Tag: fiction

From My Writing Playlist

This is definitely some of the more run of the mill Avantasia. Even so, I do love it. Seeing them live is still #1 on my bucket list. When to Listen: Adventure story, usually when the hero first metaphorically picks up his sword. When something or someone he loves is taken from him and he begins his journey to get it back. Readers, Do you … Read More From My Writing Playlist

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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

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Unpopular Opinion: Harry Potter is a terrible protagonist

By now it should be plainly obvious to everyone how I feel about J.K. Rowling. However, in case you’re not, I’m no fan of hers. I find her writing to be somewhat simplistic, her characters extremely archetypal, and her plotlines to be the literary equivalent of swiss cheese. She also seems to go back and retcon details thus creating even more holes in her stores! … Read More Unpopular Opinion: Harry Potter is a terrible protagonist

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Is Spellcheck Enough?

Hi Jim, I’m sure you’ve answered this before, but I can’t find it in any of your recent posts. I finished my book and just finished running spell check. Everything looks good and the only things it says I still have to fix are grammar errors that are part of the dialogue. Is that sufficient for submitting it to publishers? Thanks, Michel Hi Michel, … Read More Is Spellcheck Enough?

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Drakin, An Empire of Ashes Sample Chapter #Writing #Fantasy #SciFi

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

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Drakeas Dragons. Who are they? PT2 #Fantasy #Dragons #Writing #SciFi

Hi Jim, I was wondering if you could expand on your description of the dragons in your story. You don’t really go into much of their culture or identity during the books, choosing more to focus on the war and humanity’s struggle to survive and then to share the planet. I was wondering if you could explain why you went that route and maybe … Read More Drakeas Dragons. Who are they? PT2 #Fantasy #Dragons #Writing #SciFi

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Why No Direct Sequels?

Hi Jim, I was in the process of writing a sequel to my novel and was actually curious about something. Reading through your posts, you seem to have a bit of a bias against direct sequels. I was just wondering if you could explain why? Thanks, Rana Hi Rana, Sequels have their place in a limited capacity IMHO. Unfortunately, because of the nature of … Read More Why No Direct Sequels?

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Drakin, The Orphans of Haven, Sample Chapter #Writing #Fantasy #SciFi

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

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Drakeas Dragons. Who are they?

So the question I received yesterday really got me thinking about the drakeas species. While I did explain a lot of their attributes in the books, I feel like a little more detail might be beneficial. We see people like J.K. Rowling and George R R Martin do it, so I’m going to throw my hat into the ring. So, let’s start out with … Read More Drakeas Dragons. Who are they?

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Expert Consulting on Fantasy?

Hi Jim, I have a question maybe you can help with. I’m trying to write a fantasy novel dealing with biological warfare, but I don’t have a lot of scientific or medical knowledge. I don’t want it to sound like I have no idea what I’m talking about, but I want to try to explain the mechanics of how certain things work in the … Read More Expert Consulting on Fantasy?

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Drakin, The Story of Raiya Sample Chapter #Writing #Fantasy #SciFi

  Drakin: The Story of Raiya Book Synopsis: ‘ “Abomination, freak, monster…”  You get used to names like these when you have yellow eyes, horns, and scales, but Raiya could have really cared less. After being forced into exile because of her appearance, Raiya’s mind has been focused on one goal; hunting down the dragon lord that killed her parents. For over thirty years, … Read More Drakin, The Story of Raiya Sample Chapter #Writing #Fantasy #SciFi

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A Soul Siphon Question!?!? #Writing #Author #Advice

Hi Jim, I just finished reading Soul Siphon and was wondering why you were so disappointed with the book that you never wrote a sequel. Do you ever plan on writing one? Also, why does Mary seem to be a lot more fleshed out than any of the other supporting characters? Thanks, Mike Hi Mike, I’m thrilled that someone has finally come forward after … Read More A Soul Siphon Question!?!? #Writing #Author #Advice