Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Posts Tagged ‘writing’

Sorry, Censor…

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , on April 19, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Upon realizing that the day is passing by much later than I hoped:

My internal writing censor: You should be writing!

Me: I tried, I mean, I’ve been at the computer all day and everything!

Censor: Did you work on your day job and bills and that house project you need to sort out? Did you take a break for lunch? Did you do (pauses dramatically) multiple loads of laundry?!

Me: It’s true, I did all of those things.

Censor: And you say you tried.

So judgy! Sorry, Censor. Some days it just doesn’t happen, and that’s got to be ok.

Onward!

* * *

Photo by yue su on Unsplash

Read Full Post »

Today in Tech

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , on April 17, 2024| Leave a Comment »

In“day’s Problms in Tech”Ii prreesent 

In “Today’s Problem in Tech” I present severe yet intermittent keyboard lag. The above is an example of what I’m dealing with, so no writing for me until I find a way around this problem.

* * *

Pencil and paper: I’ll do it, computer, you know I will! Photo by David Pennington on Unsplash

Read Full Post »

Taxes and the (Not So) Grim Reaper

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on April 15, 2024| Leave a Comment »

It’s that time again for Americans: Tax Day. Fun? Not really, although my taxes are done and I can rest easy knowing that I have contributed to the collective project that is civilization, and also won’t get a disturbing letter from the IRS.

It’s also a day when a lot of us could use more humor in our lives, which makes it a perfect excuse to promote my friend David Hankins’ new book, out today!

Death and the Taxman | Universal Book Links Help You Find Books at Your Favorite Store!

Allies are few and hijinks are many in this hilarious race against time as the Grim Reaper himself tries to cheat death and avoid an audit by Hell’s Auditor and the Office of Micromanagement.

After sharing an ill-advised cup of tea with IRS auditor Frank Totmann, Grim finds himself trapped in Frank’s life amid a world of dangers: love, betrayal, reckless cabbies, implacable demon hunters, and the incessant needs that keep his body ticking . . . for now.

David’s writing is terrific, and this book is based on his award-winning short story of the same name. It’s great to see humorous fantasy done so well. Want a sample of his writing? Preview a chapter here.

Because when it comes to taxes, who doesn’t appreciate a laugh?

* * *

Photo by Yomex Owo on Unsplash

Read Full Post »

Exploration Zone

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , on April 12, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Science fiction has long been considered a harbinger, and sometimes a driver, of future innovations. It can also be one of our best venues for the “cultural brainstorming” required to interpret current social, technological and political challenges.

How do some of our leading authors view the impact of SF on society as a whole?

This fascinating interview asks N.K. Jemisin, Andy Weir, Lois McMaster Bujold, David Brin, Cory Doctorow and Charles Stross about this and much more.

Does Science Fiction Shape the Future? by Namir Khaliq in Nautilus

Recently, I interviewed six of today’s foremost science-fiction authors. I asked them to weigh in on how much impact they think science fiction has had, or can have, on society and the future…

 * * *

Photo by KNXRT on Unsplash

Read Full Post »

Begin, Again and Again

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , , on April 11, 2024| Leave a Comment »

“Beginning is underrated. Merely beginning. With inadequate preparation, because you will never be fully prepared. With imperfect odds of success, because the odds are never perfect. Begin. With the humility of someone who’s not sure, and the excitement of someone who knows that it’s possible.”

— Seth Godin

* * *

Photo by shawnanggg on Unsplash

Read Full Post »

A Fine Mess

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , on April 7, 2024| Leave a Comment »

This morning I tried a new recipe. It turned out… on the mediocre side of ok.

I made copious notes and version 2.0 will be better, but what I really took away from the experience was what I was telling myself throughout the bake: Something wasn’t right.

Turns out, I should have listened.

The result was a bit of a mess, but that’s fine. I get some of my best ideas when I’m working with an idea that, well, doesn’t work. Knowing what’s broken makes a project easier to fix. That applies to food and to art.

So, my takeaway from today, for both cooking and writing: trust yourself. Learn, experiment, use the Force, whatever helps you take that next step down the path.

It will be fine.

* * *

Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash

Read Full Post »

The Creative Well

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , on April 5, 2024| Leave a Comment »

“In filling the well, think magic. Think delight. Think fun. Do not think duty. Do not do what you should do—spiritual sit-ups like reading a dull but recommended critical text. Do what intrigues you, explore what interests you; think mystery, not mastery.”

― Julia Cameron

* * *

The Wishing Well. Photo by Robert Thiemann on Unsplash

Read Full Post »

In Pursuit

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , on March 30, 2024| Leave a Comment »

We’re out and about today, and I’m finding inspiration in both natural and human worlds. I don’t have time to get started right now, but I’ve got two story ideas competing for space in my head. I look forward to chasing them down soon.

* * *

Photo by Karly Santiago on Unsplash

Read Full Post »

On a Bit of a Tear

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , , on March 23, 2024| Leave a Comment »

This isn’t something I would normally say, but I think I’m reading a little too much.

I’ve been on a bit of a tear, rereading some of my favorite stories. I’ve just finished to the tenth book plus spinoffs in one series, and I think I need to slow down after this.

It’s cutting into my writing time.

* * *

Photo by Ed Robertson on Unsplash

Read Full Post »

The Nebula Award Finalists

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on March 22, 2024| 1 Comment »

Fun, new reading recommendations! SFWA Announces the Finalists for the 59th Nebula Awards – SFWA

Here are links to the short story and novelette finalists. Most are free to read. For the full list with info links (including those below), see Finalists for the 59th Nebula Awards | MetaFilter.

Nebula Award for Novelette

Nebula Award for Short Story

I read this delightful short by R.S.A. Garcia with lunch: Tantie Merle and the Farmhand 4200 – Uncanny Magazine

You could meet him if you want but take off the recorder first. I tell you my story, but you have to ask him if you want to hear his.

* * *

Photo by Nataliya Melnychuk on Unsplash

Read Full Post »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »