Writing, Alma Alexander, Page 2

When the author realizes what her book means

October 29, 2020June 9, 2021Alma Alexander

Often an author doesn’t know what a novel is really about, what it means. That’s up to the reader. When writing it, the author is focusing on the story –…Continue readingWhen the author realizes what her book means

Alma Thinks... Alma's Books Writing

And in 2021 I will have for you …

October 21, 2020June 9, 2021Alma Alexander

Artist in Residence, Quarantine Diaries I’ve been deep in the throes of plotting and planning and behind-the-scenes stuff, so let me bring you up to speed. My newest novel, ‘The…Continue readingAnd in 2021 I will have for you …

Alma Thinks... Alma's Books world building Writing

Wordbuilding: From one scene to a finished novel

October 18, 2020June 9, 2021Alma Alexander

The making of ‘Changer of Days’ I am used to this – or I should be, it’s happened to me often enough. A character steps out of the ether, introduces…Continue readingWordbuilding: From one scene to a finished novel

Alma Thinks... world building Writing Writing School

Worldbuilding ‘The Were Chronicles’, Book by Book

October 11, 2020Deck Deckert

‘Random’ the first book in ‘The Were Chronicles’ triptych of novels, literally started as a short story aimed at an anthology which wanted to deal with “Were” things which were…Continue readingWorldbuilding ‘The Were Chronicles’, Book by Book

Alma Thinks... Writing

Quarantine Diaries: Reflections on a writer’s legacy

October 7, 2020Deck Deckert

Artist in Residence I am currently using some of the time I am spending inside my house – covid, toxic air and all that – to earn some additional money…Continue readingQuarantine Diaries: Reflections on a writer’s legacy

Alma Thinks... world building Writing

Creating the story arc of the luminous Babylon 5 series

September 30, 2020Deck Deckert

In Valen’s name The first time I crossed paths with the TV series Babylon 5, it was a disconnected episode from Season 2, Confessions and Lamentations – the Markab plague…Continue readingCreating the story arc of the luminous Babylon 5 series

Alma Thinks... world building Writing Writing School

Worldbuilding 101 — Creating your own myth

September 27, 2020Deck Deckert

We all create our own myths. I don’t mean, at least not here, creating your own mythology – as in, creating a pantheon for a world of your own making,…Continue readingWorldbuilding 101 — Creating your own myth

Alma Thinks... world building Writing writing tips

Worldbuilding 101: Three Ways to Make a New World

September 13, 2020Deck Deckert

The first law of writing is that there are no laws The worst possible thing that beginner writers can do is find an overly prescriptive ‘rule book’ of fiction writing…Continue readingWorldbuilding 101: Three Ways to Make a New World

Alma Thinks... Alma's Bookshelf Writing

Superheroes (retired) you never heard of

September 10, 2020Deck Deckert

Whence stories? Stories rarely spring from some grand idea. More often they are sparked by something small, something unsuspected. Some time ago a friend tossed me an idea “challenge” —…Continue readingSuperheroes (retired) you never heard of

Alma Thinks... Alma's Books Writing

The story of a story – from idea to a four-part series

August 23, 2020Deck Deckert

One of the most common questions any writer gets is, ‘Where do you get your ideas?’ I often say, ‘From the idea tree in my backyard.’ Another writer says blithely…Continue readingThe story of a story – from idea to a four-part series

Category: Writing