Thoughts on the process of writing epic fantasy and worldbuilding.
Consciously or unconsciously, we write with someone in mind. Writing as a medium is ultimately about communication. Fiction falls under this, too, but with the added pressure of storytelling. Fiction is not about pure information, but about using information to push a story out there using whatever tools the author has at their disposable: prose, …
Today, I’m going to be writing what will be my 12th novel (and yet another epic fantasy) since I first stopped treating my writing like a test of my worth. As I’ve talked about before, my decision to self-publish was the beginning of my resolve not to put my future in somebody else’s hands. I …
Read more “Epic Fantasy Ramblings: If You Love Your Writing, It’s Good Enough”
Fast-paced epic fantasy is an oxymoron. I’ve been thinking about this over my break, when I finally got into the Witcher franchise after 8 years of trying. I think I can safely say at this point in my career that I know how to write plots. I slow them down for a number of reasons–mainly, …
Read more “Epic Fantasy Ramblings: The Irony of Fast-Paced Epic Fantasy”
I remember the first time I “climbed” a mountain, or at least what felt like one. I was 15. We did the Grouse Grind and I wanted to die. I remember thinking “WHY” and “I’M NEVER DOING THIS AGAIN” and the agony of those first few days after. (It was also the first time I …
Read more “A Writer’s Journal: When It Doesn’t Get Easier, You Get Better”
“Gigil” is one of those Tagalog words that doesn’t have an exact English equivalent. It’s a state of excitement on the edge of frustration, very much like the idiom “champing at the bit.” I used to talk about finishing books like I was slaying a dragon. Books were something I had to defeat. Something that …
