Recent content by Michael J. Tobias

Not specifically for Fantasy writers, but useful for any writers... 52 Terrific Tips for Writing Better | Psychology Today

Thanks for my new short story :D

I concur completely with Scribble. If you're not a professional artist, hire one. As far as the concept goes, I generally pick a crucial scene in the story and write out a description for the artist.

Don't follow rules religiously. True writing, like true religion, comes from the heart, not from a bunch of rules.

Found this interesting... An illustrated guide to the biggest dragons in fantasy May help those of us who use or are planning to use our own dragons. Mine will not be nearly as big as GRRM's, but they'll be awesome anyway :cool:

My WIP isn't unique at all. It's a YA version of Game of Thrones with just a hint of Divergent and a nod to The Matrix. It deals more with spirituality than GoT or Divergent and it has a few unique creatures and plants, but that's it. Honestly, I have no idea if it will "stand out" or not. I...

I have a few characters in my WIP who have similar conditions because the story centers on a young girl who is different (dark skin and light eyes) and thus everyone believes she is "marked" for sorcery...as they think of anyone who is "different." Thus I have a young girl with autism and an...

Can't improve your craft or your draft without writing. Also, you may be surprised how the plot develops as you write. One of the sheer joys of writing for me is being the first to find out what's gonna happen next, because when I sit down with my laptop and start pounding away, I'm often not...

This. This. A thousand times this.

Agree 100% with what Scribble has written and with A. E. Lowan's assertion regarding writer's block. When I'm struggling, I find reading stuff I enjoy a great inspiration. And btw, I'm currently working on a trilogy that could be described as a combination of Divergent and Game of Thrones...

Yes, you can do it. Should you? That remains to be seen. The question you have to ask yourself is, do I need two POVs? In the story you describe, I can see how it may work. Switching back and forth between the husband and wife will provide an excellent feel of a race. Oh no, he's bleeding...

My first reaction was the same as kayd_mon's. That tag line has comedy written all over it.

Satan Was the Rabbit I'm just gonna leave that there. Monty Python jokes, commence.

Tell us what the story is about in one sentence.

I've always been partial to the name Yelnick McWawa, myself. (Can anyone name the reference?) Alephim, Alephka, Arkadan, Amarel, Amphoran, Andy (JK), Asmodeal, Alkah Those are "A" names that could be Hebrew-ish off the top of my head. You could also go here and pick one.