Writing New Worlds
I've noticed an interesting trend in my writing. Then I looked around and noticed that trend everywhere else too. It's so ubiquitous that I don't even notice it anymore. But it's so powerful that its very notion breeds curiosity. The outsider perspective. The outsider is the newcomer to a country seeing it through fresh eyes, …
Magic can be many things. It can range from a flash of sparks as a battlefield signal to a single caster leveling the field. Both have their place. Personally, I lean toward the less is more approach. But that being said, sometimes the epic leveling of a battlefield is exactly what you're looking for. But …
Continue reading "Developing a Magic System, part 4: The Scope of Power"
I tend to be a very focused person. I find a project and that project consumes me. It drives me until I finish it, infuriating and inspiring me in equal parts through the process. Sometimes it leaves me so elated I feel like I'll never touch solid ground again. Other times, I feel like it's …
I liked this writing prompt. So many names immediately came to mind: Charon (I have other plans for you, sir…), Oedipus, Robin Hood. But one name I couldn't shake. I love this figure, and the complex role he plays in his mythos. He's been everything from a drunken churl to the height of chivalry. He's …
Continue reading "The Writing Prompt Project, part 8: THE GREEN KNIGHT"
Developing your own magic system can be one of the most enjoyable parts of writing a fantasy novel. It lets you truly shape your world in your image, playing with some incredible themes and ideas while you're at it. That doesn't mean it's easy. If you’ve been following my blog, then you already have your …
Continue reading "Developing a Magic System, part 3: The Method of Manifesting"
Who hasn't wanted to write a book? I suppose lots of people… people interested in other things, like sports or crafting or spending time with other living humans. But if you're one of those people, why are you reading this? The itch to write is a wonderful thing. It makes your fingers all twitchy and …
All fantasy aside, it's impossible to ignore the circus of a world we live in today. Politics are everywhere, coloring everything that surrounds us. Sad state of affairs though it might be, sometimes it reminds me of one of the old truths about writing: fiction reflects reality (Though sometimes I wonder if the opposite is …
Not gonna lie, I like Excel. I plan Christmas baking in Excel. I work all day in Excel, punching numbers and relying on my trusty vlookups and pivot tables. Excel is awesome. (And I'm not at all boring. Lots of people like spreadsheets… right? RIGHT?) Lots of authors rely on software for a contained environment …
Creating a fictional world has a lot of challenges. You're crafting a tiny world to sit in the palm of your hands. To be believable, it must contain the details that breathe life into the dollhouse. When you're writing fantasy (not in all fantasy, but in most), magic is a key driving force within your …
Continue reading "Developing a Magic System, part 2: The Source of Power"
I love writing dialogue. If I'm honest, it's always my favorite part of a scene—both to read and write. Dialogue offers the clearest glimpse into your characters' personalities. You can show their spunk, their humour, their sorrow, their overbearing mother-hen tendencies. Dialogue can be a lot of fun and extremely effective, but it can also …
Kimberley Imrie 