JC Bybee

An interesting problem I’ve run into as a writer is where to build dramatic tension.   Often in works of fantasy writers like to use the duel as a place to build suspense, or to throw in spontaneous witticisms to help with character development.   For me, personally, the duel is a terrible place for this.   The reason I say that is because I’m a practitioner of Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA).   This is a rather broad classification used to cover a wide range of fighting styles used throughout Europe.   My group, Medieval and Renaissance Swordsmanship (MARS), focuses on swordsmanship of late Medieval and early Renaissance masters.   As a result of this study I’ve learned that duels last about ten seconds.   Not really enough time to dispense plot development. Another side benefit is I’ve learned that using wooden swords as a training tools, as is often the case in the media, is a terrible idea.   I won’t go into specifics right now, but suffice it to say that a blunted

Okay so I took a couple of weeks off.   It’s been a little rough in the Bybee household.   Anyway this week I’m taking a look at something that I’ve been interested in for years, but I’ve never had the time/motivation/guts to do it; game creation. Those who know me know that I’m a fan of table top role-playing games (RPG).   I’ve played in a few different systems from classics like Dungeons and Dragons to newer systems.   I’ve enjoyed most of them.   Some more than others.   In the few years I’ve been gaming I’ve come to learn that no system is perfect.   They are all good, but some have their flaws. The one that everyone likes to pick on is Dungeons and Dragons 3.5 edition.   This was the system that I started with.   I enjoy 3.5, I know it has its flaws, but it’s a good solid system.   In my opinion (and yes this is an opinion ) its major flaw is it is too easy to exploit.   With the right mindset and books you can create stupidly powerful characters that throw off the g

I know I missed last week.   The joys of having an infant who is teething.   Anyway this week I’m going to talk about the importance of peer review. Currently I’m part of a small writer’s group.   There are only three of us that meet with any kind of regularity.   We all have varied styles and ideas.   One is an avid writer of fan fiction, the other is just starting to get back into writing after some discouragement.   We all bring different things to the table, which is why we work well as a group, at least in my mind. Now for a little about myself.   I don’t handle criticism of any kind very well.   And it’s not that I think I’m a perfect writer.   I’m not.   In fact one of the members of my writer’s group bought me a necklace with the coma key on a chain to help me remember that “comas are key”…   Part of the problem stems back to not getting enough criticism as a beginning writer.   Let’s face it most middle school and high school English teachers are more focused on g