risk factors for COVID-19 was right in her wheelhouse: diabetes, former cancer patient, respiratory complications.  Then again, I have had a whole host of New Normals across my life, even as far back as April 2011 when my wife was originally diagnosed with leukemia.

I get it.  I am not arguing with the fact that the world as we know it will not be like it was.  But I see that as a good thing.  Now I have the ability to work from home if I need to.  Also, when my writing business skyrockets and I am able to do it full-time, I have now developed the habits to make it work whereas I had a difficult time to before all this.

Also, I truly believe that this world is in God's hands.  I have complete faith in God and everything He has done.  Only through my Christian faith has the impact of my wife's passing been a blessing when I know she is in a far better place.

And I will see her again one day.  It's hard for me to fathom a world without such hope.

Lastly, as a writer myself, what made me be more than compelled to write this is due to many of the more vocal writers bitching about not being able to write, bitching about the election and what it does to the publishing industry, and quite frankly just plain bitching in general.  I am convinced the majority of writers may not be in this camp, but when the ones who are more successful seem to be the more bitchy ones, it makes me scratch my head in wonder.  For me, I've been writing more and more each day.

I also think many others are too.  The ones who aren't seem to be spending more time posting their bitchiness online when they could just hunker down and work.

Art is, after all, an essential business too.  Where else are we going to be entertained from, except from the creation that is within our own minds?

So get out there and do it.  Now!

Strange times and writing advice / Happenings In The Outhouse 27-March-2020

Unless you've been living under a rock or in a cave, these are definitely strange times we're in. My day job has allowed me to work from home, which I am thankful for.  Many companies have had to adapt to these restrictions our state and federal governments have placed on us, and even then some have had to shut their doors for the time being.

I have also seen how important having a schedule is.  I'm keeping my same break/lunch schedule, which helps.

There are two videos I'd like to share with you.  Especially for the indie authors.  The first is by Dean Wesley Smith.  This 40+ video is packed with info.  Take notes.

https://www.deanwesleysmith.com/if-you-want-to-watch-my-talk/

The second one is by his wife Kristine Kathryn Rusch.  Again, take notes.

https://kriswrites.com/2019/11/30/my-talk-on-perfection-at-20books/

If I may paraphrase one portion of her talk, she said there was some advice that 800-page fantasy books are not quite the thing anymore.  She said, "But I like 800-page fantasy books."  And so do I.  Just because one person says it's not "in style" or "in market" doesn't mean that there isn't someone out there who will love it.

AS I've always said, take writing advice with a grain of salt.  Both Dean and Kris have been writing for over four decades.  Yes, four!  I take their advice more seriously than someone who's been writing for four months or four years with only a handful of books.  It was in Dean's talk, he said that between the two they have over 1000 stories published.

Now who's advice will I follow more?  Think about it.

Social distancing before it was cool / Happenings In The Outhouse 20-March-2020

We've all heard the term by now: social distancing.  If not, go on the internet and search for it.

Done?  Head spinning yet, with all the COVID-19 (coronavirus) news?

Honestly, I've been practicing social distancing for quite some time.  In fact, when I'm done with work, I want nothing more than to go home and stay home.  Sure, I'm not a complete hermit and will do stuff, like going to church or to a benefit or even visiting with family.  But I prefer to stay home the majority of the time.

I get it, if you've lived your life going to countless sporting events, whether professional or high school or college sports, this is going to be an adjustment.  But for me, this doesn't change my life one bit.  I'm a bit sad though that my daughters' speech competitions are on hold--and one is very good; so good that she could've been a contender to go to state.

And now it appears that I may be able to do my day job from home.  I have mixed feelings toward this because I like to separate home and work.

But this may be the perfect time to practice working from home, because as a writer this is something I have always dreamed of doing.

For a list of my ebooks on Amazon, here's the link: https://www.amazon.com/Mark-S.-R.-Peterson/e/B00CLJQL5G

Stay healthy everyone!  We can do this!

A dismal 2019 / Happenings In The Outhouse 13-March-2020

Happy Friday the 13th!

Okay, now down to business.

Last week, I came to the realization as to why I was struggling so much with writing over the past year.  I only published one short story and a novelette in 2019, but I started at least three novels--I had decent beginnings but they went nowhere.  Even now, writing a new thriller, I'm struggling with putting new words onto the page.

Grief.

Even though my wife didn't pass until January 16th of this year, the time I spent dealing with her and her medical issues was draining (and I cherished every moment of it!).  So I've taken a step back and given myself grace to grieve.

Lessons learned from KISS / Happenings In The Outhouse 06-March-2020

A few weekends ago, my brother-in-law asked if I'd like to go see KISS.  They're currently on their End Of The Road World Tour.

I had never seen KISS before, so to see them on their very last tour was something special.  David Lee Roth was the opening act, playing a lot of Van Halen hits and of course his own.

The concert was amazing, to say the least.  Here's a video from their YouTube page--if you look closely, you might be able to see my tiny little head in the nose bleed section, as we were seated on the left side of the stage.

My brother-in-law had already seen them twice before, so this was time number three.  One word came to mind as I watched the concert: entertaining.  Lots of fire, explosions, and all around fun.

In the days since, I thought about my own publishing business.  What do I want to accomplish?

I want to entertain.  Some authors want to convey a message, some social justice issue they want to bring to everyone's attention.  Me?  Entertain.  That's it.  If there's a message to convey, it'll be hidden within the story.

But I write to entertain.

Write for you, not the market / Happenings In The Outhouse 28-Feb-2020

Coronavirus.

When oh when will we see stories about diabolical viruses and teams of scientists who will battle them?

This is writing to the market, to our fears, to the latest current headline.

But how long will it last?  Sure, if you were to hurry and create such a story, it might sell a few copies.  But when the fears end, so will your sales.  Then what?

Write what interests you.  Let the market find you, not the other way around.  The best stories were written with no one in mind, not for any headlines.  If the story is written well enough, it will create headlines of its own.

Do what you do best / Happenings In The Outhouse 21-Feb-2020

It's okay to experiment.  But, if it doesn't work, stop it.  Go back to what does work.

Over the past few years, aside from the medical issues with my wife, I tried a few various writing techniques to see if they improve how I write.  Undoubtedly, none really worked to improve anything.  If anything, they hindered it.

The techniques I tried revolved around outlining stories.  None have seemed to work.  So, it's back to what I do best.  Writing on the seat of my pants.  Writing in the dark.  It goes by a number of names, but in the end I write the story as I sit on the computer.

Oh, sure, I may think about a story while I'm driving to work but sitting down to outline a story has never really seemed to work for me.

For the most part, what we do best is what works best.

Goals in and out of your control / Happenings In The Outhouse 14-Feb-2020

Can you control if a book makes the bestseller list?

Can you control if a book even sells?

Sorry to say, but no.  Oh, sure, you may game the system a bit, but that only leads to short term gains (if there are any at all).  In fact, the time wasted trying to game the system could be best put toward putting more words onto the page.

Words on the page.  This is the only thing you can control.  Or you may call it "butt in chair time."  Although I don't like that phrase because one can waste enough time sitting in a chair.

Put time toward getting words on the page.  THAT is the only thing you can control.

(Okay, not quite the only thing, but close enough.  If you're an indie author, you may change your cover or other search terms, but in the end it comes down to putting words on the page.)

Getting back into the swing of it / Happenings In The Outhouse 07-Feb-2020

Keeping this one short this week.  I'm slowly getting back into the swing of writing.

My current work-in-progress is the fifth novel in the Central Division Series.  However, since I haven't written in that world, with those characters, for almost two years, I'm skimming the last novel just to get my mind back into it.

Hoping to have more next week.

Do you treat your writing as a hobby or as a career? / Happenings In The Outhouse 31-Jan-2020

Your writing may not be something that'll make you thousands or millions, if not billions, but how do you treat it?  What is your mindset?  Do you handle it seriously, protecting your copyright, protecting your time, even if the only person you're writing for is yourself--or your family?

For the past eight months, I will be the first to admit that writing for me has been difficult to maintain.  But I did my best.  I started a few books, only to set them off to the side because I wasn't in the right frame of mind.  I will return to them later.  Over the past month, I started a new thriller--the fifth in the Central Division series.  I finished the prologue the day before my wife passed . . . and just got back to it this week.

It's okay if you want to treat your writing as a hobby.  There's nothing wrong with it.  I'm just talking about a mindset to take what you love to do to the next level.

It's amazing what one person can do if they set aside a little bit of time each day at their hobby.  After a period of time, that hobby can be honed like a blade on a knife, and before you know it that hobby may give someone else some enjoyment in their life and a little coin in your pocket.

A sad day

I wrote the following on Facebook yesterday:

"With arms wide open, God welcomed a new angel into Heaven this morning and Jesus wrapped His loving arms around her.  Melissa (my wife) was the absolute love of my life, my best friend, the epitome of greatness, and the most bravest warrior as she fought her illnesses right up to the very end.  I am truly blessed to have met her and her loving family.

The last movie she and I ever saw in the theater was "I Can Only Imagine" in early 2018.  She also listened to that song as she crossed over into Heaven this morning."

I knew the day would come when she'd pass away, and mentally and spiritually prepared myself for it.  But even that doesn't make the loss any better.  The only way to get through it all is with God.  Without Him, life is meaningless.

And life certainly isn't meaningless.

The stigma of self-publishing / Happenings In The Outhouse 10-Jan-2020

Okay, are you ready for a link-filled post?

The other day, I was having a conversation and the person was talking down on someone else for self-publishing her book--keep in mind, this individual either didn't know I also was an indie author or knew and completely forgot.

So, I proceeded to educate this individual on how crappy author contracts are nowadays, how many of their rights are exploited for as little money as possible, and how many traditional authors are actually turning to self-publishing.

When pressed as to why he felt that self-publishing was so bad, he told me, "Well, obviously they weren't good enough to get published."  Now that may be true.  However . . . there have been many examples where that wasn't the case.

So, here are some links to educate yourself on indie publishing:

Dean Wesley Smith

Kristine Kathryn Rusch (check out her business resources)

The Creative Penn (blog/podcast)

That's enough for now.  Seriously, people.  The game has changed.  Our cheese has been moved.  Do a little research before spouting off that all indie authors can't cut it.

Create instead of criticize / Happenings In The Outhouse 03-Jan-2020

I've never really been one to criticize a creative work (i.e. movie, TV show, book, painting, music).  It either worked or it didn't.  It's something I feel in my gut.  Typically, my criteria is simple: did it entertain me?

Take any of the negative controversy over The Last Jedi.  Sure, there are parts of it that made me scratch my head.  But I enjoyed it.  Heck, it was Star Wars for crying out loud!  I also found Solo: A Star Wars Story as equally entertaining and enjoyable.

It always amazes me the ones who criticize a creative work, and they have never been brave enough to create their own work.  It's possible they're afraid of the same criticism they've bestowed upon others.

I have two words of advice for all the creatives out there: be brave.

Go out there in the new year, the new decade, and create something new.