World-building is an intricate part of crafting a story — if done properly, it provides believability and envelopes the reader, holding their interest while also making them want to delve deeper into the world you have crafted. While world-building is often considered the realm of fantasy and scifi writers that is not the case. WritersContinue reading “World-building Series: Intro”
Category Archives: Writing Articles
Outlines: Use them or leave them?
Some use them, others don’t; however, outlines are often an important tool in any writer’s toolbox. Outlines, while they mostly relay story events in order, are not necessarily laid out the same way — let’s face it, every writer is different, thus their outlines will be different. I will admit that when I start aContinue reading “Outlines: Use them or leave them?”
Spice up your writing routine
Have you ever found yourself in a rut? One where the words just aren’t coming, and you are losing focus or interest in your project? I know I have! And during such times, I have often found getting the spark back is easier when I shake up my writing routine and try things out ofContinue reading “Spice up your writing routine”
Female characters: living in a male-dominated world
Female characters can be challenging to write, particularly when they are placed in male-dominated worlds/eras, and often come in two extremes: damsels-in-distress/story wallpaper/the romantic interest or a man with boobs. Writers, in many cases, seem to think that to have a strong female character, they have to have great physical strength. While it is trueContinue reading “Female characters: living in a male-dominated world”
Personal style guides and why you need them
I’m not talking about “The Chicago Manual of Style,” “AP,” “MLA,” or any of the rest — no, I’m talking about writers creating their own personal style guide tailored to their novel or series — particularly fantasy and sci-fi writers. Why? Speculative fiction writers in general are prone to using names even words that areContinue reading “Personal style guides and why you need them”
A writer’s worst nightmare and lessons learned
Always save files regularly, constantly back files up: This is the mantra of all writers — or at least, it should be. Surprisingly while most writers will constantly save their work as they write, they do not always make regular up-to-date copies on multiple devices. Personally, I had gotten into a routine of saving aContinue reading “A writer’s worst nightmare and lessons learned”
Redux: tarot for writers?
Tarot cards, particularly in the U.S., hold quite the stigma, particularly for their use to divine the future. Prior to that use, they started as a playing card game. Tarot cards also have a use for nailing down/expanding characters, creating new characters, or sparking the creative juices of their author’s. I just ask readers toContinue reading “Redux: tarot for writers?”
Blood & Ink 