“If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you, if the simple things of nature have a message that you understand, rejoice, for your soul is alive.”
— Eleonora Duse
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Archive for the ‘Writing’ Category
Rejoice!
Posted in Other, Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, inspiration, nature, Thoughts on April 30, 2024| Leave a Comment »
If One Thing
Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, creativity, future me, inspiration, Thoughts, Writers on April 27, 2024| Leave a Comment »
Better with Magic
Posted in Science!, Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, creativity, inspiration, kurt vonnegut, magic, possibility, science, Thoughts on April 25, 2024| Leave a Comment »
A phrase in a recent Storybundle promo caught my eye: “real life would be better if it had magic.”
Not that I actually think there are werewolves and vampires lurking around every corner, and I definitely believe in the power of science and all its wonders, but in general? I couldn’t agree more.
For me, magic is possibility.
Magic is the sure and certain knowledge that while we like to think we know everything the world has to offer, we do not.
I find that encouraging. You may have noticed that our world has a number of pressing issues, from the social to the political to the environmental. It would be wonderful to be able to pull out a magic wand and make those problems go away, but that’s not how our magic works.
Our magic is anchored in reality. I’ve talked about this idea before, but think it bears repeating. Just like the best fantasy, it relies on people (that’s you and that’s me) who care about their family, their friends, and their communities.
This form of magic is slower, yes, but surer. A rogue warlock can’t come along one day and upend everything we’ve worked for, just because he stole a forbidden spell from the archives of Alexandria-Under-Sea. (The Lernaean Hydra has been protecting those archives for centuries, thankfully! If you visit, tell him I sent you. And bring salmon snacks, he loves those.)
It also means that the problems and constraints we face today aren’t necessarily permanent. Not if we continue to study, to observe, to understand the world around us. (To quote Kurt Vonnegut, science is magic that works.) Not if we understand that every face is a mirror of our own humanity. Not if we are brave and focused and keep our eyes on our goals.
And if someone tells you that there is no hope? That you might as well give up?
Don’t listen to them.
So what if you’ve misplaced your magic wand. That’s ok, you can still be a hero. You can make your own magic.
Just embrace a world of possibilities. And then work to make it real.
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Habits: On Making and Breaking
Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, creativity, habits, poetry, Thoughts, Writers, writing on April 23, 2024| Leave a Comment »
Some habits are good, some not so much. How do you break a bad habit (just as a totally random example, like jumping straight into day job work instead of carving out a bit of time for creativity)?
It’s National Poetry Month, so here’s a poem on the subject. And while I don’t necessarily agree with the slightly depressing penultimate line (“unhelped, alone”), I do think the larger message is a good one: if you made it, you can break it.
Habit
How shall I a habit break?
As you did that habit make.
As you gathered, you must lose;
As you yielded, now refuse.
Thread by thread the strands we twist,
Till they bind us, neck and wrist;
Thread by thread the patient hand
Must untwine, ere free we stad;
As we builded, stone by stone,
We must toil unhelped, alone,
Till the wall is overthrown.
— John Boyle O’Reilly
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Earth Day: What’s Good
Posted in Holidays, Science!, Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, Earth Day 2024, fresh perspectives, genre fiction, inspiration, Thoughts, Writers on April 22, 2024| Leave a Comment »
Today is work work work but that doesn’t mean I’m not thinking about what’s good for the planet. If you are looking for ideas on what to do and how to do it, check out the Earth Day 2024 website or this Earth Day Action Toolkit.
And for ideas on how interacting with nature can help change our perspective, here’s an article by documentary film maker and student of octopi Craig Foster:
Earth Day 2024: ‘Saving the Planet’ Is the Wrong Goal
I was gifted with a new way of seeing the day I got mugged underwater…
Note to self: do not swim with novel shiny things!
As we’re discussing octopi and how they see the world, let me also recommend Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. Is it fiction? Maybe!
(And yes, my favorite character was the octopus.)
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Do You Sci-Fi?
Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, #wotf39, genre fiction, Writers, Writers of the Future, writing on April 21, 2024| Leave a Comment »
I looked at the calendar and realized that a year ago, I was fresh off the plane and joining my fellow Writers of the Future winners in Los Angeles. Sleep deprivation aside, the week-long workshop was a fascinating experience and one which opened connections to a great group of people. Meeting and learning from contest judges and other famous writers opened some amazing doors, of course, but joining a cohort of excellent new writers was also incredibly rewarding.
If you are an amateur writer or illustrator with an interest in science fiction or fantasy, consider entering Writers of the Future. It’s free and includes four submission windows per year. The next deadline is June 30, 2024; visit the above links for more detailed information.
Not sure you’re ready, or just want to learn more about how to write a good story? Check out the free online writing workshop, with videos from judges David Farland, Orson Scott Card, and Tim Powers.
Because the world needs more fantastic fiction.
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Sorry, Censor…
Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, meh, Writers, writing on April 19, 2024| Leave a Comment »
Upon realizing that the day is passing by much later than I hoped:
My internal writing censor: You should be writing!
Me: I tried, I mean, I’ve been at the computer all day and everything!
Censor: Did you work on your day job and bills and that house project you need to sort out? Did you take a break for lunch? Did you do (pauses dramatically) multiple loads of laundry?!
Me: It’s true, I did all of those things.
Censor: And you say you tried.
So judgy! Sorry, Censor. Some days it just doesn’t happen, and that’s got to be ok.
Onward!
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It’s A Trap!
Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, Thoughts on April 18, 2024| Leave a Comment »
Being careful is smart.
Being perfect is unattainable, and seeking perfection is a trap.
— Seth Godin
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Today in Tech
Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, technical issues, Writers, writing on April 17, 2024| Leave a Comment »
In“day’s Problms in Tech”Ii prreesent
In “Today’s Problem in Tech” I present severe yet intermittent keyboard lag. The above is an example of what I’m dealing with, so no writing for me until I find a way around this problem.
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Taxes and the (Not So) Grim Reaper
Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, #wotf39, boook birthdays, David Hankins, fantasy, genre fiction, humor, inspiration, release day, Writers, writing on April 15, 2024| Leave a Comment »
It’s that time again for Americans: Tax Day. Fun? Not really, although my taxes are done and I can rest easy knowing that I have contributed to the collective project that is civilization, and also won’t get a disturbing letter from the IRS.
It’s also a day when a lot of us could use more humor in our lives, which makes it a perfect excuse to promote my friend David Hankins’ new book, out today!
Death and the Taxman | Universal Book Links Help You Find Books at Your Favorite Store!
Allies are few and hijinks are many in this hilarious race against time as the Grim Reaper himself tries to cheat death and avoid an audit by Hell’s Auditor and the Office of Micromanagement.
After sharing an ill-advised cup of tea with IRS auditor Frank Totmann, Grim finds himself trapped in Frank’s life amid a world of dangers: love, betrayal, reckless cabbies, implacable demon hunters, and the incessant needs that keep his body ticking . . . for now.
David’s writing is terrific, and this book is based on his award-winning short story of the same name. It’s great to see humorous fantasy done so well. Want a sample of his writing? Preview a chapter here.
Because when it comes to taxes, who doesn’t appreciate a laugh?
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