There are lots of young, liberated female sci-fi authors out there who feel they are breaking down boundaries in a male-dominated field. Nothing could be further from the truth. Many certifiably insane people are responsible for getting the world of Sci-Fi and Fantasy literature into the awful mess it’s in today, and James was aContinue reading “The Charmed Life (and Tragic End) of James Tiptree Jr.”
Tag Archives: novel
Leigh Brackett’s The Sword of Rhiannon: A Sword & Planet analysis
Leigh Brackett should need no introduction–She was a powerhouse in the industry whose absence is still felt today. Sadly, the world lost her in 1978, but not before she managed to finish the first draft of The Empire Strikes Back, one of the best films of all-time. She was a behemoth on the short story/novelContinue reading “Leigh Brackett’s The Sword of Rhiannon: A Sword & Planet analysis”
Understanding the Pyramid of Abstraction (The Final Level)
LEVEL FOUR If you wind up only reading The Basics, I’ve failed in my mission. Part of the problem with only knowing the information in the previous posts is it can be tricky to understand exactly where to apply the Pyramid of Abstraction to achieve the greatest effect. Have you done too much? Too little?Continue reading “Understanding the Pyramid of Abstraction (The Final Level)”
Understanding the Pyramid of Abstraction (Advanced Course)
Welcome back! Previously, we discussed perhaps the most invaluable tool I like to have close-at-hand whenever I’m writing: The Pyramid of Abstraction. But we only covered the basics. This is where things get interesting. The fourth level is by far my favorite use of this tool, where it goes from “Okay, this is pretty handy,”Continue reading “Understanding the Pyramid of Abstraction (Advanced Course)”
Understanding the Pyramid of Abstraction (The Basics)
One of the best writing tricks I’ve ever learned came from one of Brandon Sanderson’s lectures, a lesson on the Pyramid of Abstraction. Utilizing the pyramid as a tool while you’re writing and editing will instantly level you up as a writer. But it’s got a lot of nuance many writers tend to overlook. LEVELContinue reading “Understanding the Pyramid of Abstraction (The Basics)”
How The Neverending Story inspired me to write: The Ende
Darkness. Stillness. Bastian asks, “Why is it so dark?” “In the beginning,” says the Empress, “it is always dark.” BASTIAN’S MUSE A light from the Empress’ hand illuminates their faces. A single glowing grain of sand. This is Bastian’s act of creation, from which will spring forth a wellspring of creativity. She’s here now withContinue reading “How The Neverending Story inspired me to write: The Ende”
How The Neverending Story inspired me to write: Solving the Riddle
The image above represents a powerful moment in my life. And we’ll get there soon enough. “Is it really me?” asks a confused Bastian over the heavy and opened book, battling through waves and waves of cognitive dissonance. “Maybe he doesn’t know what he has to do!” screams Atreyu as the floor of the IvoryContinue reading “How The Neverending Story inspired me to write: Solving the Riddle”
How The Neverending Story inspired me to write: Part 12
Where we ended our recap last time, Atreyu, riding Falkor, had just wished upon the Auryn. “If the Ivory Tower still stands, take us there.” Lo and behold, the power of the Luck Dragon holds once again – Or perhaps it’s the power of the Auryn this time? Maybe a little of both? Either way,Continue reading “How The Neverending Story inspired me to write: Part 12”
How The Neverending Story inspired me to write: Part 11
Part 10 should have made it fairly apparent why The Neverending Story became my favorite movie of all-time. It also doesn’t hurt that I have fond memories seeing this (and its sequel) in my hometown single screen theater during simpler times. THE NOTHING’S FINAL ADVANCE To continue the recap, a worried Falkor dives deep intoContinue reading “How The Neverending Story inspired me to write: Part 11”
How The Neverending Story inspired me to write: Part 10
As I said earlier, people tend to focus singularly on this particular line for the meaning of the story, and the meaning of The Nothing itself: G’mork: It’s the emptiness that’s left. It is like a despair, destroying this world. …which still makes sense, even this far into the tale. As The Nothing approaches, time and timeContinue reading “How The Neverending Story inspired me to write: Part 10”
Nick Enlowe 