Recent content by wino

It's because most "elves" are pretty much a carbon copy of Tolkien's elves which makes them boring and predictable. Why would I want to read about your second rate elves when I can just go read the LOTR? There are much more interesting mythical creatures that are rarely seen in fantasy...

I would call it the pseudo strong female character. The Anita Blake series is a perfect example of a terrible "strong" female character. Ughh.

History is written by the winners. I'm sure making Hitler more "human" would upset a lot of people, but that's why it would be fun.

So what's the controversy?

As long as you know that doing so will make him a very unlikeable character that is hard to sympathize with, then it's your choice. Personally, I don't think it's a good idea to start your MC off so negatively, before the reader has had a chance to "bond" with them.

I like the correlations it has with many of the current world powers. Maybe make them less overt, though, to keep readers immersed in your story. I want to know why they're fighting though. Is it because of a magical fluid substance?:D

I don't think you need to do "fluff" but you need to show some dynamic between them and how they relate to each other. For example, C is the hot headed one who ends up provoking the black elves. Maybe L tries to save him and ends up being wounded instead and C feels immense guilt for this...

Well then I see another problem. What would compell a reader to continue reading a story where the MC is an obviously awful person in the beginning? I don't think it's important that readers need to feel empathy for L but rather they should feel the MC's loss of his best friend. If the MC is...

I find the whole premise to be a bit confusing. So L is C's best friend and they're fighting the black elves. L is wounded by the black elves and dies. C is mad at the healer for not being able to save L. Did I get that right? Why is it so important that the healer is blamed for L's...

Who is Lar?

I think that if you have a story that is compelling, then the world will unfold as you tell the story. What's the point of having a great world when you have a mediocre story? I guess everyone's brain is wired differently because I can't imagine creating a world first and then plopping in a...

I would try using different races unless you can make dwarves and elves unique to you. They're both overused and predictable.

Orphan becomes king because he saved everyone.

Why not make special things that can only be found in certain places? For example: -A dragon scale. (fight a dragon to get the scale) -A mermaid hair (go under the sea) -A winter rose (grows on top of the tallest mountain in your world)

I would have to say that mediocre writing + excellent world building trumps great writing skills but little imagination. Good writing can be learned but imagination can't be learned.