Hard and Soft Magic in Fantasy
Nothing defines a world quite like hard and soft magic in fantasy. Does the magic have endless rules or no […]
Tolkien’s Antidote to Hard Magic
No levels, no Hit Points, only epic conflicts between ages-old sorcerers: this is Tolkien’s antidote to Hard Magic.
Readers connect to Emotional Truths
Readers don’t connect to plots, they connect to emotional truths. When there are no new plots, only new twists, what
Disclosure Day
Disclosure Day. A re-tread of Spielberg’s Greatest Hits; ET and Close Encounters meets the X-Files, without any of the wonder.
More than a Hero’s Journey
Use whatever plot structure you want; story is more than a hero’s journey.
Worldshift 2026
WorldShift 2026, the Speculative Fiction Writers’ Conference returns August 17-22. An online event not just for sci-fi and fantasy authors.
Hubris defeats the Master Strategist
No matter the antagonist’s intelligence, drive or competence, hubris defeats the master strategist. In the second book of my series,
A Monster of his own Making
The last of my series villains is a monster of his own making. No amount of wealth or titles can
The Savage Antagonist
My series villains includes one seemingly simple brute: the savage antagonist. A man of rage and violence, born out of
Hero-Saviour-Monster-Villain
At the center of my series is an antagonist who is all things to all men: Hero-Saviour-Monster-Villain. My challenge? To