Like a travelling notebook, my writing can be found far and wide. This page houses a comprehensive list of all my works of nonfiction that are published around the internet and links to them!
For what I’ve published on this website, be sure to visit my Essays, Articles, and Musings.
Writing and Worldbuilding With Campfire Learn
Five Tips for Creating Relatable Characters
Learn five key tips for connecting your characters to your readers.
So You Wrote a Book. Now What?
Tips on what to do after you finish your manuscript from an editor and former publisher.
The History of Speculative Fiction
Explore what speculative fiction is, a detailed history of this super-genre, and tips on writing it.
The Many Ways to Plot a Book
Learn about narrative structures, plotting methods, and how to weave it all together.
Dan Wells’ 7-Point Story Structure
Explore my favorite plotting method, perfect for both a streamlined plot or something more open-ended.
The Cultural Iceberg
I break down Edward T. Hall’s cultural iceberg theory and how writers can use it for worldbuilding.
On Pulp Fiction
A history of pulp fiction, an introduction to new pulp, and how to write in the genre.
Writing About Time Travel
An exploration of paradoxes and how to avoid (or use) them in your writing.
Science Fantasy
From fire-bending aliens to magic-enabled lasers to astro-mages, science fantasy promises an out-of-this-world quest of epic proportions (and apparently, a lot of hyphens).
Using In Media Res
In media res is an impactful narrative technique, but you have to use it wisely. We look at when and how to use in media res, along with examples from popular films.
The Power of Subplot
Crafting subplots is an art and a science. They can transform your story for better or worse. We look at examples of subplots and offer tips to write them the right way!
Plot Twists
We take a look at archetypal plot twists and popular examples of them to learn how to craft them for our stories.
Worldbuilding Magazine Articles
The links below will take you to the free PDF files for each issue. To find out more about Worldbuilding Magazine and explore more great issues, visit their website.
Death Incarnate
Volume 3, Issue 1, Pages 14 – 20
Explore deities of death and myths of the afterlife across various traditions as inspiration for fantasy cosmologies.
Reaching for the Stars
Volume 3, Issue 2, Pages 24 – 32
Building spacecraft for your science fiction setting can seem overwhelming, but with a few things in mind, getting to the stars can be a breeze.
Weaving a Romantic Thread
Volume 3, Issue 3, Pages 38 – 42
I explore outlining a romantic subplot with Dan Wells’ 7-point plot structure and show how to thread this into your story.
Carved From the Land
Volume 3, Issue 4, Pages 4 – 9
Find out how to use the landscape, climate, and resources in your fictional worlds to shape more believable cultures.
Feudal Economics
Volume 3, Issue 5, Pages 35 – 41
Take a crash course in feudal economies, from what it was and how it affected people to how to bring it to life in your fiction.
Blood for Money
Volume 3, Issue 6, Pages 42 – 51
From the bronze age to today, discover the history of mercenaries and ideas for how to incorporate them into your worldbuilding.
Avatars of the Divine
Volume 4, Issue 1, Pages 79 – 83
Discover some of the most impactful religious art through history and explore how to incorporate expressions of faith in your fantasy worlds.
By Right of Blood, Blood is Shed
Volume 4, Issue 2, Pages 21 – 27
Learn more about wars of succession in history, see a fictional example of my creation, and consider how to add them to your stories.
Interview: Ed Greenwood
Volume 4, Issue 2, Pages 8 – 15
I had the privilege and pleasure to interview Ed Greenwood, prolific author of hundreds of books and creator of the Forgotten Realms.
Storming the Bastille
Volume 4, Issue 3, Pages 59 – 64
Examining the history of the Bastille in Paris, France, we learn how governmental structures can evolve in form and function over time.
On the March
Volume 4, Issue 5, Pages 11 – 16
This article explores logistical concerns and proposes using creative transportation methods for moving armies in your epic fantasy stories.
Serving the Plot
Volume 5, Issue 1, Pages 14 – 17
I discuss avoiding worldbuilding syndrome, the Iceberg Principle, and focusing on the details you need to bring your story to life.
Cosmic Scrambled Eggs
Volume 5, Issue 2, Pages 15 – 17
Take a quick look at “cosmic egg” creation myths and how to incorporate such universal origins in your fantasy cosmologies.
Off With His Head
Volume 5, Issue 3, Pages 40 – 44
Explore five of the most gruesome and creative execution methods from history to inspire you to think outside the noose.
Other Non-Fiction
Could a Human Interface Lead to an Empathic VR?
Published by The Debrief
As virtual reality becomes more present and more important in our lives, is there a way to make the avatars within the simulation feel emotion?
Polishing Gemstones: The Author-Editor Relationship
Published by The Worlds of Michael D. Nadeau
Perspective from both sides of the editing desk and some words of encouragement about the dreaded “imposter syndrome”.
Cooking up a Great Story
Published by GB Writes With Others
A tongue-in-cheek exploration of mixing up the ingredients in your author’s pantry to create something new and delicious.
B.K. Bass, Author and Editor 