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The Prince’s Parish
Among the Finest for Short Stories I enjoyed reading The Prince’s Parish, by Joshua Robertson. It’s a five chapter short story within a medieval church setting. No particular religion is mentioned as it is a fictional fantasy. The strongest point of the story is the characters. I didn’t see a whole lot of development throughout the story (although there were some changes) but they were well-developed from the start. Each character had a distinct personality which made them memorable. Some character earned my hatred, my pity, my admiration, and yes, my hope in humanity. I’ve seen these characters in my real-life adventures (i.e. day-to-day living) but with different names. As…
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Consistent Creative Content – Review
A personality-filled, informative read In this book, Lee Hall shares his own experiences in building a following, with the intention of helping other authors develop a plan for success. His book includes action points to follow, his musings on various related topics, and step by step of his own journey. Some of what he says is common sense but hearing it in his unique style helps bring to mind things we often take for granted. Other information in the book finds a way of creating that a-ha moment in the reader’s mind, giving birth to new ideas to try. Lee has a warm, personable approach in this book that makes…
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From Alexander’s Desk – 6/26/2026
Hello everyone. I hope you’ve had a great and exciting week! This past week I was able to get five poems up (as well as setting up the Poetry page) and two writing tips posts (and the corresponding Writing Tips page). I’ve added the following poems: Nothing, The Lamp, Waves, The Tezirite Mirror, and Age of Offense. The first two are Ansparian-themed and the other three are real-world, or other fantasy-based. I’ve also added Discovery Writer vs. Outline Writer: Developing Your Own Author Style as a writing tips post, as well as 9 Exciting Strategies to Increase Your Word Count (Plus 1 Bonus Tip). Moving into this next week, I…
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Nothing
Nothing is a poem written by an unknown Cavelin wordsmith. It is far more elegant than the normal speech of the Cavelin, leading some to believe it was penned by someone from another race after learning about their plight. It is also featured in Ansparian Verse – Volume 1 available on Amazon. Nothing is for us, naught at all. We do not Linger in abundance, But in servitude to need. For the greed of the world has denied us A share most fair. Are we supposed to care? They will not ensure That we eat but despise us When we find a Meal, meager, of discarded waste Their fingers…
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The Lamp
The Lamp is a poem written by Theodore Parodine, a brooding intellectual who crafts every word with care. You won’t find him speaking at the open stage nights in Rost – he’ll share his words in the shadowed corners of the tavern after the amateur poets have called it a night. It is featured in Ansparian Verse – Volume 1, available on Amazon. The brightness of the lamp I’ll later light Awaits the dark in which it will be born. To stay, for several hours, with me more – A journey it shan’t take ’til I requite. By bathing fibrous cords in oil so dear, And sparking flames to…
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Discovery Writer vs. Outline Writer: Developing Your Own Author Style
When it comes to writing a novel, there are many approaches that can lead to the same destination – you completing your book and making it available for readers everywhere. Two of the most common approaches are Discovery Writers (aka Pantsers) and Outline Writers (aka Plotters). Many authors will declare their way to be the correct way, or the better way, but the truth is it is a highly personal matter. To be fully correct they would need to add “for me” into their declaration. This is the right way for me to write a novel. “But what are these writing styles,” you may be asking. “And how do I…
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9 Exciting Strategies to Increase Your Word Count (Plus 1 Bonus Tip)
Are you an author, struggling to reach your daily word count goals? Or perhaps you are reaching your goals but want to raise the bar just a little more. With all the day-to-day going on around us, hitting your word count every day can be a daunting task. Read on for 9 exciting ways to make reaching your word count goals a little bit easier. Not every strategy will fit into your personal writing style. Some of these you may already do. It is my hope, however, that you’ll find something below that helps you hone your craft and crank out a few more words every day. Let’s get into…
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Waves
This was a fun little poem I wrote, originally attributing it to Braelyn from Winter’s Bite. It still could be hers as she pens it while staring out over the ocean from the Temple of Flame, but really it could be anyone’s. I watched the waves. The waves I watched Waved from the sea toward the land. And as they crashed upon that beach They soaked a million grains of sand. The waves were in command, Oh yes, The waves were in command. They started out a long way off Where water deep as giants tall, Could host the creatures who then churned The sea serene to massive wall.…
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The Tezirite Mirror
This is a poem I wrote based on events surrounding my character in Dragonrealms back in 2001. Dragonrealms is a text-based online fantasy RPG by Simutronics that is still running today!
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Age of Offense
This is a poem I wrote about how offended people get about the smallest things. I wish more people would live by the wisdom of the great philosophers Bill and Ted when they said “Be excellent to each other.” And, “Party on, dudes!” You’re offended that I’m offended by your Twisted sense of reality. I’m offended that you’re offended by my Pristine logic – let me be! And who do you think you are, to disagree with me? I’ll have you know, I hold the truth of all reality. For we have left the Age of Faith And we’ve disowned the Age of Knowledge We’ve been swirling through the…
