Writers | J.R. Johnson

Posts Tagged ‘Writers’

Feeling Better Now

Posted in Likes, Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2022, cat herding, Thoughts, writer problems, Writers on August 12, 2022| 1 Comment »

A friend asked for an update on the cat naming conundrum, and I had to report that it is still under discussion.

“I don’t know why this is so hard but it is. All we know is that Argyle doesn’t feel quite right, but nothing else does either. I think it’s a matter of getting to know him better.”

You’d think that a writer would have an easier time with this sort of thing, but I’ve been focused on the importance of finding the right name.

In an effort to make us feel better, our friend sent this:

And I do:)

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Sunday Sunday

Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2022, creativity, Fiction, Thoughts, Writers, writing on August 7, 2022| Leave a Comment »

I won’t lie, a nap sounds pretty good right now. Instead, I’m making yogurt, working on a design project, considering my cookbook update, and waiting for a storm to roll through.

Who knows, I might even write something.

There’s no such thing as writer’s block. There’s simply a fear of bad writing. Do enough bad writing and some good writing is bound to show up.
— Seth Godin

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Open the Sky

Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2022, Fiction, inspiration, quotes, Thoughts, Writers on August 6, 2022| Leave a Comment »

“We are not trapped or locked up in these bones. No, no. We are free to change. And love changes us. And if we can love one another, we can break open the sky.”
― Walter Mosley, Blue Light

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Cream of the Crop

Posted in Funny, Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2022, creativity, Fiction, free fiction, genre fiction, science fiction, Writers, writing on July 28, 2022| Leave a Comment »

While chatting with my father about a sci-fi book he’s reading, I remembered this short bit of free fiction from John Scalzi. Now I share it with you, too.

When the Yogurt Took Over: A Short Story | Whatever

When the yogurt took over, we all made the same jokes – “Finally, our rulers will have culture,” “Our society has curdled,” “Our government is now the cream of the crop,” and so on. But when we weren’t laughing about the absurdity of it all, we looked into each others’ eyes with the same unasked question – how did we ever get to the point where we were, in fact, ruled by a dairy product?

Enjoy!

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Out to Lunch

Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2022, creativity, Em Liu, Fiction, Fireside, free fiction, genre fiction, Writers, writing on July 24, 2022| Leave a Comment »

It’s a lazy, rainy Sunday afternoon and (full transparency here) I find myself sorely lacking in motivation. Since we’ve had a mini “aliens on Earth” theme this week, let’s round it out with a short story from Fireside.

The Tourist by Em Liu
He goes to Earth alone.

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Who Knew?

Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2022, Fiction, free fiction, genre fiction, Thoughts, unexpected, Writers, writing on July 21, 2022| Leave a Comment »

What do you know, some people actually did read Playboy for the articles!

Read 10 of the Best Stories Ever Published in Playboy ‹ Literary Hub

…while Hefner was indeed a man who collected and commodified women and called it “feminism,” it doesn’t change the fact that the joke about reading Playboy for the articles isn’t really a joke. The magazine has published some fantastic interviews, essays, and—most importantly for our purposes here—fiction over the years, the latter thanks in part to expert fiction editor Alice K. Turner…
Since its inception, Playboy has published work by Vladimir Nabokov, James Baldwin, Shirley Jackson, Nadine Gordimer, Doris Lessing, John Updike, John Cheever, P. G. Wodehouse, Arthur C. Clarke, John Irving, Roald Dahl, Frank Herbert, Stephen King, Norman Mailer, Joyce Carol Oates, Philip K. Dick, Ray Bradbury, Annie Proulx, and many other greats.

Almost all of the stories on this list are available to read online (via sites that will not get you in trouble at work, bonus). So enjoy the classic fiction, folks, while appreciating the venues we now have for sci-fi and other fiction.

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Tipping Point

Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2022, aliens, climate change, creativity, drabble, Drabble Dabble Do, Fiction, genre fiction, Thoughts, Writers, writing on July 20, 2022| 2 Comments »

A drabble inspired by my love for science fiction. Also, the news.

Tipping Point, or, Oil Lobbyists Celebrate Over Drinks (London, UK, Earth)
Four oil lobbyists drank martinis around a mahogany table in a richly-appointed bar, celebrating. Their efforts had finally succeeded.
The lobbyist at the South end of the table grinned.
“Did you see the news? 40C! God, we’re good.”
West puffed on a Cuban cigar. “They say it’s the new normal. I’d say we’re ready.”
North shivered in the frigid air. “Agreed. Make the call.”
East opened a communicator that looked like a prop from Star Trek.
“Base? Terraforming is complete. Send the first wave of settlers.”
South looked at his fleshy fingers.
“Can’t wait to get out of these clothes.”

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*Photo by Jarosław Kwoczała on Unsplash*

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A Gem of a Book

Posted in Likes, Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2022, creativity, Fiction, free fiction, genre fiction, Parsec Ink, publications, Thoughts, Writers, writing, yay on July 17, 2022| Leave a Comment »

I am very happy to announce the publication of Parsec Ink’s latest anthology, Triangulation: Energy.

The theme is sustainable energy: can we find a way to keep up with—or exceed—our present and future energy consumption levels while keeping our space livable?

Is it science fiction? Yes. Does it showcase positive takes on our energy challenges? Yes. Was I fortunate enough to have a story in it, alongside a roster of terrific authors? Yes!

The anthology is available in Kindle and paperback formats. Curious about what’s inside? Check out the Kindle preview for a sample of the first three entries, including my own story, The Jewel of New Stoltz. I know I wrote it and all, but I’m happy to be able to share a story I love.

Hope you like it too.

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After All

Posted in Other, Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2022, supermoon, Thoughts, Writers on July 14, 2022| Leave a Comment »

Tonight, if you have a moment and remember that we are, after all, just passengers on a ship hurtling through space with only one true companion, look up. The Buck Moon will be waiting.

Supermoon / Super Moon – Why and When?