The Butler Test: Five Questions for Writing Stronger Characters
As writers we’re often provided with a variety of tests designed to help us craft our work and clarify the elements of writing. Modern writing has done its level best to deconstruct our ideas of heroes and often the female hero. Some tests have focused on trying to tell us about a female protagonist, and others that try to help …
Doorknobs & Boomsticks- Chapter 3
Chapter 3: Clockworks, Confusion, and Volta Cold. Dark. Sore and confused. Tink found herself on a tiled floor as her eyes blinked out the flashes that still burned her retina even after they were long gone. Growing accustomed to the darkness she saw streetlights bleeding their incandescence through large plate glass windows latticed with iron bars. But, curiosity is always …
Doorknobs & Boomsticks- Chapter 2
Chapter 2: Dvergr, Danger, and Boom Sticks The girl disappeared through the door portal. Huygens wrenched the glass doorknob off while the scarlet flash flickered and died, showing only the shadowy wooden steps curving down from the attic. He could hear in the distance the girl’s parents rousing and calling out,starting to race up the stairs. To his left, a …
Canvas Rebel: Jack Ward
Meet Jack Ward We were lucky to catch up with Jack Ward recently and have shared our conversation below. Jack, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you …
Doorknobs & Boomsticks
I’ve been playing with a new YA novel, perhaps a series, if it’s of interest to anyone. Doorknobs & BoomsticksA Tale of Perceptions Chapter 1: Red Light, Tweed Man, and a Doctor’s Bag Tink was unique. Not in the “everyone is unique” way you hear from parents and teachers. No. Tink, all of 12 years of age, red curls and …
Ward Father Christmas Letters: A Compendium of the North
From the frozen banks of the Eon River to the looming peaks of the Wreath Mountains, Father Christmas invites you into a North far older and stranger than the one we think we know. These letters—written across twenty winters—reveal the hidden lore of the Arctic Elves, the fierce honour of the Winter Dwarves, ancient battles with Polar Giants, the secrets …
Talking about AD with JV!
The Quips Stop Here
I love Joss Whedon’s writing. It’s why I wrote “Firefly: Old Wounds” the first audio drama fan-fiction in the ‘Verse. But, Whenesque writing has really hurt modern shows and seems especially to infect a lot of audio drama.Quippy dialogue can be painful when it doesn’t fit the character. When it works best is when it’s limited not to events as …