Category Archives: writing series

“Rogue One” and the Challenge of Prequels

Posted on January 7, 2017 by E. C. Ambrose

Okay, if you have not yet seen “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” now would be a good time. Don’t worry, I’ll wait.  Unless you don’t mind about spoilers, in which case come on in! “Rogue One” is an interesting … Continue reading →

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Reading like a Writer

Posted on September 4, 2015 by E. C. Ambrose

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 →

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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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Respecting Dan Brown

Posted on May 16, 2013 by E. C. Ambrose

If you read Elisha Barber all the way to the end, you’ll find an Acknowledgements page. One of the first names on that page is Dan Brown. Yep, the same author everyone’s talking about this week, with the release of … Continue reading →

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Three-act Structure Eureka!

Posted on November 28, 2012 by E. C. Ambrose

Okay, I’ve heard about the three-act structure for quite some time, from a variety of sources, and had it sketched out for me in at least one workshop.  Quite frankly, it didn’t seem all that relevant.  But I finally picked … Continue reading →

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Review: Thieftaker

Posted on July 29, 2012 by E. C. Ambrose

Thieftaker by D.B. Jackson My rating: 4 of 5 stars A tense, engaging read. There’s been recent interest in historical fantasies with American settings, and this was a nice addition to that elite group. Jackson creates an off-beat character with … Continue reading →

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Interviewing Fantasy Author Benjamin Tate, part 2

Posted on January 25, 2012 by E. C. Ambrose

I now return you to our chat with Benjamin Tate/ Joshua Palmatier, with his new book, Leaves of Flame. 3.  What’s your first-draft process?  outline, edit as you go, speed-writing? That is my first-draft process:  sit down and write, see … Continue reading →

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Q&A with fantasy author Ben Tate (also known as Josh Palmatier)

Posted on January 21, 2012 by E. C. Ambrose

I had the good fortune to meet Ben (or was that Josh?) at Albacon a few years ago, and am pleased to renew our acquaintaince!  You may have read his Skewed Throne series–if you haven’t picked up Well of Sorrows, … Continue reading →

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Interviewing author Elaine Isaak

Posted on July 27, 2011 by E. C. Ambrose

I sent a few questions over to fantasy author, Elaine Isaak (The Singer’s Crown, The Eunuch’s Heir–and most recently, The Bastard Queen)  Elaine does a lot of local conventions and doesn’t mind helping out newbies.  But you still don’t want … Continue reading →

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How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love my Outline

Posted on April 3, 2011 by E. C. Ambrose

I have not always been an outliner. Like many, I had a superstitious fear of revealing the endings of stories, even to myself, for fear that it would suck the joy out of writing them.  Rather I was, as the … Continue reading →

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