Category Archives: Short Fiction

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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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: 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: Learning to be an Editor

Posted on February 10, 2020 by dbjackson

I’m pretty good at diagnosing both narrative trouble spots and problematic wording. Over the years, I’ve had tons of practice, having found plenty of both in my own work. As I’ve mentioned here before, I am coediting an anthology, Galactic … 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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Writing-Tip Wednesday: Short Story Submissions

Posted on January 8, 2020 by dbjackson

Welcome to the first of my 2020 Writing Tip Wednesdays (name still very much negotiable…). Every Wednesday, I intend to post a tip for writers about some element of the craft or business of writing. I don’t really have in … Continue reading →

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On Writing: Revisions and the Editorial Process

Posted on January 31, 2019 by dbjackson

Sure, these criticisms come in the context of someone saying, “Hey, I love this story, and I want to pay you for it. In real money.” So, thinking about this rationally, we should be able to process the editor’s feedback … Continue reading →

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Quick-Tip Tuesday: Mapping Out the New Year

Posted on January 10, 2017 by dbjackson

What can I say? I have a bit of an OCD streak. Okay, maybe even more than “a bit.” But setting work goals and making up a work schedule for a new year is not just about me being 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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