Quotes by Darynda Jones

Writing doesn’t get any easier with time or talent. If writing is easy for you, you’re probably still learning the craft. You haven’t perfected your style or landed upon your “voice.” You haven’t learned to analyze your writing with a critical eye, to rip it apart and figure out why it isn’t doing exactly what you want.

You know?” he asked.“Yes. I know what I am.”“You – you do?”“I’m a time traveler.

I am apparently the complete opposite of a sociopath. (Seriously. I took a test.) WHEW! ‪#‎dodgedabullet‬

Developing your voice takes... time and practice.

There is a difference between fresh and weird. You never want to throw your reader out of the story. Keep it fresh but natural.

Humor is so subjective, not everyone is going to get what you are peddling. Others will be offended when what you meant no offense whatsoever. Those are the stakes. You have to be able to stand up for yourself and what you’ve written. Comedy pushes limits, makes people uncomfortable, and is a natural reaction to the environment. Otherwise, as I said, it is forced. Let it flow and give your characters permission to cross a line or two, but only if you can take the heat afterward.

I cannot tell you how important fresh, crisp writing is for an aspiring writer. Plot is great. The overall concept is super important. But the writing is what sells your work. It all boils down to the words you choose and the order in which you arrange them.

And as your writing evolves, what you need and get from it evolves.

In that one, theyd done their darnedest to destroy Rileys Switch. This time, instead of two-by-fours and tire irons, they seemed a little more focused on choke holds and knees to the face. Their desire to be close to each other was sweet.

We all have a certain knowledge about how the universe works. And when someone comes along and challenges that knowledge, we don’t know how to deal with it. We aren’t hardwired that way. It’s difficult to question everything you’ve ever thought to be true. So, like I said, it’s not your fault. You can believe me or not, but whichever you choose, you’re the one who has to deal with the consequences. So make your decision wisely, grasshopper,

Does he ever eat cotton candy for breakfast?He stepped around the counter to face us, lowered his gaze, and took a sip from the black mug in his hands.No, I said. Hes very much like the Big Bad Wolf. He eats little girls for breakfast.He spoke from behind the cup, his voice deep and as smooth as butterscotch. Shes wrong. I eat big girls for breakfast.

Read. Write. Read some more. Explore the universe through your writing. Practice and learn what moves you and what doesnt.

WHILE writing, just try to have fun with your ms. Enjoy the process, but push on. Always push toward the finish line!

Any time a beloved character is killed off, it affects the audience in a very powerful way, especially in a series.

Ive been rejected a hundred times. It just takes that one person who totally believes in you!

I think the first draft is so challenging because that elusive BALANCE is so challenging.

Fresh writing and an original twist on an old idea. As much as this term is hated in the industry, it doesnt make it any less true. High concept. Simply put, you take a universal concept, something that has been done a million times (because everything has been done a million times), and add a fresh twist to it. Something no one saw coming. But mostly fresh writing! Keep it clean, simple, and compelling.

Screw the beaten path! Do your thing. Write the best story you can. the rest will fall into place.

I made a decision long ago not to make any apologies. Romance rocks, and even though my books dont actually fall into the romance genre, I tout them as very much being about the romance. Its fun. Were all obsessed with it. And its human nature. Remember, NO APOLOGIES! Write what s in your heart!

You take a universal concept, something that has been done a million times (because everything has been done a million times), and add a fresh twist to it. Something no one saw coming. But mostly fresh writing! Keep it clean, simple, and compelling.