January has come and gone in a blink of an eye it feels like. I’ve been improving my wordcounts on my novel, and had a few plot-based breakthroughs this month that I’ll talk about more in a separate blog. For now, the focus is to try and stay on track with my novel writing, stay … More Goodbye January
This month in my newsletter, Writing on Caffeine, I’m looking at how to introduce your characters to your reader. Let’s think about what is your elevator pitch for your character, and what scenes you’re using to introduce them. After all, the introduction is setting the stage for the rest of your story, as well as … More Introducing your Characters – Writing on Caffeine
When I talk about a minor character, I’m talking about those characters who doesn’t really have a purpose beyond adding colour to a particular Point of View character’s story. Perhaps it’s the person serving coffee to our Main Character in the morning, or a fleeting mention of someone they once met. So, if our minor … More Using Minor Characters in your Writing
It’s the end of December, and the end of 2022. This year has been a bit of a rollercoaster, and the last few months in particular have taken me away from all things writing and blogging. It’s been a time of change, a time of gratefulness, and a time to reflect on where to put … More Closing thoughts on 2022
This month in my newsletter, Writing on Caffeine, I’m talking about what your characters will wear during your story. Clothing might seem a throw-away point for your characters, but it can tell the reader both a lot about your characters, and the world they live in as well. Check your inboxes for the latest edition! … More Creating a world through Clothes – Writing on Caffeine
For me, a Sub-Plot is anything that takes the characters away from the main thread of the story on a merry little jaunt of their own, and then weaves its way back towards the main thread. They’re the plots that as a Gardener writer, there is a pause between coming up with the idea and … More Using Sub-Plots in your Fantasy Story
This month in my newsletter, Writing on Caffeine, I want to talk about taking a break. We are bombarded with so many messages of go go go, that I wanted to focus on the skill of… not doing anything at all. Especially in the run up to Nanowrimo, it’s important to take a breath, a … More How to take a break – Writing on Caffeine
Don’t forget that this month in my newsletter, Writing on Caffeine, I’m looking at how to plan your project – when to do it, why it’s important and some top tips for your own writing practice!. Are you ready to learn some more tricks for your own writing? Then subscribe via the button below so … More Tips for Planning your Project – Writing on Caffeine
Don’t forget that this month in my newsletter, Writing on Caffeine, I’m looking at how to create urban areas for your fantasy world. In any kind of landscape, there are going to be places which have more people than other places. These urban areas can have a completely different look and feel to the rural … More Creating Urban Areas in your fantasy world – Writing on Caffeine
You know you’re reading a fantasy book when the first two (or sometimes multiple) pages are of maps of the world. These help give your reader a visual context (and help remind them where places are in relation to others). Maps aren’t essential for writing a fantasy book, but I’ve always found having one (however … More How to create a map of your fantasy world
Alex.J.Cobalt 