How I Learned to Love the Flashback
Amy Rose Davis
Editor’s Note: Amy Rose Davis is looking for suggestions on what topic to write about next. Fantasy Writers, please give her some ideas on what you would like Amy to…
writing advice
Description in Fantasy: Finding the Sweet Spot
We fantasy authors do have our demons, don’t we? Besides those in our stories, I mean. We’re prone to prologues and infodumps. We think a novel of 150,000 words is…
Culture Building Through Holidays
When I was a kid, I wanted to be an archaeologist. This desire had nothing to do with Indiana Jones. I wanted to dig up bones and potsherds before the…
Writer’s Den: Using Game Worlds in Writing
Thomas A. Knight
As a fantasy author, I try to keep up with the trends in the industry. The dos and the don’ts are important to what I do. A discussion came up…
How Do You Write with Kids in the House?
Jennie Ivins
Writing is hard work. Whether it be a novel, short story, or blog post, writing requires a lot of concentration and time. I’ve read many articles since I started writing…
Seven Tips on Creating a Fantastic Fantasy Villain
Lady Rosalie Skinner
After reading Amy Rose’s terrific article on Antihero-vs-Villain we can look deeper into what Fantasy authors might like to consider when crafting our bad guys. Tip I: The archetypical villain,…
How Being a Better Reader Will Make You a Better Writer
Ashley Barnard
My husband has taught college film for the last twenty-five years. He’s very passionate about film, and regardless if he’s in the classroom or not, he can’t help pointing out…
Writing the Other by Cynthia Ward and Nisi Shawl
Paolo Chikiamco
I’m a Filipino, and a geek, but I’m not used to feeling like an Other, like I’m not a part of the mainstream. I live in the Philippines, so I…
Moms in Fantasy: Beyond the Stereotypes
To balance my father issue article from last week, I present to you the flip side: mothers in fantasy. I have to say I’m a bit disappointed in some of…
Father Issues
Fathers and father figures have tremendous influence over children in their early years, and by extension, they have a lot to say about what children become as adults. Fantasy is…
Colloquialisms
When writing fantasy we are always looking for ways to bring color, culture and a unique perspective to the world we create. Although we try to avoid clichés, we can…
Disney Parents: Dead Mothers and Absent Fathers
Quick, think of an animated Disney movie that features a hero or heroine with two parents who are alive and present in the main character’s life for the entire movie.…