Writing Tips
Creating or Using Existing Creatures
One of my favorite things about writing Fantasy stories is creature design. So, I thought I’d put together a few writing tips about, well, designing creatures.
Writing Fantasy Races: Elves? Which Elves?
Out of all the fantasy races, Elves are my favorite. Tolkien’s elves, Warhammer Elves, any given Elf in a video game. Not the Keebler Elves, though their cookies are at least decent. Nor Christmas Elves with their match-matchy outfits. Elf on a Shelf is especially right out. Yes, he’s a Christmas elf, but he gets… Read This Article
How to Name Characters, Creatures, and Places Without Regret
Naming characters, creatures, and places for your fantasy or sci-fi stories is hard stuff. It’s hard even for people who write stories about our real world. (You can’t just name everyone Steve or Barbara.) When we were naming our pets, my dad had a rule. “I have to be able to call the dog in the field,” he would say. The conversation came up first when my sister wanted to name our Beagle “Cookie”.
The Best Writing Software For Books, and Blogging
Rarely in 2016 do I hand-write my fiction stories. Sometimes there’s a need to write a note to serve as a reminder, or an outline. I do outline on paper most of the time. But to me, my writing work is digital, backed up three times. To do that, I have a group of writing applications that keep me sane.
Writing About Disoriented Characters
Characters get disoriented. You can read about that sort of thing, but if it hasn’t happened to you it’s hard to understand. Here’s a way to empathize.
