I recently discovered Steven Brust's theories on writing, which I heartily agree with. They are as follows:

First theory: "The Cool Stuff Theory of Literature is as follows: All literature consists of whatever the writer thinks is cool. The reader will like the book to the degree that he agrees with the writer about what's cool. And that works all the way from the external trappings to the level of metaphor, subtext, and the way one uses words."

Second theory: "The novel should be understood as a structure built to accommodate the greatest possible amount of cool stuff."

Also, I have taken this wonderful author up on his one piece of writing advice. "What you do is you put up a sign on whatever wall you face when you're writing. The sign says: And now, I'm going to tell you something really cool."

I've got my sign. Do you have yours?

(All of the above quotes can be found in the appendix chapter of Steven Brust's The Paths of the Dead.) 

Sort: Category . Published . Updated . Title . Words . Chapters . Reviews . Status .

Sort: Category . Published . Updated . Title . Words . Chapters . Reviews . Status .

1. Legends reviews

Legends fade and die - heroes don't

Zelda - Fiction Rated: K+ - English - Adventure - Chapters: 1 - Words: 508 - Reviews: 5 - Updated: 4-9-03 - Published: 4-9-03

2. Success is Counted Sweetest reviews

Ranma's death isn't at all what Ryoga thought it would be. **REVISED**

Ranma - Fiction Rated: K+ - English - Drama/Angst - Chapters: 1 - Words: 1,690 - Reviews: 43 - Updated: 2-12-03 - Published: 1-16-00

3. Not the Hero We Expected reviews

This is the direct result of a type-o I made. I sincerely apologize for the oddity contained within, and the shortness of it. ^^

Zelda - Fiction Rated: K+ - English - General/Humor - Chapters: 1 - Words: 607 - Reviews: 8 - Updated: 3-19-02 - Published: 3-19-02

4. I love you, Mom. Goodbye. reviews

What if Terry was killed as Batman? What would he have done for those left behind?

Batman Beyond - Fiction Rated: K+ - English - General/Drama - Chapters: 1 - Words: 1,290 - Reviews: 24 - Updated: 2-8-02 - Published: 2-8-02

5. The (highly ironic) Death of Goku reviews

Self-explanatory title. If you like Goku, don't read it, unless you believe you always hurt the ones you love. You have been warned.

Dragon Ball Z - Fiction Rated: K+ - English - Humor - Chapters: 1 - Words: 316 - Reviews: 14 - Updated: 12-12-01 - Published: 12-12-01

6. After Tomorrow reviews

A strange awakening, an even stranger homecoming, and more questions than anyone can answer.

Dragon Ball Z - Fiction Rated: K+ - English - Drama - Chapters: 1 - Words: 1,174 - Reviews: 2 - Updated: 12-8-01 - Published: 12-8-01

7. A Brief History of DBZ reviews

Sung to the tune of 'Gilligan's Island'

Dragon Ball Z - Fiction Rated: K - English - Humor/Parody - Chapters: 1 - Words: 96 - Reviews: 12 - Updated: 6-21-01 - Published: 6-21-01

8. Just a Test reviews

Incredibly short Spam-fic involving those annoying standardized tests

Ranma - Fiction Rated: K - English - Humor - Chapters: 1 - Words: 200 - Reviews: 14 - Updated: 6-21-01 - Published: 6-21-01

9. The Evil Within » reviews

Something lives within Goku, something his friends and family never knew existed...

Dragon Ball Z - Fiction Rated: T - English - Drama/Adventure - Chapters: 5 - Words: 7,324 - Reviews: 10 - Updated: 1-29-01 - Published: 1-29-01

10. Kenshin, the Musical! reviews

Your typical Kenshin fanfic plot, but with a Broadway twist. ^_~

Rurouni Kenshin - Fiction Rated: K - English - Humor - Chapters: 1 - Words: 2,612 - Reviews: 28 - Updated: 11-2-00 - Published: 11-2-00

11. Lord of the Fries reviews

A parody of William Golding's "Lord of the Flies," set in McDonald's

Parodies and Spoofs - Fiction Rated: K+ - English - Humor - Chapters: 1 - Words: 1,522 - Reviews: 12 - Updated: 3-4-00 - Published: 3-4-00

12. Diamond In the Rough reviews

Starring the highly neglected couple of the series, Goku and Chichi.

Dragon Ball Z - Fiction Rated: K - English - Romance - Chapters: 1 - Words: 692 - Reviews: 20 - Updated: 12-13-99 - Published: 12-13-99

13. The (highly ironic) Death of Gohan reviews

DON'T READ IF YOU LIKE GOHAN, unless you also believe 'You always hurt the ones you love'

Dragon Ball Z - Fiction Rated: T - English - General - Chapters: 1 - Words: 1,689 - Reviews: 28 - Updated: 12-13-99 - Published: 12-13-99

14. The Saiya-jin King reviews

An _incredibly_ short parody of a scene from Disney's "The Lion King."

Dragon Ball Z - Fiction Rated: K - English - Humor - Chapters: 1 - Words: 125 - Reviews: 34 - Updated: 12-13-99 - Published: 12-13-99

15. Pez Super-Nova reviews

Who would have guessed the effect Pez would have on pure-blooded Saiya-jin?

Dragon Ball Z - Fiction Rated: K - English - Humor - Chapters: 1 - Words: 1,630 - Reviews: 37 - Updated: 12-13-99 - Published: 12-13-99

16. The (highly ironic) Death of Vegeta reviews

DON'T READ IF YOU LIKE VEGETA, unless you also believe 'You always hurt the ones you love'

Dragon Ball Z - Fiction Rated: T - English - General - Chapters: 1 - Words: 477 - Reviews: 41 - Updated: 12-13-99 - Published: 12-13-99

17. Behind the Scenes reviews

A very short look at the people behind the characters... no, not the voice actors

Dragon Ball Z - Fiction Rated: K - English - Humor - Chapters: 1 - Words: 194 - Reviews: 52 - Updated: 12-13-99 - Published: 12-13-99

18. A Brief Encounter reviews

Was there more behind Link and Mido's words in the Lost Woods?

Zelda - Fiction Rated: K - English - General - Chapters: 1 - Words: 605 - Reviews: 66 - Updated: 11-6-99 - Published: 11-6-99