I write using an outline. If you’re doing work-for-hire, you’ll probably have to turn in a chapter-by-chapter outline before you turn in a manuscript. I know there are many writers out there who prefer not to work with an outline, however. I find outlines to be invaluable tools for keeping a story on track and [...]
Growing an outline into a story
Filed under Tips & Tools on January 20, 2009
Tagged: fantasy fiction, outlines, Shattered Amulet
The sounds of writing
Filed under Writing Journal on January 13, 2009
Tagged: fantasy fiction, music, soundtracks
I know a lot of fantasy fiction writers who have soundtracks for particular stories they’ve written. These soundtracks consist of music they listened to during the writing process, and eventually came to identify with certain characters or scenes. Music doesn’t work for me that way in regard to my writing. I’ve tried using music to [...]
The right hero for the job
Filed under Trends & Tropes on December 9, 2008
Tagged: Chronicles of Jord, fantasy fiction, heroes, Logan Shadowhand, protagonists
There are many different types of heroes, each with their own set of motivations and methods. Picking the right protagonist for the story is an important task for a fantasy fiction writer. While I don’t subscribe to the theory that characters can take over a story and rewrite it, I have experienced struggles in writing [...]
7 Steps to designing a culture
Filed under Tips & Tools on November 25, 2008
Tagged: cultures, fantasy fiction, world-building
I recently attended an employer-mandated cultural competency course, and while I don’t feel any more culturally competent than I did before the workshop, one of the exercises we participated in provided a great template for constructing a detailed culture in twenty minutes. I’ve talked before about how important it is to flesh out cultures when [...]
Breaking the rules of magic
Filed under Trends & Tropes on November 11, 2008
Tagged: fantasy fiction, magic
Top ten lists provide good fodder for blog posts. I came across a “top ten” rules of using magic in fantasy fiction article last week. While I’m all for magic-related rules that fantasy fiction writers should follow, a good writer learns how and when it’s appropriate to break the rules. I’ve broken several of the [...]
