There seems to be something going around these days. My various feeds--which feed me with flash stories and articles on writing--have bombarded me with posts recently on writing "rules." (I put that in quotes because ultimately writing rules don't exist. Writing is much akin to Fight Club, with the exception to the rule about talking … Continue reading Writing Rules
Author: JM Williams
Author, historian, teacher, veteran. A man full of stories.
Fiction Vortex Update
As many of you know, I am the managing head of Fiction Vortex's Of Metal and Magic StoryVerse. It's a shared, high-fantasy universe that currently has seven authors, including myself. I want to give you guys some updates on what's going on with us at OMAM, as we call ourselves, but first let me mention another … Continue reading Fiction Vortex Update
My Review of Raising Steam
Raising Steam by Terry Pratchett My rating: 3 of 5 stars I am a huge fan of Terry Pratchett. I was saddened by his passing in 2015--for those who don't know, Sir Terry had Alzheimer's, which ultimately brought his end. Now I find myself equally sad to see the inevitable decline in his storytelling. This … Continue reading My Review of Raising Steam
Shout Out to Annlyel
Despite having a relatively small blogger community, I somehow end up with lots of "blogger award" nominations. I'm not going to dive into the nitty gritty this time, but I do want to thank Annlyel James for the nomination. If you don't know, she is a Star Wars and pop culture super-fan, and her blog … Continue reading Shout Out to Annlyel
REBLOG – Character Plotting
If you didn't know, Richie Billing is one of the authors in the shared fantasy universe I manage. He is also a much more dedicated and skilled blogger than I am. Check out this cool little post he recently wrote on character planning. Character Plotting Posted on November 9, 2018 by richiebilling I’m a bit of a planner … Continue reading REBLOG – Character Plotting
Looking for a Few Good Writers
I've mentioned before on this blog that I am the head of a shared fantasy universe called Of Metal and Magic. We even have a Facebook page. Right now we have six authors, including myself, writing series which are all set on the world of Soria. But as we churn out drafts in preparation for … Continue reading Looking for a Few Good Writers
Terrible Memories – 3LineTales
I haven't been able to look at a swamp without a feeling of dreadful sorrow, not since my earliest memories as a child, memories of pain and loss, from an experience that left me forever scarred. I look at the scene before me and a single name pierces the last sanctum of my troubled psyche. … Continue reading Terrible Memories – 3LineTales
The Sound of Silence
Utilizing sensory details is a critical part of good writing. Tapping into the five sense allows a reader to go beyond visualizing the scene to the point of feeling it for themselves. But of the five, sound is probably one of the hardest to convey. You can get by sometimes with onomatopoeia. Providing details of what … Continue reading The Sound of Silence
Don’t Do Drugs, Kids
I am working my way though Discworld #40, Raising Steam, and though it has thus far been slower than I'd like, there have been some fun bits. Like the following cautionary tale about being to quick to accept an offered drink: The goblin handed Moist a little bottle on which a grubby label proclaimed the contents … Continue reading Don’t Do Drugs, Kids
Character Art
Ain't that something? Instead of rewriting the details from scratch, let me share with you what was posted on the Facebook Page for "Of Metal and Magic" (aka OMAM), the high fantasy writing team I manage. We commissioned indie web-comic artist MORRIE KOESTER for this awesome character art. Razal happens to be one of the … Continue reading Character Art
JM Williams 