Are we too “domesticated” to write truly great stories? This might seem like an odd question, but bear with me. I’ve been incredibly blessed over the course of my life to travel all over the world. While I did get to check out some of the resorts, my favorite travel stories seem to always involve Read more
Fortitude: Dream, Do, Then Keep on DOING Day After Day
Fortitude—enduring the tired, tedious and unremarkable chores—is what makes the difference between those who dream and those who do. Why am I talking about this? Because recently I saw some quote scroll past on social media. It was something (of course) posted by one of those super happy “life coach” people. Though I’m certain the Read more
Read MoreSchadenfreude: Misfortune, Revenge, Justice & Catharsis
Schadenfreude is a word that many of y’all might not have heard of, yet we’ve all felt it. Interestingly enough, it can be a great tool to keep our audience interested and breathlessly wanting more. What is schadenfreude, other than a fifty dollar word we can toss around to impress friends and colleagues? Schadenfreude—a combination Read more
Read MoreStakes: How to Hook an Audience All the Way to THE END
Stakes, bizarrely enough, are a key ingredient missing in many stories. If the characters don’t have skin in the game, why would the audience? The bigger the stakes the better the page turner. Whether on the page or on the screen, what keeps audiences enraptured the most? What makes us spend an entire weekend inhaling Read more
Read MoreAgency: The Critical Component of ALL Great Stories
Agency means a condition of being in action, instrumental, or possessing some kind of power. It can incorporate not only making decisions, but the belief that we (or our characters) have choice. If we think about it, if there aren’t options, then by default, our characters have no power and are not making any decisions. Read more
How to Build an Audience, No Duct Tape Required
How do we build an audience without coming across as a stalker crossbred with an MLM rep? This is no easy task, especially since most creative professionals don’t exactly shine in this area. Face it. If we’d been good at high pressure sales, we’d be languishing on our yacht along with other people who excel Read more
Read MoreXianxia 101: Immortals
In xianxia literature, immortals are depicted as exalted beings who have transcended mortal limitations and achieved a state of enlightenment, power, and longevity. Their portrayal encompasses a range of attributes and roles, reflecting their elevated status in the cultivation world. Here’s how immortals are typically seen in xianxia: 1. Divine and Majestic 2. Wisdom and Read more
Read MoreCulture, Conflict & Creating Fresh Stories People LOVE
Ah, culture. One word that can encapsulate so much. It’s nice and bendy, too, which is fabulous for story ideas (or for injecting more conflict in a story that feels flat). Put more than two humans together and somewhere, somehow they will find something to fight about. They might be from the same country, but Read more
Xianxia 101: Cultivation
Interested in writing xianxia? You’ll need to understand this thing they call ‘cultivation’. Xianxia cultivation is a central theme in Chinese fantasy literature, particularly in the genre known as xianxia (仙侠), which translates to “immortal heroes” or “immortal swordsmen.” This genre combines elements of Taoist philosophy, Chinese folklore, martial arts, and fantasy, creating a rich Read more
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Tao Wong’s “A Thousand Li: The First Step”
Introduction to “A Thousand Li: The First Step” by Tao Wong Tao Wong’s “A Thousand Li: The First Step“ is the inaugural installment in the popular A Thousand Li series, a novel that has captivated readers with its blend of martial arts, magic, and immersive world-building. Released in 2017, this novel introduces readers to a Read more
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