General NotesThe notes for this video are structured on the sequence I went through to develop my example story. The exact sequence you use may be different depending on what…
Act IThe world and characters are introduced.Usually, the protagonist is seen in the light of “everyday life” before some trigger sends him or her off into the unexpected.Having this grounding…
I apologize for several years of silence on this blog. The purpose was to ensure my primary focus was on completing my next series of books and the months of…
I was recently looking through some of my old materials for inspiration and found one that might be interesting to share. I’ve mentioned in previous articles that my original plan…
I’ve heard about TV shows hiring an actor for a two-bit role that becomes more. Perhaps it is just a line at first, maybe two, but in their brief moment…
After spending the past couple months delving into fantasy races, monsters, and the nature of villains, I thought it was time to change things up a bit. Let’s return to…
[The Aestari] are tall, taller even than the Humans or the Ie’dhae who came after, and slight of frame with long features, sharp noses, angular cheeks, and pointed ears. To…
One of basic components of fantasy is the blending of the familiar with the fanciful. But sway too far one way or the other and the majority of readers will…
As I mentioned in one of my early articles, part of the reason I became an author is that I can’t draw. I see imagery in my head and, rather…
As we begin a new year and look forward, I thought I’d look back instead. How is a story born? What are the moments that see its first formation in…