Who We Were
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…
He Who Knows No Fear
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…
Here there be Monsters
With the previous article concluding on the nature of good and evil, it felt appropriate to follow that discussion with one on monsters. There is a growing trend in epic…
To Be Aestari
[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…
They’re Just Elves, Right?
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…
The Cartography of a Novel
In the last article, I mentioned that I do a lot of visual work when I prepare to write a novel, particularly maps. Ever since I was a child, I’ve…
Through the Eyes of the Syraestari
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…
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…
Quotes: The Birth of Empire
This is my third article on the quotes that begin each chapter of “Tears from Iron.” You can find the other two articles here: Concerning Chapter Quotes Quotes: Memories of…
Quotes: Memories of the Great War
While the series that “Tears from Iron” begins is called “Memories of the Cataclysm,” the Cataclysm was the second of two devastating events that struck Isfalinis. It was immediately preceded…