Tag Archives: writing

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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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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New Story Is Out!!

Posted on April 2, 2012 by dbjackson

The newest Ethan Kaille story is out and available for all to read.  “A Memory of Freedom,” which is about Ethan’s first job as a thieftaker — the beginning of his new career after he had served 14 years laboring … Continue reading →

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Review: The Hunger Games

Posted on March 24, 2012 by dbjackson

Last night I went with a group to see the movie adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ YA bestseller, The Hunger Games.  Our group consisted of seven teenagers, all of whom had read at least the first book in the Hunger Games … Continue reading →

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Today In History: Lighting the Fuse

Posted on March 22, 2012 by dbjackson

On this day, in 1765, the English Parliament passed legislation that would come to be known in the North American colonies as the Stamp Act.  In the wake of the Seven Years’ War against France (referred to in the colonies … Continue reading →

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Flash Writing Tips: What To Do When You’re Stuck

Posted on March 17, 2012 by dbjackson

I’m going to put the flash in “Flash Writing Tips” and keep this one really brief.  But just because this is short, that doesn’t mean that it’s unimportant. This is one of those things that happens to all writers at … Continue reading →

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Flash Writing Tip! Making Our Imagined Worlds Come Alive

Posted on March 13, 2012 by dbjackson

Okay, birthday is done, but I’m still on the road.  Time for another Flash Writing Tip.  Today’s topic:  Worldbuilding! The object of worldbuilding for writers of speculative fiction is really no different from the goal of mainstream writers setting up … Continue reading →

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Flash Writing Tip! Dialogue Attribution Exercise

Posted on March 10, 2012 by dbjackson

I’m about to be on the road for a while, taking my daughter on a college tour through the Southeast.  I’ll try to post regularly from the road, but I won’t have as much time for longer posts.  So, as … Continue reading →

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Writing Tips: Point of View and Voice, part III — Voice and Authenticity

Posted on March 8, 2012 by dbjackson

A couple of days ago, in the second installment of my Writing Tips series on Point of View and Voice, I focused on how I decide how many characters to use as POV characters, and how I choose which characters … Continue reading →

Posted in Character, Ethan Kaille, Fantasy, History, Mystery, Novels, Reading, Thieftaker, Urban Fantasy, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments