J.S. Bailey's Blog, page 13
December 12, 2011
Show, Don't Tell!
One thing I frequently hear regarding the writing of fiction is the mantra "Show, don't tell." Readers are not dumb and can generally figure out things on their own without the author going into excessive details. Adjectives and adverbs should be used sparingly (this is something I have personally tried to improve in my own writing), and usage of relevant, appropriate imagery should be encouraged.
Here are some examples:
1. TELLING: The walls were brownish-gold.
SHOWING: The walls were the color...
Here are some examples:
1. TELLING: The walls were brownish-gold.
SHOWING: The walls were the color...
December 3, 2011
Before The Land Beyond the Portal, there was... THE ENCHANTING RAINBOW
I've been "writing" pretty much since I learned how to read. Some of my writing is really bad. In fact, many of my early attempts at writing are downright horrible. But practice makes perfect, right? (You can be the judge of that.)
Here is a short story I wrote at some point between 1996 and 1998, which would have made me anywhere from seven to nine years old. Alas, I did not put a date on the book, so I cannot know for certain when the idea for The Enchanting Rainbow came to me. But here it i...
Here is a short story I wrote at some point between 1996 and 1998, which would have made me anywhere from seven to nine years old. Alas, I did not put a date on the book, so I cannot know for certain when the idea for The Enchanting Rainbow came to me. But here it i...
November 22, 2011
Countdown to the December Book Tour!
As many of you already know, I have been blessed to have six book signings scheduled for the month of December. These signings will be held at six different locations in Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky. I will be selling copies of The Land Beyond the Portal and giving away free bookmarks with the purchase of each book. It is my hope to be able to meet some of you in person at these events, which will be held during the first three weekends of December. Please check the schedule of...
November 15, 2011
Meet the Author: Rhonda Kooyman
Greetings, friends! (I guess if you're an enemy, I can still greet you, too.) Anyway. As part of this new blog I have constructed, I will be featuring some of my fellow writers so you can get to know them better. That being said, today's featured author is Rhonda Kooyman, author of the novel Choices of the Heart. Let's all give her a warm welcome!
First of all, tell us a bit about yourself. Where are you from? When did you first start writing? I was born and raised in Sioux City, Iowa. ...
First of all, tell us a bit about yourself. Where are you from? When did you first start writing? I was born and raised in Sioux City, Iowa. ...
November 13, 2011
Well, I started a blog...
Starting my own blog was never a part of my "to-do" list when it came to promoting myself as a writer. After all, I already have a Facebook fan page and a website. Why would I need a blog in addition to those?
The reason, of course, is that many other authors also have blogs. So do many book reviewers. A blog can be another way to network with fans of the written word. So I might as well give it a try.
What will you find here? I will probably be posting random thoughts, occasional book reviews,...
The reason, of course, is that many other authors also have blogs. So do many book reviewers. A blog can be another way to network with fans of the written word. So I might as well give it a try.
What will you find here? I will probably be posting random thoughts, occasional book reviews,...
