Bryan Thomas Schmidt's Blog, page 21

A Mistake I Don’t Regret

Two days ago, I posted a post I’m proud of. I worked hard on it. Since then, it has led to anger and vitriol being aimed at me. The intention was to promote civility and temperance in important discussions on issues in the SFF community. Not to silence anyone but to encourage dialogue presented in  [ Read More ]

On SFWA Forums, the SFF Community & A Call For Not Silence But Civility

NOTE: You know it’s funny when you post something to try and encourage productive dialogue and a calming of passions so real change can occur and then get attacked as an enemy by the very people you are trying to help. People misconstrue, misread and mischaracterize everything you say. They don’t know you. They don’t  [ Read More ]

On SFWA Forums, the SFF Community & A Call For Civility

Passion is not wrong. Passion is the fertilizer of our craft. BUT there is a way to channel passion into productivity and a way to just let it loose like a rabid jungle cat. We need more of the former, less of the latter in SFWA forum discussions and the SFF community discussions. We all  [ Read More ]

On SFWA Forums, the SFF Community & A Call For Not Silence But Civility

NOTE: You know it’s funny when you post something to try and encourage productive dialogue and a calming of passions so real change can occur and then get attacked as an enemy by the very people you are trying to help. People misconstrue, misread and mischaracterize everything you say. They don’t know you. They don’t  [ Read More ]

My Campbell Conference Agenda

I am privileged to be an Author Guest at the Campbell Awards Conference at University of Kansas this weekend, sponsored by Center For The Study Of Science Fiction. Here’s the agenda items I’ll be involved with. You can find a full agenda here. Friday, June 14       9:00am – 4:45pm: The Spencer Research  [ Read More ]

Let’s Talk About Hitting On Girls, Boys (i.e. Don’t Sexually Harrass)

You know, it always amazes me the gall some people have. There are guys who can just walk up to women, have a friendly conversation, and then decide that the woman wants to have sex. They then start hitting on her. Some guys skip the friendly conversation altogether and go straight to propositioning. I’m not  [ Read More ]

Write Tip: Worldbuilding – Follow The Truth Not Someone Else’s Agenda

Want some unsolicited writing advice? Don’t let someone else’s selfish advice box you in on your worldbuilding. Okay, perhaps an example is in order. I recently read an article by a fantasy writer who suggested that if you create a world in which females are wives or slaves or not strong, then you are making  [ Read More ]

Write Tip: 5 Tips For Choosing The Right Independent Editor

 I get this question all the time: “How Do I Know What’s Reasonable?” about independent editors and their fees. You’d think people would consider me biased, but in truth, I’m not because although I have absolutely confidence in the quality of our work at Finish The Story and my own independent work, I understand the  [ Read More ]

My Schedule For ConQuest 44

Well, ConQuest 44, our local con, and the first SFF con I ever attended in 2010, is back this coming weekend and here is my tentative schedule: Friday 1600-1700: Building a Fantasy World [MOD] (Monarch) Bryan Thomas Schmidt [MOD], Patrick Rothfuss, Patricia C. Wrede, M.C. (Mary) Chambers, K.D. McEntire Saturday 1300-1325: Reading/Q&A/Autographs [MOD] (Regency) Bryan  [ Read More ]

Write Tip: Thou Shalt Not Sin With Commas

I know what you’re thinking: a Write Tip on commas? It’s so basic. I must admit, it’s the last subject I thought I’d ever tackle in one of these tips. But please don’t find it insulting. The more I edit, the more I find it is often the very basics of which we writers most  [ Read More ]