How Could I Forget? / Happenings In The Outhouse 07-Aug-2026

When you're working on your first story (or first piece of art or whatever you're doing for a hobby or business) it's easy to count the number of items you have created.  But as time goes on, that list begins to grow.

I highly suggest keeping a list of items you have created early on--very early on, in my opinion.  I have been keeping a list of stories I have written since I first started publishing, but truth be told I have written so much before that.

Over the past year I have been trying to be more organized.  I have a board behind me in my office that I have stories tacked onto.  Stories that are out making the rounds (i.e. Writers of the Future) and many that are works-in-progress.

Then, every once and a while or while I am going through folders (either physical or digital) I discover a story I either started or finished.  Or a story idea that was good at the time but did nothing with it.  Is the story still good?  Is it worth writing now?

I have three completed novels that I wrote long before I started publishing, and they are just sitting in the proverbial folder just waiting in the wings.  Two are horror novels and one is a large epic fantasy.  At last count I have well over 100 stories that I have either written/completed or have started to write.

And I am just getting started . . .

Update on WIP / Happenings In The Outhouse 06-Feb-2026

My current work-in-progress is probably one of the most difficult novels I have ever worked on.  And that's saying something because I have written some very large, epic fantasy novels with a word count of several hundred thousand words.  Even my first two novels that I had written were over 1,000 pages on my Brother word processor.

What makes this one so different?

First, there are so many competing points of view, and so much going on that I can't keep it all straight in my head.  Not that I should.  I normally keep a written record of each chapter--something simple, like what happened in 1-3 sentences--but for whatever reason I have not done that.

Until now.

I have over 30,000 words into it, and probably close to the halfway point.  I think.  Who knows with me when I start getting into a story.  It's still fun, but when I spend time going back to see what happened and where I'm going, it bogs it down.

The Importance Of Staying Organized / Happenings In The Outhouse 02-May-2025

I am so close to finishing my latest work-in-progress, the first novel in a cozy mystery series, that I am excited to see it finally come to an end.

But as I am nearing the end, I am seeing the importance of story organization.  With a mystery--truly, this can be any story too, not just mysteries or similar genres--there are elements of a crime and the law enforcement agent seeking to discover the truth behind the crime (if there, in fact, is one) that authors do not want to miss something.

Along the way, I have made notes on various parts of the investigation, but I still go back, in case I miss something.

As with any story, be it short story to novel, I try to make notes as to where the story went and where it's going.  Over the years, I have tweaked this process, and may still do so in the future.  In the end, it's important to stay organized or else you'll make a mistake in your story and cause the reader to either stop reading your story or (and this is much worse) will never pick up one of your stories ever again.

Control Your Calendar / Happenings In The Outhouse 10-May-2024

It is important to get control of your calendar.

Everyone is getting pulled in different directions, and with the advent of technology it seems like our time and attention is getting pulled even more.

It pays dividends to focus on one item at a time without distractions.  If you're doing your taxes, I wouldn't suggest watching a movie at the same time as well as washing dishes and playing your meals for the next week.  Even if you do one thing for an hour and take a small break, that's fine as long as you're doing just one thing at a time.

Also, multi-tasking and doing it well is a myth.  Trust me, there is research to back it up.  I won't link to any studies here.  If you don't believe me, look for yourself.

Learn what is important to you and put those things on your calendar.  Because if you don't control your time, someone else will.

End of Q1 2024 / Happenings In The Outhouse 29-March-2024

We are nearing the end of the first quarter of 2024.

What does this mean?  It means I will review my "Next 5 Things" list for this quarter, what I accomplished, what I didn't, and will then write up my list of goals for the next three months.

I have been doing this for quite some time.  I like the process of narrowing my goals to 5 major things.  If I need to add or revise (I rarely subtract; in fact I never do), then I'll do so.

These 5 things revolve around the 3 major segments of my business: research and development, production, and sales.  In other words, I keep feeding my learning of this business, I work on whatever I'm working on, and will also get them out into the world.

Organizing Stories / Happenings In The Outhouse 15-March-2024

I have kept a spreadsheet of all my writing--from finished and published stories to works in progress--for a long time.  It's interesting to see this list grow over these past number of years.

But I have been running into an issue lately that I may need to revamp it.  It's a good problem to have, truth be told.  With close to 60 stories to keep track of, I need to rethink how I have them organized.  Specifically, the short stories that I am submitting for publication or contests.

How you organize your stories is up to you.  But I stress that you at least keep track of them, even if all of them are self-published.  Whether you go physically writing them down to organizing them electronically (or both) is what you feel most comfortable with.

As a side note: I will NOT share how I'm organizing because it's unnecessary and it may not work for you.  So please do not ask.

Conundrum / Happenings In The Outhouse 31-March-2023

Conundrum.

Most don't use this word, nor do they even know what it means.  It can be defined as a problem that has no clear solution.

Over the past several months, I have been writing a middle grade novel set in the 1980's.  I am currently around 73,000 words and--here's the conundrum--I have no idea as to how much longer it's going to be.  My original due date to finish it was the first of the year.  If you check your calendar, that's long past.  Then, I put April 1st as a due date.  Yup, you guessed it.  Still not done.

I do feel like it is winding down, but I don't know if I have 10,000 or 20,000 more words to put into it.  It's getting to be one long book, especially for a middle grade novel.

For now, I put May 1st as a due date.  I'm crossing my fingers that it will be done by then.  At that time, I will share more details on it.

The Past Isn't Always Your Future / Happenings In The Outhouse 06-Jan-2023

"I'm always bad at math!"

Or fill in math with something else.  Listen to what you're telling yourself.

Listen for the word . . . "always."

If always is followed by something negative, stop thinking about it.  Strive to think the exact opposite.  I recently had a conversation with a younger person who said they were always bad at math because their Dad was bad at math, so therefore they will always be bad at math.  I wanted so bad to reach across and yank the word "bad" and "always" from their mouth.

Then, I tested this person on some flash cards.  Out of two hundred, this person got . . . three wrong.  That's it.  Just three.  And it was multiplying large numbers too.

If you find yourself saying that you're bad at something, do something to fix it.  Or remedy it in a way in your favor.  For myself, I'm not much of a DIY person and would rather hire someone to do a job professionally.  The time spent on other tasks I know I'm good at, to help pay for those who are good at other tasks, is time well spent.

But if I truly had to, I could figure out a way.

Because there always is a way.

What Do You Dwell On? / Happenings In The Outhouse 30-Sept-2022

Last week, I touched on what you look for: the good or the bad.

This week I ask the question, "What do you dwell on?"

Do you dwell on things that you have absolutely no control over?  Like the weather, politics, the death of a celebrity, what someone thinks . . . and the list goes on and on.  Stephen Covey calls this the Circle of Control.

If it's outside of your control, don't worry about it.

Your health certain is in your control and something you could dwell on, but do you dwell negatively or positively on it?

As a writer, I don't dwell on whether or not people will like a story or not.  I'm learning new ways of telling a story, growing in my skills, and just telling a story the best way I know.  But I'm not dwelling on whether so and so likes it.  I don't care.

All I care of is whether or not I like it.

Your Worth / Happenings In The Outhouse 29-July-2022

How much are you worth?

In the world of "doing everything yourself", does it truly pay to do everything yourself in the long run?

Some mundane tasks may seem easy enough, like mowing the lawn or shoveling the driveway or changing the oil on your car, but if someone else could do those tasks for you, how much time could you devote to your next project?  An hour here and there adds up over time.

"But, Mark, these things cost money.  I simply can't afford to have someone else do everything."

I get it.  I really do.  I've been so broke (many years ago) that my checking account had a negative balance more than it did a positive one.  I recall the days when all I'd have for lunch are ramen noodles.  Been there, got the T-shirt.

But a little bit here and there pays off in the end.  I have a guy who mows my lawn (truth be told, my mower broke down and it was a hassle to try fix it, since that's another task I'm not real good at: fixing engines).  Now, my lawn gets mowed weekly, and it's trimmed nicely.  It's kept up and I don't have to devote the hour or two each week to do it.

What tasks can you delegate to others?

What more could you accomplish by doing so?

Multitasking / Happenings In The Outhouse 15-April-2022

Multitasking.

Even just the word "multitasking" can bring a wide range of emotions.  But define what it is?  Is it doing many things in a single day?  Or doing several different things in a single lifetime?

John Grisham has done well with his legal thrillers, but he has also written other stories which has broadened his audience.  King has done the same with horror.

And I could go on and on.

Brandon Sanderson may be known for writing a lot of fantasy, but he has dipped his toes in many different realms in the fantasy genre, and with an insane output of words to boot.  He recently had an impressively successful Kickstarter where he wrote a bunch of secret stories while slated by contract to write another tome in his Stormlight Archive series.  And not just one, but four!

This might be an area we'll explore more later on.  The point of this is based from a TED talk I watched where the speaker gave examples of multitasking but this was over a person's lifetime.  I find it okay to do several different types of things, to spread out your talents.

Again, it depends on what your definition of multitasking is.

Routines And Impulsivity / Happenings In The Outhouse 22-Oct-2021

Everyone has routines, whether they believe it or not.  Some have more than others.  Even if you seem to do little each day, that's still a routine of accomplishing little.

Being impulsive is acting against those routines.

So imagine the lazy bum who sits around all day, watching TV, accomplishing very little.  One day that bum decides to change it up and read a book.

Okay, maybe this is a little extreme, but you get the idea.

If you are a routine-minded person, how well do you take to change?

Adding a sense of impulsivity can make life a bit more interesting.  Or maybe a lot, depending on what it is.  It is easy to get into a rut, to do the same things over and over again.  Try it.  Be impulsive.  Go for a drive.  Someplace you hadn't planned on going.

Go to a restaurant you've never been to.

Go to a movie you would never go to.

Do something to get yourself out of a rut.  You may not even realize you're in a rut.

My life pretty much turned for the better about 2-3 months ago, depending on where you point.  This person pointed out my routines, which she admired, but at the same time I had to break myself out of.  And that's a good thing.

Life is about change.

Change can be good.

If you are overwhelmed, it's okay to start small / Happenings In The Outhouse 08-Oct-2021

 Imagine being tasked with cleaning up a hoarder house.

Where would you begin?

Start small.  Start somewhere.  It doesn't matter where, but start.

Writing a novel is the same way.  It's a daunting task that most people won't even try.  But start writing.  It doesn't matter if those words are going to stay when it comes time for publication.  Just the act of writing it down, practicing your writing, is enough to get the creative juices flowing.

Starting a new book, or even a short story, can be difficult.  But slap some words onto the page.

Do you expect to look like the muscular men or women who grace the covers of magazines if you haven't stepped into a gym before?  Of course not.  But all great things have to start somewhere.

Don't be afraid.  Just do it.

First steps / Happenings In The Outhouse 17-Sept-2021

A 1000-mile journey begins with the first mile.

A 4-year journey of completing your college degree begins with the first class/semester.

Whatever you're doing, starting can be the most difficult hurdle to overcome.  Taking the first steps is essential to starting your journey, no matter what it is.

If you have a huge task, the best thing you can do is just start.  Baby steps if you have to.  I know first hand that writing a novel is a daunting task.  But as each page, paragraph, and sentence is written, the closer I am to completing it.

Start today.

Start small if you have to.

What you may find is that once you start, continuing the journey and completing it is easier than you think.

Want something, make it a habit / Happenings In The Outhouse 23-July-2021

On June 15, 2020, I joined the local gym.  I desperately needed to get in shape, to lose weight, and with pandemic restrictions finally lifting then, I decided it was finally time.

No more putting it off.

Once I joined, I made it a habit of going at the same time every single day (okay, I do take 1-2 nights off a week, at the most to give my body a rest).  I find that setting a schedule of going in at a specific time, instead of "oh, sometime today" made my habit of going to the gym much more concrete.

And what's weird is that even on my "off" days, when my designated time rolls around, I get antsy to go.

Several years ago, I woke up at 5:30am every morning to write.  I was able to crank out a few novels during those times, and it was just something I needed to do.

What do you want to do?  What are you putting off?

Make it a habit.

Good luck!

20,000 Words And Counting / Happenings In The Outhouse 02-July-2021

My current work in progress is coming along nicely.  I've gotten through a few emotional hurdles lately in regards to my late wife and what would've been our 24th wedding anniversary.

But now, back to business.

As I do every three months, I review my "next five things."  Which are five things for me to accomplish on my to-do list this quarter.  I figure if I write 1000 words daily, I'll be able to finish this book by the end of the quarter--if not before.

So, that is my challenge: to write 1000 words daily and finish my current work in progress.

Not now doesn't mean not ever / Happenings In The Outhouse 22-Jan-2021

Prior to my wife's passing in January 2020, I started to say no to a lot of things.  I could have had a to-do list a mile long when it comes to writing, but at the end of the day I knew they weren't going to be done.  I then had a not-to-do list.

Also, in 2019, I started at leave three novels and stopped.  At the moment.  I'll get back to them, but at the moment I wasn't in the right mindset.

Saying "not now" doesn't mean that you'll never get to them.  You're just delaying doing it.  No sense having so many things on your to-do list that you get bogged down.

Manage your time well by creating a list of things that are important.  If I look ahead and see troubles with doing something, I'll put them off.  Remember, putting them off for now doesn't mean that you'll never get to them.  You will.

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.

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.

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.