Category: fantasy
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“The Once and Future King” and Sir Gawain
One thing you may not know about me is that Arthurian Legend is one of my borderline obsessions. (They are ALL British, though I’m American. But that’s another story.) T. H. White’s The Once and Future King is one of my favorite books of all time. It taught me how to introduce deep themes of…
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Thankful Thursday: grateful for all who contributed to a successful free promo
This post will be shorter. I’m tired, haha. Thanks to EVERYONE who helped make this recent 5-day/Freebooksy-supported free promotion of “The Crimson League: The Fight for Hope” successful. You shared the news. You downloaded. You put up with my posts and promotion of the promo. I really appreciate your help making Herezoth accessible to a…
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Why this new review brought tears to my eyes
A new review of “The Crimson League: The Fight for Hope” brought tears to my eyes today. It was posted on Amazon as 5 stars This book is remarkable. On the surface it’s a simple “chosen one” quest to overthrow the tyrant. Once you start reading it takes you on a more incredible journey. Gritty,…
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Frodo Baggins: heroism without glory
That Frodo Baggins is a great hero shouldn’t be a hot take, but it is. Samwise is a hero too. I’m not claiming otherwise. But too many people give Sam ALL the credit, all the glory. Why don’t enough people recognize Frodo’s contribution? That’s what I want to explore in today’s post, because as writer,…
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Should you write to meet genre expectations?
I don’t know if there is a concrete, one-size-fits-all answer to this question. But for what it’s worth, here are my thoughts. We all know different genres have different expectations, including, but not limited too: So, should you write to meet genre expectations? If you care about being marketable more than you care about the…
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The one trait every heroic character must have
Before I reveal the character trait this post is about, I want to distinguish between a protagonist and a hero. There are some fun protagonists who I wouldn’t call heroes. Ok, that said, what is the one trait every heroic character must have? drumroll please… Humility is the mother of giants. G.K. Chesterton Yes, it’s…
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When writing a blurb for your novel, consider various “scopes”
I’m running a Bargain Booksy campaign today for The Crimson League: The Fight for Hope. I had to craft a new blurb for the promo. (They require that for reasons of SEO/Stock Engine Optimization). I love my new blurb. I also love the one from my publisher. I thought it could be a useful exercise…
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Why Beauty and the Beast is my favorite fairytale
Seeing I’m a fantasy writer, it’s not surprising that I love fairy tales. Those beautiful, deep, haunting stories are classics that have survived for centuries for a reason. They speak to the human condition, to what it means to be human. They reveal deep, universal truths, and so have a universal appeal. Well, ever since…
Creative Writing with the Crimson League 