High in the sky, taller than the tallest buildings, lived Nimbus the Cloud. For those of you who have read Pitter Patty Finds Another Day, I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking, That’s wrong. That’s not how it begins. You’re not wrong, except that really is how it began. This is the origin story of […]
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On Saturday December 18, 2021, they presented the awards for the 2021 Hugo Awards. For those who don’t know, they’re sort of the Oscars for the field of science fiction and fantasy. So, for genre writers and nerds (like me) they’re a pretty big deal. The first award was presented in 1953, and together with […]
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The goal was 500 words. That was the uncompromising ceiling Escape Pod set. Five hundred words to establish relatable characters, set a beginning, middle, and relay an ending that satisfies… Not to mention, develop conflict, stakes, and a tension that feels real. (42 words) First step: Choosing the story. Not all tales fit the bill. […]
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On Sunday, October 11, 2020, an author by the name of the Chris Rose, while reflecting on his writing, paraphrased Han Solo- “Let’s just say we want to avoid any editorial entanglements,” he wrote. The response to Chris’ Twitter post happened at light speed. Writers, rebels all, struck back with words, jokes, and even some […]
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The question of luck is one I’ve long considered. Is one lucky because one is granted great fortune or because one avoids calamity. I’ve never really been graced with the former, but it’s hard not to be grateful for surviving unscathed. In my life, I have been struck by lightning, sucked into a rip tide, attacked […]
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We sat in a Wednesday circle, authors with guitars and harps when someone called out the song Yesterday. Mac agreed, but said she needed a note. I waited for a moment, an outsider, unsure of my place and then sang out the first word and held the tune. “That’s not a note.” Mac retorted. “Close,” […]
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In four days, I’m going to paradise. I guess the first step is to get footloose. No, that can’t be right. Being footloose gets you almost to paradise. To get to a Viable Paradise, the first step requires homework. Lots of homework. After all, paradise without preparation likely leads to dystopia. In this case, homework means […]
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So, a general thought on the Hugos. It’s really cool to see what the powers that be grade out as the best, but I’ve long been aware that there are many factors that influence how a book, editor, artist, or magazine is chosen. That doesn’t mean that the award winner is unworthy or less worthy, […]
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Reading Mark Lawrence’s Holy Sister is a bit like wandering around in a candy shop only to realize that what you gobbled up might just have been nutritious. The characters, politics, intricate plots, well-realized world mixing science fiction and fantasy elements are all so satisfying. It gives you what you want in terms of action, […]
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I’m early as I always am. My training as an NPR reporter insists that I maintain this discipline. I want my hand seen. I want to see the speaker and her body language. Tone matters. Inflections matter. Everything that occurs at a presser carries a message. Even as a radio reporter, all five senses count. […]
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