Ooh, yay, one of my favorite topics. (Seriously).

( Over the river and through the woods to the ruler’s house we go… )

That was fun.

As promised.

( There is no reason a council scene shouldn't be as exciting as a battle )

Next rant is on how to plot, I think.

Well, this is somewhat later than I promised, but here goes.

( Calling somewhat brighter rebels than normal )

Given how many possibilities stories focused on rebellions offer, I don’t know why so many people manage to shipwreck them.

This is a subject that’s rather been on my mind lately, since I wrote one rebel hero and, in my current novel, a woman who wishes the rebels and the status quo would all just get drowned together (in the immortal words of Mark Twain about James Fenimore Cooper’s characters). The vast majority of fantasies are about people rebelling against an evil overlord or a usurper or some aspect of the world as it is. So here are ways that I think they should be handled, combined with irritations about the way they often are handled.

( Bright rebels and stupid ones- there should be a difference )

A second part on this tomorrow. I have a lot to babble about on it.

Inspired by too much reading of grand court scenes, and mutters to myself of, "How would that work?"

( If you're going to stand on ceremony, make sure the footing is firm )

Might do something on hunting tomorrow. Too many fantasy heroes are perfect masters of the hunt the first time around.

Because, why not?

Random Superstition of the Day: Cats were once believed to lie on top of babies and suck the breath out of them. One of the many, many reasons that cats were killed and burned alive during the Middle Ages.

( Politics and diplomacy )

Just several ideas to play with.

For personal reasons, I've decided to go friends-only on most entries for a while. However, the rants will remain public.

Some lines from Swinburne appropriate to what I'm feeling today. "Dolores," again.

In yesterday's reach and to-morrow's,
Out of sight though they lie of to-day,
There have been and there yet shall be sorrows
That smite not and bite not in play.
The life and the love thou despisest,
These hurt us indeed, and in vain,
O wise among women, and wisest,
Our Lady of Pain.

I am so going to write a story based on the Dolores worship Swinburne describes.

( Intrigues, and the things that mess them up in fantasy novels )

Shorter than usual. Let me know if you can think of anything to add.