Literary Devices: Themes
Amy Rose Davis
As a fan of fantastic fiction, I’ve heard it all: Fantasy is for kids and nerds. Science fiction is for geeks. Speculative fiction isn’t deep enough—it has none of the…
Writing
Writer’s Den: Plotters vs. Pantsers
Thomas A. Knight
There are two types of writers in the world: those who plot out their writing, and those who write by the seat of their pants. Plotters and Pantsers. (Yeah, yeah,…
The Language of Fantasy, Part 2
Two weeks ago, I started this series on language and ended with a promise to look at some of the major language families this week. I’ve changed my mind. After…
Disability and Imperfect People in Fantasy
Leo Elijah Cristea
A couple of days ago, Elspeth Cooper guest blogged at Bookworm Blues about a running theme in Songs of the Earth, the first in a fantasy series that has been…
Back To Reality?
Sandra Norval
There comes a point in the crafting of many a story where fiction and fact collide. As a writer there is a tough task at hand to decide for how…
Commas With Amy
I started a series on fantasy language last week, but since I’m still feeling a bit awash in terms of researching that huge topic, and because the Overlord very nicely…
The Language of Fantasy: An Introduction
As I continue down my list of suggested topics for writing articles, I come to one that fills me with more trepidation than even the one about religion. This time,…
How to Use Mental Illness in Your Writing
Laura Graham
Mental illness is always a tricky topic to discuss, especially in the politically correct society of the present. I can tell you though, I work in a psychiatric hospital, and…
Writing Fantasy Songs: Part 3
For my last two articles about fantasy songs, I’ve focused on lyrics. The obvious reason for this is that people are reading your work, not listening to it. Especially if…
Writing Fantasy Songs: Part 1
Ever since I created my list of topics for this column based on your requests, I’ve been mulling over this topic. The suggested topic was “I’d find an article on…
Creating God: Religion in Fantasy – Part 4
If you missed Part One of this article you can read it by clicking here. If you missed Part Two of this article you can read it by clicking here.…
Outline Failure
Jamie Provencher
In December, I made a decision to finish my book in 90 days. Why 90 days? Well during one of my many motivational hunts, I found a quote from Stephen…