The rise of 'paranormal romance' as a best-selling genre has me reflecting on the role of 'romance' in the wider speculative fiction genre and fantasy in particular. I think it's fair to say that most fantasy novels written over the past few decades incorporate romantic sub-plots, and I'll admit without shame that I for one like a good dash … Continue reading With a dash of love
All hail the Interwebs
How did writers ever survive without the Interwebs? Its merits must surely rank a thousand-fold -- but there is one in particular that has inspired today's post. Research. Back in the pre-Internet days, writers must have spent a cursed lot of time in libraries, or writing letters to people to inquire about areas of specialist … Continue reading All hail the Interwebs
Problem chapter
I'm currently working on the chapter that leads up to the climax of my novel, and I'm finding it rather a challenge to get it right. I've written the events that need to take place, but the pacing is all wrong. At this stage, the pressure screws should be tightened to near-screaming point, and the reader … Continue reading Problem chapter
A sense of style
After a recent conversation with a writer/editor/journalist friend, and having spent much of the past two days proof-reading an 80p technical product catalogue, I am reminded of the benefits of keeping a style guide -- even as a novelist. Particularly when one is writing fantasy. Style guides are used to maintain consistency across a publication. … Continue reading A sense of style
View across the treetops
This weekend I have absconded down to Phillip Island for a four-day writing and relaxation retreat. I always find I get a lot done down here, where the sea laps at our doorstep (almost) and all the household cares recede into the background. There is food, there is wine, there is usually chocolate -- all the … Continue reading View across the treetops
Manipulating death
I am reading a fantasy trilogy at the moment with rather a different structure than normal. I don't think it all quite works, but one aspect of it I am finding particularly intriguing. The first book opens with a short section (2 chapters) from the point of view of a character that dies. I was stunned … Continue reading Manipulating death
Morning cafe experiment
In order to find a better mid-week writing window amid full-time work commitments, I am trying something a little different this week. I am taking my baby computer with me into work, and writing in a cafe before I arrive in the office. That is, I did so this morning and intend to repeat the event … Continue reading Morning cafe experiment
Momentum
Just about every writer I know will endorse the philosophy of 'write every day'. One of the primary reasons is to foster habit (especially among those of us who are holding down full-time jobs -- which is most of us); another is to maintain momentum. I am a momentum writer. Time and again I've demonstrated … Continue reading Momentum
Birth
I am nearing the end of the second draft of my novel, which is the first in a fantasy series of two, possibly three novels. It's an exciting time, because soon I will have a manuscript that will be ready for people to read. It's also a daunting time for the very same reason. The thought of someone reading … Continue reading Birth
Brave
One thing impressed upon me at last year's Worldcon (Aussiecon 4) was the importance of having a presence on the interwebs for writers. For published authors it's all part of marketing and publicity, while for unpublished writers it's considered an indication that one is taking the business and craft seriously -- another form of marketing … Continue reading Brave
Ellen Gregory 