Thursday, October 11, 2007

Writing strengths

Lynn tagged me with a writing meme. I'm supposed to write about my writing strengths. Since someone asked ...

My greatest strength is that I write from the heart. My deepest thoughts are laid bare, often subtly, but laid bare, nonetheless.

I am persistent and start what I finish. And I am single-minded in that pursuit. Plus, I'm a journalist by trade, so I consider myself a professional.

Chris, you're it.

8 comments:

Michael said...

Nice. I hope I can learn from you, Jim.

Jim Melvin said...

That's great of you to say and a wonderful compliment, but it's more accurate to say that you and I can learn from each other. I've read your excellent work too, remember!

Michael said...

Oh, yeah, that's right. Thank you! But I was thinking more about the discipline.

Jim Melvin said...

Aaah. Got ya. Yeah, I've got that, at least!

Kappa no He said...

Aren't all of the best writers originally journalists? Vonnegut, Hemingway, Salinger...so many more.

Jim Melvin said...

Come to think of it ... yes! When you put it that way, I'm a lock!

(Ha!)

Virginia Lee said...

Jim, it's the writers who don't write from the heart and get published that make me wacky.

Can I borrow some of your persistance? I could use some. About a month's worth should do me quite nicely...

:D

Jim Melvin said...

Virginia:

For me it was more fear than persistence. Fear that I would have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to write this series -- and that I would blow it.

So for me, fear fueled my discipline!

Synopsis

The Death Wizard Chronicles is a sexy, action-packed six-book epic fantasy series: Book One (Forged by Death), Book Two (Chained by Fear), Book Three (Eve of War), Book Four (World on Fire), Book Five (Sun God), Book Six (Death-Know).

The DW Chronicles is not for children and teenagers -- or the faint of heart. But if you like graphic fantasy that is bursting with excitement yet still has a lot going on between the lines, I think you'll love my series.

In a groundbreaking paradox, the Death Wizard, a champion of good, derives his power from a source traditionally seen as negative -- death. His nemesis, an evil sorcerer, derives his power from the sun, the benevolent source of all life. Their struggle to control the fate of the planet Triken will take your breath away.

In an original twist never before seen in this genre, the Death Wizard is able to enter the realm of death during a "temporary suicide." Through intense concentration, he stops his heartbeat and feeds on death energy, which provides him with an array of magical powers.

The series also is a love triangle involving two desperate characters attempting to come together despite the machinations of an all-powerful psychopath with incestuous cravings.

Graphic and action-packed, spanning a millennium of turmoil, The DW Chronicles carries readers on a journey they will never forget.

Do you fear death? The Death Wizard does not. Find out why.

-- Please go to www.jim-melvin.com for more details.

About Me

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Clemson, SC, United States
I was born in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., but grew up in St. Petersburg, Fla. I graduated from the University of South Florida (Tampa) in 1979 with a B.A. in Journalism. I now live in South Carolina near the Blue Ridge Mountains, a pleasant setting for writing, to say the least. I was an award-winning journalist at the St. Petersburg Times for twenty-five years and I currently work at the Charlotte Observer. I am married with five daughters.

The author

The author
Jim Melvin, a veteran journalist, debuts as novelist.