Musings Archives : Page 7 of 9 : JamiFairleigh.com

Book Cover Decisions

Posted on April 30, 2021 by Jami Fairleigh

This week, I'm wrestling with the many, many, many decisions to grapple with regarding book covers. There's a lot to uncover, so let's get started. (Too much?) Book: "Hey. Hey you." Reader: "Me?" Book: "Yeah. Come over here and check...Read More

Writing Through Rejection

Posted on April 23, 2021 by Jami Fairleigh

You hit submit and sit back, taking a shaky breath. Your story, born in your imagination and crafted by your heart, is in the world and rejection is impossible. The response comes back and your heart plummets. The downward spiral...Read More

Four Tips to Win Camp NaNoWriMo 2021

Posted on April 16, 2021April 16, 2021 by Jami Fairleigh

[caption id="attachment_2304" align="alignright" width="300"] My Actual Progress Chart[/caption] I blinked, and half the month disappeared. Remember that Camp NaNoWriMo 2021 challenge I gave myself? Yeah, me too. Are you behind? Yeah, me too. This week, I'm throwing down two pieces...Read More

Why I Purchased ISBNs

Posted on April 9, 2021 by Jami Fairleigh

Heart pounding, I evaluate the four ISBN options. 1 ISBNs for $125 10 ISBNs for $295 (Best Seller!) 100 ISBNs for $575 1,000 ISBNs for $1,500 Swallowing, my mouse hovers over the Add to Cart button...for 100 ISBNs. The mouse...Read More

10 Tips For Finishing Your Project

Posted on April 2, 2021 by Jami Fairleigh

Starting a project is so exciting and finishing your project can be so hard. You're not alone; this happens to all of us. You bolt upright in bed, eyes blazing, a story idea crystalizing in your mind. The itch to...Read More

My Roots of Shame and Anxiety

Posted on March 26, 2021March 28, 2021 by Jami Fairleigh

I'd intended this week to talk about Intersectionality and #ownvoices, but the recent media attention on the rise in violence against Asian and Pacific Islanders (APIs) has sent me spinning. Although I'm white-passing, I am half Japanese. Over this past...Read More

The Gift of a Writing Retreat

Posted on March 12, 2021 by Jami Fairleigh

Picture this, a dwelling in a setting that sooths and inspires you. You have four days with no plans, no demands. There are no dogs to walk, no children to feed, no chores to do. You have a story idea...Read More

Picking Up A Story Thread

Posted on March 5, 2021 by Jami Fairleigh

Once upon a time (two years ago), I wrote the first half of the second book in my series. When I received edits on the first book, I put down the story thread for the half-finished book two and put...Read More

Should You Write What You Know?

Posted on March 5, 2021July 1, 2022 by Jami Fairleigh

The adage of "Write What You Know" is something all fiction writers are told at some point. But... should you? Writers seem split on this advice. Here's an article which provides pro and con quotes from 31 famous novelists from...Read More

Developing a Fictional Character

Posted on February 19, 2021 by Jami Fairleigh

Have you ever watched a person running for a bus that is pulling away? Do you watch the story unfold? What happens if the bus doesn't stop? Will the runner give up and slump, sadly watching the bus pull away?...Read More

Writing a Fiction Blurb

Posted on February 12, 2021March 12, 2021 by Jami Fairleigh

You're on the hunt for a good story. A cover catches your eye and you pick up the book and turn it over, or click the link. You read the back cover blurb or the book's description. Nah, not for...Read More

Virtual Writing Workshop Takeaways

Posted on February 5, 2021March 5, 2021 by Jami Fairleigh

This past weekend, I attended the Pacific Northwest Writer's Association (PNWA)'s inaugural Winter Writing Intensive. It was a three-day virtual workshop or mini-conference focused on several aspects of writing. Friday's sessions included a welcome speech, a critique group do's and...Read More