So you've waded through the murky waters of writing a first draft, you've self edited as best you can for the time being... now it's time to get some feedback on all this hard work, blood, sweat & tears! Now in my time as a writer, I have gone through the beta reading process many…
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Astrology for Character Creation
When you feel that first spark of inspiration for a new character it all seems like fate -perfectly falling into place, you manage to construct the perfect look, the right backstory, a detailed family, and most importantly – a fascinating personality that will pull your readers along for the ride. BUT once you’ve gone down…
62 Questions for Novel Planning
I collated these questions during my years at university - some from creative writing teachers, others from exercises or books. This list is not meant to cover every question you'll need to consider when writing a book - it just covers some main ones. Planning isn’t always for everyone; & even as a planner myself,…
Kill Your Darlings
Fellow writers I hope you’re finding useful things on my blog to help with writing that story! I’m slowly building up an archive of writing posts to support you with your goals. Now, if you are anything like me, most of your writing results in some deaths. I write Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Gothic, Horror, Historical and…
World Building For Your Fantasy Novel
If you are a writer, I hope you take the information from this post and find it useful in the future. Novels, no matter what genre, are set in a world that needs to be explored. Your world will greatly affect what kind of novel it will be and vice versa. It is important to consider…
The Fascination with Grey Characters
Why are we as a species so profoundly interested in characters that aren't clear cut good guys? I know for a fact that I am... so much so that clear cut good guys actually bore me. To clarify if you are unsure, grey characters are those that are inherently neither 'good' nor 'bad'. To be…
The Savior’s Champion by Jenna Moreci [book review]
★★★★ 4 out of 5, I'm in love! Key Aspects... FantasyViolenceCorrupt SystemsCuteness OverloadGrounded/Awesome CharactersMagicGore Tobias Kaya despises the concept of a competition to win the hand of a woman no one has ever met, but when it seems to be the only way to provide for his suffering mother & sister, he signs up. Will…
Continue reading ➞ The Savior’s Champion by Jenna Moreci [book review]
NaNoWriMo As Told By 4 Writers
I know it's only September but if you're even considering doing National Novel Writing Month this year, then it's time to start thinking! If you plan to smash through NaNoWriMo then it can only help to read the advice of some seasoned veterans of previous Novembers… Hannah N. Richter ‘I’m Hannah Richter. I write mostly…
Story Genius by Lisa Cron [book review]
★★★★★ 5 out of 5, it couldn't be better! Key Aspects... Case StudiesWriting ExercisesClarity on HOW to do Each Part I bought this book after having it recommended by a writing friend, & I have to say that it has been the most beneficial book I have ever read about writing. I own numerous books…
A Natural History of Dragons [book review]
★★★★ 4 out of 5, I'm in love! Key Aspects... DragonsFantasy 'History'Intelligent WomenBeautiful DrawingsIntense WorldbuildingNatural History “YOU, DEAR READER, CONTINUE AT YOUR OWN RISK. IT IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART NO MORE SO THAN THE STUDY OF DRAGONS ITSELF… FROM SCIRLAND TO THE FARTHEST REACHES OF ERIGA, ISABELLA, LADY TRENT IS KNOWN TO…
Continue reading ➞ A Natural History of Dragons [book review]