[aesop_chapter title=”~” bgtype=”color” full=”on” video_autoplay=”on” bgcolor=”#006489″ minheight=”10px” revealfx=”off”] What’s a good epic fantasy without some troubling diplomats who try to blackmail their way into higher ranks? And why not betray your own allies with secret weapons to get ahead? Yamato is filled with begrudged officials whose status is more important to them than anything else. Read More
The Politics of Mystical Japan: The Rising Tide by James Calbraith
This is My Design: The Peril of the New Idea
New ideas are awesome, fresh inspiration is fantastic, and motivation can strike like a bolt out of the blue. Unfortunately, that bolt can sometimes hit us right when we’re in the middle of something else. Today, Raven talks about the three methods he uses to deal with the potentially terrible timing of new ideas. Read More
The Nature of Mystical Japan: The Islands In The Mist by James Calbraith
We’re continuing our journey through Yamato, James Calbraith’s alternate version of Japan. The Islands In The Mists is the third book in the series The Year Of The Dragon. This is the first book where the story in Yamato splits into multiple points of view, as well as expanding on the burgeoning storyline in Qin only teased in earlier books. Hold on to your obis, because you’re in for a bumpy ride. Read More
Camp Nano is going strong!
April is one of the off months where NaNoWriMo participants organise a virtual writing retreat, or Camp Nano. The rules for Camp Nano are slightly different, because you don’t have to use the 50.000 word count, but you can pick your own. The threshold is lower for people new to writing to set up a writing habit since you can set it as low as you want. My advice is to still challenge yourself. You can improve your daily habitual word count by setting the bar a little higher, but not unattainable. It’s just like exercising. Read More
On My Mind: Visual versus Textual
In On My Mind topics are explored that are worthy of discussion. This week I’ll talk about the visual versus the textual, from a creator’s perspective. Did you choose between one or more crafts? Read More
Apples and Oranges (Or Why Comparing Yourself to Other Writers Doesn’t Work)
Competition can be healthy. It can drive us to improve ourselves, to make our work as good as it can be, but all too often comparisons do more harm than good. This week, Raven talks about a few things to keep in mind when you start looking at another writer’s work and comparing it to your own. Read More
This Is My Design: Flow
Getting into the zone. Every artist has heard this phrase, but what is it really? I take a closer look at the concept of ‘flow’ and how you, the artist, can use it to your advantage. Read More
This is My Design: Characters
Characters should be characters. Seems self-evident? Well, today Raven talks about how he goes about building his characters from the ground up. He also makes an utterly true point about popcorn, and you popcorn fans know it. Read More
Meeting Mystical Japan: The Warrior’s Soul by James Calbraith
Last month I started the ride through Yamato with the review of James Calbraith’s The Shadow of Black Wings. This week I’ll treat you to the sequel, The Warrior’s Soul. There will be spoilers to the first book and minor spoilers for this one. You’ll still be able to enjoy reading The Warrior’s Soul after reading this review. Read More
Disjuncture: An Excerpt by Raven van Dijk
As some of you know, I am currently working on what is technically a horror novel, but has grown into a cross between a ghost story, a spy novel, and psychological thriller. I, Raven, humbly present an excerpt from my upcoming novel: Disjuncture. Read More