Top Tips for Writing Novels and Life Lessons

Oct 20, 20196 min read

The Muse of Soundtracks

If you want to immerse yourself in a creative and unique atmosphere that sends you far away to a distant land, then listen to a soundtrack.

J.J. Richardson

Jun 25, 20197 min read

How to Become a Famous Author

The world will not accept you as an author any more than those whom you know personally.

J.J. Richardson

Apr 22, 20197 min read

Choosing the Best Career

Are you looking to choose a career? Let me help you. After reading this you’ll run off to the nearest university and register for classes.

J.J. Richardson

Apr 4, 20197 min read

Why is it Hard to Write Dialogue?

I was surprised when I heard many authors express their fear of writing dialogue. “Dialogue is easy to write!” I said to myself.

J.J. Richardson

Mar 18, 20198 min read

What is Consciousness?

A substantial number of academic papers have been written which describe human consciousness.

J.J. Richardson

Mar 15, 20199 min read

How to Write a Unique Novel

Deciding to write a unique novel is like deciding to write a better one. You must ask yourself, “Unique in what way?”

J.J. Richardson

Feb 22, 20193 min read

Trombone: The Best Instrument

The following is the letter I sent my brother when I learned his son had chosen to play the trombone in high school.

J.J. Richardson

Feb 11, 201910 min read

Unfinished Business

If my mother were to haunt me from the next world (which would be a surprise because she is alive), I know what her incantation would be.

J.J. Richardson

Feb 6, 20194 min read

Internal Conflict

For years, critics kept telling me my stories didn’t have enough conflict. Reviewers would write, “Your characters have it too easy.”

J.J. Richardson

Jan 31, 20199 min read

How to Find Happiness

I believe that happiness is governed by the following two-part principle.

J.J. Richardson

Jan 5, 20194 min read

Video Games

People nowadays are spending more hours playing video games than watching TV. Women are catching up with men on video gaming hours.

J.J. Richardson

Jan 1, 20193 min read

Stick Figure

If you want your young children to learn to write well, encourage them to draw.

J.J. Richardson

Oct 6, 20183 min read

What is Calculus

Recently my mother asked me, “What is calculus?” After recovering from shock, my response to her was, “Asking that question was a mistake.

J.J. Richardson

Sep 28, 20181 min read

Sunrise

There is a welling in my chest every time I see a sunrise. It is a mixture of awe, anticipation, optimism, solitude, and gratitude.

J.J. Richardson

Sep 7, 20183 min read

Voice: Your Writing Style

Every author has what literary experts call voice. It took me years to realize that voice simply meant the author's unique writing style.

J.J. Richardson

Aug 9, 20185 min read

Readability

As you write every sentence of your story, read each one aloud and ask yourself, “Is this sentence easy to read, and is it enjoyable?”

J.J. Richardson

Jul 23, 20183 min read

Why Sidekicks Outshine Main Characters

I've noticed throughout my study of literature that sidekicks and supporting characters are more interesting than their main counterparts.

J.J. Richardson

Jul 13, 20189 min read

Why Are We Losing Respect?

People across all social and economic levels of society are becoming less respectful.

J.J. Richardson

Jul 5, 20182 min read

Wiggling the Spider Web

Pieces of your themes must be touched upon repeatedly—wiggled—so your readers will keep in their minds the central messages of your tale.

J.J. Richardson

Jun 23, 20183 min read

When Can I Break Rules of Fiction?

Before you can successfully break a grammatical or well-established rule of fiction, you must first master the rule.

J.J. Richardson

May 26, 20189 min read

Emotional Habits

I’m about to give you a great truth. When you read it, you’ll be disappointed.

J.J. Richardson

Apr 20, 201810 min read

How to Interpret Dreams

There are three principles you need to know to interpret your sleeping dreams:

J.J. Richardson

Dec 28, 20175 min read

Characterization

The subject of characterization has brought me stress for many years because everyone has a different idea of what characterization means.

J.J. Richardson

Dec 26, 20179 min read

How to Get Your Teenagers To Adore You

Some of the most devoted, patient, and intelligent adults make terrible parents.