The first rule of world-building is available physics, which basically means that if you want it to feel real, it has to follow the same rules as this world, from gravity to how human behaviour works. If you have a fantasy element that doesnt obey the laws of physics, make sure that it has a fantasy explanation.

Happy endings are a luxury of fiction



Great. She shook her head. Not only am I having conversations with myself, but now I'm refusing to talk to me. This has got to be the first sign of madness.

So what were you [Sonea] and Dorrien discussing before?' Akkarin asked. She turned to regard him. 'Discussing?' 'Outside the farmhouse when I was buying the food.' 'Oh. Then. Nothing.' He smiled and nodded. 'Nothing. Amazing subject, that one. Produces such fascinating reactions in people.

I wound up studying art and design, got a job at Lonely Planet Publications as a designer, cartographer and illustrator.

Better to know the quick pain of truth than the ongoing pain of a long-held false hope.

There's always a bit of truth in each rumour, the trouble is finding out which bit. - Tayend