At dawn, Master Henrick bellowed orders to the drovers and guards as the camp stirred. As men, dwarves, and elves moved around the wagons, a short, squat figure approached the area where the group had laid their heads the previous night. “Top o’ th’ morn’, to ye,” a gravelly voice hailed with a slight bow … Continue reading Chapter 8: Blessings
Five weary travelers slipped onto the main trade road between caravans. They walked the well-trodden trade road toward the city of Blackmoor. By sunset, they had caught up with the procession they’d followed. They gnawed the few strips of the leftover darnni meat as they found a suitable spot near the wagons. Sam and Chase … Continue reading Chapter 7: Alliances
Taliesin could tell that Sam was not human, but wasn’t sure what he was. Sam had an energy, an aura, about him that Taliesin could almost see and could certainly feel. The day wore on as the tiny being taught them the basics of surviving in the wildlands of Adaran. Tal finally relaxed around him … Continue reading Chapter 5: Questions
On September 15, 1965, the first episode of the television show, Lost in Space debuted on CBS. Series creator Irwin Allen imagined a science fiction version of The Swiss Family Robinson. The year is 1997. The United States is gearing up for space colonization because of overcrowding on Earth. The space-faring Robinson family embarks on … Continue reading Trivia: Lost in Space Debuts
Sam left the lean-to at dawn. “Stay here,” he said. “I’m gonna check me snares and see what I can find fer yer feet. By th’ look of ’em, they ain’t seen dirt for a while. I’ll try ta be back a’fore high sun.” Katra blushed. She knew he was right. The only times she … Continue reading Chapter 4: Reunion
If you are writing fantasy, chances are your story has magic. A few of the questions that arise should include: What kind of world are you building? Does your world have magic? What kind of magic is available? Is the environment permeated in magical energy? Or does the magic only work under certain conditions? Does … Continue reading DIY MFA: The Limits of Magic
“I like feeling my way into different minds and experiences. It comes naturally and always has.”~A. S. Byatt English novelist, poet and Booker Prize winner A. S. Byatt was born on this day in 1936.
“What the fu-” exclaimed Chase scrambling back. “Did you guys see that?” “See what?” asked Dreyah over her shoulder as she reached the base of the escarpment, unhooked from the line, and gave the rope a twitch to let Taliesin know that she had landed. “Kat … just …” he stammered. “Where’s Katra?” Dreyah asked, … Continue reading Chapter 3: Crystal Magic
As a fantasy writer, how do you unfold your world in a way that is interesting and makes sense to the reader? Some writers fold elements of their worldbuilding into the action and setting as the protagonist moves through their environment. Others describe the surroundings, then launch the action, not always explaining how some elements … Continue reading DIY MFA: Imagining a Magical World
Katra clawed her way to consciousness one painful realization at a time. Her last clear memory was entering a cave looking for her cousins, Elayna and Eliam, and climbing down a rope to a cavern filled with crystals. She vaguely recollected approaching and reaching out to the formations … then, she was here. Shivering, nude, … Continue reading Chapter 2: Confusion
50,000 Monkeys at 50,000 Typewriters Can't Be Wrong
Tavern Tales
Malaysian-based writer, author, and storyteller
