How Latin Became Modern Italian

Jan 29, 2021 | Quora

In my last post, I explored some ways in which a new language is born. This post examines one of the best-known historical examples (at least for anyone in the West): the way that Latin became modern Italian. As Luca Guala explains on Quora, the road taken was neither...

A New Language Born

Jan 28, 2021 | Quora

So, you have decided to go full-Tolkien and create your own language. But wait – how are languages formed, anyway? I mean, we know that languages die all the time. But are new languages ever born? This is exactly what Simge Topaloğlu discusses on Quora. As he...

Heraldry Basics

Jan 25, 2021 | Fun Historical Facts, Writing

Any of you writing fantasy will appreciate Toni Šušnjar’s post on heraldry, shared on Mythic Scribes. The History of Heraldry As Toni explains, distinctive personal insignia on shields had been used to identify warriors in battle since 9th-century BC Phrygia....

Early Wheat Recipes

Jan 21, 2021 | Fun Historical Facts, Quora

I recently wrote about what ancient Greeks and Romans used to eat. But how about earlier people? If your fantasy takes place in a neolithic or even paleolithic setting, then you can spice it up (pun intended) with these early wheat recipes, courtesy of Alice Twain of...

How Amazon Plans to Conquer the World of Publishing

Jan 19, 2021 | Publishing

This is a guest post by Nisar Ahmad, a digital marketing expert for Media Hicon. As you know, I put most of the blame for the current condition of the publishing world on traditional publishers, whose policies Amazon has cleverly used to its advantage. Nisar instead...

Medieval Cistercian Numbers

Jan 17, 2021 | Fun Historical Facts

If you’re looking to enrich your fantasy or Medieval fiction, why not mention Cistercian numbers — the forgotten ciphers of Medieval monks? As Tibi Puiu reports on ZME Science, people have employed all sorts of systems throughout history, most of which are now...

The Real Robinson Crusoe

Jan 15, 2021 | Fun Historical Facts, Quora

Everyone has heard of Robinson Crusoe. But how many know the real-life inspiration behind the character? As Alex Turner explains on Quora, this would be Alexander Selkirk: Selkirk was a Scottish sailor, born in 1676. He was a rather hotheaded man, who tended to look...

How to Be a Good Content Writer

Jan 10, 2021 | Writing

As you know, I’ve been working as a freelance copywriter these past years. Amanda Dudley, a teacher and writer at an essay writing service, has submitted this guest post that explains what skills a good content writer needs to possess. Amanda is a writer,...

The Real Witches

Jan 3, 2021 | Fun Historical Facts

I kick off the new year with a matter close to anyone who’s ever flirted with fantasy writing: witches. I mean, what’s fantasy without witchcraft? Probably a rather boring Medieval existence, that’s what. Of course, there’s a big difference...