Andrew Moore's Blog, page 91

The Big Question About Submarine Fantasy

Should people have big fishbowl helmets so it's like old scifi, or not? I think probably not. They should be equipped with sharksuits.

Try Not to Cry for Joy When You Read This

Submarine Fantasy

Alternative Titles

Tired of lords, dukes, and space dukes? Try some of these suggestions!

Companion
Upman
Rightman
Leftman
Managist
Brudder
Overguy
Leado
Firsted
Hosterior
Winner
Vigiloso
Plateman
Diceholder
Favorack

The Never-Ending Search for Better Words

Don't: Crimson
Do: Red-red
Don't: Quotidian
Do: Sunishly
Don't: Sword
Do: Edge of Justice

We May Begin to Suspect Magic Is Dumb

Dofdara University, in association with Tansok University, Meifol University, Ogradis Academy, and the municipal governments of Geffara, Ushta City, Lorashta, and Ewod and with both permission and financial assistance from the Crown, is again offering a grant to support promising research intended to develop a new (currently unknown) type of magic.
Previous grants have resulted in magic such as Charged Inferno, Crystal Storm, and Summon Giga-Dragon. We are proud of the contribution our grants have made to magical research in the past and intend to continue pushing forward the limits of magic.
However, we find ourselves in the position of being required to add a restriction to the range of magic we hope to fund. That is, NO MAGIC THAT ONLY ADVENTURERS CAN USE. Come up with something to repair the damage done by giga-dragons or something. We're begging you. Just one. There are enough ways to kill people already.
Finis

We May Being to Suspect Magic Is Dumb

Dofdara University, in association with Tansok University, Meifol University, Ogradis Academy, and the municipal governments of Geffara, Ushta City, Lorashta, and Ewod and with both permission and financial assistance from the Crown, is again offering a grant to support promising research intended to develop a new (currently unknown) type of magic.
Previous grants have resulted in magic such as Charged Inferno, Crystal Storm, and Summon Giga-Dragon. We are proud of the contribution our grants have made to magical research in the past and intend to continue pushing forward the limits of magic.
However, we find ourselves in the position of being required to add a restriction to the range of magic we hope to fund. That is, NO MAGIC THAT ONLY ADVENTURERS CAN USE. Come up with something to repair the damage done by giga-dragons or something. We're begging you. Just one. There are enough ways to kill people already.
Finis

April Fool's Day

Don't forget to put dumb traditions in your story. Inside-out clothes day, no hat day, hat day, a day when you're allowed to wear more colors than people of your status typically are, that sort of thing. The important thing is that everyone inside the culture thinks it's normal.

Addendum

World War III? Ha ha, what a joker you've always been.

The Qualifications for Alternative History

The Nazis won or will win World War II, although it can be World War I or IV if you want.

The Qualifications for Fantasy

You can't call it psionics.