We Write!
In our increasingly intolerant society, it's encouraging to see at least some writers, creative artists and educators take a stand against censorship and de-platforming in all its forms. An open letter signed by well over a hundred notable figures seeks to alert us to that danger. Here's a lengthy excerpt. The free exchange of information... Continue Reading →
The First Reader recently complained about Oakley Hall’s La Adelita because, he said, the author “stole” an episode from John Reed’s Insurgent Mexico. Isn’t Reed’s book non-fiction? I asked. Yes, but… Did Hall copy Reed’s wording? No, but it was the same sequence of events, and he wrote it as if it was happening to... Continue Reading →
Apparently 2020 has done something to me, because I've spaced my posting day so many times this year it's not funny. So, yet again, sorry. That said, I honestly don't know what to talk about. I've been hermiting so hard and having so much trouble braining of late that there doesn't seem to be much... Continue Reading →
Did you know that Walmart has packages of frog legs in their freezer case? At least, the one near my house does. I now live on the line between the Midwest and the South, so there have been a few things that make me scratch my head. Like, frog legs in the grocery store (I... Continue Reading →
How were they taken apart, you ask? Well, those of you who have been following my life this year (it's hard. It's been bouncing all over like a rubber ball) know it's not the easiest year to deal with. To begin with, it was always going to be a transitional year. What I mean by... Continue Reading →
Yes, that's right. I'm back. Last month, I made the decision to step away from the blog for a few weeks. Like so many of us, life's been a bit hairy this year and it was beginning to negatively impact not only my writing but my attitude. I needed a break and the only way... Continue Reading →
The trouble with writing plausible fiction is that people jump to the odd conclusion that every book is a wish-fulfilment Mary Sue. I suppose there ARE writers whose every character is either themselves or cardboard caricature cutout of ‘people they don’t like’. It’s got a bit tedious in the trad published novels where one is... Continue Reading →
Cedar posted a request a few weeks ago for more books that fit in "tactical romance". I happily pounced upon the several places on social media this was shared, anticipating a big thick To Be Read pile I could plow through. Turns out a good chunk of them I'd already read. So I compiled a... Continue Reading →
The other day I shared one of those screenshot memes on my social media. The ones that come from Tumblr or someplace like that, where people are discussing something. Not all of them are obnoxious, some are fun, and this one was very illuminating to see the responses. I wound up getting a lot of... Continue Reading →
A friend brought up something I hadn't considered before: damage to the human body incurred while exiting a moving vehicle and what that looks like, for writing purposes. I hadn't really given it much thought before, because reasons. Dorothy Grant was in the same conversation however and she suggested looking at motorcycle accidents, then tied... Continue Reading →
Mad Genius Club 