Fran Wilde's Blog, page 38

Don't be (more) evil

There hasn't been a tech post in a while. Granted, this only marginally qualifies…

Watching last week's roller coaster response to Apple's iAuthor app, and this week's gaining response to Google's account-information merge with no opt-out, I'm again thinking about needs vs. wants, standards, and the greater good.

I have no answers.  I can't tell you how devious the intent was when Apple shifted iAuthor's product from epub standards and towards an iPad-only model.  I can't tell you why Google...

In Ardua Tendit

So, the past couple of months.

Short version:  I took a short story called "Debit" to a writers' workshop in October 2011. The workshop was a fantastic experience, on so many levels.  While there, I received inspiring feedback from generous instructors and co-workshoppers. And I was given a task: turn the short story into a novel.  In 90 days.

Yup.  Day 90 was Thursday, January 12, 2011.

Extended version:

Until last winter, I was a prolific, lifelong story-starter.  I wrote beginnings, then...

2011 reading : or, go ahead and judge

Yes, I've been scarce in these parts. Yes I have a good reason. Patience, rabbit. All will be revealed.

In time-honored tradition, I will now distract you with a list of other people's books. Specifically those I read (or read again) this year and that come to mind as I type this right now. I read a lot. The list is long. I have left things off that I meant to put on there. There are a number of short stories at the top, many with links, because short stories rock, and you should read some.

The...

Cooking the Books: Elephant Stew with Steven Gould

Author Steven Gould, styling a favored kimono

You've probably seen an article or two dedicated to "eating an elephant" – in other words, taking on a huge task.  But what about serving one up?  Writing a novel, for instance, that's more like cooking an elephant, right?

About a month ago, author Steven Gould and I were talking about offbeat, sometimes fictional, recipes.  Gould is the author of eight novels, including 7th Sigma (2011), Jumper (1992), Reflex (2004), and Jumper: Griffin's Story...

Meme Post: 10 Rules for Writing

I am completely behind the curve on this.  Viable Paradise XVers have been posting 10 Rules for Writing since we returned from Martha's Vineyard.  Since my brain is mush due to my current task at hand (all will be revealed later), I've thought of exactly six rules for myself, but maybe by the time I get to the end of this post, they'll morph into ten rules. I'm sure there are many more than ten, but I'll be lucky to remember even six this morning.

Please bear in mind, these are rules...