The Way of Kings Book Review
My review of Brandon Sanderson’s The Way of Kings, the first book in the Stormlight Archive
The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England Book Review
My book review of one of Brandon Sanderson’s Secret Novels
Character Spotlight: Cadmus Brand
Meet Cadmus Brand, the gladiator who is the last remaining magic-wielder in Muspelheim and the main character of Muspell’s Sons!
Forged in the brutal arenas of Muspelheim, Brand is more than just a warrior—he’s a spark of rebellion in a world dominated by the demonic kashmari.
Brand must rise as a hero…or watch his people die.
The Seventh Tower Series Book Review
My book review of The Seventh Tower series by Garth Nix
Making a Mess with Papers – Rift War Chronicles: Muspelheim Book 2 Edition
Jillian Jacobs celebrates the completion of “The Shackles of a Mountain Lord” by imitating a tradition inspired by Brandon Sanderson’s team, where they toss final drafts down the stairs. This fun and cathartic release marks the end of a long writing journey, and the author intends to continue the tradition for future books.
What’s Next? Looking Ahead
Now that I’ve published my second Realm War Chronicles book, I have several other writing projects I’d like to get started on.
6 Clichés in Fantasy and How to Avoid Them
Fantasy tropes, while familiar, can become clichéd if overused, leading to boredom among readers. Key clichés include “The Chosen One,” “The Evil Dark Lord,” “The Magical Artifact Quest,” overused races like elves and dwarves, “The Farm Boy Hero,” and “The Wise Old Mentor.” Writers should reimagine or avoid these to create fresh, engaging stories.
Behind the Scenes: Aeolian Dunes
The Aeolian Dunes of Muspelheim were inspired by the gypsum sand dunes at White Sands National Park in New Mexico.
Changed Release Dates
I had originally planned on releasing The Shackles of a Mountain Lord on October 1, but I’m pushing it back to October 31 so that I have a bit more time for edits. I left myself about a month to work on my final draft, and I’ve been making good time. Currently, I am about…
My Writing Companions
Now that all my kids are in school, I have all the time in the world to write! Right? Well, ok, maybe not quite. But the house is blessedly quiet for a few hours a day now. I’m not alone, though. Like a witch with her animal familiars, I have a few critters that keep…