Tag Archives: fiction

Leading from the Back

What is leading from the back?  It’s exactly what you think.  This would be a military leader who stays away from the frontline.  They give orders while analyzing information and listening to advisors.  They’re still in charge, but not in … Continue reading

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Generals in Fiction: The Biggest, Shiniest Targets

I think this is another character type that gets overlooked or done with minor attention to anything other than the role.  Any genres that touch on there being a military force will note that there are generals.  Might not be … Continue reading

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When Heroes Have Violent and ‘Evil’ Powers

The character on the right is called the Jack the Ripper.  For some reason, anime keeps using the moniker.  Usually for bad guys, but this time it’s for a good guy.  Name aside, I found something odd about him when … Continue reading

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Characters Need to Be Perfect! Real People Can Screw Up!

Over the course of this year, I’ve seen several authors talk about reviews complaining about character intelligence.  Specifically, readers hate when a character makes a ‘stupid mistake’.  They feel it ruins the story and go on a rant.  I think … Continue reading

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Teaser Tuesday: Advice from a Friendly Stranger

I have to admit that this was one of my favorite scenes to write.  It’s nothing more than a conversation between Darwin and a mysterious stranger.  Good amount of humor and it gets the plot pointed in a specific direction.  … Continue reading

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Teaser Tuesday: A Merchant and His Assassin

I haven’t really highlighted any of the villains.  One needs to remain a secret, but I have these two fun ones.  Really enjoyed writing Urian Coy because I don’t get to do pompous merchants as often as I’d like.  Eris … Continue reading

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Writing an Underwater Adventure and Not Getting Wet

I remember this happening in a few Dungeons & Dragons games.  We’d be land-based heroes with the occasional ocean adventure involving ships.  Then, our group would be thrown a curveball in the form of a quest that takes place nearly … Continue reading

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Teaser Tuesday: The Magical Mayhem of Darwin

Try as I might, I can’t avoid showing what Darwin is capable of.  I talk about the chaos he can create, but I don’t believe I’ve put up a scene where you see him in action.  The chase kind of … Continue reading

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Is Racial Homogenization in Fantasy a Problem?

First, what is racial homogeneity?  This is when a neighborhood, city, town, or country has only one race or group.  In the real world, this would be an area that has only Jews or Italians or Jamaicans.  No other groups … Continue reading

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Can a Tower Princess Be Strong?

Another big trope that has been loathed by many is the ‘Tower Princess’. While not always involving a tower, this is a female character who has been locked up.  She is the prize for the male hero after he finishes … Continue reading

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