Author Archives: Farangian

Send the Letters

This week I’m working on marketing the LDSPMA writers’ conference. No, dear reader, I won’t bug you about it (I linked it though…). This week I’m contacting faculty and student organizations at some universities. And that means calls, emails, and letters. Now, I can’t say sending out emails and letters (or cold calling) is myContinue reading “Send the Letters”

Scenes and encounters

As a writer, I build scenes. As a game master, I build encounters. There are differences, but there are similarities too… Encounters and scenes have different requirements and components. I usually introduce outside characters and creatures in an encounter, but not as often in a scene. Scenes might focus on the actions of a singleContinue reading “Scenes and encounters”

Discovery vs. planning: character backgrounds

Many writers divide themselves into “plotter” and “pantser” camps. But… there’s more to fiction than plot. If you have a plot and no characters, nothing happens. There’s nobody to move the plot forward. So, today we’re considering “discovery writing” versus planning in developing characters. The joy of discovery There is joy in discovery. The thingsContinue reading “Discovery vs. planning: character backgrounds”

Life and writing: some realities

There comes a time when the HVAC is down, the repair guy has to fix a flat before he can get to the service call, your finance person is “behind”, the deadlines are imminent (or a little past… (or both)), your partner “isn’t quite getting it”, and the in-laws feel the need to have aContinue reading “Life and writing: some realities”

Great News!

Well dear reader, some good news dropped this week… Registration for the 2022 LDSPMA conference is open! There’s a lot of good (as in good for the world and good for writers) going on at the conference. So, check it out and I’ll see you next post! Dear Latter-day Saint Writers, Editors, Artists, Performers, Designers,Continue reading “Great News!”

Writing and project management

As writers, we’re learners, discoverers, and doers of the work. And if we want to be published, really published with stuff people actually read, there’s a lot of work to do. True, you might have a tweet or blog post go viral with little effort. But a book, article, or post that people come backContinue reading “Writing and project management”

Spell concentration

Following up on my game design post, I’m presenting some thoughts for a game and world I’m building. Since I’m building off the Dungeons and Dragons 5th edition open-source rules, it could work as a variant 5E Dungeons and Dragons rule but is definitely not an official Wizards of the Coast rule. (For those preferringContinue reading “Spell concentration”

Games as Story

I’m a fiction writer. I also have a thing for games, particularly roleplaying games. So, I’ve been reading about game design. An essay I read this week struck me as funny. According to the author, games aren’t fiction. This is hilarious given that we’re talking about fantasy role-playing games! I’m planning a review of theContinue reading “Games as Story”

Writing the Paranormal Novel approachable, straightforward, and useful

Writers need to be readers as well. And, if we’re going to be readers, it’s natural for us to talk about what we read. This week we’re looking at Writing the Paranormal Novel by Steven Harper. Is it perfect for everyone? Probably not. Is it useful for people who want to learn about writing? I’mContinue reading “Writing the Paranormal Novel approachable, straightforward, and useful”