Tales From the Grimdark Side… 😈
Pregnancy in the Grimdark
Like a lot of writers, I have tons of random interests and a head full of useless facts. One of those is Egyptology. It’s given me a lot of fodder for the grimdark stories I weave, from priesthoods and monarchiesContinue reading “Pregnancy in the Grimdark”
Viva La Resistance in the Grimdark
Resistance and rebellions in the grimdark aren’t an episode of Star Wars. There may be plucky teenagers who blow up important military bases, and those bases might be able to destroy whole planets, but unlike the Rebels in Star Wars,Continue reading “Viva La Resistance in the Grimdark”
Why People Read Dark Fantasy
What do you read when you’re tired of all the bright, happy stuff? When you’re tired of everything going as it should for the chosen one, the hero saving the day, and everything rainbows and butterflies and unicorns? What doContinue reading “Why People Read Dark Fantasy”
Women in the Grimdark: Surviving a Cruel World
In a world where might makes right, you’d expect the protagonist to survive if he’s brawny, muscular, and can outfight and out-Machiavelli his opponents. But … what if the protagonist isn’t a brawny beefcake that can cleave anyone in twainContinue reading “Women in the Grimdark: Surviving a Cruel World”
Daddy Issues in the Grimdark
Merry Paternal Unit’s Day weekend! Get your dad a pen and a tie or bake him that cake he demands every year, or else… Anyhoo, today’s a great time to talk about fathers in the grimdark. There’s a plethora ofContinue reading “Daddy Issues in the Grimdark”
Weird Real, Grimdark Schools
If you like to escape by jumping headfirst into a dark fantasy read, you’ll know that your trip to faraway lands is always too short. Far sooner than you’d like, you’re back to the prosaic reality of dishes in theContinue reading “Weird Real, Grimdark Schools”
Real Faeries Are Grimdark
There’s a reason the Irish curse the “fucking Fairies” under their breath. Forget everything Disney told you about these creatures. Human treasures are not what fae value. They don’t grant wishes (at least, not for cheap) and they don’t serenadeContinue reading “Real Faeries Are Grimdark”
Smackdown: Grimdark vs Horror–Is There a Difference?
“Ernest Hemmingway once said: ‘The world is a good place, and worth fighting for.’ I agree with the second part.” William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) in Se7en The last line of this horror movie, in my humble opinion, can sum upContinue reading “Smackdown: Grimdark vs Horror–Is There a Difference?”
Trust in the Grimdark
There are neither traditional heroes nor villains in the grimdark. One-dimensional bad guys are boring in any genre. Forget one-dimensional good guys. No one buys pure heroes anymore, and the grimdark tends to chew honorable actors up and spit themContinue reading “Trust in the Grimdark”
St. Olga: Saint of Revenge
Well, goddess would be a stretch. But close. She’s a patron saint, and she kicks ass. If there were any patron saints right now that I’d ascend from canonization to godhood, it would be her. And my spiritual little heartContinue reading “St. Olga: Saint of Revenge”
Heaven or Hell: The Afterlife in Grimdark Fantasy
“Dearly beloved, we’re gathered here today to get through this thing called life.” In the words of Prince, I think that’s why we read. Or write or do anything that sparks joy because at the heart of it, life sucksContinue reading “Heaven or Hell: The Afterlife in Grimdark Fantasy”
Beyond Lovable Rogues: Making Evil Characters Likable
It’s delicious as hell to root for a wicked character. That’s why the lovable rogue archetype lives on in literature and pop culture, from Han Solo to Aladdin. It’s fun to break the rules once and a while. Add aContinue reading “Beyond Lovable Rogues: Making Evil Characters Likable”
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Terrible things always happen in between heartbeats.
Love is never dead if you’re a necromancer.