Category Archives: All About Writing

THOMAS RYDDER & HIS NEW BOOK

Posted on October 23, 2013 by James J. Murray, Fiction Writer

Thomas Rydder, a good friend and a talented author, announces the release of his new URBAN FANTASY ANTHOLOGY: RESTLESS SOULS 3 dark fables 1. “Do Unto Others” (short story) – Jeremy is a street hood, lawless and unchained. When he … Continue reading →

Posted in About Author Thomas Rydder, About Writing, All About Writing, Colors by Thomas Rydder, Do Unto Others by Thomas Rydder, Paranormal Thrillers, Restless Souls by Thomas Rydder, Simona Says by Thomas Rydder, The Clearing by Thomas Rydder, Urban Fantasy Anthologies, Urban Fantasy Paranormal Thrillers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Powdered Glass – An Instrument of Death?

Posted on October 16, 2013 by James J. Murray, Fiction Writer

Let’s say that you have this particularly nasty villain in your novel and you want to kill him off in some unique way. You have a brilliant idea—crush some glass into fine shards and mix them in food. Your villain will … Continue reading →

Posted in About James J. Murray, All About Murder, All About Writing, Broken Glass and Murder, Crushed Glass and Murder, Glass Shards and Murder, Ideas for Murder Scenes, Instruments of Death, Killing a Villain in a Novel, Murder Weapons, Powdered Glass and Murder, Tools for Murder | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

PROLOGUES – To Use or Not To Use!

Posted on September 25, 2013 by James J. Murray, Fiction Writer

Often I blog about using interesting methods to develop murder plots, and sometimes murder mystery writers use a prologue to set up their story – possibly with an actual murder scene or with a scene that gives valuable information to … Continue reading →

Posted in About James J. Murray, About Writing, All About Writing, Blog Writers, Blogging, How to Use Prologues, Misuse of Prologues, Plot Development, Prologues, Proper Use of Prologues, Purpose of Prologues, Story Development, When Not to Use Prologues, Why Use Prologues | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

A World of Possibility!

Posted on July 5, 2013 by James J. Murray, Fiction Writer

Available for immediate **FREE** download:  A World of Possibility: A Collection of Twenty-Six Short Stories by the Authors of ASMSG (the international Authors’ Social Media Support Group). An eclectic offering of short stories ranging from humorous inspirations to the dark … Continue reading →

Posted in "Cuffed" by James J. Murray, A World of Possibility, About James J. Murray, All About Writing, ASMSG, ASMSG Anthology Collection, ASMSG Short Story Collection, Authors' Social Media Support Group | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Mysteries vs Thrillers

Posted on June 26, 2013 by James J. Murray, Fiction Writer

A few years ago, mysteries were the hot genre. It seemed as if everyone was reading a mystery novel. The thrill of guessing, “Who done it!” was the excitement that kept me, and many others, reading book after book. More … Continue reading →

Posted in About James J. Murray, About Writing, All About Writing, Blogging, Difference Between Mysteries and Thrillers, Mysteries and Thrillers Compared, Mysteries Vs Thrillers, Role of Suspense in Mysteries, Role of Suspense in Thrillers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

I’m a Writer – No Other Label Needed!

Posted on February 27, 2013 by James J. Murray, Fiction Writer

I started my professional career as a pharmacist: a graduate pharmacist first, then a registered one, and then a clinical one. Those labels defined not only who I was, but it described in a single word what I had achieved. … Continue reading →

Posted in About James J. Murray, About Writing, All About Writing, The Art of Writing, What writers are called!, Writing Labels | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Dialogue: The Good and The Bad!

Posted on September 12, 2012 by James J. Murray, Fiction Writer

Last week’s blog was all about character development and using my 3P model to consider physical, psychological and philosophical qualities to flesh out characters.  Getting to know a character deep down is necessary before you can turn that character loose in … Continue reading →

Posted in All About Writing, Dialogue Techniques, Good Dialogue Development, The Art of Writing, Writing Dialogue | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Character Development Techniques

Posted on September 5, 2012 by James J. Murray, Fiction Writer

Last month, I wrote a blog about the making of a hero in a murder mystery.  That brief exercise on character development generated considerable interest.  So today I’d like to expand those thoughts and discuss character development from a broader viewpoint. Often … Continue reading →

Posted in About James J. Murray, All About Writing, Character development, Character Development Techniques, Protagonist Development, The Art of Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Making of a Hero in a Murder Mystery

Posted on August 8, 2012 by James J. Murray, Fiction Writer

There’s nothing better than a memorable protagonist in any story, but the good guy in a murder mystery is the one who saves the day by solving the crime and bringing the perpetrator to justice. As I develop storylines for … Continue reading →

Posted in All About Writing, Character development, Protagonist Development, Protagonists, Story Development | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments