Let the Figments do their Something

Troubles With the Plot Climax

Dear Erin, I’ve written a couple stories, but I always get stuck at the climax. You know, the part where everything ties together and the big “happening” happens. The big decider of everything! At least that’s what I think it is. When I hit this climax, I write slower and slower, and I can’t keep …

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How to Build a Relationship With Your Character

In past articles, I’ve talked about the importance of having a relationship with your character as well as the way to destroy a hard-earned connection to your creations. In this article, I want to focus on what you can do as an Author to establish this relationship with your characters. Just like with real people, …

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griffin

Writing Laws of Magic in a Fantasy World

How Limitations Can Make Your Magic Richer Magic… it’s a common thread throughout fantasy worlds. Though it’s given many different names and many different sources, it results in people who can develop extraordinary power to do things that ordinary people cannot. From card tricks and rabbits-in-hats to the power of flight, healing, tossing fireballs and …

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J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle Earth

Figment Q&A: Mapping Your World

Hi, Zemi! I have a question about cartography, actually. You see, I think my story could be a whole lot easier to write and much more realistic and interesting if I knew specifically where everything was, instead of ‘village x in the east gets attacked and the heroes flee back to the capital’ sort of …

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bhinod

Create Your Own Fantasy Weapon

Reinventing the Blade Come on. Let’s face it. Swords are cool… but when everyone and their grandmother is using a sword in your world, it gets a little dull after a while. Just because the elements of certain types of weapons are well known, that doesn’t mean you should discard the ideas completely. In fact, …

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Troubles With the Plot ClimaxHow to Build a Relationship With Your CharacterWriting Laws of Magic in a Fantasy WorldFigment Q&A: Mapping Your WorldCreate Your Own Fantasy Weapon

Dreigiau Book 1 The Gift of Flame – Changes and Progress

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January 25, 2012

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January 25, 2012

As some of you know, I’m working on yet another revision for Dreigiau Book 1. I wanted to take a moment to highlight some of the things that will be changing from the version you know and love.

  • The new release of Book 1 will be officially titled “The Gift of Flame” after the original Book 1 Introduction’s title.
  • I’m majorly revising the beginning chapters of Book 1 to give the world a bit more depth and give a better sense of the culture of the Inner Realms.
  • I’m writing new content chapters for Book 1 to fill in some of the blanks. So far, most of these chapters revolve around expanding TsuYa and KoGuRai’s involvement in the early chapters and smoothing out some of the Nefolian chapters.
  • The Gift of Flame will be a combination of what is currently known as Book 1 and Book 2 of Dreigiau. This means Dreigiau will be consolidated into a 4 book series rather than a 5 book series.
  • The Gift of Flame’s ending will be revised — I’ll likely move a few of the chapters that are currently at the end of present-day Book 2 to the beginning of the next book instead of leaving off on a cliffhanger note.
  • History and background will be expanded, including some new content about Zerom, Ghost Clans and exactly what motivated Zerom to do what he did. There’s a new background story for this in development and may result in new chapters as well.

I’ll release more information on things as I go.

I’m also considering writing another short non-fiction ebook that deals with character/figment development. It would be far more indepth than the posts I’ve created on this blog, but along the same lines. Would anyone be interested in something like this? 

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Shy Writers: Dealing with Feedback

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January 23, 2012

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January 23, 2012

As I stated in the previous post, one reason writers may be afraid to share their work is a fear of rejection or criticism. While no one wants to hear people bash in their writing, the truth is, feedback, editing and proofing is all part of the process. That doesn’t mean all feedback is created equal, though.

Listen to any professional writer, or even your writing professors, and they will all tell you that to be a published writer, you have to have thick skin. Pretty much every published writer (even your favorite author) has been rejected — sometimes many, many times — before they found a place that accepted their work. This has, up until now, been one of the most difficult parts of the publishing process. I say “up until now” because with the dawn of the digital era, writers can now skirt around needing an agent or a publisher and go directly to online eBooks and print on demand.

To learn and grow as a writer, you have to be able to disconnect from your work enough to see the value of other people’s feedback. You have to be willing to scrap what doesn’t work, edit what does work, and polish things to a gleaming shine. This sometimes means making difficult choices and going against your emotions. It sometimes means having the courage to let other people into your world so that they can help you make it better.

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Shy Writers: The Fiction Author’s Fears

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January 22, 2012

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January 22, 2012

In my previous article about the transition to eBook writing, I asked if authors had any concerns about the move to digital publishing. Quinis asked a very good question that I wanted to examine in a full-blown post series:

How did you get over the hurdle of showing your work to anyone and everyone?

Forever Alone Fiction WriterI don’t know if most people around Sygnus realize how terribly shy I really am. Maybe it’s because I’m chatty in comments and posts online. But the truth is, I don’t talk about my creations, writing or art with people who aren’t a part of the website community. Most people IRL have no idea I’m a writer, artist, webcomic/webmaster/geeky gamer girl (well, if they stumble upon this blog, I guess they know now). I’m terrified to show someone face to face my stuff . But posting things online? Not so scared. I can’t tell you why.

Writers (especially shy ones) have it hard. On one hand, we create things with the express idea to share our creations with others. On the other hand, we pour our hearts and souls into our characters, plots and creations, so much that we fear displaying our work should we have to experience the disappointment of rejection. This rejection can be in the form of other people’s criticism (even helpful criticism can be scary sometimes) or the form of having no one pay attention at all!

So let’s take a look at what we’re afraid of and how to face these fears! Read the rest of this entry »

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It’s a Wonderful Time to Write an eBook

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January 19, 2012

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January 19, 2012

Yes, it is a wonderful time to become independently published! This is something I’ve only dabbled with before now. However, the more I think about it and the more I read about the benefits of eBook publication, the more convinced I’ve become that this is something I want to do. Not that you’d need to work to hard to convince me, since I have a series of fantasy books just waiting in the wings for the proper polishing and release!

I spent the New Years holiday on vacation for a few weeks and flew back home in early January. I was stunned to see that just about everyone (even their grandmothers!) was sitting there in the airport engrossed in some hand-held device — Kindle, Nook, iPad, iPod, iWhatever… Now it may be that everyone was just playing with their shiny new Christmas gifts. But, without a doubt, the number of digital readers appeared to far outweigh traditional books that day.

Digital publishing is becoming more widespread and accepted — there’s a familiarity to it now that wasn’t there just a few years ago. As much of a tech geek as I am, my first instinct isn’t always to embrace a new device. Rather, I tend to question if there’s a future for the next so-called big thing. I’m sure plenty of folks feel that way, and with that line of thinking, it’s easy to understand why those who may have hesitated in trying the eBook technology are now coming around. It’s becoming obvious that Kindle, Nook and iPads are going to be here to stay. With that reassurance, the steady decrease in the price of devices and the release of applications such as the new iBook Author App, digital books are becoming more widely accepted and more purchased.

The beauty of this system  is the freedom it gives to creators. Writers no longer have to linger under the discouragement of never becoming published due to the rigors of the publishing process. In the digital age, anyone can publish. Between eBooks and print on demand, writers have more options than ever to get their work out in front of an audience.

Despite that note of optimism, indie publishing isn’t a case of “If you build it they will come.” While there’s the potential for success, that doesn’t mean that if you publish just any old book that it will skyrocket you into fame and fortune. A writer still has to create a good piece of work and market it well to compete in the online world. That is, in part, what I intend to learn and discuss here, along with the pleasures of the inner workings of fiction itself.

If you’re an aspiring writer, I invite you to join me on my independent publishing quest (sorry, just have to throw some fantasy references in there).  It’s sure to be an adventure!

Q&A

  • How do you feel about the inevitable transition to eBooks and print on demand?
  • Do you prefer digital readers or do you still like to hold the tangible book in your hands?
  • Are you considering self publishing, and if so, what questions and concerns do you have?
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Figment Q & A: Hand to Hand: Neglected?

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April 26, 2011

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April 26, 2011

Tai,

I was wondering if you could give me tips on how to write hand to hand combat. I know I should be more specific, so I was think outside of the realm of weapons and more into the realm of grappling and martial arts. I know a few things, but it’s not enough to help my figments, some of whom seem to like fighting as much as you. We would appreciate your help!

Rose

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