Published Author (Fiction)

Dive: Artist - Writer (Novels)
Description: Writing full-length works of fiction
Level: Level 1
Level Requirements: Has a completed title, outline, & back cover blurb for a novel
Certified On: Aug 24, 2026

Editor’s Note: On all dive certifications, we try to edit the writing as little as possible to preserve authenticity, personality, and writing style. We typically fix spelling errors, but minimally modify grammar and sentence structure (just enough to ensure readability).

Name: James Mortellaro Break Diving Level: Recruit Number of Certified Dives: 1 From: United States In: United States

1. When and Why Did You Decide to Pursue This Dive At This Level? What was your inspiration and motivation?

I have been doing this for a while, and have helped write numerous ghostwritten fiction books and have published a few myself under pen names. I am currently finishing the first book of my new nine-book series called "The Echoes of Eos." Book one is called "The Crystal Pendant"

2. How Long Did It Take For You To Accomplish This Dive At This Level From The Day You Decided To Pursue It, And Why Did It Take That Long?

I had been writing since high school, often publishing short-stories in school papers. I wrote my first full-length fiction novel in college, and have since then written over a dozen more.

3. What Was The Hardest Part About Achieving This Particular Dive Level?

Being consistent is the hardest part. When you're writing for yourself and don't have client deadlines, it's easy to put writing on the back burner and then realize it's been a week since your last writing session. I've made myself focus on writing once a day for a minimum of 30-minutes. I try to maintain roughly 3,500 WPM on first drafts to keep me from "back editing" as I go.

4. What Was The Easiest Part About Achieving This Particular Dive Level?

When you reach a milestone or finish a chapter, it helps you keep the momentum going. That's one of the hardest parts of writing, is that the payoff doesn't come for months and you have to focus in on the little things to keep yourself moving forward.

5. What Is Your Advice For Someone Who Is Pursuing This Dive And Level?

Set a commitment to yourself for writing. Whether it's time (recommended) or a word count, and do it no matter what. If you miss it for an extenuating circumstance, add it to the next day or split it over the next couple of days. It keeps your mind in a state of consistent creation and builds the consistency muscle needed to be a proficient novelist.

6. What Are Some Of The Best Resources You Recommend to Those Pursuing This Dive At This Level, And Why Do You Recommend Them? Please Include Relevant Weblinks, If Applicable.

I do well when reading other books on the craft. I do less well when it comes to video. I recommend three resources as your first 3 if you're looking to dive into writing your first novel or honing your craft:

Wonderbook - a great resource on writing wondrous fiction. Even if you're not looking for fantasy or sci-fi, the book provides insight and inspiration into unlocking your wildest ideas and letting your imagination run wild. These are absolutely necessary whether you're writing cozy mystery, romance, fantasy, or just about any other fiction.
Bird By Bird - a wonderful book on building your world and work "one brick at a time." Sometimes writing an entire fictional world can be overwhelming and things can get lost in translation. Bird by Bird helps you focus on one thing at a time with the end goal in mind so you can give the proper attention to each component of your novel.
Reedsy Learning - it offers both free and paid courses and masterclasses across a wide range of genres and techniques. This is a great place if you're more focused on traditional and structured courses. I have found them helpful even though I'm not particularly fond of formal courses and work better with hands-on practice and familiarization strategies.

Resource 1: Wonderbook - A great resource on writing wondrous fiction.

Resource 2: Bird by Bird - A wonderful book on building your world and work "one brick at a time."

Resource 3: Reedsy Learning - It offers both free and paid courses and masterclasses across a wide range of genres and techniques.

Resource 4: -

Resource 5: -

7. Tell Us A Story Of One Of Your Adventures While Pursuing This Dive (At This Level).

My current book I'm writing for my Echoes of Eos series is extremely important to me. I have been plotting this book and had multiple first draft iterations for book 1. I have rewritten the story to the point when I eliminated the main character and made a supporting character the main character. It's the first full push into what will be my final form of a story I've been working on for over a decade.

8. What Evidence Did You Submit to Prove You Met the Requirements for This Dive and Level?

A lot of my work is under NDA or under pen names so I'm not at liberty to share, but I can share the blurb for the back of my current book:

Prince Damius of Northden has been trained his entire life for his destiny as ruler of a kingdom that values duty, discipline, and the diminishing faith in ancient deities. Damius is compelled to escape into a world of greater age and peril after betrayal shatters the royal family and the capital is consumed by a single night of fire and blood.

Damius, who is hunted by the destroyers of his home and troubled by a crystal pendant from a priest named Caelen, is starting to unleash a hidden power. Magic in Eos isn't taught; it's unlocked by truth, pain, and the world's own broken spirit. The few who endure this change are called the Resonant.

Whispers of forgotten Echo-bearers and stirring ancient powers reveal Damius's destiny is linked to a cycle predating kingdoms. However, Resonance poses a danger, and with increased power, more of his true self emerges.

My website is UnderhillWritingCo.com

9. Will You Be Pursuing The Next Level For This Dive? If Yes, Why? If Not, Why Not?

Yes, because I am constantly driven to be the best I can be. I'm not competitive by nature, but constantly focus on competing with myself to grow and develop as both an author and as a person.

10. What is the Break Diver's Creed?

No Rules. No Excuses. No Regrets.

Certificate photo:

And having made this post, and provided adequate evidence to the dive committee, James Mortellaro is now hereby certified by Break Diving, Inc. as: Artist - Writer (Novels) - Level 1. Congratulations ! Thank you for being an inspiration to others!

Certificate number: 1498

The author above wrote this WYSEguidance post as one of the certification requirements to become certified by Break Diving, Inc. for a dive completed. Would you also like to find greater success, happiness, and friendship, and make genuine supportive connections with others around the world pursuing your same dreams? Come join us at Break Diving and soon your story will be the next one you read about on this site!

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