Ten-step Empire-builders’ Checklist
My ten-step empire-builders’ checklist is just the beginning for creating a credible fantasy empire. More than just the ruling class, […]
Escape the Plot Forest 2025
Back for it’s sixth year, Escape the Plot Forest 2025 runs 18-22 October. Thirty-seven experts present more than twenty hours
Review: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Stevenson’s The Curious Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde brilliantly captures the duality of human nature, the good and
Five elements of Universal Story
There are five elements of Universal Story that are the foundation of every successful novel. So says writer and coach
What Made Me Write Fantasy?
What made me write fantasy? Here are some inspirations that pushed me to my chosen genre. There’s a much longer
How Long is my Story?
Fantasy authors need to know: how long is my story? The classification of a story will vary by genre, by
Sci-fi-fantasy classics: J.R.R. Tolkien
Sci-fi-fantasy classics: J.R.R. Tolkien’s work casts a long shadow across an entire genre.
Favorite Similes in the New Novel
Here are some of my favorite similes in the new novel. I’m not a fancy, literary writer, but I do
Seven More Must-Have YA Tropes
I may have accidentally included seven more must-have YA tropes in my new novel. All genre fiction works through tropes,
Arrows versus Armor in Fantasy Fiction
Arrows versus armor in fantasy fiction: can a bow and arrow really beat armor in the real world and in