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Publishing Perils – Interview with James D. Macdonald

James D. Macdonald is the award-winning author of over forty fantasy and science fiction novels, including his most recent work, Lincoln’s Sword. I recently chatted with Jim about his frequent collaborations with co-author Debra Doyle, as well as his work in educating writers about publishing scams.

You’ve had a pretty amazing career as a fantasy author. Can you tell us how you got started in the genre?

I got started in the genre by reading an awful lot of fantasy when I was young. Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser, the Chronicles of Prydain, pretty much every word that Robert E. Howard ever wrote, Tolkien, and endless others. My father had been reading and collecting science fiction since the ‘thirties, so we had the house filled with fantasy and science fiction.

So, fast forward a few years. I was a young sailor, with a girlfriend in Philadelphia, a bookish young lady.

eBooks – Taking the Plunge

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I love books. I love the way that they feel in my hands. I love how they smell. To me, every book is a treasure.

Hence, when the eBook craze began I was a doubter. In fact, I was a fairly vocal critic of the movement. I couldn’t imagine why anyone would choose to download and read a digital manuscript when they had the option of reading a real book.

Slowly, my resistance has been melting away.

First, my sister-in-law showed me her NOOK eReader. At first glance, the screen looked like paper. I was amazed by the E Ink technology, and just how easy it is on my eyes.

Second, I’m running out of space in my home and office. Since my wife and I became parents, space has been at a premium. Our home bookshelves are filled with rows of books, one layer piled upon another. My office bookshelves are also at maximum capacity. I love to buy and read books, but I’m simply out of space.

6 Disappointing Fantasy Movies

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We’ve previously discussed some of the best fantasy movies of all time. Now we’re going to look at the opposite side of the spectrum.

The following films are not necessarily the “worst” of their kind, but they are major disappointments. In other words, these are fantasy films that had the potential to be great, but went bad somewhere along the way. I went into each film expecting something wonderful, and was left with a feeling of having been cheated.

In no particular order, they are:

The Chapters of Life

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Here in the United States we just celebrated the holiday known as Thanksgiving. It’s a time to gather with family and friends and count our many blessings.

This year my wife and I traveled to my parent’s house, along with our precious 16 month old daughter. This was a wonderful time for our little one. She enjoyed eating turkey and spending time with her grandparents.

Seeing her with my parents brought back memories. Twenty years ago I gathered around the very same table with my own grandparents, all of whom I loved. I remember playing with them, just as my own daughter was playing with my folks. I still feel the sorrow of losing them, one by one, in the decades that followed.

Fantasy Video Games – Distraction or Inspiration?

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One of the most important – and difficult – tasks is to make writing a priority. There are so many other things in life that can distract you from your work, including family and career responsibilities.

On November 11, a new distraction arrived on my doorstep: Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. I’ve been waiting for this game with almost painful anticipation, and thus far it delivers. It’s intelligent, immersive, gorgeous and highly addictive. And yes, I fully expect it to suck up a massive amount of my free time. But is that really a problem?

5 Characteristics of a Hero

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Ten years ago I began writing a fantasy epic. I spent months building my own world, complete with fresh mythologies and exotic cultures. I had a great villain and an original plot. Everything appeared to be in place for me to write a first class novel. Sadly, a quarter of the way through a terrible realization hit me: my hero sucked.

My story’s hero was one dimensional and boring. Sure, he could swing a sword. But he wasn’t a man of any depth or character. Worst of all, he was passive instead of proactive. Things happened to him, and all that he did was react. At no point did he make a bold decision that moved the story forward. He didn’t possess the qualities of a hero, but rather those of a victim.

So what are the characteristics of a hero?

Fantasy Music – What Inspires You?

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Cover of "Legend: Original Motion Picture... — Legend: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Music has the power to conjure emotions and spark the imagination. When I’m at my writing desk, nothing makes the work go smoother than listening to just the right music.

Over the years I’ve put together a collection of fantasy music which I use for inspiration. Some of these albums are derived from my favorite fantasy movies. Others I discovered while listening to Radio Rivendell, the online fantasy music station. All of them have one thing in common: when played, they transport my mind to a different place – a realm of myth and magic.

Here are seven of the albums which I turn to the most when seeking inspiration:

How to Get a Book Published – The 7 Step Plan

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Patrick Rothfuss — The king of rejection letters?

Upon the publication of my first book, other authors asked me how I accomplished this feat. As it turns out, many writers see getting published as a herculean, almost insurmountable goal. But as with any major undertaking, breaking it down into manageable steps makes the process far less daunting.

For this reason, I drew up a step by step plan for authors who are wondering how to get published. Although these steps are based on my own experience, they are applicable for most authors. So without further ado, here is my seven step plan for getting published: