Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I am away from home on temporary duty and didn't have a workable internet connection. I finally just changed my cellular plan to unlimited data and am now using my phone as a wifi hotspot. Here's a post on a topic that has been bothering me as of … Continue reading Are Most Writing Competitions Just Money Grabs?
Author: JM Williams
Author, historian, teacher, veteran. A man full of stories.
The Wonderful Rikki-Tikki-Tavi
One of my favorite cartoons when I was young was the 1974 Chuck Jones animated version of "Rikki Tikki Tavi," narrated by Orson Wells. The classic video can now be accessed in a public archive HERE. This might seem a bit odd, since I was born exactly a decade after this production was released and … Continue reading The Wonderful Rikki-Tikki-Tavi
SHARE: 5 Things Being a Journalist Taught Me About Writing Fiction
People come into writing from different places, and every author's unique experience reveals something about the writing process. Martinez offers several good tips here, but numbers three and four really stand out for me. Good dialogue can help keep a story interesting. You can maintain momentum by delivering background and exposition in dialogue, rather than … Continue reading SHARE: 5 Things Being a Journalist Taught Me About Writing Fiction
REBLOG: The #1 Rule Of Writing
Victor has some great thoughts here, presented in parable, which is always a useful technique. I fully agree with his point, though I don't know if I have enough authority yet to demand others listen to my opinion. All I can say is that I agree that writers need to work up from the bottom, … Continue reading REBLOG: The #1 Rule Of Writing
New Audio Story on the Centropic Oracle
During my adventures with writing and publishing, I have tried to take several approaches. One of these is with audiobook podcasts, the first of which released yesterday at the Centropic Oracle. I have been waiting with a bit of apprehension to hear their production of my work. I imagine that must be a common feeling for … Continue reading New Audio Story on the Centropic Oracle
How (not) to Use Real History in Your Fantasy World
Here's a quick tip to help you polish your fantasy novel outlines and world-building. While it is common--perhaps unavoidable--to add historical inspirations to your fantasy world, you should do so in moderation. And you should be sure to differentiate your fantasy world from its real-world inspiration. Copying too much from a historical example can come off … Continue reading How (not) to Use Real History in Your Fantasy World
A March of Indignation – 3LineTales
Lord Bubblesworth strutted along the seawall, admiring the vastness of his domain, breathing in the salty air, eyeing the fish which hid just under the surface. He marched on, to his other palace, where the servants did not call him Bubblesworth. He was a lord, after all, and a lord could only bear so much … Continue reading A March of Indignation – 3LineTales
The Lure of the Sea – FFfAW
Darrin gazed out dreamily at the small boats bobbing in the water. He was supposed to be on vacation, but he couldn't shake off the depressed thoughts in his mind. He hated being an accountant. He hated the gray walled-office, his cubicle in the center of the room. Why even bother with those thin desk walls … Continue reading The Lure of the Sea – FFfAW
REBLOG: Where Ideas Come From
There's nothing wrong with writing stupid or pointless things. I think, that's maybe the best bit of advice you can offer a new writer. Much of the content of Douglas Adams's work is stupid and pointless, but done in such a majestic way. Sometimes we just want to read something totally ridiculous, to remind ourselves … Continue reading REBLOG: Where Ideas Come From
Vengeance for Bubbles – Sunday Photo Fiction
Kari gripped the doll in her small hands. Who would call this thing a doll? she wondered. The figure was incredibly ugly, the sort of ugly that is hard to describe with words that didn't get you a bar of soap in the mouth. It was like a cross between a man and a crocodile that tried to … Continue reading Vengeance for Bubbles – Sunday Photo Fiction
JM Williams 