Book titles are important to a book. First, the title identifies the manuscript. Two, the title helps to intrigue readers to purchase the book. Remember the saying, “ Don’t judge a book by its cover ”? Be honest, when considering a new book, we make assumptions about its worth by its title and the cover image. Don’t deny it, we’re all guilty. Third, the title plays a significant role in the marketing of the book. So, just where do book titles come from? It’s not like they just suddenly appear out of thin air by magic. A book title usually originates from one of two places, either a book title generator or the author makes up a title. In my case, I make up a title. Book title generators are not my thing, I’ve yet to find suggestions from a title generator that have any true connection with my book manuscripts. Since I come up with my own titles, I focus on creating something short. A short title is much easier to remember than a long rambling title like: The Unremarkable Life and Times of Thaddeus P Pumpernickel. Yes, the title is fun, but will you remember the title two days from now? Probably not the entire title, but portions of it, maybe. Considering the parts you do remember, can you put those bits and pieces into the correct order? See what I mean by the benefits of a short title? When selecting a title, I prefer a two to three-word title. Words that relate to the story, maybe something symbolic. Take, for instance, one of my earliest short stories entitled: HARVEST MOON . The story isn’t about an autumn moon, but what happens in the light of a particular full fall moon. https://www.dalethele.com/harvestmoon MASKED IDENTITIES , one of my novellas has nothing to do with masked people, but rather how we put on airs and don’t project our true selves to others. The theme is presented in dual stories. The outer story is a contemporary tale of a faltering relationship between a college girl and a boy. The interior story is a Victorian tale between two young men. Although the circumstances between the two stories are different, there are similarities between the characters in both stories. https://www.dalethele.com/maskedid When I began to formulate the concept for the 6-book SHANE DAVISON CHRONICLE SERIES , I decided the titles would be two-word titles, even though at the time, I didn't have any idea what the six book titles would be. I decided I’d title each book as I wrote them. https://www.dalethele.com/chronicles The first novel in the series entitled CLIPPED WINGS , aligns perfectly with what happens to the protagonist. Also, the phrase “ clipped wings ” actually pops up quite naturally in dialogue toward the end of the book. The title isn't all that unique in that when writing this post I found 52 listings for books titled: CLIPPED WINGS on Amazon. https://www.dalethele.com/clippedwings The second novel of the series, BLURRED LINES , is also the title of Robin Thicke’s highly controversial recorded song. Neither the song nor my novel share similarities, except for the title. This title was selected for the novel because the story blurs the lines between the undefinable gray area which muddles factual reality versus the reliable black-and-white concepts that can be logically explained. https://www.dalethele.com/blurredlines The third novel of the series, CHASING UNICORNS (which will be released in the spring of 2023) isn’t a tale of hunting down unicorns in some mythological world. However, when one Googles “ chasing unicorns ”, one will get a wildly varied list of definitions. In the case of this novel, the chase is to pursue an unattainable object or impossible goal (unicorn). Yet, when one Googles the singular word “ unicorn ”, up pops numerous symbolic uses for the word. The title isn’t all that unique as it’s been used to title a lengthy list of books and a couple of commercial movies too. https://www.dalethele.com/chasingunicorns I can hear you ask, Why use titles that have been used before? Why not come up with something that hasn’t already been used? According to Bowker (the authorized agent issuing ISBN numbers for published books in the USA), over 2,700 new book titles are registered DAILY in just the United States. Do the math (I know I’m asking a lot of you) that’s a whole mess of titles and the odds of title repetition is inevitable. I don’t intentionally search out titles of published books; I come up with my own titles. If someone else used that same title, I don’t sweat it. Just because authors may share the same book titles, our stories are unique to each author. Thank goodness, book titles can’t be patented, otherwise, it might take years to conjure up a book title that no one had registered. So, to answer the original question, Where do book titles come from? I can’t answer for other authors, I can only answer for myself. I come up with my own short titles, which are symbolic of the nature of my stories. I would like to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment in the Comment Box at the bottom of the page. Dale Thele Bestselling Fiction Author Stories with an LGBTQ+ Twist corrupting readers since 2008 Don't miss another blog post! Get new blog post notifications and new book/story releases sent directly to your email. Click here to subscribe .

This is a unique footed hexagon Mustache cup and a fluted saucer with extensive gold plate trim, unmarked but the seller believed it is of German origins. The cup and saucer set was made in the era when large mustaches were in vogue - 1860 to 1919 - to protect the drinker's mustache. This is a right-handed cup. The background color is yellow with a hint of lime green to it. The design depicts white clover-like flowers, and possibly raspberries. All the leaves and stems are gold. The set is made of thin semi-translucent porcelain china (light does shine through both pieces when held up to the light). This is one of my favorite sets to admire, but being so slight in weight, it's not practical for frequent use. Reserved for special moments. I would like to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment in the Comment Box at the bottom of the page. Dale Thele Bestselling Fiction Author Stories with an LGBTQ+ Twist corrupting readers since 2008 Don't miss another blog post! Get new blog post notifications and new book/story releases sent directly to your email. Click here to subscribe .

Clear Shinobi Fountain Pen This fountain pen is one of the more expensive pens in my collection. I commissioned Shawn Newton, a fountain pen maker (since 2012) based in Hot Springs, Arkansas, to make this pen for me in 2016. The pen is a desk pen hand-turned of translucent acrylic. It’s called a “desk pen” because it doesn’t have a pocket clip and one side of the pen is flat so the pen doesn’t roll off the desk surface. The nib is a Jowo #6 stainless steel Extra Fine point and arrived with a standard ink converter. I prefer filling the pen with an eyedropper as it holds a ton more ink than with the converter. The cap doesn’t post, which if it did, would make the pen awkward in the hand, not to mention extremely top-heavy. This is one of my favorite pens, in that it was made to my exact specification by a truly talented USA fountain pen maker. Additional information about Newtons Pens I would like to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment in the Comment Box at the bottom of the page. Dale Thele Bestselling Fiction Author Stories with an LGBTQ+ Twist corrupting readers since 2008 Don't miss another blog post! Get new blog post notifications and new book/story releases sent directly to your email. Click here to subscribe .

Vintage 70s Otagiri Stoneware “Airplane” Mustache Mug This is a vintage stoneware mustache mug made by Otagiri Japan. (Otagiri Mercantile Company, headquartered in San Francisco, was a Japanese-American manufacturer of stoneware ceramics that started in 1946. The stoneware was produced by a small group of artists who hand painted and glazed an array of forms and decorations.) This is my everyday coffee or hot tea mug. It holds approximately 8 ounces. The handle comfortably fits my fingers and is nicely balanced. The Etsy seller believes the mug is from the 70s. One side has a classic biplane while the other has a hot air balloon. Classic biplane design Hot air balloon design It's in great shape with no chips, miner staining, and a fine hairline crack on the mustache guard that looks like a manufacturer flaw (you must look very hard to see it). Mustache guard The mug measures 3 1/2" tall and 3 1/4" across. There are no manufacturing markings etched or stamped on the bottom. I begin each morning with this mug filled with my morning coffee. In the evening, before bed, I wrap up my day with this mug filled with steamy Sleepytime Tea, accompanied by a fantastic book. I would like to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment in the Comment Box at the bottom of the page. Dale Thele Bestselling Fiction Author Stories with an LGBTQ+ Twist corrupting readers since 2008 Don't miss another blog post! Get new blog post notifications and new book/story releases sent directly to your email. Click here to subscribe .

Conklin "Word Gauge" Fountain Pen First established in 1898 in Toledo, Ohio, by founder Roy Conklin, the Conklin Pen company began manufacturing in the golden era of fountain pens and was regarded as one of the most significant and innovative manufacturers of fountain pens. The Conklin brand is valued by collectors and admired by fountain pen enthusiasts throughout the world. The company ceased operations in 1948. In 2019 an experienced pen producer in the U.S. purchased the Conklin brand. New materials and technology are now used to produce these original Conklin designs so highly valued by collectors and pen enthusiasts throughout the world. Conklin "Word Gauge" Fountain Pen The Word Gauge series was introduced in 1932. There was the limited edition piston-fill pen with a large yellow translucent view window that was engraved with an exclusive “Word Gauge” - numbered gradations indicating approximately how many words could be written with the remaining ink. Of course, the actual number of words remaining to me written would vary depending on the nib size and the length of words written. Handcrafted in Italy from solid bars of resin, they were available in a rich traditional ebony Italian resin and lustrous pearlescent Italian blue resin. Both of my limited 1932 edition models are traditional black. The limited edition version originally sold for $295.00. Today’s price varies on the condition of the remaining limited edition “Word Gauge’ from the 1932 run. Engraved on the barrel are 'Word Gauge' and 'Made in Italy'. Color: Black with Yellow ink window Dimensions: 5.375 inches long when closed; 6.5 inches long when the cap is posted Fountain Pen: Closed 5.53 inches – Posted 6.88 inches – Weight 25 gms Nib Material: Stainless Steel Nib: Fine Filling Mechanism: Piston Transparent yellow ink reservoir with 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 or 5000 words marks The “Word Gauge” is an intriguing fountain pen with a unique word count ink window. However, the thick size of the pen body makes the pen awkward to write for extended periods of time. I prefer a thin, lightweight pen for long writing periods. As for the pen predicting the number of words which can be written with the remaining ink in the pen—well, in my opinion, it’s not reliable. However, I do like the ink window so to see how much ink remains in the pen. Many fountain pens provide ink windows, so one can see when the available ink is running low. In my case, I handwrite my rough draft with fountain pens. I keep several pens inked. When one pen runs out of ink, I grab another fully filled pen and continue writing without interrupting my train of thought. German made stainless steel FINE nib As a side note: the new owners of Conklin do manufacture contemporary versions of the “Word Gauge” fountain pen. They are currently marketed under the style name of: “Heritage Word Gauge”. I would like to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment in the Comment Box at the bottom of the page. Dale Thele Bestselling Fiction Author Stories with an LGBTQ+ Twist corrupting readers since 2008 Don't miss another blog post! Get new blog post notifications and new book/story releases sent directly to your email. Click here to subscribe .

Large Pottery Stein-Style Mustache Mug This extra-large mustache mug is made from fired stoneware clay and holds 16 oz of liquid. This mug keeps the mustache dry with the help of the interior mustache guard. The guard allows one to drink a foamy latte or a beer with foam without messing up one's mustache. Made from stoneware clay and it's dishwasher, microwave, and food safe. The handle is large for an easy grip, even for someone with large hands. The outer glaze is a variation of teal to light turquoise and the inside is a butter-yellow glaze. Built in mustache guard The original mustache cups and mugs were developed in the Victorian era to protect the waxed mustache and not stain the hair, especially for white or gray mustaches. I don't wax my stache daily so a mustache mug helps to keep my stache dry and prevents unwanted dribbles. Made in the USA around 2018 This mug is a contemporary model, made in the USA around 2018. It's approximately 5” tall x 5.5" wide, with a large handle that is 3" in diameter. I like the looks of this mug, but it's extremely large and cumbersome, not to mention quite hefty. Unfortunately this mug isn't used often, it's more for “show” rather than for use. I would like to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment in the Comment Box at the bottom of the page. Dale Thele Bestselling Fiction Author Stories with an LGBTQ+ Twist corrupting readers since 2008 Don't miss another blog post! Get new blog post notifications and new book/story releases sent directly to your email. Click here to subscribe .

Image by Alex G. Ramos from Pixabay It’s been many, many moons since I was in middle school, so why do I write as if I’m still in junior high? The answer may surprise you. According to The Literacy Project , “the average American reads at a 7th to 8th grade level”. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development states “half of U.S. adults can’t read a book written at the 8th grade level.” With such alarming statistics, I don’t want to alienate potential readers by writing my stories on a level above readers’ capabilities. The intent of my writing is to entertain and maybe toss in a little education into the mix. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting that all my readers read on an elementary school level, far from it. And, I don’t want a reputation of being a “high brow” writer. Heaven forbid I use words, phrases and symbolism that only a literary scholar can decipher. I write to entertain and transform my reader out of their reality for a short period. So, how is a reading level determined? A reading ease score can be found by utilizing the most widely used reading and comprehensive reading scoring system: the Flesch Reading Ease Score and the Flesch Kinkaid Grade Level . An author or writer can obtain a reading score through the use of many online editing programs. My preferred editor is ProWritingAid . It produces a multi-layered assessment of my writing as well as a Flesch Reading Ease score. By-the-way, the Flesch Reading score for this post is 61.8, easily understood by 13- to 15-year-old students. So, the next time you read one of my short stories, novellas, novels, or even a blog post like this one, keep in mind that I’m not writing down to anyone’s level. I’m writing on a level that most readers can read comfortably. I would like to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment in the Comment Box at the bottom of the page. Additional Reading Sources Lisa Marchand, “What is readability and why should content editors care about it?” Center for Plain Language, March 22, 2017 https://centerforplainlanguage.org/what-is-readability/ What's the Latest US Literacy Rate https://www.wyliecomm.com/2021/08/whats-the-latest-u-s-literacy-rate/ Valerie Strauss, “Hiding in plain sight: The adult literacy crisis,” Washington Post, Nov. 1, 2016 https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2016/11/01/hiding-in-plain-sight-the-adult-literacy-crisis/ Reading the numbers: 130 million American adults have low literacy skills https://www.apmresearchlab.org/10x-adult-literacy Dale Thele Bestselling Fiction Author Stories with an LGBTQ+ Twist corrupting readers since 2008 Don't miss another blog post! Get new blog post notifications and new book/story releases sent directly to your email. Click here to subscribe .

Image by Zoltan Matuska from Pixabay It’s no secret that writers can be pretty particular about their writing tools. Some might call it an obsession or fetish, but the pens, pencils, notebooks, and other implements authors have used to create their most famous works can be endlessly fascinating. I must admit, I, too, have my own peculiarities regarding writing tools. Take notes, and save your pennies to purchase these writing instruments for yourself (even if you aren’t a writer) In this post, we’re looking at pencils and two famous authors who used two particular pencils. Vladimir Nabokov Vladimir Nabokov preferred the Eberhard Faber Blackwing 602 for outlining his novels on index cards. The Blackwing 602 is a pencil noted for its soft, dark graphite, unique flat square ferrule, and replaceable eraser. It was manufactured by the Eberhard Faber Pencil Company from 1934–1988, then by the Faber-Castell pencil company from 1988–1994, and by Sanford from 1994–1998. The pencil initially sold for 50 cents each. After it was discontinued, single original pencils were found on eBay for over $40, with some older (and rarer) ones sold for over $100. Originals are becoming increasingly rare. As of 2012, a different pencil using the same name began being manufactured by Palomino. I don’t have the disposable income to purchase and own the original Eberhard Faber Blackwing 602 pencil, but I have the second best: the Palomino Blackwing 602 . That’s not to say that I write a lot in pencil; I prefer writing my rough drafts with fountain pens. But, a pencil does come in handy from time to time, and to write with a similar pencil as Nabokov or Steinbeck adds a bit of nostalgia and reverence. Also see: https://blackwingpages.wordpress.com/no-ordinary-pencil/ https://www.gentlemanstationer.com/blog/2017/10/18/pencil-review-the-original-palomino-blackwing John Steinbeck John Steinbeck was a pencil addict Steinbeck started his writing sessions with 24 pencils. He adored the famous Blackwing pencil but also favored the Mongol 480 No. 2 3/8 F . It’s been said he used 300 pencils to write East of Eden and 60 for The Grapes of Wrath and Cannery Row . I own a few Eberhard Faber Mongol 480 pencils, not the original vintage pencils, but the newer manufactured model. My pencils may not be the exact pencils that Steinbeck used, but to experience the similar sensation with a similar pencil is worth the extra cost of the pencil. I would like to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment in the Comment Box at the bottom of the page. Dale Thele Bestselling Fiction Author Stories with an LGBTQ+ Twist corrupting readers since 2008 Don't miss another blog post! Get new blog post notifications and new book/story releases sent directly to your email. Click here to subscribe .

CHASING UNICORNS , book #3 of the Shane Davison Chronicles Series was released on March 9, 2023, in both Kindle and Paperback. Three days later, the novel hits Amazon’s Best Selling List. All three of the first Shane Davison Chronicles Series novels have been Amazon Best Sellers. Shane settles into the “normal” life he’s always craved, unaware his reality is about to turn messy and complicated; split between his own budding romance while being supportive of a co-worker’s gay teen son Dexter. Homophobia lies, and misunderstandings lead Dexter into a dark place, a dimension Shane may be powerless to save the teen. All the while, Shane has his hands full with his new beau, Michael. A relationship that on the surface seems to be going swimmingly, but underneath the sunny veneer, lurks chilling secrets. Inspired by actual events. CHASING UNICORNS video book trailer: Learn more about the SHANE DAVISON CHRONICLES SERIES: https://www.dalethele.com/chronicles Details about CHASING UNICORNS: https://www.dalethele.com/chasingunicorns CHASING UNICORNS is now available to purchase in Kindle or Paperback from Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BRZTG538/ CHASING UNICORNS is rated: ADULT - profanity, adult situations, drug use, smoking, drinking, dysfunctional family situations, violence, homophobia I would like to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment in the Comment Box at the bottom of the page. Dale Thele Bestselling Fiction Author Stories with an LGBTQ+ Twist corrupting readers since 2008 Don't miss another blog post! Get new blog post notifications and new book/story releases sent directly to your email. Click here to subscribe .

Image by Erika Wittlieb from Pixabay The very first novel-length manuscript I ever wrote was entitled AUF WIEDERSEHEN-JOURNEY TO GOODBYE . The manuscript was penned in 2011. It was a gay love story between a gay guy named Shane Davison and this other gay guy by the name of Michael, which took place between December 2008 and March 2009. However, the actual years were never mentioned in the manuscript because the story wasn't time sensitive. Beta readers took a swipe at the manuscript shortly after it was written. They found it lacking something, but they couldn’t put their finger on what was missing. As a result, I shelved the manuscript for the time being. In late 2012, I rewrote the manuscript and added two teenage boys, one gay and one straight, they had been best buds since childhood. I wove the boys' story into the Shane and Michael love story. This made for a livelier read. However, I wasn’t happy with the manuscript, and it was shelved again. In 2017, I dusted off the dormant manuscript and had an author friend read it. She found the dual stories interesting, but it made for a lengthy read. She said something was missing-even though it was a long manuscript. After studying the manuscript, she decided the story was missing the backstory to better understand Shane's character. She asked if I’d considered making this manuscript a part of a series. The thought was overwhelming, and I again shelved the manuscript. Over the next four years, I considered writing a series but didn’t know where to start the series and where to end it. Would there be a theme? A reason for a series? And other questions, along with personal doubts that I could actually write an entire series. In 2021, the idea for the Shane Davison Chronicle Series came to me. A six-novel series following Shane’s life, showing that a gay man’s life isn’t all that different from a straight man’s life. I organized my thoughts and wrote a short blurb of what each of the six books might look like. The first book would focus on Shane’s turbulent high school years while taking peeks into his past. Book two put Shane at college. The third book would be where I’d put the Journey to Goodbye manuscript. However, there was a problem, Journey To Goodbye was written as a story taking place from December 2008 - March 2009, a time of cell phones, computers, texting, and chatrooms. Much of the original manuscript was composed of emails and chats in chatrooms. This wouldn’t work in the proposed series because the time period for the third book would be December 1979 – March 1980. The technology found in the manuscript wasn’t there during the end of '79 and the first of the 80s. In 2022, I modified the original Journey To Goodbye manuscript from texts and emails to phone calls and answering machines, so the story would coincide with the available technology of the 1979 - 1980 time period. The title was changed to CHASING UNICORNS from JOURNEY TO GOODBYE. Back in 2017, the Auf Weidersien was dropped from the title because the German was too much for a book title. The newly revised manuscript contained dual storylines, so a new title was needed to accommodate both stories. The journey took ten years to develop the Shane Davison Chronicles series . It started from a manuscript of a gay love story and grew into what would become a six-novel series, releasing one new novel each year. In 2021, Shane Davison was introduced to the world in the first published novel of the Shane Davison Chronicles , it was entitled CLIPPED WINGS . In 2022, Shane returned in the second novel, BLURRED LINES . In March 2023, after numerous revisions, additions, and a new title, Shane returned in the third novel of the series, CHASING UNICORNS . There are three remaining novels to be written in the series, the next novel's working title is FINAL CHAPTERS , which is a work in progress, with a projected release in March 2024. The remaining two novels are yet to be titled and written, but they will surely include Shane’s shenanigans as he continues his journey through life. Since the first novel of the series was released, Shane has developed a worldwide following and the first three novels have each earned an Amazon Bestselling status. I would like to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment in the Comment Box at the bottom of the page. Dale Thele Bestselling Fiction Author Stories with an LGBTQ+ Twist corrupting readers since 2008 Don't miss another blog post! Get new blog post notifications and new book/story releases sent directly to your email. Click here to subscribe .

Image by John-Gerhard Stolz from Pixabay The world of writing is facing a new and unexpected challenge. With the recent rise of AI (Artificial Intelligence) programs specifically designed to write stories, what does this mean for the future of authors? It’s a question that has been at the forefront of conversations in bookstores, coffee shops, and beyond, as people realize that their livelihoods could be drastically changed by these new programs. For many authors, it was something they never expected to face; an entity that can create stories with a few simple clicks where once there were only hours upon hours of work. But still, the question remains: how much will this impact authors? Will it mean the end of their jobs as we know them? What kind of stories will these AI programs be able to create? It’s no secret that Artificial Intelligence has already made its way into many industries around the world. From medicine and finance to more creative fields such as motion picture production, AI has been making waves across all areas. But when it comes to writing, it may very well be the tipping point–or it could be just another tool in an author’s arsenal. After all, technology is ever-changing, and new advances are happening every day. So while AI programs may become more advanced over time and begin producing even better stories than before, there are also new ways being created to use such technology wisely. For example, some authors have started using AI programs to help them brainstorm ideas or find interesting plot points. Others have used similar systems to help automate mundane tasks like fact-checking or formatting documents so they can focus on more important aspects like crafting compelling characters and narratives instead. At its core though, creativity is something still very unique to humans–for now at least. While some might argue that computers will eventually take over this aspect as well one day, many authors would disagree; citing their own experiences in developing intricate worlds filled with memorable characters and plotlines which simply cannot be replicated by machines alone yet. Whether you believe in its potential or not, there’s no denying that Artificial Intelligence is here to stay—and with it comes a whole host of possibilities for writers everywhere. The future holds many unknowns but one thing we do know for sure: authors will definitely remain relevant in whatever form our storytelling takes next. Lastly, did an AI program create this blog post or did an actual human write it? I'll leave that up to you to decide because I'm not telling. I would like to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment in the Comment Box at the bottom of the page. Dale Thele Bestselling Fiction Author Stories with an LGBTQ+ Twist corrupting readers since 2008 Don't miss another blog post! Get new blog post notifications and new book/story releases sent directly to your email. Click here to subscribe .

Image by kalhh from Pixabay The kind of "magic" we're discussing today is the writing kind of magic. There won't be any white bunnies popping out of silk top hats or colored scarves appearing in thin air. This post is about the magic that comes from writing, or rather, where that special magic happens. Buckle up because we're going inside the world of a fiction writer. This is where the "magic" happens. Actually, this photo was taken several years ago, but I can assure you little has changed. I believe the only change was the desk clock was switched out for a vintage 1960s mechanical electric swinging girl clock. (You can see the clock in the next photo) Very little changes on my desk, except for the many layers of dust that collect between writing manuscripts. The desk is not dusted during the writing of a manuscript. Once the final manuscript has gone to print, then the desk is thoroughly dusted and cleaned. That works out to one annual cleaning, based on the fact that I'm producing one novel each year. This is where I point out some unique features of my writing space. Nowadays, most people no longer use a desk mat with blotter paper. Take a gander at what's under the laptop. You got it! It's a leather desk pad with refillable blotter paper. The pad protects the desktop from ink stains and it offers a smooth writing surface when I'm writing with fountain pens. Yep! I use fountain pens even when I'm not writing a manuscript. Here are additional items I wish to point out about my workspace: A. Under normal circumstances, a wire letter tray sits where the easel stand (looks like the top portion of a music stand). Actually, the easel is holding my handwritten rough draft so that I can transpose it into my digital editor on my laptop. Only the rough draft is handwritten, all other drafts and rewrites are done digitally. (sorry to disappoint) B. From the calendar, you can see that this photo was taken in 2021 (no, I do not keep old outdated calendars on my wall) I was probably transposing BLURRED LINES in this photo. C. These are sticky notes that I use each day to record the total word, page, and chapter count when I wrap up my writing session for the day. Each notepad is dated and placed on top of the previous day's notepad. This gives me a running count of my progression with that particular manuscript. Look to the right, near the letter "B" and you can see that I'm also working on a second manuscript at the same time. D. Of course, no writer's desk is complete without a coffee or tea mug. During the time I was working on BLURRED LINES , I was drinking coffee. Since then, my taste has switched to hot tea - herbal, but mostly caffeinated tea. As for the desk, it's actually the left side arm of a much larger Steve Silver desk. I didn't have the space, nor the dollars to purchase the entire ensemble. It wouldn't have mattered anyway, because the ensemble was discontinued and all that I wanted of the set was this side table which I purchased at a deep discount, being that it was an orphaned piece, and it had a few dings because it had been on display. I was also able to procure the matching wheeled 2-draw filing chest that fits under the desk. I wasn't able to locate the matching rolling banker's chair, but no worries, there were plenty of inexpensive wooden desk chairs available to complement the desk. As I've often mentioned before, I write the rough draft by hand with a fountain pen in a cheap college-ruled composition notebook. The notebook pictured above is the handwritten rough draft of FINAL CHAPTERS , the 4th novel of the Shane Davison Chronicles Series , due to be released in 2024. The manuscript was written exclusively on the right-hand page. The left page was left intentionally blank for notes and afterthoughts. Usually, the afterthoughts are written in pencil and on the left page. Sometimes I use different colored pencils to jot my notes. The reason I do this is that when I get into the "zone", I write as fast as possible to unload everything onto the paper. Later, sometimes days later, I get an idea that I missed when writing the draft, so I add those notes on the left page opposite the page that coordinates with the notes. Then, when the rough draft is completed, I begin transposing the manuscript to digital format for easier editing and rewriting. The cheap composition notebook(s) are kept in leather hand-sewn notebook covers (until the manuscript has been transposed). I find this gives the rough draft a special quality—a measure of worth. After all, the rough draft is the basis of what will eventually become a novel or a story. Giving value to the rough draft isn't much different than pampering one's child—the rough draft is my baby. One day, it will mature into a full-fledged novel, a novella, or a short story. I'd appreciate hearing your comments. Leave your thoughts in the Comment Box at the bottom of the page. Dale Thele Bestselling Fiction Author Stories with an LGBTQ+ Twist corrupting readers since 2008 Don't miss another blog post! Get new blog post notifications and new book/story releases sent directly to your email. Click here to subscribe .