Fantasy and Our Modern World: A Few Observations The first truly modern fantasy work was The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R Tolkien. That’s not a statement that very many critical theorists can dispute. But what is fantasy, and how did Tolkien make it “modern” and what does it mean
When you choose to do what you love, you have the greatest job in the world. If you love writing, it’s worth doing. Years ago, I had a reporter call and ask, “If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?” The only answer I had
When writing in speculative genres, it’s important to consider the cost of magic. Everything in life has a cost. It’s a law so universally understood that we feel it in our bones. Yet when we deal with fiction, some writers forget to consider the high price of magic. The renowned
How should we critique someone’s writing? Frequently authors ask if I have a form that I use to help me critique a story. Given the large number of things that I look at in a story, any form that I might use would simply be too long to be workable.
Character traits can be vital when it comes to writing a great story. As readers read, they are constantly making judgments, and one thing they are critical of is characters. Does he or she work as a protagonist? Is a love interest likable? Does the guide character guide well? In a story I
At times you will want your prose to be as sparse as possible. For example, when you’re writing a fight scene, it’s no time to slow down your pacing with long descriptions, or to ramble on about the vicissitudes of life. Can you imagine how that might read? “Trayvor’s sword
Story openings can be some of the most difficult passages to write. You must introduce a potential conflict, an immersive world, and interesting characters, but you’ll likely want to avoid some of the cliches that can lead to rejections and lost readers–at least when they aren’t handled exceptionally well. Here
A Comprehensive Guide to Traditional and Self-Publishing Options Are you looking to publish a book? Let me tell you how to get it done. Today, there are two paths to publishing: traditional publishing and self- (or independent) publishing. Traditional publishing generally refers to an established publishing house, employing requisition editors,
Come listen to Dan Wells talk about writing advice and his career as a New York Times Bestselling Author for his books!
Certain works of fiction are designed to appeal to readers with strong belief systems. But not all “religious fiction” need be religious.
There is a danger in exposing yourself to too much vapid art. It can weaken your judgment and erode your sensibilities, until the time comes when you see things that are merely passable, and somehow think that they’re good.
the adage “Show, don’t tell” is used to beg for more information. Yet I’ve always felt that that advice is . . . imprecise.
When I’m looking at a story, one of the simple things I look at is setting. There are so many aspects to setting, so let’s just look at a few
Today’s question comes from Youtube user Korythebor who asks, “Where is the best place to find legitimate agents?”
How to make a living as an author. Being prolific is not something I think about, but it is something I can teach.
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Be sure to get free access to David Farland’s course on how to brainstorm, pre-write and outline a bestselling novel!
