Magic and Limitations

I've just finished reading Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson. It's my first Sanderson book and dang, it was good (the review comes out in SEPTEMBER because I'm just THAT FAR AHEAD - maybe I need another month-long reading hiatus...). In any case, I've got some thoughts about it. First, a while back, I read some articles …

Using The Crown as political writing fodder

Have you heard of the Netflix show The Crown? It is a dramatization of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. I'm hooked. In love. I'm there. I adore it. What I love is how well it demonstrates the complexity of her role as a constitutional monarch and one forced to reign in a time of …

Writing Fantasy: Big Decisions

I hope you all enjoyed the mess of guest authors these past weeks: Michael R. Baker, Megan, A. M. Deese, Steven A. Guglich, R. E. Fisher, and Melody Greene. Now it's MY turn again! This week, I want to talk about BIG DECISIONS while writing, and specifically while writing fantasy. To keep a bit of …

Guest Post: R. E. Fisher: World Building for the Author who suffers with being A/R

Hello again friends and welcome back to my fantasy guest post series!  This week I'm so excited to introduce you to my writer friend, Richard, whose books I have seen from the earliest, roughest drafts all the way to the published end product. We've had brainstorming sessions via messenger, discussions on pros and cons of …

Guest Post: Steven A. Guglich: Culture Shock… A World Building Story Element

Here is yet another online writing group friend of mine who ALSO lives in North Dakota! He's the closest I've come to a writing neighbor, even though we basically live on opposite ends of the state. Someday, I hope to meet in person, but for now, the internet will have to do.  First and foremost, …

Guest Post: Author Michael R. Baker on Worldbuilding

I am SOOOOO excited to share the wisdom of writers in my circle with you!  My fellow writer and friend Michael Baker, who is also a published author, has so graciously agreed to share some of his worldbuilding knowledge with us all. I met Michael a few years ago now through a fantasy writers facebook …

NaNoWriMo: 2 Week Update

Another week has passed! And I am behind. I had a few days this past week where I wasn't able to do much writing at all because of, you know, life happening. I fell to 4,011 words down over the weekend and have been slogging to try to make those words up. My goal for …

NaNoWriMo: 1 week update

Hey Everybody! One week of NaNoWriMo is over already! I've been disciplining myself to write every day, and as of yesterday, I am entirely caught up with the recommended word count in order to win NaNo, which if you don't remember, is achieving 50,000 words. I tipped over 11,000 words yesterday and these are some …