J.R. Murdock

While writing this evening, I noticed something I’m sure I’ve noticed before, but never gave much thought. Pretty much all of my characters have non-stop running inner monologues.

I think I noticed this while reading many books and short stories over the past few weeks. First off, my brain tends to wander while I read if I don’t read quickly and my mind will start to think and process something unrelated to what I’m reading. But I also notice this happens during dense descriptive paragraphs.

I do descriptions to a degree, but nothing like the books I’m reading. Yes, I do a good description. I like writing and describing things, but from my POV character, it’s them processing what they’re looking at and how they feel about what they’re seeing and relating it to something they’ve seen or experienced. What I’m reading…it feels more clinics in the descriptions. Almost as if I’m reading an instruction manual and telling me how tab A fits into slot B.

Now, I know one thing I often miss in my books and stories are those lengthy descriptions letting people know how the world and universe works and functions. So, this is my chance to make certain I’ve included enough detail to flesh out the world.

I’m mostly confident I did. We shall see.

Until next Time!

Stay Awesome!

Today, Superbowl Sunday, used to be like a holiday around my father-in-law’s house. Much like Thanksgiving or Christmas, the entire family would gather and eat, celebrate, talk, and maybe even watch TV.

With much of the family now spread across the country and a raging pandemic, there will be very few of us in the small circle that will be there. 6 or 7 in total versus the normal 40+ that would usually attend. It’s another stark reminder of how much the world has changed in a year.

Doing a quick post here. No 5 a day with Jay. Those will resume tomorrow. Next week I may do a longer post. Give folks an idea of where to find me on Social Media. I haven’t done one of those in a long time. I may even surprise myself if I remember all the places where I’m hiding on the web.

I’m off to watch the game.

Until Next Time!

Stay Awesome!

Firstly, 1000 more words happened today. That puts us at over 9000 words. Again, I’m happy with the progress. I know higher word count days will happen as I get deeper into the book and I wrap my head around the characters once more. It’s been a while since I’ve had them running around my head and feels good. I won’t lie. It feels great to be writing once more.

I’m still reading every day as well. I’m trying (and failing) to read a chapter a day in 3 different books. I may have to pick one and finish it first and more on to the next one. I tried to read while I was working out and that was a hard fail. I started getting motion sick and stopped and went back to watching a couple of episodes of The Big Bang Theory.

I’m also working on improving the quality of my videos. Hopefully this one looks better. We’ll see going forward. I’m sure I’ll bug My Favorite Daughter for help if I can’t get it just right. So much to do. So much to learn. It’s a good time!

Until Next Time!

Stay Awesome!

If you get bored and want to see what I’m doing over on TikTok, come find me at https://www.tiktok.com/@jrmurdock99?lang=en

I’m currently reading 3 books at the same time.

Bruce Springsteen – Born to Run

Krazy – a book about George Herriman.

Brandon Sanderson – The Way of Kings

Yes, yes, I shouldn’t be reading 3 things at the same time. But then, I’m watching several shows at the same time, so why not?

On the writing front, I’ve gotten another 700 words done. We’re up over 8000 words so far in GRPC3. Slow progress, but progress nonetheless. As I keep saying, speed will come as I get my head back into the book and stay on a schedule with my writing. I’m not trying to impress anyone with my speed.

Still getting in miles on the recumbent bike. Still feels good to workout. Got a wicked bad leg cramp last night that woke me up out of a dead sleep. I drank lots of water and stretched plenty this time Hopefully won’t happen again tonight.

Until Next Time!

Stay Awesome!

I’m getting my pacing back. It feels good. Knocked out another 1000 words in GRPC3 putting us up to 7500 words.

It’s satisfying to be putting words down again. I feel like a creative weight has been lifted and my brain can focus again. I’m confident many creative friends now feel the same way and I hope others are able to start creating once more.

In the coming days, we’ll see if I can keep pace. I’d like to step up the word count, but I’m not going to pressure myself as I’d done in the past only to work too hard and burn myself out because I’m putting too much pressure on myself.

Slow and steady is my current goal.

I’m also doing that with my reading. I’m slowing reading 3 books at the same time. I started Brandon Sanderson’s The Way of Kings. You know, light reading. I’m also reading and trying to finish Bruce Springsteen’s autobiography Born to Run. Third on the list of Obama’s A Promised Land.

I won’t discuss politics here. I’ve read many a presidential autobiography and this one feels like the first where the man wrote the words on the page instead of dictating to someone else to write the words for him. At least that’s my impression. It reads like a speed he would give instead of aggrandizing a story with words I’d never heard the person speak.

At any rate, it’s late, and I’m tired.

Until Next Time!

Stay Awesome!

Hey!

Got 1000 words done today and had a small epiphany about a character I’m bringing into the series. We’re up to 6500 words so far. I’m happy with the progress.

Been exercising every day. Trying to get my weight down to 200 pounds. I’ve got some work to do and I’m putting in the time. Just like with my writing, I’m keeping track of things here so you can all keep my honest.

Big changes to the YouTube channel are this:

1) Moving Murdock to TikTok.

2) 5 a day with Jay will run Monday-Friday

3) Friday Fiction will move to Serialized Sunday

4) Time Lapse Tuesday will move to TikTok

The reason for these changes are to focus my YouTube channel more on my writing. Other social media will be used for other things. The main reason is that I’m getting far more hits on TikTok with my timelapse videos and I think it’ll also help with the Murdock Minute as well.

Until Next Time!

Stay Awesome!