(Part One: Character Development || Part Three: Culture & Economy || Part Four: Tension)
“It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.” - Aristotle

So how’s that worldbuilding going?

Unlike the character concepts in part one, you may think this doesn’t apply to you. “Oh, I’m writing in the real world,” ( Read more... )

(Part Two: History & Geography || Part Three: Culture & Economy || Part Four: Tension) Story DNA

This is something I’ve been thinking about for a while - the DNA of a good tale.

I’ve just finished reading Patrick Rothfuss’ Name of the Wind, and oh. Ooooh. It did everything a good story is supposed to do. It excited me. Angered me. Saddened me. Made ( Read more... )

I will put pen to paper today, even if I only write one sentence.

I will not judge that sentence. I will let it sit and breathe - after all, it had to run the gauntlet of my thoughts.

I will not assume I am a bad writer. I will assume my writing can improve.

I will remember the good things people have said about my writing - not empty compliments, ( Read more... )

One of my best friends died this week.

Marsh affected my life more ways than I could possibly tell. She was a mentor. A confidante. A partner in crime.

Marsh was best at the Reality Smackdown. She was eminently practical. Inordinately funny.

And deeply missed.

Marsh. I look forward to seeing you in Heaven someday. I love you. Goodbye.

Originally ( Read more... )

We all have Those moments. The kind where our Inner Critic roams freely like some kind of evil clown, popping our confidence, leaving us deflated.

Where it feels like our dream will Never Come True.

Those times can be rough, but there’s a secret: you can beat your inner critic with just three words.
Just Keep Writing.

Don’t quit because you got ( Read more... )

Hm. Maybe I should’ve called the fire department.

Have a great day, my friend.
( Read more... )

See that?

That might be my view by the end of March.

Seattle. Maybe. Depending on Duane’s job and whether we can find a place to live.

Adventure, here we come!

Originally published at Ruthanne Reid, Author & Designer. You can comment here or there.

Harry Iskinder has no future, but it doesn’t matter. Nobody else on Earth has one, either.

Black water that kills on contact covers the entire planet. Humanity survives because of the Sundered Ones, creatures with amazing powers and broken minds. Invulnerable to the black water but incapable of disobeying human beings, the Sundered provide food and ( Read more... )

Update: click here.

Tried a completely different direction. Here we go!Harry Iskinder is searching for the Hope of Humanity, and if he doesn’t find it, everyone on earth will die.

The world is flooded with black water that kills on contact. Powerful but mentally damaged creatures called the Sundered provide food and shelter, but under duress - they ( Read more... )

Update: click here.

Thoughts, questions, suggestions are all welcome!Harry Iskinder has no future, but it doesn’t matter. Nobody else on Earth has one, either.

Black water that kills on contact covers the entire planet. Humanity survives because of the Sundered Ones, creatures unaffected by the black water but incapable of disobeying human beings. ( Read more... )