This subject was brought up in the forums I help moderate. In this thread, the economy of a story was discussed in depth. One member in particular, Victor N, brought up an excellent point: the economy of your story can play a role in the plot. Definitely read the link above because he provides excellent… Continue reading Resources and Worldbuilding
Review: Darkout
As a lover of science fiction, when I saw this video game, I knew I had to try. Your escape pod crash lands on this hostile planet, where the majority of the world is covered in cloud cover. You rarely get any sunlight, and thus creatures that thrive in the shadows have evolved on this… Continue reading Review: Darkout
Book Review: Grass by Sheri Tepper
Grass by Sheri Tepper is a fascinating science fiction book. Here is the blurb on the back of the book: Here is a novel as original as the breathtaking, unspoiled world for which it is named, a place where all appears to be in idyllic balance. Generations ago, humans fled to the cosmic anomaly known… Continue reading Book Review: Grass by Sheri Tepper
Des Moines Art Festival
Every year in June, the Des Moines Art Festival takes over the downtown area with hundreds of artists from all over America (the US and Canada). Over a thousand artists apply every year, but only around 130 to 150 make it into the stalls that surround Sculpture Park in Downtown Des Moines. Because of the… Continue reading Des Moines Art Festival
World build: Maps
Whenever you open a fantasy book and sometimes a science fiction novel, you may notice a map at the front of the text. There you can peruse the look of the world, and plot out the routes of the protagonists (and maybe the villains too) as you read through their journeys. How are these maps… Continue reading World build: Maps
Thoughts on Philosophy within Worldbuilding
When I develop a culture for my world, I often will take a step back and consider the philosophies that may develop within that culture. The environment in which the culture develops will play a factor since it is integrally linked to how the culture survives and how it passes on its survival techniques to… Continue reading Thoughts on Philosophy within Worldbuilding
How Society Views Women Influences People
This is a round-up of articles concerning the terrible and horrifying massacre by Elliot Rodgers. #YesAllWomen What Is It About Men That They’re Committing These Horrible Massacres? I don’t ever talk about this because it’s Super Hard by Jess Fink More Thoughts on what Happened by Kate #YesAllWomen: I will not be Silent by Teresa… Continue reading How Society Views Women Influences People
The Birth of a Story
On Wednesday nights, I play Guild Wars 2 with a dear friend of mine. As we play, our conversation may shift from the game to deep topics about our lives, our writing projects, our thoughts on reality and why things are the way they are. One night I spoke to her about my Audir and… Continue reading The Birth of a Story
My Writing Process
Author Update: I am preparing for a move, but will be restarting this journal with a weekly entry as of today. Whenever I sit down to write, I start with the image of the main cast of characters, then I place my fingers on the keyboard and type. I form the setting and characters’… Continue reading My Writing Process
April News
For the last two weeks, I’ve driven more than 700 miles. This is exhausting. I will have to add another 165 miles to that number (actually, probably more like 330 miles since I’ll have to drive back eventually) on Sunday. My car seems to be handling this sudden stress fairly well, but it is an… Continue reading April News
Reshaping Reality 