Worldbuilding for fantasy is one of the most interesting parts of writing fantasy–but it’s also one of the easiest places to lose your reader. When you’ve spent months, or even years, creating magic systems, political structures, ancient histories, and cultural rituals, it’s tempting to spill it all onto the page at once when working on […]

In fiction, the strongest scenes blend conflicts, successfully advancing the plot and deepening characters. When a scene carries two conflicts at once, it becomes richer, dynamic, and more emotionally charged. Your reader will feel the tension on multiple levels, and the story will gain momentum without relying on constant action.  Whether you’re writing romance, romantasy, […]

Some sci-fi stories entertain you. Some unsettle you. Then there are the kind that linger with you, feeling more like a warning than imaginative stories.  The first time I read a novel by Octavia Butler, I finished thinking, How did she see this coming? There is a saying in the sci-fi world that Octavia knew […]

A Guide to Believable World-Building in Fantasy Writing and Sci-Fi Writing Great world-building is one of the most complex and rewarding aspects of sci-fi and fantasy writing. Working as a fiction book editor, I’ve witnessed the incredible power of a well-crafted sci-fi and fantasy world. They are the backbone of storytelling in fantasy and sci-fi, […]