Where do you start a story

Filed under Tips & Tools on April 7, 2009
Tagged: , ,

One result of the expanded role for Lady Temmere in “Relvan’s Rescue” was my decision to begin the story a few scenes “later” than where I originally started it. Where to start your fantasy fiction story is both an important and difficult decision to make. You only get one chance to hook the reader, to [...]

Reaction to a shrinking market

Filed under Market Report on February 3, 2009
Tagged: , , ,

The news that Realms of Fantasy will cease publication with their April 2009 issue has caused me to rethink the submission strategy I employed for my fantasy fiction short stories. The professional market is rapidly shrinking. “Professional” is defined as any market that pays a minimum of $.05/word (per the current membership requirements of the [...]

Novels vs short stories

Filed under Writing Journal on June 30, 2004
Tagged: , ,

I fancy myself a novelist. There is something about the short story format that I just struggle with. I like the freedom that comes with a greater word count. Or perhaps I just have a natural inclination towards envisioning grander tales than would fit into 9000 words.
Coming up with the story I was going to [...]