Category: fantasy

+

Character Development

Hi Jim, I’m trying to come up with characters for my book. I was hoping you could maybe provide a little insight into how you came up with yours. I specifically liked Xaphine, could you use her as an example? Thanks, Rich. Hi Rich, General Xaphine seems to be a recurrent theme in character discussions… perhaps I should write her into another story. You … Read More Character Development

+

Drakin, where to buy, and what’s next? #Writing #Fantasy #SciFi

Hello all! I hope everyone has enjoyed The Drakin Series!! Please don’t forget to leave me a review on Amazon once you’re done. That really helps me out a lot. Copies of these books, as well as my others, can be purchased on Amazon by following this link: James Harrington’s Author Page They’re also available at Barnes and Noble, as well as many other … Read More Drakin, where to buy, and what’s next? #Writing #Fantasy #SciFi

+

Tasteful vs. Smut-peddling

“Hi Jim, I’m in the middle of writing a fantasy novel. In my book, two of my main characters fall in love. I noticed in Magnifica that your main characters wind up having sex. I don’t want my story turning into sex-novel, which it looks like it’s starting to. When you wrote yours, how did you limit yourself? What made you stop when you … Read More Tasteful vs. Smut-peddling

+

Destiny: Divinity’s Finale, Book 5, Chapter 4

IV   Two days passed as the Black Vengeance sailed due east. Much to the relief of the crew, there was no sign of any corsairs throughout their voyage into the region. Baltazar hadn’t spoken much to Aralyn since Xaphine left the ship. He really didn’t know what to say. On one hand, he had […]

+

Audience/Reader Sensitivity

Hi Jim, I have a problem I was hoping you could help me with a rather… sensitive issue. I’ve written a book that deals with a lot of cultural issues. I’ve gone to great lengths to keep my writing as inoffensive as possible, as I want people from all walks of life to be able to read it, enjoy it, and maybe find themselves … Read More Audience/Reader Sensitivity

+

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

+

Drakin, where to buy, and what’s next? #Writing #Fantasy #SciFi

Hello all! I hope everyone has enjoyed The Drakin Series!! Please don’t forget to leave me a review on Amazon once you’re done. That really helps me out a lot. Copies of these books, as well as my others, can be purchased on Amazon by following this link: James Harrington’s Author Page They’re also available at Barnes and Noble, as well as many other … Read More Drakin, where to buy, and what’s next? #Writing #Fantasy #SciFi

+

Author’s Advice Pt. 11

Don’t be afraid to mix and merge. So you have a fairly successful series going, but now you’re experiencing writers block. You have fragments of two or three sequels written, but don’t know where to take them. You’ve even considered starting on a third, but haven’t gotten anywhere with it. You really like the first two and would love to continue one of them, … Read More Author’s Advice Pt. 11

+

Characters First, Stories Second. #Writing #Author #Advice

Hi Jim, I was wondering if you talk a little bit about how you create characters for your book. I’ve got an awesome idea for a story, but I’m having a hard time creating characters to go along with it. Do you have any advice? Thanks, Kris Hello Kris, In my personal opinion, you’re doing this backward. You’ve got a great story, but no … Read More Characters First, Stories Second. #Writing #Author #Advice

+

Audience/Reader Sensitivity #Writing #Author #Advice

Hi Jim, I have a problem I was hoping you could help me with a rather… sensitive issue. I’ve written a book that deals with a lot of cultural issues. I’ve gone to great lengths to keep my writing as inoffensive as possible, as I want people from all walks of life to be able to read it, enjoy it, and maybe find themselves … Read More Audience/Reader Sensitivity #Writing #Author #Advice

+

Choosing a Name? #Writing #Author #Advice

Hi Jim,  I was hoping you could help me out. I’m trying to choose a name for my novel, but I can’t seem to figure out a good one. Every one I choose doesn’t really sum up anything about the story or seem to stick. Do you have any advice for choosing a title? Thanks, Aubri Hi Aubri, I do indeed. The best way … Read More Choosing a Name? #Writing #Author #Advice

+

Destiny: Divinity’s Finale, Book 5, Chapter 3 #Fantasy #Historical #Fiction

III   There was a loud splash and suddenly the world came back into view. Their boat was only a few feet away from the entrance to the cave. Papi and Baltazar rowed the boat back out into open water. Where, to their misfortune, the galleass was waiting. The Le Terrible’s captain had apparently seen […]