Tag Archives: creative process

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 →

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Professional Wednesday: Once More Unto The Breach — To Outline or Not, Redux

Posted on September 14, 2022 by dbjackson

After attending DragonCon and speaking on panels about various aspects of writing, I have found myself thinking—yet again—about the age-old debate between those who outline their books and those who don’t. Or, between planners and pantsers, in the parlance of … Continue reading →

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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 →

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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 →

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Professional Wednesday: Throw Nothing Away — A Writing Lesson Courtesy of INVASIVES

Posted on February 2, 2022 by dbjackson

February has begun, Punxsutawney Phil has done his schtick, and time seems to be moving at breakneck speed. In a little over two weeks, Invasives, the second Radiants book, will be released by Belle Books. Like Radiants, this is a … Continue reading →

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Creative Wednesday: What the Beatles Documentary Teaches Us About Creativity

Posted on December 8, 2021 by dbjackson

So it’s Creative Wednesday, and I am still thinking about the Beatles documentary. Specifically, I’m reflecting on something I mentioned in my Monday post — the creative energy that Paul McCartney brought to the “Get Back” sessions recorded 50 years … Continue reading →

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Quick-Tip Tuesday Post on Breaking Out of Routines

Posted on December 13, 2016 by dbjackson

I have a process that I tend to follow book after book. I’m stubborn, and a creature of habit. Having written all four Thieftaker and all three Fearsson books largely by following my regular creative routine, I fully expected that … Continue reading →

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Quick-Tip Tuesday: Writing Every Day, or Not, or Yeah

Posted on March 8, 2016 by dbjackson

There is a sort of alchemy that takes place when we manage to convert our own emotions into the different-but-related emotions of our characters. Spinning gold from that straw carried me through my grief. Had I given in to the … Continue reading →

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Quick-Tip Tuesday: Being Scooped . . . Or Not

Posted on February 9, 2016 by dbjackson

We as authors have enough to worry about in this business as it is — the market is tough, writing good novels and short fiction is no easy task, finding time amid work and family to do all we want … Continue reading →

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The Blog Tour Ends With a Post on Ideas and Creativity

Posted on August 27, 2015 by dbjackson

Over the years I’ve come to the conclusion that the act of creation is, among other things, an act of faith. We start our projects believing that when our work is done, the finished product will be complete and coherent, … Continue reading →

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