+ advice, Author, Book, Fiction, literature, Uncategorized
by Jim
Hi James, We connected on Twitter and I got your email address from your website. You had made a comment on Twitter to feel free to email for advice. I’m new to self-publishing and released my first book in January. I had worked on the manuscript off and on for a couple of years before getting serious about publishing. I did the best I … Read More Bad Reviews… #Writing #Author #Advice
by Jim
Hey Jim, I was just wondering how you come up with your character descriptions? I’m trying to accurately describe my character, but sometimes it can be hard to figure out exactly how I want them to look, you know? Thanks, Gerraid Hi Gerraid, All too well, I’m afraid. It can be tough figuring out what your character looks like. If you create the … Read More Character Descriptions #Writing #Author #Advice
by Jim
“Dear Jim, I’ve been writing a novel for some time now, but it’s been a struggle. I’ve come on hard times recently with a friend. I’ve felt betrayed and hurt. The problem is that I’m afraid to write while I feel that way. I’m worried that it will affect my writing and change how the story goes. Do you think I should keep going … Read More Embracing the Dark Side… #Writing #Author #Advice
+ advice, fantasy, Inspiration, literature, Music, Reading, Writing
by Jim
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. … Read More From My Writing Playlist #Writing #Author #Advice
by Jim
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
+ advice, Fiction, literature, non-fiction, Reading, Writing
by Jim
“I’m curious, but what have you found one of the most difficult things that comes with writing?” -Steven Capps Hi Steven, There are a lot of hurdles to overcome in writing… a lot. This is just me personally, but the hardest thing for writing is finding the time to write and then pulling myself away from the keyboard when I need to. It is … Read More Writing’s Most Difficult Aspect #Writing #Author #Advice
by Jim
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 … Read More From My Writing Playlist #Writing #Author #Advice
by Jim
So death and/or despair. Hoo boy… um… well… I’m going to give you a few before I go back to Romance tomorrow. I suppose I should post this one for death: What the hell??? Before you all go scratching your heads, hear me out. I’m not referring to the entire song. Just the opening vocalist. Still don’t get it? Listen to the opening vocalist … Read More From My Writing Playlist #Writing #Author #Advice
+ advice, grammar, literature, personality, Reading, Writing
by Jim
Hi Jim, I’ve been working on my story for a while and it takes me through a lot of dialogue along the way. I’m trying to write a modern story with slang and lingo that people today understand. However my spellcheck picks it up and gives me the ‘correct’ recommendations. I don’t want my writing to sound unprofessional, but I don’t want my characters … Read More Grammar in Dialogue? #Writing #Author #Advice
+ advice, fantasy, Fiction, literature, non-fiction, Reading, Writing
by Jim
“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 #Writing #Author #Advice
by Jim
So I wanted to go over something that has always kind of irked me a little. I covered it in a few of my stories, but I feel the need to go over it in a little more detail. I know we’ve all had this person in our lives at one point… Someone from our past comes back to haunt us and basically brings … Read More Forced Regret? #Writing #Author #Advice
by Jim
“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? #Writing #Author #Advice
James Harringtons Creative Work 