Shirley Jump

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Originally published in the JumpStart newsletter Copyright 2001 by Shirley Jump A friend sent me the following quote from Shakespeare: “Doubt is a thief that often makes us fear to tread where we might have won.” Ah, the words of the immortal bard. Have you seen “Shakespeare in Love?” In that movie, Shakespeare goes through … Read the rest

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Knowing and Finding Your Voice

January 6, 2015

| Shirley Jump

Copyright 2001 by Shirley Jump This article originally appeared in The Rock Finding your true writing voice is a lot like falling in love you know it when it happens. Until then, you bumble along, trying this style and that, wondering if this is it or if a better voice is out there just waiting … Read the rest

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First You Have to Care

January 6, 2015

| Shirley Jump

copyright 2004 by Shirley Jump I was interviewed recently by a radio host who asked me about the biggest lesson I had to learn when I went from writing non-fiction to fiction. At first, I talked about the usual things I had noticed—that I had to write more from the heart than the head when … Read the rest

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How to Be Organized

January 6, 2015

| Shirley Jump

Copyright 2001 by Shirley Kawa-Jump If you’re anything like me as a writer, you’re a mostly right-brained soul who has a few problems being organized and keeping track of all that STUFF. There are files and snippets of ideas and articles you want to read and advice you want to follow. Slips of paper with … Read the rest

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Scene Transitions and Hooks

January 6, 2015

| Shirley Jump

You’ve just finished writing an amazing scene. The girl has been rescued, the building saved, the loot found. And now, you’re faced with a difficult decision how to move on to the next scene and keep the reader reading? Well, when you write with Scene and Sequel (for more on that, read Jack Bickham’s book, … Read the rest

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How to Quit Writing and End up on the Bestseller Lists

January 6, 2015

| Shirley Jump

The Art of Perseverance or How to Quit Writing and End up on the Bestseller Lists Many years ago, I spoke at a writer’s group in Pennsylvania. I was a little daunted. It was the biggest group I’d ever spoken to, and many of the writers there had credentials I could only dream of having. … Read the rest

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About Agents

January 6, 2015

| Shirley Jump

Copyright 2001 by Shirley Jump www.shirleyjump.com Everyone has an opinion on the need for an agent. I have sold a book without an agent and sold a book with an agent. With an agent, I got a FAR better deal, had two publishers vying for me, and was much more pleased with the results. Without … Read the rest

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