by Hope Ann | Aug 8, 2016 | Characters, Plot
Clichés abound in movies and books. The dashing prince rescuing the helpless princess. The mentor dying and his student going on to save the world. The villain dressed in a long black cape with a pet snake on a staff. In an effort to create fresh stories, writers –...
by Hope Ann | Jul 25, 2016 | Articles, Characters, Theme
“Success is never final, failure is never fatal. It’s the courage that counts.” While this quote from John Wooden might not be literally accurate in every instance, there is a good amount of truth in it. In writing, and in life too, one success won’t establish your...
by Hope Ann | Feb 10, 2016 | Articles, Characters, Theme
Why does love in so many books or movies get relegated to the narrow confines of romance? Yes, romance is love, though much of what is portrayed nowadays is a very shallow love at best. But there is so much more to love than a love triangle or tangled romance. Love...
by Hope Ann | Oct 30, 2015 | Articles, Ethics
By Hope AnnHow graphic should one be when writing a battle scene?When forming a beating or torture scene?When describing the dark rituals of some fantasy druid?These, and hundreds of related queries are valid questions. And yet, to answer inquiry with inquiry,...
by Hope Ann | Oct 2, 2015 | Articles, World Building
I’ve created three fantasy worlds in the past four years. Designing worlds, writing legends, holding the first printed copy of your book…it carries a thrill of creation. Of bringing to light something which didn’t exist before. For those on one...
