One of the ways that my privilege shows is that my parents paid for my college education. They also were able to fill in the financial gaps when I started working as a puppeteer so that I didn’t have to get a day job. While I tried not to lean on them, there were months […]
Paying the artist is important for supporting marginalized voices. Read More »
I was an art major in college. It’s been on my bucket list to design an award, though I’d been thinking of the Hugo base. So when World Fantasy announced that they were going to replace the existing award, I asked for more information. Today I got it. And it is bullshit. I say this with
MRK’s very strong feelings about the WFC award specs and paying artists Read More »
Although I’m going to have to come up with a better title. And if you want Lee to answer your questions next week, here’s the link to the Google On Air for Episode 3 of “Ask a Puppet”
Episode two of “Ask a Puppet” Read More »
Last year, during the lead up to the Hugos, I wrote a post about how this was more important than just a rocketship. Here, read a bit of it for context. One of the things about fiction in general, and even more so with SFF, is that it tends to reflect the zeitgeist of the culture. For instance, during
Theodore Beale is the Donald Trump of Science Fiction Read More »
I’ve just given the same pep talk to three different writers, so I figure you probably need it to. Let me speak to you about impostor syndrome. That thing where you are sure everyone knows you’re faking it and they are going to find out any minute and then you will be cast down and
Impostor Syndrome – an analogy and pep talk Read More »
So I was in a mood tonight and invited Lee the Puppet to answer questions. Questions asked: What in your life prompted you to be an advocate of diversity, on social media, and in your writing? (besides having a brain, that is!) Where do you get your ideas? How do you balance the rabbit hole
Watch Lee the Puppet answer questions about writing and publishing Read More »
When we talk about voice in writing, it can get confusing because people use the word to mean different things. Let me offer “style of puppetry” as a metaphor to talk about the different forms of voice. Mechanical In puppetry one of the first things you have to do when designing a new show is
Using puppetry to explain what writers mean by Voice Read More »
I had some thoughts on Twitter, because people seem to think that developing a diverse group is this big mystery. It’s actually pretty simple. [View the story “Diversity planning made simple” on Storify]
Thoughts about how to add diversity. Real simple thoughts. Read More »
Hurrah! I’m 47 today and I’m getting on an airplane to go to Salt Lake City to record Writing Excuses and attend LTUE. On my birthday. On a plane. I think we all know how this is going to go. Meanwhile! I have a party favor for you. This is the first scene, sort of,
I am 47 today! Have the first scene of GHOST TALKERS as a party favor. Read More »
I was watching Rutger Hauer clips to nail down a character and found this. What…? I– I mean, I know it was the 90s, but still, what the…?
Rutger Hauer is– I’m not even… What? What did I just watch? Read More »
Normally I do my end of year wrap up post in December, because it’s a good time to collect everything in one spot for when nomination season rolls around. I didn’t do that this year because I’d decided to recuse myself from eligibility for the Hugo awards. Why? Because I know how few nominations it takes
MRK’s non-eligibility awards post Read More »
At Christmas every year, there’s a giant gathering of family. I usually have a puppet because… because puppet. Anyway, one of my favorite things is introducing my newer cousins to the puppets. There’s an interesting thing that happens developmentally with little kids. You know that whole willing suspension of disbelief thing? Little kids haven’t started doing
Puppets and the suspension of disbelief Read More »
I started this challenge back in 2012 on a whim, and it turns out that I’m not the only person who enjoys sending mail. It’s like I know a bunch of writers or something. Fancy that. A couple of things about the challenge, for those of you who are looking at it and feeling like
Today is the first day of Month of Letters. Are you in? Read More »
Periodically, I get people asking if I’ll mentor them. I don’t, because my schedule is tight enough that I don’t feel like I can take on another job and do it justice. But I know that there are people who do and it occurred to me that I could just ask y’all if you’re one
Do you mentor early career writers? Read More »
One of Sadie’s favorite toys is a peacock feather. During the winter, the combination of our wool rug and her very fluffy coat leads to the feather sticking to her. And then she chases it. If you’ve been having a rough day, this is my gift to you. You’re welcome. Oh and lest there’s any
Sadie + peacock feather + winter static = hillarity Read More »