Recent content by Ned Marcus

Since I started plotting my stories, I've written faster, but getting to this stage took a lot of experimentation. And, for many people, the first novel takes a long time because you're learning what works. You could plot one chapter, write it, then plot the next, then write it etc.

Welcome chongjasmine! What kind of things do you write?

Sanderson's on another level of success and marketing. I can see how having a podcast would help with a YouTube channel. Just appearing as a guest on a few podcasts has helped me develop ideas.

I agree with pmmg about routines. If you persist, writing routine will become a habit. Then it becomes normal to write and everything gets easier. The problem may never go away completely, but there will be less days when this happens.

Boredom, poor writing, going in a direction I'm not interested in going are obvious reasons. For the most part, I'd never buy these books but give up on them when browsing. After I buy a book, I'll usually try to push on for a few more chapters, even when bored. Some books, like Dune Messiah...

Yes, the character and film are unforgettable.

I don't know if it'd work in your case, but James Cagney, in White Heat, played an evil character who was unlikeable in every way. A brutal murderer. But he was given one good characteristic: he loved his mother. This gave some small connection to the vicious killer. Perhaps giving one good...

Isn't the truth too strange?

They look good, though I prefer a mix of bright and dark in tarot. Do you plan to design the minor arcana too?

They can be funny, too. Battlestar Galactica's "frack off" or "mother fracker," made me laugh.

If you're thinking about film, I think that's probably true. I loved Star Wars when it came out. And I used to watch Star Trek. I liked Alien, too. With SF books, I like different kinds of stories. Brian Aldiss's Non Stop or Hothouse were great. But I also like Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan...

Don't you feel you're missing out? It's something I sometimes feel because of how busy I am.

I've read a few translations but don't remember which. It's been a few years so I can't offer a detailed analysis. I've been thinking about rereading it recently. I've enjoyed it each time I've read it.

It's a micro story within the larger story. It has a turning point—something that moves the story forward.

I'm always curious when I meet writers who don't read a lot. But I understand why people read less when they're writing. Me too. Actually, I read more nonfiction than fantasy. If I really get into writing historical fantasy, I know my reading of history will increase a lot. I read Bede's An...