Author Archives: dorianhart

I’d like to talk a bit about Beta Readers. A Beta Reader is someone willing to read a draft version of a book and offer their opinions to the author. While it’s a bonus to find a Reader who is … Continue reading →

I’ve started listening to the first book in Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn trilogy, Sanderson being a conspicuous gap in my coverage of modern fantasy. I noticed early on his use of the word “ashmount” to describe what I assume are volcanoes, … Continue reading →

“Show, don’t tell.” If you’re a writer or have ever taken a writing class, you’ve heard this advice, probably many times over.  Readers want drama, not dry explanations. Give them something they can visualize!  Don’t say “Joe became angry.”  Say … Continue reading →

Today I finished a book. I do this occasionally and usually with little fanfare, but this was a special one. The book was Robin Hobb’s “Fool’s Fate,” and in completing it I ended a 4500 page journey through one of … Continue reading →

On a regular basis I am asked some variant of the question, “How is your book doing?”  Here, let me answer that.  Warning: numbers! Today is May 14, 2016. The Ventifact Colossus has been out for just over four months.  … Continue reading →

You are probably familiar with Randall Munroe of XKCD fame.  One of his most famous strips is this: (image © Randall Munroe) I am usually good about not falling into this trap, but sometimes the bait is too tempting, and … Continue reading →

If you search the Internet on the topic, you will discover the notion, ascribed variously to John D. McDonald, Ray Bradbury, David Eddings, and others, that a writer’s first million words are garbage.  Eddings phrases the idea thusly: “My advice … Continue reading →