Category: advice

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Relationship Drama vs. Dramatic Relationship #Writing #Author #Advice

Hi Jim,   I’m actually in the process of writing a novel, but I’m having a hard time getting the characters together. At times, it seems like the storyline kind of interferes with any chance to get them together. Do you have any advice on how to write a story with a romantic element? Thanks, Marylou Hi Marylou, It’s not always the easiest thing in the world, … Read More Relationship Drama vs. Dramatic Relationship #Writing #Author #Advice

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Private vs. Public Profile #Writing #Author #Advice

Hi Jim,   So I’m published and like you, I have a blog with a fairly decent following. Over the past few months, I’ve gotten a number of friend requests to my personal facebook page. I’ve ignored them, but they keep coming and I don’t want to seem unprofessional. Do you have any advice on how to handle this? Thanks, Lindsey Hi Lindsey, I … Read More Private vs. Public Profile #Writing #Author #Advice

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Dumping the Info Dump on New Characters #Writing #Author #Advice

Hi Jim, HELP!!! … please! 🙂 I am so frustrated, I’m not sure what to do. I am trying hard to write my book. I’ve got a lot of great ideas, but I keep getting held up on when we meet new characters. Each time one of my main cast makes their first appearance in the story, I wind up with five or six … Read More Dumping the Info Dump on New Characters #Writing #Author #Advice

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In the Circle… Circle of Writing! #Writing #Author #Advice

Hello Jim, I am working on a story of my own for quite a while already. From several sources, I’ve heard that self-published writers are quite friendly community that often can share advice with one another. I’d like to discuss the writing process and the joys and perils that come with us with like-minded people but I have no idea at all where to … Read More In the Circle… Circle of Writing! #Writing #Author #Advice

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

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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Confident Writing, Learning to Let Go, Resources, Personal Writing Advice and Tips… and whatever else I could cram in! #Writing #Author #Advice

Jim, I love the blog, and I read it as much as possible. I’ve always been a writer, it never really mattered what I was writing as long as I was writing.  I’ve done lots of journaling and short stories but I really enjoy writimg comic books. I was curious if you had any tips as I have what I’ve been told are some … Read More Confident Writing, Learning to Let Go, Resources, Personal Writing Advice and Tips… and whatever else I could cram in! #Writing #Author #Advice

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A Little About Cover Blurbs. #Writing #Author #Advice

Hi Jim, I’m getting really frustrated with my writing. I’m trying to write a cover blurb for a book I just finished. I have used several others as examples and templates of what to do and what not to do. However, every time I think I’ve got it down, I go back and rewrite the whole thing because it doesn’t convey what I want … Read More A Little About Cover Blurbs. #Writing #Author #Advice

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Character Cameos. #Writing #Author #Advice

Hi Jim, I was wondering if you had any advice on how to bring a character over from another story… Example, Sherlock Holmes is someone I’ve always loved, so I wanted him to make a guest appearance in a mystery novel I’m currently working on that’s set in the same place. Second example, I’ve got a character from another series I wrote, Juiliara that … Read More Character Cameos. #Writing #Author #Advice

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Romance Stories Suck! I Root for the “Bad Guy” #Writing #Author #Advice

Okay, this post is actually just a rant. So if you’re looking for writing advice, feel free to skip. I have seriously come to despise MOST romantic stories. They all seem to fall into the same damn plot… Person 1 is in a happy relationship with Person 2. They are successful and literally have everything anyone could ever want. Person 2 has to go away … Read More Romance Stories Suck! I Root for the “Bad Guy” #Writing #Author #Advice

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Idea Expansion and Growth #Writing #Author #Advice

How do you expand an idea? I have this idea for years now, but as soon as I try to expand it, it starts to sound boring and then I just dunno which way to go with this. -Journal of Chrissie Hi there! Thanks for the question. It can be difficult and sometimes impossible to expand an idea, even if it’s a good one. … Read More Idea Expansion and Growth #Writing #Author #Advice

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The “Misery” Effect #Writing #Author #Advice

Hi Jim, I was hoping you could help me here. I have a series of short stories that I’ve published and have a niche following on a couple of sites. I recently decided to take the story in a new direction and killed off the main character. It turns out that this character was a lot more popular than I thought. Now I’m getting … Read More The “Misery” Effect #Writing #Author #Advice

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Rooting for the Bad Guy #Writing #Author #Advice

Hi Jim, I was hoping you could give me a little advice on how to write perspective. The main character in my story is going to be a bad guy. When I say bad, I mean the story is going to revolve around the villain. I’m just really not sure how I can write that effectively. I mean typically you try to get people … Read More Rooting for the Bad Guy #Writing #Author #Advice