I don’t get writers block, but I do get something that’s just about as bad. Writer’s fatigue, sometimes simply known as burnout. I can write, that’s not a problem. But sometimes I get tired. I get more than tired, I get weary. Writing becomes a burden. I write in a basement room and some days … Read more
This is the third part of a three-part series on story structure. The first part began a discussion on the Three-Act Structure. The second part continued that discussion. This third part explores Seven-Point Story Structure and plot weaving. So where were we? Oh yes, we had just finished breaking down Star Wars into the key … Read more
This is the second part of a three-part series on story structure. The first part began a discussion on the Three-Act Structure. This part continues that discussion. Part three will discuss Seven-Point Story Structure and plot weaving. When I last left you, I had just addressed breaking into Act-2. Now, it’s on to Act-2 and … Read more
Before I start, I want to let you know in order to do this subject justice, I need a lot more space than one article is normally allotted. So, it’s divided into three parts. The first part begins a discussion on the Three-Act Structure, the second part will finish it off before we move on … Read more
When you’re watching a movie, you can see the actors as they deliver their lines. You can see the expressions they make, and you can hear their tone of voice. Seeing them talk tells you a lot more about what they’re saying than just the words they’re using. When you’re reading a text, you only … Read more
The clash of blades, sparks flying. The barbarian with his twenty-pound two-handed sword, swinging for your head. The epic showdown with acrobatics… now that’s fantasy. No, like, seriously a fantasy. And this article isn’t about any of those things. It’s about swordplay in a realistic situation, using familiar physics and historical inspiration. We write fantasy, … Read more
The great journey, the valiant quest, the ongoing war between good and evil, the “chosen one” who by magic rises above peasantry and poverty to a place of heroism – these are the clichés of fantasy, and I will not defend them as clichés. But they also explore fantasy’s greatest themes. They explore the themes … Read more
With November comes NaNoWriMo and by now many people are either realizing: a. they might have something worth salvaging. b. they have a steaming pile of crap. c. a and b d. none of the above I came to the conclusion a couple of years ago that having a steaming pile of crap can be … Read more
Being naturally drawn to mythology and the Reniassance Festival as a wee kiddo really paved the way for my geekiness as an adult (no way, really?). And it was only a matter of time before I laid my eyes upon this fantastic creature. At first, I wasn’t sure what it was, but upon the shields … Read more
It’s November. That means the NaNo is on. National Novel Writing Month. Write a novel in a month. In the case of the NaNo this means 50,000 words in thirty days. That’s a lot of words – unless you’re a full time writer, or very productive, or for some other reason you’re just used to … Read more