Recent content by Graham Irwin

Something to consider is that culture stems from many things other than physical characteristics.

What would you change about them other than physical aspects? Maybe they have lost something that made them "human". Empathy, compassion, etc. I think that if the only difference were physical that you would be ignoring great literary potential.

I didn't notice that they were the only posts! Excellent work. Perhaps they are BOTH the editor of the magazine, trying to justify their $3 charge and lure people to their site?! The plot thickens.

This is extremely interesting. I'll make popcorn.

Enjoying a break from my trilogy. After finishing the first major edit of Book II and ordering a proof, I've spent time playing games, going on walks, going to movies, reading, watching documentaries. Need to re-charge the brain. And as a nifty benefit, my dreams are finally taking place in...

Multi faceted characters and stylistic perfection are in no way forms of elitism. They are refined art. If you don't like writing, if you are more of an "idea" person, try a collaboration.

Graham, I imagine that many of us had the kinds of fathers that made us want to escape into fantasy. Mine wasn't abusive, but he wasn't there. Coincidence that my first book is about a boy looking for his missing father? Er, no.

Fantasy will die! It will bow it's head and to the evil lords of non-fiction! As the masses cry and bewail their literal, gray, boring lives, the evil fantasy lords will suck all imagination out of your pathetic human brains and humans will dream no more! Our time has come at last! When the...

What is the future like, tell us?? :D

If you are stuck, try writing "set-pieces". A "set piece" is something like a big action scene or a battle, or an entrance into a city or introduction to a world, etc. For instance, I had a great idea for a scene involving a hijacking by horse, but nowhere to put it in my first book, so I wrote...

It's true, worldbuilding is not easy. It takes understanding an awful lot about the real world before an imaginary one can be created. Knowledge of geography, physics, astrology, meteorology, biology. Then add on sociology, psychology, etc. There's a good reason most fantasy books take so long...

Too cute! Just too cute.

I have a similar problem with musicians portrayed in film. They usually have no idea how to play their instrument. It totally takes me out of the story.

Plow through that wall! I started my trilogy in 2005, then put it down for two whole years, only to pick it back up. I feel that writer's block is good sometimes. It means your well is dry, and you need to step away. No use trying to wring blood from a stone.

It's for reasons like this that I never post anything in the portfolio's here! I started writing 10 years ago. I'm in no way a great writer, but many of the world-building or entry-level type questions people ask, I have already visited. Occasionally I'll try to offer writing advice, but...