Dan Hanly

“I wish my book community wasn’t so political…”

Nov 13, 2024

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Are books truly apolitical? Delve into the controversial debate surrounding the political nature of literature and why it matters.

WritIng A Captivating Short Story: the Art of Storytelling Within A Word Count

Nov 6, 2024

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Dan Hanly

Unlock the secrets to writing a compelling short story or flash fiction that will leave your readers spellbound. In the realm of fantasy writing, where intricate worlds and epic sagas often unfold across countless pages, the art of crafting a captivating short story holds a unique allure. With a limited word count, every sentence, every…

Wrangling Your First Draft: Embracing Revisions

Nov 1, 2024

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Dan Hanly

Conquer first draft fear! This guide explores why initial drafts are always rough and provides practical tips for embracing revision and transforming your writing from “meh” to “marvellous”.

Conquering Fear: Driving Character Development with fear

Oct 28, 2024

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Dan Hanly

Fear. It’s a primal emotion that grips us all, from the bravest warrior to the meekest villager. As we approach halloween, I’ve been spending a lot of time trying to understand this emotion, and how it can influence us, both in terms of characters within a story, and within our real lives. So, to address…

Tightening the Screws: Building Tension In Dark Fantasy

Oct 27, 2024

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Dan Hanly

7 secrets to writing terrifyingly tense dark fantasy. Uncover the tools of tension, dread, suspense, and psychological horror. Leave your readers gasping for more…

Beyond the Scars: Why Trauma Matters in Fantasy

Oct 23, 2024

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Dan Hanly

The most impactful fantasy stories are those that resonate with the human experience, even in their fantastical elements.

Where Shadows Dance: Exploring the Overlap of Horror and Fantasy

Oct 23, 2024

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Dan Hanly

As a fantasy author, I’m sometimes asked about the influences that shape my work. While Tolkien, Jordan and Sanderson certainly hold places of honor on my bookshelf, there’s another, perhaps unexpected, genre that whispers darkly in my ear: horror. Horrifying Fantasy For some, the pairing might seem jarring. Fantasy, with its sweeping epics and heroic…

A Broken Mind – An ADHD Diagnosis as an Adult

Oct 18, 2024

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Dan Hanly

My mind isn’t broken, I have ADHD, it just works a little differently. My diagnosis has caused me to learn so much about myself, and I hope my advice can help you, in turn.