Category: literature

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Destiny: Divinity’s Finale, Chapter 2

II   Melisande spent the next few hours reading from the Bible at her bedside. She also had a small collection of parchment that she enjoyed going through. Her favorite was a small piece about ships at sea and the voyages that man had taken in the last 200 years. She knew all about the […]

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

“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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Addressing Rape in Your Story #Fantasy #Fiction #Advice

“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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Contractions Too Informal? #Fantasy #Fiction #Advice

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

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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Basing Characters on Loved Ones #Fantasy #Fiction #Advice

Writing characters based on loved ones is a mistake. A BIG mistake every time for a multitude of different reasons and it could not be any more clear why as with the recent Frank Cho vs. Robbi Rodriguez dispute. Allow me to explain, Robbi Rodriguez is one of the brilliant people who created the now-extremely-popular series Spider Gwen. Recently, a known comic artist, Frank … Read More Basing Characters on Loved Ones #Fantasy #Fiction #Advice

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Destiny: Divinity’s Finale Chapter 1

Book 1 A Simple Dream I Normandy 1601 The sound of loud church bells drove Melisande from her bed in the residence cells of Mont Saint Michel. She stood up, slid her feet into her wooden sandals and opened her window to let the sun in. This day was special for her as it was […]

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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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Give Life to a Book about Life #Fantasy #Fiction #Advice

“I am currently writing a book about my life experiences how do i give it life i currently have the bones (dates facts) but feel that it’s just a series of events how do i make it into a story? Thank you” –lostgirl82 Hi Lostgirl82 Have you thought about writing it in the present tense in first person? If it’s something you experienced, then … Read More Give Life to a Book about Life #Fantasy #Fiction #Advice

Character Redemption

What does redemption mean in literature? Well… for starters, what does redemption mean, period? The dictionary has two definitions: re·demp·tion rəˈdem(p)SH(ə)n/ noun 1. the action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil. “God’s plans for the redemption of his world” synonyms: saving, freeing from sin, absolution “God’s redemption of his people” 2. the action of regaining or gaining possession of something … Read More Character Redemption

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Destiny: Divinity’s Finale Chapter 1

Book 1 A Simple Dream I Normandy 1601 The sound of loud church bells drove Melisande from her bed in the residence cells of Mont Saint Michel. She stood up, slid her feet into her wooden sandals and opened her window to let the sun in. This day was special for her as it was […]