It seems today that fantasy has been hijacked by "world builders"---writers so enamored by Tolkien, that their No. #1 priority is to build a convincing world. While I am all for convincing worlds, I am not all for it if it hinders the telling of a story, or takes the place of one. I won't mention names,... Continue Reading →
Dropped off my daughter at school today. It was an interesting experience, seeing all those eager faces with their SpongBob and Star Wars and Hello Kitty lunch boxes. It got me to thinking of my school days and how different things are now. At the risk of sounding like an old coot, let me quote... Continue Reading →
It seems today that fantasy has been hijacked by "world builders"---writers so enamored by Tolkien, that their No. #1 priority is to build convincing worlds. While I am all for the establishment of a good setting, I am not all for it if it hinders the telling of a story or takes the place of one. I... Continue Reading →
To D&D or Not to D&D? That is the question. Whether it is nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous hate mail, and take arms against a sea of critics, or quit - - - to D&D and write no more; and by thus to say we end the heartache... Continue Reading →
When people think about the challenges writers face, they often think about finding good ideas or proofing for grammar. None of the How-To books deal with the things that matter most to me: finding the energy, the drive, and the passion to keep going, to keep going when all seems hopeless, to keep going when... Continue Reading →
An author once told me to forget about art. "Publishing is a business," he said, "and you have to write what sells. If you’re lucky, art comes later." I sincerely tried to take this advice to heart. But as I went about dealing with publishers, I was appalled by their suggestions. “You have to make... Continue Reading →
Plot: George R.R. Martin’s A Game of Thrones involves a dizzying cast of characters in a world that can best be summed up as “north” and “south”. On this extremely similar to medieval North Europe/United Kingdom type world (with some Hun-occupied Russian steppes thrown in for good measure), it can be winter for years or... Continue Reading →
Plot: The story of The Darkness that Comes Before is not easily summed up. There are factions both political and religious, and many characters including princes, mages, warriors and a prostitute, all of whom get wrapped up in preparations for a Crusades-like Holy War to capture the holy city of Shimeh. Comparisons between the actual... Continue Reading →
Summary: Alder the Mender has bad dreams regarding his dead wife. He sees her begging for help at the wall dividing the living from the dead. Unable to sleep, he seeks the aid of the ex-Archmage, Sparrowhawk, who in turn sends him to his pal, King Lebannen. Cons: Ursula K. Leguin's The Other Wind reminds me a... Continue Reading →
The Art of Storytelling 
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