Reposted: How Heroes (Don’t) Change the World

An excellent and important point is made in this article, readers. I highly recommend this article, particularly if you are writing adventure fiction. This is advice that is sorely needed today.  HOW HEROES (DON’T) CHANGE THE WORLD The final pages of an epic tale are often my favorite, holding bittersweetness that touches me deeply. The full impact of …

“When the Hammer Falls….”

I could not resist the Clamavi De Profundis reference, readers. Learn why through the link below! Alaska Man Turns Hobby Forging Swords From ‘Lord of the Rings’ Into Blade-Smithing Business By Michael Wing 1/4/2024 Trevor Barrett stokes the coals of his forge as he contemplates his next project—a Tolkien-inspired sword—all while listening meditatively to the enchanting …

A French Hobbit Hole

This is just perfect. Read on and learn more! Tolkien Aficionado Builds ‘Hobbit House’ Covered in Growth in Forest—And She Lives in It, Too BY MICHAEL WING JULY 28, 2023 Like a piece of the Shire that fell out of a Tolkien novel, Katherine’s hobbit-inspired home emerged from the ruins of an old stone wall once …

Battling the Dragon

Check out this great piece, readers! How Tolkien teaches us to fight our inner dragons Theresa Civantos Barber - published on 06/03/23 We all have our dragons to fight, so let’s face them with courage and perseverance like Bilbo Baggins and his comrades. Last week I led my kids and their friends in one of my absolute …

Writerly Sound Bites, Number 14: Saving the World – What Does that Actually Mean?

One of the (many) issues with modern writing is the tendency of present-day authors to have their characters “save the world.” As one writer I know notes, characters in modern blockbusters tend to be given short shrift by writers as their adventures usually revolve around “saving the world” from something. But, as this author – …

Tracking Devices and “Cracks” in Worldbuilding – Are They Cracks, or Are Critics Being Flippant?

Okay, I must admit, I have a problem with videos like the one the still picture above comes from. This issue is three-fold: one, it shows a lack of willingness to think; two, it demonstrates a proclivity to disparage, find an issue with, or otherwise belittle someone’s work for no reason other than to pick …

Summer Recommended Reading

Once again, I come to you with a list of books for recommended reading. Foxfier is the one whose guest post inspired this series, one which I have kept up at odd times. Appropriately enough, her article appeared in August of 2022. In a couple more months, I will have been adhering to her example …

Forms of Conflict, Part 4: Man vs. Nature

We have discussed the definition of conflict and how to build it as well as three of the four forms of conflict: Man vs. Society, Man vs. Self, and Man vs. Man. There was an intermission to discuss some details pertinent to the first two conflict types. These pieces were inspired by a conversation I …

A Hobbit in Scotland

Well, not quite a Hobbit, but the thought still counts. Click the link to learn more, readers! 90-Year-Old Creative Woodcutter Built His Own Hobbit House and Has Been Living in It Off-Grid BY SWNS JANUARY 24, 2023 A woodcutter who built his own hobbit house has revealed he’s never watched Lord of the Rings but nevertheless lives in …

Forms of Conflict, Part 2: Man vs. Self

Last week, we discussed the type of conflict known as Man vs. Society. This time we are talking about the kind of plot known as Man vs. Self. That is, Man versus his own inner weaknesses, flaws, and sins. Foxfier and I discussed this conflict in Crossover Queen’s post here. In the process, Foxfier made …