Category: Writing

LK LohanLeave a comment

World-building through Food

Food (including drink) is one of the most basic needs we have. Along with clothes and shelter, as well as safety and security, it is non-negotiable. And yet it usually doesn’t play a big role in fantasy literature. Often it’s “travel bread”, the occasional chunk of cheese, and whatever animal had the misfortune to end its life in the pot. Usually in the form of “stew”, which, even without the benefit of magic, rarely takes more than ten minutes to prepare. Have these authors ever tried to cook a meal from scratch? Or do they buy their sustenance at the Read More …

LK LohanLeave a comment

Book Envy

Lately, I’ve been working hard on my abundance mentality. The attitude that there’s plenty of good fortune to go around, and that another person’s success doesn’t take away from my own chances but might well enhance them. When you think about it, it all makes sense. It’s freeing, and it’s a key to a content and generous life. And yet I have book envy. It’s not even the big-name authors. If they come out with a new book, it’s all par for the course. It’s like watching a rock star on stage: I enjoy the show, but I don’t want Read More …

LK LohanLeave a comment

Platform Building

Platform Building. It does sound like something the oil industry might do, but, to no one’s surprise, it’s de rigueur these days if you want to have a shot at making it as a writer. Whether it’s actually a prerequisite for writerly success, I have no idea. After all, writerly success still eludes me. But when you comb through reputable sites dispensing advice for aspiring writers, platform comes up sooner rather than later. So what is it? From what I’ve gleaned, platform is a catch-all term for how you present yourself on the interwebs. And that you have to present Read More …

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Dreaming up Stories

Sometimes, relief comes from the strangest places. A few months ago I had a dream. The ending to a story played out in heart-thumping excitement. Like a movie in my head. As soon as I woke up, I did my best to recall the dream, revel in it, before it disappeared. And then I wrote it all down, just for good measure. It’s sitting in a file now, patiently waiting for me to get back to it. A couple of weeks later, I dreamed the beginning of that story. Again, I enjoyed the afterglow of a good dream. And then, Read More …

LK LohanLeave a comment

Reading vs. Writing

In my world, reading and writing have an unfortunate tendency to clash. As a matter of fact, reading often kicks writing’s ass. So last year I made a New Year’s resolution to read less. That didn’t work out so well: I nearly doubled my reading for that year. This year I didn’t even bother with a resolution. I’m kind of resigned to the fact by now that my default mode is reading. I read for entertainment, for information, for research purposes, for inspiration, for an escape from the mundane, and, yes, for procrastination. I read in the morning, if I Read More …