Alexander Jacobs's Blog

The first book of The Ethereal Kingdom series, The Other Side of Gold, is now free on my website, AJWriting.com.

I'm even more excited to announce that the second book in the series is out. It's called The Ethereal Hand, and I hope that you enjoy it as much as the first!

See it on Goodreads here: The Ethereal Hand

Or buy it on Amazon.com

“I told you I wouldn’t work this late again.” The words hung in silence for a moment, and Bastion’s computer seemed to frown. “What? I’m just practicing for what I’ll tell her tomorrow.” The monitor glowed doubtfully, casting its bluish-white … Continue reading →

Though often necessary, research can be a massive distraction from writing. As such, it’s a good idea to take a very close look at precisely when research is helpful and when it might actually prevent you from ever finishing your … Continue reading →

I’ve created a lot of illustrations for the Other Side of Gold. Currently, I have about thirty drawings in various stages of completion. I didn’t really have an interest in creating an illustrated tale, nor was I attempting any sort … Continue reading →

As I’ve mentioned before, writing a book is a massive time investment with (realistically) a very low probability of earning any meaningful amount of money or renown. You really have to want to turn your idea into a novel to … Continue reading →

The Formation of Ideas Why do ideas come during those moments when my mind is least rational, least orderly? On the edge of sleep, practical matters dissolve into a spinning wheel of fantasy into which my thoughts dip. It is … Continue reading →

I couldn’t sleep, so I decided to walk over to a 24 hour diner in my neighborhood to fill my stomach with pig and egg. Several couples were finishing up their meals. It was about midnight on a Tuesday night. … Continue reading →

From a young age (usually around fourth of fifth grade), we are taught to shape our ideas through outlines, which then become drafts and eventually finished works. For long-form works, such as novels, this process is far from simple. For … Continue reading →