Category: advice

+ advice, fantasy, Fiction, Inspiration, Music, Uncategorized, Writing

From My Writing Playlist #Writing #Author #Advice

by Unknown's avatar

Got a request to recommend a good ‘rock opera’ song. Really it doesn’t get any better than Avantasia and in particular this song! The Great Mystery has everything; chorus, amazing instrumentals, guest performance by metal legend Bob Catley from Magnum… oh yeah! This has to be on my list! When to listen:  I’ll give you a hint, skip to 9:19. Then picture your favorite Disney … Read More From My Writing Playlist #Writing #Author #Advice

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+ advice, fantasy, Fiction, literature, non-fiction, Reading, Writing

‘Damn’ Obstacles

by Unknown's avatar

“Dear Jim, I saw the updates on the book you have coming out (congrats by the way) and was wondering if you could tell us how you overcame certain obstacles. For example, in my writing, I’m having a hard time establishing character relationships. I don’t want my story sounding like a Disney princess story where two people just instantly fall in love, but I … Read More ‘Damn’ Obstacles

+ advice, fantasy, Inspiration, literature, Music, Reading, Writing

From My Writing Playlist #Writing #Author #Advice

by Unknown's avatar

Yeah, no Heavy Metal playlist is complete without at least 5 songs by Dragonforce. This song is pure adrenaline. It makes you feel good, it’s upbeat, and I love it. When to Listen: Well, it’s on my general playlist and I like to listen to it whenever, but if you’re looking for a specific time to listen to it… burnout. I’m not kidding. Are … Read More From My Writing Playlist #Writing #Author #Advice

+ advice, Inspiration, literature, Music, Opinion, Uncategorized, Writing

From My Writing Playlist #Writing #Author #Advice

by Unknown's avatar

Not even the Imperial March could come close to being as recognizable and identifiable as the Top Gun theme. Far more simplistic in nature, yet bombastic and upbeat at the same time. It is such an iconic theme clearly right out of 80s Hair Metal, that you can’t ignore it. When to Listen: … yeah this is another upbeat writer’s block song. Listen to … Read More From My Writing Playlist #Writing #Author #Advice

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+ advice, fantasy, Fiction, literature, non-fiction, Reading, Writing

Classic Cameos #Fantasy #Fiction #Advice

by Unknown's avatar

“Hi Jim, I’m currently writing a story dealing with fantasy characters. I wanted to include a couple of classical fantasy characters in my story. I was wondering if you had any advice about how to go about this? I don’t want to get sued by their owners. Thanks, Jeremy J.” Hi Jeremy, Hi Jeremy, by classical, I assume you’re talking about the creative works … Read More Classic Cameos #Fantasy #Fiction #Advice

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+ advice, fantasy, Fiction, literature, Opinion, Science Fiction, Writing

The Ins and Outs of Publishing, A Directory of Advice. #Writing #Author #Advice

by Unknown's avatar

Okay, so it looks like I’m still getting a lot of publishing questions. These are recurrent questions I get on a regular basis, and while I want to try to respond to everyone who reaches out to me, I don’t want my blog becoming redundant. So I think I’m going to repost this on a weekly basis from now on to help people navigate … Read More The Ins and Outs of Publishing, A Directory of Advice. #Writing #Author #Advice

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+ advice, Characters, Fiction, History, literature, Reading, Writing

Fictional Story, Non-fictional People #Fantasy #Fiction #Advice

by Unknown's avatar

“Hi Jim, I’ve been reading your blog for quite a while now, and am hoping that you can offer me some advice. I am working on a piece of historical fiction and want to write in some historical characters. These characters would mostly be supporting roles, but I might make one of them a lead. The issue is that some of their family members … Read More Fictional Story, Non-fictional People #Fantasy #Fiction #Advice

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+ advice, books, fantasy, ficiton, literature, non-fiction, Reading, Science Fiction, Writing

Addressing Rape in Your Story #Fantasy #Fiction #Advice

by Unknown's avatar

“Hi Jim, I have a question that I’m kind of hesitant about. I’ve read about this in some stories, and actually wrote a scene into one of my own, but I’m considering removing it. Basically, one of the evil characters in my story is a rapist… and yes, a rape takes place as part of the plot of the story. I’ve read over it … Read More Addressing Rape in Your Story #Fantasy #Fiction #Advice

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+ advice, books, fantasy, ficiton, literature, non-fiction, Reading, Science Fiction, Writing

Contractions Too Informal? #Fantasy #Fiction #Advice

by Unknown's avatar

“Hi Jim, I was just wondering what your thoughts were on using contractions in narration, for example having the narrator say ‘He wasn’t sure’ instead of ‘He was not sure’. I’ve been told that it’s too informal, and sounds too much like speaking, especially when the narration isn’t in the first person. (There is, of course, always the rather sneaky thing of getting rid … Read More Contractions Too Informal? #Fantasy #Fiction #Advice

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+ advice, fantasy, Fiction, non-fiction, Publishing, Reading, Science Fiction, Writing

Minimalist vs. Ornate? #Fantasy #Fiction #Advice

by Unknown's avatar

“Hi Jim, My book is done. I’m super excited about getting it published. My question to you is about the cover. What do you think I should go with, a simple cover with maybe a single item as the focal point or a big cover depicting a scene and characters? My artist is really pushing the idea that less is more in the cover. … Read More Minimalist vs. Ornate? #Fantasy #Fiction #Advice

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+ advice, fantasy, Fiction, literature, Opinion, Science Fiction, Writing

Keeping your Readers in the Know #Writing #Author #Advice

by Unknown's avatar

Hi Jim, I see you’ve got a new book coming out. I’m also working on getting a book published, and I was wondering how you decide how much information you release on your book at a time. Like, if your book isn’t published yet, do you worry about releasing too much information that someone could steal? Or that you may be giving too much … Read More Keeping your Readers in the Know #Writing #Author #Advice

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+ advice, fantasy, Fiction, literature, Opinion, Science Fiction, Writing

The Ins and Outs of Publishing, A Directory of Advice. #Writing #Author #Advice

by Unknown's avatar

Okay, so it looks like I’m still getting a lot of publishing questions. These are recurrent questions I get on a regular basis, and while I want to try to respond to everyone who reaches out to me, I don’t want my blog becoming redundant. So I think I’m going to repost this on a weekly basis from now on to help people navigate … Read More The Ins and Outs of Publishing, A Directory of Advice. #Writing #Author #Advice

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