Category Archives: fantasy

Bilbo Baggins’ Bathrobe, revisited, with special guest, Lisa Evans

Posted on February 28, 2014 by

Back at Arisia in January, I had the pleasure of sharing a panel on historical research with Lisa Evans. When I found out her specialty is European patchwork, I asked if she would write me a guest blog with her … Continue reading →

Posted in essays, fantasy, history, movies, worldbuilding | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A Hobbit Fan’s Ire, More Fierce than Fire

Posted on February 1, 2014 by

Let me begin by saying that I think films and books are two quite different media, and they are good at different things, so it makes sense that a film of a book will be different from that book. I … Continue reading →

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Dear Writers, Welcome the New Year with Change

Posted on January 1, 2014 by

Hey, it’s 2014! I have a lot to look forward to, like a royalty statement that will definitively answer the question, “How’s Elisha Barber doing?” And the release of Elisha Magus in July, which I’ll be sure to talk lots … Continue reading →

Posted in character development, essays, fantasy, writing, writing advice | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Brain-biter and Bansh: On the Naming of Things

Posted on September 18, 2013 by

I’m currently listening to Hereward the Wake, a historical novel twice over (one set in a historical period, and written, from our perspective, in a different one). Our hero has just won his sword, in grand Viking tradition, by slaying … Continue reading →

Posted in essays, fantasy, history, Uncategorized, worldbuilding | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Review: Sword of the Ronin

Posted on August 9, 2013 by

Sword of the Ronin by Travis Heermann My rating: 4 of 5 stars A rich, engaging, morally complex historical fantasy, deeply embedded in Japanese culture. This is the second novel in a series, but I must tell you up front … Continue reading →

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Studying Magic in the Middle Ages

Posted on July 10, 2013 by

One of the frustrations of being a fantasy writer is confronting the accusation that one can simply make it all up. The best authors, IMHO, use a combination of reality and imagination to bring a new world to life. To … Continue reading →

Posted in Elisha Barber, fantasy, history, magic, medieval, religion, The Dark Apostle, witchcraft | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 23 Comments

Elisha Barber Book Launch–today!

Posted on July 2, 2013 by

Today’s the day I’ve been waiting for for almost twelve years: Elisha Barber hits the bookshelves! Thanks to all of you who have pre-ordered the book already, and to those who plan to pick it up today. If you’d like … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Elisha Barber, fantasy, fiction, historical medicine, magic, The Dark Apostle | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

To Know the Future

Posted on June 26, 2013 by

As you know, next week will see the launch of Elisha Barber, and with it, the culmination of a dream which will hopefully lead to many more. Will it be a success? The suspense is killing me! And it makes … Continue reading →

Posted in Elisha Barber, essays, fantasy, fiction, history, medieval technology, religion, The Dark Apostle | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Fantastic Beginnings: taking it slow, with Carol Berg

Posted on May 22, 2013 by

I have recently started reading Transformation, the first of the Book of Rai-kirah, by Carol Berg. I met the author on a panel about torturing your characters and recognized each other as kindred spirits. She’s actually the first person both … Continue reading →

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Review: Songs for a Machine Age

Posted on April 24, 2013 by

Songs for a Machine Age by Heather McDougal My rating: 4 of 5 stars This book is a delightful journey through an unusual fantasy world where machines and magic co-exist. While I didn’t find the heroine initially engaging, her talent … Continue reading →

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