You could always take the Neil Gaiman approach like he did with American Gods. His approach to creating a pantheon of "ordinary" gods was very original in my view. I'd agree with the other posts and don't worry too much about being original. Maybe just focus on what you want your gods to...
Actually I think that RPGs have declined a LOT in popularity since the 80s. Computer games are largely to blame and games like WoW.
What systemic games can't recreate is the spontaneity and unscripted unpredictability of live RPGs. By nature computer games are based on decision trees - humans...
Yes and no.
Major characters get lots of notes and background detail. Supporting characters might get a paragraph or two of notes. Cameos will get a few lines of detail: maybe something physical or a personality trait.
Pros for doing it for every character: Lots of detail for even the smallest...
Going by memory here but Im fairly certain in the Foreword section Tolkien mentions that his original pitch for a "sequel" was a text on the language of elves in Middle Earth. Then he tried to sell the publisher an early draft of The Silmarilion. Only then did he move onto what we now know as...
I agree with this. A wizard throwing fireballs won't turn a reader off. However from my own experience an inconsistent magic system will. I remember putting down a novel because the wizards abilities seemed to change from chapter to chapter. I'd focus more on that to be honest and wouldnt fret...
My name's Chris and after having been working on a novel in an on again of again style for 10 years I've decided to get off my backside and finish it this year. I'm about 35,000 words in and I think its time I started getting in touch with fellow writers for some general chat, advice and...