Dear Aspiring Authors, We’re all in a tough boat here, I know. This is a game of persistence, talent, hard work and not a small amount of luck. We are […]
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Worldbuilding on an Interstellar Scale
About a year ago I was watching a panel on worldbuilding, and Steven Brust said something that really resonated with me. It’s been a year, so I’m probably going to […]
Read moreLaying out the plans
One thing I’m not lacking for is ideas. As I’ve mentioned before, I am an outliner. That doesn’t just apply to a single book, it also applies to the Big […]
Read moreFantasy Manifesto #3
3. Enough with The Chosen One already. Miracle babies who are destined to destroy the evil warlord. Hidden princes, raised humbly on some tiny farm, who will grow up to […]
Read moreFantasy Manifesto #2
Continuing with my Fantasy Manifesto, I offer the following: 2. You don’t have to re-invent the wheel. You certainly don’t have to re-name it. I understand the motivation to give […]
Read moreFantasy Manifesto #1
When it comes to Fantasy writing, I have a number of rules. Maybe not rules, but red-flags. Things that, when I see them, let me know that I’m probably not […]
Read moreIn July I wrote “Poolside”, a play that actually takes place in a pool. This probably limits its ability to be produced in most venues. It was written explicitly for […]
Read moreExpanded Universe
In the comments of yesterday’s entry, the term “expanded universe” came up, as an alternative to “series”. Now, as much as I like the term “expanded universe”, and as much […]
Read moreSeries and Standalone
I put up my query letter for Thorn of Dentonhill on the Absolute Write message boards, as I was told they would “tear it up and break it down and […]
Read moreTo parallel yesterday’s essay on Magic, another challenge is writing the lack of magic. Or, more correctly, writing a non-magic story in a world where magic exists. My current project, […]
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