Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, creativity, Thoughts, Writers, writing on April 5, 2024| Leave a Comment »
“In filling the well, think magic. Think delight. Think fun. Do not think duty. Do not do what you should do—spiritual sit-ups like reading a dull but recommended critical text. Do what intrigues you, explore what interests you; think mystery, not mastery.”
― Julia Cameron
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Posted in Funny, Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, funny, genre fiction, inspiration on April 3, 2024| Leave a Comment »
Is your troll of boss driving you crazy? Are you tired of the backbreaking work involved in cleaning up after Medusa? Or having to answer three questions from the Sphinx before you can get through the employee entrance? I’m sorry (and may I suggest you add an axe of cold iron, a very shiny shield, and a riddle book to your daypack?).
Still, this job posting is here to remind you that things can always be worse!
Dragon Hoarding Enormous Pile of Treasure Seeks Unpaid Intern – McSweeney’s Internet Tendency
The work is not just coffee-fetching and gold-polishing — you will gain plenty of on-site experience. Past interns have been lucky enough to watch a knight be brutally murdered. Successful interns are detail-oriented, unafraid of random bursts of fire, and able to jump at least three vertical feet to avoid a swinging, razor-sharp reptilian tail.
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Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, genre fiction, inspiration, Thoughts, writing on March 30, 2024| Leave a Comment »
We’re out and about today, and I’m finding inspiration in both natural and human worlds. I don’t have time to get started right now, but I’ve got two story ideas competing for space in my head. I look forward to chasing them down soon.
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Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, #wotf39, Arthur H. Manners, Dreamforge, free fiction, genre fiction, Writers, Writers of the Future on March 24, 2024| Leave a Comment »
More excellent free science fiction, this time by my friend Arthur H. Manners in Dreamforge.
I was feeding the cuttlefish when a newsreader announced that the Children had crossed the heliopause. My stomach sank as I turned up the TV and watched the newsreader refer to a grainy image in the corner of the screen. All our best telescopes could see of the Children’s starship was a fuzzy white dot sailing into the abyss beyond the edge of the solar system.
“They were serious. They’re actually leaving,” I said.
The cuttlefish could see me talking. A few of them used their chameleon-like skin to conjure yellow haloes on top of their heads.
:: ? ::
I switched on the translator pad strapped to my chest. “Ah guys, where do I even start?”
Filled with science and humanity, a little heartbreak and a lot of hope, this is a great short story by a terrific writer and all-around good human.
I know I’m a little biased, but seriously, my Writers of the Future cohort is the best.
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Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, genre fiction, productivity, reading, Thoughts, Writers, writing on March 23, 2024| Leave a Comment »
This isn’t something I would normally say, but I think I’m reading a little too much.
I’ve been on a bit of a tear, rereading some of my favorite stories. I’ve just finished to the tenth book plus spinoffs in one series, and I think I need to slow down after this.
It’s cutting into my writing time.
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Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, awards, books, Clarkesworld, genre fiction, inspiration, Nebula Awards, short stories, Uncanny, Writers, writing on March 22, 2024| 1 Comment »
Fun, new reading recommendations! SFWA Announces the Finalists for the 59th Nebula Awards – SFWA
Here are links to the short story and novelette finalists. Most are free to read. For the full list with info links (including those below), see Finalists for the 59th Nebula Awards | MetaFilter.
Nebula Award for Novelette
Nebula Award for Short Story
I read this delightful short by R.S.A. Garcia with lunch: Tantie Merle and the Farmhand 4200 – Uncanny Magazine
You could meet him if you want but take off the recorder first. I tell you my story, but you have to ask him if you want to hear his.
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Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, Thoughts on March 20, 2024| Leave a Comment »
“Jokes of the proper kind, properly told, can do more to enlighten questions of politics, philosophy, and literature than any number of dull arguments.”
— Isaac Asimov
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Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, #messyfeels, creativity, Thoughts, Writers, writing on March 19, 2024| Leave a Comment »
Procrastination can get in anyone’s way but I’ve also noticed creative people in particular can get all caught up in their messy feelings about their work and whether or not the conditions are right for them to channel their muse. If working in journalism has taught me anything it’s that there is no “right” time and there are no “right” conditions; there is the time you have. You use the materials you’ve got. And the first precondition of getting anything done at all is trying to do it.
— Stephanie Convery
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Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, creativity, inspiration, Thoughts on March 18, 2024| Leave a Comment »
“Don’t listen to anyone who doesn’t know how to dream.”
— Liza Minnelli
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Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, genre fiction, Thoughts on March 17, 2024| Leave a Comment »
My mother was asking some questions about genre fiction and the rules of magic. This comic seemed like an appropriate post for today:
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