September 24, 2014 by J.R. Johnson
This has been true for a while but Shadow Unit 1 is available to download for free:
Shadow Unit is a contemporary science fiction series about a group of FBI agents struggling to protect humanity from the worst monsters imaginable. Except some of our heroes may be on the road to becoming monsters themselves….
Get started on this reader-funded series with writing by Emma Bull, Elizabeth Bear, Sarah Monette, and Will Shetterly for nothing, nada, zip, tipota!
Kindle version at Amazon: Shadow Unit 1. Epub, pdf, and other formats at Smashwords: Shadow Unit 1.
Posted in Entertainment, Writing | Tagged awesome, books, Elizabeth Bear, Emma Bull, Fiction, genre fiction, Sarah Monette, science fiction, sff, speculative fiction, Will Shetterly, writing, yay | Leave a Comment »
September 22, 2014 by J.R. Johnson
The excellent Elizabeth Bear has a good post on how to get past “rave rejections.” You know the ones, where they tell you how great the story is but sorry, can’t use it.
Her advice? Focus on Voice and Narrative. While these suggestions are hardly new she does frame them in concise, useful language that cuts through the extensive “how to” checklists so often found in writing advice. Here she is on how to grow a voice:
Write a lot. Work at identifying and expunging cliches and lazy word choice from your prose. Find sharp verbs and strong, observed details. Read things out loud and if you don’t like how they sound, change them. Embrace whimsy and quirkiness, but only inasmuch as it is natural to you: otherwise you run the risk of becoming twee. Play with pastiche. If you have a natural wit, let it shine through. Be playful.
On narrative drive and creating characters readers care about:
A character who loves something, or who holds fast to an ideal, is humanized and becomes approachable. A character who takes action lures us unto caring about what she cares about.
…
We love people who fight.
It’s a great post, short, approachable, with a “manageable bite-sized helpful chunk” of useful information. Also, bonus points for using a funny video of David Bowie to make her case.
Posted in Writing | Tagged creativity, David Bowie, Elizabeth Bear, Fiction, genre fiction, narrative, rejection, science fiction, sff, speculative fiction, voice, Writers, writing, writing advice | Leave a Comment »
September 19, 2014 by J.R. Johnson
So I’m chatting with my mother and somehow the topic of her graduate work comes up. Next thing I know we’re discussing linguistics, theories of form, elegance as a measure of validity, and how it’s possible to learn a language in a weekend (if you’re awesome, like my mom).
Not that I needed it with her, but it was a great reminder that everyone is interesting, everyone is complex and multi-layered and experienced in some way. Given the press of time and the tyranny of labels, it can be too easy to let this drift to the background. Mother, neighbor, mail carrier, teacher, gas station attendant. They are these things, yes. And much more.
Liking a person has less to do with it than you might think. The man who throws a huge stack of newspaper advertising against my front door every week, where it lands with a loud bang? His limp tells me he may not just be doing it to be annoying.
Everyone has a story. It’s important not to forget it, especially if you are a writer.
Pay attention. It’s all about paying attention. Attention is vitality. It connects you with others. It makes you eager. Stay eager.”
― Susan Sontag
Posted in Writing | Tagged connectivity, creativity, inspiration, linguistics, relationships, Thoughts, Writers, writing | Leave a Comment »
September 15, 2014 by J.R. Johnson
I did a good deed today. No need to get into specifics, but let’s just say that it involved a banking error of no inconsiderable size. I expect it will make several people’s lives easier and that felt good. And hey, doing for others is one key to happiness. I recommend it:)
Posted in Other | Tagged good deeds, Thoughts, yay | Leave a Comment »
September 11, 2014 by J.R. Johnson
My motto for today is “Do More.”
That’s it. Simple and easy to wrap one’s head around, if not always to put into practice. Having a goal helps me focus. Making it straightforward brings me all the positive feedback of accomplishment without the tedious “Holy crap, I can’t do this” of a more difficult challenge.
“Self,” I say to myself, “you are doing more and that is awesome. Let’s keep it up.”
Does a dead-simple productivity hack like this work for me? I am happy to report that so far the answer is yes. I’ve edited one story, submitted another, brainstormed a third, worked out and also done non-writing work. I’ve made what I consider not-bad progress. Here’s hoping that whatever it is you’re working on, you have too.
Posted in Writing | Tagged do more, Fiction, Motivation, motto, persistence, productivity, short stories, Thoughts, work, Writers, writing | 1 Comment »
September 9, 2014 by J.R. Johnson
Life, a good life, a great life is about “Why not?” May we never forget it.
— Danielle Steel
Posted in Likes | Tagged Danielle Steel, fun, inspiration, life, quotes, Thoughts, why not, Writers, yay | 1 Comment »
September 4, 2014 by J.R. Johnson
Every year I make a cake for my birthday. This year I decided it was time to try tiered layers, plus butterflies, fondant flowers, pearls and gold dust (those last all technically edible but we know better; save your taste buds for the good stuff). What you see here are two 9″ layers supporting two 6″ layers, all in chocolate with a ridiculously decadent Grand Marnier frosting. Delicious!
/not a lie:) Also, what better fuel for writing than cake?
Posted in Food and..., Holidays | Tagged birthday, cake, chocolate, creativity, food, fun, home, yay | Leave a Comment »
August 27, 2014 by J.R. Johnson
Jason Sheehan over at NPR has a very nice review of John Scalzi’s Lock In today. I’m looking forward to getting my hands on a copy:)
Lock In is a cop story first… There is blood, a body, a couch pushed out a hotel room window from a high floor… Once he’s gotten past the tricky part of building a near-future world and putting a dead body in it without getting bogged down in the details of either, the rest is all cake and hand grenades.
Posted in Entertainment, Writing | Tagged books, Fiction, genre fiction, Jason Sheehan, john scalzi, Lock in, NPR, science fiction, sff, speculative fiction, writing | Leave a Comment »
August 25, 2014 by J.R. Johnson
I’m afraid I’m late to this particular party so please note the deadline tonight at midnight, but for the next ten-ish hours HELP FUND MY ROBOT ARMY!!! and Other Improbable Crowdfunding Projects edited by John Joseph Adams is available for Kindle at the low, low price of $0.99. I’ve read the title piece and enjoyed the heck out of it, so I’m in.
This deal ends at August 26th, 2014, which is midnight tonight, Pacific Time. Enjoy!
Posted in Likes, Writing | Tagged books, crowdfunding, Fiction, genre fiction, John Joseph Adams, robot army, science fiction, sff, short stories | Leave a Comment »
August 21, 2014 by J.R. Johnson
Pieces I want to read, have just read, or am reading again:
Writing Stuff:
Random Stuff:
Posted in Other, Writing | Tagged Alaska, Canada, creativity, David Mack, diversity, editing, Elmore Leonard, Fiction, fiction editors, food, genre fiction, hooptedoodle, Iceland, literature, Mount Everest, NPR, science, science fiction, sff, speculative fiction, William Gibson, Writers, writing | Leave a Comment »
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