Advice for Authors – We Write Fantasy

Writer’s Digest – Ask Our Authors

April 2, 2021

Welcome back to another Writer’s Digest! Before we dive in to today’s topic, we just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has followed We Write Fantasy. Our group of authors have been busy with books, life, and trying to stay afloat in these uncertain times. For some of us, 2020 forced us into a writing hiatus. Others barely slowed down, even if the chaos of this past year (including the first few months of ’21 lol) did its best to keep us under. … More Writer’s Digest – Ask Our Authors

SF Benson: WRITING DIVERSE CHARACTERS

July 1, 2020

Have you heard the adage, write what you know? Recently, numerous posts have floated around the internet regarding authors penning characters outside of their personal culture, ethnicity, or race. Some readers and authors contend that it shouldn’t be done. Their theory purports that it’s disrespectful to do so. Before I pull apart the idea as … More SF Benson: WRITING DIVERSE CHARACTERS

Writer’s Digest – Ask Our Authors

November 19, 2019

Welcome to another Writer’s Digest! As authors and entrepreneurs, we are constantly researching and asking ourselves questions. Once a month, we ask our tribe at WWF to share their current thoughts craft and then bring their answers to you. Before we dive into this week’s topic, keep in mind that what works for one writer may … More Writer’s Digest – Ask Our Authors

Documentaries as Research

June 19, 2019

Soon, I’ll be drafting my first historical paranormal. It’s the story of a witch who has transcended time. Her contribution to the world? Bringing supernaturals to America. Not a straightforward story, especially when the main character existed before history’s dark ages. I found an unexpected resource in a History channel program—Ancient Aliens. The episode I … More Documentaries as Research

Writer’s Digest – Ask Our Authors

June 14, 2019

Welcome to another Writer’s Digest! Once a month, we ask our tribe at WWF questions about craft and bring their answers to you. Before we dive into this week’s topic, keep our words with a grain of salt. What works for one writer may not work for the next. Our hope is that you’re able to learn … More Writer’s Digest – Ask Our Authors

SF Benson: Using Ideas from Television

June 5, 2019

In the last post, I mentioned finding inspiration through documentaries. Today, I’ll show you how to create an actual story with that spark. Show: Two-hour Ancient Aliens Special on Artificial Intelligence Idea: Artificial Intelligence Gone Bad Wait! Hasn’t That Been Done Before? We all know that there aren’t any truly original thoughts in fiction. Right? … More SF Benson: Using Ideas from Television

SF Benson: Finding Inspiration

May 22, 2019

I’m a huge fan of the History Channel. In my opinion, it should be required viewing for anyone who enjoys learning about global history. But did you know it could act as fodder for fiction? How Did I Make This Discovery? One night I sat down to watch television, but all of my favorite shows … More SF Benson: Finding Inspiration

Worldbuilding & Research with SF Benson

April 17, 2019

Naming Characters & Worldbuilding One of my favorite things about creating characters is naming them. Sometimes the names just seem to magically come to me. When my alter ego was planning an adult paranormal romance set in New Orleans, the name Twilight Vanpeer struck in the shower. Most times, it’s not that easy. Usually, I … More Worldbuilding & Research with SF Benson

Language & Worldbuilding: SF Benson

March 27, 2019

While writing All Things Dark & Magickal: Bitter Fruit I had to ask myself the question: how far should my language go? Let me explain. Arabella Cuthbert lives in 19th century England. Each chapter begins with a quote from the time period. I chose a feminist author of the era, Mary Wollstonecraft, for the quotations. … More Language & Worldbuilding: SF Benson

Writing Hacks: Finding more time to write when you have a day job

March 24, 2019

So I suppose this isn’t so much a “how to improve your craft” post as it is a “how to improve your productivity/find more time to write” post. We’re all busy people. Most of us are adults with family, school, and work obligations outside of writing. For some of you, writing might be your full … More Writing Hacks: Finding more time to write when you have a day job