Category Archives: Writing Life

Writing Exercise: Character and Voice

Posted on April 19, 2012 by dbjackson

Developing our writing voice for a story or a character can be incredibly difficult; it can also be quite rewarding when we get it right.  The key for me is stepping out of “myself” and forcing myself into the psyche … Continue reading →

Posted in Character, Friendship, Fun, kids, Novels, parenting, Reading, Writing, Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Great Debate: Plotting Versus Pantsing

Posted on April 17, 2012 by dbjackson

No doubt you’ve heard this discussion before.  Some writers rely on advanced plotting when writing their books.  They outline in advance of actually writing the book, sometimes plot point by plot point, sometimes chapter by chapter, sometimes even line by … Continue reading →

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The Grass Is Always Greener In Another Part of the Bookstore…

Posted on April 13, 2012 by dbjackson

I’ve played guitar since I was fourteen years old, and I still enjoy it.  But when I am listening to a rock and roll song that really gets me going, I don’t play air-guitar.  No, I pretend to play the … Continue reading →

Posted in Fantasy, Fun, Music, Novels, Writing Life | 2 Comments

Flash Writing Tip: Accepting Criticism from an Editor

Posted on April 6, 2012 by dbjackson

I’m here at Marcon, and it’s late.  I’ve had a full day — a long drive, a panel, a signing; I’m ready to go to sleep. But today’s panel was on “How To Be Edited,” and since I was the … Continue reading →

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Marcon This Weekend

Posted on April 4, 2012 by dbjackson

I am looking forward to Marcon, which takes place in Columbus, Ohio this coming weekend.  I am a special literary guest at the con — or rather, David B. Coe is, and since he and I are truly inseparable, I’ll … Continue reading →

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New Story Is Out!!

Posted on April 2, 2012 by dbjackson

The newest Ethan Kaille story is out and available for all to read.  “A Memory of Freedom,” which is about Ethan’s first job as a thieftaker — the beginning of his new career after he had served 14 years laboring … Continue reading →

Posted in Boston, Ethan Kaille, Fantasy, Publishing, Short Fiction, Thieftaker, Urban Fantasy, Writing, Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on New Story Is Out!!

Preparations For THIEFTAKER Release, #1

Posted on March 31, 2012 by dbjackson

Last day of March.  On Tuesday of this coming week, April 3, we will be exactly 13 weeks away from the July 3 release of THIEFTAKER.  I’m sure that sounds far away to you, but I have been waiting for … Continue reading →

Posted in Appearances, Business of publishing, Ethan Kaille, Fun, Novels, Publishing, Short Fiction, Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

A Spring Morning

Posted on March 29, 2012 by dbjackson

This morning I took a bit of time away from the computer and the rewrites I’m working on, and hiked down into a place called Shakerag Hollow.  Shakerag, so named because once upon a time, you could go down there … Continue reading →

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Writing on a Whim: The Project That Won’t Let Go

Posted on February 28, 2012 by dbjackson

The other day, posting elsewhere, I commented on the fact that I was about to get back to writing after spending the first couple of months of this year working on short story revisions and a proposal for the next … Continue reading →

Posted in Fantasy, Novels, Publishing, Short Fiction, Thieftaker, Urban Fantasy, Writing, Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Friday Fun: What Extravagances Do You Covet?

Posted on February 24, 2012 by dbjackson

I love to write, which is why I’m an author.  As I said in my last post, this business can be really hard. If I was doing it for the money rather than for love of writing . . . … Continue reading →

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