Category Archives: Research

Professional Wednesday: “Hidden Brain,” Perception, and Fiction

Posted on October 5, 2022 by dbjackson

On a recent drive I began listening to the Hidden Brain podcast, with the brilliant Shankar Vedantam. I had listened to scattered episodes before, but never in a systematic way. But this was a long drive and I wound up … Continue reading →

Posted in Novels, Reading, Research, Writing, Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Professional Wednesday: “Hidden Brain,” Perception, and Fiction

Professional Wednesday: With Special Guest, E.C. Ambrose!

Posted on April 20, 2022 by dbjackson

Today, I am delighted to welcome to the blog my dear friend, E.C. Ambrose (a.k.a. Elaine Isaak). Elaine and I have known each other for a long time, and she is one of the truly good people in this business. … Continue reading →

Posted in Fantasy, Friendship, History, Novels, Publicity, Publishing, Research, Writing, Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Professional Wednesday: With Special Guest, E.C. Ambrose!

Professional Wednesday: Confessions — The Ways In Which I Waste Work Time

Posted on April 6, 2022 by dbjackson

I have shared some personal stuff in these posts in the past. Today’s post is the most private, the most embarrassing, the most revealing I’ve ever written. Well, not really. But today, I confess to all of you, in front … Continue reading →

Posted in Fun, Novels, Research, Writing, Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Professional Wednesday: Confessions — The Ways In Which I Waste Work Time

Creative Wednesday: Books To Buy For The Writer In Your Life

Posted on December 15, 2021 by dbjackson

‘Tis the season for giving, and for searching out gifts for the writer on your holiday shopping list. Or, if YOU are the writer on your holiday shopping list, searching out gifts for yourself! And so I thought I would … Continue reading →

Posted in Business of publishing, Fantasy, History, Mystery, nature, Novels, Publishing, Research, Thieftaker, Writing, Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Creative Wednesday: Books To Buy For The Writer In Your Life

Professional Wednesday: The Two World-Builds

Posted on March 10, 2021 by dbjackson

They don’t care that the twelfth king of Hamsterdom was Belchamiethius IV, known to his subjects as “Conquerer of the Exercise Wheel.” They don’t need to know the names of each mountain peak in the Twelve Dunce Cap Range. This … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethan Kaille, History, Novels, Reading, Research, Thieftaker, Writing, Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Professional Wednesday: The Two World-Builds

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 →

Posted in Fantasy, History, Islevale Cycle, Novels, Research, Thieftaker, Writing, Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Writing-Tip Wednesday: World Building Lessons I’d Forgotten

Writing-Tip Wednesday: My Favorite Reference Books

Posted on June 24, 2020 by dbjackson

Last week’s Writing-Tip Wednesday post was about the computer apps I use most when researching, outlining, and writing books and stories. As promised, this week I want to look at what are probably the most important writing tools I have: … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Reading, Research, Writing, Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Writing-Tip Wednesday: My Favorite Reference Books

Writing-Tip Wednesday: Special Guest, Alma Alexander!

Posted on June 10, 2020 by dbjackson

Today, I welcome my friend Alma Alexander to the blog to talk about her new novel, The Second Star. She has lots to say about the book, about writing in general, and about advice for beginning writers. Please welcome her … Continue reading →

Posted in Fantasy, Novels, Publicity, Publishing, Research, Writing, Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Writing-Tip Wednesday: Special Guest, Alma Alexander!

Blood, Magic, and Giveaways, Today on the Virtual Tour

Posted on July 23, 2015 by dbjackson

The 2015 Summer-of-Two-Releases Virtual Tour visits Brandy Schillace today, with a post at her Fiction Reboot blog. The post is called “Blood, Magic, and History,” and it touches on the history behind the narrative of DEAD MAN’S REACH, the fourth … Continue reading →

Posted in Appearances, Business of publishing, Dead Man's Reach, Friendship, Fun, History, Novels, Publicity, Publishing, Research, Thieftaker, Writing, Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Blood, Magic, and Giveaways, Today on the Virtual Tour

New Hobby, Old Liver . . .

Posted on January 24, 2015 by dbjackson

I’m 51 years old — nearly 52 — and I have never made a Martini. I’ve drunk a few. More than a few, if I’m going to be honest. But I’ve never made one. I don’t know how. I know … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Fun, Research | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on New Hobby, Old Liver . . .