Tag: Brandon Sanderson

Updates, giveaways and kittens!

by dmcain84, posted in authors, blog, books, fantasy, fiction, giveaway, immersive fantasy fiction, novels, Sword and sorcery, The Light and Shadow Chronicles

Hello everybody. It’s been a long while!

I’ve been reading lots and lots (mostly fantasy or crime thrillers) and I’m finding new authors I LOVE. Recently, it’s been Brandon Sanderson and CJ Tudor all the way for me. (If you’re a Brandon fan too, check out the amazing giveaway below!). I’ve set up a new instagram profile where I share the books I’m reading and post reviews.

Check it out here: https://www.instagram.com/dmcainreviews/

Lockdown was a stressful time all round for everybody. Trapped in the house, unable to see friends and family, kids going crazier day by day (we haven’t even got a garden so it was hard work entertaining them!). Then I contracted COVID myself and spent a few days ill in bed. Things were just returning to normal when my son then tested positive too. ARGHHHHHH! Luckily, he was fine and had no symptoms at all so everything has returned to normal now.

In other news, I’ve started a new job working in a High School as a special educational needs tutor. I absolutely love it. It’s such a rewarding job and the kids are just great. 

I’ve saved the best news till last. Over the lockdown, we took in a little kitten that had been found alone and tattered in the woods. The plan was to nurse her back to health and then sell her on, but we fell head over heels in love with her, so she has now joined our troupe – making it 4 cats in our house! 

Here she is, stunning little Murphy:

What am I currently working on?

The Sins of Silas

This project has been riddled with issues from day one and it’s a (very slow) work in progress. I started writing the book, and during the process I undertook numerous writing courses and read books about writing. My writing style changed and so did what I wanted to include in the book. This has meant extensive rewrites and edits. It’s been hard work. My fantastic beta readers have been sending me their comments too, which helps me to fix things along the way. When it is finally finished, it has the potential to be the best of the series. I just don’t know when it’ll be ready!

Things I’m enjoying about it: Spending time with Silas and his buddies is a lot of fun. Silas is an interesting character to write and I love the world-building element to this novel.


Things I’m hating about it: Having to fix problems with the plot and character development and not knowing how to do it believably and ensuring I cover my tracks!

The Ballad of Benedict

This project, though started after The Sins of Silas was finished, will probably be ready for publication first. Again, I really enjoyed writing this one. As with the earlier instalment in the series, A Chronicle of Chaos, this one features dual points of view. It follows two main characters alongside one another and both are interesting to write, as they are so different to one another. We follow Benedict Thialdor – an ambassador from the Children of Light, sent to live in a completely new location, and Favian – an orphaned boy with an unusual power and a domineering mentor. 

Things I’m enjoying about it: The secondary characters are great fun to write in this book. Benedict has an interesting best friend, plus a ‘pet’ who goes everywhere with him (I’m not giving up anymore than that just yet!)


Things I’m not enjoying about it: Not having enough time to power through and immerse myself in the writing process fully. I always do better when I can throw everything into it, and at the moment I’m only getting time here and there to write. 

Have I got an amazing opportunity for you! A Brandon Sanderson giveaway!

Follow some amazing authors across the web and enter to win a Mistborn 3-book box set, The Stormlight Archive 3-book box set, and Arcanum Unbounded, plus, a Mistborn adventure game, a Kaladin Stormblessed jigsaw puzzle, a Mistborn art print, a Knights Radiant Order display disk, two Coins of Elendel, a Stormlight Archive mug, a Survivor of Hathsin candle, and a Rhythm of War sticker pack!

The more tasks you perform, the more chances you have to win!

Special Abilities in Film and Literature

by dmcain84, posted in epic, fantasy, fiction, Film, geek culture, immersive fantasy fiction, Marvel, movies, novels, science fiction, Superheroes, Sword and sorcery

A guest post from ericuseshiswords. Find him on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram for more great content.

In the majority of fictional worlds we consume, we see people who are different than those around them. Harry Potter was a wizard living amongst muggles. Gandalf has lived for thousands of years, using his fantastical abilities to great effect.

As you can probably tell, many special powers come down to simply “magic”. Someone was born a witch or wizard or with the gift of flight or whatever it may be, and that’s that.

But if this is overdone, how can a potential author separate themself from the crowd. How can you make your characters special without simply giving them an overused magical quality and a weak explanation?

Simply put, you need to make the special abilities in your world unique. Create a backstory that goes deeper than “He is magical because I SAY he is magical!” Now more than ever, readers and viewers want to dive deep into fantasy worlds, and creating a unique reason for special abilities helps them do just that.

Let’s take a look at a few samples.

X-MEN: Genetic Mutations

Wolverine heals and has blade-like claws sprout from his hands-on command. Cyclops fires beams from his eyes. Jean Grey controls things with her mind. Each character has a unique special ability, but each ability is tied to a common cause: freak genetic mutations.

So-called mutants have mutations in their genetic code that give them radical powers; but, like most mutations, these also come with downsides. Wolverine feels the pain every time those claws come out. Cyclops needs special glasses to hold in his beams.

By giving them a scientific backing, the X-Men went from simply being superheroes to being a unique relative, the Mutants.

The Stormlight Archives

Written by Brandon Sanderson, the Stormlight Archives are set in a mystical world much like Middle Earth. Highstorms sweep through the land with mystical energies swirling around in them. The rich and powerful own shardplate and shardblades, powerful pieces of armor and weaponry that charge through the highstorms.

Likewise, Surgebinders are the closest there comes to magicians in this fantasy world. They can bind different ‘systems’ – such as gravity and adhesion – and manipulate them. Users do this through binding with a spren, a small mystical creature. Like shardplate, Surgebinders need to recharge in highstorms.

By creating a storm system that really fuels almost everything mystical in the Stormlight world, Sanderson thought up a unique way of giving his characters special abilities.

Star Wars – Jedi/Sith Abilities

Although it annoyed a lot of fans in the process, the Force got an explanation. Midi-chlorians  – microscopic organisms  – live in every race in the galaxy and give them the powers of the force. Some people have more, some people have less.

From there, through focus and meditation, users can increase the potency of the Midi-chlorians, therefore increasing their powers.

All three of these are great examples of different ways to introduce magical powers into your universe. People latch onto unique ideas, so if you can discover a different approach to what you want to achieve, you’re on your way to success.

What are your favourite uses of power or ability in film or literature? Comment below or message me with your ideas!

RELATED LINKS:

Worldbuilding – Meraxor

How Brandon Sanderson helped me with my writing

Brandon Sanderson on writing

How Brandon Sanderson changed my outlook on writing

by dmcain84, posted in amwriting, Worldbuilding, writing, writing craft

I recently read a great piece of advice from one of my favourite authors, Brandon Sanderson, and it has completely revolutionized the way I look at my work. He said that you shouldn’t aim to be an author who wrote a great book, you should aim to be a great author.

I took this to mean that you should nurture yourself as a writer, put time and effort into your craft and your personal development, as you would undergo training and professional development in any career. Because of this, I am now putting a lot of time and effort into improving my craft. I am taking courses on worldbuilding, character development and writing dialogue, as well as closely studying some of the greatest authors I know (Sanderson’s courses and advice being the main source of knowledge!). And I’m loving it! I’m already changing the way I write and altering my perspective on building a series.

Brandon Sanderson writing advice quote

So, I want to know, which authors have inspired or motivated you? Who has given good advice or tips to help you develop your craft?