Talikae – The Breath upon the Blade
In the previous article, we looked at how Talikae, though she began as a fleeting character upon the page, rose to play a significant part in the arcs of the…
The Unexpected Talikae
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…
A Yearning for the Epic: Belarrin’s Path
**********WARNING! This article discusses core plot and theme ideas, including major spoilers of what occurs in the climax of the story. I strongly encourage that you only continue reading this if…
Nefarious Villainy!
The latest string of articles continues to evolve. We began with elves and the Aestari which included a discussion of good and evil. This led to talking about the nature…
Blocking a Novel
I’ve mentioned several times that I’m a discovery writer, but that doesn’t mean I write blindly. I have a basic plan before I begin. This gives me the basic plot,…
The Birth of “Tears from Iron”
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…
Behind the Pages: Vitarria
It’s been a while since I last wrote a “Behind the Pages.” This stems, in part, from a desire for variety but also from my increased focus on the characters…
Behind the Pages: Chostir
Periodically, I’d like to bring insights on what brought various aspects of “Tears from Iron” and the world of Isfalinis to be. As a reader, I’ve enjoyed some of Christopher…
Why did I write “Tears from Iron”?
“Tears from Iron” first came to life on the return drive from a writer’s conference in Vancouver, WA during the summer of 2012. That conference included workshops where we critiqued…
Combat is Boring
This is probably a heretical article title given that I’m a writer of military fantasy. Nevertheless, it is a common occurrence I’ve noticed in recent years. Good fighting scenes are…