Tag Archives: writing tips

Web Site Update and News!

Posted on February 11, 2012 by dbjackson

So, I have updated the D. B. Jackson website to reflect a few recent developments.  First of all, I have been invited to be a special guest at a couple of upcoming conventions — Con*Stellation, in Huntsville, Alabama (October 2012) … Continue reading →

Posted in Appearances, Business of publishing, History, Novels, Publicity, Publishing, Thieftaker, Writing, Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Web Site Update and News!

Writing Tips: The Taxman Cometh

Posted on February 9, 2012 by dbjackson

As it happens, I’m doing my taxes today (I’m expecting a refund, so there’s no reason to wait for April), and so I thought I would share a bit of information about professional writers and their tax process.  For those … Continue reading →

Posted in Business of publishing, Publishing, Writing, Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

Writing Tips: Character Development Starting Points

Posted on February 7, 2012 by dbjackson

Aspiring writers are often told that they should “write what they know,” which I’ve always felt is a strange bit of advice for people trying to make their way in a profession founded upon feats of imagination.  And to my … Continue reading →

Posted in Character, Novels, Short Fiction, Writing, Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 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

Writing Tips: Said-Bookisms, the Obscure Sin that Can Doom a Manuscript

Posted on January 25, 2012 by dbjackson

I’ve been writing professionally for more than fifteen years, and I’ve been reading avidly for far longer.  Over the years the publishing market has seen sea-changes in almost every respect, with ramifications for the business, the very act of reading, … Continue reading →

Posted in Character, Ethan Kaille, Novels, Publishing, Reading, Short Fiction, Thieftaker, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 10 Comments