by Jim
So I wanted to go over something that has always kind of irked me a little. I covered it in a few of my stories, but I feel the need to go over it in a little more detail. I know we’ve all had this person in our lives at one point… Someone from our past comes back to haunt us and basically brings … Read More Forced Regret? #Writing #Author #Advice
by Jim
Before you ask, no I do not speak Mongolian. However, I like the idea of combining traditional Mongolian throat singing with Heavy Metal. It seems like an almost logical fit. When to listen: I don’t even really know what this song is about. So… if you do, feel free to let me know. This is general playlist for me, though the menacing tone could … Read More From My Writing Playlist
by Jim
“Hi Jim, I was just wondering what your thoughts were on using contractions in narration, for example having the narrator say ‘He wasn’t sure’ instead of ‘He was not sure’. I’ve been told that it’s too informal, and sounds too much like speaking, especially when the narration isn’t in the first person. (There is, of course, always the rather sneaky thing of getting rid … Read More Contractions Too Informal? #Writing #Author #Advice
by Jim
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
by Jim
I’m not huge into pop music. I’m just going to throw that out there, but something about this song’s catchy tune drew me in and it got stuck in my head. When to listen: Meh… general playlist I guess? That’s where I have it. I suppose it could be used during the heroes quest. Readers, Do you have a question about writing, publishing, my … Read More From My Writing Playlist
+ advice, Current events, Fiction, News, non-fiction, Politics, Reading, Writing
by Jim
So recently I’ve come across many blogs and other writings that are attempting to pass off their opinion as fact. Several different subjects have come up pertaining to politics, nutrition, etc. In my writing, I feel it’s always important to distinguish between the two. If I’m sighting fact, I’ll give a source and say it’s a fact. If I’m giving an opinion, I’ll make … Read More Opinion vs. Fact #Writing #Author #Advice
by Jim
Synopsis: Two hundred years have passed, and the Red War has become a distant memory for most. Dragons and humans now live together in peace… but one powerful woman who has been deranged by her own history unleashes her vengeance on a helpless population. Now, the world’s only hope for survival rests with Kaori, a naïve and wayward princess of the Eastern Empire. Having … Read More Drakin, An Empire of Ashes Sample Chapter #Writing #Fantasy #SciFi
by Jim
Yay!!! New Amaranthe! When to listen: This is a climactic battle song. Use this when writing the big final boss fight in your story. Absolute good vs. evil or whatever degree you’re using. Readers, Do you have a question about writing, publishing, my stories, etc? Please feel free to post a comment or email me. jimthewritingwizard@gmail.com I’ll use those comments to select my next … Read More From My Writing Playlist
+ advice, fantasy, Fiction, literature, non-fiction, violence, Writing
by Jim
“Hey, I’m curious… I’m starting a new story and I was wondering how far you can take things? Like do you have any opinion on how dark you make subjects? Would you write about murder, rape, torture, etc, and would you limit how much detail or what goes on? At what point does it go too far?” -(Asked to remain anonymous) Well reader, it … Read More How Far is Too Far? #Writing #Author #Advice
+ advice, fantasy, Fiction, literature, non-fiction, violence, Writing
by Jim
“Hey, I’m curious… I’m starting a new story and I was wondering how far you can take things? Like do you have any opinion on how dark you make subjects? Would you write about murder, rape, torture, etc, and would you limit how much detail or what goes on? At what point does it go too far?” -(Asked to remain anonymous) Well reader, it … Read More How Far is Too Far? #Writing #Author #Advice
by Jim
Drakin: The Orphans of Haven Book Synopsis: The Red War may be over, but not all wounds have healed. For Sergeant Radley Zall, the nightmares never end. After years of struggling for survival, he finds himself in a dead end job, deporting wayward dragons to the Exclusion Zone. The horrors of his past have left him a broken man, slowing killing himself in a … Read More Drakin, The Orphans of Haven, Sample Chapter #Writing #Fantasy #SciFi
by Jim
One off the newest Avantasia album… it’s haunting, to say the least. When to listen: Plot building. This is a great song if you’re looking to build a plot line into your story or even if you’re just looking to brainstorm what to right next! Readers, Do you have a question about writing, publishing, my stories, etc? Please feel free to post a … Read More From My Writing Playlist
James Harringtons Creative Work 