by Jim
How do you focus on one project at a time? My problem is I’ll be really into writing for one novel and I’m in it but then I lose my inspiration for it and I get inspired to do something different and I get into that but then I get inspired to do something else and it continues on where it feels really difficult … Read More To Focus or Let Inspiration Roam Free
by Jim
Hi Jim, I just started reading some of the advice you give out. I don’t really have a specific issue that needs to be addressed, but I was wondering what you consider to be the biggest issue you encounter when writing and how you overcome it. As a writer, I’m always interested in hearing about the experiences of other writers. Thanks, Lauraine Hi Lauraine, … Read More My Biggest Obstacle in Writing
by Jim
Full disclaimer, I’ve decided to take a dive into some nostalgic music, the first of which will be from the latter half of my youth, then I’ll progress backwards. So a lot of this will not be metal as I didn’t become a metalhead until High School. (Metalheads, ye be warned.) Why am I doing this? Nostalgia is a very powerful/emotional evocative state of … Read More From My Writing Playlist
by Jim
Cheesy, shades of the 80s… but I’d be lying if this wasn’t a guilty pleasure of mine. I’m old enough to remember the 80s quite vividly and there are days that I find myself willing to give almost anything to be back there again. When to Listen: This song is pure positive energy. Listen to it when you first start writing. You’ll blow through … Read More From My Writing Playlist
by Jim
Hi Jim, I’m really upset about the feedback one of my book has been getting. For the most part, the reviews have been constructive, but they’ve mostly been negative. The book in question is a sequel to one that got a lot of positive reviews. The story had a great following, but now I’m afraid the sequel may have ruined it. I was really … Read More The Phoenix Effect: After Being Burned by Bad Reviews
by Jim
Hello. I am writing my first novel and have absolutely no clue about anything publishing related. Any advice you can offer on that subject would help greatly! K.W. Riley Hi there, I actually get this question an awful lot and with good reason. Publishing is a tough road to navigate. Please check out the links below. These are previous posts I’ve made about the … Read More The Ins and Outs of Publishing, A Directory of Advice.
by Jim
I’m not usually an instrumental guy. That being said, if I get something that really stands out, I have to share it. This one made it’s way on my playlist a few months ago. When to Listen: Scene description, especially outdoors. This could also be the right time to describe an epic battle. Readers, Do you have a question about writing, publishing, my stories, etc? … Read More From My Writing Playlist
by Jim
Hi all, So I’ve had some people come forward with interview requests and podcast guest appearances. I thought it’d be a good idea to put this out there for anyone who would like to have me on their show or conduct an interview on their blog. For Podcasts/Audio Spots: I typically do everything over Skype, though I can make myself available on other … Read More Podcasting/Interview Requests
by Jim
Hi Jim, I’ve been reading through some of your posts regarding avoiding politics, and escapism in entertainment. You seem to be extremely anti-politics in your advice. You use Marvel Comics and others as your primary example, but you do realize that they have always been political, right? Most of the mediums and genres you’ve addressed have historically been political. So I’m not really sure … Read More Social Commentary/Political Agenda in Writing, The Good and Bad.
by Jim
Before I get to today’s recommendation… I just want to say that searching for new music to whet my appetite is becoming a chore. YouTube recommendations have all but dried up… and honestly in my preferred genres, everyone is either trying to be the next Within Temptation or Nightwish. They all come off sounding incredibly generic and watered down by comparison. Then you’ve got … Read More From My Writing Playlist
by Jim
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?
by Jim
A metal band that thinks they’re a bunch of dwarves… and there’s nothing else that really needs to be said about that. My friend introduced me to these guys as kind of a joke… not knowing that I’d actually really start liking them. When to Listen: When writing high fantasy. Like anything to do with Vikings, knights, witches, orcs, etc. You can also use … Read More From My Writing Playlist
James Harringtons Creative Work 