I am in the process of writing a complex and deep high-fantasy series. Part of fantasy writing and stories with deep political upheaval involves writing governments that are not only believable but affect the world as a whole. Magic and races are important keys in determining the beliefs of your societies and how societal pressures shape the world. After developing your magic systems, races, and societies, you must figure out who governs them and how they rule. There are many different approaches to take when it comes to world-building governments. Still, in stories where your protagonist is trying to [...]

Creating fantasy and alien races is one of the most exciting aspects of developing a new project. Perhaps, even more exciting than creating a magic system! The abilities are fun, but who is going to use these powers? When I am about to create a new world, I want to know who inhabits it. What are their issues? How did they get there? The possibilities are endless. Though, the most essential thing; is the reader going to believe this species belongs in this world? In my upcoming series: The Legend of the Elvines: Stone of Dragon’s Heart, I [...]

"An author's ability to solve conflict with magic is directly proportional to how well the reader understands said magic." (Brandon Sanderson) Magic and the mythical are the elements that drive me to fantasy. They turn mundane situations into something fantastical – allowing the reader to escape into a whole other world. They experience things that here on earth, are impossible (as far as we know). Fantasy allows us to explore the constructs of our society and ask ourselves what-if questions. We can explore the philosophical issues in ways that the answer only lies within fantasy. Fantasy allows us to [...]