Category Archives: Friendship

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 →

Posted in Character, Friendship, Fun, kids, Novels, parenting, Reading, Writing, Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

I Want To Go Back To College

Posted on March 19, 2012 by dbjackson

Really, I do.  It’s not that I miss being in my late teens and early 20s.  I don’t want to go back to that part of my life at all.  But I would love to be a college student again.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Friendship, kids, parenting, travel | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on I Want To Go Back To College

An Apology for a Lame Post

Posted on March 12, 2012 by dbjackson

Yeah, I should probably do another writing tips post today.  And I certainly will do my best to post some later in the week.  But today is my birthday and I’m on the road visiting with friends, and I am … Continue reading →

Posted in Friendship, Fun, travel | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on An Apology for a Lame Post

Yesterday’s Storms

Posted on March 3, 2012 by dbjackson

We’ll get back to writing tips on Monday.  For today, my thoughts are with those who were hurt in yesterday’s storms, those who lost homes or loved ones.  My family and I were deeply fortunate.  There were violent storms in … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Friendship, nature | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Yesterday’s Storms

Writing Tips: Writing Is Hard

Posted on February 21, 2012 by dbjackson

Sounds sort of weird, I know.  I mean, what kind of tip is “Writing is hard?” In all honesty, it might be the most important tip I ever post to this site. Let me start by saying that this is … Continue reading →

Posted in Business of publishing, Character, Friendship, Novels, Publishing, Short Fiction, Writing, Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Writing Tips: More on Dialogue — Conversations As Narrative

Posted on January 27, 2012 by dbjackson

The other day, in my first Writing Tips post, I wrote about said-bookisms and the challenges of dialogue attribution.  Just to reiterate, the key to effective dialogue attribution is showing readers the emotions and thoughts of those characters who speak … Continue reading →

Posted in Character, Ethan Kaille, Friendship, Novels, Publishing, Short Fiction, Thieftaker, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

A View of Costa Rica, part III

Posted on December 5, 2011 by dbjackson

Monteverde and the Costa Rican Cloud Forest: Two hours and fifteen minutes out from San Jose by car, as the road turns from asphalt to dirt and rock, and begins its at times harrowing ascent into the highlands, a question … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, food, Friendship, Fun, travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A View of Costa Rica, part II

Posted on December 2, 2011 by dbjackson

People and the Culture: Before I continue my descriptions of our time in Costa Rica, I have a few confessions to make. I’ll start with a big one: I don’t speak Spanish. When I was in middle school I was … Continue reading →

Posted in cooking, Family, food, Friendship, travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

JordanCon!

Posted on April 14, 2011 by dbjackson

This weekend, April 15-17, I will be literary Guest of Honor at JordanCon in Atlanta, under my other writing name, David B. Coe.  If you happen to be in the area please stop in and say hello.  Other guests at … Continue reading →

Posted in Appearances, Friendship, Fun, Publicity | Comments Off on JordanCon!

Back From StellarCon

Posted on March 7, 2011 by dbjackson

I am back home after my weekend at StellarCon, which was terrific.  Cons tend to remind me of what I love about being a writer, and to leave me energized.  This one was no different.  I’ve been pretty excited about … Continue reading →

Posted in "The Tavern Fire", Appearances, Friendship, Short Fiction, Writing Life | Comments Off on Back From StellarCon