Monthly Archives: April 2012

THIEFTAKER Giveaway on Goodreads!

Posted on April 30, 2012 by dbjackson

Tor Books, the publisher of Thieftaker, book I of the Thieftaker Chronicles, is doing a Thieftaker book giveaway on Goodreads!  Ten copies of the book are up for grabs!  But in order to have a chance, you have to register.  … Continue reading →

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Flash Writing Tip: Research — How Much Is Enough?

Posted on April 26, 2012 by dbjackson

Researching the Thieftaker books and stories has been a great deal of fun.  Lots of work, yes, but incredibly interesting and gratifying.  And weaving that research into the text of the books has been fun, too.  There is something incredibly … Continue reading →

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THIEFTAKER: 10 Weeks and Counting!

Posted on April 24, 2012 by dbjackson

The official release date for THIEFTAKER, book I of the Thieftaker Chronicles, is exactly ten weeks from today.  That may seem a long way off to you, but given that I’ve been counting down for well over a year, it … Continue reading →

Posted in Appearances, Business of publishing, Novels, Publicity, Publishing, Short Fiction, Thieftaker, Writing, Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Today in Boston’s History: Fenway

Posted on April 20, 2012 by dbjackson

Usually my “Boston’s History” posts relate to the pre-Revolutionary era, the period that serves as the backdrop for the Thieftaker books and stories.  But today marks a very special occasion in the history of the city, one that I could … Continue reading →

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Writing Exercise: Character and Voice

Posted on April 19, 2012 by dbjackson

Developing our writing voice for a story or a character can be incredibly difficult; it can also be quite rewarding when we get it right.  The key for me is stepping out of “myself” and forcing myself into the psyche … Continue reading →

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The Great Debate: Plotting Versus Pantsing

Posted on April 17, 2012 by dbjackson

No doubt you’ve heard this discussion before.  Some writers rely on advanced plotting when writing their books.  They outline in advance of actually writing the book, sometimes plot point by plot point, sometimes chapter by chapter, sometimes even line by … Continue reading →

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The Grass Is Always Greener In Another Part of the Bookstore…

Posted on April 13, 2012 by dbjackson

I’ve played guitar since I was fourteen years old, and I still enjoy it.  But when I am listening to a rock and roll song that really gets me going, I don’t play air-guitar.  No, I pretend to play the … Continue reading →

Posted in Fantasy, Fun, Music, Novels, Writing Life | 2 Comments

Writing Tip: What to do with All Those Rules

Posted on April 11, 2012 by dbjackson

You’ve heard the rules before:  Don’t write in first person.  Don’t write in present tense.  Don’t start your book or story with dialogue.  Don’t use adverbs.  Don’t use said-bookisms.  Don’t switch point of view from one character to another in … Continue reading →

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Flash Writing Tip: Accepting Criticism from an Editor

Posted on April 6, 2012 by dbjackson

I’m here at Marcon, and it’s late.  I’ve had a full day — a long drive, a panel, a signing; I’m ready to go to sleep. But today’s panel was on “How To Be Edited,” and since I was the … Continue reading →

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Marcon This Weekend

Posted on April 4, 2012 by dbjackson

I am looking forward to Marcon, which takes place in Columbus, Ohio this coming weekend.  I am a special literary guest at the con — or rather, David B. Coe is, and since he and I are truly inseparable, I’ll … Continue reading →

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