Throw Away Your Scriptures

No this is not an anti-religion post. It is rather a post about the accumulation of "scripture" and lists of thou shalt and thou shalt not that accrues to anyone trying to learn the fiction (or even non fiction, but that's different) writing craft. Look, I understand, it's scary out there, and not all of... Continue Reading →

We’re Not Responsible for….

This post has schizophrenia. Part of me wants to tell you that there are things beyond your ability to control. That not only are you not perfect, but you're not expected to be. Stop beating yourself. And the other part just wants to inform people in general of the things they can be mad at... Continue Reading →

Tone Establishing

One of the most perennial arguments in fantastic literature was "science fiction or fantasy." Yes, yes, "science fiction is that which circumscribes itself to current knowledge of science and doesn't use devices that translate as magic." And that's fine, to an extent. I mean, I used to write metered, rhymed sonnets, so I'm not going... Continue Reading →

Do It For Spite

What do you do when the love runs out, and the music no longer plays, and the angel choir doesn't greet your efforts? If you can't do it for love, do it for spite. I realized I wasn't alone in this, when I got Cedar Sanderson's request to promo this book SPACE MARINES She sent... Continue Reading →

Out of Words

So, borrowing other people's words this time!     "Most writers regard the truth as their most valuable possession, and therefore are most economical in its use."     —Mark Twain     "If you can tell stories, create characters, devise incidents, and have sincerity and passion, it doesn't matter a damn how you write."     —Somerset Maugham... Continue Reading →

Muses

Writers talk about muses a lot. I didn't realize until this week some of y'all youguns take this literally and think that some of us have a critter that tells us what to write. Those -- for traditional publishing -- are called publishers. And more often they tell you what NOT to write. Usually what... Continue Reading →

We Interrupt the Normal Insanity For Some Amazing News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 5, 2023 PROMETHEUS AWARD FINALISTS CHOSEN FOR BEST NOVEL Works by Carey, Freer, Gallagher, Hanka and Van Stry selected as finalists The Libertarian Futurist Society, a nonprofit all-volunteer international organization of freedom-loving science fiction fans, has announced five finalists for the Best Novel category of the 43rd annual Prometheus Awards. The... Continue Reading →

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