Category: Uncategorized
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Mythic Artifacts & Ancestral Objects
With a mythic artifact, shiny blades, fireworks, and forbidden knowledge may come to mind. Our history is rife with artifacts, from Poseidon’s trident to King Arthur’s Excalibur. These relics have earned a place in history, as they do in the world of fiction. Mythic Artifacts In stories, artifacts are a trope used to further the […]
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What is Ancestral Storytelling?
“Since time immemorial, we as human beings have communicated what’s essential in our lives through stories.” —Cheryl Hunter Storytelling has been part of human existence since the Stone Age. Sitting around a fire, or painting in a cave, birthed a tradition inherent to the human genome. One every human carries. It’s little wonder we’re so […]
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Blog Update 3/27/22
Blog Changes For any of you longtime readers, the blog is experiencing an overhaul at the moment. You can expect changes in formatting and style. I’ve opted for a simpler, smoother website with less fluff and easier reading for your eyes—particularly on mobile. I’m weighing the upgrade to a business plan on WordPress, which would […]
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Blog Overhaul
Hello, everyone. I’ve been trying to update my blog recently. It’s been running into some technical issues with WordPress’s systems. Stand by and I’ll get it fixed as soon as I hear back from them.
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Fantasy Food in Fiction
“Sure enough, when they entered the Gryffindor common room it exploded with cheers and yells again. There were mountains of cakes and flagons of pumpkin juice and butterbeer on every surface. —Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Everybody loves a good feast. Even better, readers salivate (quite literally) over feasts in fiction. The best […]
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The Father Figure in Fiction
When you think of a father figure, what comes to mind? Someone tough and brave? Unbeatable? Or perhaps less pleasant thoughts. The father figure can be a very subjective experience. It’s also a useful trope in storytelling. Mothers influence tradition too, in different but substantial ways than fathers. But that’s a post for another time….. […]
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Ebooks versus Print
Ebook or hardcover? I’ve always preferred print, but since COVID, my interest in ebooks has increased. I’ve come to appreciate the advantages of ebooks versus print. Below, I’ll share my thoughts and experiences with both. Print: the Tradition I grew up reading in my father’s library of fantasy novels. He kept stacks neatly on his […]
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Book Review: The Eye of the I
After my journey through the Mistborn trilogy, I returned to nonfiction. From personal experience, nonfiction has helped me with some worldbuilding issues in the past. I chose a heavy philosophical read by David Hawkins. The Eye of the I promised to unveil some interesting tidbits about life; I wasn’t disappointed. Information David Hawkins’ books are […]
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The Mentor and Legacy in Fiction
Razaeroth, ancient druyd of Atläs The mentor, or advisor, is an important figure in all storytelling. Gandalf from LoTR, Obi-wan from Star Wars, Moirane from Wheel of Time—you get the idea. Mentors can come in many forms, some being objects or artifacts that can teach a protagonist. Other heroes have multiple mentors throughout their hero’s […]
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A Short Writing Update 2/14/22: It Begins
Big news, my dear readers! I’ve signed my first editorial contract. That means I’ve sent my manuscript off to an editor for feedback. I’ve opted for a critique of the plot, characters, pacing, and other details. Once I receive the feedback, I’ll perform the revisions. Next will be round two: the copyedits and proofing. The […]