Isle of Words
A place for writers of speculative fiction
How Worldbuilding Can Go Wrong
How Worldbuilding Can Go Wrong
Worldbuilding can bring vitality and authenticity to your fiction — or it can drain the life out of it.
How to Build Your Fictional World: Geography & Climate
How to Build Your Fictional World: Geography & Climate
Realism helps readers inhabit your world — and can help you understand it better.
I Failed at Creating a Writing Career for 30-Plus Years
I Failed at Creating a Writing Career for 30-Plus Years
It was very sad and frustrating, and I hope I can help spare you that suffering.
More about Fictional Narrators: Voice, Tone, Mood & Style
More about Fictional Narrators: Voice, Tone, Mood & Style
What you say depends on how you say it.
Narrators, Point of View, and Narrative Distance
Narrators, Point of View, and Narrative Distance
The tale depends on the teller.
The Hero’s Journey: What You Need to Know
The Hero’s Journey: What You Need to Know
The Hero’s Journey has been an influential model for story structure for decades — but it might be time to move on.
Characters 101: How to Create and Convey Fictional People
Characters 101: How to Create and Convey Fictional People
Make them individual, get to know them, and write their appearance, actions, speech, and thought
What Plot Does for a Story
What Plot Does for a Story
There are good reasons why plot is such a powerful driver in fiction — and an essential skill for fiction writers.
Why Setting Matters in Fiction Writing — and How to Write It Well
Why Setting Matters in Fiction Writing — and How to Write It Well
Integrate settings with character and plot — and choose details with care
8 Reasons Writing Stalls — and How to Turn Them Around
8 Reasons Writing Stalls — and How to Turn Them Around
I call them the ROUSs of writing.
The fantastic journey to come
The fantastic journey to come
The roadmap for 60 Days to Become a Speculative Fiction Writer