Things Every Writer Learns from Lord of the Rings

Most writers, especially fantasy writers, take inspiration from Tolkien’s high fantasy series Lord of the Rings. From making up beautiful languages like Elvish to mapping out whole new worlds, here are ten things all writers (esp. fantasy!) can take from good ole’ Tolkien. World-building. Say what you want, but Tolkien created a whole new world,…

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How Writers Do Mornings

Today’s the day I finish that novel Today’s the day I start that novel I have so many ideas, it’s hard to focus on just one WHY HAVE THE IDEA FAIRIES ABANDONED ME?!? I need tea I need coffee UGGGGH I NEED TO START DRINKING TEA OR COFFEE. I love mornings! I’m more of a…

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Expectations V.S. Reality of Being a Writer

  We all believe we’re the next F. Scott Fitzgerald. Some of us are. Some of us aren’t. Some of us are napkin-scribblers. Some of us are dreamers. Some of us are even better than we once hoped. Some of us aren’t, but are getting there. And all of us have a reality that isn’t…

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The Mad Genius Trope

Many writers link mental illness with some brilliantly minded form of genius. Think Sherlock Holmes, Hannibal Lecter, and even Dr. Frankenstein. From the depths of madness, there is art and music and literary beauty. But there’s something wrong with this trope, and I’ve fallen into it too and I’m trying my best to remedy that to…

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