World-building is a tricky subject. Too much of it, and it ends up clogging the story. Too little, and the setting ends up feeling too far removed from reality. There are many different aspects of world-building we can touch upon, but the most important thing you have to remember is... If you like it and it's... Continue Reading →
Writing Advice: Consistency
Laziness is the enemy of every aspiring writer. Take me, for example: I almost didn’t write today’s entry; I’m too busy, I’ve done so much today, I’m so exhausted, it’s four in the bloody morning. Excuses, excuses. Don’t listen to those. Pick up the pen. Press the keys on your keyboard. Write. Consistency is much... Continue Reading →
Top Ten Things I would NOT do if I were a wizened old wizard
I would NOT mean to harm anyone with my illusion spells…It would just sort of happen. No one’s to blame, really. I would NOT cross bridges if I had the choice. These things are dangerous – shoddy masonry, demonic infestations, not to mention the rotting wood…I just don’t trust any of it. I would NOT... Continue Reading →
Spotlight Thursday: Uprooted
There is something about the woods, some primordial fear that has been nagging away at all of us, at the entirety of humanity, long before we learned to create fires, long before we began making tools; a fear that's been with us since our very inception, as evident in that most precious of folklore -... Continue Reading →
Top Ten Things I would NOT do if I were a middle-aged Villager in a High Fantasy setting
1. I would NOT tolerate the cruel and petty nobility (if that’s what they are), and would instead take arms against the vile scum! Viva la revolución! (That’s peasant for ‘kill the lords of the land!’) 2. I would NOT be disheartened by the supposed villainy of my lord ruler, if he has shown himself... Continue Reading →
Spotlight Thursday: The Black Company
(By Glen Cook) The Black Company is misery curdled, but also ancient and intriguing. I paraphrase one of the very earliest paragraphs that caught my eye in the Black Company. Glen Cook’s novel is that rare breed of fantasy that forswears lengthy, intricate descriptions for the benefit of literary minimalism. That’s not to say that... Continue Reading →
The Unintentionally Helpful Villain, Part 01
Diary Entry #0078 Today, I took my armies to Imlarith, where I challenged the High Elven King to singular combat. Although I was fully prepared for his refusal, the gleefulness with which he did accept my challenge did stagger me back for a moment. Long did our glorious combat last, and much did happen as... Continue Reading →
Top Ten Things I would do if I were an Evil Fantasy Overlord
1. I would make myself a trinket, nice and pretty. Nothing too flashy, nothing that draws attention. 2. I would make sure that my soldiers have all the reasons to remain loyal. To that purpose, I will pay them well, and make sure that they are happy. If that requires slaughtering a countryside filled with... Continue Reading →
The Grimoire Reliquary 