Do ‘Story Physics’ work in Fantasy?

An interview with A-list sci-fi and (now) fantasy author Kay Kenyon. Kay’s new novel — her first fantasy after a string of highly successful science fiction titles — is just out.  It’s called A Thousand Perfect Things, I’ve read it, it’s stellar. This interview puts Kay Kenyon on the firing line for her claim that […]

How to Create Layers of Thematically Pertinent Conflict

A Guest Post by K.M. Weiland (@KMWeiland), author of “Structuring Your Novel” How many times have you heard that conflict is story? This truism powers all of fiction for the simple reason that conflict creates plot. Your protagonist wants something. Someone prevents him from immediately gaining that thing. Conflict ensues, and a story is born. On […]

Improving Your Fiction: The Relationship Chart – Part 2

Part 2 of 3, from guest blogger Art Holcomb By now you’ve had some time with the Relationship Chart for your own story and the example I gave from the movie DIE HARD.  Hopefully, you’re beginning to see some of the depth to be plumbed by truly understanding our characters. Before we move on, I […]

Improving Your Fiction: The Relationship Chart – Part 1

More goodness from guest poster Art Holcomb. ***** Relationships are at the heart of all great stories. They bond the reader to the work by giving them someone to root for (or against).  They are the foundation of the subplots which broaden and deepen our novels and films. And they supply the emotional reactions that […]

The Rule Book — by Art Holcomb, Part 2

Part 2 of 2 Okay, you’ve had some time with the Rule Book Relationship Chart … Remember: you can substitute your characters’ names for the character type across the top, and the change the emotions listed along the side as well. Once you’re finished making the initially pass, we can start having fun! #1: Look at […]

The Rule Book — by Art Holcomb, Part 1

(Quick aside… a few days ago you received a post from me entitled, “Are You the One out of Ten?”  It may have looked familiar… and it should have — it was originally posted on June 24th.  Thing is, I didn’t send it.  I haven’t opened up my WordPress dashboard since well over a week ago.  Some […]