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Tag: writing advice
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.
New Resource: A Guide to Building a Website
My website and the blog I decided to create helped get me my first book deal. That’s what a website can do, and it’s why this article by Robert Mening is well worth a read
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
Getting To Grips With Passive Voice
A few weeks ago, I published the results of a bit of research looking at the writing ‘rules’ loathed most by writers. Topping that list was the rule: ‘never use the passive voice.’ This post deconstructs the passive voice in a bid to see why it's so loathed.
The Most Hated Writing ‘Rules’ – The Results
Franzen's list of 'rules' touched a nerve with many writers. I wanted to find out why. Here are the results of a bit of research...
Knowing When to Re-write
When all you have for counsel is yourself, you can never be sure if a re-write is the right thing to do. What if the original version is better? What if I've made it worse? There are, however, some things we can do to help make this crucial and difficult decision a little easier.
The Most Hated Writing ‘Rules’
All this discombobulating has given me an idea: an examination of these rules from the perspective of those 'bound' by them, the writers. What rules do you detest most? What do you find yourself breaking often? What ones do you not see the point of? Which do you regard as outdated and no longer relevant?
Character Plotting
I’m a bit of a planner when it comes to writing. I need a framework, something to help keep my eye on the end game. Before I begin any story or chapter it has to be planned in as much detail as possible. In the past, most of my planning focused on plot. Moving the story from A to B. While I include character development in this, it never had much of a focal point.
