Smart stories, epic ideas
Author J.B. Simmons blogs on creative writing, editing, publishing, and music. He is the bestselling author of twelve books that bring hope to dystopia. Readers can't put them down.
November 2018 marks the release of The Blue Tower, the first book of a YA series about a boy who wakes up in a mysterious tower with no memories of his former life. He must learn who he was before he can figure out why he's here...and how to get out.
The Unbound trilogy tells the story of a teen from Manhattan with nightmares of a dragon and the world ending in 2066. It has been acclaimed as "The Da Vinci Code meets Hunger Games meets Left Behind... An imagining epic." (Hugh Hewitt)
Art inspires art. Music and writing are art. Thus, music inspires writing. When I write -- trying to make words sing -- I let music work in my subconscious. This is the first of a series of posts on musicians who can help your written words flow. Each post will include a couple long videos.
I must start with Yann Tiersen, a French composer.
Read MoreIndie authors relish the control they have over their books. We are the final word on the cover and the contents.
But there are a couple downsides to being your own final word. First, you might think you're finished when you're not. Second, you might never finish...
Read MoreThe Seventh Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest has just been announced.
Submissions open February 16, 2014.
Read MoreI read a half dozen books on writing and publishing in 2013. I culled this selection from a sea of writings on the topic, based on solid recommendations. These books have helped me gear up for my best year of writing yet. If, like me, you have writing aspirations in 2014, I encourage you to read:
Top-Tier Trifecta
Read MoreI am in the midst of revising and polishing a sequel. It has been a pleasure to write -- full of characters I love and love to hate. The cast, old and new, pushes off where the first book ended and sails the story toward completion.
But why should it be finished after two books? Why do sequels turn into trilogies, tetralogies, and more? Below are some good and bad reasons.
Read MoreAmazon Bestselling Author. Smart stories, epic ideas.
