I had a sort of synchronicity recently. When I described a dream I had in which “I want to take a little house with grumpy little men…… Read more “Homunculus”
Category: fiction
Keeping Track
Writing a fantasy sci-fi series, one can imagine the number of names, places, and terms for things in other languages—foods, animals, types of cloth—to keep track of.…… Read more “Keeping Track”
What comes first, plot or characters?
The author of Story Genius would vehemently say the main character (MC) comes first—not just the MC but the MC’s history. According to the author, Lisa Cron,…… Read more “What comes first, plot or characters?”
Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find?
In my first published book, the opening scenes are about a place where I actually worked at the time. I changed the name of the company and…… Read more “Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find?”
Film Noir
I enjoy film but am not an expert. I just like what I like. A friend of mine is a devotee of Film Noir. She watches a…… Read more “Film Noir”
How do you celebrate when you finish your book?
I haven’t been a big one for celebrating finished books. People have launch parties. An author friend of mine held one on Zoom with storytelling—the kind that…… Read more “How do you celebrate when you finish your book?”
Regency Fantasy
Okay, some are going to laugh but I had no idea there’s something called regency fantasy. So this genre is set in a regency-era fantasy world. I…… Read more “Regency Fantasy”
High or Epic Fantasy
Fantasy stories are deemed “high” or “epic” if they have epic settings, characters, themes or plots. What makes a setting epic? High fantasy is set in an…… Read more “High or Epic Fantasy”
What characterizes urban fantasy?
Does it just mean it takes place in a city? I don’t think so. Is it gritty? Dark fae? Typically futuristic dystopian? Urban fantasy incorporates magic—wizardry, the…… Read more “What characterizes urban fantasy?”
When you’re writing an emotional or difficult scene, how do you set the mood?
I realized today that I enter a difficult scene with excitement now, rather than getting intimidated by its logistics, because I know to find the emotional hook…… Read more “When you’re writing an emotional or difficult scene, how do you set the mood?”
Marie Judson 