Victor has some great thoughts here, presented in parable, which is always a useful technique. I fully agree with his point, though I don't know if I have enough authority yet to demand others listen to my opinion. All I can say is that I agree that writers need to work up from the bottom, … Continue reading REBLOG: The #1 Rule Of Writing
Tag: creative writing
How (not) to Use Real History in Your Fantasy World
Here's a quick tip to help you polish your fantasy novel outlines and world-building. While it is common--perhaps unavoidable--to add historical inspirations to your fantasy world, you should do so in moderation. And you should be sure to differentiate your fantasy world from its real-world inspiration. Copying too much from a historical example can come off … Continue reading How (not) to Use Real History in Your Fantasy World
A March of Indignation – 3LineTales
Lord Bubblesworth strutted along the seawall, admiring the vastness of his domain, breathing in the salty air, eyeing the fish which hid just under the surface. He marched on, to his other palace, where the servants did not call him Bubblesworth. He was a lord, after all, and a lord could only bear so much … Continue reading A March of Indignation – 3LineTales
The Lure of the Sea – FFfAW
Darrin gazed out dreamily at the small boats bobbing in the water. He was supposed to be on vacation, but he couldn't shake off the depressed thoughts in his mind. He hated being an accountant. He hated the gray walled-office, his cubicle in the center of the room. Why even bother with those thin desk walls … Continue reading The Lure of the Sea – FFfAW
REBLOG: Where Ideas Come From
There's nothing wrong with writing stupid or pointless things. I think, that's maybe the best bit of advice you can offer a new writer. Much of the content of Douglas Adams's work is stupid and pointless, but done in such a majestic way. Sometimes we just want to read something totally ridiculous, to remind ourselves … Continue reading REBLOG: Where Ideas Come From
Vengeance for Bubbles – Sunday Photo Fiction
Kari gripped the doll in her small hands. Who would call this thing a doll? she wondered. The figure was incredibly ugly, the sort of ugly that is hard to describe with words that didn't get you a bar of soap in the mouth. It was like a cross between a man and a crocodile that tried to … Continue reading Vengeance for Bubbles – Sunday Photo Fiction
Tips Straight from the Horse’s, er Judge’s Mouth
One of my current goals as a science fiction and fantasy writer is to eventually get into Writers of the Future. This has been a target for me ever since one of my literature teachers in college won and was published by them. If you can survive the brutal competition and professional-level judging, you can proudly … Continue reading Tips Straight from the Horse’s, er Judge’s Mouth
No Such Thing as Too Many – 3LineTales Week 69
Tommi dashed up the blue-carpeted stairs, only looking back once to make sure the robbers were following close behind. With a pull of a rope, a thousand tiny yellow caltrops scattered across the floor, catching the barefoot thieves by complete surprise; one fell over, both howled in pain. And to think, just this morning his mother … Continue reading No Such Thing as Too Many – 3LineTales Week 69
Best Books to Read to Improve Your Writing
Fellow author and blogger Jamie Todd Rubin recently posted with his advice on what writing manuals to read to improve your writing. In his post Best Books on Writing he offers works by three writers, Asimov, King and Red Smith. I thought I'd add my thoughts. On Writing by Stephen King is likely known by … Continue reading Best Books to Read to Improve Your Writing
My Writing Process, or Dirty Dancing with the Muses
Some people are plotters, some people leave their characters adrift in hopes they will do something interesting. Stephen King is in the latter camp, adamantly a member of the let-the-characters-do-their-thing party. I imagine Tolkien must have been a plotter, and a big one. He started out building a language and then wrote a story for it. I'm … Continue reading My Writing Process, or Dirty Dancing with the Muses
JM Williams 