Dystopia: Liberty vs Power
“Power is not a means; it is an end…The object of power is power.” –Nineteen Eighty-Four, George Orwell. My novel Graëlstorm delves into the timeless tug-of-war between liberty and power. In this fictional cosmos, three immortal beings called Arkheïa reign over the mortal realm using a genetically engineered race of Graëlheem to impose their will….Read More
Landscape as a Muse
“… a huge peak, black and huge, As if with voluntary power instinct, Upreared its head. I struck and struck again, And growing still in stature the grim shape Towered up between me and the stars, and still, For so it seemed, with purpose of its own And measured motion like a living thing, Strode…Read More
Introducing New Webpage
Reshaping Myths for The Cathar Grail Quest Saga I am delighted to announce the latest addition to my author’s website: a dedicated page entitled Story World: The Cathar Grail Quest Saga. This new page delves into the creative process behind my novels Graëlfire and Graëlstorm. Fascination with history and mythology has been the driving…Read More
Creating Great Stories
The Alchemy of Imagination, Creativity, and Technique “Creativity is putting your imagination to work.” – Sir Ken Robinson Storytelling comes to us in so many ways. Through novels and games to the stage and the screen, writers entertain us with their imagination, creativity, and mastery of technique. Although creativity is used broadly to mean making…Read More
Hallowed Trees
Hallowed: something that is respected, admired, or considered to be holy. We got a Christmas card last year featuring the Sycamore Gap Tree on Hadrian’s Wall. Now there is a void in the landscape where it used to be. Dubbed the most photographed tree in the UK, it became famous after appearing in the 1991…Read More
Dual Timeline Stories
“Every why hath a wherefore.” – William Shakespeare. Dodging the Information Dump Writers sometimes take their readers back in time to promote a better understanding of the story. We use several techniques to achieve this goal, such as prologues, flashbacks, or dual timeline threads. These reveal background information through dramatized scenes rather than a character…Read More
Achilles’ Heel: The Art of Vulnerability
“Achilles, without his heel, you wouldn’t even know his name today.” – Stan Lee. Speculative fiction is full of heroes and villains who have superhuman powers. From sorcerers to warriors, their strength, speed, and skill dazzle us. But while these mighty figures might appear exciting, their appeal would dwindle without a flaw or weakness to…Read More
Antiheroes: Breaking Stereotypes
“I may be on the side of the angels, but don’t think for one second that I am one of them” – Sherlock Holmes, in the TV series Sherlock. In the realm of storytelling, heroes and villains often occupy opposite ends of the spectrum. But there is a captivating alternative: the antihero. Take Han Solo…Read More
The Grail Quest: A Journey of Self-discovery
“The most extraordinary journey is the one you take to find yourself!” – Mehmet Murat ildan. The Essence of a Grail Quest Grail quests have been popular in literature for centuries. These stories often involve knights or heroes embarking on a quest to find the Holy Grail, but they are about much more than epic…Read More
Are Prologues Necessary?
“What is past is prologue.” – William Shakespeare What is a Prologue? Authors and filmmakers use prologues as introductions to a story. Prologues focus on events that occurred prior to the main narrative to provide background and context. J. R. R. Tolkien, J. K. Rowling, Terry Pratchett, and George R. R. Martin all wrote…Read More
