Winter is the best time to curl up with a book. Something about the cold nights, the actual need for a cozy blanket, and the quietness of winter evenings, especially those laden with snow, sets the scene for imagination to take flight. Reading books set in a wintry landscape during winter is even better. The environment not only sets the scene in your imagination but also offers a fresh experience in the cold winter air. If you are dying to curl up with a good wintery book, h

Writing villains can be a blast! The villain is one of the main elements of many stories that helps propel the protagonist into and through their journey. I prefer stories with a clear distinction between good and evil, but individual characters often have elements of both that they struggle with throughout the story. Villains are the same. Whether they completely buy into evil or get redeemed in the end, villains are people too and are fraught with flaws and failings. Over t

Books have been around for thousands of years. Over those many, many years, stories have changed as the world has changed. However, finding inspiration for new stories can still be hard. We often seek original ideas. But occasionally, retellings are a great option. Not remakes, but retellings; stories that are inspired by great tales of the past. If you are a writer looking for inspiration for your next fantasy novel, here are four books from the past that deserve a modern fa