Mary Shaffer
Writing about Writing
Real and Fantastic Locations in my Novel
I had so much fun doing geographical research for the locations in Wick and Arrow that I thought it might be intriguing to share some of the real-life places that are behind the fantastic ones in the novel.
Hearing the Music of Style: the Origin of my Folkloric Fantasy Novel
If the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, write it for the inner child the grown-ups have silenced because they’re terrified of the truth it will blurt out if they let it.
Number Theory: |x|, 3
Of the six (sister, brother, sister, / sister, brother sister) / he was two, / and she was three / He was Hook, / and she was Smee.
Would you rather
Would you rather be a kid or a grown-up?/ Would you rather be a kid or a dragon?/ Would you rather be a grown-up or your whole/ body turn into glitter throwed into the air?
In Defense of Escapism: Tolkien’s Principles of Fantasy
The deserter flees because he is afraid. The prisoner escapes because he knows that prison is not where he is meant to be.