- Question regarding handedness.
So, for whatever reason, my world seems to have rather a lot of left-handed people. What effect would that simple detail of flipping the…
- Sub-genres
I’ve read a good share of threads questioning sub genres. Not their existence but where the writer’s story fits exactly. While the most commons…
- How to draw a map AFTER you’ve written your story
I posted this on my blog a while back and thought I would post a link to it here in case anyone else finds it helpful. Basically, I had written…
- Winter is coming…
Winter today seems like just a change of season, with nothing that spectacular coming with it, however back in medieval times if you weren’t prepared…
- Stashing my darlings
The Dead Darlings thread and some recent discussion about working towards a…
- I’ve a little background-tale that introduces a Saga: How to handle it?
Last year I presented an idea for a little saga…Then I got stuck and had to re-build…
- Book Character Themes
I write musical themes for my characters and I finished two of them. They are for Gods of War characters Aryas and Arylos. I’m also planning on…
- What would you like to see more of in Fantasy?
There’s a nice quote from Ally Condie that reads “Now that I’ve found the way to fly, which direction should I go into the night? Having found…
- World Building and World Writing
I’ve done world building, mainly back when I would DM for D&D games, but I’ve got an alternate history world that I really like and I have put a fair…
- World building database
Hi guys is been a while. I guess you could say I’ve had a little break from writing. I’ve been trying my best to write ideas down still and keep my…
- World similar to our own but not quite – how to describe different nationalities
My world is very similar to our own world, but the geography and historical events are different. For example, how do I describe appropriately…
Category Archives: Discussions
Fantasy Writing Discussions May 20, 2013
Fantasy Writing Discussions May 13, 2013
- The other POV
When most writers begin writing a story they worry about whether it’s best in first or third person. They spend little time wondering about which…
- Overly influenced by RPGs
I think I’ve lost my mind. I’m working on the third book of my series, and like many fantasy writers, my characters and settings are heavily…
- How to have characters with distinctive personalities
I don’t want every character to have the same dialogue or same reaction to events, I want every character to stand out from each other. I also would…
- What to do when grammar gets you down.
I’ve been getting feedback on my work. Story is solid, but the grammar and use of adjectives needs work. My trouble with commas is getting me…
- World magic based on music
So, I know that there are a lot of threads posted about magic, and here I am adding to yet another one, but there are so many interesting and…
- When the ‘bad guy’ does the homework
I’m developing further an old idea/plot and I’ve became stuck in a important point. So, let me explain.
That is three people, cursed with… - Travel: 101
I have a minor hiccup in my story at the moment. After spending a lot of time walking, hiking, sneaking… to the climax of the story, I am needed to…
- Robert Jordan and his prologues
This is more of a rant than anything else, but I could never figure out how Robert Jordan decided what should go in a prologue and what should go in…
- Too many ideas
I’m in the planning stage, I have a notebook that I take everywhere with me to jot down ideas. Recently I’ve landed on one that I really like the…
- Fixing a country wracked by civil war
I won’t get to this story for a while, but I’ve been thinking about it recently, and there’s no harm in laying the groundwork. The story involves a…
- Providing Background info
I need help with this. I’m having a hard time trying to tell the reader background information without dragging them out of the story. Here’s the…
Fantasy Writing Discussions May 6, 2013
- Poem for the Dead
I have a scene where a minor character passes away and the remaining characters have a moment of silence in respect I want one character to sing a…
- The Mechanics of Short Story Writing (The Ending)
I came across this good article on how to approach short story…
- How many trilogies?
I’ve been having a lot of Gods of War questions for some reason. My original plan was to make the series a total of 3 trilogies with “Gods of…
- Dying in a dream
I’m writing about a dreamworld right now and I just have a few questions that I could use help with. All I’ll say is there are a good few people in…
- Fantasy birth control talk
I’m working on a fantasy novel containing a romance, which includes sex. Quite often in novels, I note that the guy and girl tend to just go for it…
- How to talk about your imaginary world
Recently i posted a question about the magic in my world. Minutes after posting it someone called the question stupid and at first I was like Oh mah…
- Cool characters, no plot worth squat
Have you ever designed characters you thought were really awesome and had a lot of potential, only to end up stumped on how to bring them to life in…
- Magic question
Magic can be molded into different forms. Each form has a different demand, like say storm magic is more taxing than wisp magic and each has a…
- Fantasy Fashion
I was thinking of making this forum a kind of game. Post links to or of fashion pictures or nature if you would like me to mix the clothing with…
Fantasy Writing Discussions April 29, 2013
- A few punctuation questions
Because I suck with punctuation. Is there a difference between types of ellipses and dashes? I see a lot of books using “. . .” and I’m using…
- Having the same ideas?
I’m interested to see to what extent copyright can be used in books, in terms with naming places and people etc. I drew up my fantasy map a year ago…
- Thoughts and comments on my story plan.
I wanted to get an idea of what others thought about my concept and preliminary story plan for the first book in the seriesI had originally intended…
- Maid and the Butler
Dialogue is something I struggle with more than anything in writing, and it’s not that I can’t write good dialogue, it’s just I don’t plan what the…
- Writing in 3rd POV
We are supposed to be describing are story through our character’s pov but it is not in first person. Since it is in third would it be acceptable to…
- Synonyms for a War Band
My story is set in a sort of post apocalyptic setting and the world is full of cannibalistic savages who travel/hunt together to stay alive. When I…
- Help with a trans* character?
I have this character, let’s call her Hannah, who is a transgender woman. She has a conflict that relates to her gender, indirectly, but it doesn’t…
- Help! Where should my novel start?
As of right now I have the first 26 chapters of my novel outlined and ready to go (adding in foreshadowing, symbolism, etc. each day). I’m stuck at…
- Philosophies In Your Writing
It is no secret that I hold Steven Erikson in high regard. In his latest novel, The Forge of Darkness, Steven Erikson lays thick various…
- I need some climate/meteorological help!
On my world there is a magically created desert about 450 miles across where the average daytime temperature is about 20 degrees (F) higher than the…
- How much detail is too much?
I my second book, “The Night and Day”, my main character, Arylos, has to teach my secondary character, Iris, how to perform Alchemy in order to…
Fantasy Writing Discussions April 22, 2013
- Favorite Fantasy Creature (or Creatures)
I do not know about you, but one of my favorite things about fantasy would have to be all of the different creatures and beasts that inhabit it. I…
- Transitioning from light to dark
In its current draft, Equivalence begins with seven pages of character interaction and four of lining up plot dominoes. I could probably pare that…
- I’m going to make a Dwarf epic
Dwarves. I mean a story largely written from their perspective, through their culture, with their own unique traits. I want to make a civilization…
- To be (the royal we) or…you get the point.
OK, I just would like to ask why so much fantasy fiction seems to be based on Kings and Queens, (or moreso unknowing foundling princes and…
- Myths Inscribed #2
I’m not sure if there’s already a thread on this, but I just finished reading “The Diablarist” and I loved it. I would love to read more from that…
- POV, Names and Descriptors
I have a bit of a problem in the current scene of my latest WIP. The POV character has taken a man captive to torture him out of misguided revenge,…
- A Question of (Too) Graphic?
—Quote—
Eidungruve was an obscenity. The rows of rotting heads had served as meals for the ravens, but there were too many of them to eat all. … - Humorous scene
The main plot in my WIP is a secret organisation trying to assassinate the MC. I want to make one of those attempts end up being…
- Why do we care? Is it really that important?
I have had a dilemma for the longest time. Basically, it is wondering why many writers actually worry about what genre the finished product will end…
- Writing two stories at once?
I’m currently rewriting the first half of my WIP (it was terrible to be honest) which is planned to be a trilogy. I have many other… - 10 People You Don’t Want to Meet at a Writer’s Group
Ten People You Don’t Want to Meet at a Writer’s Group…
Fantasy Writing Discussions April 15, 2013
- Dissatisfaction in my work
It’s something that has plagued me for the last few weeks, I only began writing my story a month or so ago, and now a couple of chapters in, I am…
- Novel vs Screenplay?
I was wondering, how unrealistic is it to sell a screenplay to a studio or production team? I’m pretty interested that I could perhaps…
- Reader’s age VS Character age
I’ve been thinking about this the last few days, especially after my kid sister just came home with a bag full of Nancy Drew books…
- E-books Now 22% of US Publishers’ Revenue
AAP reports e-books now account for over 22 percent of US publishers’ revenue…
- My faceless antagonist
I’m having a crisis of faith at the moment and need someone to talk me off my mental ledge. Without miring everyone in endless details, my WIP…
- Terry Goodkind self publishing
Found it interesting that a big name author is going self pub. Bestselling fantasy author Terry Goodkind is self-publishing his next novel,…
- My beginning is bugging me.
I’ve come to a bit of impasse. The more I analyze it the more I doubt the beginning I’ve created. It’s only the first chapter or two I’m concerned…
- Movies, a bad influence?
I’ve started writing out a few chapters of my story, to find that perhaps my writing has taken it’s toll from too many movies. It’s fine normally but…
- What themes or motifs do you see popping up in your writing a lot?
I realised recently that wild roses appear in my writing a lot. Initially they were something associated with an immortal character I wrote a novel…
- Opinion on a character
This is kind of an opinion thing and I’d like a few responses to help me in plotting. In my first book, “Gods of War”, Arylos, the…
Fantasy Writing Discussions April 8, 2013
- Does two spaces make a difference?
I’m wonder if the use of making two spaces after a punctuation mark at the end of a sentence make any sort of difference when trying to get published…
- Rock, Paper, Scissors (Weapons and Armor)
Can someone who’s knowledgeable about such things list a variety of weapon and armor categories and then explain which weapons counter which armor…
- Character and Family
This is mostly a question of character background. I don’t know what the deal is with my MC, or me, but his family keeps changing. In each variation…
- My Beginnings are Begging for me.
It sounds weird, and possibly childish, but there it is. I gave my first few chapters to one of my school’s professors to read over. He says its…
- Hugh Howey’s Article in Salon about Self Publishing
If you haven’t read this yet, you need to: Hugh Howey: Self-publishing is the future — and great for writers – Salon.com…
- How Much Worldbuilding is Enough?
I like to think of myself as a somewhat extensive world builder. It’s one of the most fun parts of writing for me, personally. I have pages upon pages…
- Having a plot that flows
I’ve noticed this problem for a while, and I’ve tried to put off fixing it purely because it requires a lot more thinking and planning. Basically,…
- Writing Outside Your Comfort Zone
I’ve often heard other writers say, “Try writing outside your comfort zone/genre.” For me, I primarily write fantasy, although I have tried to write…
- Medieval/Fantasy Military Organization
Is it important to have a believable rank structure/organization in a fantasy setting? How complex would various militaries be? The US Army has (I…
- The Rook, by Daniel O’Malley
Anyone read this book? It is the debut novel by Australian author Daniel O’Malley. I’m about 100 pages in and having a lot of fun with it. Very nice…
- What’s the verdict on theme naming?
I was using some Greek Myth inspired theme names for some characters in my WIP. Mainly because the vast majority of the MCs break away from a cult in…
Fantasy Writing Discussions April 1, 2013
- Developing A Character Readers Will Root For?
I love developing the worlds my characters live in, and I have an easy time developing the antagonists and side characters. The only thing I have a…
- Names for Underwater Cities
So I have this technologically advanced city in my world – it’s called New Atlantis for now, but that’s just a placeholder. While the rest of the…
- How do you ease into the adventure?
I’ve run into a spot of trouble on my new project. The premise involves a sorcerer and a child accidentally transported to a parallel dimension. It…
- Self Publishing Tools
Just an FYI.I’ve come across two software programs that will create ebooks from DOC, TXT or PDF files. Both are free. You can download Calibre…
- How to plot/ get ideas?
Basically An idea struck me for a series. I know the Beginning, Middle, and End but am struggling on everything in between. Has anyone else…
- Separation of characters…suggestions welcome!
Hello everyone! There is a scene in my WIP where the protagonist and her sister are running through a forest for their lives. They are eventually… - How Do You Study Writing?
I think a lot of us came to Mythic Scribes for one thing: to learn about and discuss writing, in particular fantasy writing. There are lots of…
- That hardcore warrior feel.
Inspired from the male vs female thread, but not exactly the same. Do you feel that there’s a certain something about some writers’ style that makes…
- Male Vs Female
Not sure if this particular subject has came up in threads before, but it recently came up in a conversation of mine.Are there any noticeable…
- Paragraphs, point-counterpoint, and more than two speakers
We’re typically told that each new speaker requires a new paragraph. Thus, long conversations between two characters fall into point-counterpoint…
- How To Avoid Writing ADD?
I feel like whenever I’m committing to an idea, developing the plot, and begin creating the characters I feel so great. I’m creating a story!
…
Fantasy Writing Discussions March 25, 2013
- What are the rules of Naming?
I know what you’re thinking from reading the title, “There are no rules for naming”, and I know that there are no right or wrong ways or any…
- Translating a Country Name
The name of my third Revenaunt book is in Dutch: Ordelanden. These three countries are each ruled by a militant order, like the Teutonic Order….
- 30 Things Every Writer Should Know
Myke Cole tweeted this article by novelist Matt Haig which I thought had some interesting points. Most of the points have to do with publishing and…
- Do you think a book like this could be published?
I was reading a book that listed everything in Greek Myth in a chronological order. This book is written in a sort of Tell, don’t show fashion. It…
- Sex?
How many of you use sex scenes in your WIP? I have made several unreserved sexual scenes in my novel because I feel like it’s a vital part of the…
- Schizophrenia
Hey everyone.
In my WIP the villain becomes sort of “possessed” by the evil half of someone’s soul. This dark half then steers him to do what he… - Acknowledging your Editor in your Book
A question: With my Dutch publisher, it is usual to mention the names of both the editor and the illustrator on the copyright page of the book.
- Help with my query, please.
I’m getting ready to send out a query letter, but I’m not sure if I’m doing this right. Since I can’t afford to have someone review it on a paid…
- Are Elves, Orcs, Etc. Dead?
Something interesting I’ve been thinking about recently. Are traditional fantasy races going the way of the dodo? Meaning, will one day they cease…
- Help with publishing
Hello. I would like to start work to publish my book. Can someone help me with how to start?
- Titling a Book
I’m about 2,000 words away from finishing my novel, which I plan on submitting to agents for traditional publication. Now, I realize that publishers…
Fantasy Writing Discussions March 18, 2013
- The tree-shaper and the wood
I got hung up on a detail in my WIP and I need some outside input. In my setting there’s a specialized form of magic-use called…
- Futuristic/primitive technology in the same world.
I was hoping to get a few other opinions about a world that incorporated both a “futuristic” and “primitive” civilization among the races. …
- I think my *settings* are kind of author darlings…
Usually, I like to focus on the little things. My conflicts are between a couple of people, perhaps friends, and the adventuring is limited to small…
- Who Should She Choose?
I’m posting this on behalf of myself and my RPing partner Gwen. We have a dilemma, specifically a love triangle, and we’d love an unbiased opinion to…
- Basing Your Fantasy Culture on Real Ones….?
One of the questions that has bothered me regards the use of real-world cultures in what a fantasy writer chooses to write about. Here’s what I mean:…
- New Forum: Review Requests
We’ve added a new forum: *Review Requests* Request book reviews from our community. 5 posts are required for access, and new threads are…
- How many words should a fantasy book have?
I searched for this thread on Mythic Scribes but it could of been another writing forum. Just wondering what the average word count is for a fantasy…
- 1,000,000 words
It has been said that it takes an author a million words to write their first novel. A million words of making mistakes, of learning, or making…
- Audiobook Creation Exchange.
Pretty limited by the fact that the book needs to be an approved Kindle edition prior to submitting to ACX, but otherwise this seems a great idea. I…
- Plot first?
I have recently hit the 35k word mark on the story I am writing and am finally off running. My beginning now feels complete (at least for my main…
