Recent content by ZanderDander

There's a certain cheesiness that I adore with yelling out special attacks and spells. I prefer when there is a reason to do it in universe and isn't just because, though. Like there being a somatic requirement for magic, strengthening the effect, or it being the way to activate abilities. As...

Make them genuine. People can tell when characters are just hollow shells filled with whatever the creator(s) think will make them more popular. No amount of surface level qualities can substitute a character written with heart. If you can make people empathize, you'll have them going 'he's just...

I like it when authors get pulled into their stories as characters themselves (Separate from the person who is actually writing the story). I am also biased since I am writing this exact thing myself.

This is the correct answer for planned stories. You won't have issues seeing it coming if you have everything outlined beforehand. When you don't have the benefit of this and you're pantsing it, there is one thing to keep in mind: Powercreep goes hand in hand with your badguys. Protagonists...