dark apostle
-
Recent Posts
Archives
E. C. Ambrose Twitter Feed
- (or if they have cause to think the manuscript *isn't* complete) they're done. Again, read out loud, streamline, ti… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… 19 hours ago
- Always include the ending. It's not a clever teaser to leave that off in a selling document you're sending to agent… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… 19 hours ago
- Use clear, specific descriptors and strong verbs. I usually bold character names when they are first introduced, an… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… 19 hours ago
- For a full synopsis (usually 3-5 pages, single spaced, third person, present tense), I suggest drafting it stream-o… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… 19 hours ago
- An SF novel with romantic elements (that's the marketplace) about a retired dominatrix living in San Francisco (tha… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… 19 hours ago
Goodreads
Categories
Blogs I Follow
Meta
Tag Archives: writing
Developing Fictional Worlds: The Nits are All you Have
As you may know, my most popular blog entry (still) is the one entitled Bilbo Baggins’ Bathrobe: A Example of Poor World-building. Every month or two, someone new discovers this post and feels they must take me to task for … Continue reading
Posted in essays, fantasy, fiction, history, medieval technology, research, Uncategorized, worldbuilding, writing
Tagged fantasy fiction, world-building, worldbuilding, writing
5 Comments
The Hand-bound Book of Elisha
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
Posted in books, essays, medieval, personal, research, The Dark Apostle, writing process
Tagged blank book, bookbinding, journalling, writer's journal, writing
Leave a comment
Satirists, Lost and Found
Last week was an interesting one in the realm of satirical literature. It brought us word of the sad passing of a modern master, Terry Pratchett, author of the Discworld novels, and also of the re-discovery of the grave of … Continue reading
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
Leave a comment
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
1 Comment
Fan Fiction: intrusion or flattery?
I belong to a number of writers’ networks, and the topic of fan fiction arises on all of them from time to time. Fan fiction, for the non-writers out there, is when a fan writes his or her own stories … Continue reading
Posted in essays, fantasy, fiction, writing
Tagged Dark Crystal, fan fiction, fanfic, fantasy fiction, kindle worlds, Pern, writing
Leave a comment
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
1 Comment
