Quill&Steel Blog

When I started planning out my fantasy novel, I knew one of the most important aspects would be my magic system. Aside from the rules and consequences, I first had...

What is a beat sheet? It’s a plotting tool that helps you map out the key moments in your story so you don’t end up lost in dead-end subplots and worldbuilding...

I used to think writing a villain was simple. Then I actually started plotting a novel and realized… villains are some of the hardest characters to get right.  Heroes will...

I went down the rabbit hole of fantasy writing classes when I first started. Paid ones. Free ones. Courses, workshops, masterclasses—everything. Here’s where I landed: Nothing teaches you faster than...

Most new authors assume they need to finish their book before they can start building an audience. I get why... it feels safer to wait until you have something “real”...

If you’re looking for a clear, beginner-friendly hero’s journey template you can fill out for your own fantasy novel, you’re in the right place. Below, you’ll find a blank hero’s journey...

J.D. Evans didn’t set out to become one of the most beloved self-published romantasy authors. Before her award-winning novel, Reign and Ruin, from the Mages of the Wheel series, she...

When I was trying to figure out how to create a magic system for my novel, I didn't know where to begin. I thought about the magic systems from some...

Worldbuilding can get overwhelming fast. I’ve definitely gone down rabbit holes I did not need, and I know how easy it is to stay in planning mode instead of actually...