Is this the key to great fantasy novels? In my experience: yes. 

Read my debut fantasy novella, Fires of the Dead.

"The perfect read for someone looking to be quickly immersed in a magic system unlike anything else." - Nicole Wallace, editor of Synopses by Sarge.

Available in ebook, paperback, hardback, and audio book.

The Mistborn trilogy is one of the finest epic fantasy series of all time. This episode examines how Sanderson crafted a sequel that was arguably better than the first. 

If you want more Mistborn analysis, I did another podcast episode on book 1: https://novelanalyst.com/2018/10/30/episode10/

Read my debut fantasy novella, Fires of the Dead.

"The perfect read for someone looking to be quickly immersed in a magic system unlike anything else." - Nicole Wallace, editor of Synopses by Sarge.

Available in ebook, paperback, hardback, and audio book.

Revision tips from Gareth Hanrahan, author of The Gutter Prayer.

My interview with Gareth: https://novelanalyst.com/2019/09/19/gareth/

Wrong words = remove

Wrong order = keep and reorder

‘Asking yourself “how do I fix this?” implies that the text is a problem, and that the simplest solution is replacing it. Asking “how do I make this work?” makes you think of the text as a machine that’s clogged, or misaligned, and you’ve got to unjam it. ‘ - Gareth Hanrahan

Read my debut fantasy novella, Fires of the Dead.

"The perfect read for someone looking to be quickly immersed in a magic system unlike anything else." - Nicole Wallace, editor of Synopses by Sarge.

Available in ebook, paperback, hardback, and audio book.

Intrigue + sympathetic investment = a gripping opening.

Read my debut fantasy novella, Fires of the Dead. 

"The perfect read for someone looking to be quickly immersed in a magic system unlike anything else." - Nicole Wallace, editor of Synopses by Sarge.

Available in ebook, paperback, hardback, and audio book. 

This powerful question helps you get to the heart of your characters. Let me know the answers for your story! Email me at: [email protected]

- A personalised thank-you video message

- A free prequel story

- Chapter annotations (my comments on what I think about each chapter)

- A Spotify companion playlist, perfect for listening to while you read the book

To claim your bonuses, send a screenshot of your receipt to:

[email protected]

with the subject line: FIRES OF THE DEAD BONUSES

Then I’ll send you the bonuses!

My first fantasy book, Fires of the Dead, just released TODAY! (Which is why this video is a few hours late - sorry!) Get it here: https://amzn.to/33Ebcs0

When I'm struggling to write, rather than giving it all up, I often change my approach. Coming at a story from another angle can free you, and help produce your best writing even when you don't feel like it.

If it’s an interesting process/journey/event, then you should show it in your story.

If the process isn’t compelling and you just need readers to know the outcome, then you may consider telling.

Neither approach is better. It’s about picking the best one for each specific scene.

Read my debut fantasy novella, Fires of the Dead: https://amzn.to/33Ebcs0

Do you need it? If you don’t, then maybe don’t waste time worrying about it.

Understanding the difference is the key to creating captivating character arcs.

There is no shortcut. And if you’re desperate for one, you might not truly be in love with the process.

I’ve been doing this since 2012, and I still consider myself a massive newbie. After all that time, I’ve just got my first book coming out into the world. And I’m stoked with that, because I love the process so much and I love all the challenges ahead of me. Writing makes me feel alive. If it does the same for you, then it won’t matter that there isn’t a shortcut - because the long road will be worth it.

Don’t ask, ‘what’s the least I can do?’

Instead, ask, ‘what’s the most I can bare?’

Read my debut fantasy novella, Fires of the Dead: https://amzn.to/33Ebcs0