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Šarru-kēn – Empire Builder
The Historical Writers Forum releases its third anthology of short stories on November 1, 2023. This newest anthology, titled Masterworks, tells stories inspired by works of art. Because of my research into ancient Sumeria, I knew I wanted to tell a tale set in this intriguing era. Many people will be familiar with the name Sargon of Akkad, or at the very least, the Akkadian Empire. This fascinating man is the main character of this time period which is the stage for my story. While my short story was inspired by a musical instrument, I wanted to start off the celebration of this anthology by introducing readers to the man,…
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Discovery Writing vs Outlining: Is One Better?
Have you heard of pantsing? No, not the physical act of taking off your pants, but rather a writing technique known as “pantsing.” I and many other authors prefer to call it discovery writing. Discovery writing is a popular approach for some creative writers who prefer to let their imagination flow freely, without the constraints of an outline. This writing technique can be especially effective for certain types of writers, who thrive on the excitement of discovering their story as they go. But it often gets a bad rap as being the “wrong way” to write. I bring up that last point because outlining is pretty straightforward. It’s easy to…
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Speculative Fiction: An Exploration of a Literary Genre
Speculative fiction is a genre of fiction that explores and expands upon worlds beyond our reality. It is a genre that combines elements of science fiction, fantasy, and sometimes horror to create an alternate reality that is believable, but not necessarily real. This genre has a rich history, with roots in myths and legends, and has become a staple of modern literature. At its core, speculative fiction asks the question, “What if?” It takes the familiar elements of our world and twists them in ways that challenge our perceptions of reality and challenge our understanding of the world around us. It can be a way to escape reality, but it…
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Low Fantasy: A Genre That Goes Beyond Magic and Dragons
Low fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy that focuses on grounded, realistic stories set in a fictional world that often lacks the grandeur and spectacle of traditional high fantasy. Despite this, low fantasy can still offer rich, thought-provoking tales that challenge our perceptions of the world. The main characteristic that sets low fantasy apart from high fantasy is its minimal use of magic and mythical creatures. Instead, low fantasy is driven by human motivations, relationships, and the consequences of choices made by characters. The world itself is often a character in a low fantasy story, with a rich, detailed setting that is both believable and potentially fantastical. However, it is…
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Book Review: In the Shadows of Castles, by G.K. Holloway
It’s the 1060s, and William of Normandy is establishing a new and brutal regime in England, but there are those who would defy him. As Norman soldiers spread like a plague across the land, resistance builds, but will it be enough to topple William and restore the rightful king to his throne? The English have the courage to fight, but the Normans, already victorious at Hastings, now build castles seeking to secure their tenuous foothold in these lands. And what of the people caught up in these catastrophic events? Dispossessed but not defeated, their lives ripped apart, the English struggle for freedom from tyranny; amongst them, caught up in the…
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Exploring Genre: Fantasy Fiction
Fantasy fiction is easily one of the most popular forms of genre fiction, falling into the top five of sales year after year. It’s also a style of storytelling that has become increasingly popular in visual storytelling (television and movies) with each passing decade. I wrote an article that, in part, tells some of the history of the genre here, along with how my own books fit into the large and multi-faceted genre. Of all the genres in the world of literature, fantasy fiction is one genre that gets dismissed the most quickly by readers who consider themselves to be serious, intelligent, and discerning. Or put another way, “too pragmatic” to…
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Exploring Genre: Historical Fiction
My last post explained why you should love reading along with all the benefits that come from reading, so I thought it might be worth exploring the many genres of fiction. (You’re on your own for non-fiction.) Sometimes even readers need a push to try things they haven’t tried before, and new readers might be intimidated by what kinds of books are even out there. There are relatively few kinds of stories in the world in terms of story structure, but an infinitesimal number of variations of stories can come out of those structures. Authors who study story structure usually specialize in specific types of structures. Readers will recognize these…
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Here’s why you need to read more…
Approximately 2 million books are published (both traditionally and independently) every year across the globe, and about half of those come from the US. The increase in self-published books along with the proliferation of e-book readers and online retailers has made it increasingly easy for readers to find almost any kind of book imaginable, from one niche genre to the next. The rise of social media and online marketing has made it possible for self-published authors to reach a wider audience and promote their work more effectively, matching readers wanting a certain kind of book with the authors who write them. The book market is more diverse and dynamic than…
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Sumer – For Further Reading
For those who might be curious about my process learning about Sumer, who want some recommendations for further reading, or are just curious how extensive my research was, here is the compiled list of works I read when learning about ancient Sumer. My most recommended items are in bold lettering. Alfonso Archi. Tradition and Innovation in the Ancient Near East : Proceedings of the 57th Rencontre Assyriologique International at Rome, 4-8 July 2011. Eisenbrauns, 2014. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=e000xna&AN=944010&site=ehost-live&scope=site. Allen, Diogenes. Philosophy for Understanding Theology. Westminster/John Knox Press, 1986. Bottéro, Jean. “The Culinary Tablets at Yale.” Journal of the American Oriental Society, vol. 107, no. 1, 1987, pp. 11–19. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/602948.…
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Dame Ellen Langwith in Fact and Fiction
by Toni Mount Dame Ellen Langton has been a character in my series of Seb Foxley medieval murder mysteries since the beginning. In the first novel, she was Seb and Jude’s landlady and mistress to Emily Appleyard, the love interest. Dame Ellen’s character owes everything to a real silk-woman who also ran a tailoring business in later medieval London, Ellen Langwith. I discovered Ellen Langwith when I took part in a project for the Richard III Society, transcribing medieval wills, and her will came my way. She died early on in 1481, though the exact date isn’t known, but her fascinating will gives a wealth of information on the life…
