Category Archives: Thoughts

Giveaway, Raffle, and Free Time ‘Meh’

Posted on February 28, 2014 by Charles Yallowitz

First, I will say that this is just my experience.  I know many people who have been successful with these things.  I simply haven’t. Last weekend was the free period for Beginning of a Hero and the February raffle ended … Continue reading →

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Fantasy Seers: Look into the Crystal Ball

Posted on February 27, 2014 by Charles Yallowitz

One of the most common devices/characters/whatever in fantasy is the fortune teller/seer/oracle.  It happens all the time where a character either seeks out or stumbles upon a strange person who can hint about the future.  One great use for these … Continue reading →

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Hero with a Hobby

Posted on February 26, 2014 by Charles Yallowitz

Did you know that Luke Callindor plays the ocarina and Nyx can sing?  Sari is obviously a dancer, but she dreams of learning how to make candy.  Aedyn is a reader, Nimby whittles, and Fritz studies creature physiology.  Selenia Hamilton … Continue reading →

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Rules of Gore . . . in Storytelling

Posted on February 20, 2014 by Charles Yallowitz

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 age, but I couldn’t even … Continue reading →

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Now About that 4th Wall

Posted on February 19, 2014 by Charles Yallowitz

One of the most popular tricks to do these days is ‘Break the 4th Wall’.  For those that don’t know, this means for a character to interact with the audience.  The 4th wall refers to where the audience is sitting … Continue reading →

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Running Gag Heroes: Entertaining or Pathetic?

Posted on February 12, 2014 by Charles Yallowitz

There are many heroes that have something they get teased about.  My own knowledge of this stems more from manga and anime than anything else.  Still, I remember Halt in Ranger’s Apprentice gets teased once or twice for the way … Continue reading →

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Paranoia in Self-Publishing?

Posted on February 8, 2014 by Charles Yallowitz

I had a thought yesterday that birthed a panic attack that my dear friend Ionia had to smack me out of.  I think she rather enjoyed it a bit too much and I’m still looking for my missing contact lens, … Continue reading →

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The Final Battle: Speeches, Violence, and Possible Closure

Posted on February 5, 2014 by Charles Yallowitz

Now, there are all types of final ‘battles’ that one can do with an action-based story.  A grand chase to freedom, armies crashing, slaying of a great beast, defeat without killing the enemy, and many others.  I could spend the … Continue reading →

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Distractions from the Plot or Character Building?

Posted on January 29, 2014 by Charles Yallowitz

An odd topic in writing that appears from time to time (I’m told) is the side quest.  These are momentary events that a hero will get involved in, which takes them away from the main plot.  These are different from … Continue reading →

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The Ensemble Cast: Everyone Is Special

Posted on January 22, 2014 by Charles Yallowitz

This post is in response to a request from Misha Burnett.  Personally, I think he did better explaining this than I could HERE! Something that is very popular in television, movies, and literature is the Ensemble Cast.  Think Firefly, Star … Continue reading →

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