S1 Bonus – The Forge
“The isolated imagination is easily corrupted by theory, but the writer inside his community seldom has such a problem.” – Flannery O’Connor
First Draft
S1E9 – Alpha Readers and Developmental Editors
“A problem that a character can walk away from is a book a reader can walk away from.” – Unknown
S1E8 – Getting it Written
“If you want to be a writer that’s the hardest and most important lesson: Finish it. Then go back to fix it.” – Tad Williams
S1E7 – Worldbuilding: Fantasy and Magic
If you don’t think there is magic in writing, you probably won’t write anything magical. – Terry Brooks
S1E6 – Worldbuilding: The World Around You
There is no beauty without some strangeness. – Edgar Allan Poe
S1E5 – Character Design: Support
When reading, we don’t fall in love with the characters’ appearances. We fall in love with their words, their thoughts, and their hearts. We fall in love with their souls. – Unknown
S1E4 – Character Design: Primary
Since it is so likely that children will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage. – CS Lewis
S1E3 – Story Structure
Pixar’s story model:
Once upon a time there was a ____
Every day, ____
Until one day, _____
Because of that, _____
Because of that, _____
Until finally,______
S1E1 – Plotting vs. Pantsing
Hey, quick question: how do I plot a book?
Write down everything that happens in the story, then in the second draft make it look like you knew what you were doing all along. – Neil Gaiman