Recent content by topazfire

I don't know what you are thinking of for your map layout, but couldn't a short polar route cut off the need for long ocean journeys? Like how the Vikings discovered Newfoundland hundreds of years before Columbus hit the North American continent. It was a matter of route rather than ocean size...

My husband and I have been watching Atlantis since the first episode and we have quite enjoyed it. We were big fans of Merlin (with a huge degree of suspension of disbelief and disregard for any history). I hope, as Merlin did, that it gets better as it goes on. The creators of Merlin had a 5...

I think you won't know until you start creating it. You have a well formed idea, but as far a the reception of that idea goes: there is really no way of knowing until the product is done and marketable. Focus on the story and/or art, because in the end, the quality of the work is the most...

For my WIP I created a calendar that is very much based on a compass. The compass directions are culturally and religiously significant. So as you may have guessed: there are 360 days, divided into 4 Seasons (instead of months) and each Season (which is treated like a month) is 10 weeks of 9...

Without getting too technical, you should consider how the islands were geologically created, as this will impact what they look like, what grows on them, and how similar they are to other nearby landmasses. Hawaii (volcanic) was already noted above. Some islands have broken away from...

Butterfly has a great point about not writing chronologically. Scene ideas and dialogue may come to you in bits and pieces, and when they do come to you, write them down right away as not to lose that inspiration. Since you have been in development of the story for so long, build off the pieces...

I actually use Pinterest quite a bit. I find it a great way to collect pictures of scenery for builidig different regions of my world in my head. The board system allows me to organize everything (I have separate boards for landscape, weapons, clothing, etc) so I can take a quick look through...

I have dozens of files of notes on my computer, breaking down each region of the world with climate, geography, society, institutions, etc. All of the written notes help, but I am also a visual person and have found Pinterest of all things to be very useful. I have a variety of boards to...

I have abided with the Hemmingway quote more than once. It depends on the time of day, but I usually write with a cup of tea or a (big) glass of wine. I find that ideas do come differently and flow more easily sometimes, especially with big scenes and chapters that I view as daunting when sobre...

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the Song of the Lioness series by Tamora Pierce. Alana (the FMC) uses an amulet that was given to her by a maternal figure the first time she menstruates. Those books are YA so they are light on any in depth description so there is no mention of STD's...

It is always helpful to look at real world examples for castle and fortress locations. There has to be a reason, defensive, strategic, etc for why a particular fortress was built in that exact spot. The Sweetwater River wil surely have places that would be ideal to locate a fortress -...

I certainly find that any really emotional piece flows out my head better when I put pen to paper. I always have my netbook in my (very large) purse, so I can pull it out at any moment, but I also never leave home without at least one notebook and a few pens. Much of my dialogue is hand written...

I love maps and I am certainly one of those readers who flips back to the map to check the location of a place when it is mentioned. Maybe this is partly because of my profession as a travel agent? I am surrounded by maps all day and actually have two different ones on this very desk. For...

I have watched the first two seasons of Robin Hood on Netflix and really like them. I have been hesitant to watch Season 3 because of how season two ended (tho I have been meaning to get back to it because of Joanne Frogatt who is now in Downton Abbey). I did always like Marian since I felt like...

I know this is an older thread and Chilari's paper is likely long done, but I have enjoyed reading through all of the suggestions and discussions. There seem to be quite a few books to add to my reading list! One character and series that I have not yet seen mentioned is Karigan G'ladheon from...