Writers, Ink: Your backstage pass to the world's most prolific authors Redefining what you know with retired Special Agent turned author, Jeffrey James Higgins.
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Aug 26, 2025 Jeffrey James Higgins, a retired supervisory special agent turned bestselling author, shares his thrilling journey from counterterrorism to fiction writing. He recounts gripping tales of chasing terrorists and wrestling a suicide bomber, drawing inspiration for his novels like 'The Havana Syndrome.' The discussion also highlights the fast-paced world of publishing and the challenges of maintaining creative freedom under tight deadlines. Higgins emphasizes the importance of resilience in writing, reflecting on how his unique experiences shape his narrative style.
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Set A Realistic Daily Word Count
- Set a realistic daily word-count target and adapt when life gets busy.
- Write early mornings if other jobs or responsibilities consume daytime hours.
Dictate While Walking For Speed
- Try dictating drafts while walking to dramatically increase words per hour.
- Dictate dialogue first and edit later to capture natural voices and speed up drafting.
Warm Up Dictation With Dialogue
- Warm up dictation by speaking short scenes or dialogue first before full prose.
- Expect three weeks of practice before dictation feels natural and editable.
