Category: Writing

From My Writing Playlist #Writing #Author #Advice

  This beautiful power ballad brings a tear to my eye every time. It has everything an 80s hair metal band would have and more. Definitely one of the band’s stronger songs. When to Listen: Eh… I mean there are two places I suppose you could. One could make the argument that this could be a […]

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Grammar in Dialogue? #Fantasy #Fiction #Advice

Hi Jim, I’ve been working on my story for a while and it takes me through a lot of dialogue along the way. I’m trying to write a modern story with slang and lingo that people today understand. However my spellcheck picks it up and gives me the ‘correct’ recommendations. I don’t want my writing to sound unprofessional, but I don’t want my characters … Read More Grammar in Dialogue? #Fantasy #Fiction #Advice

Off My Writing Playlist #Writing #Author #Advice

I can’t believe I’m doing this…   You’re a stronger person than I am if you can watch this video and still take this band seriously.All I’m going to say… When to listen: DON’T!!!! Hahahaha Just kidding. This is a psych out song. Don’t listen to it while writing. You kind of have to watch the video to really get the full effect. It’s sort … Read More Off My Writing Playlist #Writing #Author #Advice

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When to start?

“Hi Jim, I’ve had a lot of ideas flying around lately, but not all of them are that great. Often times I find myself writing out some of my ideas only to almost immediately hit a road block. Then when I look over it again, I don’t know what I was thinking when I started writing. I don’t know how those thoughts could have … Read More When to start?

From My Writing Playlist #Writing #Author #Advice

Got a request to recommend a good ‘rock opera’ song. Really it doesn’t get any better than Avantasia and in particular this song! The Great Mystery has everything; chorus, amazing instrumentals, guest performance by metal legend Bob Catley from Magnum… oh yeah! This has to be on my list! When to listen:  I’ll give you a hint, skip to 9:19. Then picture your favorite Disney … Read More From My Writing Playlist #Writing #Author #Advice

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‘Damn’ Obstacles

“Dear Jim, I saw the updates on the book you have coming out (congrats by the way) and was wondering if you could tell us how you overcame certain obstacles. For example, in my writing, I’m having a hard time establishing character relationships. I don’t want my story sounding like a Disney princess story where two people just instantly fall in love, but I … Read More ‘Damn’ Obstacles

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Tale of a Frozen Heart (New Book) Update!!! #Writing #Fantasy #SciFi

Hello all, So I just want to give another quick update as we expect the cover to be done soon! Each update will include the blurb going forward, so if you don’t know what the book is going to be about, please keep reading… Before that, though, I wanted to give a brief introduction to my cover artists. Brett Warniers has been my cover … Read More Tale of a Frozen Heart (New Book) Update!!! #Writing #Fantasy #SciFi

From My Writing Playlist #Writing #Author #Advice

Yeah, no Heavy Metal playlist is complete without at least 5 songs by Dragonforce. This song is pure adrenaline. It makes you feel good, it’s upbeat, and I love it. When to Listen: Well, it’s on my general playlist and I like to listen to it whenever, but if you’re looking for a specific time to listen to it… burnout. I’m not kidding. Are … Read More From My Writing Playlist #Writing #Author #Advice

From My Writing Playlist #Writing #Author #Advice

Not even the Imperial March could come close to being as recognizable and identifiable as the Top Gun theme. Far more simplistic in nature, yet bombastic and upbeat at the same time. It is such an iconic theme clearly right out of 80s Hair Metal, that you can’t ignore it. When to Listen: … yeah this is another upbeat writer’s block song. Listen to … Read More From My Writing Playlist #Writing #Author #Advice

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Classic Cameos #Fantasy #Fiction #Advice

“Hi Jim, I’m currently writing a story dealing with fantasy characters. I wanted to include a couple of classical fantasy characters in my story. I was wondering if you had any advice about how to go about this? I don’t want to get sued by their owners. Thanks, Jeremy J.” Hi Jeremy, Hi Jeremy, by classical, I assume you’re talking about the creative works … Read More Classic Cameos #Fantasy #Fiction #Advice

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Tale of a Frozen Heart (New Book) Update!!! #Writing #Fantasy #SciFi

All right, so we’ve gotten a lot done… and I mean A LOT done since the previous update! Legal has been done, ISBNs assigned, and the book has been registered at the copyright office. The cover is underway, expect a reveal soon! Final edits are just about done. The final title has been selected: “Tale of a Frozen Heart”. We even have the blurb … Read More Tale of a Frozen Heart (New Book) Update!!! #Writing #Fantasy #SciFi

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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