Tag Archives: writing tips

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: Tending To Our Work Space

Posted on May 18, 2022 by dbjackson

About a month ago, I wrote a Professional Wednesday post about how I was somewhat stuck creatively. I felt stagnant, unable to kick myself into motion when it came to writing new material. Then, about a week ago, I posted … Continue reading →

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Monday Musings: Giving Clueless Advice

Posted on May 16, 2022 by dbjackson

This past week, I spent a good deal of time going through old magazines and books in my office trying to clear out some of the clutter. (More on that in Wednesday’s post.) For years, I have subscribed to a … Continue reading →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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Professional Wednesday: Most Important Lessons — Trust Yourself, Trust Your Reader

Posted on March 9, 2022 by dbjackson

Today, I’m introducing a new feature for my Professional Wednesday posts: “Most Important Lessons.” We are coming up on the 28th anniversary of the start of my career (which I trace to the offer I received from Tor Books on … 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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Professional Wednesday: “Write What You Know,” part III — Know What You Write

Posted on January 19, 2022 by dbjackson

For the last couple of weeks, I have written my Professional Wednesday essays about the old writing adage, “write what you know.” In my first post on the topic, I wrote about tapping into emotions and our reactions to experiences … Continue reading →

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Professional Wednesday: “Write What You Know,” part II

Posted on January 12, 2022 by dbjackson

Put another way, I was driven . . . not merely by the fact that I “know” these things, but rather by the fascination and passion that drove me to learn about them in the first place. With last week’s … Continue reading →

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