Category: Science Fiction

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Confident Writing, Learning to Let Go, Resources, Personal Writing Advice and Tips… and whatever else I could cram in! #Writing #Author #Advice

Jim, I love the blog, and I read it as much as possible. I’ve always been a writer, it never really mattered what I was writing as long as I was writing.  I’ve done lots of journaling and short stories but I really enjoy writimg comic books. I was curious if you had any tips as I have what I’ve been told are some … Read More Confident Writing, Learning to Let Go, Resources, Personal Writing Advice and Tips… and whatever else I could cram in! #Writing #Author #Advice

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Dumping the Info Dump on New Characters #Writing #Author #Advice

Hi Jim, HELP!!! … please! 🙂 I am so frustrated, I’m not sure what to do. I am trying hard to write my book. I’ve got a lot of great ideas, but I keep getting held up on when we meet new characters. Each time one of my main cast makes their first appearance in the story, I wind up with five or six … Read More Dumping the Info Dump on New Characters #Writing #Author #Advice

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Private vs. Public Profile #Writing #Author #Advice

Hi Jim,   So I’m published and like you, I have a blog with a fairly decent following. Over the past few months, I’ve gotten a number of friend requests to my personal facebook page. I’ve ignored them, but they keep coming and I don’t want to seem unprofessional. Do you have any advice on how to handle this? Thanks, Lindsey Hi Lindsey, I … Read More Private vs. Public Profile #Writing #Author #Advice

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Let’s Get Down to the Details #Writing #Author #Advice

Hi Jim, I’m having a horrible time trying to come up with a theme for my story! I’m trying to map everything out before I write. I was wondering if you had any advice? What themes do you like? Thanks, Lawrence Hi Lawrence, Well I’d honestly say to start writing. If you have ideas, make […]

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Relationship Drama vs. Dramatic Relationship #Writing #Author #Advice

Hi Jim,   I’m actually in the process of writing a novel, but I’m having a hard time getting the characters together. At times, it seems like the storyline kind of interferes with any chance to get them together. Do you have any advice on how to write a story with a romantic element? Thanks, Marylou Hi Marylou, It’s not always the easiest thing in the world, … Read More Relationship Drama vs. Dramatic Relationship #Writing #Author #Advice

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Blogging Motivations #Writing #Author #Advice

You have a great blog. Would you like to share your story on “What You Blog About” what motivated you to start this blog? –whatyoublogabout Hello, A good question. Well honestly, I have to admit that my initial reasons were not as altruistic as one might think. I’d gone through site after site looking for good ways to advertise your writing. My books weren’t … Read More Blogging Motivations #Writing #Author #Advice

Static vs. Dynamic Characters #Writing #Author #Advice

  Hi Jim, I’ve been following your blog for a little while now and was hoping I could get some advice from you. I was wondering if you could tell me what kind of character you like more, a dynamic or static character. I’m creating one right now for my story and am having trouble coming up with ideas. Thanks, Thomas Hi Thomas, I’m afraid … Read More Static vs. Dynamic Characters #Writing #Author #Advice

All Build Up, No Payoff: The Problem with Open Endings #Writing #Author #Advice

  So this isn’t going to be one of my typical Q&A posts. I’ll get back to those later. This is likely about to be little more than an editorial rant, if anything. Let’s get started… So I just finished playing Mass Effect 3. … and already half of my readers probably know what this is going to be about. I love the series. … Read More All Build Up, No Payoff: The Problem with Open Endings #Writing #Author #Advice

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Writing Advice: Granting Someone Else ‘Godhood’ #Writing #Author #Advice

Hi Jim, I’ve been writing for years and have a book series out that I’m completely finished with. I’ve moved onto other stories, but one of my friends and a fellow writer wants to write a sequel to the series. He has a really great idea for a story set in the world I created, with both my characters and some new ones. While … Read More Writing Advice: Granting Someone Else ‘Godhood’ #Writing #Author #Advice

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One word: Editing. #Writing #Author #Advice

Hi Jim, I have a manuscript I want to send out to see if I can get it published, but I’m worried that they’ll take one look at it, find a couple of grammatical/spelling errors and dump it in the garbage. I was wondering what measures you’ve taken and what you’ve done before you hand you’re book off to be published? Thanks,Mike Hi Mike, … Read More One word: Editing. #Writing #Author #Advice

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The Sound of Editing. #Writing #Author #Advice

So you all know my editing/proofing stages at this point: Getting all my thoughts down on paper. Organizing thoughts into a cohesive narrative Write out the first draft. Add details and meat to the first draft on second write through. Re-read first draft, make edits and rewrites to the plot and narrative. Begin writing second draft with new edits organized in. Re-read second draft … Read More The Sound of Editing. #Writing #Author #Advice

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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