Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff's Blog: #42 Pencil: A Writer's Life, the Universe, and Everything, page 91

Assumptions

I talk a lot about examining assumptions–about questioning dearly held beliefs and common truth(isms), and about learning to see the world through a different and sometimes much more accurate or perceptive lens. This principle works for everything from training animals to writing books to running countries. Some things are just taken for granted. But should they be?

Assumptions are everywhere. They’re in the food we eat–what it is, how it’s prepared and packaged–and the clothes we wear. When I...

Editor Interview: Deborah J. Ross

Editor Deborah J. Ross

Interviewed byKatharine Eliska Kimbriel

Multi-talented writer Deborah J. Ross is known for world-building SF (Jaydium and Northlight) and fantasy (most recently The Seven-Petaled Shield from DAW). She has successfully continued Marion Zimmer Bradley’s Darkover series, adding both novels and anthologies to the history. Able to produce fiction or nonfiction at multiple lengths, she also has an additional talent–she edits anthologies. Deborah has handled fantasy collections...

Story Inspiration Sunday

A while ago, I did a post on writing inspiration. I listed the things that inspired me to get my butt in the chair and write.

This last week has been much more difficult for me to make that time–too much happening in my life, too much going on in my head. I didn’t write for a few days (I got really squirrely as a result, actually ended up having nightmares.)

What had happened to my grit? To my stick-to-it-ness?

Normally, once I start a story, it’s hard to stop me. I think about it all the tim...

Uses of the Undead: Part Two

In last week’s post we looked at the strengths of monsters and why they’re so hard to defeat. This week we’ll take a peek into the People’s Armory: there’s some serious shit in there.

A traditional caganer

Slouching towards Gotham

When monsters multiply (now easier than ever thanks to the fissiparous power of the Internet), things fall apart and the center not only cannot hold, but cannot even be discerned anymore. What can be done? Or, should we be looking for Lao Tsu’s “no action?”

One thing is...

Gravity: A Very Short Review

By Brenda W. Clough

As a member of SFWA I got roped in one year to be on the Nebula Film committee. Ever since I have kept an eye on the movies that come out that might possibly be eligible for the award. And I particularly watch for SCIENCE fiction. Fantasy has a total lock on film and needs no additional PR or support — can you say Harry Potter? Avengers? The Hobbit? Yes you can!

OK, so I can report that we can put it away for the 2013 Nebs. As of this writing Gravity surely has a lock. OMG,...

Some Thoughts on Magic

The other day I realized that I’ve been studying the history and belief systems of various kinds of magic for 50 years. I thought others might find some of my conclusions interesting, so here’s what might be the first of several blog posts.

Anyone who wants to write in the various fantasy genres can profit from some understanding of “real” magic, that is, the beliefs about magic that real people have held throughout history. Magic that has some depth, some feeling of reality, enhances a story...

Craigslist: The Unexpurgated Truth

You want the truth? Can you handle it?

Truth is, Craigslist is great.Contrary to popular opinion it is not a den of pedophiles, thieves, and draft dodgers.

Not to belittle anyone’s tragic experience, but I’m wondering if the horror stories aren’t a bit exaggerated. Haven’t these muggers and rapists been with us all along? Soliciting in whatever nefarious way they can? Is all this really Craig’s fault?

All I can say is my Craigslist experience has been wonderful. I’ve listed 53 items, mostly in t...

Stealing From the Greats

When my father was in North Africa during World War II, he asked his mother to send him the complete works of Shakespeare. He carried the volume she sent him throughout the war.

It didn’t save his life — as in all those (probably apocryphal) stories about a Bible in a breast pocket blocking a bullet — but it did help him keep his sanity in a world gone mad.

In my childhood, that same volume sat between bookends on top of a bookcase in our living room. I discovered it when I was about eleven.

I’d...

WWW Wednesday 10-09-2013

WWW Wednesday. This meme is from shouldbereading.

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?

• What do you think you’ll read next?

• What are you currently reading?

I’m still listening to Blackout, by Connie Willis. Yesterday I even took a walk to put more steps on my Fitbit [Site] and one thing led to another [dog bite, nuisance not injury] which resulted in me at the ER making sure I didn’t need any shots...

When Writers Can’t Write

Maya Bohnhoff (& Clancy)

“Once upon a time, alas by now a long time ago, when Indians or to be correct the aboriginal people of America where still allowed to follow the nomadic lives of their choice, there were those afraid of and maligning, rightly or wrongly, strangers who entered their settled lives.”

I often see sentences like this one (from which the serial numbers have been filed to protect the creator thereof). Too often. From people who have no idea that there is anything wrong with wh...