Not getting everything done you’d hoped? Life intruding into your carefully made plans? It happens. Some days are weird.
And some days you just need to give yourself a break.
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Posts Tagged ‘#365Ways’
Some Day Is Today
Posted in Other, Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, creativity, Thoughts, Writers on July 15, 2025| Leave a Comment »
The Secret to Speculative Fiction
Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, creativity, fantasy, J.R.R. Tolkien, speculative fiction, Writers, writing on July 14, 2025| Leave a Comment »
Why Tolkien thought “sub-creation” was the secret to great fantasy and science fiction
There is something about great fantasy that emboldens the spirit and gives fire to the fight. It is found not only in the words and plot but in its atemporality. It tells us that there is something universal to the human condition that ought to be celebrated. It is something as true for Anglo-Saxons in their snowy mead halls as it is for office drones changing their login passwords.
It says that no matter what monsters we face, we shall overcome and live on. We shall not be defeated.
That’s a pretty good secret.
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Do and Dare
Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, creativity, inspiration, quotes, Thoughts, Writers, writing on July 13, 2025| Leave a Comment »
“Dare to be strong and courageous. That is the road. Venture anything.”
— Sherwood Anderson
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Sunshine in a Jar
Posted in Food and..., tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, cooking, food, learning stuff on July 12, 2025| Leave a Comment »
Today, a quick visit to Sicily to make tomato paste by hand. I had no idea it was this concentrated!
How to Make Tomato Paste in Sicily | The Kid Should See This
It’s easy. Take a ridiculously large amount of perfectly ripe Sicilian tomatoes. Cut them up. Leave them in the sun for 4 days to reduce down to about one tenth of their original volume. Put them in a jar and save it for a gloomy February day.
Here’s the video:
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Art’s Enemy
Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, art, creativity, quotes, Thoughts, Writers, writing on July 11, 2025| Leave a Comment »
“For only after, can one nail down, examine, explain. To try to know beforehand is to freeze and kill. Self-consciousness is the enemy of all art, be it acting, writing, painting, or living itself, which is the greatest art of all.”
― Ray Bradbury
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It’s Enough
Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, Thoughts on July 10, 2025| Leave a Comment »
A single sunbeam is enough to drive away many shadows.
— St. Francis of Assisi
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Thank Goodness
Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, creativity, quotes, Thoughts, Writers, writing on July 9, 2025| Leave a Comment »
Speculative Fiction, Fantasy Edition
Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, awards, creativity, fantasy, Fiction, free fiction, Writers, writing on July 8, 2025| Leave a Comment »
I talk about science and fiction here, but I also like fantasy, science and otherwise. What’s up in the world of speculative fiction, fantasy edition? The World Fantasy Awards shortlist, that’s what!
Here’s the full ballot, with links to the short fiction list where available:
Here Are the 2025 World Fantasy Award Finalists – Reactor
Short Fiction
“Our Best Selves” by Hiron Ennes (Weird Horror Magazine #9)
“Godskin” by CL Hellisen (Strange Horizons, March 4, 2024)
“The V*mpire” by PH Lee (Reactor, October 2024)
“Raptor” by Maura McHugh (Heartwood: A Mythago Wood Anthology)
“Everything in the Garden is Lovely” by Hannah Yang (Apex Magazine #143, March 2024)
Do some of these look dark and scary and filled with content warnings? They do, but perhaps that’s your thing? If not, check out the other novels, novellas and more.
Winners will be chosen and awards presented at the World Fantasy Convention in the UK this November!
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Happier For It
Posted in Other, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, Thoughts, yay on July 7, 2025| Leave a Comment »
For reasons known only to the universe, we know a surprising number of people who were born today. That means it’s an excellent chance for me to cheer them on.
Not everyone wants a big to do, but whether you love your birthday, loathe it, or struggle to remember how old you are, the day is also an opportunity for the rest of us to appreciate you.
You’re here. And we’re happier for it.
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The Side of Kindness
Posted in Other, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, kindness, Thoughts on July 6, 2025| Leave a Comment »
We recently had something of a family emergency. We’re okay and I’m mentioning it now not for sympathy, but because it reminded me that no matter what it looks like from the outside, you never really know what a person is going through.
When you can, err on the side of kindness.
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