Search found 104 matches

by Mike Dickson
September 26th, 2013, 7:27 am
Forum: Writing
Topic: Finding an Editor
Replies: 9
Views: 6967

Re: Finding an Editor

Do you intend to submit your manuscript for traditional publishing? If so, then hiring an editor is premature. Once the manuscript is accepted for publication, the publisher will provide editing services. Polymath, Doesn't it help to find an agent with a highly polished manuscript? I would think a ...
by Mike Dickson
January 24th, 2012, 12:30 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Protagonist blog idea
Replies: 9
Views: 3530

Protagonist blog idea

I've been thinking of different ways to get my protagonist out to the world in an effort to build a readership for my upcoming novel. The idea is to have my protagonist author a blog on my website. My novel is a thriller and the protagonist is a mafia turncoat now hiding in witness protection. His f...
by Mike Dickson
January 6th, 2012, 2:43 pm
Forum: Social Media and Book Promotion
Topic: How did you think of your blog name?
Replies: 15
Views: 7606

Re: How did you think of your blog name?

For branding purposes I use my own name for my site. I have two separate blogs on my site (both of which are private at this point) that I use for my experiences as a writer, and also for short stories related to my protagonist.
by Mike Dickson
January 6th, 2012, 2:41 pm
Forum: Books
Topic: Do you read indie/self-pubbed books?
Replies: 11
Views: 5386

Re: Do you read indie/self-pubbed books?

I've read all of Amanda Hocking. I'm not much of a vampire fan but she lives close to me so I thought it was cool. I also read J.A. Konrath.
by Mike Dickson
January 6th, 2012, 2:38 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: What's Your Approach to Revision?
Replies: 14
Views: 4915

Re: What's Your Approach to Revision?

I took Holy Lisle class "How to Revise your Novel" to revise my first novel early last year. I had no idea how to revise to begin with so it helpd a lot.
by Mike Dickson
January 6th, 2012, 2:24 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Novel soundtrack?
Replies: 20
Views: 6879

Re: Novel soundtrack?

Pandora shuffle, but my favorite is Fryderyk Chopin.
by Mike Dickson
April 22nd, 2011, 3:45 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Motivation or lack thereof...
Replies: 6
Views: 2236

Re: Motivation or lack thereof...

Ignore it and keep writing; the motivation will find itself again.
by Mike Dickson
April 22nd, 2011, 3:43 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: What Do You Write For?
Replies: 31
Views: 15009

Re: What Do You Write For?

I write what I'd like to read, but can't find anywhere else.
by Mike Dickson
April 10th, 2011, 8:34 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Revision of plot - ugh
Replies: 11
Views: 4133

Re: Revision of plot - ugh

If you're an outliner it sounds like you need to go back and adjust from there. If you've never user Dramatica Pro, check it out. When done correctly that program makes it nearly impossible to have holes.
by Mike Dickson
March 25th, 2011, 5:05 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Can my story goal change mid story
Replies: 5
Views: 4516

Can my story goal change mid story

As I put together my story, I'm running into a problem where my story goal wants to change. The pro starts off with a clear goal but once he gets close to the perceived goal the rug is pulled out from under him and a new story goal begins. It works well and makes the story more interesting but I'm n...
by Mike Dickson
March 10th, 2011, 2:22 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Rewrite a lost WIP from scratch?
Replies: 4
Views: 1741

Re: Rewrite a lost WIP from scratch?

There's a good possibility my writing-computer has died, and it looks like my backup files didn't backup. So now I'm faced with a dilemma: my WIP and all my reference files and notes might be gone. I was about fifty pages of nine-point type in--hadn't checked the word count in a while--and now I'm ...
by Mike Dickson
March 10th, 2011, 8:36 am
Forum: Writing
Topic: I'm stuck
Replies: 14
Views: 4071

Re: I'm stuck

Too much material and too many choices. So I'm narrowing the possibilities. One thing is no preaching. Readers don't want to have their noses rubbed in it. I got it. I was at the bookstore yesterday looking for a writer's vocabulary book. I was looking for a book that's taken all the descriptive wo...
by Mike Dickson
March 10th, 2011, 8:00 am
Forum: Writing
Topic: I'm stuck
Replies: 14
Views: 4071

Re: I'm stuck

Wait a second, what kind of paperwork would exist? Receipts? Evidence? I don't know why anyone would keep that. The mob isn't killing him because they have a judge in their pocket. The paperwork that exists are the informants names (they probably got rubbed out) and jury pool names the judge releas...
by Mike Dickson
March 9th, 2011, 7:55 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: I'm stuck
Replies: 14
Views: 4071

Re: I'm stuck

Sounds like you need to bust out some more novels Polymath. Taxi cab driver in a small town? Oh the stories I could weave with just that thought. Throw in a small town banker mixed in with the underworld and you have yourself a good beginning. Pick your posion, the taxi cab driver has the goods on e...
by Mike Dickson
March 9th, 2011, 5:28 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: I'm stuck
Replies: 14
Views: 4071

Re: I'm stuck

First, a logical consideration. The judge would either have been under investigation Yes, he was under investigation, however the evidence had yet to be fully realized before his death. First, a logical consideration. The judge would either have been under investigation or operating within a wide-s...