https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKtN5pIeAPc&feature=youtu.be This month, Richie and I have a real treat for short form writers. This is going to be another long episode, a deep dive, maybe the deepest dive, into a topic that is near and dear to both of us. That, of course, is the short story. In this episode, we distill our shared … Continue reading FWTS Episode 4 – The Short Story
REBLOG: Write Them Real, Write Them True
Irina and I had a good exchange regarding this topic on my previous post. Check out this awesome continuation she posted on her blog. I think my thoughts on the issue have changed some over the past couple years. This is probably in large part because most of the favorite characters I have written (as … Continue reading REBLOG: Write Them Real, Write Them True
Monstrous Regiment Revisited
I’m about to revisit one of my favorite Discworld novels, “Monstrous Regiment,” after deciding I am in need of some lighter reading. So here’s a look back at what I had to say the first time I read (or rather listened to) the book.
I haven’t enjoyed a Terry Pratchett book in a good long while. Maybe it will provide some much needed catharsis. I’ll let you all know how the second trip through these pages goes.
~JM
I don’t think I have ever been so sad to finish a book. I wanted it to keep going; I was attached to the characters and their story. The book in question was Terry Pratchett’s Monstrous Regiment. I simply love the Discworld series. Pratchett is a master storyteller and he only got better with time. Book #31 is now one of my favorites. Sad that the man is no longer with us to give us more of these great stories.
Mild SPOILER ALERT for the content below. I will try to avoid telling too many of the book’s secrets, if I can.
This post is about male authors and their female characters. That is the core concept of Montrous Regiment, a tale of women adopting male gender roles and doing better than the men they emulate. The story centers on a group of women who enlist in the army disguised…
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Vott Fantasy Serial – Episode 8
The latest episode of my "Valley of Magic" flash serial is live over at Altered Reality Magazine. If you've been following along, you should know this climax has been coming. If not, I suggest you start at episode one. https://www.alteredrealitymag.com/the-prize/ As of right now, I am only planning one more episode for this series--an epilogue. … Continue reading Vott Fantasy Serial – Episode 8
FWTS Mini Episode – Historical Fiction
The most recent episode of the Fantasy Writers' Toolshed has dropped on YouTube! In this episode, I interview historical fiction author Paul Cunningham. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oc7EmAKxOTM&t=235s All cards on the table, Paul is a friend of mine. We were English teachers in Korea for several years together. But that doesn't change the fact that he is a … Continue reading FWTS Mini Episode – Historical Fiction
Short Story – My Transgenic Nightmare
Here's an attempt at epistolary science fiction horror flash fiction (that's quite a mouthful). I haven't been able to find a home for it in the greater interwebs, so I'll post it here. MY TRANSGENIC NIGHTMARE by JM Williams The following letter was discovered in the room of a Baltimore hotel, some time after the … Continue reading Short Story – My Transgenic Nightmare
FWTS Episode Three – World Building
So we finally dove into a real writing topic. This was something that came up in comments and discussions all over the web, as it's one of the most iconic and important things fantasy writers do. I'm talking, of course, about worldbuilding. One of the reasons I think fantasy as a genre doesn't get the … Continue reading FWTS Episode Three – World Building
Is Reading Facing an Existential Crisis?
Another great post by my associate, Richie Billing. Is the novel dead? I don’t think so. Is it changing? Is reading as a concept evolving? Absolutely. What readers want in a novel has markedly changed (a modern focus on characters versus concept), as have reading habits (Kindle unlimited, short stories, audio books and webcasts).
This is the transcript for the episode of The Fantasy Writers’ Toolshed podcast of the same title. You can listen to the episode by clicking the links below.
Spotify >> https://spoti.fi/2FmzHPL
Podbean >> http://bit.ly/2PhfEIi
iTunes >> https://apple.co/38CTqrS
TuneIn >> http://bit.ly/2MPJiTl
Google Play >> http://bit.ly/2EhBxB2
YouTube >> http://bit.ly/39Dl3RY
Ello everyone. Firstly, a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I hope you all enjoyed the festive period. I certainly did. It’s just Richie here today. Flying solo. And I’m going to talk about something that piqued my interest about a month ago.
I saw a blog post by a sci-fi book reviewer named Damien Walter. Now Walter used to write reviews for The Guardian newspaper, amongst a few other prestigious magazines. He’s a guy at the top of his field. In his post, Walter explains how he’s fallen out of love with the novel. That for him, it’s lost that magical…
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OMAM Compendium Preview
Here's an inside view of the recent book. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_c2UYTnBvQ If you like what you see, it's available now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1947655515/ ~JM
Vott Serial, Episode 7
The latest episode in my Valley of Magic, Watchman serial is live over at Altered Reality Magazine. This one has quite a bit of action (and some dry humor). Check it out here: https://www.alteredrealitymag.com/end-game/ If you haven't read the beginning episodes, you can find the full list here: https://www.alteredrealitymag.com/serials/dangerous-games-by-jm-williams/ Hope you enjoy the story! ~JM
JM Williams 