Category Archives: Developing a Writing Career

Commas, Em Dashes, and Ellipses—Their Proper Use!

Posted on September 13, 2017 by James J. Murray, Fiction Writer

In a recent blog, I discussed how to properly use the three types of dashes in writing. Today, I’d like to further the discussion on punctuation marks, namely those used specifically to clarify or to emphasize a point. They are … Continue reading →

Posted in A Writer's Psyche, About James J. Murray, About Murder, About Writing, Accuracy in Editing, Accuracy in Writing, Achieving Writing Perfection, All About Writing, AP Style of Ellipsis, Better Fiction Writing, Blog Writers, Blogging, Chicago Style of Ellipsis, Comma Use, Correct Use of Punctuation in Fiction Writing, Developing a Writing Career, Developing Better Writing Skills, Developing Writing Skills, Difference Between Commas, Ellipses Use, Ellipsis Use, Em Dash Use, Em Dashes and Ellipses, Grammar and Punctuation, Growing As A Writer, How to Use Commas Properly, How To Use Ellipses Properly, How to Use Em Dashes Properly, James J. Murray, James J. Murray Blog, Learning the Art of Writing, Mastering Your Craft, Murder Mayhem and Medicine, New Blog, Obsession with Proper Usage of the English Language, Practicing Your Profession, Prescription For Murder Blog, Proper Punctuation in Writing, Proper use of Commas, Proper Use of the Written Word, Punctuation Marks, Punctuation Rules, Rules of Punctuation, The Art of Storytelling, The Art of Writing, Tools of Fiction Writing, Writing As A Special and Rewarding Career, Writing Skills, Writing Techniques | Tagged AP Ellipses, Blogging, Chicago Ellipses, Comma Use in Modern Writing, Ellipsis Use in Modern Writing, Em Dash Use in Modern Writing. Types of Dashes and Their Use in Modern Writing, Em Dashes and Ellipses in Modern Writing, fiction writer, fiction writing, How to Use Em Dashes and Ellipses in Dialogue and Narrative, Inspirations to Use Proper English, James J. Murray - Fiction Writer, Misuse of Commas, Misuse of Em Dashes and Ellipses, Murder Mayhem and Medicine, new blog, pharmacist writer, Prescription For Murder Blog, Proper Communication Skills, Proper Editing Rules, Proper Punctuation in Writing, Proper Punctuation Marks in Modern Writing, Proper Rules in Writing English, Proper Usage of Ellipses and Em Dashes, Proper Use of Commas, Proper Use of the English Language, The Proper Use of the AP Ellipsis, The Proper Use of the Chicago Ellipsis, Types of Ellipses, Use of Ellipses in Modern Writing, Using Commas in Modern Fiction, Using Ellipses in Modern Fiction, Using Punctuation in Modern Writing, writer, writing career, writing pharmacist | 2 Comments

Hyphens and Dashes – The Dread of Misuse!

Posted on August 30, 2017 by James J. Murray, Fiction Writer

Hyphens and dashes are two distinctly different punctuation marks and a proper understanding of each will avoid embarrassing mistakes in your writing. Will anyone get MURDERED as a result of using the wrong one in the wrong place? No, but … Continue reading →

Posted in About James J. Murray, About Writing, Accuracy in Editing, Accuracy in Writing, Achieving Perfection, Achieving Writing Perfection, All About Writing, Blog Writers, Blogging, Developing a Writing Career, Developing Better Writing Skills, Developing Writing Skills, Dreaded Misuse of Hyphens and Dashes, Em Dash Use, Em Dashes and Ellipses, En Dashes and Em Dashes, Grammar and Punctuation, How to Use Em Dashes Properly, Hyphens, Hyphens and Dashes, Hyphens and Dashes and Their Misuse, James J. Murray Blog, Learning the Art of Writing, Mastering Your Craft, Murder Mayhem and Medicine, New Blog, Obsession with Proper Usage of the English Language, Proper Punctuation in Writing, Proper Use of the Written Word, Punctuation Marks, Punctuation Rules, The Art of Writing, The Proper Use of Hyphens and Dashes, The Writings of James J. Murray, Tools of Fiction Writing, Use of Dashes, Use of Hyphens, Writing Skills, Writing Techniques | Tagged crime fiction writer, En Dash and Em Dash Differences, fiction writer, Hyphen Use, Hyphen Use in Modern Writing, Hyphens and Dashes in Writing, Hyphens versus Dashes, James J. Murray - Fiction Writer, Misuse of Em Dashes and Ellipses, Murder Mayhem and Medicine, murder mystery writer, new blog, pharmacist writer, Prescription For Murder Blog, Proper Communication Skills, Proper Editing Rules, Proper Punctuation in Writing, Proper Punctuation Marks in Modern Writing, Proper Rules in Writing English, Proper Use of the English Language, Use of Dashes in Writing, USe of the Em Dash, Use of the En Dash, Using Dashes in Modern Fiction, Using Punctuation in Modern Writing, writer, writing career, writing pharmacist | 2 Comments

Changing Ordinary People into Heroes!

Posted on June 21, 2017 by James J. Murray, Fiction Writer

In last week’s blog, I discussed fiction novel character development techniques. I ended the blog by stating, “Make your characters real and believable by first making them real to you.” An evolving fiction plot is not very interesting unless there … Continue reading →

Posted in A How To Blog on Murder Plot Ideas, A Jon Masters Novel, About James J. Murray, About Writing, Accuracy in Editing, Accuracy in Writing, Achieving Writing Perfection, All About Writing, Better Fiction Writing, Better Fictional Character Development, Blog Writers, Blogging, Character development, Character Development Techniques, Character Driven Writing, Characteristics of a Fictional Character, Creating Interesting Fiction Characters, Creating Unique and Interesting Character Flaws, Designing Murder Plots, Developing a Writing Career, Developing Better Writing Skills, Developing Effective and Compelling Fictional Heroes, Developing Story Plots, Developing Storyline Ideas, Developing Writing Skills, Fiction Based on Facts, Fiction Based on Real Life, Fiction Writing - A Believable Lie, Fictional Character Development, Growing As A Writer, Ideas for Creating Permanent Change, James J. Murray Blog, Learning the Art of Writing, Life Skills, Murder Mayhem and Medicine, New Blog, Pharmacists as Protagonists, Proper Use of the Written Word, Protagonist Development, Published Novel by James J Murray, Publishing A Novel, Steps to Developing Great Fictional Characters, Story Development, The Art of Storytelling, The Art of Writing, The Writings of James J. Murray, Writing Skills, Writing Techniques | Tagged a believable lie, Antagonist Development, blogging about crime, blogging about drugs, Challenges to Developing The Perfect Fictional Character, Character Development Steps, Character Development Techniques, Character Development Tips, Characters Directing the Writer, Characters Make the Story Real, crime fiction writer, Developing the Perfect Protagonist, Directing Characters, Fiction Character Development, Fictional Characters Mimic Real People, How to Create a Fictional Character, Ideas For Better Fictional Character Development, James J. Murray - Fiction Writer, Learning How to Write, Learning The Art of Better Fiction Writing, Learning to Write Better, Making Characters Believable, Making Characters Interesting, Making Characters Real, Multi-Dimentional Characters, Murder Mayhem and Medicine, murder mystery writer, new blog, pharmacist writer, Prescription For Murder Blog, Protagonist Development, Skills to Develop Better Protagonists, The 3P Model of Character Development, writing pharmacist | 2 Comments

WRITING vs RUNNING

Posted on October 19, 2016 by James J. Murray, Fiction Writer

This month I’m running two marathon races. When I mention that fact to people who don’t run, they usually ask, “Why?” I’m not completely sure of the answer! Maybe the simple truth is that it’s because I can and I love … Continue reading →

Posted in About James J. Murray, About Running, About Writing, Achieving Writing Perfection, All About Writing, Being Thankful For Your Life, Better Fiction Writing, Blog Writers, Blogging, Character Development Techniques, Connecting With Your Reader, Create a Better You, Developing a Writing Career, Developing Better Life Skills, Developing Better Writing Skills, Developing Running Skills, Developing Technologies, How to Create a Better Life, James J. Murray Blog, Learning the Art of Writing, Murder Mayhem and Medicine, New Blog, Practice Makes Perfect, Prescription For Murder Blog, Preventing Human Errors, Published Novel by James J Murray, Skills to Create a Better Life, The Art of Storytelling, The Art of Writing, Training for a Running Race, Writing Skills, Writing Skills and Running Skills, Writing Techniques | Tagged blogging about crime, common factors of writing and running, comparing writing and running, James J. Murray, James J. Murray - Fiction Writer, Learning a Skill, Learning How to Write, Murder Mayhem and Medicine, new blog, Prescription For Murder Blog, Training for a Long Distance Run, Training For a Marathon, Training for a Run, writing pharmacist | 4 Comments

It’s Called “The Practice of Pharmacy”

Posted on October 12, 2016 by James J. Murray, Fiction Writer

I blog about dark and sinister subjects—the perfect drug as a murder weapon, ten ways to create a bloodless murder, and zombie invasions—to name a few. I appreciate your enthusiastic responses and certainly your readership. Today, however, I’d like to … Continue reading →

Posted in A How To Blog on Murder Plot Ideas, A How To Blog on Murder Weapons, About James J. Murray, About Writing, Achieving Perfection, Achieving Writing Perfection, All About Writing, Better Fiction Writing, Blog Writers, Blogging, Developing a Writing Career, Developing Better Writing Skills, Developing Writing Skills, James J. Murray Blog, Learning the Art of Writing, Mastering Your Craft, Murder Mayhem and Medicine, New Blog, New Life Goals, Patient Therapy Outcomes, Pharmacy/Pharmaceuticals, Practice Makes Perfect, Practicing Your Profession, Prescription For Murder Blog, Preventing Human Errors, Skills to Create a Better Life, The Pharmacy Profession, The Practice of Pharmacy, Writing Skills | Tagged blogging about drugs, How to practice pharmacy, James J. Murray - Fiction Writer, Jokes about pharmacy, Mistakes in pharmacy, Murder Mayhem and Medicine, murder mystery writer, new blog, Pharmacist Mistakes, pharmacist to writer, pharmacist writer, practicing pharmacy, Prescription For Murder Blog, The practice of pharmacy, Why call it the practice of pharmacy, writing pharmacist | 2 Comments

Are Antagonists Also Anti-Heroes?

Posted on August 17, 2016 by James J. Murray, Fiction Writer

The other day a person whom I admire posed an interesting question to me? What is the difference between an antagonist and an antihero? I have to admit that I paused a good while to consider my answer before spouting … Continue reading →

Posted in A How To Blog on Murder Plot Ideas, About James J. Murray, Accuracy in Writing, Achieving Writing Perfection, All About Writing, An Antagonist vs The Antihero, Antagonist Development, Better Fiction Writing, Better Fictional Character Development, Blog Writers, Blogging, Character development, Character Development Techniques, Character Driven Writing, Characteristics of a Fictional Character, Creating Interesting Fiction Characters, Creating Unique and Interesting Character Flaws, Deciding What Types of Fictional Characters Fit Into Your Plot, Defining The Use of Antagonists vs Antiheroes, Designing Murder Plots, Developing a Writing Career, Developing Better Writing Skills, Developing Effective and Compelling Fictional Heroes, Developing Story Plots, Developing Storyline Ideas, Developing Writing Skills, Elements of Fictional Characters, Fictional Character Development, James J. Murray Blog, Murder Mayhem and Medicine, New Blog, Plot Development, Plot Ideas and Where They Come From, Prescription For Murder Blog, Protagonist Development, The Writings of James J. Murray, Tools of Fiction Writing, Types of Fictional Characters, Villains vs Antiheroes, Writing Skills | Tagged Antagonist Defined, Antagonists vs Antiheroes in Fiction, Antiheroes Elicit Sympathy and Admiration, Are Antagonists Also Antiheroes?, Distinguishing Between Antagonists and Antiheroes, Examples of Antiheroes, Greek Drama Characteristics, Protagonist Defined, Reasons To Use Antiheroes in a Story, The Difference Between Antagonists and Antiheroes, The Job of the Antihero in a Story, Tragically Flawed Fictional Characters, Villains vs Antiheroes | 3 Comments

A Book Hangover!

Posted on March 30, 2016 by James J. Murray, Fiction Writer

This past weekend I read a great book and I have a book hangover! I’ve experienced such an event many times in the past, but I’ve never attempted to write about it. So . . . I googled the words … Continue reading →

Posted in About James J. Murray, About Writing, Achieving Writing Perfection, All About Writing, Almost Dead, Better Fiction Writing, Blog Writers, Blogging, Book Hangover, Character Driven Writing, Connecting With Your Reader, Developing a Writing Career, Developing Better Writing Skills, Developing Writing Skills, Good Books Create Emotions, Growing As A Writer, James J. Murray Blog, New Book Release, Plot Development, Proper Use of the Written Word, The Art of Storytelling, The Art of Writing, The Writings of James J. Murray, Writing Skills, Your Favorite Book, Your Last Book Hangover? | Tagged a believable lie, A Book About Alzheimer's Disease, A Memorable Book, Alzheimer's Disease, Author Lisa Genova, Book Hangovers and Their Effects, Books That Create Lasting Emotions, crime fiction writer, fiction writer, Finishing a Good Book, How to Cure a Book Hangover, Inside The O'Briens, James J. Murray, Murder Mayhem and Medicine, new blog, pharmacist writer, Prescription For Murder Blog, Still Alice, Symptoms of a Book Hangover, The Results of a Book Hangover, writing career, writing pharmacist | 1 Comment

Hyphens and Dashes – The Dread of Misuse!

Posted on November 18, 2015 by James J. Murray, Fiction Writer

Posted in About James J. Murray, About Writing, Accuracy in Editing, Accuracy in Writing, Achieving Perfection, All About Writing, Blog Writers, Blogging, Developing a Writing Career, Developing Better Writing Skills, Developing Writing Skills, Dreaded Misuse of Hyphens and Dashes, Em Dash Use, En Dashes and Em Dashes, Grammar and Punctuation, Hyphens, Hyphens and Dashes, Hyphens and Dashes and Their Misuse, James J. Murray, James J. Murray Blog, Learning the Art of Writing, Mastering Your Craft, New Blog, Obsession with Proper Usage of the English Language, Proper Punctuation in Writing, Proper Use of the Written Word, Punctuation Marks, Punctuation Rules, The Art of Writing, The Proper Use of Hyphens and Dashes, The Writings of James J. Murray, Tools of Fiction Writing, Use of Dashes, Use of Hyphens, Writing Skills, Writing Techniques | Tagged Blogging, blogging about drug crime, En Dash and Em Dash Differences, fiction writer, fiction writing, Hyphen Use, Hyphen Use in Modern Writing, Hyphens and Dashes in Writing, Hyphens versus Dashes, James J. Murray, James J. Murray - Fiction Writer, Misuse of Em Dashes and Ellipses, Murder Mayhem and Medicine, new blog, Prescription For Murder Blog, Proper Communication Skills, Proper Editing Rules, Proper Punctuation in Writing, Proper Punctuation Marks in Modern Writing, Proper Rules in Writing English, Proper Use of the English Language, Use of Dashes in Writing, USe of the Em Dash, Use of the En Dash, Using Dashes in Modern Fiction, Using Punctuation in Modern Writing, writing career, writing pharmacist | 1 Comment

Apostrophes And Their Use With Proper Nouns

Posted on July 29, 2015 by James J. Murray, Fiction Writer

This may seem like a silly subject to write about, but I must admit that I’ve had trouble using the apostrophe appropriately in the past, especially regarding its use with proper nouns that end in “s”. I’ve written a similar … Continue reading →

Posted in "Cuffed" by James J. Murray, A Free Short Story Offering, A New Short Story Release, About James J. Murray, About Writing, Accuracy in Editing, Accuracy in Writing, All About Writing, Apostrophe Use, Apostrophe Use with Nouns Ending in S, Apostrophe Use with Plural Nouns Ending in S, Apostrophes and Proper Nouns, Appropriate Apostrophe Use, Blog Writers, Blogging, Chicago Manual of Style and Apostrophes, Developing a Writing Career, Developing Better Writing Skills, Developing Writing Skills, Grammar and Punctuation, Growing As A Writer, Medical Treatments Using LSD, Obsession with Proper Usage of the English Language, Proper Punctuation in Writing, Proper Use of Apostrophes, The AP Style and Apostrophes, The Art of Writing, The Associated Press Rules for Apostrophes, The Misuse of Apostrophes, The Misuse of Apostrophes with Nouns Ending in S, Tools of Fiction Writing | Tagged Apostrophe Use and Misuse, Apostrophe Use with Plural Nouns Ending in S, Apostrophes and Proper Nouns, author, crime fiction writer, Cuffed by James J. Murray, fiction writer, fiction writing, From James J Murray, Misuse of Apostrophes in Plural Nouns Ending with an ES, Misusing Apostrophe's in Writing, Misusing Apostrophes with Plural Nouns Ending in S, Proper Use of Apostrophes with Nouns Ending in S, Rules for Proper Apostrophe Use, The AP Style of Apostrophe Use, The Chicago Manual of Style and Apostrophe Use, Use of Apostrophes in Fiction Writing, Using Apostrophes Appropriately for Plural Possessive Nouns, Using Apostrophes for Possessive Nouns, writing career, writing pharmacist | 5 Comments

Dialogue: The Good and The Bad!

Posted on April 1, 2015 by James J. Murray, Fiction Writer

Last week’s blog was all about character development and using the 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 … Continue reading →

Posted in About James J. Murray, About Writing, Accuracy in Editing, Accuracy in Writing, All About Writing, Authors' Social Media Support Group, Better Fictional Character Development, Blog Writers, Blogging, Characteristics of a Fictional Character, Creating Interesting Fiction Characters, Developing a Writing Career, Developing Better Writing Skills, Dialogue Techniques, Good and Bad Dialogue Techniques, Good Dialogue Development, Growing As A Writer, How Fictional Characters Should Speak, How to Write Dialogue in Fiction, Learning the Art of Writing, Proper Use of the Written Word, Protagonist Development, The Art and Craft of Dialogue Writing, The Art of Writing, Tools of Fiction Writing, Writing Better Dialogue, Writing Dialogue, Writing Skills, Writing Techniques | Tagged a believable lie, Advanced Dialogue Tips, Basic Dialogue, Character Dialogue, Characters Who State The Obvious in Dialogue, Dialogue Mistakes, Dialogue Techniques, Dialogue That's Too Long, Dialogue vs Narrative, Difference Between Dialogue and Narration, Emotions in Dialogue, Exposition in Dialogue, fiction writer, fiction writing, Finer Points of Dialogue, Formal vs Informal Dialogue, How to Use Dialogue, How to Write Dialogue, James J. Murray, Modern Dialogue Techniques, Murder Mayhem and Medicine, new blog, Overuse of Superlatives in Dialogue Writing, pharmacist writer, Prescription For Murder Blog, Problems With Literal Dialogue, thriller writing, writer, writing career, Writing Dialogue, Writing Good Dialogue | 4 Comments

Category Archives: Developing a Writing Career

Commas, Em Dashes, and Ellipses—Their Proper Use!

Hyphens and Dashes – The Dread of Misuse!

Changing Ordinary People into Heroes!

WRITING vs RUNNING

It’s Called “The Practice of Pharmacy”

Are Antagonists Also Anti-Heroes?

A Book Hangover!

Hyphens and Dashes – The Dread of Misuse!

Apostrophes And Their Use With Proper Nouns

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