Rollin’ Rollin’ Rollin’ — Momentum as a Writing Tool

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

“Now, where was I?”

Most folks dislike being interrupted. Finding your place in that column of figures you were adding. Wondering whether you were just about to add the salt, or just added the salt. Might as well start the joke over from the beginning because you aren’t sure where you left off.

With a non-fiction book, momentum is a good idea. With fiction, it’s vital. One reason to write every day, even a few sentences, is to keep the story rolling in your mind. The thread of story, the creative process, is tenuous at times. We’ve all experienced the brilliant thought we were sure we’d remember but which evaporated, leaving only a stain.

[image: keep moo-ving] keep moo-ving

… more … “Rollin’ Rollin’ Rollin’ — Momentum as a Writing Tool”

How Can I Serve You Better?

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

[image: what can I fetch for you?” width=”106″ height=”128″ class=”size-full wp-image-3751] what can I fetch for you?Now that I’m not pushing to write 4,500 words a day or driving 7,000 miles in a month, I’ll be writing more fresh content here.

(I do so enjoy those shouts of joy from the crowd. Thank you.)

What are you struggling with? What’s missing? What are you curious about or confused about?

That’s what I’ll be writing about.

Limits Are Not Limitations

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

[image: hit the wall” width=”222″ height=”128″ class=”alignright size-full wp-image-3742]After 7,000 miles, a good chunk of it in a single week, I am spent. (I realize all my posts lately seem to be “life lessons from Joel’s traveling and how it affects his work” and now that we’re settled, er, settling, watch for real life genuine content again soon.)

(Aw, this is real live genuine content. It applies to your art and mine. Just watch.)

I finished the text for one book. Editing is in progress, but slowly.

Sue’s business life changed significantly for the better, opening new possibilities for us. Still, it’s change. Even good stress is stress. Try having a child. Most glorious event in human life. Also on the short list of most taxing, physically and emotionally.

Am I behind on this, that, and the other thing? Yup.

Am I frustrated about it? Nope.

… more … “Limits Are Not Limitations”

What Should I Know Before Hiring a Freelance Editor? (Amanda Shofner)

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

[image: change” width=”162″ height=”300″ class=”alignright size-medium wp-image-3747]At my presentation at the Roseville, California library I was asked, as I am often asked, how to find a good editor. I found some good advice from Amanda Shofner.

This list of the questions she answers is not enough. Go ahead and read the article.

  1. Know the type of editing you need
  2. Learn what the editor is all about
  3. Determine the genres they edit
  4. Ask whether they offer sample edits
  5. Realize that editors will make changes… but it doesn’t mean you’re a terrible writer

2 Ways Accountability Increases Awareness of Your Thinking Process

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

It’s easy to fool ourselves. Two specific ways we improve our thinking process when we feel accountable to someone else for our results:

[image: decisions, decisions . . .]First, we’re more aware of the cues and clues we’re using to make decisions. The interplay between our conscious and unconscious is complex. As a result, the facts we think we’re using to reach conclusions aren’t necessarily the facts we’re really using. Accountability nudges us toward awareness of the cues and clues we’re actually using.

Second, we’re less likely to overestimate our accuracy. Studies show that we’re very likely to overestimate how accurate we are in our estimates and judgments. When we feel we’ll have to explain or defend our decisions, our improved thinking process reduces this tendency. It doesn’t make us more accurate, but it makes us more aware of how accurate (or inaccurate) our estimates are.

The Clash at the 23rd Mile

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

[image: and the winner is” width=”222″ height=”181″ class=”alignright size-full wp-image-3719]Marathon runners hit a wall of physical failure near the end of the race. The will may be strong, but the human body has limits, and one of them arises at about 23 miles of constant forward movement. Issues with glucose and other chemicals I don’t know the names of shut the legs off, make the arms refuse, turn the trunk to oatmeal.

I don’t know if it’s that my allergies are especially bad (curse you, California plant life!) or the broader concept of approaching the senior discount at the movie theater, but I’m tired. We have 2,152 miles to get home, and I’m tired. Today we drive from Newport Beach to Surprise, Arizona. Not a bad day for us. Six hours door to door. We’ve done 16 at times. But I’m tired. I’d stay right here except that I’m 2,152 miles from home. I keep hearing The Clash doing Should I Stay or Should I Go? except the answer is obvious.

Nearing the end. That’s one of the times Resistance is strongest. … more … “The Clash at the 23rd Mile”

The Introvert’s Guide to Book Marketing by Tim Grahl

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

[image: introvert]I may be a people person, but I’m still a serious introvert. I need 51% of my time to be me, alone. At least 51%. (Best Beloved does not count because, for all practical purposes which don’t involve clothing, we are one.)

I’ve watched Grahl work with Dan Pink and David Burkus (as a member of their street teams for To Sell Is Human[image: ” style=”border:none !important; margin:0px !important;” /> and The Myths of Creativityreading this article, because it’s pure unadulterated truth about why introverts can be stupendous at marketing.

Mom and Dad and Bets

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

This is an excerpt from an unpublished work.

“Jacob, are you even listening to me?” His mom always seemed to think he was ignoring her.

[image: the music]”I didn’t hear you. Sorry.”

“I’m standing right here. I’m glad you love reading, but honestly, you get so lost in those books. Are you going or not?”

“Aw, mom. It’s a bunch of girls and they don’t even like music.”

“You can talk to girls. And even, heaven forbid, people who don’t like music.”

… more … “Mom and Dad and Bets”

Squiring the Dreamer, Revisited

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

This was originally posted at Finding Why

[image: a knight and his squires]Being an idealistic dreamer, this quest to change the world is enormously fulfilling for me.

Sharing this joy with others who choose to follow my lead is gratifying in the extreme.

A Knight’s Tale is a movie about a quest, but it’s not the type of quest won with swords. The entire film turns on a single early scene. (I’ll leave you to review the plot and characters if you haven’t seen it.)

… more … “Squiring the Dreamer, Revisited”