Category: Science Fiction

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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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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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Can’t Find the Right Words?

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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Favorites in Writing

Hi Jim, I was wondering, do you have any difficulty re-reading your previous work, after it’s been published? My first book is hard for me to read, just because my writing has gotten so much better since then, I’m almost embarrassed to read it. Is there one in particular that you go back to regularly? Just curious. Thanks, Sallie   Hi Sallie, Sometimes. Writing … Read More Favorites in Writing

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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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Beta Readers…

Hi Jim, How are you? I am writing to you because I read your WordPress blog that I am following. You have post about asking you questions. I am new to writing, only been doing this for a year now and have about 30 stories, twelve of them I wish to put into a collection and publish as an eBook. My question is, how … Read More Beta Readers…

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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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Writing Other Cultures. Can you do it effectively?

Hi Jim, I’ve been reading a lot of your advice posts, as well as some of your literature. First I want to say thank you for being so willing to address questions and hand out writing advice. I’ve found it very helpful. However one of your posts, I have to admit irked me a little. In it, you mentioned that people should be able … Read More Writing Other Cultures. Can you do it effectively?

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The Non-Written Not-Rule on Paragraph Length

I wanted to ask you about chapters. I’m heavily into the re-write of mine. I’ve been putting a lot more detail which means some of my chapters have become a lot bigger. In your view what’s the maximum word count for a chapter? Is it okay to have a 3k or even 5k one if it works? -Eric Hi Eric, There really is no … Read More The Non-Written Not-Rule on Paragraph Length

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Action Figure Collection Woes >:(

  So as most everyone knows… I’m huge into action figure collecting. There are two big ones I’m waiting for. The first and perhaps most important is a commissioned one-of-a-kind action figure. See I love Skyrim… but let’s face it, the figures that came out from the game kinda sucked! All they had was a Daedric lord and a fairly generic Dragonborn. Yeah sign me … Read More Action Figure Collection Woes 😡

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The Writer’s Favorite Book…

Hi Jim, I was wondering. You’ve posted a lot about writing and how to make a good story. You’ve also mentioned that you have a tough time reading other people’s stories, hence why you wrote your own. I was just wondering, what is your favorite story? Best, Cheri Hi Cheri, Thanks for following my work! I’ll admit that my library read books has increased … Read More The Writer’s Favorite Book…

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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