Category Archives: Thoughts

Knowing Your Character And Action Scenes

Posted on July 24, 2026 by Charles Yallowitz

(Originally posted on March 4, 2015.) I’ve talked about writing action scenes before and people still ask for some tips.  Today I’m going to give a few that center on knowing your character.  Some might be repeats from other posts, … Continue reading →

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Author Stigmas and Stereotypes

Posted on July 22, 2026 by Charles Yallowitz

(Originally posted March 5, 2015.) As I lay here resting and nursing whatever this malady is, I have been answering comments and thinking.  (Add-on: I really do get sick a lot.) One thing my mind wandered off to was the … Continue reading →

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A Hero Without Words

Posted on July 20, 2026 by Charles Yallowitz

(Originally posted on September 15, 2014.) Last week I did some poetry about various hero types that connected to Superman and still had a few more heroes that came to mind.  They didn’t fit into his history, so I’m going … Continue reading →

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The Dangers of Dungeons: Mazes and Traps

Posted on July 17, 2026 by Charles Yallowitz

(Originally posted January 15, 2014.) One of the big standards of fantasy adventure books are traps and mazes.  The latter isn’t as common as the former and I can already hear some people groaning about the topic because they think … Continue reading →

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Do People Like Magic Items?

Posted on July 15, 2026 by Charles Yallowitz

(Originally posted on March 17, 2014.) One of the big things in fantasy books happens to be oddly controversial too. The use of magical items is common, but many people disagree with how they should be used.  Some people don’t … Continue reading →

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Using Gore in Stories

Posted on July 13, 2026 by Charles Yallowitz

(Originally posted February 20, 2014.) I have a confession: I’m not a big fan of gore.  I get squeamish easily, so this is topic that comes from a person who has a low tolerance.  I’ve gotten better in my old … Continue reading →

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Eternal Characters: Always Reborn and Rebooted

Posted on July 10, 2026 by Charles Yallowitz

(Originally posted on February 17, 2014.) I recently watched the first season of BBC’s Sherlock, I love Elementary, and I loved the Sherlock movies.  I also used to watch Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century when I was a kid.  Oddly … Continue reading →

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Fun With Food In Fiction

Posted on July 3, 2026 by Charles Yallowitz

(Originally posted on June 9, 2014.) One thing I’ve seen brought up a lot when it comes to adventure fantasy is: what and when do the characters eat?  Oddly enough, you don’t see meals that often and the heroes never … Continue reading →

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Do Artists Have To Be Tortured?

Posted on July 1, 2026 by Charles Yallowitz

(Originally posted on February 12, 2013.) There seems to be a sense that a true artist is drunk, drugged, or nucking futs.  It’s almost as if there is a grand tradition of self-destructive and mentally abusive behavior within artists.  Edgar … Continue reading →

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The Female Badass Comes, Goes, and Returns?

Posted on June 19, 2026 by Charles Yallowitz

I mentioned on Monday how I have some confusion around the narrative surrounding female protagonists.  I’ve seen pushes to have them be less feminine, Mary Sues, or caricatures of the entire concept.  The reason this confuses me is that I … Continue reading →

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