Gandalf's stand in Moria is a fantastic example but also demonstrates a serious mistake.
Six Tips for Constructing a Heroic Sacrifice
When heroes suffer a loss on purpose, audience scrutiny is high.
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Q&A: How Can I Build an Overarching RPG Plot?
Submitted by Prince Infidel,
answered
Episode 479: Spotting Bad Writing Advice
Does it sound too good to be true? Probably fine.
Why Michael Moorcock Despises Tolkien and C.S. Lewis
In his essay, Epic Pooh, Moorcock mocks his fellow authors for incoherent reasons.
Q&A: Does This Premise Run Afoul of Oppressed Mages?
Submitted by Josh,
answered
Episode 478: Weird Weapons
USB Arrows are a step too far!
How the Bobiverse Turned Excitement Into Boredom
The ingredients for tension are all laid out and then just left there.
Finding Your Story’s Throughline
What is your story about? That sounds simple, but it can be tricky in practice.
Q&A: Which Stories Should We Critique?
Submitted by Dave,
answered
Episode 477: Giving Protagonists a Way to Contribute
Many hands make light plotting.
Why Nothing Good Ever Happens in an Interlude
Common or not, these interruptions are best avoided.
How to Write Barbs and Banter That Aren’t Mean
When teasing goes wrong, it can alienate readers.
Q&A: What Would You Do With the Romulus Supernova?
Submitted by Star of Hope,
answered
Episode 476: When Multiple Viewpoints Actually Work
Sometimes (not most times) two perspectives are better than one.
Stephen King’s Fairy Tale Shows the Dangers of Lazy Retellings
Fantasy references are tossed haphazardly into the story without rhyme or reason.
Explaining Your Hero’s Secret Parentage
So, your hero is the lost heir to Magicland. How does that work?
Q&A: How Can Space Monarchies Arise?
Submitted by Cervical,
answered
Episode 475: Giving Characters Extra Senses
Podcast senses tingling!
I Wanted My Hero to Make a Mistake. It Didn’t Go Well.
While I couldn't make every beta reader happy, my edits still made a difference.
Live-Action Avatar Has a Reason to Exist After All
The first season is rough, but it has its charms.
Bellis