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Michael Dalton

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http://michaeldaltonbooks.com/

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MikeDaltonBooks

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September 2014

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Michael Dalton is a professional journalist and editor.

Michael wrote his first piece of fiction in third grade, for which he was immediately accused of plagiarism by his teacher. Since then, he has been writing more or less steadily, interrupted only by occasional demands of work and family.

Michael lives with his family and multiple pets in Southern California.

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Popular Answered Questions

What’s your advice for aspiring writers?

Michael Dalton One quality writers need that you don't often see mentioned is patience. It takes time to hone your craft. It takes time for ideas to germinate into a…moreOne quality writers need that you don't often see mentioned is patience. It takes time to hone your craft. It takes time for ideas to germinate into a story or book. It takes time to write (obviously). It takes time to polish a draft into something readable. And, it takes time to build an audience.

I often see novice writers getting discouraged because things aren't happening as fast as they would like. Just keep plugging away. Successful writers are the ones who didn't give up. (less)

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Hello! I'm 17 and just published my first book. I've been receiving a lot of praise but sometimes there are some negative comments. How do you harden yourself to not take offense to anything? Perhaps it's because I'm younger and am pretty soft. I was wondering if you had any advice? Or if there was any way to contact you for more tips? Thank you

Michael Dalton There are few things tougher than putting your work as an artist out there for the world to pick over. After all, you're pouring your soul into what…moreThere are few things tougher than putting your work as an artist out there for the world to pick over. After all, you're pouring your soul into what you create, and it's hard not to take comments of all sorts personally. But one thing you absolutely must develop as a writer is a thick skin. Rejection and negative feedback are simply part of the landscape, and you will get nowhere if you let them tie you in knots.

Stephen King, of all people, was the epitome of a failed writer. He wrote ten novels and dozens of short stories before selling anything. He was living in abject poverty, papering his walls with rejection letters, when he finally sold Carrie. He's a success today because he never gave up.

People are different in what they like, and not everyone is polite in how they express this. You have to remind yourself that comments are just opinions, and you're not required to pay attention to every opinion in the world, no matter the subject.

But negative comments are also a source of growth as a writer. Rather than take offense, try to look at the comment objectively and ask yourself if there is anything constructive you can use to improve your writing—very often there is. I've gained much more from negative feedback in my career than from the positive.

Of course, some people are just jerks and thrive on negativity, and enjoy hurling abuse at writers and artists because of the sense of power it gives them. You have to do your best to ignore small people like that.

Finally, be careful about positive comments too. Praise can become a drug that you start chasing, and that can lead to stagnation as a writer. When your fans are constantly telling you how wonderful you are, you can start to think your growth as an artist is complete. Don't ever lose the self-doubt and insecurity that drives you keep improving your writing.

As for other tips, I post regularly about writing to my blog, and I'm happy to discuss my posts there as well. (less)

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Michael Dalton’s books

Average rating: 3.78 · 756 ratings · 73 reviews · 16 distinct works • Similar authors

	The Wizard's Daughters 3.66 avg rating — 456 ratings — published 2014 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Witches' Covenant 3.83 avg rating — 171 ratings — published 2015	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The eGirl 4.20 avg rating — 44 ratings — published 2014 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Vector 4.27 avg rating — 15 ratings — published 2014 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Spider 4.27 avg rating — 11 ratings — published 2016 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Hunt 4.20 avg rating — 10 ratings — published 2014 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Faith, Hope & Charity 3.78 avg rating — 9 ratings — published 2014 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Teaser 3.70 avg rating — 10 ratings — published 2014 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Amber: The Making of a Sex Toy 4.63 avg rating — 8 ratings — published 2014 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Wisdom of Dogs 4.60 avg rating — 5 ratings — published 2014 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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Michael Dalton's Blog

What’s Up

Okay, I get that I seem to have disappeared lately. That’s a fair assessment. To set the record straight, I am not dead, I am not sick, and I am not suffering from anything keeping me away from writing beyond life. But I changed jobs around the first of this year, and as a result, […]

Series by Michael Dalton

Twin Magic (2 books)
by

Michael Dalton (Goodreads Author)

3.70 avg rating — 627 ratings

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Michael’s Recent Updates

Michael Dalton is now friends with Olivia Saxton
Feb 08, 2019 11:58AM · like
Michael Dalton is now following Scarlet Darkwood Author of Words We Never Speak
May 17, 2016 01:12PM · like
Michael Dalton liked Scarlet Darkwood's review of Spider: "I don't normally review books. I'll only do it in rare circumstances, usually when I want to share an author I really like, one I took the chance on reading when I have a TBR list that's a mile high. I was intrigued by the title and the descriptio..." Read more of this review »
May 17, 2016 01:12PM · see review
Michael Dalton answered Michael Evans's question: Is there any information on Twin Magic book? Hi Michael, It's late, I know, but it's underway. I got sidetracked by some other projects. I am hoping to get it out later this year, hopefully by the end of the summer. M
Apr 27, 2016 07:08AM · 2 likes · like
Michael Dalton has read Spider by Michael Dalton (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Mar 03, 2016 12:04PM · like
Michael Dalton rated a book it was amazing THORNE: Rose's Dark Contract (Book 1) by R.B. O'Brien (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
If you read the author's "Natalie's Edge" series, which I enjoyed immensely, you may be expecting another tormented romance between two deeply flawed and confused people. That's what we get here, but with some new twists. Thorne is not the ...more
Feb 18, 2016 05:12PM · 2 likes · like · see review
Michael Dalton and 1 other person liked R.B. O'Brien's review of Amber: The Making of a Sex Toy: "Michael Dalton never disappoints in his writing. His dialogue and finely-tuned scenes are so well-crafted and realistic, you can easily suspend any disbelief you may have. And Amber, though more blatant erotica than some of Dalton’s other works I..." Read more of this review »
Sep 28, 2015 12:10PM · see review
Michael Dalton rated a book it was amazing Redemption (Natalie's Edge 3) by R.B. O'Brien (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Part 2 left us hanging, wondering if Michael and Natalie could ever navigate a way to get past their emotional wounds and find true love. They do love each other, but they can't seem to find a way to live together without tripping over one issue afte ...more
Sep 19, 2015 02:41PM · 2 likes · like · see review
Michael Dalton rated a book it was amazing Good Pussy Bad Pussy in Captivity by A. Aimee (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I'll be honest, I had some issues with the first book in this series. The story was engaging and the writing was good, but Rachel's indecision and irrationality drove me bananas in spots. In this book, we get a fuller picture of her, and her maddenin ...more
Aug 13, 2015 07:34AM · 1 like · like · see review
Michael Dalton rated a book it was amazing Fall (Natalie's Edge 2) by R.B. O'Brien (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
The first book ends with Michael's declaration of love, but don't think it's smooth sailing from there. As much as Natalie and Michael are drawn to each other, they can't seem to get past their complicated emotional issues. Love alone isn't enough. ...more
Jun 15, 2015 09:34AM · 1 like · like · see review

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Quotes by Michael Dalton

“There is no rule of writing so sacrosanct that a talented writer can't break it with impunity if he knows what he's doing. If you never cross lines or break conventions in your writing, you're not doing your job as an artist.”
― Michael Dalton

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