There's the hero and the side kick—then there's the familiar. Unlike the side kick, the familiar is a small, but still important figure in a story. A familiar assists protagonists throughout the plot. Often, a familiar is akin to a mascot, which drives a message home to the reader. Done right, a familiar leaves a …
Continue reading The Familiar: A Look Into Fictional and Ancestral Tropes
Fantasy Timelines are sometimes overlooked when it comes to worldbuilding. Not every story needs one. With epic fantasy, however, timelines are invaluable. After attending a Realm Makers Conference lecture on fantasy timelines, I've some notes to share on the matter. Thanks to Jill Williamson for her information. What Are Fantasy Timelines? A fantasy timeline is …
Within each genre, e.g. fantasy, there are sub-genres called niches. Today's topic is Elven Fantasy! It's one of my favorite fantasy niches, as it is for a fellow blogger who follows this blog. Elven Mythology Growing up, I was enthralled with the lore from books like LoTR and games like the Elder Scrolls. Elves, in …
I recently listened to a podcast with authors from Realm Makers. They're a close-knit group of professionals, mainly Christians, who have a great community to help writers. Anyway, in the podcast, loglines were mentioned. I had briefly researched the topic, but never in-depth. My logline was underdeveloped, especially with new revisions on the way. But …
Love, lust, desire, passion. As the selling point of romance fics, subplots, and fanbases, romance has been a strong theme in any tale. With the advent of LBGTQ+, more varieties have emerged. Readers enjoy romance for various reasons, whether they be psychological, physiological, or spiritual. Romantic Payoffs As with most stories, a romance promises a …
"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 fascinated …
Galleis, a Wonderdraft Map I created The other day I stumbled upon the map you see above. It had me thinking how maps play into stories, and how vital they are to the worldbuilding process. Not only do they offer a reference for author and reader, maps add depth, immersion to that universe. I've written …
This isn't a post on my usual topics, mainly a rant about something that happened to me recently. I've included reflections and some change of plans for the future. December was heating up for me as an aspiring writer. I had promotions planned for my cover reveal and several ideas to help me publish my …
Magic—a word tossed around by authors and wordsmiths for decades. Magic is an abstract phenomenon with incredible potential, and such power usually comes with a cost. As a widespread tool in worldbuilding, when misused, it can wreck havoc on a story, figuratively and literally. Magic in Creative Fiction Your ability to solve problems with magic …
Continue reading Hard Magic, Soft Magic: How to Use Them in Creative Fiction
That's right! My cover art for the upcoming novel, Blade of Dragons, is almost finished! Months in the making, it was a pleasure working with the cover artist. She had a keen sense for design, excellent communication, and patience with the numerous requirements I had for the project. I'll certainly consider her again for future …
Ethereal Seals 
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