You’ve heard it all before. Based on a true story. Ripped from the headlines. There are a lot of television shows/novels/films that claim that their stories are actual depictions of real life events. But are they? How much truth is… Read More ›
creative writing
Different Types of Conflict
Last week, I had written a summary of the second act of a story because we were entering into the middle of the year. For those that hadn’t read it (shame, shame, shame), the second act is the middle of… Read More ›
Stuck in the middle with you
As we enter the middle of the year, I thought it would be interesting to examine the middle of a story. For those that don’t know, most stories are split up into a three act structure. The first act serves… Read More ›
Why I Hate Writing
As you read the headline, I know what you must all be thinking: “But Jim, you’re a writer. How can you possibly hate writing?” In reality, hate is probably too strong of a word. I love writing and there’s nothing… Read More ›
The Thankful Writer
As I write this, I’m sitting in the living room of my aunts and mother’s home. It’s mid-afternoon and we’re all waiting for Thanksgiving Dinner. My sister’s family and I piled into their van early in the morning to travel… Read More ›
Book vs Film: Scaring your Audience
Since it’s October, I thought it’d be appropriate to write a series of scary topics to coincide with All Hallows’ Eve. To kick off this series, I’ll be discussing the differences between a horror book and a horror film. Boo!… Read More ›
Victory is Sweet
When it comes to games, I’m pretty competitive. Of course, if you ask my nieces and nephews, they’ll tell you I’m ruthless. When playing Risk, I’ll backstab my allies. When playing Sorry, I’m not sorry. I don’t try to collect… Read More ›
The Social Writer: Blogging Platforms
Continuing with the series The Social Writer, this week I’ll be talking about blogging platforms. Now, last week I discussed why a writer might want to begin his/her own blog. Let’s say you decided to take my advice and start… Read More ›
The Social Writer: The Art of the Blog
It takes amazing willpower to enter Barnes & Nobles without walking out a book. Apparently, I have absolutely no willpower because I left with three books. One of them was a book titled “Blogging for Writers: How Authors and Writers… Read More ›
Writing is not Life
Writing is not life Around this time of year, I always contemplate about the past. For good reason too. Ten years ago, my wife and I were married. Four years ago, I graduated college. Three years ago, after a… Read More ›