This week I experienced something that scared the living daylights out of me: I had the stories in my head; I had the next scene ready to go and... nothing. To be fair, this has happened before. It's like I know how to write, I know how to do it, but I can't. There's a... Continue Reading →

This weekend I found myself discussing world building and writing with visiting (duct tape) family. One of them is an inveterate world builder. Which is kind of funny, because all the enormously talented young men I know who build words are detailed and sometimes obsessive world builders. This is good and bad. It's good because... Continue Reading →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

When I was in art class -- four years. Yes, would like to do again, if I stop getting sick and can find time. I think it's good for my mental health. Also covers -- one class stands out starkly in my mind. I was sitting at the easel, struggling to capture a likeness (It... Continue Reading →

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 →