Category: Writing

COVER REVEAL-The Heart of Magic

COVER REVEAL! Here’s the cover for The Heart of Magic: A Coming of Age Historical Fantasy Novel. This is Book Two of The Arcana Chronicles. The amazing Christian Bentulan did a wonderful job on this cover for me. When a should-be nemesis becomes his brother-in-arms, will this powerful magic-user lead his team to triumph or…
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Nobody Expects the Spanish Inquisition!

NOBODY EXPECTS THE SPANISH INQUISITION! A Disturbing World-building Resource By Jay S. Willis I was honored to have this essay World Building with the Spanish Inquisition published by Author and Scientist Dan Koboldt on his ongoing series for writers and fans of speculative fiction called Science in Sci-Fi, Fact in Fiction. Monty Python and Mel Brooks’s modern portrayals of…
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Writing A Brief History of Real World Magic

A Brief History of Real World Magic I am honored to have my essay A Brief History of Real World Magic published by Author and Scientist Dan Koboldt on his ongoing series for writers and fans of speculative fiction called Science in Sci-Fi, Fact in Fiction. I came across Dan’s blog series last fall when…
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Guest Blog Post-September Fawkes

Today I’m welcoming September Fawkes as a Guest Blogger. Her website is chock full of fantastic writing tips. I highly recommend utilizing her insights as a resource. The advice she offers below is something I’ve found particularly helpful in my writing, though I know I’ve not even scratched the surface or come close to mastering…
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Full Speed Ahead for Nanowrimo

Nanowrimo Or, National Novel Writing Month for the uninitiated. I’ve had a great 5 days of writing on my latest project so far. For various life reasons, my writing habit faltered during the early fall months, but I was able to plan and outline to reboot during November. Thus far, I’m very pleased with my…
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Writing Mindgames

Writing Mindgames The past few weeks I’ve been pondering my brain. That sounds peculiar, but hear me out. Since “winning” NaNoWriMo last year and dedicating myself to my writing full force, I’ve managed to establish a writing habit and have been able to write, even if only some brainstorming notes, almost every day. What started…
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A Farewell to Kings

A Farewell to Kings Rush-Clockwork Angels Tour-Columbus, Ohio 2012 June 8, 2015 Rush played Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio opening the second leg of their R40 Tour marking their 40th Anniversary as a band. I was privileged to take my wife and two children and share a special evening with Alex Lifeson, Neil Peart, and…
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Revisions and Writing Resources

Revisions and Writing Resources Volume I: The Dream of the Sphere is finished and there’s a light at the end of the tunnel on revisions at long last. After a very long haul, working through my lessons from Dave Farland’s Rewriting to Greatness, I’m finally on the last few passes, completing line-editing. The first 7…
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Welcome to Nightvale!

Welcome to Nightvale!   Earlier this week I had the pleasure of visiting the auspicious town Nightvale by way of Cincinnati. The wildly popular podcast is currently touring its live show “The Investigators”. Watching Cecil Baldwin was truly a treat. The man is a consummate acting professional. All the performers in this production were excellent…
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Visions of The Avengers

Visions of The Avengers I’m anxious to see Avengers: Age of Ultron, in a good way, and a bad way.  The Avengers was my favorite comic book growing up. It’s one of the first books I ever bought with my own money and started collecting.  I was thrilled with Joss Whedon’s take on my Avengers…
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