One thing I’ve learned about podcasting over the years, and I’m terrible at it, is clarity.

At first, I thought it was the problem of consistency. But that’s not it. Whenever I have the time, or made the time, and I have material, there was no problem with me being consistent. It didn’t matter if I had to get up at 2 AM or stay up till 2 AM. It didn’t matter. I would get it done.

The problem has always been about getting to a certain point in my progress, and then I wonder about the message I’m trying to convey. I get overly concerned about what you, the listener, are getting from me. 

Now you could say, “Jamie, that’s a good thing! You’re concerned about what the message is! You’re concerned about me, as the listener, as the reader.” But that’s not what I mean by the “real,” problem. 

What I’m doing is second-guessing what I’m trying to say. This episode was the process of how I solved that...

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Dan Koe: "You Are the Niche" https://youtu.be/4pm5C3erORo?si=25kSexydMw9ViE5y

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If I decided to walk away from it all, would you follow me? I’m talking about social media. The bane of my existence. I said ‘cya’ on Facebook today, and it made me smile.

Thing is, no matter what I do, how hard I try or work, I have never achieved even a fraction of the results I see posted by other indie authors. Even when I buy their books, courses, and religiously mimic what they teach. The results I get, each and every time, bring me to one of three conclusions:

• I suck as a student and MUST be doing things wrong, or;• These so called ‘gurus’ selling the courses suck as teachers, or;• The people selling the courses I’m buying are just full of s**t.

Could it be all three? Maybe. But that’s my starting point today on this episode of Life of Fiction. It’s a great day…I’m happy…and I hope you have a fantastic weekend!

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If you have not read the last few articles about my struggle to publish Höbin’s new book, you may not believe this episode. But it’s 100% true.

Just listen. There’s nothing I can say that won’t be covered in this podcast, so I’m not going to try. This all started with the article DEMONI VANKIL is being published!, and then DEMONI VANKIL is being...uhhhh. This podcast cover the rest of the story, which can also be read in the article When Amazon Rejects Documented Proof.

On the other hand, here are the links to the center of this episode:Höbin Luckyfeller’s Demoni Vankil

• Grab your digital version optimized for any eReader here.

• Grab your paperback version from Amazon here.

This episode is about the freedom to create what you want, for who you want, without others getting in your way. I’d love to hear your story if you’ve been challenged by Amazon to publish YOUR book!

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Why is it that other people have to alter and pervert the works of creatives? Doesn’t matter what their life-view happens to be, or how they live their life…why do they have to ruin the works of others? 

I believe it’s because their own creative ability is so weak, they cannot make their points through their own stories.

I’d like MORE stories to be told, not less. 

From everyone. 

That’s what I did back in 2005 when I started selling digital comic books in PDF form. When I made my very first sale, it was such a big deal…I remember the reader. When she bought the Premiere Issue, I remember thinking:

If one person would be interested in what I create, why not two? Why not ten, a hundred, or a thousand?

This episode is about the freedom to create what you want, for who you want, without others getting in your way.

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Today is the second half of the conversation with my son, Evan, on his passion for the Wheel of Time fantasy series.

There’s a lot that can be learned from a good fantasy series. For some, we discover who we really are. For others, we might find out what we think of a thing, or an issue we face in real life. Many readers are able to make better sense of the world around them by living through the lives of others.

That was the case with my eldest son and the Wheel of Time.

The conversation was enlightening, and covers subjects we are both passionate about: duties & responsibilities as men, and family. Which is why I cut this conversation into two parts. If you missed part one, you can find it here.

For those who have never read the Wheel of Time, I want to give you fair warning: Evan and I talk about the whole series openly and without reservation. This podcast is ONE CONTINUOUS SPOILER. I suggest buying and reading the books, or taking the second route (like I did) and get the audio books through Audible. You can buy any version you like by clicking on the button below.

Buy the Wheel of Time books...

Hope you enjoy this conversation with Evan. We’d both be interested in your thoughts and questions in the comment section.

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Spending time with my own children is one of my favorite pastimes. They’re intelligent, well read, good company…and the conversations always make a great podcast.

Today was a special treat, because I don’t get to have as many conversations with my oldest son as I’d like to. We used to do a podcast called “Life Is Like Fiction” with a live version on Twitch years ago, but he’s a busy man now.

When I asked him to talk with me about his #1 favorite book series of all time, The Wheel of Time, he found the time. The conversation was fantastic, though a great deal of editing was required after the fact, mainly cutting out traffic noises.

The conversation covers a lot of ground including some subjects we are both passionate about — which is why I cut it into two parts — the second being posted next week.

For those who have never read The Wheel of Time, I want to give you fair warning: Evan and I talk about the whole series freely. This podcast is ONE BIG SPOILER. I still suggest buying and reading the books, or taking the second route (like me) and get the audiobooks.

New Transcript Feature

I’m loving the new transcript addon to this Substack, and want to make sure to point out the option. It’s not perfect, but it’s still fun and impressive, if you’d like to follow along with the audio.

Just click the ‘transcript’ tab near the audio…

Hope you enjoy this conversation with Evan as much as I did.

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Sometimes you have to record at the earliest and only opportunities.

That was the case with this episode, and though the sound quality isn’t the best — we only had two lapel mics — you’ll get a front row seat with me and my family chatting about fantasy books.

This started with wondering how my teen daughter was enjoying the Disney Villain books. The moment the question was posed, my daughter Asia threw her hands into the air and yelled, "I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY!"

…and the mic was passed to her.

Enjoy a day in the life of living with Buckley’s — the strong opinions we share, debate over and question. Throw YOUR views into the comments!

Oh, and so you don’t get too confused, here are some of the links to the books we talk about. Please note these are affiliate links, so if you click on them and buy anything, the podcast will get a few pennies through Amazon (and it helps support the show):

The Disney Villain books (series)

Jane Eyre (the #1 Buckley women favorite of all time — heck, even I have my own copy!)

Dragonlance Chronicles (the BEST entry series into fantasy)

Dragonlance Legends (MY favorite series in Dragonlance)

CORRECTION: John Wick’s puppy was beaten to death, NOT shot. Not like that’s better, but…

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Hello everyone, this is your host, Jaime Buckley, and this is Life of Fiction, Episode #6…..

How are you doing with your own creative projects?

Are you experiencing the success you’ve been wanting? The success you’ve been working towards?

I don’t know if it’s something in the water, the air, or if the choices of our leaders, wherever you may live are making the same stupid choices, but something is affecting all of us. Maybe I’m having a hard time because of my OWN stupid choices!?

Maybe.

The point is, though, I want to achieve certain things, and there are certain days where it seems anything and everything gets in my way. Like the whole Universe is fighting against me, and no matter what I do, I just can’t make progress toward my goals.

When you’re striving to accomplish what I want to do — which is create a successful fantasy series with half a million readers — roadblocks can often feel more like impenetrable walls.

This has been on my mind for quite some time, and I believe I can help you, regardless of what projects or goals you have.

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Hello everyone, this is your host, Jaime Buckley, and this is Life of Fiction, Episode #5…..

I saw a special opportunity this week, and seized the moment…

It’s not that special…

While forming the outline for the first book in the Chronicles of a Hero series, I talked a bit about the protagonist, Wendell P. Dipmier, in a recent article. It was important to me to share a little of why he was chosen to be the hero of these books.

I’d like to know that myself, to be completely honest.

So before Wendell starts his adventure on LifeOfFiction.com, I asked him to join me today for a cup of coffee and a simple interview. Perhaps answer a few questions that would interest readers.

You’re setting them up for disappointment…

IF I can get him to cooperate.

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I was not prepared for the month of July, and what WorldAnvil’s Summer Camp would cost me.

Today’s episode forced me to look at what happened, why it happened, and what I discovered about myself as a writer.

…it wasn’t what I thought it would be.

But now I know.

Knowing is half the battle.

G.I. JOOOOOOOE!

(NOTE: I did this recording int he car, and didn’t realize the lapel mic was scraping against my shirt. Apologize for that.)

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