Tag Archives: writing advice

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: The Social Side of Cons

Posted on March 2, 2020 by dbjackson

At the end of this week, I will drive to Charlotte for the Saga Professional Development Conference, where I will be speaking over the weekend. It should be a fun event and I hope to see many of you there. … Continue reading →

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Writing-Tip Wednesday: Writers Read

Posted on February 26, 2020 by dbjackson

I’m tempted to leave the post at that and go open a beer. Writers have to be readers. Period. Full stop. But it’s morning, and I really shouldn’t be drinking beer this early, so allow me to elaborate… In last … Continue reading →

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Writing-Tip Wednesday: On Writing Every Day

Posted on February 19, 2020 by dbjackson

We’ve all heard it said — usually with authority and condescension and a certain righteous certainty. A real writer writes every day. If you want to be a professional writer, that’s what you have to do: Make it a habit, … Continue reading →

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Writing-Tip Wednesday: Self-Editing Techniques

Posted on February 12, 2020 by dbjackson

We know the shapes of our narratives, and we also know our own voice and style. So our stories are likely to make sense to us, regardless of whether they make sense to others. On Monday, I wrote about my … Continue reading →

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Monday Musings: Overcoming Distraction and Getting Started

Posted on January 27, 2020 by dbjackson

The problem isn’t one of desire – I want to work, I want to be productive. Rather, the problem is one of inertia. A body – or in this case a creative mind – at rest will remain at rest; … 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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Writing Tip Wednesday: The Nature of Conflict

Posted on January 15, 2020 by dbjackson

When I was in grade school (yes, grade school) we were taught about the rudiments of writing – not just grammar, mind you, but also the fundamentals of storytelling. We weren’t necessarily taught these things well, but they were, at … Continue reading →

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President’s Day Post: Best Writing Tips, at Magical Words

Posted on February 18, 2013 by dbjackson

Today’s post can be found at http://magicalwords.net, the group blog on the business and craft of writing fantasy that I maintain, under the name David B. Coe, with fellow authors Faith Hunter, Misty Massey, Mindy Klasky, John Hartness, Kalayna Price, … Continue reading →

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A Post About Looking Backward in Order to Move Forward

Posted on November 5, 2012 by dbjackson

Today’s post can be found at http://magicalwords.net, the group blog on the business and craft of writing fantasy that I maintain, under the name David B. Coe, with fellow authors Faith Hunter, Misty Massey, A.J. Hartley, C.E. Murphy, and Kalayna … Continue reading →

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