Tag Archives: writing life

Quick-Tip Tuesday: Going Back to Our Old Work

Posted on April 5, 2016 by dbjackson

I owe an apology to all of you. Seriously. To every person I have critiqued at a Live Action Slush, to every student whose manuscript I’ve marked up, to every aspiring writer I’ve advised with arrogant confidence, I am truly … Continue reading →

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Quick-Tip Tuesday Looks at Goals and Realism

Posted on March 22, 2016 by dbjackson

The writing profession throws plenty of trials our way; we shouldn’t pile on with unrealistic goals that we can’t possibly meet. And the great thing about making writing a part of your regular routine is that you don’t have to … Continue reading →

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Win a Signed Copy of HIS FATHER’S EYES!!

Posted on March 11, 2016 by dbjackson

HIS FATHER’S EYES, the second novel in my Case Files of Justis Fearsson series (a contemporary urban fantasy from Baen Books) will be re-released in paperback on March 29, 2016. To mark the occasion, I’m giving away two signed copies … Continue reading →

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Quick-Tip Tuesday: Writing Every Day, or Not, or Yeah

Posted on March 8, 2016 by dbjackson

There is a sort of alchemy that takes place when we manage to convert our own emotions into the different-but-related emotions of our characters. Spinning gold from that straw carried me through my grief. Had I given in to the … Continue reading →

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It’s Quick-Tip Tuesday: Take the Challenge!

Posted on February 23, 2016 by dbjackson

Quite often, what separates the professionals from those who only aspire to the profession is not talent or even luck, but rather the willingness to risk rejection. If you send out a story it might be sent back, or it … Continue reading →

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Quick-Tip Tuesday: Being Scooped . . . Or Not

Posted on February 9, 2016 by dbjackson

We as authors have enough to worry about in this business as it is — the market is tough, writing good novels and short fiction is no easy task, finding time amid work and family to do all we want … Continue reading →

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Quick-Tip Tuesday: Giving Secrets to Your Characters

Posted on January 26, 2016 by dbjackson

Giving secrets to our characters sets up plot points for our stories. But secrets do more than that. They add dimension and richness to our characters.  Those secrets become the source of our characters’ vulnerabilities, and often their strengths as … Continue reading →

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It’s Quick-Tip Tuesday!!

Posted on January 19, 2016 by dbjackson

The first step is to remember that despite the way the “Plotter v. Pantser” debate is usually framed, we don’t have to approach this decision as an either-or proposition. I know people who don’t outline at all; I know people … Continue reading →

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A New Quick-Tip Tuesday Post!

Posted on January 12, 2016 by dbjackson

With that in mind, I would like to suggest that you use the idea of the narrative theme to stir your imagination. It can be really hard to come up with an idea on demand for just a generic a … Continue reading →

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Happy New Year, and My Return to Magical Words

Posted on January 5, 2016 by dbjackson

To repeat something I have said many times before, there is no single right way to do any of this. You have to discover your own creative path. My purpose in writing these Quick Tips each Tuesday will be to … Continue reading →

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