Are You Overusing “Magic” in Your Writing?

magic bears suspend reader disbeliefFantasy writers and readers have a reputation for being just slightly soft in the head. I mean, what adult believes in magic? But wait a moment. All forms of writing ask for a suspension of disbelief by the reader, and there are elements of “magic” in most genres. That’s the joy of reading. By creating an imaginary world for us, the writer pushes us towards a sense of wonder. But it is easy for an author to overuse the readers’ belief in the more wonderful story elements. Since they are…well…magical, authors may think they don’t have to follow the usual rules. But use of magic has rules of its own, because that is where the writer is in the most danger of pushing readers into disbelief. The following are a few principles of writing “magic” of all sorts that authors might wish to consider. Continue reading “Are You Overusing “Magic” in Your Writing?”

Sneak Peek: Hitori

Today we have a sneak peek from the new fantasy novel by Nicholas Forristal: Hitori.

Hitori is the story about a woman who was sold to Bishamon, god of war, by her father to win a an upcoming battle. After almost a century of training, she is sent back to Japan to be its defender against the evils that lurk across the land.

Set in the 8th century, Hitori has to learn to cope with the dangers and lifestyle fitting of a wandering warrior and the trials and tribulations that make us human. Also, some demons and monsters. It is a standalone story to the Chronicles of M series.

Hitori is available from Amazon and Amazon UK.

Here is an excerpt from Hitori

Continue reading “Sneak Peek: Hitori”

Sneak Peek: Three Stones of Destiny

Today we have a sneak peek from the fantasy novel by Paul M Vander Loos, Three Stones of Destiny.

Mirrortac is found guilty of sacrilege against the god of his ancestral cousins, the roznogh, after he steals their most sacred object of power, the Werdstone. Worse, he later kidnaps its keeper in a mission to liberate three planets from enslavement by the god Yidu – a much revered deity of an alien master race. The key to his power lies in three mysterious stones, all of which connect to the Werdstone.

Mirrortac not only loses face, but also his mind, leaving his three children and an unlikely ally the only ones who can ensure the success of his ambitious quest.

Three Stones of Destiny is available through Amazon.com and Amazon UK.

Here is an excerpt from Three Stones of DestinyContinue reading “Sneak Peek: Three Stones of Destiny”

Video Trailer: Unlikely

Satina is a goodmother who uses her magic to grant wishes. Marten is a Skinner, a magical trickster who challenges everything she thinks she knows about their kind. When a magic-hungry gang moves into town, Satina and Marten must become unlikely allies.

It will take all the power they can summon to keep Westwood’s secrets from falling into the wrong hands, to keep one wide-eyed girl from following the wrong man, and to keep Satina herself from falling in love with the only person in the world who knows how much of a fraud she really is.

Unlikely, the fantasy novel by Frances Pauli, is available through Amazon.com and Amazon UK.

Don’t forget, you can cast your vote for trailer of the month on April 27, 2013 at 5 p.m. Pacific time.