One of the aspects of fiction writing that I've had to work hard on over the years is how to structure a good story. For many writers this comes naturally, but I started with an interest in worldbuilding, high fantasy concepts and prose, which alone do not a good story make. I found out the hard way, … Continue reading Non-linear narrative in fantasy
Why I write fantasy
Literary agent Rachelle Gardner recently ran a readership poll on her extremely popular blog and has now published the results. Of particular interest to me (and her, as it turns out) is that 26% of writerly survey respondents write science-fiction/fantasy (SFF), making it the most popular represented genre. The next most popular was general/'non-genre' fiction (21%), followed … Continue reading Why I write fantasy
Good advice
Last week I stumbled upon Anne R. Allen's Blog and she has some incredibly sensible things to say about writers and blogging. Her series of posts on blogging (highlighted in her side bar) covers tips on content, search-engine optimisation, pitfalls to avoid . . . and how to attract readers. Highly recommended reading. On the … Continue reading Good advice
Thoughts on self-publishing
Everyone is talking about self-publishing at the moment. Authors and agents are blogging about it regularly, and I've stumbled upon several blogs and websites that provide resources and advice about how to format correctly, produce for different devices, design covers, distribute etc. What was considered once-upon-a-time (not so long ago) to be a daft and unprofessional move … Continue reading Thoughts on self-publishing
How many points of view?
A hot topic at today's pub writing session (in the gaps between writing) was point of view (POV) -- specifically, how many points of view are optimum in a novel? This is actually rather pertinent when it comes to 'epic' fantasy, in which genre it has become quite common to write from several character POVs, often up … Continue reading How many points of view?
Smashed avo
"Are you done with that?" says the waiter, eyeing the last two mouthfuls of smashed avocado and smoked salmon on multigrain toast, languishing on my plate. I look up from where I'm scribbling madly in my notebook and wave her away. Really, she ought to know that the cutlery isn't in the correct position to … Continue reading Smashed avo
Eona launch at Glenfern
Today I attended the launch of Eona by the lovely Alison Goodman. It's the sequel to fantasy epic Eon, a tale of dragons and power and imperial politics set in a fantasy land inspired by medieval Chinese and Japanese mythologies. I'm actually reading Eon (also known as The Two Pearls of Wisdom) at the moment, and can't … Continue reading Eona launch at Glenfern
That elusive ending
I have spent a vast chunk of today staring at the computer screen, trying to come up with an appropriate and satisfying ending to this novel. I think I've written (by which I mean retained) exactly 200 words. I began the day well -- up pre-dawn for a walk along Brighton/Elwood beach with a friend to … Continue reading That elusive ending
Lure of the blog maze
These days a great many writing resources -- particularly in the form of blogs -- can be found on the Interwebs. There are blogging agents, blogging editors, blogging authors, not to mention blogging aspirants, by the bucketload. These blogs all take different forms: some are instructional, filled with great advice; others contain well thought-out essays on aspects of genre; many are … Continue reading Lure of the blog maze
Books by friends
Over the past year or so, I have had the great thrill of being able to purchase and read debut novels published by several members of my writing group, SuperNOVA. I can't express how exciting it is to live vicariously through their experiences. Even though each of these novels was completed prior to its author joining … Continue reading Books by friends
Ellen Gregory 