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Category Archives: character development
The Literary Dwarf, Tyrion’s Historical Forbears
Over on the Tales After Tolkien Society blog, after an entry about a particular Game of Thrones episode, someone asked about placing Tyrion into the context of the appearance of dwarf characters in medieval narratives, in particular Arthuriana. Not long … Continue reading
Posted in books, character development, fantasy, history, medieval, Uncategorized
Tagged dwarf, dwarfism, fool, George R. R. Martin, history of dwarfism, Jeffrey, jester, Little people, medieval dwarfism, Rahere, Tyrion Lannister
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Reading like a Writer
One of the dangers of crossing the line from reader to writer is that it changes the way you read. For me, it makes me impatient with bad style, slow starters, lack of tension and plot holes. I am much … Continue reading
Heroes and Antiheroes: The Integrity of Prince Hans
This past weekend, I had the pleasure of attending the Readercon convention for science fiction and fantasy literature in Burlington, MA. One of the panels was about heroes versus antiheroes: what makes the difference? How flawed must a hero be … Continue reading
Posted in character development, conventions, fantasy, magic, movies
Tagged anti-hero, antihero, character, Frozen, heroism, Prince Hans
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Finding a Balance: Cultural Appropriation and Under-representation
Writing fiction has lately become a bit of a minefield where, if you write about another culture, you risk charges of appropriation, and if you fail to include representatives of other cultures, then you are exclusionary. I have always operated … Continue reading
Posted in character development, essays, personal, Uncategorized, writing, writing process
Tagged cultural appropriation, writing, writing the other
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The Mentor Who Knew Too Much
I often read unpublished manuscripts, either because I am paid to critique or edit them, or because I am trading beta-reading with author friends. Recently, I’ve read several manuscripts with a common flaw: a secondary character who knows almost everything, … Continue reading
Posted in character development, essays, fantasy, fiction, movies, writing, writing advice
Tagged character development, Dumbledore, Gandalf, Lord of the Rings, mentor character, Obi-wan Kenobi, Star Wars, writing
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Frozen: World-building on Ice
I’m starting to see a series here on the blog about my thoughts on the world-building of various new films. Today’s subject is “Frozen,” a fun and surprisingly anti-Disney-trope Disney film. Not being real big on princesses, I wasn’t sure … Continue reading
Posted in character development, essays, movies, worldbuilding
Tagged character, Frozen, Frozen movie, ice, ice magic, ice palace, Kristoff, worldbuilding
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Dear Writers, Welcome the New Year with Change
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 2014, change, resolutions, writing, writing advice
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Sowing the Seeds of the Perfect End
I recently submitted a story to an online journal, and received some feedback from the editor, a couple of changes she wanted to see: first, the character’s motivation was unclear, second, the ending didn’t work. Well, motivation’s not too hard, … Continue reading
Racism and the Problem of the Hybrid Hero
It has been said that there are really only two plots: A stranger comes to town, and someone leaves home. What I want to look at today is the first one, the stranger–but not just any stranger, the stranger who … Continue reading
Posted in character development, fantasy, fiction, writing
Tagged books, character, controversy, fantasy, movies, racism
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E. C. Ambrose 