by Joseph Malik | Sep 7, 2016 | Worldbuilding
Today, I want to touch on the only thing in fantasy more divisive than elves. Prologues. Let me start by saying that I don’t hate prologues. At least, not categorically. In fact, I’m thrilled when I read a properly-written prologue, and yes, there is a...
by Joseph Malik | Jul 25, 2016 | Writing Craft
This started out as a forum post on Mythic Scribes, but a few days later the exact same issue came up on KBoards: “You guys always say ‘study the craft,’ but what does that mean, exactly?” I have had the following conversation with so many...
by Joseph Malik | Jul 20, 2016 | Writing Craft
Let’s just get this out of the way right now. Movies aren’t books. I keep seeing this again and again in blog posts and on forums: writers touching back on movie scenes as examples of dialogue, pacing, and even character description. This makes me mildly...
by Joseph Malik | Jul 14, 2016 | Writing Craft
When historians look back on my writing career, they will likely concentrate on this post, right here, as the moment that I first officially pissed on the leg of the establishment. Normally when I say things like what I’m about to say, I just drop into the front...
by Joseph Malik | Mar 15, 2016 | Dragon's Trail, Writing Craft
I should probably write something. It’s been another busy year. I just came off of two back-to-back tours, which is why you’re not seeing many (okay, any) updates. I write a lot for work. In fact, I read and write pretty much nonstop at work — think...
