Category Archives: Uncategorized

The Everlasting Trope: The Failed Hero

Closely related to the “Villain Arc” but not precisely the same. The villain arc simply tells you how a given character–regardless of their beginning state–becomes the villain. Often these are side characters or friends of the hero or a counterpoint to the hero. But when it’s the actual hero who falls, or fails, or succumbs,Continue reading “The Everlasting Trope: The Failed Hero”

So What Color is the Morality?

Gray. Or black-and-white. It’s all so simple, right? Well, of course not. It turns out that discussing the complexities of how morality is depicted in fantasy is itself a very complex endeavor! The subject is wildly muddled and I’m going to tell you how I accidentally confirmed this somewhat obvious fact. Confirmed it to theContinue reading “So What Color is the Morality?”

The Je Ne Se Quois and what I DO know.

It is often easier to take note of the things I don’t like about a book than to understand what constituent elements come together to form something I do like. This is why people’s rants on goodreads are often longer than their raves. This is partly because good writing–good storytelling–is rather seamless. And since youContinue reading “The Je Ne Se Quois and what I DO know.”

To Persevere or not to Persevere? The Classics

I am going to stereotype two typical views on how you should read. I am going to formulate them at their extremes, so bear with me: Perspective A: It doesn’t matter how you feel about the book or whether you enjoy it at all, get over it and read all the great classics, or everythingContinue reading “To Persevere or not to Persevere? The Classics”

The Everlasting Trope: Redemption Arc

An established villain–with all the sinister character and crimes to prove it–begins the story in darkness, and ends it having inched towards the light. On the face of it, this trope really is that straightforward. And I might have thought that, of all tropes, it has the most universal appeal. But I have learned thatContinue reading “The Everlasting Trope: Redemption Arc”

Facing the Dragons and their Hoards

After years of largely avoiding his caverns, I finally decided to face the dragon of social media. I confess, I did it for his supposed treasures. There are riches of recognition and opportunity to be had, so they say, if you let the creature breath down your neck and encircle you and enchant you asContinue reading “Facing the Dragons and their Hoards”

Story Kernels and Trinitarian Art

I have been thinking lately about how stories grow and also about how the fact that they do so in much the same manner as nature should come as no surprise since people frequently talk about the “kernels” from which their story grew: little bits of almost nothing that blossomed into something enormous, alive, andContinue reading “Story Kernels and Trinitarian Art”

The Everlasting Trope: Battle Couple

When I was younger (a teen or so) and someone asked me what sort of things I find to be “romantic”, this was roughly my answer: “Sitting together, shoulder-to-shoulder before some great battle, drinking coffee next to a fire in the dark. Preparing for the danger to come, knowing what the other was thinking orContinue reading “The Everlasting Trope: Battle Couple”