Tag Archives: Kate G Jameson

6 Essential Questions for Building a Magic System

World-building is one of my favorite parts of writing (and DMing – insert shameless plug for my new podcast style YouTube channel about D&D and storytelling). As a fantasy writer, one of my biggest challenges (but one I enjoy immensely, make no mistake) is creating magic systems. There are a lot of really great resourcesContinue reading “6 Essential Questions for Building a Magic System”

Channel Launch: The Mightier Pen

Surprise! I’ve been working on a secret project for a few months now, and it’s finally launched! It’s a new YouTube channel where I upload podcast-style videos exploring storytelling in D&D. If that sort of thing interests you, subscribe to the channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MightierPenDND. Until next time, word nerds!

4 Summer Fairy Tale Reads (and 4 on My TBR List)

Summer is the perfect time to kick back, soak up some sunshine, and relax with a refreshing drink and a good book (but then again, I feel the same way about curling up under a blanket with a hot drink in the winter, so I guess I just think any time is good time toContinue reading “4 Summer Fairy Tale Reads (and 4 on My TBR List)”

Beyond the Page: 6 Fairy Tale Movies I Love

I have always been a bookworm, but when I think about what sparked my love of fairy tales, it’s not books that come to mind – it’s movies. I grew up on Disney VHS tapes, recorded movie musicals, and videos rented from a store or borrowed from the local library. And a large number ofContinue reading “Beyond the Page: 6 Fairy Tale Movies I Love”

A Hero or Villain?

Dear Fairy Godmother, My older brother is my hero. I’ve always looked up to him and tried to emulate the things he does. But recently, he did something that I just can’t seem to get past. I don’t want to go into detail, but to me, it seemed more like the action of a villain,Continue reading “A Hero or Villain?”

Tricksters: Chaos, Cleverness, and Change in Myth and Modern Story

What do rabbits, spiders, and fairies have in common? If you answered that they’re all associated with the trickster archetype in literature and folklore, then hypothetical cookies for you (or some other imaginary treat of your choice)!

Fairy Tale Facts: Jack and the Beanstalk

There are some fairy tale images that just stick with you. A glass slipper alone on a staircase. An isolated tower with braided hair hanging out the window. A castle surrounded by thorny vines. A rose with falling petals. A magic mirror and a poisoned apple. A giant beanstalk stretching through the clouds.

How to Write Your Werewolf

There’s a sort of subset of fantasy that we call “supernatural” or “paranormal”. This subgenre features magic like fantasy does, but generally in a more contemporary (and often spookier) setting. In it, we see things like vampires, ghosts, and today’s topic: werewolves. Werewolves are a staple of paranormal and horror stories, but there’s room forContinue reading “How to Write Your Werewolf”