Worldbuilding: Under the Umbrella of Information

One of the season 2 Gokenin Zankuro episodes has major espionage, thefts, and assassination attempts centering around… an umbrella.

Worldbuilding: Curses, Conditions, and Rule-Lawyering

The Evil Overlord List may need an addendum. “I shall further run my curses past my average five-year-old adviser. If they can figure out a way to break it, so can the Hero.”

Colors of Another Sky: Airplane Snippet

Went back and filled in part of a hole this morning, so here’s a snippet of Jason getting into trouble….

Quick Note: iFlop

Yesterday was a day of… muchness.

TV Series Review: Undercover Geisha

Five out of five for great story, acting, and amazing stage performances. Now this is a series I wish had lasted more episodes!

Undercover Geisha (“Yozakura Osome”) is the Tokugawa-era story of the artist, performer, and sometimes spy Osome, who lost her family in a fire when she was young and is still looking for her surviving brother.

Worldbuilding: It’s Not Easy Being Green

Especially in Ming Dynasty China….

Ahem.

Whenever possible, do some research on fashions of the place and time you’re setting your story in.

Plotbunny For Hire: Fantastic Mercenaries

Ten years ago, a crack archer unit was sent to the gallows by the Sheriff of Nottingham for a crime they didn’t commit. These men promptly escaped from a maximum security castle to the Sherwood Forest underground. Today, still wanted by the monarchy, they survive as bandits of fortune.

Colors of Another Sky: Prepare for Espionage

A/N: Two Demon-Callers prepare to hunt information in hostile territory….

“I look ridiculous.”

Applying a bit of subtle shadow to make her face look more a man’s, Chae did not even twitch. “You look appropriate.”

On Characters: The Power of No

How do your characters build up their willpower?

First let me make a clarification about something that often gets overlooked: There is a difference between the ability to make decisions and the ability to stick to them.

On Characters: Finding Backstory

Do you invent your characters before the story even starts, or do you let them explain themselves to you as you write?

Right up front I’m going to admit I’m more of a pantser than a plotter, when it comes to writing.