by Jim
IV The cart had been travelling for over an hour and despite the bumpy ride, Melisande had managed to fall asleep in the back. She was roused when she realized that the cart was slowing down. The sounds of activity all around her were a good indication that she’d arrived in Granville. She raised […]
by Jim
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
by Jim
III A creaking noise roused Melisande early the next morning. Hoping to avoid a lecture from Sister Mary, she got up and got dressed quickly. Once again, she threw open her windows and peered out. To her amazement, the sun had barely peaked over the horizon. It was earlier than she was used to […]
+ advice, fantasy, Fiction, Inspiration, Music, Uncategorized, Writing
by Jim
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
by Jim
II Melisande spent the next few hours reading from the Bible at her bedside. She also had a small collection of parchment that she enjoyed going through. Her favorite was a small piece about ships at sea and the voyages that man had taken in the last 200 years. She knew all about the […]
by Jim
Book 1 A Simple Dream I Normandy 1601 The sound of loud church bells drove Melisande from her bed in the residence cells of Mont Saint Michel. She stood up, slid her feet into her wooden sandals and opened her window to let the sun in. This day was special for her as it was […]
by Jim
Yeah, don’t look at me like that. No, I don’t speak Spanish, but I love the mix of U2, one of my guilty pleasures, and a Latino twist. When to Listen: … Standard playlist. It’s upbeat and fun. So whenever. . 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 … Read More From My Writing Playlist
by Jim
Hello all, Since starting work on Soul Siphon, I’ve been unable to decide whether I wanted to green light the third and final installment of the Divinity Saga. An adventure/romance fantasy story called ‘Destiny.’ This story takes place years after the events of the first two novels. In any case, instead of putting it to […]
+ advice, books, Fiction, non-fiction, Opinion, Uncategorized, Writing
by Jim
So I’ve gotten this question a lot ever since I posted my piece of how to handle criticism. From people wondering how to write criticism without insulting the creator or their work. The best I can offer in the way of advice is to just be respectful, be constructive, and avoid hyperbole. For example: “This book sucks!” <This is not constructive. “I didn’t care for … Read More Levying Criticism
+ advice, fantasy, Fiction, Inspiration, Metal, Uncategorized, Writing
by Jim
Avantasia Runaway Train: I’ve been dying to post another Avantasia song. I love this musical collaboration. Each CD is a story written by Edguy’s lead, Tobias Sammet… the Mozart of Modern Metal (Sorry, it’s true). The song is a rollercoaster ride. sad and reflective to upbeat and fast back to reflective. When to listen: This is a brainstorming song. Listen to it before writing when … Read More From My Writing Playlist
by Jim
SPOILERS AHEAD IF YOU HAVEN’T READ THE OTHER BOOKS!!! “Sister, we can’t let this happen, you know what he’s planning!” “We don’t have a choice Roselyn. I feel the same way you do, but the council has ruled. We are not allowed to interfere, it’s not our world.” “But Ariel, if he does it wrong, he could destroy both worlds!” “That’s a risk we’re … Read More Magnifica: Gravestalker
by Jim
Cassidy and Lloyd differ from most of my other stories because they aren’t part of an ensemble cast. They’re a duet with neither character having a true claim to the main protagonist role. Some chapters have Cassidy doing more than Lloyd and others have her along for the ride. Typically, we have a main hero […] via Partners in Fiction: Writing Duos of the Dynamic … Read More A good view on characterization!
James Harringtons Creative Work 