TROPES AND TRAPS – Avoiding Cliché in Fantasy Writing

It’s tricky to balance writing originally while still pleasing readers. If a fantasy author does this right, they’ve made magic. But it isn’t easy. Fantasy readers generally like more of what they’ve liked in the past, so an author needs to 1) be aware of the genre’s tropes and 2) include at least some of … Continue reading TROPES AND TRAPS – Avoiding Cliché in Fantasy Writing →

Too Hot to Handle?

Sex is the third rail for a fantasy novel. Sex is remarkably unpopular per the following four fantasy book reviewers' stipulations about books they don't want to critique. 'Absolutely no erotica''I do NOT review erotica''no erotica/sex scenes''I will not except (sic) erotica' The last of these quotes is my favorite. Poor word choice aside, lust … Continue reading Too Hot to Handle? →

Gods and Tyrants – The Novelist’s Creative Process

Fiction authors get asked whether they're planers or 'pantsers'. This means does the author, before setting fingers to keyboard, plot out their entire story, and the characters arcs, and settings, and the themes/conflicts - and then stick to this plan until the work is finished? Or do they just start writing with only a vague … Continue reading Gods and Tyrants – The Novelist’s Creative Process →

Notes on Creating a Story (part 4)

This is part 4 of my posts on how/why I came to write my modern fantasy, The Lords of the Summer Season (check the book out at Amazon link: https://amzn.to/2QcFhwQ ). Other installments will follow. No fantasy story is complete without a vengeful villain or, in this case, two vengeful villains without morality. They oppose … Continue reading Notes on Creating a Story (part 4) →

Notes on Creating a Story (part 3)

Following my last post (part 2) on how/why I came to write my modern fantasy, The Lords of the Summer Season (Amazon link: https://amzn.to/3d1LbcV ), below is part 3. Other installments will follow. Besides describing Bradan's adventures during 1967's Summer of Love, I’ve also included flashback chapters set in sixth-century Britain, Renaissance Florence, and on … Continue reading Notes on Creating a Story (part 3) →