It only took 7 months, but at last: I’ve got a readable draft of the first Myth-Keepers book. Huzzah! As mentioned in my writing update from the beginning of the year, I revised The Myth-Keepers in an unusual way: I started at the end. I rewrote the third act of the novel, which amounted to …
Tag: novel
Novel-Writing Lessons From Video Games: Characters
Video games have some of the most iconic characters in all of storytelling: Mario and Luigi, Link, Zelda, Pikachu, Master Chief, Lara Croft, GLaDOS—and I could keep going. Many games have you make your own character, projecting a digital avatar of your choice (whether true to yourself or a projection of a role you’d like …
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Novel-Writing Lessons From Video Games: Introduction
The notion that video game storytelling can teach novel writers something is not a new concept to this blog. In the past, I’ve given mini-summaries of different tips I’ve picked up from playing some of my favorite Nintendo games, and I’ve discussed at length about the impact of Xenoblade Chronicles 3 on my own writing, …
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A Completed Draft 2: Writing Update May 2025
Huzzah, The Myth-Keepers Draft 2 is complete! This semester-long project has been an absolute delight to work on in the beginning part of 2025. I mostly kept up with my goal of revising 10 chapters each month, though that fell off in April entering into finals. However, the flexibility of May post-finals week allowed me …
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Reading Recap 2024
In 2024, I read 52 books across a wide range of genres and interests: fiction and nonfiction, fantasy and YA thriller, sci-fi and mystery, classics and writing advice—and more. I finally finished reading The History of Middle-earth series, a major achievement that took me about a decade. I also reread a few favorites, like Andrew …
Reading Recap 2022 – Part 2
Here we are: another year, another Reading Recap! Welcome to Part 2 of this year’s mini-book reviews of all the new fiction books I read. If you missed Part 1, read it here. Across 2022, including non-fiction and fiction, I read a total of 57 books. I don’t think I’ve reached that reading level since …
Writing Update October 2022
It has been a while since my last writing update, hasn’t it? While I aim to do these quarterly, to be honest… there hasn’t been much to update? I originally had this update on my calendar for July. Then I pushed it back to August. Then I just decided to scrap the summer update and …
Our Company of Fools: Sneak Peak!
Our Company of Fools is nearly here! In anticipation of the book’s release on January 4, 2021, I wanted to give you all an early Christmas gift – a brief teaser from the first chapter. Enjoy! ~ Our Company of Fools: Before A low growl pierces the dark of my sleep. My eyes open to …
Our Company of Fools Cover Reveal!
So excited to unveil the cover for Our Company of Fools today! The artist who brought the story of Fools to life through this incredible cover is Caleb Cole - go check him out at https://www.calebcole.art/ Now - without further ado, I present the cover of Our Company of Fools: Our Company of Fools releases …
By Madelynn Orion 