While I might sometimes be at odds with what makes “good writing“, I do think there’s such a thing as talent. Raw, pure talent, an instinct for craft that gives […]
Read moreCategory: process of writing
Perils of the Writer: Clarity and “Literary” Writing
There are, of course, several schools of thought on what makes “good” writing. And, frankly, half the time I’m at something of a loss. By which I mean, many times […]
Read moreTwelve Part Structure and Pacing
I will probably never stop being an advocate of structure and outlining. For me, it’s the best way to write. But figuring it out, working the way to make it […]
Read moreThe Long Journey of the Writer
My thirties are coming to a close, officially this Sunday. So, needless to say, I’m getting a little introspective. But when I think about what my thirties were to me, […]
Read moreThe Artist’s Long Battle Up The Mountain
This is an interesting post on recent Best Director Ang Lee’s long, slow path to success. Mostly, it notes the years of his thirties– especially from ’84 to ’90, where […]
Read morePerils of the Writer: Plotting and Crafting Action Scenes
So, I’m a planner and an outliner. I’ve made this pretty clear. Without plotting out a clear path of where I’m going to go in a story, I’m going to […]
Read moreEverything You Wanted To Know About Worldbuilding
Some time ago, I posted links to my various Worldbuilding posts. I’ve written quite a lot more of them since then, so it was high time to reorganize. It occurs […]
Read moreWorldbuilding: Art and Culture in the Fantasy World
The most fundamental way to define a culture is through its art. Geography, food, religion, technology and government are critical as well, of course, but none of those quite get […]
Read moreA Deep Bench of Tertiary Characters
I have to confess, there’s a small part of me that cringes whenever I realize I need another character. Or characters. Especially a character with a name. Because I know, […]
Read moreWorldbuilding: Complexity in the Political Landscapes
As part of Way of the Shield, I’ve been delving deeper into the politics of Druthal. In doing so, I’m taking into account the same thing I said about strawmen […]
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