I've been playing video games for most of my life. There's always been something great about the escapism games offer, and something more about the power and choice games give you. The agency players have is something that you can't get from books or films. Add that to the vast increase in writing quality for … Continue reading An Ode to Digital Friends
Tag: characters
Character Art
Ain't that something? Instead of rewriting the details from scratch, let me share with you what was posted on the Facebook Page for "Of Metal and Magic" (aka OMAM), the high fantasy writing team I manage. We commissioned indie web-comic artist MORRIE KOESTER for this awesome character art. Razal happens to be one of the … Continue reading Character Art
REBLOG: Man vs. Self – A Guide to Writing Internal Conflict — R. Morgan Stories
Here's a great rundown of psychological struggles for you characters that I couldn't help but share. R. Morgan does a great job distilling concepts like gestalt down into digestible bits. Some of you might recognize the must vs. need conflict, which I think is very similar or the same as the "truth and lie" concept in … Continue reading REBLOG: Man vs. Self – A Guide to Writing Internal Conflict — R. Morgan Stories
REBLOG: How To Be A Fantasy Character 101
Here is a very humorous approach to the now common list of fantasy cliches that has become almost cliche itself. I’m surprised by how many of these I’ve actually ignored from the start. Maybe that’s due to my coming into my current habit with a decent amount of experience in hand. As with all warnings about cliches, and any writing advice in general, the point is not to reject such cliches outright but to be aware of them and not fall into the trap of using them without care because it’s easy.
Inns and taverns is the one in this list that I feel is less a cliche than an honest reality. Inns were important for town life for a long time, before being replaced by coffee shops and cafes. Lots of important historical stuff happened in inns and taverns. The Culper Ring was centered on a tavern and its keeper. I honestly think any medieval story would feel odd without mention of the local inn or tavern, as it was a critical locus of town life. But that’s just me.
Today we’ll be studying the basics of what it takes to be a full-fledged fantasy fiction character. Note-taking is encouraged.
Step 1: Wear the appropriate attire
In this class, we provide you with a starter kit which includes pre-muddied boots and a cloak carefully hand-torn by our specialists. We also recommend you complete your outfit with your own choice of shirts, pants, and hoods. Our wardrobe selections include Colors Of the Forest, A Hunter’s Garb, and Dusty Road Wanderer.
Step 2: Grow out your hair
Most of our past graduates adapt to the standard shoulder-length hair, which we recommend for its versatility. It’s long enough to catch the breeze while you sit majestically on your wilderness rock of choice, and it’s short enough to whip around just right in situations where dancing, spinning around in surprise, or hand-to-hand combat are required.
Step 3: Make sure you have…
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Share: The Bus Test
Here is a great tool for writers: the bus test. It is a quirky way to measure the value and emotional depth of your characters. I do not agree that a reader has to "become" a character. In fact I find that idea preposterous in most cases, since fictional characters are by their very nature … Continue reading Share: The Bus Test
Character Arcs
Below is an article that discusses ways to use arcs and growth to deepen your characters. I agree with the points that Jason Black offers, but I would add that character arcs do not have to lead to an ending where the character "becomes a better person." Tragedy can be just as compelling. Some of … Continue reading Character Arcs
Perspective and Words – Writeworks
Here's another interesting article on the WriteWorks blog about perspective and how it affects the meanings of words. The word used as an example here is "home." What does that word mean to you? For me, living abroad, it has a dual-meaning. It is where I live, with my wife and cats, but it is … Continue reading Perspective and Words – Writeworks
Learning, to Let Go – A (very) Short Story
Sparrow looked down at the massive shark lying on the table. It reeked something terrible and she worried how that stench would intensify once she cut it open. She was at the Liminal stages of becoming a true fisherman, but she didn’t know if she could see it through. Of course the older veterans had … Continue reading Learning, to Let Go – A (very) Short Story
Pratchett’s Thud!- Part 3, the Aftermath
So I am nearing the end of Thud! and the suspense is killing me, as usual. Pratchett does do a good mystery. I got past the part where Angua and the girls finally call an end to the night. It was too funny not to share: "I’ve never been on a Girls’ Night Out before," … Continue reading Pratchett’s Thud!- Part 3, the Aftermath
Pratchett’s Thud! – Part 2, the Ladies Night Out Scene
Terry Pratchett is a master of fiction, and his Discworld novel Thud! is a masterpiece. While I am not fully though the book, I felt compelled to share this commentary while it is fresh in my mind. One scene that stood out to me as representative of Pratchett's humor and brilliant characters was the scene in Thud! where the … Continue reading Pratchett’s Thud! – Part 2, the Ladies Night Out Scene
