Recent content by KJF

You mention it's a trend you've seen; where have you seen this? Besides Tolkien. I see a being with such a long life (and memory) similar to a magic weapon or power. It's outside the norm and people don't really believe such a thing exists no matter how many stories they've heard. No one they...

Thanks for sharing this. I'm in the process of stepping into another genre and I have all the same fears. There are all the fears of wondering if any story is any good, and then wondering if you can really do another genre well.

I usually think in terms of costs and limitations. Those help build conflict, often internal conflict for the character. What are they willing to do to use the power to achieve something? You say in her dream world she can do anything, she's unlimited. That might be part of what's tripping you...

I write in Scrivener and I usually keep a separate project for the world and organize everything that way. I've heard some people use a personal wiki. Something I just heard about this week is World Anvil (google it). I haven't used it but it seems interesting.

You also might want to consider some recent negative reaction to the genre as it has somewhat glorified colonialism in the Victorian Age. A good example of Steampunk dealing with colonialism is Nisi Shawl's Everfair. It's also a very good book.

I might ask what created or drove the abuse? Maybe (probably) whatever that was is still active in the world and gets expressed as new obstacles for the protagonist. Even poverty and desperate circumstances have roots and that can be the opponent. Maybe they are just fighting an oppressive...

I have oneI trust as my first reader. He knows the genre, is an avid reader, and is not a writer. If an early draft meets with his approval I know I have a viable story. Then I edit, edit, edit. Once I have something I think is approaching publication ready I use a critique partner. The CP has...

Looks useful. Thanks.

Booklife by Jeff Vandermeer got me off my butt and writing seriously Writing the Other by Nisi Shawl and Cynthia Ward - I think this is required reading The Art & Craft of the Short Story by Rick DeMarinis was very helpful getting my short fiction moving. The Weekend Novelist by Robert J. Ray...