Category Archives: Thieftaker

Writing-Tip Wednesday: How To Handle Profanity In Your Writing

Posted on September 2, 2020 by dbjackson

Have you watched the HBO series Deadwood? It’s a Western, the creative child of the brilliant David Milch. It’s violent, brutally realistic, and absolutely the most profane thing I have ever watched, with the possible exception of the Academy Award-winning … Continue reading →

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Writing-Tip Wednesday: World Building Lessons I’d Forgotten

Posted on July 22, 2020 by dbjackson

Back in early March, I posted about creating magic systems, and said then that I expected I would post about world building at least once more over the course of the year. And so here I am, making myself a … Continue reading →

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Writing-Tip Wednesday: Taking Stock Halfway Through 2020

Posted on July 1, 2020 by dbjackson

As of today, July 1, we are halfway done with 2020. Yeah, I know. It seems like this year has lasted a decade. And it seems like this year has flown. Time is unnervingly elastic right now, at least from … Continue reading →

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Writing-Tip Wednesday: Single Point of View v. Multiple Point of View

Posted on May 27, 2020 by dbjackson

If you know me, if you have been with me in panel discussions at conventions, if you have ever received any sort of writing advice from me, or even heard me give such advice to others, I need for you … Continue reading →

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Writing-Tip Wednesday: Dialogue, Part I

Posted on April 1, 2020 by dbjackson

I love writing dialogue, in part because I love reading dialogue. I believe that people are natural eavesdroppers. We like to listen in on other people’s conversations. That’s what reading dialogue is all about – it is one of the … Continue reading →

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Writing-Tip Wednesday: Creating Magic Systems

Posted on March 4, 2020 by dbjackson

I do everything in my power to keep magic from taking over my story, because ultimately, even in the most imaginative fantasy worlds, magic should remain secondary to character and plot. For today’s Writing Tip, I would like to offer … Continue reading →

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Monday Musings: Getting the Most Out of a Convention

Posted on February 17, 2020 by dbjackson

I am just finishing up a very nice weekend at Boskone, a terrific regional convention in Boston. This was my second Boskone, and I feel that I am starting to know people at the con, and also to be known. … Continue reading →

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Writing Tip Wednesday: A Rose By Any Other ‘Nym…

Posted on January 29, 2020 by dbjackson

Poor sales for one novel can drive down orders for the next one or even convince booksellers not to stock that next effort at all. And so, sometimes authors have to restart careers by switching names and starting over. With … Continue reading →

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Writing Tip Wednesday: I Suck At Titles, So Let Me Offer Some Advice…

Posted on January 22, 2020 by dbjackson

I suck at titles. Or at least I think of myself as sucking at titles. It turns out, though, that many of my colleagues think that they suck at titles, too, and I’ve always kind of admired their titles. Which … Continue reading →

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Quick-Tip Tuesday: Mapping Out the New Year

Posted on January 10, 2017 by dbjackson

What can I say? I have a bit of an OCD streak. Okay, maybe even more than “a bit.” But setting work goals and making up a work schedule for a new year is not just about me being the … Continue reading →

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