Category Archives: Thoughts

Schools Beyond the Norm

Posted on April 4, 2014 by Charles Yallowitz

Sometimes it isn’t enough to have a school and leave it at that.  Sure you can add regular classes and teachers, but if you’re in a genre like fantasy then you’ll be wanting something special.  Here are a few variations … Continue reading →

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The Mentor aka Guy with White Facial Hair

Posted on April 3, 2014 by Charles Yallowitz

It does seem like the majority of mentors are old guys with white facial hair or no hair at all.  There are a few that don’t fit that description like Halt from Ranger’s Apprentice and Phil from Disney’s Hercules.  You … Continue reading →

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Benefits of Using a School Setting

Posted on April 2, 2014 by Charles Yallowitz

Ever find it strange when a character seems to instinctively know how to do things?  It can really throw a reader off because it comes off as the author desperately getting out of a jam.  That coincidental knowledge can be … Continue reading →

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Resurrection of Characters

Posted on March 28, 2014 by Charles Yallowitz

A common quest in fantasy series is the concept of ‘Resurrection’.  A hero has fallen and the remaining warriors go to revive him.  The main villain has been killed and there is now a plan to bring him back to … Continue reading →

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So They Didn’t See What You Saw?

Posted on March 26, 2014 by Charles Yallowitz

On Monday, I mentioned how an author can have an idea in mind for characters and stories, but a reader might see something else.  That noble hero can be viewed as a pompous ass or fictional cultures can be see … Continue reading →

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Author Perspective versus Reader Perspective?

Posted on March 24, 2014 by Charles Yallowitz

You would think this is something that an author would be aware of, but I’ve found that many of us get confused by perspectives on our works that don’t match our own.  There’s an odd pause that one has when … Continue reading →

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Who Can Use Magic? Depends on the World

Posted on March 21, 2014 by Charles Yallowitz

There’s an odd debate within the fantasy circles.  Okay, another odd debate.  Let’s face it, people. Fantasy readers and authors will go to war over how a world should work, the use of elves, rate of character death, and whatever … Continue reading →

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Beyond a Trilogy

Posted on March 13, 2014 by Charles Yallowitz

With the looming release of Legends of Windemere: Family of the Tri-Rune, I hit a new area of writing: BEYOND A TRILOGY! For those used to long series, this might seem a strange thing to be aware of.  Harry Potter, … Continue reading →

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What Can You Use Talking Animals For?

Posted on March 5, 2014 by Charles Yallowitz

Talking animals can have multiple uses depending on your story, genre, and target age. I mentioned a few days ago that some people see the inclusion of talking animals as a sign of immature tales.  This is not always the … Continue reading →

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Talking Animals: Yay or Nay or Meh?

Posted on March 3, 2014 by Charles Yallowitz

Anthropomorphism– the attribution of human form or behavior to an object, animal.  I.E.- Anything done by Disney. I think most of us grew up with something along these lines.  Whether it be a singing mouse, a trouble-making Wabbit, a lasagna-eating … Continue reading →

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