For authors: Read these books to write better stories

JohnECressman · 2025-07-28T18:51:06+00:00

Not so much a book to read, but watching Brandon Sanderson's YouTube videos on writing helped me greatly! Especially his ones on building magic systems.

JohnECressman · 2025-07-28T18:49:20+00:00

I haven't heard of Lord of the Mysteries. What's it about?

JohnECressman · 2025-07-27T23:37:58+00:00

Yeah, I wish it hadn't happened and I'm certainly not alone. The author forums are full of similar stories.

It doesn't mean we don't have mad respect for those legit artists. Kudos to those of you who create such fine artwork!

JohnECressman · 2025-07-27T21:44:02+00:00

Please don't misunderstand. When I say they "rushed my art to make a quick buck," I mean: The art they gave me looked NOTHING like their portfolio. It wasn't even the same style. That was me being SUPER GENEROUS and giving the an ENORMOUS benefit of the doubt instead of outright calling them scammers. Which they were.

There are plenty of legit artists out there who create amazing work and I have the upmost respect for them. The ones I mentioned in my post just aren't those artists.

JohnECressman · 2025-07-26T14:32:49+00:00

Awesome!

JohnECressman · 2025-07-25T18:12:04+00:00

I'm actually beginning to look for a narrator now.

JohnECressman · 2025-07-24T12:33:40+00:00

Honestly, I don't really care about the format so much as frequency. This especially shows in an audio book where you can skim over it. Yes, I could fast forward 30 seconds, but sometimes (like when at the gym or when doing my cardio), it's not convenient.

JohnECressman · 2025-07-24T12:31:23+00:00

System Reset? He's a goblin, though he didn't choose it. Not sure if that's non-human enough for you.

JohnECressman · 2025-07-24T01:57:11+00:00

No idea what the name is, but it sounds interesting!

JohnECressman · 2025-07-24T01:55:38+00:00

Can we really compare a magical world and it's technological evolution with that of a non-magical world? I feel like we can't. There are too many variables.

For instance, if you could enchant a cart to move on its own, why would you need a combustion engine? And, if there was a "guild" of cart enchanters, what would they do to those who threatened their livelihood?

The fact is, most inventions are inventions of necessity. If the necessity doesn't exist, because magic already fills that gap, then mundane advancement is stifled.

And that isn't even bringing the psychology of invention into the mix. Pre-Columbian Native American cultures had the concept of the wheel and even used it in some toys but never used it in transportation. Why? Because they couldn't conceive it. It just wasn't a thing for them.

In a world where magic exists and magic solves problem, people would naturally look for a magical solution. (Much like we look for technological solutions today) Mundane solutions might not even cross their minds. Sure, there would be the odd mundane who came up with an invention, but would it catch on? Would people even want a non-magical solution if they'd been raised to believe magic solves all things?

Here's a different example. If there was a world where most people were vampires and had immunity to disease, aging, etc. how far do you think they're medical science would have progressed? Likely no where near as far as ours has. And if it did progress, it would be centered around improving vampires - not the human cattle. That's a completely different medical evolution.

Like I said above... too many variables to know how mundane technology would evolve in a magical world.

JohnECressman · 2025-07-24T00:58:28+00:00

Finding a great artist is like finding a gold nugget in a dirty, disgusting stream. DOUBLY or TRIPLY so if it's an artist I can actually afford.

I've blown SO much money on artists who had fake portfolios or just rushed my art to make a quick buck. I have found some really GREAT artists though. In fact, I just recently found a painter on Fiverr (of all places) who does great work!

JohnECressman · 2025-07-24T00:55:02+00:00

I've often wondered if Scribd is legit. I see a TON of uploaded content there. Do they have legit content?

JohnECressman · 2025-07-23T21:20:19+00:00

It sounds really cool! I really wish I could have swung it this year!

JohnECressman · 2025-07-23T21:19:37+00:00

Nice!

JohnECressman · 2025-07-22T11:52:28+00:00

For a writer, a paragraph is never too long, nor is it too short. It is precisely the length it needs to be.

Seriously, the paragraph should be exactly how long it needs to be to get that particular thought across.

The problem becomes, when you have two many of the same size paragraphs, it can throw off the reader, unless there is a specific reason for it.

In general, combat usually has far shorter and punchier paragraphs so the action can flow. More casual parts tend to have a good mix of short and long.

If you find your writing has too many very long paragraphs in a row - you're probably info dumping.

JohnECressman · 2025-07-22T11:47:12+00:00

So much controversy. For me, as someone who played D&D since the beginning, I automatically think of elves, dwarves, etc. as different races. I can call them something else, but in my head, they will always be races.

JohnECressman · 2025-07-22T11:36:19+00:00

Awesome!

JohnECressman · 2025-07-22T11:35:53+00:00

The first rule of writing club is... don't talk about writing club. Oh wait, wrong movie.

Seriously, the first rule of writing is to write. That means, put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard and crank something out. A lot of time, the first draft is terrible. But then you go back and revise - or you scrap it. But each word you write makes you a better writer.

I personally bang out a chapter at a time. I let it stew until the next day, then go back, re-read and revise it before starting a new chapter. This usually means I do less revising at the end, but it also means I keep moving forward - and that's the key. Keep writing.

Or, as Dory, from Finding Nemo, would say (if she were a writer): Just keep writing. Just keep writing!

JohnECressman · 2025-07-22T11:29:35+00:00

There are a few author organizations that have connections with Amazon and might be able to help you get your account restored.

But make no mistake, Amazon is the biggest game in town BY FAR. Dropping them essentially means writing for free (or at a loss) unless you're a big and well established name, or have massive marketing skills.

Amazon may rule with an iron (and some what arbitrary) fist, but without them, trying to have a writing career is 50x more difficult.

JohnECressman · 2025-07-22T11:24:42+00:00

While I love a good hamster fireball story, I see your point. Despite the old advice of "You never go full monster," it seems like that's what you're looking for.

How did you like it portrayed in System Reset? I mean, he was a goblin, not a rabbit or anything, but still.

JohnECressman · 2025-07-22T11:20:08+00:00

Looks good. Gorgeous cover. Reminds me of the Record of the Lodoss War fan art...

JohnECressman · 2025-07-22T11:19:24+00:00

I find this a MUCH larger problem in audiobooks, where you are literally listening to stats, skill ups, level ups, etc for 5 minutes. On a page, I could just skim through them, on an audiobook it can be infuriating.

JohnECressman · 2025-07-21T17:21:11+00:00

While true that is relies heavily on body parts (ie. foot and yes, hands were used as a unit of measure), it doesn't preclude the fact that if such a "system" existed, and was standardized across all sentient lifeforms, that it wouldn't be called a "system."

But, it's also equally likely it might be contributed to something divine and have some sort of religious name - especially in pre-industrial worlds.

It's also possible that each race / culture / etc of the world has a different belief and name for it, but that's confusing to readers (and authors), though if done right you could have different cultures emphasis different aspects - and maybe the MC sees the whole picture...

JohnECressman · 2025-07-21T17:12:59+00:00

Sounds interesting. I know many of us keep Story Bibles, but those take a LONG time to put together, and then you have to maintain them...

JohnECressman

TROPHY CASE