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Characters And Their Development: From The Writers’ Tool Chest

Characters make the story, even in speculative fiction. For all our intriguing Other Places, readers still read because they care about the characters. · Rebecca LuElla Miller

Against the Tragic Villain Backstory

I’m mostly against the tragic villain backstory as a storytelling device. Let me tell you why. · Travis Perry

Two Kinds of Heroes

Would you be surprised to discover that heroes have been studied–and have been found to come in two distinct types? · Travis Perry

Speculative Fiction Writer’s Guide to War, part 11: Training a Spartan, Samurai, or Starship Trooper

The elite training of warriors as different as Spartans, Samurai, and Starship Troopers show many features in common. These features drill warriors to prepare them to face the harsh realities of combat. · Travis Perry

First Man: An Example of Fearlessness

First Man not only shows a fascinating lunar landing, it portrays a man unlike most people. Armstrong’s character gives insight in how to portray a hero. · Travis Perry

Guest Post by Chris Morris: Showers, Character Depth, and Chronic Illness

Before I tell this story about chronic illness, you have to promise you won’t picture me naked. Promise? I’m waiting . . . okay, we’re good. I remember the day I knew my seizures were going to be a big […] · Chris Morris

Good Character(s)

What makes a good character is ultimately disconnected from what makes a good person. · Shannon McDermott

We’re All Mad Here

The latest movie from Wonderland, Alice Through the Looking Glass, just came out on DVD. I haven’t seen it yet, but I did see, and moderately enjoyed, the Tim Burton-directed first installment, Alice in Wonderland. Of course, nothing will ever […] · Mark Carver

Prattle

Speaking of true and powerful fiction, Enclave Publishing just released their fall lineup of books. · Rebecca LuElla Miller

Who Vs. What

There is undoubtedly a cyclical and symbiotic relationship between character and plot. Who the character is determines what will happen in the story, and the events of the story shape who the character is, etc. They are both cogs that turn each other. From a writing craft perspective, this can be a very existential and convoluted discussion, so let’s take it to street level. · Mark Carver

Characters Matter, And Their Character Matters

What we see in Christian novel after Christian novel is a flawed character in need of a Savior. The impression this gives is that people without Christ aren’t likable, that their flawed character means they won’t do heroic deeds or stand up for right. · Rebecca LuElla Miller

Of Names And Such

As a reader, how much do you pay attention to the names of characters or places? How much do you think about the significance of the name itself? · Rebecca LuElla Miller

A Fresh Start And Change

One reason fiction is so powerful is because of the change these characters make. They show readers that change is possible, that trials can bring strength, that hope resides on the other side of conflict because of the growth it brings. · Rebecca LuElla Miller

The Colors Of The Universe

Is science fiction as diverse as it should be? How diverse is “diverse enough” and who gets to say what the standard is? Should this even matter to readers? · Mark Carver

Meet The Parents

There’s been a quiet trend, at least in some of the popular fiction I’ve read, of parents who are killed off or written as weak and flaky. · Amy Davis

Act Your Age

I’m perfectly happy to believe all the crazy worldbuilding you can throw at me. I will overlook a few tropes if the plot is halfway interesting. But if your characters do not “act their age,” then you need to explain why that is so. · Megan Ebba

Quality Is As Quality Does

Karen Watson suggests that people who scoff at Christian fiction probably haven’t read it lately. Well, have you? · R. L. Copple

Fantastic or Not?

Does a change in skin color represent the original character or create a continuity problem? Michael B. Jordan may find out in playing the Human Torch. · R. L. Copple

Realm Makers: Go Beyond The Blogs

Realm Makers offered more than cosplay and shared fandom. It gave deep doctrinal magic and a chance for Christian fans to better “incarnate” their love of fantastic fiction. · E. Stephen Burnett

Characters Matter, And Their Character Matters

What we see in Christian novel after Christian novel is a flawed character in need of a Savior. The impression this gives is that people without Christ aren’t likable, that their flawed character means they won’t do heroic deeds or stand up for right. · Rebecca LuElla Miller
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