Category Archives: Thieftaker

Professional Wednesday: Learning From Each of Our Projects

Posted on May 3, 2023 by dbjackson

Ideally, every new book and story we write is not just an adventure in imagination, a chance to discover new characters and settings and narratives, but also a learning opportunity. I continue to improve my writing with each project, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Bell Bridge Books, Belle Books, Character, Islevale Cycle, Novels, Radiants, Short Fiction, The Chalice War, Thieftaker, Writing, Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Professional Wednesday: Learning From Each of Our Projects

Monday Musings: My Favorite Babies

Posted on April 24, 2023 by dbjackson

This post is not about my daughters. I swear. I love my girls exactly the same amount. Except maybe around my birthday, when my love for them is directly proportional to the quality of the presents they give me. Other … Continue reading →

Posted in Angry Robot Books, Bell Bridge Books, Belle Books, Business of publishing, Falstaff Books, Fantasy, Invasives, Islevale Cycle, Novels, Publishing, Radiants, The Chalice War, Thieftaker, Writing, Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Monday Musings: My Favorite Babies

Monday Musings: Joni Mitchell and the Creative Journey

Posted on March 20, 2023 by dbjackson

Recently, I have been reading a biography of Joni Mitchell (a holiday gift from my older daughter), a long-time favorite of mine and, in my opinion, the finest songwriter in the history of rock and roll (more on that shortly). … Continue reading →

Posted in Business of publishing, Music, Novels, Publishing, Thieftaker, Writing, Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Monday Musings: Joni Mitchell and the Creative Journey

Professional Wednesday: The Twisted, Tortured Story of THE CHALICE WAR

Posted on January 25, 2023 by dbjackson

My “What matters?” series of posts will conclude next Monday, after a Monday Musings post this week that straddled the personal and professional a bit more than usual. In the meantime, I am using today’s Professional Wednesday post to begin … Continue reading →

Posted in Bell Bridge Books, Business of publishing, Invasives, Islevale Cycle, Novels, Publishing, Radiants, The Chalice War, Thieftaker, Writing, Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Professional Wednesday: The Twisted, Tortured Story of THE CHALICE WAR

Professional Wednesday: Planning For Next Year — Try Something New!

Posted on December 14, 2022 by dbjackson

As you know, early in 2023 I will be coming out with a new urban fantasy series that is steeped in Celtic mythology. Before working on this series, I hadn’t known much about Celtic lore. But I did my research, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bell Bridge Books, Business of publishing, Invasives, Islevale Cycle, Novels, Publishing, Radiants, Short Fiction, The Chalice War, Thieftaker, Writing, Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Professional Wednesday: Planning For Next Year — Try Something New!

Professional Wednesday: In Which I Ask You, What Should I Write Next?

Posted on October 19, 2022 by dbjackson

As I discussed at length in last week’s Professional Wednesday post, I have recently completed a first draft of the third book in my contemporary Celtic urban fantasy, The Chalice Wars. The novel needs to sit for a while before … Continue reading →

Posted in Belle Books, Business of publishing, Ethan Kaille, Fantasy, Friendship, Invasives, Novels, Publishing, Radiants, Short Fiction, The Chalice Wars, Thieftaker, Writing, Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Professional Wednesday: In Which I Ask You, What Should I Write Next?

Professional Wednesday: Most Important Lessons — Dealing With the Slog, part I

Posted on June 1, 2022 by dbjackson

Just keep swimming Just keep swimming Just keep swimming… Yes, I am a Pixar fan. Sue me. My kids were the perfect age for the magical first generation of Pixar movies — Toy Story (1 and 2); Monsters, Inc., Finding … Continue reading →

Posted in Business of publishing, Novels, Publishing, Radiants, Thieftaker, Time's Children, Writing, Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Professional Wednesday: Most Important Lessons — Dealing With the Slog, part I

Professional Wednesday: What We Can Learn About Writing From a Horny Bluebird

Posted on May 4, 2022 by dbjackson

I got you with the title, didn’t I? I thought I might. The horny bluebird in question lives in our yard and is so hopped up on testosterone, so eager to make himself THE player among breeding bluebirds in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Business of publishing, Islevale Cycle, Novels, Publishing, Radiants, Short Fiction, Thieftaker, Writing, Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Professional Wednesday: What We Can Learn About Writing From a Horny Bluebird

Professional Wednesday: I’m Stuck

Posted on April 13, 2022 by dbjackson

My muse, on the other hand, is a peripatetic tramp who can’t be counted on to show up at any given time on any given day. If I had to wait for that bastard to show in order to write … Continue reading →

Posted in Belle Books, Business of publishing, Invasives, Novels, Short Fiction, Thieftaker, Writing, Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Professional Wednesday: I’m Stuck

Professional Wednesday: Punctuating Our Stories (Not the Way You Think I Mean It)

Posted on March 23, 2022 by dbjackson

“Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.” We all know the line. Even people who haven’t seen Casablanca know the line. (And please, don’t get me started about not seeing Casablanca. I mean, sure, it’s dated, … Continue reading →

Posted in Character, Ethan Kaille, Islevale Cycle, movies, Novels, Thieftaker, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Professional Wednesday: Punctuating Our Stories (Not the Way You Think I Mean It)