Category: Opinion

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Pax East Cosplaying!

    So each year when I go to PAX, I try to snag as many pictures of the best (or at least my favorite) cosplayers. As you can imagine, there is a massive mix of bad, good, and… the ones who clearly put as much time into their as I do writing, editing, and cover planning my books! Seriously! We also get a … Read More Pax East Cosplaying!

Jesus Christ Superstar, Honest Review

“In ‘Jesus Christ Superstar,’ an Old Story for (Yet Another) New Millennium” –New York Times “NBC’s live ‘Superstar’ rose up from its own chaos and found salvation in the end” –Washington Post “For fans eager to see this blast from the past resurrected with freshness, passion and contemporary attitude, Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert delivered.” –Hollywood Reporter “‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ Brings Strong Voices … Read More Jesus Christ Superstar, Honest Review

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A Part of our Childhood Dies

I know, I know…. #FirstWorldProblems! I don’t care. Being a toy collector, and a huge proponent of geek culture, I felt I had to address this. For people around the world who may not know, in at least the United States and Canada Toys R Us was a place most of us looked at fondly ever since we were children and we’re really sad to … Read More A Part of our Childhood Dies

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Action Figure Review: The Good, The Bad…

So I recently got my hands on a pair of action figures that I was really excited to get. The first one was the Toys R Us limited Edition Black Series Rey. I wasn’t planning on purchasing this one as I got the standard version of this figure… but when Toys R Us going out of business, I got it for $8. and honestly, … Read More Action Figure Review: The Good, The Bad…

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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

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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.

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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?

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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

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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?

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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.

The Problem with Anime Live Action Portrayals

  (Okay full disclosure before we get going, I know a lot of people don’t consider Avatar to be Anime, however in many aspects, I think it is close enough in many aspects. Stylistically, it is very similar to things like Studio Ghibli and other mediums.) If it wasn’t plainly obvious, I love anime! Cowboy Beebop, Battleship Yamato, Trigun, Naruto, Ruroni Kenshin, Fairy Tail, … Read More The Problem with Anime Live Action Portrayals

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Comic Collecting…

  So for the longest time now, my comic book collecting has been fairly minimal. Since I cancelled all of my Marvel pulls and have restricted myself to Teen Titans, Lady Mechanika and a few indie titles, my monthly box at The Hall of Comics has been kind of bare. That being said, every now and then, I do get a diamond or two… … Read More Comic Collecting…