Rob Steiner's Blog, page 15

Best something-or-other for Writers

It's Friday and it's time for my "Best something-or-other" post! Well, okay, this is my first one, but it'll be a series. Trust me.
Why not start off with something for all you other writers out there? These are links to sites and information I use regularly, and I've found them very helpful [...:]

Book Review: Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson

When you pick up a Brandon Sanderson novel, you can be assured of an epic fantasy that does not follow the usual fantasy tropes, yet gives you everything you love about epic fantasy in the first place.
Well of Ascension is no different.
The second book in the Mistborn trilogy starts a year after the [...:]

The Cold War

I haven't had a full-blown, phlegm-spewing, throat-scouring cold in over eight months, so I was overdue for an invasion. My immune system is strained, but holding up valiantly against the Virus Horde. Unfortunately the Horde is now entrenched in my sinuses. They force me to use up all the Puffs in the [...:]

Why Time Travel is Impractical

Via Grasping for the Wind.

D&D for Kids

I'm so excited — Wizards of the Coast is launching a new line of Dungeons & Dragons adventures for kids six and up called Heroes of Hesiod. It's based on a new Wizards of the Coast novel for kids called Monster Slayers.
What better way to teach your children problem solving skills and creative thinking [...:]

ZERVAKAN

I've been asked what ZERVAKAN was about, so I thought I'd give you the "teaser" copy I wrote for it a while back. It's epic fantasy but without the typical medieval milieu — it's set in world similar to the America West during the mid-19th century. I wouldn't call it "steampunk," but my [...:]

Pity City

My agent got another rejection yesterday for my fantasy novel ZERVAKAN. Once again it was a "positive rejection" — the editor said the book was good, but not great. At least I chose to see it as a positive rejection. The editor could've sent a form letter.
Anyway, I have a four-stage process [...:]

Lost links

For all you Lost fanatics (me being one of them), Wired has a cool infographic showing the connections between all the characters on the show leading up to the fateful plane crash in 2004. Interesting, but where's Ben?

Earth pics

Popular Science Online has gathered some of the best NASA satellite photos of the Earth to celebrate Earth Day. Take a look and then go recycle something.

100,000!

Today I passed 100,000 words on the first draft of my fourth novel, an alt-history/sci-fi story that I superstitiously don't want to pitch right now (let's just say I hope Romans + nasty alien viruses = profit). I figure I have about 30,000 more to go before the first draft is finished.
Getting to 100,000 [...:]