Hi all,

Know it’s been a while and I apologize for that. However I hope that Damnation, once it’s published, will make up for this. Anyway, onto today’s advice piece.
Don’t be afraid to break out of your mold.
I hate the term ‘typecast.’ I really do. No one should be stuck into one category as a sci-fi or drama actor or writer or director. Granted, I’m a fan of doing what you know, love, and are good at, but that doesn’t mean that you should be restricted by that.

Are you a fantasy writer who wants to voice their political opinions? Do you have them brewing inside, waiting to burst free? Then you go ahead and write that manifesto. Get it all out on paper and once you’ve finished your Bible-length theories on how a government should run, reread it and see if you can work it into an interesting book, or if it just looks like the ramblings of a crazy person.

Are you a non-fiction writer who is tired of seeing book after book after book turning Vampires from awesome action heroes into… (Insert your own opinion here.) and you want to write them as they SHOULD BE? Then get started.

You’ll face hurdles that you never have in your writing and a little research and reading may be in order BEFORE editing. So I’d recommend following this step by step process:

1. Get the ideas down on paper.

2. Research what you’re writing about.

3. Read other works by people in the same field.

4. Commence editing.

5. Ask for help.

Number 5 especially, even if you don’t think you need it. Let someone else read it, someone impartial who isn’t going to pat you on the head and call whatever scribbling you write Shakespeare. Trust me, you’ll be better off for it.

Now let’s say you’ve done all that, and it still isn’t something you want the public getting anywhere near. Well don’t get discouraged. I know it may seem like you just wasted your time but remember these words from a previous post I wrote:

“Nothing a person does with their own two hands is ever a waste of time. It’s all building towards something.”

You may not have been able to write outside of your own comfort zone successfully, but maybe now you have the bare bones for another story within your chosen genre.

Consider it…

When I started, I wanted to write about religion, fact, fiction, blind faith and corruption. I wanted to write philosophy, but I write Historical Fiction and Fantasy. When I wrote my philosophy piece, upon a re-read, I couldn’t believe how bitter it sounded. That doesn’t reflect me or my beliefs, so I quickly scrapped that idea. However, then I started thinking in context, how can I get my point across while sticking to my respective genre? Then upon seeing the painting “The Wounded Angel,” the seeds for Divinity were planted.

So go ahead and give it a shot, write what you want to write and, success or fail, it’ll be worth it.

Thanks friends,
Catch you on the flip-side,
-Jim

PS – DAMNATION IN THE WORKS BABY!!!

Readers,

Do you have a question about writing, publishing, my stories, etc? Please feel free to post a comment or email me.
jimthewritingwizard@gmail.com
I’ll use those comments to select my next blog post.

I have been writing for several years, have 4 published works, experience with publishing and independent work, so I can hopefully be of assistance.
Please note, I only do one of these a day and will do my best to respond to everyone, but it may take some time.

Thanks friends!
Catch you on the flip side!