Join me in this week’s Author Diary as I embark on an exciting new writing adventure and share my latest reading experiences.
👑 Introducing “The Ravenglass Throne”:
This week marks the beginning of a new venture into YA epic fantasy with my latest project, “The Ravenglass Throne.”
The story unfolds around three princesses thrown into turmoil after their father, the king, is mysteriously assassinated without naming an heir.
Set against a backdrop of looming conspiracy and dark secrets, the narrative explores themes of power, loyalty, and the quest for truth.
📘 Current Reading:
Alongside developing this new tale, I’m engrossed in “Ezzraharden” by Michael J. Sullivan. Sullivan’s ability to weave intricate plots and richly drawn characters never fails to inspire.
I’m reading “Wild Faith” by Talia Levin, a book that offers a fresh perspective on spirituality and belief systems within the context of far-right politics.
Both books provide a wonderful blend of escapism and intellectual engagement, feeding into my creative process.
📅 What’s Next:
As “The Ravenglass Throne” begins to take shape, I’m focused on outlining the complex relationships and political intrigue that drive the heart of the story.
I’m excited to develop this world and its rulers, bringing to life the struggles and triumphs of each princess.
I’d love to hear about your favourite YA fantasy books or any recent reads that have captured your imagination.
How do you like to see conspiracy and mystery handled in fantasy settings?
Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more weekly insights and updates from my author’s journey!
Join me in this week’s Author Diary as I celebrate a major milestone in my writing journey and share my current literary indulgence.
📘 Finishing “Blade of Sorrows”:
I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve completed the draft of “Blade of Sorrows,” the third book in the Guild of Assassins series.
📖 Current Reading:
As I take a brief pause from writing to recharge, I’ve started reading “Ezzrahdon” by Michael J. Sullivan. It’s proving to be an engaging read, filled with the compelling storytelling and rich character development.
📅 Looking Ahead:
With “Blade of Sorrows” now in draft completion, my focus will soon shift towards the editing process, a critical step in preparing the book for its journey to the readers.
I’d love to hear about your experiences with completing big projects or the books that currently captivate you. How do you transition from intense writing phases to other creative or leisure activities?
Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more weekly insights and updates from my author’s life!
Join me in this week’s Author Diary as I make significant progress on my latest fantasy novel and share exclusive content with my Patreon community.
Progress on “Blade of Sorrows”:
This week, I reached a new milestone in the writing of “Blade of Sorrows,” the third book in the Guild of Assassins series. I’ve now penned 40,000 words, diving deeper into the intricate plot and complex character dynamics that define this series.
📘 Patreon Updates:
I’ve been actively engaging with my Patreon supporters by sharing early chapters of “Forged in Blood” as well as the enthralling narratives of “Hunters” and “Niamh’s Journey.”
📚 Current Reading:
In terms of reading, I’m currently immersed in “Leviathan,” the third book in the Illuminatus series by Robert Anton Wilson and Robert Shea. This series continues to impress with its complex narratives and thought-provoking themes.
This week’s Author Diary touches on managing seasonal affective disorder while progressing on exciting literary fronts.
🌨️ Managing Seasonal Affective Disorder:
As November rolls in, so does my annual encounter with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). It’s a familiar challenge by now, and understanding what to expect helps me navigate it more effectively. While SAD does pose its difficulties, recognising the symptoms early allows me to adjust my schedule and self-care routines to maintain productivity and well-being.
📖 Starting “Blade of Sorrows”:
In terms of writing, I’ve begun drafting “Blade of Sorrows,” the third book in the Guild of Assassins series. I’m currently 15,000 words in, about 25% through the manuscript. Diving back into this dark, intricate world is exhilarating, and the initial chapters are shaping up to bring more thrilling twists and deep character explorations.
📚 Reading Insights:
My reading this week included “Opus” by Gareth Gore, a deep dive into the enigmatic world of Opus Dei. The book provides an intriguing glimpse into the inner workings and controversies surrounding this Catholic institution. Additionally, I’m about halfway through “The Damnation of Power” from the Horus Heresy series, which continues to expand on the epic saga with intense conflicts and rich, detailed lore.
📅 Looking Ahead:
Despite the challenges posed by SAD, I remain committed to my writing goals and literary explorations. The support and understanding of the writing community also play a crucial role in managing these seasonal hurdles.
I’d love to hear from you about how you cope with seasonal changes or manage personal challenges while keeping up with creative or professional commitments.
Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more weekly updates from my author’s life and the ongoing journey through worlds both real and imagined!
Explore how Fallout’s darkly humorous, post-apocalyptic themes can inspire fantasy authors. Discover techniques for world-building, moral complexity, and blending magic with dystopian elements to enrich fantasy writing.
When the world ends, it’s not all doom and gloom—well, actually, it is, but in the richly imagined, irradiated sandbox of the Fallout series, it’s also a gold mine of storytelling gems for fantasy authors.
If you’re crafting a world where the taverns are just as likely to serve mutated rat as they are ale, take a leaf out of Fallout’s scorched book.
Here’s how to sprinkle a bit of nuclear dust into your fantastical narratives.
The Art of World-Building: Everything Including the Kitchen Sink (Possibly With Radiation Poisoning)
Fallout teaches us that a well-built world is like a good stew: everything thrown in makes it richer.
Think beyond your typical dragons and dungeons.
Why not have a dragon that’s been mutated by magical fallout?
Or a dungeon that’s actually an underground bunker from before the cataclysm?
Remember, the devil (or should we say Deathclaw?) is in the details.
Every ruin, every irradiated pond, and every NPC with an extra limb tells a story.
Yours should too.
It’s the End of the World, Not the End of Humour
As the world falls apart, remember, everyone loves a good laugh—even if it’s their last.
Fallout is a masterclass in weaving dark humour into bleak settings.
Your protagonist is facing down a horde of goblin raiders?
Perfect time for a pun about goblin up trouble.
A touch of humour can make even the darkest apocalypse a bit more palatable, and let’s face it, a bit more human.
Morally Grey Choices: More Fun Than Choosing What Colour to Dye Your Cloak
The essence of Fallout’s narrative allure is its moral ambiguity.
Steal a little to feed a lot?
Sacrifice one to save many?
These are the choices that can turn a plot from a straight dusty road into a twisty, turny labyrinth where every choice could lead to salvation or destruction (and occasionally, a super mutant ambush).
Give your characters decisions that matter, with consequences that reverberate louder than a giant’s club hitting the ground.
Technology and Magic: Because Who Doesn’t Love a Fireball-Shooting Pistol?
Who says post-apocalyptic tech can’t mesh with medieval magic?
Fallout incorporates advanced technology and retro aesthetics; your world could feature wizards wielding wands that double as plasma rifles.
Imagine the possibilities—enchantments that are just radioactive enough to give that orc a third eye, which, inconveniently, is also clairvoyant.
Subplots Are the New Main Plot
Just as Fallout players might forget their quest to find their father while they’re busy blowing up a town with a nuclear bomb, your readers should get delightfully lost in the side stories.
A quest to lift a curse could lead to romancing a witch, which could then sidetrack into running a black market for magic beans.
Before you know it, your subplot is rich enough to be a novel on its own.
Embrace the Weird, the Wacky, and the Wasteland
Finally, let the strange settings of Fallout inspire you.
In a world where you can trade bottle caps for goods and talk to a two-headed cow, almost anything goes.
Your fantasy world should be a place where the unexpected is the norm and where the rules are there for the bending, breaking, or re-writing.
So, dear fantasy authors, as you forge your next epic tale, remember that the apocalypse isn’t just about surviving; it’s about thriving in the chaos.
Let the Fallout series be your guide to a world where the stakes are high, the humour is dark, and every sunrise might just bring another delightful disaster.
