Plot Points #6: March

Welcome to Plot Points, where I share fantasy-related media, books, non-fiction pieces, and various forms of entertainment that have caught my attention for one reason or another. If I share them here, know that I think they’re worthy of note. 

I’m always open to recommendations, so if there’s something fantasy-related (this includes books, podcasts, videos, artwork, games, music, video channels, newsletters, and magazines) that you think I should know about, drop me a line. I’ll make sure to give you a shoutout in the next issue of Plot Points, too!

First off, let me apologize for the late release of March’s episode. Unexpected parental medical issues have thrown everything into chaos. Here, finally, is March’s issue of Plot Points.

Many thanks to: 

• Elnora Fareman for her recommendation of Marie-Louise von Franz 

• Stace Dumoski for her recommendation of Dr. Sharon Blackie 

• The Brothers Krynn for their recommendations of Josh Tatter, and AJ Stevens

• T.J. Fisher for their recommendation of “Marrow & Soul”

• Sue Bonnick for her recommendation of Sarah J Maas

• Karen F. Williams for her recommendation of “Fire Weather” by John Valiant (although not fantasy, I’ll read it anyway!)

• Kristine Kathryn Rusch for her recommendation of “The Spare Man”

Did you hear about the fighter who broke apart his armor and sent it to ten friends? 

It was chain mail

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Non-Fiction (Articles, Newsletters, Books, etc)

The Enchanted Life: Unlocking the Magic of the Everyday by Sharon Blackie

Lord of the Ring's "Of Túrin Turambar" Is Darker Than Anything In Game Of Thrones

I’ve never seen much of GOT, (unless clips on YouTube count, which they don’t) but I do know it was pretty dark, so I was intrigued to see how Tolkien’s work measured up against Martin’s. Clearly, I need to start listening to the Silmarillion! Poor Turin…

Brandon Sanderson Uses His Clout to Get a New Royalty Structure From Audible

Sanderson reports: “...new minimum royalty rates for authors…improved over the previous ones…a system that pays more predictably on each credit spent, and that is more transparent for authors.” For all the details, visit his blog.

And for a deep dive into Sanderson’s success (because I can’t help but peek under the proverbial hood)...

God or No God, Brandon Sanderson is The Current King of Fantasy

From the article, “Not only are his books easy to read, filled with fast pacing and exciting plots, but they also have a little extra which makes them special: they have heart and scope. The heart is in the characters, themes, and intriguing worlds. The scope is in the interconnected nature of his stories, mostly taking place in The Cosmere, Sanderson’s fictional universe.”

I don’t know about you, but I adore losing myself in a universe vast enough to eat up hours and days of my time! 

Digital Media (YouTube, Podcasts, Movies, etc)

I’ve Spent Ten Years Building A Fantasy World — How Worldbuilding Changed My Life | Talking Tumiun

The channel of Rick Hertel, an illustrator, mapmaker, worldbuilder, painter and writer. Rick’s Creations is a fascinating and inspiring YouTube channel. One that is incredibly popular despite the relatively few videos he’s posted. But what he does have is spellbinding, engrossing and so rewatchable it’s almost addicting. Start with this video, then go watch some of his others. Then you can subscribe and tell him I sent you.

Fiction (This doesn’t need explaining, does it?)

I’ve started 2 books this month (Well, more than that actually, but the others were historical fiction and one WLW action/adventure. While they were all very good, they don’t fit for inclusion into a fantasy-themed environment)

• Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne

And

• A Sweet Sting of Salt by Rose Sutherland. 

When a sharp cry wakes Jean, the sole midwife in Barquer’s Bay, Nova Scotia, in the middle of the night, she’s convinced it must have been a dream. But when the cry comes again, Jean ventures outside during a terrible tempest and is shocked by what she discovers—a young woman in labour, barely able to speak a word of English. Jean can only assume she must be Muirin, the new wife of her neighbour up the road, but when the baby arrives, Jean is only left with more questions. Why is the baby so unusual? And why is Muirin's husband so fearful of his wife and newborn son spending time by the sea?

It’s still too early to tell whether I’ll enjoy either, but I have high expectations! I’ll let you know what I think in the next issue of Plot Points.

If you’d like to support An Enchanted Life, you can do that either through leaving me a tip at Ko-Fi or by becoming a paid subscriber here at Substack! Either way, I appreciate each and every one of you!

In the meantime, I’d love to know what you read and enjoyed in March!