by Jim
Hi Jim, I’m in a major bind… I was working on my latest piece. I’d been working on it for days and… forgot to save it. I was about 140 pages in and suddenly my computer blue-screened. I’ve lost everything and Word didn’t auto-save it. I’m not sure of what to do now. I feel like having to start from scratch is a fairly … Read More Just Start Over…
+ advice, Author, Book, Fiction, literature, Nonfiction, Reading, writer's block, Writing
by Jim
Hi Jim, I saw your posts inviting people to ask for advice, so I thought I’d ask… How do you deal with writer’s block? Right now, I’m having issues with it. I had a great idea, I’ve gotten about half way into writing my story, but now I’ve just run out of steam. I can’t even get myself behind the keyboard to type because … Read More Beating the Writer’s Block
+ advice, Author, Book, Fiction, literature, Uncategorized
by Jim
Hi James, We connected on Twitter and I got your email address from your website. You had made a comment on Twitter to feel free to email for advice. I’m new to self-publishing and released my first book in January. I had worked on the manuscript off and on for a couple of years before getting serious about publishing. I did the best I … Read More Bad Reviews…
+ advice, Fiction, literature, non-fiction, Reading, Writing
by Jim
“I’m curious, but what have you found one of the most difficult things that comes with writing?” -Steven Capps Hi Steven, There are a lot of hurdles to overcome in writing… a lot. This is just me personally, but the hardest thing for writing is finding the time to write and then pulling myself away from the keyboard when I need to. It is … Read More Writing’s Most Difficult Aspect
by Jim
“Hi Jim, You’ve given out a lot of advice on your blog about writing and I was just wondering… do you have any piece of advice you would give to a writer? For example, if someone came up to you and told you that they are going to start writing a book, what advice would you give them right off without them asking? Thanks, … Read More This Above All…
by Jim
“Hi Jim, I’m in the middle of writing a fantasy novel. In my book, two of my main characters fall in love. I noticed in Magnifica that your main characters wind up having sex. I don’t want my story turning into sex-novel, which it looks like it’s starting to. When you wrote yours, how did you limit yourself? What made you stop when you … Read More Tasteful vs. Smut-peddling
by Jim
Full disclosure… I’m not a fan of Disturbed. The Sickness always irked me and I always felt like the kids listening to these guys in middle school and high school were the perpetually depressed kids. So for me to recommend one of their songs… That should tell you something. When to Listen: This is actually quite different from a lot of the stuff I’ve … Read More From My Writing Playlist
by Jim
I swear if Gloryhammer’s albums were turned into movies, they’d rival Return of the King! When to Listen: This is a character creation song. Sit back, close your eyes and listen. While processing the melody, visualize what kind of character could be created from this. Readers, Do you have a question about writing, publishing, my stories, etc? Please feel free to post a comment … Read More From My Writing Playlist
by Jim
Dying for these guys to put out another album. When to Listen: This is another coffee song for me. In fact, their whole album is a massive caffeine kick. I listen to them on the way into work and it’s the same thing as drinking a cup of black coffee. Readers, Do you have a question about writing, publishing, my stories, etc? Please feel … Read More From My Writing Playlist
by Jim
I have to admit… I’m kicking myself for not posting this one sooner. I know people have mixed feelings about this movie, I completely get that. It is a muddled mess and maybe I’m looking at it through nostalgia goggles… but I would argue not. My nostalgia goggles didn’t protect the Dark Crystal. I can’t even watch that movie anymore. This one… at the … Read More From My Writing Playlist
by Jim
Hi all, Know it’s been a while and I apologize for that. However I hope that Damnation, once it’s published, will make up for this. Anyway, onto today’s advice piece. Don’t be afraid to break out of your mold. I hate the term ‘typecast.’ I really do. No one should be stuck into one category as a sci-fi or drama actor or writer or … Read More Author’s Advice #19
by Jim
Nothing anyone does with their own two hands is EVER a waste of time. This is especially true when it comes to writing. Too often I have heard people write out a few chapters then look up, sigh, and say that they’re wasting their time. Their story makes no sense, the characters suck, and the progression isn’t… progressing. That’s not a waste of time, … Read More Author’s Advice Pt. 18
James Harringtons Creative Work 