Recent content by Chaingun Samurai

Mostly, the problem is that even though I can see where I'm going, I still can't see where I'm headed, even though I seem to be slowly hammering out details that I have to backtrack and edit in... something that I can do because I've thrown in some details that I thought were random at the time...

Okay, now that I'm out of work, I can respond in a more lengthy manner... Right now, I guess I'm in the framework of character development, although I'm not entirely sure whether or not I'm taking too much time on that, as a by-product of having no real idea where the long range goal is for...

Two key ingredients to successful writing. What motivates you to write? What do you do when that motivation flags? What do you surround yourself with to encourage your writing? For me, I need white noise, like from a fan, and often have the TV on for background noise.

Most stories have a villain that acts as an antagonist to your brain character(s). What, in your mind, makes a memorable villain? And what sets your villain apart?

In almost any book of the fantasy or sci-fi genre, there's gonna be a fight. It's pretty much inevitable. But how much is too much? And what I mean by that is, when does the descriptive go from thrilling to ponderous? Do you describe it blow by blow? Do you glaze over it vaguely? Or do you...

That's part of my problem. I don't have an outline and I don't have drafts. Most of the time, my rough draft is my final draft. (with the possibility of smoothing out choppy sentencing.) Most of my writing is stream of consciousness, but the characters are the ones that are writing, I'm just...

Are there any authors who have influenced your writing? If so, who? And how?

Steven Brust handled this very well in his Taltos books. Certain weapons could consume a soul, or if the brain is badly damaged. Both prevent revivification

Up until maybe a few months ago, I'd of said Yoshida Matsu, Ordained Priest in the Order of Battle Saints. Not a nice person, but lives by a particular code of honor which compels him to aid others in need. I also like a newer character, Ranni Bloodeyes A fearsome o half orc warrior with self...

When I write, I just sit down and let the story flow out of me, and I'm often surprised at where it takes me, because I have zero plan. That's my problem. Not knowing where the end is and where to take it. How do you set up your stories in a way that you know what the end goal or destination...