J.K. Ullrich's Blog, page 10
January 13, 2019
Three (Surprisingly Simple) Steps to Registering a Writing Business
Write story. Distribute e-book. Earn royalties. Boom! You’re a professional writer…right? If you’ve got only one or two books in mind, this is a fine approach. Starting and managing a writing business probably isn’t worth the hassle for a single memoir or how-to manual. But for independent authors planning numerous titles, a formal business has two … Continue reading Three (Surprisingly Simple) Steps to Registering a Writing Business
December 30, 2018
Running Through Writing: Year-End Review 2018 (and a look ahead at 2019)
Well, that was fast. It feels like only a few weeks ago I was lacing up my trainers for my New Year’s Day run and feeling bittersweet about the Syzygy-themed songs on my workout playlist. But 2018 quickly accelerated to warp speed. Calendar leaves turned more quickly than pages in an engrossing novel, but a … Continue reading Running Through Writing: Year-End Review 2018 (and a look ahead at 2019)
December 9, 2018
In-Flight Entertainment: Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love My Stories
Epiphany struck me 35,000 over Chicago. Dimmed lights in the plane cabin made my laptop screen glow conspicuously on the tiny tray table, an invitation to judge over my shoulder, but I didn’t have time for self-consciousness. I had revisions to finish. Faced with a cross-country business trip, I’d assigned myself a travel project of … Continue reading In-Flight Entertainment: Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love My Stories
November 25, 2018
Do Androcentrists Dream of Electric Wombs? A Movie Review of “Blade Runner 2049”
I recently undertook a campaign to study more canon science fiction classics, such as Philip K. Dick’s story “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?”, inspiration the iconic movie “Blade Runner”. Although I enjoyed some of the concepts, the dated portrayals of women in both versions rankled me. Thus the early trailers for Blade Runner 2049 … Continue reading Do Androcentrists Dream of Electric Wombs? A Movie Review of “Blade Runner 2049”
November 11, 2018
Dulce Et Decorum Est: The Centennial of WWI
One hundred years ago today–on the eleventh day of the eleventh month at the eleventh hour, 11 November 1918–Germany signed the armistice that brought World War I to a close. Sixteen million people, military and civilians, died in the four years of conflict. But the “war to end all wars” left some conflicts unresolved, and this … Continue reading Dulce Et Decorum Est: The Centennial of WWI
October 28, 2018
Winter (Writing) Is Coming: Tips for Winning NaNoWriMo
It’s that time of year again. The crisp rustle of (page) leaves, the chill in the air (at the thought of writing a novel in a month)…it’s not just autumn, it’s National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), that magical/maddening season when aspiring authors around the world sprint toward a 50,000-word draft. I participated last year and won. … Continue reading Winter (Writing) Is Coming: Tips for Winning NaNoWriMo
October 14, 2018
Book Review: “Weather Woman” by Cai Emmons
**I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review** One thing I love about climate fiction (cli-fi) is its fluidity. Its themes can twine through any other style of narrative, subtle as a spring zephyr or as consuming as a hurricane gale. Cai Emmons’ new book Weather Woman unleashes it … Continue reading Book Review: “Weather Woman” by Cai Emmons
Book Review: “Weather Woman” by Cai Emmonds
**I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review** One thing I love about climate fiction (cli-fi) is its fluidity. Its themes can twine through any other style of narrative, subtle as a spring zephyr or as consuming as a hurricane gale. Cai Emmonds’ new book Weather Woman unleashes it … Continue reading Book Review: “Weather Woman” by Cai Emmonds
September 30, 2018
Rejection to Redemption: A Short Story About Persistence in Writing Short Stories
The email notification pinged softly on my phone as we crossed the North Carolina border. “Your story ‘Shakti’ is one of the finalists….” “That’s great,” said my Laddie when I read the message aloud. I shrugged and turned back to the cornfields beyond the window, surrendering to the creative malaise that consumed me all that … Continue reading Rejection to Redemption: A Short Story About Persistence in Writing Short Stories
September 16, 2018
Book Review: “Children of Time”
“Well, now I’m going to have nightmares,” said my Laddie mildly, without taking his eyes from his Kindle. I glanced across the pillow at him. “Why?” “Because this book has giant spiders…and they’re better characters than the humans.” Adrian Tchaikovsky’s Children of Time will make even arachnophobes rethink their prejudices. Without spoiling too much of the … Continue reading Book Review: “Children of Time”
