World Weavers' Library

Featured in "Where to Begin to Fine-Tune Your Story"  by Joy
You might also want to check out "Tilly's Reference Library"  [E] for newsletters on more general writing advice.
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External Links
Terrible Writing Advice - Worldbuilding Cultures (YouTube)  
Idle Red Hands  
   A podcast for Game Masters (GMs) and roleplayers.
The psychology of worldbuilding  
   "the truth is that world building is essential in any story... You must build around your characters,
   and this means adopting an ecological perspective on what your story’s setting really is.
How the fall of the Roman empire paved the road to modernity  
Why “No Problem” Can Seem Rude: Phatic Expressions  
Brandon Sanderson's Laws of Magic  

Contests and Activities
"Project Write World"  [13+] by iKïyå§ama
    A celebration of writers and their distinct cultures to bring us all together.
"Invalid Item"  [] by A Guest Visitor
   
"World Weavers' Workshop"  [13+] by Tileira
    30 exercises to help you outline the setting for your novel


WDC Articles and Newsletters

General Advice ▼

"Depict Your Culture"  by THANKFUL SONALI Library Class!
Handling cultural aspects in your writing. (For Authors Newsletter - September 27, 2023)
"Writing What Readers Don't Skip"  by Max Griffin 🏳️‍🌈
Info-dumps kill stories. Setting is important, but how do you describe the setting without an info-dump? (For Authors Newsletter - November 17, 2021)
"World Building for NaNoWriMo"  by Robert Waltz
Seven days to create a world (Fantasy Newsletter - October 26, 2016)
"Other Worlds"  by Kate - Writing & Reading
If you don't your world out there, you just haven't created it - yet (Fantasy Newsletter - August 23, 2017)
"The 'Imaginary' Real"  by Fyn
Characters who live and breathe, the ones you want to have a cup of coffee with ... (For Authors Newsletter - January 10, 2018)
"World Building"  by Jeff
A look at how to build fictional worlds. (For Authors Newsletter - February 14, 2018)
"Creating the Imaginary World"  by Joy
An Imaginary World is much more than a frame for a story (Drama Newsletter - October 16, 2019)
"Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy"  [E] by Jaren is Avarielle
    A series of conversational articles on how to write winning Speculative Fiction
"World Building"  [E] by Zen
    Why world-building is important, and what things you should consider.
"Strange Details"  by LJPC - the tortoise
This newsletter is about using strange details to keep readers riveted. (Horror/Scary Newsletter - July 16, 2014)
"Context Clues and You"  by Jay's debut novel is out now!
How do you use the information given to the reader to build your world? (Short Stories Newsletter - May 27, 2015)
"Is it Show or Tell ~ or Show and Tell ?"  by Kate - Writing & Reading
Tell what you know with words that show an image of the story or verse. (For Authors Newsletter - November 4, 2015)
"ATMOSPHERE"  by W.D.Wilcox
Creating the right setting for a horror story (Horror/Scary Newsletter - April 20, 2016)
"You Had To Be There"  by NaNoNette
The writer is responsible for telling the story. (Short Stories Newsletter - August 3, 2016)
"Description as a Writing Tool"  by Jay's debut novel is out now!
Make the best use of your descriptions to help your reader be immersed in your story! (Short Stories Newsletter - November 9, 2016)
"Story Components--or Just Details?"  by Jay's debut novel is out now!
Is that new idea you're working on the full idea of a story, or is it merely a cool premise, setting or detail? (Short Stories Newsletter - April 26, 2017)
"Writing Solid Descriptions That Deliver"  by Joy
How can you make your fiction shine through delightful descriptions? (Drama Newsletter - December 13, 2017)
"Drama in the Description"  by THANKFUL SONALI Library Class!
A description does more than describe. In this issue, I add to what Joy said in her December issue on Descriptions. (Drama Newsletter - February 21, 2018)
"Fiction: Easing Exposition into a Story"  [ASR] by Joy
    Blending descriptive material into a story
"Fantasy Writing - Settings & Description"  [E] by A E Willcox
    Common setting and description problems and how to avoid them.
"Sensory: Sight and Sound in Fantasy"  by Dawn Embers
A look at two of the senses, sight and sound, and some uses within Speculative Fiction. (Fantasy Newsletter - June 24, 2015)
"Sensory: Taste and Touch in Fantasy"  by Dawn Embers
A glance at two of the senses, taste and touch, along with their uses in speculative fiction to enhance a story. (Fantasy Newsletter - August 19, 2015)
"Sensory: Odors in Fantasy"  by Dawn Embers
A look at using the sense of smell when writing fantasy stories. (Fantasy Newsletter - October 14, 2015)
"Sensorium"  by Robert Waltz
Coming to your senses (Fantasy Newsletter - October 25, 2017)
"Help Needed: Fantasy vs Scifi"  by Cinn
As an avid scifi reader and not-at-all fantasy reader, I need some book recommendations. Who better to ask? (Fantasy Newsletter - April 1, 2020)
"Choosing the Right Adventure"  by Roseille ♥
Matching a character to his or her adventure in a meaningful way can make a story rich and compelling. (Action/Adventure Newsletter - December 2, 2020)
""Perception is Reality""  by Dawn Embers
A look at both character and reader perception and how it shapes the reality of a story. (Drama Newsletter - October 7, 2015)
"Observations on Perspectives"  by Fyn
What readers get is directly connected to who they are and have been! (For Authors Newsletter - February 8, 2017)
"Tag On Its"  by THANKFUL SONALI Library Class!
Who has the 'protagonist' and 'antagonist' tag on their back? (Drama Newsletter - December 27, 2017)
"Interior Decorate Your Writing"  by Fyn
Whether a poem or a novel, try thinking about it as decorating a house. (For Authors Newsletter - November 19, 2014)
"Observations on Observing"  by Fyn
Just how observant are you? And why it is so important to be a great observer! (For Authors Newsletter - February 12, 2014)
"Observations on a Journey"  by Fyn
What we observed was every bit as important as what we saw...or (in one case) didn't! (For Authors Newsletter - April 5, 2017)
"Writer's Online Research Guides"  [18+] by Jim Hall
    web links for writers doing research for their stories (a 2015 Quill Award Nominee)
"Research vs Reality"  by Fyn
Sometimes, you just had to 'be' there, but other times ... can research suffice? (For Authors Newsletter - June 29, 2016)
"Real World or Speculative - Research"  by Dawn Embers
Comparing the development of stories in the real world versus coming up with speculative places for the tale. (For Authors Newsletter - January 25, 2017)
"Write What You Know"  by Robert Waltz
And Know What You Write (Fantasy Newsletter - August 2, 2017)
"The "Chosen One" Protagonist"  by Cinn
When a character is the only one that can solve the conflict (Action/Adventure Newsletter - January 20, 2016)
"Character Introductions: What NOT to Do"  by Cinn
Tips for character introductions & examples of what not to do. (Action/Adventure Newsletter - April 27, 2016)
"Off To A Good Start"  by NaNoKit
Writing the opening paragraphs of your story or novel is a daunting task. Here are some things to avoid! (Drama Newsletter - August 2, 2017)
"International Drama"  by NaNoKit
Have you ever written a piece that highlights aspects of your nation and culture? (Drama Newsletter - June 6, 2018)
"Memory Lane"  by A Non-Existent User
Exploring the fragile nature of memories (Drama Newsletter - June 15, 2016)
"The Horror"  by Shannon
"There's no purer feeling in the world than being scared." ~ Stephen Graham Jones (Short Stories Newsletter - February 22, 2017)
"To Make Nothing Happen"  by THANKFUL SONALI Library Class!
Sometimes, it takes strategy and effort to make nothing happen! (Action/Adventure Newsletter - February 22, 2017)
"Symbols"  by Robert Waltz
Objects as metaphor (Fantasy Newsletter - May 8, 2019)
"Once Was"  by Fyn
Once upon a time, not all that long ago (For Authors Newsletter - February 6, 2019)
"On Freedom"  by NaNoKit
How free are you, truly? (Drama Newsletter - March 13, 2019)
"A Touch of Culture"  by NaNoKit
Sharing of our culture can bridge gaps and lessen division. (Drama Newsletter - January 16, 2019)
"A Deceptive Perspective"  by Warped Sanity
Types of unreliable narrators (Drama Newsletter - December 26, 2018)
"Currier & Ives Time"  by Fyn
I journey back fifty years (For Authors Newsletter - December 12, 2018)

Astronomy & Astrology ▼

"Moon Lore"  by Robert Waltz
Concerning our companion (Fantasy Newsletter - December 21, 2016)
"Blue Moons and Black Moons"  by Prosperous Snow celebrating
Two full moons and two new moons in a calendar month. (Fantasy Newsletter - October 4, 2017)
"Perigee Moon AKA Supermoon"  by Prosperous Snow celebrating
How does a supermoon influence your writing? (Fantasy Newsletter - July 16, 2014)
"It's Not a Blue Moon, Part I"  by Robert Waltz
What you've heard about a Blue Moon is wrong. (Fantasy Newsletter - July 26, 2023)
"It's Not a Blue Moon, Part II"  by Robert Waltz
The Full Moon at the end of this month is still not a Blue Moon. (Fantasy Newsletter - August 23, 2023)
"Solar Eclipse"  by Robert Waltz
Daytime darkness (Fantasy Newsletter - July 5, 2017)
"Solstice Thoughts"  by Robert Waltz
Contemplation of the reason for the season (Fantasy Newsletter - December 20, 2017)
"New Year's"  by Robert Waltz
Some alternative observations (Fantasy Newsletter - December 18, 2019)
"The Year of the Rat, 2020"  by Dawn Embers
Some aspects of the Chinese New Year and possible use for fantasy writing. (Fantasy Newsletter - January 29, 2020)
"Day Time"  by Robert Waltz
It's about time... (Fantasy Newsletter - June 5, 2019)

Climate ▼

"Chilling tales"  by Arakun the twisted raccoon
Horror stories set in winter (Horror/Scary Newsletter - March 7, 2018)
"Observations Over a Snowy Weekend"  by Fyn
Little details...tiny things...add up to more than you might imagine! (For Authors Newsletter - February 7, 2018)
"In the Great Outdoors ~ Wind"  by Kate - Writing & Reading
Out in the open, unaware, unknown, unprotected (Horror/Scary Newsletter - August 16, 2017)
"Climate and Weather"  by Storm Machine
Does it ever rain in your world? (Fantasy Newsletter - March 19, 2014)
"Let's Talk About the Weather"  by NaNoKit
Us Brits talk about the weather. A lot. What's it like where you are? And how do you use the weather in your writing? (Action/Adventure Newsletter - July 25, 2018)
"Choosing the Right Adventure"  by Roseille ♥
Matching a character to his or her adventure in a meaningful way can make a story rich and compelling. (Action/Adventure Newsletter - December 2, 2020)
"SummerThoughts"  by Fyn
Summer - it just isn't the way 'it used to be!' Or is it? (For Authors Newsletter - June 28, 2017)
"Methods of Travel"  by Dawn Embers
Often characters need to travel in a story and they have options. (Fantasy Newsletter - May 22, 2019)
"Observations on a Spring Weekend"  by Fyn
Minutiae ruminated on over the course of three days... (For Authors Newsletter - May 1, 2019)
"Observations on a Snowy Spring Weekend"  by Fyn
Writers must be aware of the world around them! (For Authors Newsletter - March 30, 2022)

Creatures & Monsters ▼

"Observations on a Snowy Spring Weekend"  by Fyn
Writers must be aware of the world around them! (For Authors Newsletter - March 30, 2022)
"Pets/Animals in Fantasy"  by Dawn Embers
A look at some pets and other animals used in fantasy. (Fantasy Newsletter - June 22, 2016)
"Animals in Action/Adventure"  by NaNoKit
Animals can be excellent characters or character companions... but please treat them with care. (Action/Adventure Newsletter - March 8, 2017)
"Sssssss!"  by Arakun the twisted raccoon
Snakes in horror stories (Horror/Scary Newsletter - March 29, 2023)
"Along came a spider..."  by Arakun the twisted raccoon
Creepy crawlies in horror stories (Horror/Scary Newsletter - July 23, 2014)
"Terrors of the deep"  by Arakun the twisted raccoon
Creatures of the ocean in horror stories (Horror/Scary Newsletter - June 1, 2016)
"Mermaids vs Sirens"  by Lilli 🧿 ☕
It's important to know the difference. (Fantasy Newsletter - May 25, 2022)
"Strange Creatures"  by Creeper Of The Realm
Creating a monster with personality can be quite a challenge! (Fantasy Newsletter - February 8, 2017)
"Through the Veil ~ Haunted and Haunting"  by Kate - Writing & Reading
Crossing the veil ~ which 'side' is haunting (Horror/Scary Newsletter - October 26, 2016)
"Slavic Mythical Creatures"  by ~Minja~
An insight into a few Slavic mythical creatures that shaped my childhood and a reading habit. (Fantasy Newsletter - January 8, 2020)
"Santa's Helper"  by Warped Sanity
You better be good or Santa will send his trusty friend Krampus. (Horror/Scary Newsletter - December 18, 2019)
"Mythological Creatures: Part 1"  by Prosperous Snow celebrating
Mythical Monsters of the Holiday Season (Fantasy Newsletter - December 30, 2015)
"Mythological Creatures: Part 2"  by Prosperous Snow celebrating
Weird and mysterious mythical monsters, creatures, and beasts. (Fantasy Newsletter - January 27, 2016)
"Mythical Monsters Part 3"  by Prosperous Snow celebrating
Mythical creatures: Are they evil, good, or neutral? (Fantasy Newsletter - March 23, 2016)
"Mythical Creature or Monsters #4"  by Prosperous Snow celebrating
What size is a monster? (Fantasy Newsletter - April 20, 2016)
"Mythical Creature or Monsters #5"  by Prosperous Snow celebrating
The Jackolope an American Myth (Fantasy Newsletter - May 18, 2016)
"Mythological Creatures #6"  by Prosperous Snow celebrating
Writing stories about mythological creatures (Fantasy Newsletter - June 15, 2016)
"Mythological Creatures #7"  by Prosperous Snow celebrating
Mythological birds not of a feather (Fantasy Newsletter - July 13, 2016)
"Mythological Monster #8"  by Prosperous Snow celebrating
Hybrid creatures. (Fantasy Newsletter - August 10, 2016)
"Mythological Monsters #9"  by Prosperous Snow celebrating
Movie Monster from Myth, Legend, and Books (Fantasy Newsletter - September 7, 2016)
"Mythological Monsters #10"  by Prosperous Snow celebrating
The Monsters and Myths of Halloween (Fantasy Newsletter - October 5, 2016)
"Mythological Monsters #11"  by Prosperous Snow celebrating
Some beast from American Folklore (Fantasy Newsletter - November 2, 2016)
"Mythological Monsters #12"  by Prosperous Snow celebrating
Obscure Mythological Creatures (Fantasy Newsletter - November 30, 2016)
"Evil Fairies"  by Warped Sanity
Originally, Fairies were more works of horror, than Disney. (Horror/Scary Newsletter - March 13, 2019)
"Centaurs R Us?"  by eyestar~*
The symbol and character of centaurs. (Fantasy Newsletter - December 8, 2021)
"The Lure of Unicorns"  by eyestar~*
Ponderings on unicorns (Fantasy Newsletter - November 10, 2021)
"Mother Leeds' Thirteenth Child"  by Arakun the twisted raccoon
The Jersey Devil (Horror/Scary Newsletter - February 1, 2023)

Crime ▼

"TORTURE AND HORROR"  by W.D.Wilcox
Torture has been with humanity since the very beginning (Horror/Scary Newsletter - September 3, 2014)
"To Protect and Serve"  by NaNoKit
It is time to talk about the future of law enforcement... (Action/Adventure Newsletter - February 1, 2023)
"The Trouble With Legal Drama"  by NaNoKit
Is it possible to write legal drama when you do not know the law? (Drama Newsletter - January 27, 2016)
"Medieval Animal Trials"  by Shannon
"You can always tell about somebody by the way they put their hands on an animal." ~ Betty White (Short Stories Newsletter - May 16, 2018)
"The Epitome of Evil"  by Shannon
"The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he doesn't exist." ~ from the film The Usual Suspects (Short Stories Newsletter - March 20, 2019)
"Operation Underground Railroad"  by Shannon
Save the Children (Short Stories Newsletter - August 5, 2020)
"Fantasy Writing – Ships and Pirates "  [E] by A E Willcox
    Things to bear in mind when writing fantasy stories with nautical settings

Death ▼

"World Building - Rites of Life and Death"  [ASR] by Jaren is Avarielle
    The rituals we live (and die) by and figuring out the rational.
"Fantasy Cultures and Views on Death"  by Dawn Embers
When creating fantasy worlds and developing cultures, the topic of death is one that might need to be considered. (Fantasy Newsletter - October 15, 2014)
"Through the Veil ~ Haunted and Haunting"  by Kate - Writing & Reading
Crossing the veil ~ which 'side' is haunting (Horror/Scary Newsletter - October 26, 2016)
"On Death and Dying"  by Robert Waltz
Some defining attributes of a culture (Fantasy Newsletter - March 15, 2017)
"Death and Dying"  by Robert Waltz
A Fantasy approach to the inevitable (Fantasy Newsletter - August 29, 2018)
"Funeral and Burial Rituals"  by ~Minja~
A small list of creative funeral and burial rituals from around the world. (Horror/Scary Newsletter - September 25, 2019)
"'The Life of the Dead'"  by Fyn
Death is merely a part of living; sometimes you need to let a character die. (For Authors Newsletter - March 4, 2020)
"The Light Side of Cemetery"  by ~Minja~
Not all cemeteries are haunted and not all ghosts are bad. (Horror/Scary Newsletter - February 8, 2023)

Food ▼

"Food for Fiction Worlds and Beyond"  by Dawn Embers
A look at the connection with food around the holidays and its use in building fiction worlds. (Spiritual Newsletter - April 8, 2015)
"The New Year Cometh"  by Prosperous Snow celebrating
Happy 2017 (Fantasy Newsletter - December 28, 2016)
"Food"  by Robert Waltz
Nutrition in a Fantasy Setting (Fantasy Newsletter - January 18, 2017)
"Beverage"  by Robert Waltz
The Magic of Fermentation (Fantasy Newsletter - May 10, 2017)
"Tea"  by Robert Waltz
Some notes about a beverage (Fantasy Newsletter - July 29, 2020)
"Bread"  by Robert Waltz
It's more than just a food (Fantasy Newsletter - February 10, 2021)

Geography ▼

"Water"  by Robert Waltz
The stuff of life (Fantasy Newsletter - August 31, 2016)
"Specific Settings in Fantasy - The Woods"  by Dawn Embers
A series looking at specific settings often found in fantasy, first considering the use of woods and woodland areas. (Fantasy Newsletter - February 3, 2016)
"World Building - Geography Part One"  [E] by Jaren is Avarielle
    The physical aspects of the world of your sci fi or fantasy novel.
"Terrors of the deep"  by Arakun the twisted raccoon
Creatures of the ocean in horror stories (Horror/Scary Newsletter - June 1, 2016)
"Specific Settings in Fantasy - Ship"  by Dawn Embers
A look at a few different settings on air/water crafts within fantasy. (Fantasy Newsletter - July 20, 2016)
"Specific Settings - The Ocean"  by Dawn Embers
A look at speculative fiction stories told with the ocean or a similar large body of water as the setting. (Fantasy Newsletter - March 29, 2017)
"Fantasy Writing – Ships and Pirates "  [E] by A E Willcox
    Things to bear in mind when writing fantasy stories with nautical settings
"Methods of Travel"  by Dawn Embers
Often characters need to travel in a story and they have options. (Fantasy Newsletter - May 22, 2019)
"Observations: On A Road Trip"  by Fyn
Somewhere in southern Indianna, we passed through a portal... (For Authors Newsletter - October 13, 2021)

Health & Medicine ▼

"Abused & Abandoned: Character & Setting"  by Cinn
Two resources for creating authentic horror settings and characters (Horror/Scary Newsletter - July 6, 2016)
"A History of Madness"  by Shannon
How a jaunt through the annals of history can inspire your muse (Short Stories Newsletter - May 17, 2017)
"Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction"  by Shannon
"Truth is not only stranger than fiction, it is more interesting." ~William Randolph Hearst (Short Stories Newsletter - November 23, 2022)
"People With Autism in Fiction"  by NaNoKit
There's been an increase in fictional characters with Autism. Sadly, they can be rather stereotypical... (Drama Newsletter - October 25, 2017)
"Borrowing from Past Ignorance"  by Warped Sanity
Utilizing historical ignorance in horror fiction (Horror/Scary Newsletter - November 21, 2018)
"Vaccines and Immunizations"  by Dawn Embers
A question of health and disease in fantasy, comparing our world to the ones we create. (Fantasy Newsletter - October 10, 2018)
"Vaccines and Health in Fantasy"  by Dawn Embers
A look at options for the world within our stories reflected from current hot topics in the health industry. (Fantasy Newsletter - February 24, 2021)

History ▼

"World Building - Ancient History"  [ASR] by Jaren is Avarielle
    This installment discusses ancient history and the rise of civilization in your world.
"World Building - Prehistory"  [ASR] by Jaren is Avarielle
    The second installment of my world building essays.
"Historical Drama"  by NaNoKit
Bringing history to life is hard work, but the result can be thoroughly rewarding. (Drama Newsletter - September 24, 2014)
"On Historical Fiction"  by NaNoKit
Blending what we know of the past with our imagination isn't easy, but it can be a very worthwhile effort. (Drama Newsletter - April 12, 2017)
"What makes the story true to the period?"  by Storm Machine
Historical or modern works need to have their own flavor of time. (Fantasy Newsletter - November 26, 2014)
"Picking and Researching a Time Period"  by Dawn Embers
Alternative histories and fiction in general can borrow from history, making research and decisions necessary. (Fantasy Newsletter - February 28, 2018)
"Keeping Up With The Times"  by NaNoKit
As writers, we're supposed to keep up with the modern world. Sometimes, however, that's easier said than done... (Action/Adventure Newsletter - August 21, 2019)
"You Don't Know What I Suffer"  by ~Minja~
To be fond of gossiping was a certain step toward embarrassing her own daughters. (Drama Newsletter - August 7, 2019)
"Borrowing from Past Ignorance"  by Warped Sanity
Utilizing historical ignorance in horror fiction (Horror/Scary Newsletter - November 21, 2018)

Holidays ▼

"Happy Holidays?"  by Storm Machine
Remember to bring holidays to your world-building. (Fantasy Newsletter - December 25, 2013)
"Celebrations"  by Jay's debut novel is out now!
Ways to define experience-- tradition and cultural permutation. (Fantasy Newsletter - December 24, 2014)
"Creating a Holiday"  by Robert Waltz
All holidays started somewhere. (Fantasy Newsletter - November 23, 2016)
"A Holiday By Any Other Name"  by Andy~hating university
A look at the evolution of Halloween (Horror/Scary Newsletter - October 25, 2017)
"Feast or Fast"  by Robert Waltz
Commemorating the Past (Fantasy Newsletter - November 20, 2019)
"Action Sequences on New Year's Eve"  by Cinn
Utilizing the holiday to intensify the action (Action/Adventure Newsletter - December 30, 2015)
"The New Year Cometh"  by Prosperous Snow celebrating
Happy 2017 (Fantasy Newsletter - December 28, 2016)
"New Year's"  by Robert Waltz
Some alternative observations (Fantasy Newsletter - December 18, 2019)
"The Year of the Rat, 2020"  by Dawn Embers
Some aspects of the Chinese New Year and possible use for fantasy writing. (Fantasy Newsletter - January 29, 2020)
"Unloved"  by Robert Waltz
A Fantasy approach to Valentine's Day (Fantasy Newsletter - February 12, 2020)
"Murphy Foiled!"  by Fyn
Everything that can go wrong does... or does it? (For Authors Newsletter - October 18, 2017)
"On Weddings"  by NaNoKit
Vegas or the Grand Affair? How about something different? (Drama Newsletter - July 31, 2019)
"May Day"  by Fyn
My favorite month of the year! (For Authors Newsletter - May 4, 2016)
"Happy Birthday Writing.com"  by Prosperous Snow celebrating
Your central character and birthday celebrations or activities. (Fantasy Newsletter - September 6, 2017)
"Birthday customs around the world."  by Prosperous Snow celebrating
Happy Birthday Writing.com! (Fantasy Newsletter - September 4, 2019)
"Here Comes Peter Cottontail!"  by eyestar~*
Now where did that Easter Bunny come from? (Fantasy Newsletter - March 31, 2021)
"Samhain"  by Arakun the twisted raccoon
The origins of Halloween (Horror/Scary Newsletter - October 18, 2017)
"Samhain"  by Shannon
Samhain (Summer's End) is one of four Greater Sabbats, the highest holy day of witches (Spiritual Newsletter - October 28, 2015)
"BLACK FRIDAY"  by W.D.Wilcox
What happens to people when Black Friday comes along. (Horror/Scary Newsletter - November 30, 2016)
"Holiday Touches and Character Quirks"  by Dawn Embers
A few things about the holidays that can add a nice touch to character development in romance. (Romance/Love Newsletter - December 16, 2015)
"Thoughts on the Season"  by Fyn
Random Thoughts, Memories and Using Them in Writing (For Authors Newsletter - December 14, 2016)
"Observations: Tree Traditions"  by Fyn
Out and about to find that perfect tree, we saw SO much more! (Poetry Newsletter - November 28, 2018)
"Santa's Helper"  by Warped Sanity
You better be good or Santa will send his trusty friend Krampus. (Horror/Scary Newsletter - December 18, 2019)
"Christmas Ghosts"  by W.D.Wilcox
Christmas tales abound filled with shudders and screams and a multitude of spirited ghosties. (Horror/Scary Newsletter - December 22, 2021)

Language ▼

"Created Languages"  by Storm Machine
Also called Conlang. (Fantasy Newsletter - February 5, 2014)
"The Lost Letter"  by Robert Waltz
Our alphabet was different not so long ago. (Fantasy Newsletter - November 22, 2017)
"Realistic Dialogue"  [E] by Jeff
    How to write realistic dialogue.
"WANTED: CHARACTER VOICE"  by LJPC - the tortoise
How to write character voice and make it unique (Horror/Scary Newsletter - June 18, 2014)
"Communication in Fantasy Worlds"  by Dawn Embers
A brief look at how characters communicate in a fantasy story. (Fantasy Newsletter - April 1, 2015)
"Time for a Few Trivialities!"  by Fyn
Where DO they get those phrases from, anyway? (For Authors Newsletter - November 16, 2016)
"Like, Totally!"  by Max Griffin 🏳️‍🌈
English dialects and writing (For Authors Newsletter - July 27, 2022)
"Showcasing Worlds in Terms and Phrases"  by Dawn Embers
The little moments in dialogues and descriptions where characters can show the world they live within. (Fantasy Newsletter - August 16, 2017)
"A Blessing in Disguise"  by Leger~
A newsletter about idioms. (Short Stories Newsletter - April 29, 2020)
"Son of a ---!"  by Storm Machine
Digging into a created society's values by the words they choose. (Fantasy Newsletter - April 16, 2014)
"What's Okay?"  by THANKFUL SONALI Library Class!
A little word with big meanings. Different meanings, shallow and deep. Great potential for writers. (For Authors Newsletter - August 10, 2016)
"Drama, Politics and Words"  by NaNoKit
Words have power. The clearest example of this is, arguably, to be found in politics. (Drama Newsletter - May 10, 2017)
"Keeping Up With The Times"  by NaNoKit
As writers, we're supposed to keep up with the modern world. Sometimes, however, that's easier said than done... (Action/Adventure Newsletter - August 21, 2019)
"The Use of Language"  by THANKFUL SONALI Library Class!
Comparing the turn of phrase in two different languages. (Fantasy Newsletter - June 26, 2019)
"Greetings and Partings"  by Robert Waltz
Hellos, goodbyes, and other formalities (Fantasy Newsletter - December 19, 2018)
"Greetings!"  by Leger~
A brief article about the handshake. (Short Stories Newsletter - September 13, 2023)
"The Phatic Maxim"  by Max Griffin 🏳️‍🌈
Some conversations convey information; phatic conversation is information-free and serves to lubricate social exchange. (For Authors Newsletter - January 13, 2021)

Love & Romance ▼

"The Many Layers of Romance"  by Ẃeβ࿚ẂỉԎḈĥ
Romance and love can unfold in the most unusual ways ... (Romance/Love Newsletter - September 24, 2014)
"Romance for the Unromantic"  by Crys-not really here
What do you do if your character seems awkward and unromantic? (Romance/Love Newsletter - October 1, 2014)
"Padlocks of Love"  by StephBee
Padlocks are a popular way to express love around the world. (Romance/Love Newsletter - July 22, 2015)
"A Love of Touch or No Touchy?"  by Dawn Embers
A consideration of different comfort levels characters have when it comes to being touched by others. (Romance/Love Newsletter - November 18, 2015)
"Pink Hearts and Other Symbols of Romance"  by Dawn Embers
Valentine's Day approaches and with it is an increase in romantic symbols around, so we talk about some of them. (Romance/Love Newsletter - January 13, 2016)
"Love"  by Robert Waltz
Love in the Realms of Fantasy (Fantasy Newsletter - February 13, 2019)
"Unloved"  by Robert Waltz
A Fantasy approach to Valentine's Day (Fantasy Newsletter - February 12, 2020)

Magic ▼

"Magic (and Science)"  by Robert Waltz
Continuing the series on backstory and worldbuilding: discussing magic in a Fantasy setting. (Fantasy Newsletter - November 20, 2013)
"Magical Realism"  by Joy
Why you can believe in the magic inside Magical Realism (Drama Newsletter - September 16, 2015)
"When a Mage Has a Cold"  by Dawn Embers
A question of magic and illness along with how different characters might handle a simple cold. (Fantasy Newsletter - December 9, 2015)
"The Dramatic Journey of the Superhero"  by NaNoKit
The Superhero genre is not merely about big battles - the characters' internal journeys are just as important. (Drama Newsletter - August 3, 2016)

Mythology ▼

"World Building - Creation Mythology"  [E] by Jaren is Avarielle
    In the beginning... the people of your story developed a creation myth.
"Creation Myths"  by Prosperous Snow celebrating
Symbolic stories about how the world began. (Fantasy Newsletter - January 24, 2018)
"Truth or Myth of the Urban Legend"  by Kate - Writing & Reading
Truth in fiction or fiction of truth ~ the dynamic urban legend (Horror/Scary Newsletter - May 6, 2015)
"Urban Legends ~ Myth or Not"  by Kate - Writing & Reading
The truth or fiction (sometimes both) of the urban legend (Horror/Scary Newsletter - December 6, 2017)
"Slavic Mythical Creatures"  by ~Minja~
An insight into a few Slavic mythical creatures that shaped my childhood and a reading habit. (Fantasy Newsletter - January 8, 2020)
"The Nine Worlds in Norse Mythology"  by ~Minja~
Brief descriptions of homelands of various beings who lived there in the pre-Christian worldview of Norse people. (Fantasy Newsletter - September 16, 2020)
"Dance of the Druids"  by ~Minja~
A brief introduction to Druids. (Fantasy Newsletter - October 14, 2020)
"Santa's Helper"  by Warped Sanity
You better be good or Santa will send his trusty friend Krampus. (Horror/Scary Newsletter - December 18, 2019)
"Conspiracy Theories"  by Shannon
"Is something still considered a conspiracy if it's played out right under our noses?" ~ Moby (Short Stories Newsletter - April 15, 2020)
"Christmas Ghosts"  by W.D.Wilcox
Christmas tales abound filled with shudders and screams and a multitude of spirited ghosties. (Horror/Scary Newsletter - December 22, 2021)

Names ▼

"Naming Fantasy People and Places"  [E] by Ladyoz
    Do you have problems finding names for fantasy characters and/or places?
"What's in a Name?"  [E] by Osirantinous
    Written for The Art of Criticism Newsletter, Volume 8
"Naming Characters"  by LJPC - the tortoise
This newsletter has tips for naming characters. (Horror/Scary Newsletter - June 17, 2015)
"Character Introductions: What NOT to Do"  by Cinn
Tips for character introductions & examples of what not to do. (Action/Adventure Newsletter - April 27, 2016)
"Names"  by Robert Waltz
The Power of Names (Fantasy Newsletter - March 13, 2019)
"You got from where to where?"  by THANKFUL SONALI Library Class!
Leaping further than expected, to go beyond mere surprise. (Short Stories Newsletter - December 16, 2020)

Rituals ▼

"Time for a Few Trivialities!"  by Fyn
Where DO they get those phrases from, anyway? (For Authors Newsletter - November 16, 2016)
"Everyday life ... a story?"  by THANKFUL SONALI Library Class!
What is usual for one culture may be material for a story, for another. (Short Stories Newsletter - September 27, 2017)
"Culture and Adventure"  by THANKFUL SONALI Library Class!
There are some adventures that only arise in a particular cultural context. (Action/Adventure Newsletter - April 25, 2018)
"Fantasy Songs"  by ~Minja~
We're all just songs in the end. If we are lucky. ~Catelyn Stark, ASOIAF (Fantasy Newsletter - September 18, 2019)
"Tea"  by Robert Waltz
Some notes about a beverage (Fantasy Newsletter - July 29, 2020)
"Bread"  by Robert Waltz
It's more than just a food (Fantasy Newsletter - February 10, 2021)

Science ▼

"Realistic Explosives & Fire"  by Cinn
Explosions and fires add thrills to action stories... but only when the details are accurate. (Action/Adventure Newsletter - February 17, 2016)
"Handy Handedness"  by Leger~
Some fun facts about hand dominance. (Action/Adventure Newsletter - August 3, 2016)
"Water"  by Robert Waltz
The stuff of life (Fantasy Newsletter - August 31, 2016)
"Points of Minutiae"  by Shannon
The truth about forensic analysis (Short Stories Newsletter - September 6, 2017)
"Borrowing from Past Ignorance"  by Warped Sanity
Utilizing historical ignorance in horror fiction (Horror/Scary Newsletter - November 21, 2018)
"Getting It Wrong"  by Robert Waltz
Things that bug me every time I see them (Fantasy Newsletter - July 3, 2019)

Social Structures ▼

"The Thread of Importance in Fashion"  by Dawn Embers
A look at fashion and its use in fantasy stories with a novel example (Fantasy Newsletter - September 17, 2014)
"Money"  by Robert Waltz
The Medium of Exchange (Fantasy Newsletter - August 3, 2016)
"Taxes: Government Finances in Fantasy"  by Dawn Embers
The financial side of world building can be difficult for some, maybe even a little boring, but it is still important. (Fantasy Newsletter - April 19, 2023)
"The Fantasy Family Unit"  by Dawn Embers
A look at family members to consider including when writing speculative fiction. (Fantasy Newsletter - November 11, 2015)
"Kinsmen of the Primary Characters"  by Joy
Whether explosive or loving, how important are the family relationships to the main character? (Drama Newsletter - May 4, 2016)
"Specific Settings in Fantasy - The Woods"  by Dawn Embers
A series looking at specific settings often found in fantasy, first considering the use of woods and woodland areas. (Fantasy Newsletter - February 3, 2016)
"Friday Nights"  by Dawn Embers
Things that could happen on a Friday Night (Drama Newsletter - July 20, 2016)
"Particular Setting: Schools"  by Dawn Embers
A school is a common setting for fantasy novels, particularly those with young adult characters. (Fantasy Newsletter - December 4, 2019)
"Particular Setting: A Home"  by Dawn Embers
A glance into the home as a setting and some ideas where it might be important in world building. (Fantasy Newsletter - September 9, 2020)
"Writing Drama for Young Adults"  by NaNoKit
Writing drama for teenagers and young adults can be tricky, to say the least. But it can also be truly rewarding. (Drama Newsletter - March 16, 2016)
"Dance of the Druids"  by ~Minja~
A brief introduction to Druids. (Fantasy Newsletter - October 14, 2020)
"Stories of Independence"  by THANKFUL SONALI Library Class!
The Citizens' Archive of India shares living history -- each personal story contributing to the larger picture. (Short Stories Newsletter - July 4, 2018)
"The Power of Politics"  by NaNoKit
Politics is all around us. It affects our lives on a day-to-day basis. And it can inspire amazing drama stories. (Drama Newsletter - October 22, 2014)
"Politics Need Not Be Boring"  by Storm Machine
Every story has some political scene, whether it features prominently or not. (Action/Adventure Newsletter - February 10, 2016)
"The Not So Primitive People"  by Storm Machine
Civilized is less about technology than what people know. (Fantasy Newsletter - March 9, 2016)
"Drama, Politics and Words"  by NaNoKit
Words have power. The clearest example of this is, arguably, to be found in politics. (Drama Newsletter - May 10, 2017)
"Political Worlds in Fantasy and Voting"  by Dawn Embers
Looking into the politics of our fantastical worlds and considering the option to vote. (Fantasy Newsletter - August 12, 2020)
"Conspiracy Theories"  by Shannon
"Is something still considered a conspiracy if it's played out right under our noses?" ~ Moby (Short Stories Newsletter - April 15, 2020)
"Mass Psychogenic Illness"  by Shannon
“Guilt and hysteria. And at the bottom of it all, like an evil dragon, lies Fear.” ~ Henry Miller (Short Stories Newsletter - October 2, 2019)
"The Trouble With Legal Drama"  by NaNoKit
Is it possible to write legal drama when you do not know the law? (Drama Newsletter - January 27, 2016)
"Operation Underground Railroad"  by Shannon
Save the Children (Short Stories Newsletter - August 5, 2020)
"Fantasy Writing – Ships and Pirates "  [E] by A E Willcox
    Things to bear in mind when writing fantasy stories with nautical settings
"The Moms and Dads in Fantasy"  by Dawn Embers
A look at the use of parents as background or conflict in our fantasy stories. (Fantasy Newsletter - June 19, 2019)
"Our Orwellian Reality"  by Shannon
"When we shift our perception, our experience changes." ~ Lindsay Wagner (Short Stories Newsletter - June 12, 2019)
"Once Was"  by Fyn
Once upon a time, not all that long ago (For Authors Newsletter - February 6, 2019)
"On Freedom"  by NaNoKit
How free are you, truly? (Drama Newsletter - March 13, 2019)
"Independence Day"  by Robert Waltz
Notes on the Fourth of July (Fantasy Newsletter - July 4, 2018)
"The Drama of Authority"  by THANKFUL SONALI Library Class!
Who controls whom, and why? (Drama Newsletter - February 27, 2019)
"A Touch of Culture"  by NaNoKit
Sharing of our culture can bridge gaps and lessen division. (Drama Newsletter - January 16, 2019)
"Immigration in Fantasy"  by Dawn Embers
A look at the concept of immigration and how it can be used in Spec-Fic. (Fantasy Newsletter - December 5, 2018)

Specific Insights ▼

"A Love of Touch or No Touchy?"  by Dawn Embers
A consideration of different comfort levels characters have when it comes to being touched by others. (Romance/Love Newsletter - November 18, 2015)
" A Rose by Any Other Name"  by Shannon
What matters is what something is, not what it is called. (Short Stories Newsletter - November 4, 2015)
"Stereotypes in Fiction"  by NaNoKit
Do elves need a bow? Do dwarves need an axe? Do baddies need to be unattractive? Not really... (Fantasy Newsletter - January 20, 2016)
"Transgressions and Taboos"  by Shannon
Are you a fearless writer? (Short Stories Newsletter - June 15, 2016)
"People With Autism in Fiction"  by NaNoKit
There's been an increase in fictional characters with Autism. Sadly, they can be rather stereotypical... (Drama Newsletter - October 25, 2017)
"The Power of Seeing Yourself"  by Jay's debut novel is out now!
A little bit of memoir about how one little short story had a big impact on me. (Short Stories Newsletter - January 31, 2018)
"International Drama"  by NaNoKit
Have you ever written a piece that highlights aspects of your nation and culture? (Drama Newsletter - June 6, 2018)
"Culture and Adventure"  by THANKFUL SONALI Library Class!
There are some adventures that only arise in a particular cultural context. (Action/Adventure Newsletter - April 25, 2018)
"Culture and Adventure (Part #2)"  by THANKFUL SONALI Library Class!
More about culture and adventure, this time from a published book. (Action/Adventure Newsletter - May 23, 2018)
"Observations on the Felling of a Tree"  by Fyn
It was way more than the simple act of bringing down a tree. (For Authors Newsletter - April 9, 2014)
"Observations from Paradise"  by Fyn
New Cultures, new traditions, a lot to pack away for future reference! (For Authors Newsletter - March 8, 2017)
"The Road Less Traveled"  by ~Minja~
“Not all those who wander are lost.” – J.R.R. Tolkien (Fantasy Newsletter - July 24, 2019)
"Once Was"  by Fyn
Once upon a time, not all that long ago (For Authors Newsletter - February 6, 2019)

Storytelling ▼

"Truth or Myth of the Urban Legend"  by Kate - Writing & Reading
Truth in fiction or fiction of truth ~ the dynamic urban legend (Horror/Scary Newsletter - May 6, 2015)
"Urban Legends ~ Myth or Not"  by Kate - Writing & Reading
The truth or fiction (sometimes both) of the urban legend (Horror/Scary Newsletter - December 6, 2017)
"Face Looking. Sharing Stories in Person"  by THANKFUL SONALI Library Class!
Reviving an almost-forgotten art. (Short Stories Newsletter - August 31, 2016)
"The language and the culture"  by THANKFUL SONALI Library Class!
Some differences between audience-interaction in English and in Hindi. (For Authors Newsletter - April 19, 2017)
"Fantasy Songs"  by ~Minja~
We're all just songs in the end. If we are lucky. ~Catelyn Stark, ASOIAF (Fantasy Newsletter - September 18, 2019)
"Mass Psychogenic Illness"  by Shannon
“Guilt and hysteria. And at the bottom of it all, like an evil dragon, lies Fear.” ~ Henry Miller (Short Stories Newsletter - October 2, 2019)
"Conspiracy Theories"  by Shannon
"Is something still considered a conspiracy if it's played out right under our noses?" ~ Moby (Short Stories Newsletter - April 15, 2020)
"Christmas Ghosts"  by W.D.Wilcox
Christmas tales abound filled with shudders and screams and a multitude of spirited ghosties. (Horror/Scary Newsletter - December 22, 2021)

Superstition ▼

"Transgressions and Taboos"  by Shannon
Are you a fearless writer? (Short Stories Newsletter - June 15, 2016)
"Superstitious Horror"  by Creeper Of The Realm
Most believe that evil forces have something to do with superstitions but they write about it? (Horror/Scary Newsletter - August 31, 2016)
"Beware the evil eye"  by Arakun the twisted raccoon
The evil eye in horror (Horror/Scary Newsletter - August 16, 2023)
"Focus on Numbers in Writing"  by Dawn Embers
A look at some numbers and figures when writing spec-fic. (Fantasy Newsletter - November 9, 2016)
"Everyday life ... a story?"  by THANKFUL SONALI Library Class!
What is usual for one culture may be material for a story, for another. (Short Stories Newsletter - September 27, 2017)
"Symbols"  by Robert Waltz
Objects as metaphor (Fantasy Newsletter - May 8, 2019)

Technology ▼

"Magic (and Science)"  by Robert Waltz
Continuing the series on backstory and worldbuilding: discussing magic in a Fantasy setting. (Fantasy Newsletter - November 20, 2013)
"Communication in Fantasy Worlds"  by Dawn Embers
A brief look at how characters communicate in a fantasy story. (Fantasy Newsletter - April 1, 2015)
"The Not So Primitive People"  by Storm Machine
Civilized is less about technology than what people know. (Fantasy Newsletter - March 9, 2016)
"Some Tips for Crime/Mystery Writers"  by Vivian
Using details correctly adds to the writing of crime, mystery, suspense, or action manuscripts. (For Authors Newsletter - June 22, 2016)
"Points of Minutiae"  by Shannon
The truth about forensic analysis (Short Stories Newsletter - September 6, 2017)
"Borrowing from Past Ignorance"  by Warped Sanity
Utilizing historical ignorance in horror fiction (Horror/Scary Newsletter - November 21, 2018)
"Day Time"  by Robert Waltz
It's about time... (Fantasy Newsletter - June 5, 2019)
"Methods of Travel"  by Dawn Embers
Often characters need to travel in a story and they have options. (Fantasy Newsletter - May 22, 2019)

Authors to Follow ▼

"Newsletters by elfmage7 (Archives)" 
Dawn Embers regularly writes newsletters aimed at world building and provoking consideration of old tropes and fresh avenues.

"Newsletters by fyndorian (Archives)" 
Fyn 's Observations weave vivid scenes with the details picked out. These are worth a read as a reminder of the
little things that can make a character or scene feel real.

"Newsletters by arakun (Archives)" 
"Newsletters by cathartes02 (Archives)" 
"Newsletters by joycag (Archives)" 
"The Writing.Com Newsletter Archives" 
"Newsletters by mesonali (Archives)" 
"Newsletters by minja (Archives)" 
"Newsletters by nfdarbe (Archives)" 
"Newsletters by kittee (Archives)" 
"Newsletters by shannonchapel (Archives)"