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The Worldbuilder’s Toolkit: Culture
Posted on August 2, 2024 Leave a Comment
Culture permeates every aspect of life and society, shaping values, behaviors, and interactions in profound ways. In fantasy and science fiction, expressing culture involves exploring the multifaceted impact it has on various aspects of life and society. From unique customs and traditions to distinct social structures and belief systems, cultures add depth and complexity to […]
The Writer’s Guide to Entering & Exiting a Harbor
Posted on December 22, 2023 Leave a Comment
Sailing ships entering and exiting harbors relied on a combination of wind power, currents, and manual labor. The techniques and procedures varied depending on the size of the ship, prevailing wind and tide conditions, and the design of the harbor. Here is a general overview of how sailing ships entered and exited harbors. As always, […]
Writer’s Deep Dive: Frigates
Posted on November 10, 2023 Leave a Comment
Unlike most of the other ships I have covered, the frigate was a warship first and foremost. Now, let’s dive in! The frigate was a full-rigged ship, built for speed and maneuverability, making it ideal for scouting, escorting, and patrolling. They could carry six months’ worth of stores, giving them a very long range. During […]
Posted on August 14, 2023 Leave a Comment
There are new things in the works. Keep an eye on this space.
Important Announcement
Posted on February 17, 2023 6 Comments
Dear Readers, I have made the difficult decision to put my blog and newsletter on hold for the foreseeable future. However, I will still be putting out my writing prompts every other Friday. I came to this choice after a lot of struggle and trepidation. I am so grateful for you. I read all your […]
The Writer’s Guide to Sails
Posted on January 20, 2023 4 Comments
The sails are the engine of every sailing vessel, since they are the primary source of propulsion. Humans have been catching the wind with sails for over 5,000 years. Although there have been advancements in materials and complexity of rigging, the concept remains the same. I covered the basics of sails in my The Writer’s […]
The Writer’s Guide to the Technology of Ships
Posted on December 9, 2022 1 Comment
Most people look at a sailing ship and don’t think of it as a piece of technology. But technology is “the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes,” according to the dictionary. Ship sails and hulls are the product of millennia of practical scientific application. If a hull has an incorrect shape, the ship won’t […]
The Writer’s Guide to Casting Metal
Posted on October 28, 2022 2 Comments
While blacksmithing may be the most well-known method of shaping metal, casting is a craft just as ancient. Casting can also produce intricate shapes that a blacksmith cannot match. Casting is commonly represented in fiction, especially in the “gearing up” scenes, although many of those scenes are inaccurate. As always, magic is the exception to […]
Rebecca Shedd - Author 