Tag Archives: author

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 →

Posted in Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

Poetry Day: The Point Is?

Posted on July 16, 2026 by Charles Yallowitz

(The point of life?  Damned if I know.) Is there any point? To most of what we do. Toiling time away. Ignoring fallen dreams.   We earn our own survival. But give up a life well-lived. No stories will be … Continue reading →

Posted in Poems | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

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 →

Posted in Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

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 →

Posted in Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

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 →

Posted in Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Poetry Day: The Poem and The Song

Posted on July 9, 2026 by Charles Yallowitz

(This stems from the belief that songs and poems are related.  The only difference is one has music and the other doesn’t.) A debate of recent thought Noted in the words of others Forged from a simple question That has … Continue reading →

Posted in Poems | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Ye Olde Thief Shoppe?

Posted on July 8, 2026 by Charles Yallowitz

(Originally posted on September 20, 2014.  Looks like this was the very first ‘Ye Olde Shoppe’ skit.) So, you’re about to set out for a life of fantasy thief crime.  Well, you’re going to need a lot of gear.  Unlike … Continue reading →

Posted in Olde Shoppe Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Questions 3: World-Building

Posted on July 6, 2026 by Charles Yallowitz

(Originally posted on July 6, 2015.  Figure this would be a good repost since this was the first Questions 3.) I’m still on the road here, which means I needed to think of a post that would be fun and … Continue reading →

Posted in Questions 3 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

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 →

Posted in Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Poetry Day: The Pixian Parade

Posted on July 2, 2026 by Charles Yallowitz

(A fun parade of fae.  I forgot the inspiration of it, but I think it comes from a really old story I used to read as a kid.  It wasn’t pixies though.  Think it was animals.) Deep within the Grimjaw … Continue reading →

Posted in Poems | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments