Darius Jones's Blog: A Writer Begins, page 19

Done with New Short Story

Hi, Everybody. Getting ready to take off on a trip for the long weekend, so I’m going to keep this one really short.

I’ve just finished a first draft of a new short story. It’s kind of late here, so I’m not feeling up to the whole “title reveal” thing tonight. It’s simply just another story done and I wanted to let you know.

A basic overview of the story: It’s about 8,300 words and a bit too long to sell to a typical fiction magazine. I’m hoping to shape and sculpt the piece and remove some...

Keeping the Writing Going

[Part of a continuing series on where my fiction writing is at.]

Just a quick post today on where my writing is at.

“P” –This is a short story that’s become a bit long. It’s a fantasy story set in South America in the present day and it’s now up to 7,200 words. I have yet to write the last couple of scenes. After that’s done I think I will cut, cut, cut to get a solid, gripping read of about 5,000 words. A great length for selling to magazines.

I’m pleased with PARTS of the piece so far. Es...

The Craft: Are You a “Plotter” or a “Pantser”?

[This is part of a continuing series on the art of writing fiction.]

I’ve been thinking a lot about something that came up at RavenCon earlier this year. It’s a question of primary importance to all writers: Are you Plotter or a Pantser?

First, a word of explanation. What is a Plotter? And what a Pantser?

A Plotter
A Plotter is someone who who has to plan out each story, scene by scene, before they dive in. The most characteristic element of this way of storytelling is having a detailed outli...

Thinking Orson Welles

Last week, I strolled into Bookman, a used bookstore I used to frequent back in the day. Thankfully, it hasn’t changed a bit (unlike the lately and dearly departed Acres of Books, a favorite of Ray Bradbury). At any rate, I picked up a number of good books there, including a short biography of Orson Welles by John Russell Taylor.

As a kid of the 80’s, I don’t know much about Welles. I remember being introduced to his work in an album about the Apocalypse, which I now think was an audio recor...

What I Learned at RavenCon

And Im back. Sorry for the delay. Theres been, lets see, a writing conference, vacation and now, work. So, I havent been able to feed ye olde blog as much as I had hoped. Lets change that, right now.

Today, I want to talk about my time at RavenCon, my local fan/writer Con here in the Mid-Atlantic U.S. It was a great time, I met some old friends, hopefully made some new ones and had a great time. But for the blog I want to just focus on what I learned. Since this was my second time at RavenCo...

Back in 15 Minutes–Or So

Folks,

After my RavenCon adventure, I’ve taken off on vacation.

I didn’t want to leave you all hanging indefinitely on the blog. I’ll be back in 15 minutes…which in writer time means a few days or a week. Then, I’ll update you on all the happenings at RavenCon. And where I’m headed from here.

Until then, I wish you many happy returns, that you find a great new book to read and–for the writing inclined–that you bang out a really great new chapter.

As for me, I think I’ll order another Pina Col...

To RavenCon!

Not much for todays post. Just wanted to let you know Ill be at RavenCon from April 24-26 this year. I wont be on any of the panels or anything like that. But if you hang out at the writing workshops or sessions, you cant fail but run into me. Just ask around for Darius Jones. And please say Hi!

I went last year and it was great fun and a great learning experience. It was my first Con ever and it was great to connect with other writers at my level and with those above my level (that was parti...

The Craft: Shot Selection

[This is part of a continuing series on the art of writing fiction.]

Well, its spring. And that means its time for some basketball and some musing on the art of writing fiction.

Way back when, I used to play basketball. And one of the first things you learn is that you dont shoot every time you get the ball. What you do is quickly assess the situation and either go for it or pass it on to the next guy. Thats called shot selection.

Guys that dont have good shot selection tend to throw up anyt...

The Craft–Shot Selection

[This is part of a continuing series on the art of writing fiction.]

Well, its spring. And that means its time for some basketball and some musing on the art of writing fiction.

So work with me on this one. I used to play basketball seriously way-back-when. And one of the first things you learn is that you dont shoot every time you get the ball. What you do is quickly assess the situation and either go for it or pass it on to the next guy. Thats called shot selection.

Guys that dont have goo...

Works in Progress–Next Up

[Part of a continuing series on where my fiction writing is at.]
Lots of stuff going on in life and work. So, this post is going to be particularly telegraphic. Here we go.

How They Did It at Kazansky StationGood news here. Last time I posted, I was 2/3 of the way through my dreaded second draft of this story. Well, I finished that off. Even ran it through the third draft. And this weekend I plan to do a final draft and proofread it. Then, its off to publishers.

Im really pleased with where...