Status, worry and comparison are ways to madness, not victory. — James Scott Bell Comparison Copy Share Image
Many writers struggle with exposition in their novels. Often they heap it on in large chunks of straight narrative. Back story –… — James Scott Bell Arguing Copy Share Image
“The exclamation point is a loud party-goer, demanding attention. Overdone, it can be annoying.” — James Scott Bell Copy Share Image
“At this point in the story, the character looks at himself. He takes stock of where he is in the conflict and––depending… — James Scott Bell Death Copy Share Image
The thing I do at the beginning is a "voice journal," a free form doc that is the character speaking to me.… — James Scott Bell Character Copy Share Image
“Dwight Swain, the great writing teacher, once said that the secret of excitement is to go deeper into your characters. Create more… — James Scott Bell Writing Copy Share Image
Think of it as the Doorway of No Return. The feeling must be that your lead character, once she passes through, cannot… — James Scott Bell Character Copy Share Image
“A good story transports the reader to a new place via experience. Not through arguments or facts, but through the illusion that… — James Scott Bell Books Copy Share Image
The most important rule: Do not, I repeat, do not censor yourself in any way. Leave your editorial mind out of the… — James Scott Bell Do not judge Copy Share Image
My philosophy on writing books is that if you learn only one new thing, or even get a new take on something… — James Scott Bell Book Copy Share Image
“At some point you’re going to have to formulate your copy, and if you do it early, it will keep you from… — James Scott Bell Books Copy Share Image
“Transformation is about change, and change needs to be proven. People can talk a good game. Someone can say he's sorry for… — James Scott Bell Change Copy Share Image
Superb historical romance, with a spiritual theme woven seamlessly throughout. I much enjoyed The Covered Deep and look forward to more from… — James Scott Bell Books Copy Share Image
Every hour you spend writing is an hour you don't spend worrying about your writing. — James Scott Bell Hours Copy Share Image
“Psychological death is the key to all romances, isn't it? If the two lovers don't get together, they will each miss out… — James Scott Bell Death Copy Share Image
Anyone living in Los Angeles who has opposable thumbs is required to write a screenplay. — James Scott Bell Los angeles Copy Share Image
In fact, one could argue that the skill of the fiction writer boils down to the ability to exploit intensity. — James Scott Bell Ability Copy Share Image
“Today I resolve to take writing seriously, to keep going and never stop, to learn everything I can and make it as… — James Scott Bell Writing Copy Share Image
A writing teacher once told me that the most successful movies and books were simple plots about complex characters. You should be… — James Scott Bell Able Copy Share Image
There's a perilous word fiction writers need to watch out for. The word is 'had.' — James Scott Bell Fiction Copy Share Image
Characters who are absolutely sure about what they do, who plunge ahead without fear, are not that interesting. We don’t go through… — James Scott Bell Books Copy Share Image
Structure is translation software for your imagination. — James Scott Bell Architecture Copy Share Image
“...God created the world in six days. On the seventh day, he rested. On the eighth day, he started getting complaints. And… — James Scott Bell Complaints Copy Share Image
If you can write each day, do it, and meet a quota. Minimum 350 words a day. A baboon can do 350… — James Scott Bell Baboons Copy Share Image
