Jay Davison
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jaydauthor.bsky.social
Jay Davison
@jaydauthor.bsky.social
220 followers 420 following 31 posts
Northern Irish author, husband, dad.

'The Knight Thief' (2nd Place, Faber Action! Prize) - coming in 2027 with
@FaberChildrens
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jaydauthor.bsky.social
Great advice here!
cfranciswrites.bsky.social Charlotte Francis @cfranciswrites.bsky.social · Aug 26
Hello #SummerOfStory!

Day 26: Effective Fight Scenes

Disclaimer: This is a prompt game to discuss common writing tips & techniques, not an attempt to tell people how to write

Over to you: Do you agree a good fight scene is all about narrative purpose, stakes, and character?

#WritingPrompt
1: Title, Date, & Prompt Introduction This slide features a large torn piece of lined paper with the text 'August 26th' at the top and the writing prompt 'Effective Fight Scenes' in big script letters. There is a typewriter in the corner with a note saying 'TOOLS not RULES'. On the right, there is a speech bubble with prompt questions, a Bluesky butterfly, and a palm leaf background. Transcription: August 26th Effective Fight Scenes What's your take on this writing technique? Have you used it before — or do you avoid it? Share your thoughts, drop a snippet, or tell us how you'd use it in a scene. 2: What & Why This slide looks like a piece of lined notebook paper with teal palm leaves in the background. Headings 'What?' and 'Why?' are taped to the page. A blue butterfly decorates the corner. Transcription: What? Effective Fight Scenes do more than describe choreography. They serve a clear narrative purpose, reveal character through interiority and choices, and anchor the action in meaningful stakes. Good pacing and clarity keep the reader oriented and engaged, avoiding the blow-by-blow density that tempts skimming. Why? Fight scenes are among the most skipped passages in fiction when they read like blow-by-blow choreography. Anchoring them in character, stakes, and story gives readers a reason to care, turning action into drama instead of filler. 3: In Practice This slide looks like a piece of graph paper with teal palm leaves in the background. On the left, an excerpt from The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller is shown in a beige box. On the right, a taped paper section explains how the scene conveys panic and fear through character interiority instead of focusing on tactics. A blue butterfly decorates the page. Transcription: Character-Driven Action [Excerpt from The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller] “MY HEAD CRACKS the ground again, leaving me stunned and breathless. Around me a blurring crowd of faces gathers. Have they come to help me? And then I feel: the prickling chill of air against my sweat-dampened forehead, the loosening of my dark hair, freed at last. My helmet. I see it beside me, overturned like an empty snail shell. My armor, too, has been shaken loose, all those straps that Achilles had tied, undone by the god. It falls from me, scattering the earth, the remnants of my split, spilt shell. The frozen silence is broken by the hoarse, angry screams of Trojans. My mind startles to life: I am unarmed and alone, and they know I am only Patroclus. Run. I lunge to my feet. A spear flashes out, just a breath too slow. It grazes the skin of my calf, marks it with a line of red. I twist away from a reaching hand, panic loose and banging in my chest. Through the haze of terror I see a man leveling a spear at my face. Somehow I am quick enough, and it passes over me, ruffling my hair like a lover’s breath. A spear stabs towards my knees, meant to trip me. I leap it, shocked I am not dead already. I have never been so fast in all my life. The spear that I do not see comes from behind. It pierces the skin of my back, breaks again to air beneath my ribs. I stumble, driven forward by the blow’s force, by the shock of tearing pain and the burning numbness in my belly. I feel a tug, and the spear point is gone. The blood gushes hot on my chilled skin. I think I scream.” In this scene… 4: What do you think? This slide is a torn piece of paper with discussion questions for writers about using effective fight scenes. There's a speech bubble repeating 'TOOLS not RULES', a Bluesky butterfly, and palm fronds in the background. Transcription: What do you think? What's your take on Effective Fight Scenes? Do you think the best action works when it's choreographed blow-by-blow, or when it's rooted in character and stakes? Do readers need to feel the tactics, or the emotions? Can you share a gripping fight scene — not because of the punches, but because of what it means for the characters or story? Share your thoughts, drop a snippet, or share an example you love (or hate). Hot takes welcome — just please don't set anyone on fire!
August 26, 2025 at 6:10 PM
jaydauthor.bsky.social
@rburrows.bsky.social is amazingly talented and versitile, its a pleasure to read her stuff, no matter the genre or format!
rburrows.bsky.social Rachel Burrows @rburrows.bsky.social · Jul 7
My #LiftToTheSky this week goes to my fantastic crit group who tirelessly read and comment on my poetry. We are not a poetry crit group! 😂 Thanks and sorry @jaydauthor.bsky.social @jetheridgebooks.bsky.social @svtworks.bsky.social Shireen and Clare. PS Shireen has a brilliant picture book out!
July 12, 2025 at 8:28 AM
jaydauthor.bsky.social
My kids wanted to put on a 'show' this afternoon. Usually this involves 20 minutes of 'rehersals' before playing music, singing & dancing. I should have realised the 'rehersals' were too quiet.
The show was an indoor slip'n'slide, with soap & water on the floor.
Time to get the towels out.
May 31, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Reposted by Jay Davison
laurakbuzz.bsky.social
So, I think it's time I begin, in detailed specifics, talking about the mess that is Unbound / Boundless as a book publisher, in essence stealing most of a years royalties from me and many other authors, as a result of poor financial decisions, and legal BS.

Please read and share this thread.
May 31, 2025 at 9:33 AM
jaydauthor.bsky.social
Show us your writing process in a gif
May 18, 2025 at 8:03 AM
jaydauthor.bsky.social
I spent most of 2024 writing an MG book.

A friend suggested entering it in the inaugural 'Faber Action! prize'.

I didn't win...
but I'm pretty happy with 2nd place. 🤯
faber.co.uk/journal/fabe...
Hopefully you'll see The Knight Thief on shelves in 2027!
Faber Announces Winner of Action! Prize
Faber launches the Action! Prize in direct response to research from the National Literacy Trust that reveals children’s reading enjoyment is at its lowest level in almost two decades, and that the problem is most acute for boys.
faber.co.uk
April 2, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Reposted by Jay Davison
rburrows.bsky.social
Morning @alanparry83.bsky.social @brokenspinearts.bsky.social Here is my #PoemsAbout #dawn - written after a 6am walk before hitting WBD at school yesterday - it’s short! 😊 Happy Friday!
March 7, 2025 at 6:43 AM
Reposted by Jay Davison
inventingreality.bsky.social
How to Build Your Author’s Website: Quick, Easy to Understand, Practical Tips
#Indieauthor #writingcommunity #amwriting #writersky #author #bookbuzz #AuthorUproar #BookBoost #BooksWorthReading #booklovers #MustRead
www.amazon.com/Build-Author...
February 14, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Reposted by Jay Davison
chrishaughton.bsky.social
This is very urgent. The UK government is planning to change copyright law. If you are an artist, author, musician or work in the creative industry please read this.

www.chrishaughton.com/blog/ai-and-...
AI and copyright - blog - Chris Haughton - AI and copyright
The blog of designer and author Chris Haughton. Chris was listed in Time magazine's DESIGN 100 for his fair trade design work for PEOPLE TREE.
www.chrishaughton.com
February 8, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Reposted by Jay Davison
scbwiireland.bsky.social
This looks good!
www.tickettailor.com/events/theno...
Buy tickets – Workshop: Writing Novels for Children and Young Adults with Shirley-Anne McMillan – Chichester Library Belfast
“You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it fo...
www.tickettailor.com
January 31, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Reposted by Jay Davison
darlingaxe.com
Ever notice how often your characters shrug, nod their heads, or look at things? These generic gestures don’t bring them to life. Let’s dig into how to write gestures and beats that are fresh, meaningful, and layered with character.

A writerly 🧵

#writingcommunity #amediting
a man wearing a green shirt is making a sad face .
Alt: star trek characters nodding
media.tenor.com
January 14, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Reposted by Jay Davison
erandalljones.bsky.social
It's here! Thrilled to reveal 'The Scream of the Whistle' cover by the incredible Micaela Alcaino. It's May Eve, and the veil between worlds is thin. Join Ruby Darke on the ghost ride of her life...

Out 5th June.

Pre-order: shorturl.at/E5aXz
shorturl.at/oLTwA
January 13, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Reposted by Jay Davison
kaaauthor.bsky.social
Picture book giveaway! 🦍🌸

I'm giving away five signed copies of my nonfiction IVAN picture book.

Repost and follow me for a chance to win! I'll choose and notify five random winners Monday, January 13. 🍃

#TheOneAndOnlyIvan #kidlit
January 10, 2025 at 5:34 PM
jaydauthor.bsky.social
At the beginning of 2024, I set myself the challenge of trying to write a longer form story.
365 days and 102475 words later (almost double my targeted word count)...
#writing #kitlit #mg #firstdraft
January 11, 2025 at 12:47 AM
jaydauthor.bsky.social
Love this Christmas present - perfect for some light Christmas Day reading! Merry Christmas/happy holidays everyone! #Christmas #kidlit #writing
December 25, 2024 at 9:48 AM
jaydauthor.bsky.social
Storytime is a favourite time of the day for our family. Not only do the kids love it, my wife and I love the downtime and cuddles with the kids before bed. It's also been the biggest influence in pushing me to start/keep writing my own stories. #kidlit #reading #books #literacy
whatsfsaid.bsky.social SF Said @whatsfsaid.bsky.social · Dec 6
READING ALOUD CHANGES CHILDREN'S LIVES FOREVER! Just 10 minutes a day can be enough to help them find the love of books, and become lifelong readers. So whatever else you do, always find the time to read aloud – and the more you do, the better! #literacy #reading #books
December 9, 2024 at 7:07 PM
jaydauthor.bsky.social
It's been a good month so far for buying books on the kindle - a nice mix of MG and slightly more adult fare. The only trouble is deciding which one to start with!
December 8, 2024 at 8:03 PM
jaydauthor.bsky.social
This is a great list of kids books by some very talented Irish authors!
sarahwebbwriter.bsky.social Sarah Webb @sarahwebbwriter.bsky.social · Dec 7
Today for #BookElves2024 I'd like to share some brilliant Irish picture books.

For children aged 2+ Chris Haughton is one of the best in the world. I like to call him the Toddler Whisperer - his books are perfect for this age younger group and so stunning to look at.

#DiscoverIrishKidsBooks
December 7, 2024 at 7:12 PM
jaydauthor.bsky.social
An amazing resource for anyone interested in #kidlit
November 27, 2024 at 12:05 PM
jaydauthor.bsky.social
Lots of useful info in this interview with one of my favourite fantasy authors!
November 27, 2024 at 11:58 AM
jaydauthor.bsky.social
@davemcc.bsky.social my initial thoughts are that this is almost exactly like twitter before companies started using it - will probably still use twitter to follow all the United news etc!
November 13, 2024 at 8:40 AM
jaydauthor.bsky.social
@davemcc.bsky.social welcome to BlueSky my friend! (You are the first ever irl friend I've followed from my alternate personna!)
November 13, 2024 at 8:38 AM