Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Archive for the ‘Writing’ Category

Great Deal on Sci-Fi

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on September 15, 2023| 1 Comment »

Storybundle, home of the “pay what you want and if it’s more than $20 we give you a whole bunch of extra books” e-book bundles, has a new bundle out: 

https://storybundle.com/scifiTo the Stars Adventure SF StoryBundle

The site has a rolling roster of interesting bundles, so why do I mention this bundle in particular? Because it happens to include a certain story collection with a certain author in it (a.k.a. me, in case you’re wondering).

That’s right, Writers of the Future: Volume 39 is available as a bonus book. So if you pay more than $20 for the bundle, you’ll get e-books by the baker’s dozen, including v39.

Am I biased? Sure, I happen to think our collection is great. But the bundle is curated by Kevin J. Anderson and also includes books by other names sci-fi/fantasy fans may have heard of, like Todd McCaffrey and Nancy Kress, as well as others I look forward to discovering.

Like all bundles, this one is a limited-time offer, expiring in 20 days. So if you are in the market for e-books and sci-fi, this may be the deal for you.

* * *

Photo by Alex Shuper on Unsplash

Read Full Post »

New Visions, New Worlds

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , , , , on September 6, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Elizabeth Bear recently posted about a new Ukrainian speculative fiction anthology at Kickstarter.

Heads up about a very cool Ukrainian SFF Anthology!

The project is focused on Ukrainian and diaspora writers, all translated into English.

I enjoy supporting artists where I can, particularly those in such difficult situations. 

+

I’m interested in seeing the current and future world through new perspectives. 

=

Sign me up.

Here’s a link to the project.

* * *

Photo by SIMON LEE on Unsplash

Read Full Post »

Atwood on AI

Posted in Science!, Writing, tagged , , , , , , , , on September 5, 2023| 1 Comment »

What does one of the great speculative fiction writers of our time have to say about AI (or at least, her own AI doppelgänger)?

Margaret Atwood: Murdered by My Replica?

Apparently, 33 of my books have been used as training material for their wordsmithing computer programs. Once fully trained, the bot may be given a command—“Write a Margaret Atwood novel”—and the thing will glurp forth 50,000 words, like soft ice cream spiraling out of its dispenser, that will be indistinguishable from something I might grind out. (But minus the typos.) I myself can then be dispensed with—murdered by my replica, as it were—because, to quote a vulgar saying of my youth, who needs the cow when the milk’s free?

* * *

Photo by Fernando Rodrigues on Unsplash

Read Full Post »

How to Choose Well

Posted in Other, Writing, tagged , , , , , on August 29, 2023| Leave a Comment »

“To live is to choose. But to choose well, you must know who you are and what you stand for, where you want to go and why you want to get there.”

— Kofi Annan

* * *

Photo by Alex Shuper on Unsplash

Read Full Post »

Me and My Spotlight

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , , , on August 21, 2023| Leave a Comment »

I recently took part in an interview with Madilynn Dale from The Chapter Goddess, about writing, the Writers of the Future experience, and the creative life in general. I think I’ve mentioned that I’m a little shy, but Madi gave a fun and friendly interview and I had a good time. Hope you enjoy it too.

Creative Spotlight on Award-Winning Author J.R. Johnson

This is a collection of questions answered by this amazing author for her “Creative Spotlight on Award-Winning Author J.R. Johnson” article featured here. They may or may not have been answered in the live. I loved chatting with her and hope you take some helpful information away from our chat.

Thanks, Madi!

* * *

Photo by Strvnge Films on Unsplash

Read Full Post »

One Cool Thing

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , , , on August 20, 2023| Leave a Comment »

One cool thing about being a writer with writer friends is that sometimes, you have the opportunity to read their stories before other folks. I’ve just finished reviewing a friend’s new novel and it is excellent. 

I don’t know when it will see the light of day so I’ll wait to promo it, but it was a treat. Can’t wait until you can read it too!

* * *

Photo by Diego PH on Unsplash

Read Full Post »

Worth Every Minute

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , , , on August 18, 2023| Leave a Comment »

“If you love what you do and are willing to do what it takes, it’s within your reach. And it’ll be worth every minute you spend alone at night, thinking and thinking about what it is you want to design or build. It’ll be worth it, I promise.” 

― Steve Wozniak

* * *

Photo by Joshua Earle on Unsplash

Read Full Post »

Lime Sublime

Posted in Food and..., Writing, tagged , , , , on August 16, 2023| Leave a Comment »

I’m on a day job vacation at the moment and I’d hoped to get to some actual writing today. Instead, we juiced limes. Lots and lots and lots of limes. Eight pounds of limes, in the end, which is what happens when one shops at Costco’s Business Center.

On the plus side, our Lime Freeze future is assured, and the Breville Citrus Press is still one of the best presents Mr Man has ever given me. Spendy and single-use, yes, but worth it.

* * *

Photo by Victor Figueroa on Unsplash

Read Full Post »

Art on the Wind

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , , on August 15, 2023| Leave a Comment »

This morning: hot oatmeal and a cool breeze from the patio door. We leave the door open for the fresh air, which brings the scent of wildlife to entertain the cat, as well as some of the unexpected moments of aggravation and joy that help make a life.

Aggravation: noise from a construction site down the block.

Joy: halfway through breakfast, I hear a beat, a pattern drummed out as from a wooden handle on a large metal surface. It is from the construction site, but it is not the sound of machinery or backup beeps or men shouting. Is it a wheelbarrow, a water drum, a backhoe scoop? Whatever the source, there is both intention and musicality. A bored worker, perhaps, or an aspiring musician. Or just someone inspired to create a moment of beauty in an otherwise average day. 

And then send that art out into the world, carried on the wind.

* * *

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Read Full Post »

Mmm, Tastes Like Garum

Posted in Food and..., Writing, tagged , , , , , , on August 14, 2023| Leave a Comment »

I love food and I love history, so imagine my excitement when I ran across this article:

How recreating ancient recipes helps one food buff bring the past to life | CBC Radio

I explored the linked video channel here:

Tasting History with Max Miller – YouTube

The recipes include a lot of interesting food, like medieval mead, garum, pirate rations, and the fascinatingly named “Hardtack and Hellfire.” Some of these items are still familiar, others not so much. 

I am so down with this. 

Previously, I’ve mentioned Krista Ball’s What Kings Ate and Wizards Drank, on how to feed your fantasy adventurers, but seeing these recipes come to life takes historical food to another level.

Enjoy (or at least feel happy that we have more on tap these days than sweet potato coffee)!

* * *

Photo by Bianca Berg on Unsplash

Read Full Post »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »