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.
* * *
Posts Tagged ‘creativity’
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.
* * *
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
* * *
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
* * *
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!
* * *
With Joy
Posted in Other, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, creativity, failure, inspiration, persistence, Thoughts on July 3, 2025| Leave a Comment »
This world belongs to you. You are here to lead, to blossom out in the open, to show your heart to strangers, to fail and fail and fail again — with grace, with humor, with dignity, with joy.
— Heather Havrilesky
* * *
Instructions for Living
Posted in Other, Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, creativity, inspiration, Thoughts on June 30, 2025| Leave a Comment »
There’s a bird hanging around outside, one that’s been frequenting the yard on and off for the past couple of weeks. It’s a cardinal. Pretty, but not extraordinary around here.
This particular bird, however, is a bit peculiar in that it seems to have some interesting blotchy marks on its wings. Or maybe its belly. Or its back? Perhaps it’s just a juvenile taking his first flights into adulthood. I can’t be sure because I’m a typically nearsighted book nerd and the pesky little guy refuses to sit still long enough for me to get my phone or binoculars.
So I think it may have some unusual markings, but maybe it’s just me. All I know is that it’s interesting and I’d like a closer look.
I haven’t been able to get that close-up look, yet, but the possibility of it keeps me focused, and paying attention to what I can see. Squirrel shenanigans, a giant lazy bumblebee, gulls riding air currents overhead, a huge black wasp, a tiny little bee feeding on grass flowers, a chipmunk, lightning bugs in the yard, the beauty of the volunteer daisies around the corner of the house.
I may not always see everything I hope, but I see far more than I would if I were not paying attention at all.
And that’s a very good thing.
“Instructions for living a life. Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.”
* * *
Find Your Way
Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, creativity, Thoughts, Writers, writing on June 23, 2025| Leave a Comment »
Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun.
— Mary Lou Cook
* * *
Better Is Better
Posted in Other, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, creativity, life, Thoughts on June 22, 2025| Leave a Comment »
“We’re not born creative or destructive. Each one of us has the ability to create or destroy, to leave the world better than we found it, or worse.”
— Yo-Yo Ma
* * *
-
Recent Posts
She Said, He Said
-
-
Favorite Posts
Archives
Categories
It’s All So Random
What I’m Reading
You must be logged in to post a comment.