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Realm Makers-- A Story Idea Engine


When I created my blog, I wanted it to be distinctly different from most author blogs. That's partially because I find stories more interesting than how stories are made, ideas more interesting than the people who think them up.

It's perhaps an unusual bias, one that might imply that I don't like or am not interested in people. But that's not true at all. I actually do enjoy the company of my fellow human beings, especially those that share with me an interest in speculative fiction storytelling as a Christian--or with a Christian twist--or from a Christian point of view.

In August of 2013 I attended the first Realm Makers conference, the first conference devoted specifically to Christian writers of speculative fiction. I had fun making new friends and meeting in person for the first time people I'd only known online, but more to the point, my conversations and interactions with fellow authors inspired and honed a number of the story ideas I'm so keenly interested in. I got a sense of what sorts of plots have been done and are being done. How can I improve some of the stories floating around my brain. What the prospects are for story media other than print. You could call the conference a "Story Idea Engine."


(The above photo has me seated as part of an author panel to the left of Bryan Davis with the microphone, author of the Raising Dragons series, Celesta Theissen is on his other side and Jeff Gerke and Morgan Busse are also in the pic.)

The Realm Makers 2014 conference on 30-31 May in Philadelphia is one I'm looking forward to attending. I in fact have the privilege to be one of the speakers, discussing the effects of danger/combat on characters both human and non-human. I'd love to inspire some unexpected story ideas. I'm sure other speakers will if I don't :)

I almost forgot to mention the key speaker will be best selling author Tosca Lee--whom I've only mentioned in this blog in a critical light (in regard to Demon a Memoir)--which might possibly prove to be interesting... Which of course has nothing to do with the fact that I'll be delighted to meet her.

If you're interested, check out the Real Maker's link. And the raffle html below this. :)

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