Category: Fiction

+

Character Creation, The How To

Hi Jim, I’ve been working on my story for a while, but am having trouble coming up with new characters. I was wondering if you had any advice about how you create yours? By the way, I am a huge fan of Vlad from Soul Siphon. I love how you made him a salty old Soviet Commie! Thanks, Ty Hi Ty,   Glad you … Read More Character Creation, The How To

+

Endings: Memorable is More Important Than Happy or Sad.

Hi Jim, I’m getting ready to publish my first novel. I’ve finished the rough draft and have given it to an editor. They came back with a critique and it honestly got me thinking. He said that my ending may shut readers off because of how sad it is. I will admit that my story doesn’t end on a high note, but now I’m … Read More Endings: Memorable is More Important Than Happy or Sad.

+

A Drakin Sequel. Character Introduction

So I wanted to take a moment and introduce some of the new characters that will be appearing in the next book. If you’d rather wait until it comes out to read about them, feel free to skip this post. Sergeant Radley Zall: Radley grew up in Madison, Wisconsin. After his parents died in the Red War, he was moved to an orphanage. He lived … Read More A Drakin Sequel. Character Introduction

+

A Drakin Sequel? Updated

First of all, I want to thank everyone for the kind email of support! Your critiques and comments are what keep me writing! I may not be able to respond to every comment and critique I get, but rest assured I do love reading every single one of them and make every effort to get back to you! As stated before, yes there will … Read More A Drakin Sequel? Updated

+

Is Spellcheck Enough?

Hi Jim, I’m sure you’ve answered this before, but I can’t find it in any of your recent posts. I finished my book and just finished running spell check. Everything looks good and the only things it says I still have to fix are grammar errors that are part of the dialogue. Is that sufficient for submitting it to publishers? Thanks, Michel Hi Michel, … Read More Is Spellcheck Enough?

+

Two Stories In One

Hi Jim, I’m having trouble with two separate stories I’m writing. I’ve got both of them complete, but neither one of them is particularly long and I don’t think they’re strong enough to stand by themselves. I wrote them as sort of a separate story in the same universe where the characters from both stories meet up at the end and basically finish off … Read More Two Stories In One

+

A Drakin Sequel?

  I’ve gotten a few questions asking about the possibility of a Drakin sequel. I want to make it clear that Raiya and Jagger’s story is complete. There really isn’t much more to go over with them. That having been said… yes there will be a follow-up story. I have just finished the preliminary work on the sequel. I’m currently on the second draft and … Read More A Drakin Sequel?

+

Expert Consulting on Fantasy?

Hi Jim, I have a question maybe you can help with. I’m trying to write a fantasy novel dealing with biological warfare, but I don’t have a lot of scientific or medical knowledge. I don’t want it to sound like I have no idea what I’m talking about, but I want to try to explain the mechanics of how certain things work in the … Read More Expert Consulting on Fantasy?

+

A Drakin Question!? (SPOILERS!)

Hi Jim, I haven”t quite finished reading Drakin, but was really curious about something. First of all, congratulations on getting your book published, that’s quite an accomplishment! I really liked your character, Jagger. It really seems like you spent a lot more of time and focus on Raiya, but Jagger seems like the nice guy who would give you the shirt off his back. … Read More A Drakin Question!? (SPOILERS!)

+

Being Preachy Doesn’t Sell.

Hi Jim! I’m hoping you can help me here as a lot of your posts have been about political ideologies making bad stories. I want to write a fictional story with a moral and a political message, but upon rereading what I’ve already written, I’m worried about it being too preachy.  Do you have any advice for me? Thanks! Leah Hi Leah, Good question. … Read More Being Preachy Doesn’t Sell.

+

Drakin, where to buy, and what’s next?

  Hello all! So it’s been a couple of weeks now, it looks like sales are going well! Thanks BTW! So I know I haven’t been around in a while since I published Drakin and for that I do apologize. However I had some inspiration come my way… and actually managed to write out a full sequel in a matter of weeks. It’s really … Read More Drakin, where to buy, and what’s next?

+

Drakin, where to buy, and what’s next?

  Hello all! So it’s been a couple of weeks now, it looks like sales are going well! Thanks BTW! So I know I haven’t been around in a while since I published Drakin and for that I do apologize. However I had some inspiration come my way… and actually managed to write out a full sequel in a matter of weeks. It’s really … Read More Drakin, where to buy, and what’s next?