Blog Beats

Dystopian Realities: Totalitarianism and Government Control in Fiction “Better never means better for everyone. It always means worse for some.”  — Fred (Season 1, Episode 5) Granted this quote is from the TV show, but The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood is a great example of a totalitarian government with control issues. Set in a

Character Construction: The Influence of Role Models Would your character be influenced by a close relative?  Are there role-model relationships you can foster in your novel?  Let’s look at some fairly huge examples. Practically, the root plot of The Hunger Games by Susanne Collins is built around Katniss and her sister Prim’s relationship.  Quote: “Promise

Beyond the Chapters: Examining Character Arcs Across Series Welcome. This blog looks at the world of character development across storylines. What I mean is, how are compelling characters crafted across a series of novels?  As a writer, the evolution of my character shapes the essence of my story.  What are her internal struggles? How does

Character Relationships in Family Dynamics and Identity Formation in SFF Novels How did J.K. Rowling point out the somewhat comic but harsh relationships Harry had with the Dursleys in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone? Well besides the neglect, abuse, and mistreatment due to Harry’s status as a Wizard, she created the Weasley family. In

Fantastic Examples of Characters’ External vs Internal Struggles While we readers all love to see the story play out with external wins: Mark Watney gets off Mars, Frodo Baggins flings the ring and its wearer into Mount Doom lava, Katniss Everdeen wins the Hunger Games, Amir finds Hassan’s son and rescues him in the heart

Character Journeys: Exploring Character Arcs in SFF Worlds Let’s take a look at the character arc in 3 novels that became massive hits. Frank Herbert’s Dune has Paul Atredes, the son of Duke Leto Atreides and Lady Jessica, begin his external arc as a young nobleman and move to become the leader of the desert

Redeeming the Fallen: Insights into Crafting Compelling Redemption Arcs The journey of redemption, from flawed to growth, forgiveness, and transformation, is like no other in captivating the reader.  For centuries their power to illuminate the complexities of the human condition, grappling with their past mistakes, and striving for moral renewal have held a timeless allure