Category Archives: writing process

Maps and Direction: Exploring a Metaphor

Posted on June 3, 2016 by E. C. Ambrose

I recently stopped in at a local gas station/convenience store to look for a local area map that will help me think about where to buy my next house.  The woman next to me in line immediately asked where I … Continue reading →

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Location, Location, Location: The Roles of Setting in Fiction

Posted on May 13, 2016 by E. C. Ambrose

A few of my recent posts have focused on settings I visited and researched for my work–definitely one of the perks!  But it may seem as if I am a bit obsessive about my settings.  That’s because setting is one … Continue reading →

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What I Hate About Writing Groups

Posted on January 8, 2016 by E. C. Ambrose

Full disclosure here:  I currently belong to four writers’ groups, as well as SFWA, my national genre organization.  And I have recently dropped out of two others (and dropped out of another one last year, for similar reasons). A good … Continue reading →

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The Hand-bound Book of Elisha

Posted on June 5, 2015 by E. C. Ambrose

Some years ago, I did a research project on medieval bookbinding, complete with making my own (rather clumsy) examples. At a street fair in Providence, I found this amazing book offered by a graduate of the Rhode Island School of … Continue reading →

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Finding a Balance: Cultural Appropriation and Under-representation

Posted on February 12, 2015 by E. C. Ambrose

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 →

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Welcome to 2015

Posted on January 1, 2015 by E. C. Ambrose

Happy New Year!  For most of us, anyhow, if you celebrate the turn of the year according to a different calendar, then you can file this away to consult at the appropriate time. As for me, I wanted to both … Continue reading →

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The Uses of History: Inaccuracy and Injustice

Posted on June 4, 2014 by E. C. Ambrose

One of my commenters on another post included the following: Kenneth Chase cites a book called “Teppo denrai” by Takehisa Udagawa who states: “If historical inaccuracy is ignored for the sake of the message then it is not clear what … Continue reading →

Posted in Elisha Barber, essays, fantasy, fiction, history, Uncategorized, writing, writing process | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Take me to Your Readers

Posted on April 25, 2014 by E. C. Ambrose

Tonight, I’ll attend my monthly session with my in-person writing group. This group has met for many years, with varying membership, and produced a number of novels and award-winning stories, and all of that good stuff. These are very smart, … Continue reading →

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Consciousness, the Grail, and the Writing Process

Posted on April 18, 2014 by E. C. Ambrose

On Monday evening, I had the chance to attend a presentation entitled “Grail Mania,” by Diana Durham, which included a scene from her play about  Perceval’s meeting with the Fisher King and his vision of the grail.  Maybe you’re a … Continue reading →

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Sowing the Seeds of the Perfect End

Posted on June 19, 2013 by E. C. Ambrose

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 →

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