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Writer or Author?

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

I recently shared with someone that I am a writer, but as I drove home I asked myself if I really understood the difference between being a writer and an author. I decided to find out. 

I discovered that although the words might be used interchangeably, they really are different.

An author creates the idea or content of what is being written, whereas a writer uses someone else’s ideas.

But, it is not that simple because a writer can be an author if  he/she is expressing his own thoughts or ideas.

And there’s more.

As pertaining to writing books, if you develop the plot and write your own ideas, you will be known as the author only when it is published. 

Even if you write A LOT, but never get anything published, you will be known as a writer—and there’s no shame in that. Lots of good work, great ideas, and a wealth of information/enjoyment comes from writers. 

But, if you do have aspirations of being an author, follow these 2 steps:

  1. Write, using your own ideas.
  2. Publish your work.

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Fantastical Fantasy

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

I write Fiction; not Fantasy.

However, I thought I’d try my hand at it. Throw caution to the wind and let myself create. No rules. Simply write with abandon.

Or so I thought.

But I found that creating new imagined worlds can be daunting.

In the course of just one afternoon, here are three things I learned:

  1. The new world in a fantasy can be done most easily by thinking of our present world and changing just one thing. How about a world where one can speak things into existence?

2. Build your characters’ stories around behaviors that will make your imagined world captivating and believable.

When readers allow themselves to live within an imaginary world, improbable events can seem probable.

3. Be consistent within your story. If your character can speak things into being, don’t have him cower in the shadows when faced with an enemy. Why not have him create a powerful weapon just by speaking?

Please share something you’ve learned about writing Fantasy.