John Murzycki, Author

December 15, 2022December 15, 2022

A Story of the Christmas Book Flood

Here’s a picture of the first snowfall of the season in my area of New England, granted that it wasn’t much and didn’t last long. Other areas of the country have received considerably more, and we’ll likely be buried with a nor’easter before this winter is over.

I hope you have an enjoyable beginning to the holiday. I find this time of year simultaneously hectic and fun. Somewhere along the way, the season has become a time of giving gifts to those you love. And sometimes, random people we don’t know that well.

Many people have traditions around gift-giving. For example, have you heard of the Icelandic custom called the Christmas book flood? The name for it is Jólabókaflóðið.

October 19, 2022

Rediscover the Fun of Reading

I know what you’re thinking, so let me stop you right now. This is not a shameless promotion about getting you to read more of my books (although don’t get me wrong, it’s one reason I write). Instead, consider this a public service announcement about bringing more joy to your life.

If you feel you don’t have enough time in your day for reading, you are not alone. Look, it’s not easy. Books require a commitment that many people believe they just can’t make. You probably have a million other things to do in your spare time: movies to stream, social media feeds to check, doomsday scrolling… you name it.

And even if you pick up a book, is it the right one? Any book you find will have some negative reviews. What if those reviews are correct, regardless of the many other five-star reviews? Should you take the chance, especially since the time commitment to finish a full-length novel is considerable?

August 31, 2022

The Bond Between Author and Reader

Many years before I became an author, I worked as a marketing and communications manager, crafting messages for large and small companies, primarily in the tech industry. I enjoyed the profession and found it rewarding, at least most of the time.

Writing was always a cornerstone of my responsibilities during that period of my life, and I learned many best practices, which I frequently use today as an author. For example, I learned to be concise, limit unnecessary superlatives, use proper grammar, and captivate readers regardless of the topic.

Although good writing is always essential, whether for promotional marketing material or a fantasy novel, I quickly learned that writing fiction was an entirely different ballgame.

July 5, 2022July 5, 2022

All About Books, Including a Quote from Carl Sagan

Surprise!!! Today’s topic is all about books, including great quotes on this topic from Carl Sagan.

Reading is a terrific pastime regardless of your specific preference. I write about magic in my novels because that’s the type of story I like to read. But I have a little secret. Books themselves are the real magic.

A remarkable transformation happens whenever you begin a new novel. The rush of excitement, a sense of wonder, an otherworldly feeling, takes over as you read.

May 11, 2022May 11, 2022

The Scary Part of Writing

Greetings! During these past couple of months, I focused much of my attention on finishing the manuscript of my next novel, Elthea’s Nemesis. Happily, the draft is complete as I move on to the editing phase.

I’m super excited about how this plot unfolded, and I can’t wait to make it available to you. But I still have work to do before it’s polished and ready for publication.

Writing a novel is a magical, intoxicating, and rewarding process. It touches a deep part of my core. I carefully consider every plot twist and word before committing it to the script. This method may take me longer, but in the end, I know each book I produce will be the best I can make it.

February 28, 2022March 20, 2022

Fantasy Filler Phrases

I hope you are doing well today. Here’s a photo of an ice-covered tree in our front yard during a winter’s day as the season nears its end. That’s my dog, Missy, at her usual vantage spot where she can keep an eye on the neighborhood.

In this article, I will touch upon the topic of filler phrases often used in fantasy novels.

Fiction writers are often known for their creativity, at least in their writing. The stories we pen are intended to elicit a gasp, maybe a tear, certainly a chuckle now and then.

We scrub our manuscripts ceaselessly to ensure readers hang on every word. As a result, it’s often a wonder we publish anything—a trap befalling more than one writer.

January 18, 2022

Inspiration or Perspiration

Here’s a picture of our gazebo after a recent snowstorm in the Northeast where I live. The snow has since melted because of a few warm and rainy days, but I hope it will look like that again soon.

Winter is a great season for an author (or an avid reader, for that matter). It’s a time to hunker down in bad weather and concentrate on the tasks we love most.

Writing is one of the pursuits I love the most. But it’s not always easy. The words don’t always appear magically on the page.

I recently heard a fellow fiction writer quote Thomas Edison. The message can apply to writers and non-writers alike.

December 6, 2021

Progress on My Latest Novel

Here’s a picture of my writing desk on a chilly and damp early December day as I write this. Our first measurable snow is predicted in a few days, just in time because I only yesterday finished cleaning up the dead leaves from the lawn (a fall ritual here in New England).

Some people hate the cold and inclement weather of winter. But I love it. The season gives me a chance to hunker down inside and devote more time to writing.

As we head into these final weeks of 2021, I thought it would be a good time to update you on the headway I’m making on my next work, Elthea’s Nemesis. It will become Book 4 in The Story of Elthea’s Realm series.

October 13, 2021

A Healthy Addiction to Books

If you’re like me, you look forward to the time of day when you read for pleasure. I enjoy meeting people who are avid readers.

These are the ones who steal glances at cover jackets whenever seeing someone else reading. They ignore the trinkets and furniture at yard sales as they rummage through piles of dusty old books. Bookstores are a mandatory stop while shopping. They subscribe to a half-dozen online promotional sites offering discounted ebooks.

In the book publishing business, these people are called whales. They consume far more books than the typical person. When it comes to word of mouth, whale readers are priceless. They will tell everyone what they are reading and post detailed reviews.

August 31, 2021

Our Public Libraries

Next to bookstores, I love libraries. They are a great national treasure. Regardless of what kind of book you’re looking for, you will probably find it at your local library.

And in today’s world, it’s easier than ever because most public libraries list their catalogs online for print books and ebooks. As an added bonus, libraries are the one place you can borrow and read all my books for free. All you have to do is request the books if they haven’t purchased them yet.