I had a short story published today in Kzine, the first one in what feels like aeons!
Short Story News: Noodlin’
Category: short fiction
A Fantasy Writers’ Handbook Teaser: Blogging
We're just under a month away from the release of A Fantasy Writers' Handbook and today I'm delighted to give you another glimpse inside the covers. When somebody first suggested blogging to me I told them in no uncertain terms to 'eff off'. My concern was that I had nothing worthwhile to say, nothing anyone would find interesting. In this teaser chapter, I reveal what changed my mind, what I've learned in my years of blogging, and some ways to make some cash in this developing field.
Cover Reveal: A Fantasy Writers’ Handbook
It's time to reveal the front and back cover for A Fantasy Writers' Handbook. I'm sure you'll agree that the wonderful artist behind it, Mark Vernall, has done an amazing job. I love every little detail, from the bored princess waiting to be rescued, to the drunken dwarf pissing gold. The many hours must have been… Continue reading Cover Reveal: A Fantasy Writers’ Handbook
The Wheels of Change
Everything in this world of ours changes. Mountains crumble into the sea. Islands disappear. Forests become icecaps. Change is eternal. It is one of life’s only constants. For some of us, we welcome it, embrace it. Others resist.
News
No, I'm not dead. Not yet, anyway.
Creating Languages
Writing fantasy can so often leave you caught up in a web of your own making. Most fantasy involves a secondary world, that is a world different from our own. Granted, it doesn’t have to be totally original, but it raises the question: how different should we make it? Should we scrap everything we know and play God and build from scratch? Should we shape and morph things that already exist? Or should we keep what everyone finds familiar? These questions can be asked when it comes to inventing anything for our worlds, but one such area in which it’s particularly prevalent is with language. In this new world of ours, does everyone speak the same language?
‘A Fantasy Writers’ Handbook’ Teaser: Dialogue
As you may or may not be aware, I'm in the process of drafting 'A Fantasy Writer's Handbook', a non-fiction guide to writing fiction, fantasy fiction in particular. The book is split into three parts: fiction writing, fantasy writing, and what to do when the writing is done. Today, as a little midweek treat, I thought I'd share one of the chapters from part one: Dialogue.
One of Them Yearly Reviews
A look back at a 2018 filled with twists and turns, and a glance into the hazy future of 2019
Plotting: The Crucible
The crucible is one of the simplest and most effective plotting tools. At its core is the relationship between the protagonist and the antagonist. The conflict they share spawns plot. It illustrates wonderfully the interwoven relationship enjoyed between character and plot.
Turning to Art for Inspiration
Sometimes the ideas dry up. Trump's Wall blocks out creativity and all you can do is lament. A terrific solution to those droughts, I've found, is art
