Hey all;

One of the hardest things for a lot of writers, in my opinion, is showing not telling when writing a novel. Telling is basically saying: Fred did this and then Fred did that. Boring!

Showing is more about allowing the reader to experience the adventure along with your protagonist, using your character’s senses to their fullest degree: Fred saw this, smelled that, heard this. It’s drawing the reader into your world and allowing him to be surprised by what happens as much as your characters are. Sounds easy and for some writers, it is. For others, not so much.

J.J.

Hey all;

There are times when I, even as a writer, tend to forget the sheer joy that comes from spending an afternoon lost in a good book. Being instantly transported to new places, even new worlds, getting to know new people and living through them. It’s magical.

That was reinforced today when my power went off for the entire day and all I could do was sit by a window and read. Probably one of the most relaxed days I’ve had in months.

J.J.

Hey all;

As if there weren’t enough genres in the writing field, such as Romance, Erotica, New Age, Young Adult, etc., now along comes NA, New Adult.

So, what the heck is New Adult? Apparently, it is the step between Young Adult, where the protagonist is around thirteen or fourteen years of age and Adult, which speaks for itself.

So basically, the protagonist is around college age, eighteen or so and leaving home and venturing out into the big world. There’s usually some adult language, perhaps more sexual content and so forth. And that is what New Adult is.

J.J.

Hey all;

If you are on the road to writing your first book, or second, or whatever, here’s a tip I totally believe in. When you’re done (or as done as you think you ever will be), go through it, run the spellchecker, run the grammar checker if you have one, then leave it alone for a day, or a week. If you can, print the whole thing out as a hard copy. And then, when you are feeling a little bit distanced from your work, sit down and read it through as if you were a reader, not the author.

See if you connect with the characters. Read the dialogue OUT LOUD and see if it sounds natural or contrived. Listen to your instincts; does something not feel right. Is something, a situation or event feel a bit…off? That’s the reader in you telling you that something is wrong. Listen to that little voice! Re-read that section until you figure out the problem. Don’t assume it’s fine or you’re just imagining things; you probably aren’t.

There is no such thing as too much editing. Try not to obsess of course, but make your creation as good as it can be. The reward will be happy readers, and after all, isn’t that who we’re writing for?

J.J.

Hey all;

Just wanted to mention that my next book in the Titan’s Legacy series is coming along nicely. I’m excited and can’t wait to find out what happens next! Weird way to write for some, I suppose, but I enjoy the adventure as Justin and the gang are battling for freedom deep underground. Well, back to it!

J.J.

Hey all;

Is it just me, or is this summer just chock full of train crashes, bus crashes, car crashes, drownings, police shootings, vigilante attacks and general overall mayhem? No? Just me? Thought so. Ah well.

J.J.

Hey all;

I don’t bother pushing my writing here because, you know, really? But I thought I’d mention that The Return of the Titans is available in print form at Createspace. The link is Here.

Thanks,

J.J.

Hey guys;

With all the talk in sports right now about HGH, I wonder if a writer should use it? Okay, I know it wouldn’t improve my writing (probably) but maybe with huge arms I could write in super-roid mode or something? Hmm, might break my laptop. Sigh, just a thought.

J.J.

Hey all;

Just joined Library thing. Seems like a good site to connect with other authors and readers as well. I hope it turns out to be a fun place to visit.

J.J.

Hey all;

Well, Kate had the baby. Very exciting. Here in Canada we seem fairly evenly split on caring about the event or not giving a damn. Personally I’m very happy that Kate and baby are doing well. She seems like a lovely, regular person, and I wish her and the little one nothing but the best.

And after his mother’s death, Will knows what it’s like to be under a microscope throughout his childhood, so I’m sure he’ll try to keep the baby’s life as “normal” as possible. Good luck with that.

J.J.