Tag: Advice

From My Writing Playlist

One of the few welcomed changes to the Star Wars classics. I was never a huge fan of Yub Nub. That being said, they ruined the scene this song was in by replacing Sebastian Shaw with Hayden Christiansen. RUINED ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL SCENES! When to Listen: If it wasn’t already plainly obvious, this is a post-final battle song. It fits in so many … Read More From My Writing Playlist

Suspending Suspension of Disbelief!

Hi Jim, I have a little problem that I was hoping you could assist me with. I’ve had quite a few people read my story and the overall criticism is that one of the characters isn’t believable. They keep saying that the way the character behaves and the things she does, don’t fit in with the story. This really bothers me as this is … Read More Suspending Suspension of Disbelief!

Dimensional, One Dimensional Characters

I’ve heard, and said a lot of negative things about the writing of characters that are too one-dimensional. I don’t want it to seem like I’m against such a character, I’m not. There are a lot of great characters out there that are lacking in dimension. Perhaps one of the most famous examples would be the character Javert from Les Miserables. In fact, it … Read More Dimensional, One Dimensional Characters

From My Writing Playlist

Ah an oldie, but one from I musician I loved back in college… and still do! I don’t think you can qualify him as metal, but who cares? Beyond his music, he’s also wonderful to his fans. I had the opportunity to see him live and then waited two hours in line to meet him after the show. It took two hours because he … Read More From My Writing Playlist

From My Writing Playlist

Okay, I love Hammerfall, but this version is too good to ignore. When to Listen: The primary struggle of the hero. Listen to this when your hero is coming face to face with their biggest issue. This does not necessarily mean the final fight. This could be an internal – emotional struggle that the hero most deal with.   Readers, Do you have a question about … Read More From My Writing Playlist

From My Writing Playlist

  Everyone knows how much I love Dragonforce. Like really a lot! This is one of the best covers of Through the Fire and the Flames I’ve ever heard. That acapella part at the end is actually my ringtone now. When to Listen: General playlist, brainstorming, fighting scenes… Dragonforce songs are notorious for being versatile in when it’s appropriate to listen to them. Readers, Do you … Read More From My Writing Playlist

From My Writing Playlist

Okay, this is not what Rock and Roll looks like, I can assure you of that. Still, that girl has an interesting voice. She could do well with a metal band. When to Listen: General playlist for me, though it could be a pallet cleanser as well. It has that affect every now and then. Readers, Do you have a question about writing, publishing, my … Read More From My Writing Playlist

From My Writing Playlist

I’ve heard this rather low and haunting music played over several audio books in the Star Wars Universe. Not on the general playlist, but I thought it merited a listen. When to Listen: This would likely be a very specific one. Listen to this when writing about a distant evil. Something off on the horizon that cannot be avoided. Your character knows it’s there, fears … Read More From My Writing Playlist

From My Writing Playlist

Got this one stuck in my head. Can’t help it. Not my fault!!! Seriously though, Beast in Black Berserker has become one of the better albums I own. I can’t wait to see where they go from here. Most of the songs on this album are really great. When to Listen: When the hero confronts the villain. In most stories, before the final battle, the … Read More From My Writing Playlist

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Contempt for the Contemptful Reader

  Dear Jim, I’ve read some of your other posts and was wondering if you had any advice for me. A lot of your other posts have taken stabs at identity politics. I think you and I fall on opposite ends of the spectrum, but I figured I’d give this a shot. For a long time, I’ve wanted to write a strong lesbian character. … Read More Contempt for the Contemptful Reader

Dimensional, One Dimensional Characters

I’ve heard, and said a lot of negative things about the writing of characters that are too one-dimensional. I don’t want it to seem like I’m against such a character, I’m not. There are a lot of great characters out there that are lacking in dimension. Perhaps one of the most famous examples would be the character Javert from Les Miserables. In fact, it … Read More Dimensional, One Dimensional Characters

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Imperfection is Writing Perfection.

  Recently I’ve spoken about some characters and how aspects of those characters are ‘perfect’, ‘flawless’, or even ‘saintly’. How terrible things happen to these characters, yet they come away unscathed with no lasting physical or emotional scars. In other cases, they are just perfect throughout the entire story; always making the right decisions, never having to worry about ramifications, and never losing their … Read More Imperfection is Writing Perfection.