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Recent content by D. Gray Warrior

  1. D. Gray Warrior

    Political Fantasy

    This is a sub genre that has always intrigued me. I've always wanted to write a fantasy story that focuses on geopolitics over your standard plot about a band of adventurers going on a quest to stop the dark lord and maybe loot a dungeon or two along the way. I recall back in elementary...
  2. D. Gray Warrior

    Tolkien and lewis were inspired by mythology

    I mostly take from Classical mythology. Original, I know. I like tragic heroes and I think the Greek myths is what inspired me to write that kind of character. The hero, despite his virtue and Herculean feats, still makes poor decisions that lead to his own downfall. I also borrow from...
  3. D. Gray Warrior

    Magitech

    I love the concept of magitech, but I think that oftentimes, it's poorly executed. Usually, it looks either like IRL tech but handwaved with "it runs on magic," or it's some sci fi concept with magical jargon imposed over it. It's not an android, it's a "metal golem." I want actual magitech...
  4. D. Gray Warrior

    Does Anyone write Magipunk or Gaslamp Fantasy?

    I'm actually working on a Gaslamp inspired fantasy. I intially planned for it to be steampunk, but I wanted to focus more on the other aspects like the fashion, architecture and society rather than steam powered technology. So, steam power exists in the setting, but it takes a backseat to...
  5. D. Gray Warrior

    Communication and Languages in Fantasy

    It might be tricky to pull off in writing, but perhaps he could use sign language. I recall some Native American tribes would use sign language as a lingua franca to communicate with other tribes. You could just write, "The MC made some gestures with his hands, and the shaman nodded in...
  6. D. Gray Warrior

    The 'Middle-Earth' Dilemma: Too much backstory

    Well, you could make a world encyclopedia for it. It's not essential for understanding the story, but it's there for people who want to learn more about the lore of the world that may not pertain to the story directly.
  7. D. Gray Warrior

    Writing vs Reading

    Well, despite being a frequenter of a fantasy writing forum, I only ever read one novel that could be classified as your standard medieval fantasy literature: Eragon. Maybe also Redwall, since it's also Medieval, but there's nothing "fantastical" about the setting that I can recall aside from...
  8. D. Gray Warrior

    Writing vs Reading

    So, I'm in a bit of a conundrum here. Like everyone else here, I enjoy writing fiction, especially speculative fiction. However, I must confess that I am not an avid reader of books. Idk what it is, I just struggle to finish anything I try to read. I've been told that one cannot be a good...
  9. D. Gray Warrior

    Overthinking Worldbuilding?

    So, I have this tendency to overthink everything when it comes to creative activities like writing, worldbuilding, conlanging, etc, and it's really holding me back. For instance, I put way too much thought into whether the leader of fictional monarchy of my setting should be a "king,"...
  10. D. Gray Warrior

    Do you have a 'favorite' archetype? (both to write and to read)

    I like the Lovable Rogue archetype: a la Jack Sparrow or Puss 'n Boots. I also like blind characters who can still kick ass despite their inability to see.
  11. D. Gray Warrior

    Blank Heros

    I often don't really know what my own protagonists look like beyond a few vague traits (like hair color, a notable article of clothing such as glasses or a coat.) Often, I only have a vague image of their appearance, at best. I prefer to focus on their personality and role in the story, and...
  12. D. Gray Warrior

    How can a long-running religion push its original deity into the background in favor of a new one?

    You could have the religion retcon things. Instead of doing away with the old god entirely, they could say that the new god is the same person as the old one all along and merge them. They could then start emphasizing the aspects of the new god while downplaying the old one, thus becoming less...
  13. D. Gray Warrior

    Writing and Discipline

    You could be on to something. Perhaps it is a fear of criticism. That would be ironic as I try not to be the kind of person who can't take criticism. I think I am trying to keep my own ego in check by accepting that what I write more than likely isn't as good as I think it is. I believe my...
  14. D. Gray Warrior

    Writing and Discipline

    I like to write, but I struggle with discipline and issues such as self doubt and perfectionism. While I don't write everyday, I still strive to write fairly often. Usually, it'll be two or three days a week at the bare minimum. Even when I do write, my productivity varies. Some days I feel...
  15. D. Gray Warrior

    Spin off short stories?

    I do this. They aren't always stories per se as they sometimes focus more on slice of life than actual conflict and drama. They're just to get a feel for the characters and the world they inhabit. Or I'll have them go on a standalone adventure completely unrelated to the main story, so whatever...
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