It turns out that food is terribly important when it comes to Dungeons and Dragons. And I'm not (for once) talking about the pizza, wine, popcorn, coffee, port and raspberry licorice we consumed as players -- although that was all quite fabulous. The characters have to eat too, it appears, whether 'trail rations', meals purchased … Continue reading D&D Chronicles: in which we almost starve to death
Seven fantasy favourites
It's funny, but when I sit down to list my all-time favourite fantasy novels or series, most of them are not what you'd call recent. In fact some of them are just plain old. Maybe this is because I believe favourites must stand the test of time and re-reading. Or maybe it's because I just … Continue reading Seven fantasy favourites
D&D chronicles: rise of the miniatures
Session four, and I'm starting to get the hang of D&D now. More often than not I roll the correct die at the correct time and am gradually coming to terms with the fact I'm supposed to be acting my character, not just creating her. (The acting part is far far far the hardest, most traumatic … Continue reading D&D chronicles: rise of the miniatures
D&D chronicles: enter zombies
After our Total Party Kill a few weeks ago, we started a new game for our third D&D session, all playing new characters who entered the scenario in the aftermath of the previous game. This time I'm playing a ranger, and I even have a backstory consistent with the world we're playing in. [I should … Continue reading D&D chronicles: enter zombies
The importance of writing with joy
I've been thinking a lot about where I'm going with my writing of late. Thinking, not doing. There have been no new words on my WIP for over three weeks now. It was a conscious decision to stop. I wasn't happy with anything coming out, had been writing every scene twice, and finally reached the … Continue reading The importance of writing with joy
D&D chronicles: in which goblins smash us
Several weeks ago I posted about my first Dungeon and Dragons experience and pledged to chronicle my adventures. Huzzah, we just had session number two! Before I get into the adventure, I have to mention two things: 1. The dice are so pretty! -- I took myself off to a gaming shop on Saturday, intending to … Continue reading D&D chronicles: in which goblins smash us
Donning my resolved-and-determined hat (at Continuum)
Last weekend I attended the Continuum 8 convention, which this year was the Australian national science fiction (and fantasy and horror) convention, held in Melbourne. It's an event where writers and fans of the speculative fiction genre come together and pow-wow. We're not a large community, so our natcon is always a fabulous opportunity to catch … Continue reading Donning my resolved-and-determined hat (at Continuum)
D&D chronicles: the novice
You may be surprised to hear that, despite my being an avid fantasy reader for the vast majority of my life, I have never much been into gaming and had never ever played the iconic role-playing game, Dungeons and Dragons, until last weekend. We were a group of mixed experience, two of us novices, and, … Continue reading D&D chronicles: the novice
If I could live in a fictional world…
First off, let me admit I'm going to break the rules. I've decided these '11-question' games or memes or whatever you call them offer too much fodder for discussion to be used up in a single blog post. So instead I'm going to use each question as a launching point for a single post. And … Continue reading If I could live in a fictional world…
Two touchstones for worldbuilding
Another WIP Wednesday, and today I'm going to talk about one aspect of the fantasy genre you just can't escape from: Worldbuilding. This is perhaps one of the most attractive aspects of writing and reading fantasy for me. I just love the opportunity to explore amazing worlds, and when an author gets it right, it's … Continue reading Two touchstones for worldbuilding
Ellen Gregory 